The Minister of Education and Higher Education, H E Dr. Mohammed Abdul Wahed Al Hammadi, with other school officials and students during the celebration of the official opening of Durham School for Girls, yesterday, at Al Messila Resort and Spa.
Durham School for Girls, the first international sister school of the prestigious Durham School UK, welcomed its first cohort of girls on August 25 for the new academic year 2019-20.
The official school opening event held at the Al Messila Resort and Spa was attended by the Minister of Education and Higher Education, H E Dr. Mohammed Abdul Wahed Al Hammadi, officials from Durham school UK and large attendance of parents.
The event included performances by students in English and Arabic, welcoming speeches by the Heads of Houses and the Head Girl.
The school, located in the Al Messila area, offers an excellent educational option for families who want British education for their daughters but do not want to compromise their beliefs or cultural identity.
The school’s unique approach combines 600 years of UK educational heritage with a strong cultural foundation, to offer an internationally recognised standard of education focused on values and helping develop every girl’s full potential.
Vanessa Whay, Founding Principal of Durham School for Girls Doha, said: “We are proud and excited to bring this unique educational experience to Qatar. We bring the best teachers, a creative UK curriculum, and strong Arabic and Islamic studies together for our students in Qatar.”
She said that school’s vision and aims are perfectly aligned with Qatar National Vision 2030 and the Human Development outcomes of life-long learning.
Durham School for Girls Doha will provide a curriculum and range of co-curricular programmes that will enrich its pupils’ sense of self belief and foster leadership, collaboration and teamwork.
The school fosters and develops ‘Confidence for Life’ and promotes the values of Moral Integrity, Responsibility, Ambition and Kindness.
The school offers an innovative curriculum including STEM subjects, humanities, English, ICT, Art, PE, Cooking, Textiles, Drama, Music as well as a strong provision of Arabic and Islamic studies in line with the MoE, all delivered by highly qualified and trained teachers and staff, in state of the art facilities. All girls are encouraged to participate in the School’s co-curricular programme which covers a broad spectrum of activities including a comprehensive sports programme, extensive visual and performance arts opportunities, crafts, cookery, eco-club, robotics and programming through to leadership activities, debate club and involvement in national and international school competitions.
At this stage, the school opened enrollment in its Foundation Stage and Primary School from years 1-7 and is accepting admission for Secondary School classes in 2020, catering for students in years 8, 9 and 10.
Samantha Whay-Jenkins, Director of Admissions and Marketing at Durham School for Girls Doha commented: “We are thrilled with the overwhelming response represented by over 560 enrolled students, the biggest school roll for an opening school in Qatar, a testament to our strong alignment with the needs of the Qatari society. We look forward to welcoming our secondary school students in the coming academic year.”
