28th March 2024

Firstly, what a wonderful experience my first community Iftar was at Doha College; it was great to see the Doha College community unite in what was a heartfelt event. Thank you to the FDC and everyone who attended during a precious time of year.

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote to parents of children in the Primary School to share the exciting news that Derek Watson has been appointed as the College’s next Senior Vice Principal and Head of Primary School following Ruth Whymark’s appointment to Hong Kong as Associate Director of Quality and Standards for the Harrow AISL school group across Asia.

Mr Watson will be well known to many members of our community following his many years of dedicated service to the school as Deputy Head of Primary School. I know that he is exceptionally popular with the wider College community, and I have been personally dazzled by his loyalty, work ethic, organisation and efficiency since I arrived at the College.

We will be sharing this exciting news on the College’s social media channels and thank you so much to all those of you who have written to congratulate both Mr Watson and Mrs Whymark on their new roles.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone.

David Tongue

Principal

KEY COMMUNICATION

A NEW HEAD OF PRIMARY AT DOHA COLLEGE

I am thrilled to take this opportunity to not only congratulate Mrs Whymark on her well-deserved appointment but also to extend our heartfelt gratitude.

Mrs Whymark’s visionary leadership and her steadfast dedication to nurturing a culture of excellence in teaching and learning have been pivotal in transforming our Primary school. We celebrate her achievements and wish her tremendous success in her new venture, confident that she will leave behind a legacy of a robust and thriving school community.

Looking ahead with great anticipation to the forthcoming year, I am genuinely excited about leading our Primary school into its next exhilarating phase of development. Since my journey began at Doha College in 2015 as a class teacher, I have had the immense privilege of engaging with most of our vibrant community. These interactions have not only deepened my understanding of our cherished ethos and vision but have also uniquely positioned me to contribute significantly to our collective journey towards sustained success.

As we step into this promising new era, I am eager to work hand-in-hand with our exceptional staff, our supportive parents, and our wonderfully enthusiastic students. Together, we will steer our Primary school towards a horizon filled with even greater achievements, fostering a legacy of continued growth and unparalleled excellence. Let’s embark on this exciting journey together, building on the solid foundation we have towards a future that is as bright as the potential of every child in our care.

Derek Watson
Deputy Head of Academic, Primary

Temporary Closure of Gate 6 on Tuesday, 2nd April

Year 2 students have been delving into the historical event of the Fire of London as part of their current topic. Pupils have constructed miniature houses to represent those of 17th-century London, preparing to enact the event firsthand by burning them on the 2nd of April. While this activity promises excitement, safety remains paramount. Therefore, safety measures will be implemented, including the temporary closure of Gate 6 from 7.30am until 1.15pm on Tuesday, 2nd April.

Kevin Busaka

Head of Health, Safety, and Special Projects

CCA REFLECTION AND TERM 3 UPDATE

As we approach the end of a vibrant term filled with enriching CCAs, I would like to take a moment to reflect on the wonderful experiences our students have enjoyed.

This term's success is a testament to the dedication and enthusiasm of our incredible staff, who have gone above and beyond to run these CCAs. Their commitment has not only provided our students with invaluable opportunities for growth but has also fostered a sense of community and teamwork that extends beyond the classroom. We are grateful to each and every staff member for their tireless efforts and the positive impact they have made on our children's lives.

Preparations for Term 3 are nearly complete. Please stay tuned for more information in next week's newsletter about signing up for Term 3 CCAs. We will also launch our new Parent Guide.

This comprehensive resource has been crafted to provide you with all the information you need to support your child's co-curricular journey.

Registration will go live on Thursday, 4th April at 6.00 PM.

Thank you for your continued support.

Ondrea McSwiggan

Head of MFL & PSHCE & CCA Strategic Lead

DOHA COLLEGE SEAT BOOKING - 2024-2025

As we journey through the academic year, we wanted to gently remind you of a few key dates coming up for the 2024/25 academic year. These are important for ensuring your child’s seamless transition into the next year of learning and growth.

Seat Booking for 2024/25

Due Date: 1st, April 2024

A gentle reminder to secure your child’s place for the upcoming academic year by settling the Seat Booking Fee by the 1st of April (only applicable for students joining after August 2018). This fee will be fully offset against the Autumn 2024 term’s tuition fees, making it a smooth step towards the new academic year.

Summer Term Tuition

Due Date: 21st, April 2024

Looking ahead, the fee for the Summer term is due by the 21st of April. Planning for this will ensure a comfortable start to the term for your child. We understand how quickly time flies and wanted to ensure these dates are on your radar. If you have any questions or need further clarification, please feel free to reach out.

We’re here to help!

Warm regards,

Elanie Fest

Director of Finance

KEY DATES IN MARCH

NEWS FROM PRIMARY

A huge thank you to all who organised, came and participated at our Doha College community Iftar on Tuesday.

Experiencing Ramadan as a Non-Muslim in our vibrant school community offers a unique lens through which we can explore, understand, and appreciate the rich tapestry of cultures that surround us. Ramadan is not merely a month of fasting from dawn until sunset; it represents a deeply spiritual period of introspection, purification, and renewal. It is a time when the principles of empathy, charity, and community take centre stage, reflecting the core values we cherish in our educational environment.

