A recent report has come up with some rather dispiriting conclusions. The research, that was carried out by the National Literacy Trust (1) found that only 35% of children enjoy reading in their spare time. This is down sharply from similar studies in recent years and is the lowest figure ever recorded.
Frequent reading with young children has been shown time and again (and by numerous peer-reviewed studies) to have a significant positive impact on their future academic success. A recent report demonstrated a strong correlation between the number of books in an individual’s childhood home and their future performance in formal examinations. In short, the more books children are exposed to growing up, the better they do academically. In fact, the number of books in a child’s home was shown to be a more accurate predictor of educational success than any other single factor including their parents’ qualifications or income.
Reading with your children helps them to develop a love of learning for its own sake, an interest in the world around them and a passion for oracy and storytelling. It will help them to develop literacy and curiosity. It will also help them to develop effective routines and allow you to spend quality time with them away from the numerous distractions of the digital age.
As children get older and read independently, many parents stop reading with them, however I would always recommend that this continues. Try reading more challenging books than their reading level would permit them to read themselves. This will help them to stretch themselves and increase their working vocabulary. It will also allow you to discuss with your child particular issues or themes which may be challenging to address as a parent. This could include social challenges they are facing with their friendship group, stresses related to academic pressure, feelings of loss associated with a recent relocation, or the sadness associated with missing friends who have moved away.
As children get older still, devoting time to sharing feedback on books or articles you have read together or separately will help them to answer open questions and structure feedback. Discussing articles and opinion pieces from the newspaper will help them to construct and scrutinise an argument, and form views and opinions on important issues of the day. It will help them to develop diplomacy; to recognise, accept and acknowledge the views of others; to debate, to synthesise and to discuss. However the global economy of the future changes, these skills are likely to be increasingly important.
David Tongue
Principal
See here.
Congratulations to Mark G. for his impressive U14 Qatar Tennis Tournament victory, to Shiv for his double gold win at the YEFF International Music Festival, and to Khalifa for his remarkable accomplishment of completing ‘Swim for a Cause.’ Each of these students has shown outstanding dedication, and we celebrate their success in both sports and the arts.
Please have a look here for more details on their achievements.
NEW ClassLink Parent Portal - Action Required
We are excited to introduce the ClassLink Parent Portal, a convenient platform that provides access to a wide range of school-related resources. For more information, please see the letter below.
Here are step-by-step instructions on how to access our ClassLink Parent Portal.
It is a single sign-on process, which makes it simple to access all your child(ren) information in one place.
Please follow this link for an update on our CCTV system.
We value your child’s participation in our CCA programme and are committed to ensuring a positive and enriching experience for all students. To help maintain the smooth running of our CCAs, we kindly ask that you take note of the following guidelines:
If a child is picked up late three or more times, we will unfortunately have to ask them to leave the CCA.
Similarly, if a child misses three or more CCA sessions, they will be removed from the programme.
We understand that unforeseen circumstances may arise, so please be assured that after two missed sessions, you will receive a phone call from our Director of CCAs as a gentle reminder and to discuss any concerns you may have. If your child is unable to attend their CCA, please contact cca@dohacollege.com.
Should you have any questions or need further clarification, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Ondrea McSwiggan
Director of Co-Curricular Activities
Join in our Community Service Initiative CCA and make a tangible difference in the lives of those in need within the Doha community.
We are looking for dry/tinned/long life food items, in addition to educational supplies for children aged 1 - 10 years old. Students can bring donations to their form classes each morning.
How Primary Students Can Help:
Students are encouraged to bring dry/tinned/long-life food items and educational supplies suitable for children aged 1-10 years. Donations can be dropped off in form classes each morning, where our Charities Committee will collect them.
Below is a short video some of our students have made highlighting what they hope to achieve.
Thank you in advance for your kind donations.
Calling all Mums in Doha. Get ready for an exciting new adventure with your little one.
Doha College is thrilled to announce that we're hosting the award-winning Bloom Baby Classes right here on campus. This is your chance to experience the magic of multi-sensory baby classes that have been taking Qatar by storm. This is a community event for all new mums in Qatar not only our DC parents.
Bloom Baby Classes offer a unique, enriching experience for both you and your baby. These classes are designed to support your little one's brain development, physical growth, learning retention, and language skills. Whether you have a tiny newborn or an active crawler, there's a perfect class for you:
7.30 am Caterpillar Club (5 weeks to 6 months): A gentle class focused on baby development, tummy time, and activities to help with colic, reflux, and constipation.
8.30am Busy Bees (6 months to 15 months): A musical and interactive class to develop fine and gross motor skills, body awareness, and social skills.
Join us for coffee and sweet treats after each class, a perfect opportunity to connect with other mums and build the support network we all need.
Ready to give your baby the Bloom experience? Sign up now through the Bloom Baby Classes Qatar website: https://bloombabyclasses.com/qatar/
Spaces are limited, so don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity.
Join us for a morning of bonding, learning, and fun with your little one. Let's bloom together at Doha College.
Please follow the link below for a letter from the Chair of the Board with respect to our request to increase fees for the next academic year.
This week really began with a fizz as we celebrated World Science day! DC came alive with curiosity as students dressed up as scientists, both past and present, bringing innovation, courage, and dedication to life. From Albert Einstein to Mae Jemison, it was fantastic to see such a range of scientists represented, reminding us that science is a field where everyone can find a place. We even had the periodic table represented by one student!
However, the day wasn’t just about costumes; it was about celebrating the importance of science education and showing our children that they, too, can be scientists. Throughout the day, students engaged in hands-on experiments and exciting activities designed to ignite their curiosity and critical thinking skills. They explored the basics of chemistry, the wonders of space, and the marvels of nature, developing confidence in asking questions and discovering answers.
