Education Saudi - Issue 1

MISK SCHOOLS TO OPEN A REVOLUTIONARY NEW CAMPUS, RIYADH

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a Google premier partner across the Middle East, we offer your school Google’s latest Education solutions that will enable you to realize your

EDUCATION FOR A NATION ON THE MOVE

Education is the cornerstone of progress and a fundamental pillar of any society’s development. It serves as the catalyst for knowledge, innovation and the empowerment of individuals to shape their future and contribute to the betterment of their communities. In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, education has emerged as a powerful force, driving societal transformation and fostering a vision of a prosperous and knowledge-based nation.

The Kingdom’s education system has undergone significant changes, aligning itself with global standards while preserving the rich cultural heritage and values deeply rooted in Saudi society. Investments in infrastructure, curriculum development, teacher training and the use of innovative technologies have played a vital role in elevating the quality of education across the country. And nowhere is this more true than at Misk Schools, which is setting trends for a nation on the move. In this launch issue of Education Saudi, we will look at several aspects of this extraordinary institution, including the opening of a new campus.

Concerned about finding the right nursery for your child? We investigate what you should be looking out for. At the other end of the age spectrum, we discover how to write a good personal statement when making a university application – a statement that may help you get into the university of your choice.

The integration of gaming in education has gained significant attention in recent years, thanks to its potential to create immersive, interactive and meaningful learning environments. And in ‘Playing to Win’, we find out that in a nation of 35 million people, 23.5 million of them claim to be gamers!

Away from technology, scientific research has shed light on the numerous benefits that meditation can bring to our physical, mental and emotional well-being, and in ‘Meditation is the Key’ we look at how this ancient practice can help children to become calmer, better focused, and with enhanced creativity and concentration.

There is so much more in this inaugural edition of Education Saudi, and we hope you enjoy reading it as much as we’ve enjoyed putting it together. And remember, this is your magazine, so get in touch with any comments and ideas you may have – we welcome all feedback!

Rod Millington Editor-in-Chief

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CONTACT

educationsaudi@tpg.media www.education-saudi.com

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Rod Millington has been active in the commercial writing sector for over 30 years, with work published throughout Europe, North America, the Far East, and the Middle East. During this time, he has had the privilege to speak to a wide range of fascinating and entrepreneurial people, from captains of industry through to pop icons such as Sir Paul McCartney. In total, Rod has had over 25 million words committed to print across more than 35 publications for clients as diverse as FIFA, Cunard, Virgin Atlantic Airlines, and Dubai Municipality.

DID YOU KNOW

Welcome to our Did You Know section, where keep you up to date with all the latest news from from the Ministry of Education and more for all things Education throughout Saudi Arabia. Here, we bring you a diverse range of news pieces that either as a parent or educator within Saudi, you need to know to ensure you receive or deliver the best possible education.

From the latest trends to insightful analysis, we curate content that caters to your interests and sparks curiosity. Our creative team are passionate about delivering content that captivates your imagination and expands your knowledge. We pride ourselves on bringing you varied viewpoints, shedding light on national, regional and international education issues, and celebrating the richness of different cultures.

The Did You Know section serves as a platform for stories that deserve to be shared, while also promoting understanding and empathy. pleas join us as we guide you through the very latest news and views. Open your mind, expand your horizons, and let our Did You Know section take you on a journey.

FINANCIAL KNOWLEDGE INTRODUCED TO CURRICULA

The Ministry of Education has included the ‘Financial Knowledge’ course within the curricula for the common first year of the secondary tracks. The course of study has been introduced after studying the best international practices related to academic courses to prepare students to acquire the skills of the 21st century through a modern, global syllabus that fits the environment and culture of the Kingdom and keeps up with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.

Preparing students to acquire the skills of the 21st century

A DELEGATION FROM THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION VISIT SINGAPORE

An official delegation from the Ministry of Education headed by the Deputy Minister for General Education, Dr Ohoud Al-fares, visited the Republic of Singapore to discuss opportunities to strengthen cooperative partnerships and exchange experiences in the field of education. The visit looked at the Singaporean education system at various levels and discussed joint cooperation opportunities, including those in university and special education. During its field visits to more than 14 educational institutions, the delegation was briefed on the institutional operational models in the educational sector in Singapore. The visit included observation of children’s education programmes with regard to achieving childhood enrolment rates of 90% in Saudi Arabia by 2030.

MOU SIGNED WITH THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION

His Excellency the Minister of Education, Youssef bin Abdullah Al-Bunyan, and the President of the Human Rights Commission, H.E. Dr Hala bint Mazyad Al-Tuwaijri, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in order to form a bridge between both organisations and promote cooperation in all fields that achieve human rights goals. His Excellency referred to the interconnected relationship between the Ministry of Education and the Human Rights Commission and stressed the importance of strengthening ties and cooperation.

His Excellency referred to the interconnected relationship

The visit looked at the Singaporean education system at various levels and discussed joint cooperation opportunities

THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION PARTICIPATES IN THE APPLICATION OF THE TRENDS IN INTERNATIONAL MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE STUDY (TIMSS 2023)

The Ministry of Education participated in the application of the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS 2023), which targets students in the fourth and eighth grades which ran during the period from 30 May to 1 June 2023, under the supervision of the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA).

TIMSS 2023 marks the eighth cycle of the international mathematics and science assessment since the inauguration of the study in 1995. Providing over 20 years of trend data, TIMSS has been a valuable tool for monitoring international trends in mathematics and science achievement in the fourth and eighth grades.

The TIMSS assessments will be given in a random selection of schools across the Kingdom over the course of two days. The purpose of these tests is to measure how well students understand the math and science concepts they have learned and to compare test results between participating countries to identify the most effective strategies for improving and enhancing education.

March 2022 - pupils in England took part in the TIMSS field trial.

March to June 2023 - pupils in England will participate in the TIMSS main study.

December 2023 to December 2024international researchers analyse the data from all participating countries and prepare reports on the results.

December 2024 - findings of each country are published in an international report by the IEA. A national report for England will be written and published by UCL, on behalf of the Department for Education.

March to December 2025 - UCL will share more findings from their analysis of England’s TIMSS 2023 data.

2023 Schedule Highlights

Like the previous TIMSS assessments, TIMSS 2023 will collect detailed information about curriculum and curriculum implementation, instructional practices, and school resources. A new feature of TIMSS 2023 will be an innovative, group adaptive design that allows for a better alignment of the assessment with the student populations in the participating countries.

The Ministry of Education takes part in each cycle of the TIMSS international tests, which are held every four years, and conducts an analytical study to analyse the students’ performance in the tests over the course of all cycles. The purpose is to provide teachers and supervisors with a report that they can benefit from as they receive training on strategies for teaching mathematics and science in order to improve and develop students’ skills, bring them up to the level required by international tests, and harmonise TIMSS test standards with the Saudi curriculum.

The Ministry of Education is eager to participate in international tests, as they are important indicators of students’ achievement in basic subjects and educational skills. These tests allow a comparison of students’ academic achievement across different educational systems in their cultural, economic, and social backgrounds, which helps the ministry improve and develop the educational process, its procedures, and its outputs in order to achieve the goals of the Saudi Vision 2030.

Like the previous TIMSS assessments, TIMSS 2023 will collect detailed information about curriculum and curriculum implementation, instructional practices, and school resources

The TIMSS assessments will be given in a random selection of schools across the Kingdom over the course of two days

RENAISSANCE STUDY REVEALS READING HABITS OF PUPILS ACROSS SCHOOLS IN THE REGION

THE ANNUAL ‘WHAT KIDS ARE READING REPORT’ FROM LEARNING AND ASSESSMENT PROVIDER RENAISSANCE LEARNING HAS REVEALED NEW READING TRENDS AMONG STUDENTS IN THE REGION.

The 2023 report results were based on more comprehensive data since more schools were involved compared to the prior year, the number of pupils involved was greater, and they read distinctly more books.

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

In the UAE, data was available on 25,564 pupils, 19% more than last year. The average book difficulty (ATOS) was 5.2, a little lower than last year but much higher than in the UK, and the average percent correct (APC) was 0.74, similar to last year and much the same as in the UK. Pupils in the UAE, in line with last year, showed similar choices to pupils in the UK. Top authors included Jeff Kinney, with nine books among the most-read this year, including Diary of a Wimpy Kid, which was the top book. J. K. Rowling was also popular, with five of her books on the list: Harry Potter and

the Philosopher’s Stone, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

Jack Morris, Head Librarian at Cranleigh School Abu Dhabi said: “As an international school, we don’t always have English-first-language students. Therefore, it is instrumental to track how English-additional-language students comprehend English. The great thing about both edtech such as Accelerated Reader and Star Reading is that it shows tangible data to the people asking for it and it’s able to say, ‘Look, it works, our students are getting better’. Now we have the data to say whether students can access a specific part of the curriculum. This allows the teacher to offer appropriate intervention, which is so beneficial for maintaining development.”

EGYPT

In Egypt, data was available on 3,604 pupils, a 14% increase on last year. Egypt’s mostread list featured a large number of graphic novels by authors such as Shelley Swanson Sateren, who was also the author of the most-read book, and Michael Dahl, but book difficulty rose nonetheless. As last year, Egypt showed much more variation in difficulty than in the UK, from a book at ATOS 0.5 through to high readability books by Roald Dahl. Sateren was the most popular author with three highly-read books – Max and Zoe Celebrate Mother’s Day, Max and Zoe: The Science Fair, and Max and Zoe: The Very Best Art Project.

QATAR

In Qatar, data was available on 4,343 pupils, a 99% increase on last year, replacing a pandemic slump. The graphic novels of Michael Dahl and others featured prominently. Dahl had four books – including Sugar Hero, The Marshmallow Mermaid, The Evil Echo; and Adria F. Klein had two – Max Stays Overnight and Max Goes to the Zoo.

According to a recent study by Dr Carol Johnson, Education Officer International at Renaissance Learning, students’ reading time averaged 42 minutes per week over eight weeks, for a total of 5.6 hours. In that short amount of time, students achieved one year of reading gains. This demonstrates the critical importance of providing English as a foreign language (EFL) students the opportunity to read books that interest them.

Joan Mill, Group Managing Director –International, Renaissance said: “This year marks the 15th edition of What Kids Are Reading, which is our most comprehensive report to date on the books read and enjoyed by thousands of students of all ages from across the Middle East. I would encourage schools to read this report and reflect on their reading culture. It is a solid starting point to ensure that every child experiences a reading culture which allows them to reap all the benefits of reading for pleasure and maximise their long-term outcomes, whether they visit local libraries and bookstores or access books on myON or Accelerated Reader.”

GETTING IT RIGHT WHEN CHOOSING A NURSERY

Concerned about finding the right nursery for your child? How do you choose? What are the best things to look for and how do you know whether the nursery is right for your child? We spoke to several experts and nurseries to find out what you should be asking and how you can support your little ones when you first enrol them.

Once you have decided that it’s time for your child to go to nursery, you have to decide what type of curriculum you are looking for, the distance you are prepared to travel, and the available budget. Be prepared to visit several nurseries before making a final decision. Reach out to the nurseries and arrange tours.

When touring a nursery, look out for the amount of space the children have; this is important. How many different areas of play inside and outside are they able to go to and how often? What facilities do they have for the warmer months when the children are not able to be outside? How happy do the staff look? Are they warm and welcoming? How do they communicate with parents? Ask about the policies and procedures surrounding meal times, behavioural management, and support with potty training.

It’s also very important to ask about the staff ratios in class and the number of children in the classroom per day, as well as the qualifications the teachers and assistants hold and the annual staff turnover. Certain aspects of nursery life are more important to some than others. For example, a younger child would need to sleep during the day. So ask about the sleep room and policy around sleeping. Are they with an adult the whole time? Are they able to sleep when they want to? What is the settling-in policy?

HAVE I DONE THE RIGHT THING?

Naturally, once a decision has been made, it’s human nature to think, “Have I done the right thing?” “Was that other nursery better?” So how can parents set their minds at rest that they have made the right decision? A good indication you have got it right is how supported you feel as a family and how your child settles and responds to the teacher and surroundings whilst they are there. Do the children talk positively about their day when they get home? Are they excited to go back?

Not everything will run smoothly of course. Transitioning into a nursery can be an unsettling time for both children and their parents, but the children must not feel their parents’ anxieties, as this will make them more anxious. Look out for changes in a child’s routine. Has their sleeping been affected? Do they seem clingier when they get home? Or do they get upset when you leave the room when they didn’t before? Have they started having toileting accidents again? It is very normal for a child to be affected in this way.