Understanding what Ramadan signifies for our community is paramount. This holy month encourages all of us to reflect on our lives, fostering a sense of gratitude and compassion. It's an opportunity to develop a deeper appreciation for the challenges and commitments our Muslim community observe during this period. Their dedication to fasting, despite the day-to-day demands, is a profound expression of faith and discipline. By acknowledging and respecting these practices, we not only show solidarity but also enrich our cultural awareness and sensitivity.

The breaking of the fast at sunset, known as Iftar, is a time of joy and community. It is a moment when people come together to share meals and stories, transcending cultural and religious boundaries. Participating in Iftar can be a profoundly moving experience, offering insights into the beauty of Ramadan and the importance of community in Islamic culture. It's a celebration of unity, where the simple act of sharing a meal becomes a powerful symbol of togetherness and acceptance.

Sharing the Iftar together celebrates our diversity, enables learning from each other, and creates memories that will last a lifetime. We are already looking forward to next year’s Iftar 2025!

Ondrea McSwiggan

Head of MFL & PSHCE & CCA Strategic Lead

NEWS FROM SECONDARY

I’d like to remind the DC community that our collective efforts play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and security of our children. At the heart of our objectives lies the fundamental commitment to protect and nurture every member of our school family.

Our lanyard policy serves as a visible marker, distinguishing members of our community from those who may pose a potential risk. It's a simple yet effective mechanism that aids us in maintaining a secure environment for all.

While staff and parents have embraced this policy wholeheartedly, we've encountered challenges with its consistent implementation among our 6th Form students. Despite our persistent communications, adherence to the policy remains inconsistent.

We're implementing several measures to reinforce the importance of wearing lanyards:

1. Students must wear their lanyards at all times while on school grounds;

2. Students will be kindly reminded at Gate 2 to wear their lanyards before entering the premises; students cannot enter without wearing their lanyard;

3. Those who forget their lanyards must present their QID and will be issued a purple visitor lanyard;

4. Alternatively, students may choose to return home to retrieve their lanyards before returning to school;

5. Failure to comply or repeated offences will result in behaviour points being logged.

We kindly ask for your support in ensuring your child(ren) adhere to this policy. This weekend provides an opportunity for them to prepare for this fresh start on Monday.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in our ongoing efforts to prioritise the safety and well-being of our school community.

Kind regards,

Jerome Scafe
Senior Vice Principal - Head of Secondary

REVISION WEBINAR - LETTER

As part of our ongoing commitment to support our students during their GCSE, AS and A Level examination preparation, we are pleased to extend an invitation to you for an informative webinar: 'What Parents Need to Know About Revision.'

Event Details:

Date: Next Wednesday, 3rd April
Time: 2.30pm - 3.30 pm
Location: Online - Zoom
Zoom Link: Click here
Zoom ID: 949 5081 2527

Zoom Passcode: 879811

Please take a look at the full letter HERE.

Thank you.

Matthew Corke
Secondary Deputy Head - Academic

COMMUNITY UPDATES

FDC COMMUNITY IFTAR - 'BRING AND SHARE'

This week our 'Bring and Share' outdoor Iftar on school grounds was a heartwarming experience that left everyone feeling connected and spiritually fulfilled.

As the sun set, the Doha College community came together to listen to Qur'an recitations by students and presentations about the significance of Ramadan, Garangao and Eid al-Fitr. Everyone then enjoyed Ramadan poetry, followed by Adhan and communal prayer. When the time arrived, participants broke their fast and enjoyed a meal under the open sky.

Everyone brought many dishes to share, adding to the sense of communal sharing and generosity. Despite the diverse backgrounds and ages present, a sense of unity and togetherness transcended any differences. The glow of the evening lingered long after the meal ended as people hugged goodbye and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to come together in this special way.

Many thanks to our Friends of Doha College committee, the Languages department, and other staff members who made the evening possible. Most of all, thank you to all the parents who brought a lot of delicious dishes for everyone to enjoy together. Because of you, our school will always be a shiny star in the sky of Doha.

View and download photos from the event's here

ROLE MODELS RETURNS TO DOHA COLLEGE THIS APRIL!

Role Models award-winning life skill courses are coming back to Doha College this April.

These courses are designed to help children:

Develop self-confidence
Work on their listening and communication skills
Practice speaking and presenting

There is a 10% discount on early bookings made before 30th March. Enter code: ‘DohaCollege2024’ at checkout to redeem

To find out more and register - here

Should you have any questions, please WhatsApp Role Models directly:

https://wa.me/447874435889

Hannah Anderson

Marketing Executive

Role Models

TERM DATES FOR 2024-2025

We are thrilled to share that our term dates for the upcoming academic year have been officially approved. We'd like to ask all parents to review these dates carefully.

You can view and download our calendar dates - here

ACT OF KINDNESS DONATION BOX

We are excited to announce the return of our Doha College Ramadan Act of Kindness Giving Boxes.

This year, we are collecting cash donations for our wonderful, behind-the-scenes staff members from the facilities, security and canteen teams during the Holy month of Ramadan. If you would like to contribute a cash donation, you can find our money boxes in our reception area until Thursday 4th April. In addition to our Staff Ramadan Donation boxes, we will also have Qatar Charity donation boxes, these boxes are collecting donations to provide iftar meals to the people of Palestine. These boxes will be available until Thursday, 28th March.

We know that all donations will be greatly received.

Ramadan Kareem.

David Lish

Chief Operating Officer

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