10th October 2024

A recent Resolution Foundation report suggests that 17% of graduates are not able to enter the workforce due to their poor mental health.

This underlines the importance of young people developing resilience which is a factor of the challenges we face and how well we recover from them. This is, in itself, a factor of multiple systems within the human body. Our propensity towards resilience is determined by our genetic predispositions, but, in addition to this, positive experiences strengthen neural pathways which help us to cope, whilst negative experiences strengthen neural pathways that increase our emotional response to challenges. Resilient people develop greater structural connectivity between the prefrontal cortex (which is the last area of the brain to fully develop in late adolescence) and the amygdala (which is the brain’s emotional panic button) which helps them to better regulate their emotional response to the challenges they face.

Those who are naturally less resilient, however, can develop adaptive behaviours that help them to regulate their emotions and these behaviours can be learned. The most simple of these behaviours is to pause and take deep breaths when catastrophising and asking yourself a series of simple questions:

Is there another perspective?
What is the worst outcome?
What is the best outcome?
What is the most likely outcome?

Intentional practice of these and other healthy coping strategies such as the life decider skills can help students to develop resilience by avoiding thinking traps, and by improving self-awareness and self-management.

David Tongue

Principal

KEY COMMUNICATION

DOHA COLLEGE - SENIOR PRODUCTION

Doha College proudly presents our Senior Production of Our Town!

Join us for performances on the 15th and 16th of October at 5.30 pm in our auditorium.

Tickets are now available to purchase in the Finance Office —10 QAR for students and 20 QAR for adults.

Our talented students are thrilled to bring this timeless play, originally written by Thornton Wilder, to life under the direction of our Head of Drama, Ms. Hurley.

Doha College Battle of the Bands

We are excited to announce that the Doha College Battle of the Bands will take place in our Auditorium on Wednesday, 23rd October, from 2.15 pm until 3.30 pm. This year’s competition will showcase eight finalists, each vying for the prestigious title! We are also pleased to share that the winners will represent Doha College at the COBIS Music Festival in February 2025.

We warmly invite the families of our finalists and kindly request that you arrive by 1.30 pm to ensure seating and to enjoy refreshments before the event. The doors will open for students at 1.55 pm. Entry to the event is 10 QAR per person, payable at the door.

William Morrow

Director of Music

BLACK HISTORY MONTH - STUDENT VIDEO COMPETITION

As part of our Black History Month initiatives at Doha College, we are excited to announce a student video competition!

We invite all students to share their thoughts and feelings by answering the question: "What does Black History Month mean to you?"

To kick things off, some of our students have created a special video message, which you can watch to get inspired. We look forward to seeing your creative submissions and celebrating the diverse voices within our community.

The deadline is Sunday, 20th October.

Let's come together to honour and recognise the significance of Black History Month. Your voice matters!

CCA UPDATES - BLOCK B SCHEDULING RESET - SIGN-UP OPEN FROM 7.00PM TONIGHT

Block B Scheduling Reset

Due to the outage, Block B scheduling choices were affected. To ensure fairness, we are resetting Block B, allowing students to reselect their preferred classes. All previous Block B unpaid choices are annulled. All paid CCAs remain unaffected.

For more information, please read the letter below.

Ondrea McSwiggan

Director of Co-Curricular Activities

CCA Letter

PRIMARY NEWS

At Doha College, we are proud of the strong sense of community that defines our school. As one of the leading British International Schools in Qatar and beyond, our success is built not only on academic excellence, but also on the collaboration and shared commitment of our students, staff, and parents. This year, we are excited to further strengthen these ties with the reintroduction of parent workshops within the Primary school.

These workshops are designed to engage parents in the educational journey of their children. Research consistently shows that when parents are actively involved in their child's education, it leads to better outcomes, both academically and pastorally. By attending these sessions, parents gain insights into their child’s learning environment, the curriculum, and the methods we use to foster growth and success.

The workshops also offer an invaluable opportunity to build relationships and to further develop our sense of community. With sessions covering topics such as 'Growth Mindset', Phonics, and supporting your child with KS2 calculations, we aim to engage all members of our parent community. During the workshops, parents will also have the opportunity to connect with one another and the school. This engagement is key to maintaining a supportive and vibrant school community, where everyone feels involved and empowered. The sessions will be held on Mondays at 1.00 pm, and will be organised to include a presentation from a member of the DC team and then an opportunity for discussion and chat - as well as some tea and coffee!

At Doha College, we believe that education extends beyond the classroom, and we are delighted to offer these workshops as a platform for shared learning and collaboration. As we work together, we are reminded of the African proverb: "It takes a village to raise a child." With the strength of our Doha College community, we are building that village, ensuring each child thrives academically, emotionally, and socially.

An overview of the upcoming workshops with dates and times is given below. We look forward to welcoming parents to these sessions and continuing to work together to create the best possible environment for our children to grow and succeed.

Derek Watson

Senior Vice Principal - Head of Primary

Primary Parent Workshop

World Science Day 2024 - Guest Speaker Survey

As part of our celebrations for World Science Day this year, we are excited to invite guest speakers to share their expertise and inspire our students. We believe that our Doha College community has many talented individuals with experiences and knowledge that could contribute to this special event, particularly those working in scientific fields.

If you, or someone you know within our community, would be interested in speaking to our students and sharing insights about careers in science, we kindly ask you to complete the short survey linked here.

We look forward to collaborating with you to make this event a memorable learning experience for our students.

Thank you for your support!

Muna Mohamed

Primary Class Teacher & Head of Science

SECONDARY NEWS

World Mental Health Day - 10th October 2024

As we recognise World Mental Health Day this Thursday, I want to take a moment to reflect on the importance of nurturing our children’s mental well-being. In the fast-paced and often demanding world of education, it can be easy to overlook the emotional needs of our students. However, prioritising our children’s mental health is essential for their overall development, happiness, and success in school and beyond.

Research has shown that positive emotions, laughter, and a supportive environment play a crucial role in promoting mental well-being. A study from the Mayo Clinic highlights that laughter reduces stress, increases endorphins, and can even strengthen the immune system. Encouraging positivity at home and in school can boost children’s resilience, helping them face challenges with confidence and optimism.

Creating time for fun and open conversations at home, while showing empathy and support, can make a big difference in how our children navigate the complexities of adolescence. It's not only about encouraging academic success, but also about ensuring they feel supported, valued, and understood.

Together, we play a vital role in shaping the lives and character dispositions of our children. Mental toughness is an important first step with this.

Laughter truly is the best medicine - let’s try to do this more often. I think the results will be powerful.

Jerome Scafe

Senior Vice Principal - Head of Secondary

COMMUNITY UPDATES

Mockingbird Dance Class: Free Taster Sessions

We are thrilled to announce a Free Taster Session for our Dance classes this November! Don't miss this chance to experience the energy and fun of our classes.

To reserve your spot, log in to Clubsys at https://mocking.clubsys.app/members/. Hurry—spaces are limited and filling up fast!

COME MAKE A SPLASH WITH EVO!

We believe that swimming is not just a skill, but a lifelong journey that fosters confidence, discipline, and a love for the water.

Our programmes are designed to be inclusive, offering tailored instructions to meet the unique needs of each swimmer, regardless of age or ability. We support continuous growth and development, starting with fundamental water safety and basic skills, and progressing to advanced techniques for those aspiring to compete at higher levels.

How to Sign Up:

To take advantage of this free assessment, please click (here) to sign up. Enter the Code EVOSWIM2024. Our friendly customer support team will contact you to confirm the trial times that best fit your schedule.

Page updated

Report abuse

NEWSLETTER