Consequently, it’s important to support early learners when they start at a new nursery, with honesty being at the top of the list. Let them know where they are going and for how long. Take the children for a tour of the chosen nursery at least once so they can visualise where they are going and get excited about what they have seen. Talk positively about the nursery and how excited you are for them that they are going to make lots of friends and enjoy themselves. Show photos of the teacher and assistants so they recognise a face on their first day. Make it fun!

“I think it’s also very important to ask about the staff ratios in class and the number of children in the classroom per day”

“It’s very important to support early learners when they start at a new nursery, with honesty being at the top of the list”

FLUSHING OUT THE TRUTH

POTTY TRAINING YOUR LITTLE ONE CAN BE QUITE THE TASK AND WITH SCHOOLS STARTING YOU MAY FEEL LIKE YOU ARE ON A TIGHT TIMELINE. REMEMBER TO BREATHE PARENTS! HERE ARE SOME TIPS ON MAKING THIS PROCESS EASIER FOR YOU AND YOUR LITTLE ONE.

“Potty training is a combination of cerebellar function, which is a neurological process, and behavioural training or conditioning,” Devika says. “I usually recommend introducing ‘baby potty’ around 15 to 18 months; encouraging children to sit on the potty at regular intervals.

“One of the keys to potty training is to keep it fun and simple. There will be days where everything goes to plan and there will be days when nothing goes to plan. Stress can affect the neurological resources available to a child to develop the skill of potty training. Children can get stressed by many external events and by illnesses. However, it is parental stress that usually needs to be addressed. When parents expectations are not met this can trigger a whole cascade of stressful emotions, which then get passed on to children. This happens with verbal, but mostly non-verbal, communication that parents may not even be aware of.”

Look for the Signs

“Children usually give a few signs that they’re ready for potty training, “Theresa says. “Including having a dry nappy for a few nights or after naps and bringing attention to the fact they have a wet or dirty nappy by pulling at it. Don’t forget that by trying to potty train a child before they are ready and able will only cause lots of parent-child stress and anxiety. Again, it needs to be said that children aren’t typically ready to potty train until at least 18 months to two years of age.

I’ve heard it said many times that potty training boys is harder than training girls. While there may be a few differences between the sexes with potty training, the concept is the same. It’s all about knowing your child and if they’re ready for this stage of learning. I have three children - a son and two daughters - and my son was actually ready and toilet trained at a much earlier age than both my girls.

“With my children, before the serious training began, I used to leave the potty around so that they could have little practice sits on it. Also, I let them choose their new big girl or big boy underwear, which made the prospect of toilet training an exciting event! And remember to offer praise each time your child sits on the potty… whether they perform or not.”

Devika’s top four pointers for parents are:

 Prime the process before you begin by showing excitement and involvement when buying the potty, underwear, potty training books, etc.

 Toddlers love to mirror adults, so show them how to do the very thing you expect of them.

 Make it easy by choosing the right clothes and an easy place to access the potty.

 The most important thing is to give specific praise for effort.

Devika Mankani is a certified psychologist at The Hundred Wellness Centre..

Theresa O’Brien an Early Year’s teacher and has been an educator for over 30 years. She is also mother to three grown children.

Recommended potty training age: when a child is around 15 to 18 months.

OVER 7,000 KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS ENROL IN MUSICAL ARTS TRAINING PROGRAMME

More than 7,000 female kindergarten teachers are enrolling in the first phase of the Qualifying Programme for Kindergarten Teachers for Musical Arts Training, which is being executed under the patronage of the Strategy for Developing Cultural Capabilities in partnership with the Ministry of Culture and Ministry of Education.

The Music Commission will oversee the programme’s implementation. The strategy aims to achieve several outcomes, the most important of which is to provide talented citizens with the opportunity to discover and develop their capabilities at a young age, thereby contributing to the regional and international competitiveness of the educational and cultural sectors.

The four-week initial phase of the qualifying programme was completed under the supervision of the Music Commission and professionals specialising in kindergarten education and training. Registration for the programme’s second phase will be revealed at a later date.

The programme seeks to strengthen kindergarten teachers’ cognitive and performance skills, allowing them to organise musical activities and lessons for children, teaching them, among other things, the qualities of sound and related vocabulary.

The four-week initial phase of the qualifying programme began on 30 April

Dr Steffen Sommer, Director General of Misk Schools, is a passionate linguist and High Performance Learning expert with over 25 years of leadership experience in Europe and the Middle East. He is Vice Chair of COBIS..

ACHIEVING EXCELLENCE TOGETHER

The new Misk Schools campus within Mohammed Bin Salman Nonprofit City in Riyadh will open this summer, with the 21-hectare site comprising nine school buildings for male and female students aged 4 to 18.

“Children will enjoy opportunities like nowhere else in the world,” says Dr Steffen Sommer, Director General at Misk Schools. “The new campus will enhance their learning and understanding, and, most importantly, the facilities are designed to complement and enhance, on a practical level, the teaching our students receive in all subjects.”

This is extremely welcome news for those in the capital and surrounding areas who are looking for a positive, vibrant and meaningful education delivered in the most inspirational buildings in the region. But as Dr Sommer acknowledges, world-class facilities on their own do not make for

a world-class education, commenting: “They can add to it in an extraordinary fashion, but only if all other systems in the school are effective and designed to support, care for and teach the children in a modern and innovative style. At Misk Schools, this is exactly the case, with the entire school designed for interdisciplinary learning in small groups at all levels, which is revolutionary in the region, and exceedingly rare internationally.”

Misk Schools’ vision is to be a top institution for leadership, enabling students to serve their nation and the planet, with Dr Sommer explaining: “Our vision, and that of the Misk Foundation, is completely aligned with Vision 2030;

we are at the forefront, making a unique contribution in the field of education for the whole of Saudi Arabia.”

LEARNING TODAY, LEADING TOMORROW

The campus has been designed to support Misk Schools’ curriculum focus on creative thinking and leadership development through personalised life pathways. Its light-filled teaching and learning spaces are flexible, supporting the school’s commitment to fit the curriculum to the child, not the child to the curriculum - a promise delivered through one-to-one mentoring and a 1:5 teacher-to-student ratio. “We are educating the whole person with a focus on academic excellence and a

“The new Misk Schools campus is the physical realisation and, with it, the practical epitome, of KSA’s vision for 2030”

varied multi-facetted extra-curricular programme that has at its core a plethora of opportunities at all levels,” Dr Sommer says. “We are the first and only High-Performance-Learning school in the Kingdom, for we believe that all students can and will be high achievers.

With this in mind, Misk Schools provides highly specialised and fully accredited post-graduate training for Saudi teachers in order to develop local talent and help create a generation of Saudi teachers that are amongst the best in the world.”

The facilities are indeed impressive, with the 110,000m2 of buildings being eco-friendly and highly digitally connected. Kindergarten (incorporating Pre-Kindergarten) is followed by Lower Primary, Upper Primary, Middle and Senior Schools, which are segregated with mirrored facilities for boys and girls. Each school features academic classrooms, a library, art and design studios, science and food technology labs, Arabic culture hubs, an IT suite and a music room. Each also has a kitchen in support of the schools’ ‘farmto-table’ initiative.

As students mature, the specification of facilities becomes more sophisticated. “In STEM, older students have access to specialised, multidisciplinary workshops for coding and robotics, as well as mechanical, electrical, systems and

control engineering (mechatronics),” Dr Sommer says.

“In culture and the arts, there are filmmaking and digital editing suites, plus two black box theatres complete with high-tech audio-visual production hubs and lighting rigs, while the culinary arts are supported by a Master Chefstyle kitchen.”

Whole school facilities include three professional-style auditoriums (the largest of which can seat up to 850) and an exhibition gallery for cultural showcases. A total of 29 Summer Olympic sports are catered for, together with e-sports. Included are specialist academies for golf, go-karting, and equestrian. Alongside 25m and 50m Olympic swimming pools, there is a learn-to-swim pool, a sports hall with 12 multi-purpose courts, a gymnastics hall, two FIFA standard synthetic grass football pitches and two 400m Olympic athletics tracks. In addition, there are numerous outdoor and indoor areas for low-impact exercise, all set in a landscaped environment planted with over 1,000 trees.

“The design goes far above and beyond what could ever be required by a school in any country and in any education system – indeed, it has no precedent internationally”

NEW CAMPUS HAS NO PRECEDENT INTERNATIONALLY

The new campus will deliver a progressive student experience that benefits from innovative learning spaces and facilities that have set a benchmark for schools throughout the world. “The design goes far above and beyond what could ever be required by a school in any country and in any education system – indeed, it has no precedent internationally,” says Dr Sommer.

“The entire school is designed for interdisciplinary learning in small groups at all levels,” he continues, “which is revolutionary in the region, and exceedingly rare throughout the world. Coupled with our HighPerformance-Learning teaching and learning philosophy, which encourages and enables project- and enquiry-based learning as standard, our approach fosters the development of 21st-century skills, providing optimal preparation for entry into leading universities and the job market.”

DIRECT ACCESS TO LEADING UNIVERSITIES

Misk Schools’ mission is to instil in young people the knowledge, values and skills they need to become leaders of themselves, of others, and in their field of study.

“Our core philosophy is simple and revolves around educating the future leaders of Saudi Arabia and the world, giving them an international outlook while following the Kingdom’s own value system,” Dr Sommer says. “We look to cultivate a developing child’s physical, emotional, moral, psychological and spiritual attributes, focusing on academic excellence and a multifaceted extra-curricular programme.”

With an individual class size of no more than 15, Misk Schools provides a very personalised approach to education and is the go-to school for leadership, the teaching of which is fully integrated into the curriculum at all levels.

An innovative school at the forefront of education, Misk Schools offers its

own Diploma, which students receive at the end of their studies in Grade 12. It meets international standards of the highest order, covering all areas required for the four-year transcript, including internships in industry and commerce. The Diploma’s rigour and design provide direct access to top Saudi, US, Canadian, UK and other universities worldwide.

A NEW AGE OF EDUCATION

Unquestionably, technology has transformed life as we know it, and the classroom looks much different than it did even ten years ago. Educational technology offers instant access to information and a wide range of learning opportunities, which is why its presence in the classroom is vital, and why Misk Schools has invested in the finest systems available.

“Each classroom and each laboratory is equipped with the highest standard of IT equipment, and there are AI teaching and learning facilities in all academic departments,” Dr Sommer explains.

The facilities are indeed impressive, with the 110,000m2 of buildings being eco-friendly and highly digitally connected

“There is a specialised AI learning and programming space designed and equipped by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) where teaching is supported by specialised staff from SDAIA and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), as well as a learning space designed by the Education & Training Evaluation Commission (ETEC).

“In addition, there is an e-sports suite that has been designed by specialists in the field, with the subject being taught as part of the curriculum.”

Misk Schools is committed to sustainable development too and believes it is important to prepare young people for the future in a healthy and forward-looking environment, with Dr Sommer saying: “A lot has been done in the way of sustainability. There are cooling towers for cooling the outside spaces to economise on air conditioning and all buildings are exceptionally well insulated. Light infusion has been maximised and heat penetration minimised. Similarly, natural shade has been maximised by an optimal physical arrangement of the buildings. Plenty of shade is provided by an abundance of trees and plants.”

OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL

Students enjoy a whole array of opportunities at Misk Schools, not only STEM but also the arts, which many schools tend to relegate to a secondary position. This is acknowledged by Dr Sommer, who speaks of the many different career pathways available nowadays, not just the more traditional ones. “There is an abundance of opportunities for girls and boys of all ages to engage in drama, music and dance using our 850-seater state-of-theart theatre, our music facilities and so forth. All Misk Schools’ students learn to play at least one musical instrument and many of the 11 Cultural Commissions of the Saudi Ministry of Culture are also provided for within the main curriculum,

such as the culinary arts and fashion.”

This approach to the arts underlines the ‘opportunities for all’ commitment within the Saudi Vision 2030, as do the school’s sports facilities, which include up-to-the-minute fitness studios, used extensively to underpin and support Misk Schools’ healthy-body-healthymind programme for students, together with a nutritious food provision and tailor-made food services in keeping with individualised fitness regimes.

The healthy-body-healthy-mind programme is equally applicable to staff who need to set the best example to students in the way of healthy living.

LEADERSHIP IN ALL SUBJECTS

Extra-curricular activities often make powerful contributions to students’ well-being, their sense of connection to the school community and their engagement in academics. This is why,

Dr Sommer explains, Misk Schools offer a plethora of co-curricular activities that span far-reaching academic activities such as preparation for national and international Olympiads, sporting activities in team and individual sports for boys and girls, including football, basketball, cricket, rugby, horse riding, golf, go-karting, e-sports and swimming.

