Everything is settling down in the Secondary School and routines are being established. It has been a busy start to the year and we expect the pace to continue until the December holiday period begins. With examinations on the horizon, After School Activities and Fixtures underway as well as several trips planned it is going to be a busy few weeks during the remainder of this term.
Our Year 10 Business Studies students recently enjoyed a particularly interesting trip to the Qatar Stock Exchange, which included an informative lecture and an excellent project to (virtually) invest and trade in listed companies. Year 11 students attended the Qatar Careers Fair, this excellent initiative ties in with our ongoing preparations for establishing Years 12 and 13 (6th form) here at Oryx. Please look out for details about 6th form information sessions over the coming weeks.
It was gratifying to see several of our students performing at the Opening Ceremony of the IAAF World Athletics Championships Doha 2019 recently. Well done to everyone involved.
In the run up to the IAAF World Athletics Championships our students enjoyed a session here in school with the Aspire Academy, IAAF Doha 2019 and Qatar Airways teams, our students and staff's fitness was tested and they learned about the various athletics events. It was a fun day with an excellent message about fitness, health and participation in the run up to Qatar hosting the IAAF World Championships.
After School Activities started this week and we are also launching our House competitions, starting with House Volleyball and House Quiz prior to half-term. Each House will shortly elect House Captains and House Vice Captains to represent and lead their House. On a similar front it was a pleasure to confirm our new Head Boy (Ahmet Sayan) and Head Girl (Serena Williams). Ahmet and Serena will be our student leaders and will be supported by our new Deputy Head Girl (Jodi Sequeira) and Deputy Head Boy (Joshua Greaves). We all wish Serena, Ahmet, Joshua and Jodi the very best of luck in their new roles.
Year Heads are currently working on producing a homework timetable for Years 7, 8 and 9. We have taken note of requests for homework to be balanced through the week. Whilst there is no perfect solution, since each classes timetable is different, we will try to share homework evenly through the week, depending on specific lessons on particular days.
We appreciate parental support with the school uniform. We understand that school ties are not always in stock and that a tiny minority of students are awaiting a new delivery of ties. However, in general terms we do expect ties and shirts to be done up at the neck, shirts tucked in an a general smartness to be maintained, particularly as the weather starts to cool down. Please be reminded that guidance on jewelry is available on the school website, Parent Guide and in the Student Planner. We have allowed students time to become established in their new year groups and are now confirming that the school rules, with particular regard to jewelry, will be enforced. I thank you in advance for your support with this.
Planning is at an advanced stage for next month’s Year 11 mocks and term examinations for all year groups. An examination timetable will be published this month and student revision can start in earnest. Please note that we will be holding an International GCSE Information Evening for Year 9 students and parents on Monday 2nd December. This will allow for general information about next year’s Year 10 options to be disseminated, for parents to ask questions and for everyone to meet teachers of each IGCSE course in readiness for confirming IGCSE choices during Term 2.
Yours sincerely,
Mr. Ken Haggarty
Ivy Muteithia wowed the audience at our most recent Assembly with her rendition of ‘Naughty’ (from ‘Matilda’). It takes a lot of courage to go on stage and perform in front of hundreds of people but Ivy impressed everyone with her composure, musicianship and performance skills. Well done.