By making science fun, accessible and engaging, we hope to inspire each child to see themselves as a scientist in their own way. Whether their interests lie in biology, technology, or environmental science, our goal is to create an environment where all of our learners feel they can dream big, think critically, and be part of a future that values knowledge and innovation.
A big thank you to all parents for supporting this day with fantastic costumes and encouraging conversations at home. Your support brought this celebration to life and helped our children understand that science isn’t just something we learn - it’s something we can live, explore, and pursue as a career, no matter who we are.
Derek Watson
Senior Vice Principal - Head of Primary
We are writing to remind you that safeguarding remains of the utmost importance at Doha College. In line with our commitment to ensuring the safety of all Primary students. Primary Pupils, including Year 6, children should not be left unattended on school premises after the end of the school day.
If your child does not have a scheduled Co-Curricular Activity (CCA), they should be promptly collected at dismissal time. We kindly request your full cooperation in adhering to these guidelines to help us maintain a secure and safe environment for all students.
Thank you for your continued support and understanding as we work together to prioritise the safety and wellbeing of our students.
This week, I’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our dedicated staff, led by Gemma Stroud and Sarah Jackson, for their exceptional work during our GCSE and A-level options evenings.
Over two nights, they facilitated thoughtful, clear, and informative sessions to guide students and parents through some of the most pivotal decisions in a young person’s academic journey.
These evenings were designed with a shared goal: to ensure that every student and their family feels well-prepared, confident, and informed. We want everyone involved to feel at ease, knowing they’re equipped with the insights needed to make these choices with clarity. We understand that this is an important moment, and our staff’s dedication to seamless communication and patient guidance has set the stage for successful outcomes.
As always, our doors remain open. If you have further questions or need any additional support, please do not hesitate to reach out. We are here to help make these decisions as smooth as possible.
Jerome Scafe
Senior Vice Principal - Head of Secondary
Please find below a letter containing links to all the presentations from this week's Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5 Options Evenings.
DEI and EmpowHER trip to Lusail Track
On Tuesday, Pupils from our Secondary DEI and EmpowHER committees were invited to an exclusive event at Lusail Circuit. The pupils were able to be a part of the F1 Academy Testing Event. This event presented an incredible opportunity for students to experience the thrilling world of motorsport up close and gain insight into the exciting F1 Academy series.
The F1 Academy is a highly competitive racing series for young women aged between 16 and 25 years old. It is a key part of Formula 1's wider commitment to fostering gender diversity and inclusivity within the sport, while inspiring the next generation of racers and motorsport enthusiasts. F1 Academy are visiting Qatar as part of the FIA Formula One World Championship™.
During the day, we had a Pit Lane walk, a behind-the-scenes look at the racecars, teams, and operations that make up a race weekend and an exclusive opportunity for students to meet the drivers themselves.
This inspired our students to explore the many exciting career opportunities within motorsport, beyond just driving. It was an opportunity for them to engage with professionals in the industry, ask questions, and see how teamwork, engineering, and technology come together to create the high-performance environment of Formula 1. The event also served as a platform to inspire young people to pursue their passions, whether in motorsport, STEM fields, or any area that demands creativity, dedication, and innovation.
Every one of our pupils behaved immaculately and were a real credit to Doha College.
Maisie Hesketh
Whole School DEI Coordinator
This week and next marks Road Safety Awareness Week across the Secondary school.
In our Secondary PosEd lessons, Key Stage 3 students focused on the basics of road safety as passengers and pedestrians, learning essential practices like wearing seatbelts and avoiding distractions. Key Stage 4 explored how factors like reaction time, speed, and vehicle maintenance impact stopping distances, and participated in activities to design safe “cars.”
In Key Stage 5, students engaged with more advanced concepts, including global road safety statistics and causes of accidents. They examined real-world examples where distractions, fatigue, and speeding led to serious consequences, highlighting the importance of staying alert and safe behind the wheel. Students also took a road safety quiz and practised the UK driving theory test, helping them prepare for future responsibilities on the road.
We encourage parents to discuss these road safety lessons at home. By reinforcing safe driving habits and sharing the responsibility for road safety, we can work together to help our students make safe choices. Thank you for your continued support in promoting a culture of safety awareness!
Sarah Kiernan-Webb
Secondary Deputy Head - Pastoral
DCMUN is a prestigious organisation that runs annual conferences and a weekly club open to all secondary students. It is an exceptional opportunity offered by Doha College as a part of our Co-Curricular Activities, which simulates the United Nations.
Having been a constant feature of DC for over 15 years, this conference is one of the largest in the Middle East Region. Students participate from schools all over the country; coming together to resolve real world conflicts, refine their public speaking skills and partake in a plethora of local initiatives aimed at implementing the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
To find out more, please see the letter below.
We're looking for a Doha based Architect to assist with the discovery phase of a new and exciting project on campus. If you or anyone you know might be able to help please contact Rashmi on rarora@dohacollege.com
At Evo Active, our goal is to promote health and fitness to our close community and beyond. With a strong reputation, we are excited to open our doors and begin this journey to grow.
It can be a daunting action to join a gym, but our team is here to help you every step of the way. With multiple exercise classes running daily, we have something for everyone.
Evo Active classes are not only a great way to mix up your training routine, but they are a great way to meet new people and have fun as a group. With several classes on offer daily in a state-of-the-art facility, you can take part in a range of classes from Function Fitness to Bootcamps, and you can even dive into our adult swimming programme.
How to Sign Up:
If you’re interested in our Evo Active sessions and want to take advantage of a free session, please click here to sign up.