Furthermore, the school also offers outward-bound-type activities, as well as other pursuits such as chess, business acumen and public speaking. The programme is revised and renewed every year taking into account the students’ suggestions and wishes.

ALIGNED WITH THE NATIONAL VISION

It is widely accepted that parental involvement is effective in supporting children’s learning overall and at Misk Schools parents play an important role.“We have a Director of Parent

A total of 29 Summer Olympic sports are catered for, together with e-sports.

Engagement whose prime responsibility it is to inform, engage and involve parents in all things academic, ensuring their full understanding of the curriculum and how its components link into each other,” says Dr Sommer.

“She is also responsible for the parents’ full understanding of our welfare system and their role in it, as well as our safeguarding policies, procedures and expectations. In addition, she manages parental feedback, which is gathered regularly and responded to.

“We have a parents representative committee where each year group is represented. The principals of the schools meet the members of their respective parent-representative committees on a regular basis to discuss all aspects relating to the school and their children’s experiences. The members are given space and time in school to regularly meet the parents in their year groups for discussions and exchanges so they are always optimally informed of what is on parents’ minds.”

BETTER EDUCATION DEVELOPS THE NATION

As the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) acknowledges: ‘Saudi Arabia has embarked upon an unprecedented reform agenda known as Vision 2030, which aims to create a dynamic, diverse and sustainable economy. To meet the demands of a 21st-century, knowledge-based labour market, Saudi Arabia must develop a highly-skilled population, which puts education at the centre of Vision 2030’.

Misk Schools is at the vanguard of this quest, with its new campus, opening this August 2023, able to accommodate over 1,000 students.

When asked what has excited him most about the school’s ongoing evolution and the creation of a new campus, Dr Sommer instantly replies: “The new Misk Schools campus is the physical realisation and, with it, the practical epitome, of KSA’s vision for 2030. Our vision and that of the Misk Foundation is completely aligned with the national vision, and at the educational level we are at the forefront of making it happen, not only for our students but for the whole of Saudi Arabia. The magnitude of the task we have undertaken and the reality of what has already been achieved make us proud and give us the energy and drive for what is to come.”

Dr Sommer concludes by saying: “Our children represent our future hopes and dreams, and they deserve the finest education we can provide. At Misk Schools, we believe that every student has the ability to succeed, and we are committed to making a difference in their lives by encouraging them to be open to the boundless opportunities for learning, discovery and achievement.”

MISK SCHOOLS

 +966 11 821 0900

The campus has been designed to support Misk Schools’ curriculum focus on creative thinking and leadership development through personalised life pathways

Established: 2016

School Type: Through School

Curriculum: International

Fees from (All inclusive):

SR 85K

Location: Mohammed Bin Salman

Nonprofit City, Irqah, Riyadh

Misk Schools

Misk Schools is a state-of-the-art, PreK–12 private day school for boys and girls in Riyadh that aims to prepare the next generation of leaders.

Founded in 2016 by HRH Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Misk Schools aspires to push forward the frontier of innovation in education, with a focus on approaches that enable students to grow into high performing, inquisitive, problem-solving learners who have the spirit to become future leaders and exemplary citizens of the world.

WHY CHOOSE MISK SCHOOLS?

Teaching Students to Lead with Purpose

Everything we do is designed to ensure that when students graduate from Misk Schools aged 18, they will be prepared to lead with purpose because they are passionate learners, critical and creative thinkers, and globally-minded citizens who strive to learn what it means to live life well, and assume responsibility for making the world more habitable and humane.

MEET OUR DIRECTOR GENERAL

We are one of five entities within the Misk Foundation which was founded by HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Foundation focuses on the country’s youth – and how new methods of fostering talent, nurturing potential, and enabling innovation can open fresh opportunities in the arts and sciences.

Contact us:

+966 11 821 0900

Dr Steffen Sommer Director General

Dr Sommer is an accomplished education leader with more than 25 years of experience in senior roles across Europe and the Middle East. He joined Misk Schools as Director General in August 2022, after serving as the Principal of Doha College for seven years. Prior to his time in the Middle East, Steffen led top international schools in The Hague, Paris, and Lausanne.

As a fluent speaker of six languages, Steffen also served as Head of Languages at Rugby School, one of the UK’s premier independent boarding schools. He was born in Germany and earned his first degree in Language and Linguistics from the University of Leipzig. Following his military service, Steffen worked with car maker Peugeot in France and pursued a PhD in Birmingham, UK, before discovering his passion for teaching.

In addition to his work at Misk Schools, Steffen is actively involved in education initiatives throughout the Middle East and beyond. He serves as a board member of Outstanding Schools of the Middle East, is a co-founder of the international division of the Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference (HMC), Vice Chair of the Council of British International Schools (COBIS), and a Fellow of High Performance Learning.

HOW MISK SCHOOLS IS REALISING VISION 2030

Jeremy Newton, Senior Principal, Misk Schools

Jeremy Newton is an experienced educationalist who firmly believes in every child’s ability to achieve academic and life success. Senior Principal at Misk Schools since 2022, he previously served as Deputy Head at King’s College School Madrid, where he led its accreditation as a High Performance Learning World Class School.

It is an incredible time to live and work in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom is set to become the fastestgrowing global economy in the world in 2023; giga projects such as THE LINE in NEOM are redefining our collective expectation of the future and, after an incredible World Cup victory over the eventual winners Argentina, the Saudi Pro League now boasts the world’s most recognised sports person among its ranks. I have never before felt a strong sense of living through a defining moment in history. I imagine this being akin to London during the industrial revolution or Silicon Valley during the dot-com bubble, only Riyadh is hotter!

The driving force behind the Kingdom’s rapid growth and development is Vision 2030. Unveiled in 2016, it represents a transformative and deeply ambitious plan to unlock the Kingdom’s vast potential, by creating a diversified, innovative and world-leading nation, for the benefit of future generations[1]. At the time of writing, as the winter rains of early 2023 dissipate to allow the first signs of intense heat, we are exactly seven years since the Vision’s launch and seven years away from its end. Here at Misk Schools, the excitement of the times comes with great responsibility as we sit at the forefront of realising our founder, HRH Mohammed Bin Salman’s, vision for education in Saudi Arabia.

HIGH

PERFORMANCE FOR ALL

Misk Schools will start its next academic year at its new campus in Mohammed Bin Salman Nonprofit City. The 21-hectare campus with 110,000 m2 of nine, eco-friendly and highly digitally connected school buildings is the first project to be implemented in the City, setting a new standard for non-profit private education in the Kingdom[2]

A key element of Vision 2030 is the commitment to provide ‘opportunities for all through education’ to ‘build an education system aligned with market needs’[3]

To support this strand of the Vision the Saudi Government allocated the equivalent of £37.5 billion to education in 2022 – more than any other sector[4]. The commitment to opportunities for all and the promise that ‘we will not rest until our nation is a leader in providing opportunities for all through education and training[5]’ aligns perfectly with our vision for education in which high performance is ‘available for the many and not the few’[6]

For this reason, we have partnered with High Performance Learning, creating our own, unique, Misk Schools High Performance Learning (MSHPL) programme. At its genesis, MSHPL asserts that evidence from neuroscience and psychology demonstrated conclusively that the brain is exquisitely plastic, and we can grow our intelligence. In turn, this means we can grow the intelligence of the students at Misk Schools and those of the Kingdom.

MSHPL is a proven, research-based, pedagogy-led approach, which relies on teachers and their professional capital to help self-improving schools make the gear change to become world-class. Its impact on the school is dramatic and sustained and has been tracked and field-tested in 31 international schools in 11 countries[7]

Vision 2030 demands that ‘schools, working with families, will reinforce the fabric of society by providing students with the compassion, knowledge, and behaviours necessary for resilient and independent characters to emerge. [8]’ On a practical level, this will be done through the implementation of MSHPL’s Values, Attitudes and Attributes along with the Advanced Cognitive Performance Characteristics, which have been proven to develop the behaviour and knowledge required to be a high-performance learner.

Misk Schools will become the first school in Saudi Arabia to fully implement the programme and the first in the Kingdom to achieve World Class School accreditation. This will pave the way for MSHPL to be implemented by other schools throughout the Kingdom.

CURRICULUM

To ensure that ‘our young men and women are equipped for the jobs of the future[9]’, whilst helping our students ‘achieve results above international averages in global education indicators’, Misk Schools has developed its own unique curriculum.

In developing our curriculum content and approach, we started with the question: “What should a Misk Schools graduate look like?” Our answer was that students will leave us prepared to lead with purpose because they are passionate learners, critical and creative thinkers, and globally-minded citizens who strive to learn what it means to live life well and assume responsibility for making the world more habitable and humane.

Working backward from this graduate profile, we designed the Misk Schools Diploma – a carefully curated, balanced and holistic curriculum that is underpinned by personalised learning and delivered using the MSHPL philosophy.

Our curriculum is truly international, delivered in both Arabic and English with additional lessons in Chinese. In the academic pillar, our students prepare for IGCSEs in Grades 9 and 10 and then follow an A-level or BTEC pathway during Grades 11 and 12. In the leadership pillar, we are deconstructing recognised leadership curricula to be delivered within subject lessons as well as implementing school leadership programmes that reflect the values and attitudes of the Kingdom. In the internship pillar, the enrichment of our global and local partnerships also contributes to the eventual graduate profile.

The Kingdom’s approach to nurturing high performance and creativity (Mawhiba) has produced the most comprehensive educational methodology in the world. Its reasons

“My first objective is for our country to be a pioneering and successful global model of excellence, on all fronts, and I will work with you to achieve that.”

King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques

“Be the change you wish to see in the world.” Mahatma Gandhi

for doing so relate to a desire for rapid advancement in the development of the nation and, like other countries, the requirement is for strong subject knowledge and creativity that will enable innovation as well as efficiency[10]

Throughout their school career, Misk Schools students are encouraged to compete regularly in local and international competitions and Olympiads through Mawhiba and other strategic partners across the Kingdom. By opening access to these competitions to our entire student community, we maintain our belief that high performance is accessible to all.

This will be further enhanced through our scholarship programme, which will ensure that 20% of our fee revenue is used to provide places at Misk Schools for students identified through the Mawhiba programmes. We know that Saudi Arabia has moved in the last 30 years from a literacy rate of 33% to one of 83% and rising. With this in mind, we aim to disband the myth that “those who do well and come from disadvantaged backgrounds surprise us – we very patronisingly say they ‘succeed against the odds[11]’”. At Misk Schools we believe that high performance is possible for all students in the Kingdom regardless of their background.

TEACHER TRAINING

To develop students who will lead and serve their nation and the globe by 2030, Misk Schools requires exceptional teachers both locally and internationally trained. We have a responsibility to deliver excellent teaching in all areas of our school while simultaneously developing the skill set of our Saudi and international teachers. Our bilingual curriculum poses challenges as English and Arabic subjects vie for curriculum time with our students and Hanada Taha Thomure’s recent chapter title ‘Great Teachers do not Grow on Trees’ will resonate with international school leaders across the globe.

An impediment we have overcome at Misk Schools can be linked to school leadership. As is often seen in private schools in the Kingdom, leaders are

mostly Western and uninformed about the Arabic language. This leads them to frame it as “I don’t know anything about the language, so I’m leaving it to the Arabic teachers”. This diminishes the value of the language and sends the message that it is an afterthought, a subject that is not of importance to the administration and that English is superior to it[12]

To counteract this risk, we have carefully curated our leadership team to ensure it is equitable and representative. We have a Ministry of Education Vice Principal working alongside our school Principals and our Well-being and Safeguarding lead is a bilingual Saudi who recently organised the first-ever Safeguarding Forums in the Kingdom. From our Director General to our Vice Principals, the majority of the team are bi or multilingual. Of the ten members of our academic leadership team, we are close to a 50/50 gender split.

We are also acutely aware of the fact that ‘few teachers of Arabic in the region receive professional development and when they do, it is mostly ineffective, irrelevant and learning is hardly ever transferred into the class[13]’. For this reason, Misk Schools has opened the Misk Schools Academy, a fully bilingual training centre delivering courses from initial teacher training to Cambridge Certified leadership courses. The centre can select the best teacher training courses from around the world and cater them to the Misk Schools context with an in-house team of translators and instructors.

