As many of you will already be aware, the school was inspected under the prestigious BSO framework in the latter stages of last term. Over the holiday, we received the inspection report, and I am delighted, though not surprised, to share with you that Doha College was awarded an outstanding rating - the highest available - in all categories of the report.
It was particularly rewarding to read the inspectors recognise Doha College as a ‘leading centre of excellence’ within the region. Some of the highlights from the report include the assertions that:
‘Pupils make outstanding progress…attaining exceptionally high standards which are above England and international averages.’
‘The quality of the curriculum is outstanding. It is exceptionally well-planned, broad, balanced and well-matched to pupils’ abilities and interests.’
‘The quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding across the whole school. Teachers display excellent subject knowledge and a deep understanding of how children learn.’
‘Pupils of all ages and abilities show a real determination to succeed and are eager to challenge themselves at every opportunity…Pupils analytical skills are exceptional, as a result of teachers’ skilful questioning and carefully planned activities which require pupils to think for themselves and use their initiative.’
‘Tolerance and respect between all members of the school community are highly evident in the daily life of the school… The pupil leaders and ambassadors provide excellent role models for others to follow.’
‘Pupils have trust and confidence in their teachers, and these supportive relationships make a significant contribution to the effectiveness of teaching and learning.’
‘(The College’s) vision for digital excellence means that technology is used seamlessly in lessons as a highly effective resource to enhance learning.’
The full report will be available shortly on the UK Government’s Department for Education’s website, and we will be sharing more details from the excellent report with you in the coming weeks.
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone.
David Tongue
Principal
Doha College, celebrated for its academic excellence, equally recognises the vital importance of co-curricular activities in nurturing well-rounded individuals. In my new role, I am dedicated to enriching this dimension of our students' education. My goal is to ensure that every student has the opportunity to discover and cultivate their unique talents and passions.
Through a diverse range of co-curricular offerings, we can further empower our students to develop not just intellectually but also creatively, socially, and emotionally. Join us in this exciting journey of holistic growth and self-discovery at Doha College!
Key reminders for Primary parents:
Please ensure that you are on time for pick up. CCAs end promptly at 3.05 pm.
Please ensure that you or whoever is picking up your child has the correct lanyard to enter school. No child will be released from the CCA leader without this. Secondary siblings can pick up from primary school, but no older primary pupil can pick up a younger sibling.
Please ensure you inform your child’s class teacher if your child will not be attending CCA.
Key reminders for Secondary parents:
Please ensure that you are on time for pick up. CCAs end promptly at 3.05 pm.
Please ensure that you or whoever is picking up your child has the correct lanyard if you need to enter school.
On Sunday, we will be launching the SchoolsBuddy iPad app for student use. Please encourage your son/daughter to utilize this app to discover their CCA allocations, teachers and locations.
We will be encouraging any student who needs to stay after school and is not attending a CCA to go to the Secondary canteen for supervision. Please make sure to reiterate the importance of this to your son/daughter.
As always, thank you for your continued support, and we are looking forward to working with you all again!
Ondrea McSwiggan
Head of MFL & PSHCE & CCA Strategic Lead
Throughout January, Doha College will be launching an exciting AI community initiative that promises to educate you on the way we integrate emerging technologies into our educational environment.
As we embrace the possibilities offered by Artificial Intelligence (AI), we believe that it is our responsibility to ensure that both students and parents are well-informed, equipped, and engaged in this transformative journey.
To guide you through this exciting venture, we have prepared the Doha College AI Companion Guide for you all. This comprehensive resource will not only help you and your children navigate the world of AI effectively and ethically, it will also explain how we educate and safeguard students digitally at Doha College. We believe in harnessing this new technology and expanding the understanding and productivity of our staff, students and wider community to continue excelling in all they do.
We encourage you to keep an eye out for the following exciting activities and events throughout the month:
Exciting New Additions: Stay tuned for updates and additions to our curriculum and learning resources that incorporate AI, enhancing the educational experience for your child.
Engaging Social Media Posts: We will be sharing informative and captivating content related to AI on our social media platforms. Follow us to stay informed and engage in meaningful discussions.
Parent and Student Workshops: Join us for interactive workshops designed to provide hands-on experience with AI tools and to address any questions or concerns you may have.
Embracing AI in education offers numerous benefits, including personalised learning experiences, improved problem-solving skills, and enhanced career opportunities for our students. By integrating AI into our curriculum, we aim to equip our students with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in the digital age and shape the future.
We believe that understanding AI and its ethical use is essential for our students' success. Therefore, we invite you to be an active part of this initiative, supporting your children in their exploration of AI's potential while ensuring they use it responsibly.
We look forward to embarking on this exciting journey with you throughout the month of January and beyond. Your active participation and engagement are essential in making this initiative a success.
If you have any questions or require additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me at tmenton@dohacollege.com or digitallearning@dohacollege.com
Thank you for your continued support so that we can provide the best and most innovative education possible for your children at Doha College.
Teresa Menton
English Teacher & Head of Digital Learning (Secondary)