In the 2022/2023 academic year, the Director of the Misk Schools Academy has been working to ensure that every single member of our professional community takes part in CPD activities which have ranged from engagement in COBIS courses to Dale Carnegie training across the globe. We remember that ‘we will not rest until our nation is a leader in providing opportunities for all through education and training’.

LEADERSHIP

Vision 2030 describes a focus on ’the fundamental values of initiative, persistence and leadership’. We have integrated this vision into the specific wording of our schools’ own vision statement, which we live and breathe each day.

“20% of our fee revenue is used to provide places at Misk Schools for students identified through the Mawhiba programmes”

The teaching of leadership permeates all aspects of our school life. With our strategic partner, the International Development Group, we are deconstructing a leadership curriculum so that it may be taught within lessons, alongside our curriculum content. The three main pillars of leadership input consist of the leadership of self, others, and in fields of work and study. These three come together to create the Misk Schools Leadership experience.

We have developed partnerships with private and non-profit sectors to offer innovative educational programmes and events that can improve this academic partnership between parents and the school.

In a partnership with the Saudi Authority for Data and Artificial Intelligence (SDAIA) and Tuwaiq Academy, we jointly inaugurated The Fourth Industrial Revolution Center at Misk Schools, a new facility set up to train future leaders in digital fields.

We formalised a collaboration with King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, opening the door for Misk Schools students to benefit from some of the university’s innovative STEM programmes, including participation in Space 2101, KAUST Mawhiba Olympiad Training Camps, International Science Competitions Training, KAUST Saudi Leadership Programmes, and the Saudi Research Science Institute.

We have also signed a memorandum of understanding with the Education and Training Evaluation Committee that will ensure we are the first school to be formally accredited by the new set of standards being produced for national and international schools in Saudi Arabia.

We will continue investing in education and training so that our young men and women are equipped for the jobs of the future.

NEXT STEPS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR COLLABORATION

As we maintain momentum into the second half of the Vision 2030 timeframe, Misk Schools has some key milestones and key performance indicators on the horizon.

In 2023 our first IGCSE cohort will take their external examinations, and in the summer, we will officially move to Mohammed Bin Salman Nonprofit City.

In 2024 we expect our first cohort of female students to take their external exams at IGCSE. We will also launch our internship and leadership programmes across our schools.

In 2025 we will reach our student capacity of 1,020 and will have our first male and female A-level results, with students making their way to leading universities. Around that time, we will have completed our World Class School accreditation and be well on the way to ensuring that high performance in Saudi Arabia is for the many, and not the few. The 2025/2026 academic year will include the production of our new strategic plan and outline the additional ways we will support our founder’s vision for Misk Schools and the Kingdom.

We remain committed and open to collaboration with schools and educational institutions both within the Kingdom and around the globe. If you are interested in collaborating with or supporting Misk Schools to achieve our vision, then do not hesitate to contact us.

“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” Maya Angelou

“Our real wealth lies in the ambition of our people and the potential of our younger generation. They are our nation’s pride and the architects of our future.” HRH Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia

A CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE FOR THE CHILDREN OF INDIAN NATIONALS

International Indian School Jeddah (IISJ), formerly known as the Embassy of India School, first opened its doors in 1969, beginning as a Villa school with a small number of pupils, faculty and limited infrastructure. From the first day, though, its goal has been to give highquality education to the children of Indian nationals living in Jeddah.

Expanding dramatically over the years, IISJ caters to the educational needs of over 10,000 students,

with a vision to be “a centre of excellence that develops and nurtures each of its students to the fullest potential in all walks of life.”

IISJ follows the CBSE curriculum and is affiliated with the Central Board of Secondary Education, New Delhi, and prepares the students for the All India Secondary School Examination and All India Senior School Certificate Examination. All teaching is carried out in the English language.

A FRENCH SCHOOL OPEN TO ALL NATIONALITIES

The only French Lycée in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, the Lycée Français International d’Al Khobar (LFIK) opened in 1983 under the patronage of the French Embassy. It follows the French National Curriculum as set out by the French Ministry of National Education, as do all schools in the network of French overseas schools.

LFIK describes itself as an international school available to pupils of all countries, regardless of whether their first language is French. In 2020-21, the school welcomed 581 pupils aged 3 to 18 from 22 different nationalities.

SR162 MILLION OF NEW SCHOOL COMPLEXES TO BE BUILT IN RIYADH

The Mission Laque Française (The French Secular Mission) oversees LFIK, a network of 119 schools attended by 54,000 students. These schools are part of the over 550 facilities that comprise the French education network worldwide. Principal Omar Habchi is at the helm of the school. Teachers are a combination of those recruited from France and those selected locally, and they must all have a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in their subject. A strong mastery of the French language is required.

Plans have been announced to build a trio of new school complexes in the Qurtubah, Al Narjis and Hetteen districts of Riyadh at a total investment of SR162 million. The go-ahead for the Tarbyh Namouthajiyah schools complexes comes following the signing of land lease agreements for all three projects, explained the National Company for Learning and Education (NCLE).

The largest of the school complexes will be in the Qurtubah district with a 20,200m2 built-up area. Work on the project will begin in Q3 and is expected to be

completed during Q4 of the fiscal year 2023/2024. When completed, the SR56 million school building will be able to welcome a total of 2,500 male and female students for the academic year 2024/2025. On the Hetteen project, costing approximately SR 57 million, NCLE said the complex will have a total builtup area of 20,000m2 and be able to accommodate 2,000 male and female students.

Finally, the Al Narjis project, costing around SR49 million, will have a total built-up area of 15,300m2 and be able to accommodate 2,000 male and female students.

IISJ caters to the educational needs of over 10,000 students

PARENTS FIND THE BEST SCHOOLS IN THE SAUDI ARABIA

Our NEW directory provides a comprehensive review and virtual tour of each school in Saudi Arabia, allowing you to make the best decision for your child’s education.

Simply filter by your requirements and look through the quality providers listed.

RCRC BRINGS

UNITED KINGDOM’S PRESTIGIOUS BEECH HALL SCHOOL TO RIYADH

Beech Hall School Riyadh is the latest school to be established under RCRC’s International Schools Attraction Programme, which is bringing world-class schools to the Saudi capital in partnership with the Ministry of Investment and Ministry of Education. The schools are from several countries and represent globally recognised curricula and teaching and learning systems.

Hala Halawani, Acting General Manager of Education Sector Development at RCRC, said: “The new international schools being opened in the capital city are strengthening the education ecosystem by bringing in global teaching expertise and are creating first-class educational opportunities for all Riyadh residents. Youngsters in Riyadh will immensely benefit from Beech Hall School’s bespoke learning philosophy and its state-of-the-art campus.”

Beech Hall School Riyadh is the first school in the partnership between the UK’s Chatsworth Schools and Fawaz Alhokair, founder of Fawaz Alhokair Group, a leading Saudi Arabian holding company. Combining one of the UK’s leading educators with Alhokair’s local expertise, the partnership aims to open premium international schools in the Kingdom that capitalise on the best of international academia.

Anita Gleave, founder and CEO of Chatsworth Schools, operator of Beech Hall School said: “Our vision for this partnership is for Beech Hall School Riyadh to be a truly international school in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Through a reimagined approach to education, we provide all children with a lifelong learning mindset, so they can adapt to the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century and beyond.”

Fawaz Alhokair said: “Saudi Arabia is at the forefront of growth and innovation in education in line with the goals of Vision 2030. Our new school supports Saudi Arabia’s aspiration for developing a fully inclusive, high-quality education sector focusing on the development of our children’s resilient and independent characters. This is a non-profit project, part of our charitable efforts to enrich education for students, especially students with determination.”

Beech Hall School Riyadh is a new branch of the renowned Beech Hall School in Cheshire, United Kingdom, and joins 14 schools and nurseries in the Chatsworth family. Beech Hall was founded in 1926, boasts nearly a century of tradition and heritage and has a reputation for being one of the most innovative and exceptional educational institutions in the UK.

It is not a traditional British school and is best known for its unique, truly international approach to the curriculum. At Beech Hall Riyadh, students follow the International Early Years, Primary and Middle Years curricula which draw on the expertise of the UK curriculum whilst maintaining an international perspective. This is combined with thorough Arabic and Islamic Studies programmes to ensure that students are immersed in the heritage and culture of Saudi Arabia. This inclusive approach allows parents and students to choose the best learning options, aligned to every child’s needs to ensure that they achieve their own version of academic excellence and their own outstanding future.

Beech Hall School Riyadh is currently welcoming applications from boys and girls from KG1 to Grade 8. The Grade ranges will expand in the coming years. With a non-selective admissions process that allows opportunities for all children to thrive and have the best chance of success, Beech Hall School Riyadh does not require prospective students to sit entrance exams.

“Our vision for this partnership is for Beech Hall School Riyadh to be a truly international school in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia”

It is not a traditional British school and is best known for its unique, truly international approach to the curriculum

Nicholas Gunn, Director Headmaster, King’s College Riyadh. With over 25 years in teaching and leadership roles, experience from UK and international schools, including headship positions in the UK, the Middle East and Asia. Founding Headmaster of King’s College Doha as well as having worked at Japan’s flagship international school.

Educated at Brighton College and with a degree in surveying, Nicholas went on to receive a Post Graduate Certificate of Education and then a Certificate to Teach English as a Foreign Language from the University of Cambridge. He has since completed the UK’s National Professional Qualification for Headship.

BUILDING UPON 140 YEARS OF EDUCATIONAL KNOW-HOW

The first international school to launch as part of the Royal Commission for Riyadh City’s International Schools Attraction Programme in April 2021, King’s College Riyadh is a collaboration with the Kings College schools in the United Kingdom, which boast 140 years of history, tradition and educational expertise.

King’s College Riyadh, located near the King Khalid Road in Diriyah on the capital’s north-eastern outskirts, follows the traditional UK private school structure, incorporating Pre-Prep for the Pre-School FS1 to Year 2 classes (for children aged 3 - 7 years old), Prep School for Years 3 - 8 (children aged 7 - 13 years old), and Senior School for students in Years 9 -13. The is fully co-educational, with boys and girls learning together.

FACILITIES AND CURRICULUM

As Headmaster, Nicholas Gunn has over 25 years of experience in teaching and leadership roles across the entire 3-18 age range and, prior to joining King’s College Riyadh, was most recently the Founding Headmaster of King’s College Doha.

King’s College Riyadh provides a genuinely all-around British curriculum based on King’s College UK but tailored to the needs and requirements of Riyadh. King’s College UK is also well-known for its numerous extracurricular programmes, with students being able to choose from over 30 sports and outdoor activities, and this same approach is true for the Riyadh school.

Developed by award-winning architects to offer the highest quality facilities and learning environment to its pupils, the school’s impressive facilities include fully equipped scientific and design technology laboratories, a multi-use central atrium, art and music studios, an IT lab, a dedicated library, and specialist Early Years play areas, in addition to two indoor sports halls and a mixed-use outdoor sports pitch.

King’s

College Riyadh provides a genuinely allaround British curriculum

Shannon Pipes, Founding Principal. An experienced educator with a 14-year career in the field. Having worked as an English teacher and Head of Department in South Korea and China for a total of nine years specialising in teaching English as a First Language and as a Second Language to students aged 5-18 and as a Head of Department, and I was in Abu Dhabi, UAE for five years.

A WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION WITHOUT COMPROMISE

One World International School Riyadh (OWIS) is the most recent school to open for the Global Schools Foundation, a Singapore-based non-profit organisation that already operates in excess of 30 schools, primarily in Asia but also with branches in India and the UK.

OWIS Riyadh opened in September 2022, delivering the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP) as well as an American Curriculum based on Common Core and Next Generation Science standards. This effectively means that the content will be from the US curriculum, but the teaching and learning style will be from the IB PYP, which is inquiry-based.

FOSTERING CRITICAL THINKING, CREATIVITY, AND GLOBAL COMPETENCE

The American curriculum differs from other curricula throughout the world in that it allows students to be flexible and creative. It establishes a solid foundation by adhering to a framework that outlines the skills and knowledge areas required of pupils. This allows students to broaden their abilities and knowledge and use it in real-world situations.

There is no single final examination in the American curriculum either. Instead of preparing students for a single exam, the American curriculum uses regular evaluations throughout the year. This is accomplished by a combination of credits such as class attendance, assignments, group projects, presentations, tests, and quizzes. The use of continuing formative evaluations on a frequent basis allows students to become more active and engaged in their learning process.

The IB PYP is an engaging, studentcentred philosophy that teaches students to become independent, lifelong learners and critical thinkers. Its transdisciplinary framework permits students to investigate a variety of topics across subject areas, rather than merely learn by rote facts or studying topics in isolation. This makes it possible for students to expand their skills and knowledge and apply them in real-world contexts.

The PYP framework empowers students to take ownership of their learning through inquiry. This all-embracing approach also provides opportunities for teachers to collaborate so that they can hone their craft by staying current on best practices and innovative methods and learning new, creative ways to incorporate them into their classrooms.

The use of continuing formative evaluations on a frequent basis allows students to become more active and engaged in their learning process

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Put simply, rather than follow a rigid framework, the school’s approach promotes concept development across subject areas to make learning relevant and meaningful beyond the classroom.

CUTTING-EDGE TECHNOLOGY AND THE FINEST TEACHERS

OWIS Riyadh recognises the relevance of technology in education and incorporates digital tools and resources into its teaching and learning practices, allowing students to use technology for study, collaboration, and improving their digital literacy.

OWIS Riyadh boasts ‘Smart Campus Facilities’ with world-class digital capabilities and child-friendly infrastructure, with the goal of ensuring comprehensive development for students, incorporating a well-structured education at a reasonable cost. According to the school, this assures that its doors are accessible to any student who want a world-class educational experience without compromise.

The school also prides itself on having a team of qualified and experienced educators who are dedicated to providing a high-quality education to the students. The teachers at OWIS Riyadh come from diverse backgrounds and bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the classroom. Shannon Pipes, the Founding Principal, for instance, brings over a decade and a half of education expertise to her role and leads a school where the primary focus is on developing polite, responsible, and emotionally literate global citizens.

AN INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENT

OWIS Riyadh celebrates its diverse student population, which represents different nationalities and cultures. The school values multiculturalism and promotes cross-cultural understanding and respect among its students. This helps the school to create a nurturing and inclusive environment where students can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Various extracurricular activities and clubs are available to enhance the overall development of students, including sports, arts, music, drama, and community service initiatives.

The school encourages parental involvement and believes in establishing

strong partnerships between parents and teachers. Regular communication channels, parent-teacher meetings, and events are organised to foster collaboration and keep parents informed about their child’s progress. The school also actively engages with the local community and participates in various initiatives that contribute to the well-being of society. This includes organising charity events, environmental awareness campaigns, and community service projects.

THE POWER OF KINDNESS IN TRANSFORMING LIVES

At OWIS Riyadh, kindness is the most critical element among a whole gamut of personal, emotional, and social ingredients that the school adds to its educational mix. Teaching kindness and compassion equips youngsters with the ability to excel, not merely succeed – in all their life roles, not just in their careers.

Kindness is integral to everything the school does, and it starts at the top, with the Principal. From values and mission statements through to curricula choices, fee points, and assessment practice –the philosophy around kindness aims to equip students with the skills and awareness they need to thrive in a global society. OWIS Riyadh provides a well-rounded international education that emphasizes academic excellence, character development, and global citizenship, preparing students to become lifelong learners and responsible global citizens in an ever-changing world.

 +966 55 250 4149

The primary focus is on developing polite, responsible and emotionally literate global citizens

UNIFORMS WITH SUPERPOWERS

We help schools to attract and retain students with school uniforms that align with the environmental and societal values of today’s parents and children.

The uniforms we make tell a story. From the fields where the organic cotton is grown, to the beaches where plastic bottles are collected, they all have a sustainable start.

Then it’s the makers turn, who expertly turn these raw materials into clothing, in factories where their safety and wellbeing is guaranteed, and they are paid fairly.

With sustainability being such a buzzword and greenwashing becoming commonplace, we believe that it is important to back up claims with facts and data. This is why we calculate the impact of making our uniforms and use this data to offset our impact by purchasing carbon credits, making our uniforms carbon neutral.

It’s a sustainable story we’re proud to tell, and one we hope you’re proud to pass on to your students.

Using nothing but materials from sustainable sources allows us to have the most positive environmental impact possible. Here are the four sustainable materials that we currently use to make our products.

ORGANIC COTTON

Organic cotton really is a game-changer. It uses up to less water and less energy, whilst producing less CO2 than conventionally farmed cotton. Plus, it eliminates the use of GMOs and harmful pesticides. For all those reasons, 100% of our cotton is organic – it’s a nobrainer.

RECYCLED POLYESTER

We try to use as little plastic as possible, but for now, when we need to, we only use recycled and not virgin polyester. This means we use less energy and reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. It also diverts PET bottles away from landfills, reducing soil contamination and water pollution.

REGENERATED NYLON

All of our swimwear is made from regenerated nylon. This starts out as disused fishing nets and then, hey presto! It turns into our swimming trunks and costumes.

COCONUT SHELL

Even our buttons are sustainably sourced because they’re made from upcycled coconut shells.

TO FIND OUT MORE, DOWNLOAD

A FREE COPY OF TOXIC THREADS HERE.

KNIGHT FRANK AND EFFAT UNIVERSITY JOIN FORCES

The MOU was signed by Yazeed Hijazi, Associate Partner in Real Estate Strategy & Consulting, and Dr Haifa Jamal Allail, President of Effat University.

“We are excited about the partnership and look forward to collaborating with Effat University,” said Yazeed Hijazi. “Not only will we introduce the real estate industry to students and hone their careers, but we will also share our knowledge and experience of the international professional environment.

We are confident that this partnership will have a positive impact across parties and drive value to both the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Knight Frank.”

Dr Haifa Jamal Allail, commented: “We are delighted to partner with Knight Frank to provide our students with opportunities to explore the real estate sector. We believe that this partnership between our Operation & Supply Management Department (OSCM) and Knight Frank will inspire our students to pursue careers

in this exciting field and contribute to the growth of the industry in Saudi Arabia.”

THREE SAUDI STUDENTS WIN AT MICROSOFT IMAGINE CUP JUNIOR COMPETITION

Saudi students Budour Al-Jahni, Rima AlMohammadi and Reem Al-Harbi, from the Rabigh Office of the Jeddah Education Directorate, have won at the Microsoft Imagine Cup Junior Competition, organised by Microsoft to enable students to develop their technological skills using the power of artificial intelligence (AI) and computing skills. Over 100 countries took part in the competition.

The students, aged 13 to 18 and participating under the ‘Shiny Stars’

team, came from around the world. They endeavoured to use AI to find solutions to the world’s biggest challenges.

Among the winning projects from the Kingdom’s students was one in which a smart chip is connected to a smartphone application compatible with all spoken and written human languages to enable communication between patients with aphasia and other people by translating speech into a readable or audible.

Under the MOU, Knight Frank will work with Effat University to introduce the real estate industry to students

 Yazeed Hijazi, Assciate Partner in Real Estate Strategy & Consulting, and Dr Haifa Jamal Allail, President of Effat University.

KFU AND DGDA SIGN MOU

The Diriyah Gate Development Authority (DGDA) and King Faisal University (KFU) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to facilitate collaboration in a wide range of fields, including student recruiting, training, research, academics and culture.

KFU President Dr Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Ohali and DGDA Group CEO Jerry Inzerillo signed the deal, with Al-Ohali expressing delight that KFU undergraduates will be trained at DGDA, as this will help them enhance their knowledge and skillsets and expand their learning journey with practical experience.

The MoU will also aid in the two parties’ collaboration by allowing them to participate in career fairs and forums, exchange visits, events, collaborative projects and coordinated volunteer programmes, as well as events customised exclusively for KFU students.

Inzerillo explained: “This MoU is important to the exchange of knowledge, particularly when it comes to academic studies and statistics that help the two sides develop relevant research. The DGDA and its range of projects are the ideal place for KFU undergraduates to gain the kind of experience that will qualify them to compete in the job market and develop their professional capabilities.

Likewise, as part of our human development efforts, the DGDA is keen on making postgraduate studies available to staff members.”

The two organisations will also look into collaborating to provide KFU students with training opportunities at DGDA, where they will learn from experienced professionals and strengthen their skills. In exchange, KFU plans to offer executive learning and postgraduate education programmes to DGDA employees.

The DGDA and its range of projects are the ideal place for KFU undergraduates to gain the kind of experience that will qualify them to compete in the job market

 HIS EXCELLENCY DR. MOHAMMED BIN ABDULAZIZ AL-OHALI, PRESIDENT OF KING FAISAL UNIVERSITY (KFU), AND JERRY INZERILLO, GROUP CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF DGDA

HOW TO WRITE A GOOD PERSONAL STATEMENT WHEN MAKING THAT UNIVERSITY APPLICATION

If you’re eager to enrol in a top university, you’re no doubt already considering how to maximise your chances of being accepted to your preferred institution. You’ve probably already thought through the common suggestions, such as getting involved in extracurricular activities related to your topic of study or volunteering. There are, though, many other things you may do to increase your odds without ever leaving your home.

Not only do you need to be well-versed in your subject matter when applying to universities, but you also benefit from having a thorough understanding of both the institution and the department. You can easily increase your chances of being accepted by doing thorough research on the colleges and departments you’re applying to. This will enable you to formulate personalised responses to inquiries like “Why do you wish to study at this university?”

You can also find helpful application advice from current students at the university you want to attend by visiting student forums. The Student Room, which features separate forums for all the top universities and courses, is a nice example from the UK. Find

the appropriate forum for the university of your choice and look for topics about applications. You’ll be able to see how the competition (other prospective students) is preparing so you can get some ideas from what they’re doing, and you’ll be able to ask current students questions to obtain firsthand information on the admissions process, such as what to expect from interviews.

One of the most crucial tasks you must complete to have a successful application is writing a fantastic personal statement. This is your time to show the institution that you are enthusiastic about the subject and that you are prepared to put in a lot of effort to learn and advance your desired profession. So what does it take to make your University Personal Statement stand out?

FIVE KEY TIPS

The fact is that, despite its importance, many students can find it challenging to deliver a well-thought-through statement. Therefore, here are five key tips: do your research, identify what you want to write about, know how to write it, make it personal, and get feedback..

1Do your Research

Before you start putting anything in writing, think about what career you would like, and investigate universities that are well-equipped to help get you there. Invest time in researching the programme and if it offers opportunities that will help you meet your career goals. Your personal statement should reflect that you have done your research and know how the outcomes of the programme match your professional aspirations.

Find out what attributes they are looking for in their students, as these qualities need to be reflected in your personal statement. For example, a medical school may be looking for students who are compassionate, have strong academic achievement potential, can learn from their mistakes, are critical thinkers, are team players, are responsible, and are dedicated to lifelong learning. Some universities will list their desired traits on their website and your statement should reflect these qualities.

2Identify What you Want to Write About

Now that you know the qualities that your university of choice is looking for in its students, it’s time to show through your writing that you have these characteristics. It is not always easy for people to talk about themselves, so here is a list of questions that will help you write the answers that your university may be looking for.

 Why do you want to study your chosen course?

 Why is this subject of interest to you?

 How do your current or previous studies relate to your chosen course?

 What are your interests outside of school, such as hobbies, extracurricular activities and additional responsibilities? What skills or

qualities do these experiences give you?

 How would studying this programme support your future plans?

3Know How to Write Your Statement

Writing your statement eloquently is as important as the first two steps, if not more. Imagine having all the content you need but not expressing yourself effectively. The piece must have a solid structure and flow of ideas. It should reflect your thought process, transitioning from one idea to the other smoothly.

Ideally, your statement should start with an introduction to the topic you intend to address. Following that, come your main points, which would be the answers to the questions listed in step two. Lastly, you need to have a conclusion to wrap up the piece and tie it back to your introduction. Once you finish writing your statement, make sure you proofread it once or twice for grammar, spelling and punctuation mistakes.

4Make it Personal

This is your opportunity to flex your strengths that are in line with your career of choice. So don’t be shy to express your enthusiasm and what you are good at. It gives a personal essence to your statement that might just get you a place in your programme of choice.

Not everyone’s journey is the same. But you also need to have a clear understanding of what drives you, which will also help you determine how to frame your statement. Showing aspiration and a long-term plan can give the university an idea of your level of motivation. It should feel natural and easy to write since you’d be expressing something that you are passionate about.

5Get Feedback from People You Trust

Before you go ahead with submission, it’s always worth asking people you trust for their feedback; for example, your tutors, counsellors or experienced professionals. A concept may be clear in your mind but poorly expressed in writing. They will give you an outsider’s

perspective if something does not sound right or is unclear. Therefore, expect to produce several drafts of your personal statement before being totally happy with it.

To summarise, your personal statement should give the university obvious reasons as to why you are a perfect match for their programme. From your passion for the subject you are aiming to study to your personality traits, interests, writing style and career goals, they all need to encourage the school to have you on board.

BE MEDIA SAVVY

Universities today are considerably more social media savvy and have their own internet presence. Although this is fantastic for getting to know them better, the drawback is that they may likely consider your internet presence when assessing your application. As a result, you must pay close attention to the impression that your social media profiles project. In order to prevent admissions tutors from seeing images of you doing or saying things you may not want them to see, make sure your Facebook page, for instance, is set to private.

Reuniting families, creating friendships and finding jobs are just a handful of the many incredible advantages of using social media. But when applying to a university it can turn into your worst nightmare. Be careful when posting anything on social media. In the end, once people have seen it, you can’t make them un-see it.

One of the most crucial tasks you must complete to have a successful application is writing a fantastic personal statement

Ideally, your statement should start with an introduction to the topic you intend to address

KING ABDULAZIZ UNIVERSITY SIGNS MOU WITH CHALHOUB GROUP

Chalhoub Group, a Dubai-based luxury retailer, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Saudi Arabia’s King Abdulaziz University to bridge the gap between academia and industry and enhance the luxury retail sector.

This collaboration aligns with the Group’s goals of increasing youth employability and career prospects in the Kingdom through sector-related seminars and mentorship training to improve skills and foster career progression in the fashion industry.

Mohammad Aldabbagh, Deputy Country manager of Saudi Arabia at Chalhoub Group, said: “Chalhoub Group is dedicated to driving nationalisation, nurturing talent development, advancing youth employability, and developing exciting platforms to promote youth education in the retail and fashion sectors. This partnership supports our commitment to the Kingdom in developing talent and supporting bright talents throughout their career journeys.”

Chalhoub Group is going to work closely with the University to create a fashion curriculum that meets the increasing needs of both the region’s and global fashion industries.

Dean of the Research and Consulting Institute at King Abdulaziz University, Dr Ahmed Al-Ghamdi, explained: “At King Abdulaziz University, we are committed to helping our students excel in their careers following their graduation. This partnership with Chalhoub Group will provide our students and graduates with invaluable knowledge and experiences through new internships, training and career openings as well as event and networking opportunities. This is designed to enhance our students’ technical and soft skills and prepare them for successful careers in the industry over the long term.”

Earlier this year, as part of its support for career development amongst Saudi youth, Chalhoub Group launched its ‘My Bold Future’ campaign to highlight limitless career opportunities for the new generation of Saudis in the retail sector.

“This partnership with Chalhoub Group will provide our students and graduates with invaluable knowledge and experiences through new internships, training and career openings”

HOLISTIC SPORTS PROGRAMMES FOR CHILDREN

Sports Hub KSA creates customised sports programmes for children that emphasise play and skill development over competition and encourage parental participation.

Simon Muller, CEO and cofounder of Sports Hub KSA

Simon Muller, CEO and co-founder of Sports Hub KSA, explained: “We want to give children a chance to do sports differently than in a school environment. There’s no pressure, the teacher doesn’t have to teach something specific in 45 minutes - the children can play in the time frame they are with us.”

Muller said that inclusivity is a major aspect of their programmes, so the role of parents is important and coaches encourage them to be involved and present during sessions. “Inclusion is a very important aspect of what we are doing, we don’t want to exclude anyone. We try to have games for children of different levels and ages and development stages to have fun together.

“Everything is important at a young age; between three and six it’s very clear in the scientific world that this is the most important age in developing certain behaviours and having a positive association with certain things.

“The ultimate goal is that the children keep coming for two to three years, and not just summer. When they spend a couple of hours with us every week, their fundamentals are way more developed than other children that don’t have that opportunity.”

Muller feels that it is critical for children in their early years to experience new things. After the initial few years of participation in the sports programme, children will be free to select the sports that they love.

“The ultimate goal is that the children keep coming for two to three years, and not just summer”

SPORTSHUB

KSA

“We want to give children a chance to do sports differently than in a school environment”

AMAZON UNIVERSITY

ESPORTS AND SHAHID

PARTNER TO ENHANCE

ESPORTS GAMERS’ EXPERIENCES IN KSA

Amazon UNIVERSITY Esports, the world’s premiere esports competition for university students has partnered with Shahid, the first video-on-demand (VOD) service in the Arab world, powered by MBC Group. This collaboration combines two of today’s most popular entertainment areas, esports and broadcast TV. Together, the two companies will improve the experience for young users of both services.

platforms are growing significantly in the MENA region, thanks to an increasingly young population and an increasingly virtual world. Due to this, this partnership empowers two ecosystems with great potential.”

Natasha Matos-Hemingway, Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer at Shahid, added: “We are thrilled to be partnering with Amazon UNIVERSITY Esports, which will undoubtedly enhance the gaming experience for players across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Through collaborations of this kind, we are confident that we can help contribute to the ambitious National Gaming and Esports Strategy, which aims to make Saudi Arabia a global centre for gaming and e-sports by 2030. This collaboration is a positive step forward for both Shahid and Amazon UNIVERSITY Esports; we cannot wait to see what the future holds for e-sports in the GCC and MENA region.”

The National Gaming and Esports Strategy is a demonstration of the KSA government’s willingness to back this sector. Its goal is to establish the country as the world’s foremost gaming hub by 2030. This strategy will enhance players’ experiences, provide more entertainment options for the public, and help the industry contribute approximately SR50 billion to the GDP. The 10-year plan is a clear signal to the international community that the MENA region is prepared to welcome talent and create a unique gaming and esports community.

Since its launch in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), Amazon UNIVERSITY Esports has had a huge growth in the number of players and teams, participating universities, competitions and events, becoming one of the leading players in the esports field in the region. The project is being developed in 16 countries on four continents and is hosted in the region by MENA Tech Entertainment (a company of GGTech Entertainment).

Part of MBC GROUP, Shahid is a global entertainment platform aimed at Arabs across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and beyond, offering the largest Arabic library of content, including original movies and series, films fresh off the box office, documentaries, live TV channels, sports content, and a whole range of edutainment content for kids.

Recently, the popularity of the gaming culture has grown significantly in the KSA, evidenced by the numerous esports events hosted in the country. With a population of almost 40 million in KSA, and more than half under 25, gaming revenues have skyrocketed in as players today have higher purchasing power and hours of gameplay. It is estimated that the gaming market in the MENA region will experience a 19% growth rate and exceed $5 billion by 2025.

Mario Perez, CEO of MENATech commented: “Working with Shahid, the region’s most important streaming platform, is an honour for us. Esports and streaming

AMAZON UNIVERSITY ESPORTS

+966 11 821 0900 VISIT WEBSITE EMAIL US

PLAYING TO WIN

According to the Global Knowledge Index (GKI) 2022, Saudi Arabia’s internet usage and IT skills are flourishing, with the fast growing gaming industry adding to the Kingdom’s rapid advancement.

The GKI, which is regarded as a major contributor to the global knowledge system, focuses on seven indicators that encompass the performance of six important knowledge sectors: preuniversity education; technical education and vocational training; higher education; ICT; innovation, research and development; economy; and environment.

According to the most recent ranking, Saudi Arabia ranks first in two categories: ‘percentage of the population using the internet’ and ‘percentage of individuals with standard information and communications technology (ICT) skills’. Furthermore, Saudi Arabia was placed first in the technical education and vocational training index for the number of students enrolled in nonuniversity post-secondary vocational and technical programmes.

Individuals with standard ICT skills, the percentage of internet users, households with an internet connection, the research share of R&D investment, and the net enrolment rate in upper secondary education are among Saudi Arabia’s five primary strengths, according to the GKI. The Index also highlighted Saudi Arabia’s excellent performance in the area of cognitive infrastructure, ranking it 43rd out of 132 nations and 41st out of 60 nations with a high human development rate.

If additional verification were needed of the Saudi market’s technological readiness, recent research on Gaming in the Kingdom confirms the scale of this thriving sector. Saudi Arabia, a country with a population of 35 million people, is believed to have a staggering 23.5 million gamers!

SAUDI ARABIA RANKS…

Percentage of the population using the internet.

Percentage of individuals with standard information and communications technology (ICT) skills.

Technical education and vocational training index for the number of students enrolled in non-university post-secondary vocational and technical programmes.

High human development rate.

Excellent performance in the area of cognitive infrastructure.

The Index also highlighted Saudi Arabia’s excellent performance in the area of cognitive infrastructure

Click HERE for the Saudi Arabie GLOBAL KNOWLEDGE INDEX

GOOGLE FOR EDUCATION: FASTER AND MORE COST-EFFECTIVE

Tony Saleh, Currently, a Managing Director for Netland Middle East. Served 10 years as Senior Regional Director for world largest telecom vendor and 7 years as GM for two SI companies. Tony is now working with educational institutions across the GCC region to help them with their digital transformation.

Netland Middle East, established in Spain

24 years ago and headquartered in Abu Dhabi since 2020, specialises in IT services and consulting, and as a

Google for Education Partner, assists schools and universities throughout the region in expanding their network capacities, reducing time spent on internal processes, and ensuring that they have the very latest and best in equipment and software. Education

Saudi spoke with Tony Saleh, Managing Director of Netland, initially asking why the organisation chose Google. “We feel in this new era of learning, Google for Education offers the tools that are required. Its simplicity and reachability between teachers and

students are outstanding, with the incredible variety of tools available to collaborate, communicate, discuss and tackle a particular project being phenomenal. In my opinion, it is superior to any other platform.

“And as far as privacy and data protection, it offers centralised control through the Google console, which is something that is greatly welcomed by educational institutions. And the usage aspect is quite straightforward. It can be picked up by anyone. If you

use Gmail, you are most likely already at the fundamental level. You can walk yourself through as you use it and quickly become proficient in it.”

Partnering with Google for Education at a time when the education sector has developed in the United States and in Europe but is a little way behind in the Middle East, Netland is witnessing a terrific uptake in the UAE. “It’s becoming popular super fast,” Tony says. “We have, say, 600 private schools in the country, and Google for Education has already been adopted by 187 of them. And this has just happened in the last four years. It is the dominating platform in the United States and Western Europe, and it is rapidly gaining traction in the Middle East and Eastern Europe.” In terms of adoption, Google has already signed a government-level deal in Oman for Google Cloud, a component of which is Google for Education, making it the world’s first such agreement at a national level.

Google reached a similar agreement in Kuwait just two weeks ago.

“Google has recently formed a strategic alliance with the Kuwaiti government to support digitisation efforts across the country’s public sector,“ Tony continues. “At Netland, we are confident that Google for Education will be part of that strategy. The eco-system built by Google for education will benefit all schools, private and public. The system offers significant cost reduction. Third-party cybersecurity software licenses, for example, are no longer required. All antivirus software licenses have been removed. The ecosystem that Google has created allows you to cut your administrative staff expenditures by 80%, which makes a lot of sense for a school. Why do you need so many administrators in one school if your system is stable? Currently, most schools have three, four, or five administrators dealing with email phishing and third-party software issues. That is eliminated within the Google ecosystem.”

“We feel in this new era of learning, Google for Education offers the tools that are required”

“The ecosystem that Google has created allows you to cut your administrative staff expenditures by 80%”

A BESPOKE STRATEGY

If schools decide to go with Google for Education, Netland provides the licenses with the integration deployment and offers them Chromebooks. It also provides leasing options if there are budget concerns or cashflow problems, an offer that, if not unique, is extremely rare.

“If their budget does not allow for it, we have a solution in the form of Chrome OS Flex, which is a free downloaded version that takes over the operating system and provides just as good an interaction,” Tony says. “We also provide deployment-related training. We deliver training for both teachers and students as needed, but teachers are often the primary focus.

“We can customise a strategy for deployment to each individual institution, depending on their needs, whether

“We can customise a strategy for deployment to each individual institution, depending on their needs”

they want to go for it all in one shot or just gently phase it in. We have a built-in strategy for these institutions, working very closely with them to deploy the system as a whole but also taking their concerns into account as we progress from introduction to maturity, accompanying them throughout the digital transformation process. Moreover, during the school year, we keep in touch with them regarding upgrades, if there are any updates to train them on and any changes that may be beneficial to the school.”

A MAJOR STEP IN THE WORLD OF EDTECH

Interest and feedback from schools are encouraging and evolving rapidly this year. In 2022, it appeared that everyone was being extra cautious, but this year there is a lot of traction for Netland with schools across the UAE. The company is already working on deploying their services in Oman too, as part of its remit to cover the MENA region and some parts of Eastern Europe. “Our key regions right now are the UAE, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia,” Tony says, “where we are engaged with schools and regulators within the government to provide a risk-free offer for pilot programmes for those schools that do not have Google as fundamental and don’t have any exposure.

“In that programme, we offer them a full-fledged Google for Education licence for 30 days, as well as training for Educator One and Educator Two, which Google requires of teachers. We offer them vouchers to take the test so they don’t have to pay for it. Furthermore, we provide them with the Flex OS Chromebook version for 30 days, in addition to admin training, so that they can understand the value of the price control for both software and hardware.”

While being incredibly cost-effective, Google for Education also eliminates many of the ‘foibles’ associated with Windows, such as slow boot-up times and a slew of other issues and glitches that Microsoft users are well aware of. A Chromebook boots up in about eight seconds, compared to the variable lengths it takes Windows to ‘jump’ into action, which may be up to two minutes.

“If you figure those timeframes for a classroom of pupils over the course of

the year, you’re losing about a week to two weeks!” Tony points out.

We are living in a digital world with technology transforming the way we learn and live our lives. But we must never utilise technology just for the sake of it. Technology is an enabler and an enhancer. But for too long in education, it has been seen as something that adds to a teacher’s workload rather than helping to ease it.

Google for Education is a major step in making sure the education sector is able to take advantage of all of the opportunities available through EdTech. It assists enormously in realising the

vast potential of technology to transform our schools, providing teachers with the time to focus on teaching, their own professional development, and, critically, cater to the needs of every single one of their students. To find out more, visit www.netlandme.com

While being incredibly cost-effective, Google for Education also eliminates many of the ‘foibles’ associated with Windows

INSPIRING A LIFELONG PASSION FOR BOOKS AND READING WITH RENAISSANCE

Students today utilise various e-learning platforms, such as Accelerated Reader (AR) and myON, as well as other resources to enhance their academic experience. We caught up with three spokespeople about the role that Accelerated Reader, myON and Star Reading, which are part of the Complete Literacy Solution from Renaissance, have played in ensuring that schools sustain a whole-school reading culture.

DEVELOPING A PASSION FOR READING

“What we like about Accelerated Reader is that the students can take control of their reading, understand exactly where they are, and choose what books they like and how they want to carry on reading in the future.”

Hamish Devon, English Lead – Primary, explains: “I see the Accelerated Reader programme as an excellent opportunity to instil a passion for reading in the boys, many of whom lacked the enthusiasm to engage with literature. We used myON and Accelerated Reader to encourage them to start with simple texts, gradually building their confidence

and interest in reading. Our efforts have been successful, and we have made significant progress this year.

“The diversity of reading material offered by myON has been particularly beneficial for our students in secondary school. The platform’s extensive collection includes a variety of genres,

“I see the Accelerated Reader programme as an excellent opportunity to instil a passion for reading in the boys”

such as comics that our pupils find engaging. The Middle East filter is especially useful in this regard, as it helps us to cater to the boys’ specific interests and cultural backgrounds. This approach has contributed to the success we have seen in our student’s academic achievements.

Literacy Lead and English Teacher, Kashif Hussain elaborates: “Our school places significant importance on AR, as we are an English-speaking institution, and all our exams are administered in English. Even mathematically gifted students cannot excel in the complex IGCSE exams if they struggle with English comprehension. AR has helped

to address this issue, as it enables our students to understand better, learn and read, leading to improved academic performance in other subjects. This, in turn, opens up more opportunities for our students and ultimately results in even better outcomes.”

CELEBRATING SUCCESS

“With myON and AR’s aid, we have successfully enabled our students to blaze their own trail in reading, and they are thoroughly enjoying the journey.”

Kashif notes: “The most significant transformation we have undergone since adopting myON is the remarkable progression in our pupils’ reading abilities. Initially, students were only reading brief and straightforward literature. Astonishingly, even students in Years 5 and 6 were only reading books that were 80 or 100 words in length. However, as our students began to cultivate a genuine passion for reading, thanks to myON, their confidence and self-esteem soared.

“Now, our students eagerly venture to the library to immerse themselves in full-length books, and we have begun to utilise AR to its utmost potential. This has effectively dissipated any fear they may have previously held about lengthier books. One of my pupils was positively beaming with pride this morning after reading a 30,000-word book in just two weeks - a previously unattainable feat for him.

“Last year, our top-performing student read 120,000 words over the entire year. This year, we have already had three students, each reading nearly two million words. Once they get engrossed in the narrative, they find great joy in these literary adventures. With myON and AR’s aid, we have successfully

“The most significant transformation we have undergone since adopting myON is the remarkable progression in our pupils’ reading abilities”

enabled our students to blaze their own trail in reading and they are thoroughly enjoying the journey. All in all, it has been an incredibly positive experience.”

SUPPORTING PARENTAL ENGAGEMENT

The school has been utilising various ways to engage families with their children’s reading development process.

In primary school, families have been following the reading milestones and the awards ceremonies to monitor and appreciate their children’s progress in the reading journey. The teaching staff actively discuss these during parent-teacher meetings, as reading more allows children to access more information, knowledge and educational benefits.

Meanwhile, in secondary school, students can access myON from home, where the school gets access to detailed real-time reports on students’ reading activities, including the number of pages, books or words read.

Kashif adds: “Recently, we held an award ceremony to recognise the most avid readers. The parents were involved in the ceremony, and receiving a certificate of recognition meant a lot to them. We use these certificates to encourage children to continue reading and to communicate with parents about the importance of reading.”

ENHANCING INTERNATIONAL MINDEDNESS AND READING AUTONOMY

“Every student has their own pace, and myON reinforces their reading growth.”

Ahmed Sami Ahmed Hussein, E-Learning Coordinator, said: “Most boys can generally find a book related to what they want at that moment. So, the search feature makes it so easy if they’re going to find a long book, a short book or a medium-sized book at this age level and about this topic. And then,

once they’re into the book, if they don’t understand a word, they click on the word to pop up a dictionary definition of that word, and they can develop themselves through that and find out what that word means.

“In secondary school, we found that myON News fits very well with the older years, so we got Year 10 reading news articles, and the great thing about that has been that their IGCSE is in English. So, it was beneficial to integrate it into the curriculum.

“myON is very useful because it allows the students to find that library of books without having to go into the library and pick up a small book. They

do not have to be embarrassed. They can read it at home, take the quiz and develop themselves that way. Every student has their own pace and myON reinforces their reading growth.

“So, the independence of reading is greatly increased. Students can choose what they want, read what they want, and understand it as well, which is massive, especially for these boys.”

“This year, we have already had three students, each reading nearly two million words”

“In secondary school, we found that myON News fits very well with the older years”

INTERVENTION AND SUPPORT FOR READING WITH STAR ASSESSMENTS

Kashif explains the impact of Star Reading as: “For secondary, the engagement has gone up massively. So, about 99% of Year 7 engage with it and regularly do quizzes and reading.

“This year, for example, we would usually see summer slippage and the fact that we didn’t see any negative progress as an average is really positive.

To learn more about the Complete Literacy Solution from Renaissance, please click this link.

“We use the Star Assessment reports to find which children are not reading, which children have no access at all, and which classes have low engagement. After monitoring each student’s progress, we arrange meetings with students performing under par to try and increase that usage and engagement, trying to achieve 100% access and using the platforms effectively.”

RENAISSANCE

 +44 (0)20 7184 4000

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ENVISION RACING AND CARTOON NETWORK EMEA JOIN FORCES TO HELP KIDS BECOME CLIMATE CHAMPIONS

Envision Racing, the leading Formula E race team and Cartoon Network EMEA, Warner Bros. Discovery’s number one animated series network, have announced a new partnership to engage children and young people in the Race Against Climate Change.

Cartoon Network EMEA will work alongside Envision Racing to create awareness of the global issue of electric waste through joint marketing campaigns, promotions, and gamification. This comes as annual electronic waste production is on track to reach a staggering 75 million tonnes by 2030 and includes items such as mobile phones, laptops, MP3 players, plugs and batteries.

Opportunities for participation include the Recover-E-Waste to Race competition, where kids can learn how

to design and build a mini–Formula E race car using e-waste, with prize winners being showcased at the London Formula E-Prix on 29 July.

Cartoon Network’s Climate Champions initiative empowers and inspires children to act and help the environment. Kids aged 6-12 can become Climate Champions by taking up daily challenges and making a world of difference together.

With the help of beloved characters from hit shows that include “The Amazing World of Gumball” and “Craig of the Creek,” children can complete tasks and create real, tangible change in their lives while contributing to a community driving sustainability globally.

Since its launch in June 2021, more than 1.5 million challenges have been completed worldwide and this number continues to grow daily.

Monika Oomen, VP Brand, Communications and Digital Content Strategy, Kids EMEA at Warner Bros. Discovery: ”E-waste is an incredibly important issue, but we don’t pay enough attention to it. Through our strategic collaboration with Envision Racing, we want to raise awareness amongst kids and help educate them about how they can play a part in reducing it. We’re delighted to partner with Envision Racing because this will help open up to kids a whole new sporting environment and a world where they are even more empowered to impact the planet positively. Together, we can make a world of difference.

“We look forward to extending our Cartoon Network Climate Champions campaign to equipping kids with the tools to tackle electronic waste in their lives.”

FIA Formula E World Championship is the only sport to be certified net zero carbon since inception and has been independently ranked and recognised as the most sustainable sport in the world by the Global Sustainability Benchmark in Sports. In addition to being the alltime leading points scorers in Formula E, Envision Racing also has a leadership position for sustainability. Its Race Against Climate Change™ programme is inspiring and empowering fans and the wider public to take climate action, using Formula E’s platform, Envision Racing aims to make electric mobility and renewable energy a global reality.

Sylvain Filippi, Managing Director and CTO at Envision Racing said: “Envision Racing exists to engage fans and the public on the urgency of the climate crisis with the Race Against Climate Change at the centre of our activity. As well as testing new battery technology for cars, we are on a mission to tackle e-waste and to help build a circular economy for electric vehicles.

“This partnership is an incredible opportunity to engage children and young people in the creation of a sustainable future. We’re excited to be working with Cartoon Network to inspire action across the world and can’t wait to get started.”

New partnership will energise children’s movement to protect the planet and make a world of difference

Cartoon Network’s Climate Champions initiative empowers and inspires children to act and help the environment

Envision Racing aims to make electric mobility and renewable energy a global reality

LEGO® SETS: IMAGINE, CREATE, LEARN

WHEN YOU BROWSE THROUGH THE VAST ARRAY OF LEGO® SETS, YOU CAN SEE WHY IT IS SO POPULAR WITH BOTH CHILDREN AND ADULTS WORLDWIDE. FROM CAR SETS TO DOLLHOUSES, DINOSAURS TO SUPERHEROES, IT’S HARD TO DISCOVER A LEGO SET THAT DOESN’T STIMULATE YOUR CONSTRUCTION, CREATIVITY, IMAGINATION, LEARNING, AND ENDLESS PLAY POSSIBILITIES!

 Jeroen Beijer, General Manager/Vice President - Middle East and Africa at LEGO Group

Education Saudi recently had its own adventure when it chatted with Jeroen Beijer, General Manager/Vice PresidentMiddle East and Africa at LEGO Group, first asking him about the company’s Play Well 2022 survey, which yielded some extremely interesting results from both children and their parents.

Education Saudi: What were the most fascinating findings from the LEGO Play Well 2022 study, and did you receive any surprises?

Jeroen Beijer: Perhaps not surprising, but certainly a significant finding from the study was that nearly 9 out of 10 children in Saudi Arabia and the UAE stated they wished they could play more with their parents. When this is combined with another finding showing that over 70% of parents feel guilty about spending too much time on their phones and the internet in front of their children, it suggests that we have a tremendous opportunity to spend more

quality time together as a family and break some unhealthy routines.

EdSaudi: Did the parents who completed the survey suggest that LEGO was a form of play that they could sometimes join in with? Did it promote fun for the whole family? And do you think this is an important aspect of play?

JB: Whether you are 1 or 99 years old, we know that LEGO Play appeals to children of all ages, abilities, and interests all across the world and may be done alone or with others. We at the LEGO Group want to make sure that everyone who plays with our products has both the joy of building and the pride of creation. We know that playing together makes children feel valued and recognised, and it boosts self-esteem and self-confidence. Unsurprisingly, playing together helps parents connect with their children and favourably influences their child’s personality development. In fact, 93% of parents

in Saudi Arabia and 95% in the UAE believe that play strengthens family bonds.

EdSaudi: Mental health problems in children have increased dramatically in recent years, but isn’t play the most natural way of combating stress and anxiety in children?

JB: We live in increasingly busy and often stressful times, and this affects both adults and children.

This LEGO Play Well 2022 study proved that play is a great way for children to shift their focus and mindset.

In our study, 8 in 10 children stated that play helps them switch off and relax after a day at school.

70% of parents feel guilty about spending too much time on their phones and the internet in front of their children

Furthermore, the study found that 95% of parents in Saudi Arabia and 96% of parents in the UAE believe that their family is happier when they play together more. We all know that eating a balanced diet is important for staying healthy, but I feel we should also be more conscious of how we spend our time outside of work/school. We must ensure that our diet includes enough play, as a healthy play diet is an important component of a healthy, happy child and family.

EdSaudi: Can a lack of play stunt a child’s social and emotional development?

JB: Multiple studies have confirmed that play is one of the best and most natural ways to learn new skills, and through play, children learn so many critically important things.

Let me illustrate a few:

 Through open-ended and non-scripted play kids learn to use their imagination and creativity to define things that never existed before.

 As kids encounter new challenges, they learn how to solve problems and try different solutions until they find the right one, thus teaching them problemsolving and resilience.

 Through playing with others, kids learn how to collaborate and resolve conflicts as well as appreciate the different inputs and insights other children might have.

 Play also teaches them that it is okay to fail but most importantly you need to keep trying.

At the LEGO Group, we want every child to be prepared for a bright future by giving them plenty of joyful, playful experiences that enable them to thrive now and in the future.

EdSaudi: Would you agree with Fred Rogers, the creator, showrunner, and host of the preschool television series Mister Rogers’ Neighbourhood, that: “Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.”

JB: Yes, I fully agree. Children possess an amazing natural potential to learn and are very curious by nature. Young children also have an imagination and inventiveness that helps them create new ideas and opportunities, as well as a strong motivation to connect and engage with others. Playing, therefore, has a central role in preparing children for challenges in childhood and throughout adulthood.

of play styles and play preferences in children. Some kids prefer making things, while others enjoy role-playing with various characters. The expansion of different themes has enabled us to reach a bigger audience and deliver something of interest to everyone.

EdSaudi: How do you see the LEGO brand continuing to grow in the Middle East – as a brand it seems to offer more and more every year, so do you think it can become increasingly important in the education sector?

JB: We are continuing our phenomenal growth journey in the Middle East as more parents and kids are becoming fans of LEGO play. For more than 40 years, LEGO Education has been working with teachers and educational specialists to deliver playful learning experiences that bring subjects to life in the classroom and make learning fun and impactful. We have a wide range of physical and digital educational resources that encourage students to think creatively, reason systematically, and release their potential to shape their own future, building academic and critical 21st-century skills.

EdSaudi: Play is the foundation of being a well-functioning human being, and not only in childhood - did you play with LEGO bricks as a child, and do you still ‘have a go’ today? When I visit my granddaughter, I must admit I start building things … even when she’s not there!

As parents, we must take an active role in giving our children these playlearning opportunities and experiences. As a parent, I believe we should all be mindful that our children do not spend an inordinate amount of time online, as watching someone ride a bicycle on YouTube or TikTok does not bring the same learning as attempting to create something yourself.

EdSaudi: When I was a child back in the 60s, I had LEGO, but not the vast choice of concepts – such as Harry Potter and Star Wars – that are available today. Do you believe that incorporating movie themes helps children to utilise their imaginations more and assists them in learning faster? I think it would have done with me.

JB: We believe there is no right or wrong way to play, and we observe a wide range

JB: Yes, I grew up with LEGO bricks and, as a child, I loved playing with LEGO City and Space, and at a later stage LEGO Technic. Today, my house is filled with LEGO sets as both my son of 9 and daughter of 11 still love to build and play with them, and with the LEGO Botanical sets, even my wife has caught the LEGO building virus! I hope that at the LEGO Group we continue to inspire children and adults to continue to play because as the LEGO Play Well study shows, it’s a vital ingredient of a happy life!

95% of parents in Saudi Arabia and 96% of parents in the UAE believe that their family is happier when they play together more

In our study, 8 in 10 children stated that play helps them switch off and relax after a day at school

70% of parents feel guilty about spending too much time on their phones and the internet in front of their children

Whether you are 1 or 99 years old, we know that LEGO® Play appeals to children of all ages, abilities, and interests

 Jeroen Beijer, General Manager/ Vice President - Middle East and Africa at LEGO Group

THE BENEFITS OF OPENING A BANK ACCOUNT FOR YOUR CHILDREN

Because opening a bank account in Saudi Arabia can take several weeks, ex-pats who have recently relocated to the country should budget for a few weeks’ cash to cover daily expenses. You can withdraw cash from any ATM using an international bank card, but expect to be charged up to SR 30 for the transaction. For larger purchases (above SR 30), you will also be able to use an international credit or debit card.

Just as important as household bills and food shopping, though, is having enough money for comics and sweets! So it can be a good idea to open a bank account for your children, which is an excellent way to teach them about finances and money management skills such as:

 Budgeting: Having the ability to make decisions about how to spend their money teaches youngsters the repercussions of their actions, such as not having enough money to buy something they want.

 Security: Children learn to understand the necessity of keeping their PINs and passwords to themselves in an increasingly cashless culture.

 Saving: Assisting youngsters in setting and meeting short and long-term savings goals teaches them the value of money and should help them make better decisions later in life.

The advantages of opening a bank account for a young person are many and varied, and, of course, there is one big advantage for parents – if they run a little short before payday they can arrange a loan from their offspring. But watch those interest rates because the young people of today can be incredibly savvy!

Opening a bank account for your children is an excellent way to teach them about finances and money management skills

Present and Parenting TODAY’S DAD

It is not uncommon for Mother’s Day to be celebrated in an elaborate way, while Father’s Day passes by in a whisper. The spotlight has traditionally remained on mums and their contributions to the upbringing of their children, but is the role of dads going unnoticed? Are great fathers being celebrated enough, especially now when the current generation of dads is present and parenting?

We had the chance to speak to four fathers about their family life, and although they have very different professions, it is evident that “Dad” is their most important job.

Being a Radio Jockey and DJ means that Abhijeet Adhvaryu doesn’t have a normal 9am to 5pm schedule, and this means creating time to be with his daughter and son sometimes challenging.’ Instead of ‘and this makes time with his daughter and son challenging at times. “There can be days where I don’t see my kids because of my work commitments, but I make sure I speak to them on the phone. I think it is essential that they know I’m always there even if I’m not physically in front of them,” he says.

“Because my wife and kids currently live and study in the UK, we use an app to always stay connected throughout the day,” shares Eddie Rayner, Managing Director at a media company, and father of a daughter and son. “Through a mobile camera in our house, I can open up the app on my phone and have a look around the house. Sometimes I’ll say into the speaker, “stop doing that!’ whenever they’re doing something they shouldn’t. It makes them feel like I’m right there,” he jokes.

When it comes to parenting styles one dad doesn’t mind the discipline, while another wants to be the ‘good cop’.

“I would consider myself as a firm but fair father and this is exactly how my parents raised me. There are standards and expectations of how my wife and I have taught our children to conduct themselves,” says Ciaran O’Sullivan, Senior Manager of Services in the aviation industry.

Abhijeet says, “I have a hard time with having to discipline them or saying no. They know I’m the parent who will give in and give them what they want.”

Muhammad Usman Khan, a Subject Matter Expert at an airport services provider company, engages in regular dialogue with his son and daughter. “I try to be as vocal about what I expect of the kids and have a conversation with my oldest about how he feels about different things in life. We play, jump and watch cartoons together whenever we have time,” he says.

These dads have so much more to share about what fatherhood meaning to them, and the values they are instilling in their children.

“My parents were super involved, supported me, came to all my games, and exposed me to lots of cultures and I appreciate what they did, and I’m now doing it myself wit my own kids.”

Eddie Rayner

“As a sporting family, the trips to and from rugby matches or training are often the times when we connect the most. A simple comment provokes a two-way conversation – when you listen, you get an insight into how they think and how they are developing.”

Ciaran O’Sullivan

“I show my kids that it’s not wrong for men to work around the house as well as outside. If my wife can run errands for the household, I too can help around with chores.”

“Until I became a dad I didn’t know that I had the ability to be so patient.”

Abhijeet Adhvaryu

Muhammad Usman Khan

INAUGURAL MUMS CLUB KSA PROVES A MASSIVE SUCCESS

On 10 May 2023, TishTash Communications debuted its Mums Club concept in KSA for the first time, and it was a resounding success. Over 400 mums gathered together in Riyadh to participate in a range of workshops, talks, exciting activations, brand pop-ups, and delicious food and drink. The event provided an excellent opportunity for mums to meet, network, and create new friendships all whilst their little ones enjoyed a range of activities such as face painting, bouncy castle, candle-making workshops, and more.

The TishTash Mums Club has gained immense popularity in Dubai, thanks to its welcoming community atmosphere and its commitment to introducing mums to new experiences and lifestyle brands in the market. The Riyadh event was no exception, and women from all over the city attended the event. Over 30 brands participated in the event, offering various prizes, workshops, talks, and more. These brands included Himalaya Baby, Beko, Lush, Marks and Spencer, BodySmart, Martians, Zoflora, Noon, Lululemon, Citron, and many more.

Natasha Hatherall-Shawe, the CEO of TishTash, expressed her delight regarding the event, saying: “We know that our Mums Club concept is something quite special, but we were truly overwhelmed by the positive response from vendors and attendees to our first KSA-specific event. Being able to connect mums with brands that are there to support them and create fun experiences and opportunities for women to grow their communities is a real privilege we take seriously. We look forward to creating more unique and exciting experiences for the women of KSA very soon!”

TishTash Mums Club KSA will be hosting events across the year with the next KSA event taking place in September 2023 in Riyadh and one to follow in Jeddah. They will also be launching their Working Women Night in The Kingdom.

Over 30 brands participated in the event, offering various prizes, workshops, talks, and more

Club KSA will be hosting events across the year

For more information to participate as a brand or to get a spot on the guestlist contact viola@tishtash.com

For more information about TishTash Communications and to stay on top of all upcoming events across the region follow @TishTashTalks @TishTashTots on Instagram

TishTash Mums

AUTISM AND SIBLINGS: A GLIMPSE AT THE RELATIONSHIP OF A NEUROTYPICAL WITH A NEURODIVERGENT CHILD

No matter how different your kids are from one another, sibling bonds are important. The presence of siblings in the home directly affects your family experiences, social skills and self-identity. They share the same parents, common experiences, and family memories, along with all the ups and downs that this relationship naturally entails. That is universally true despite the kids’ neurological profiles; for example, one may be on the autism spectrum, while the other one may be neurotypical. Similarly, this is true for children that share a common diagnosis on a different level of functioning. In these cases, there can be difficulties and concerns that make the family dynamics and daily routine more complicated.

Typically, the diagnosis of an autism spectrum disorder in a family member is the springboard of an effort to discover appropriate interventions and a network of people that can provide practical and socio-emotional support. However, while caregivers are focused on offering help to one child, the other child’s needs may be unintentionally overlooked. A child with less obvious needs has to grow up faster. In many ways, a neurotypical child does not have the right or the time to be the traditional child with traditional tantrums and caprices, because growing up with a sibling with additional needs there is not much room for the expression of such big emotions. Sometimes kids who have a brother

or sister on the autistic spectrum can feel lonely. It is therefore important to connect with people that understand them. There are peer support groups for people that share similar experiences, where they can process difficult – but perfectly normal - emotions, such as anger, resentment, sadness and frustration. When young people participate in such a group, they often find new ways of dealing with situations, they feel heard and less alone.

Neurotypical siblings are exposed to different ways of communication; they learn early on that behaviors that others may label as atypical –mannerisms, echolalia, vocalisations – are ways that an autistic child expresses their emotions and needs.

These people serve as ambassadors of diversity acceptance in the community. They are cornerstones in reshaping the deep-rooted notion that autistic individuals need behavioral modification plans; rather, they promote an alternative approach, inviting the community to understand the function that a typical autistic behaviour serves. High functioning siblings develop a particular set of skills in order to interact effectively with their neurodivergent sibling. They learn to respect routines, to use precise language, to not take meltdowns personally and to adapt their expectations. They may have to team up with their parents while still navigating the role of the child in the family.

A neurotypical child becomes a carer

 SOFIA STIGKA, CHILD PSYCHOLOGIST AT THRIVE WELLBEING CENTRE

In many ways a neurotypical child has to grow up quicker when they have a neurodivergent sibling with additional needs

from a young age. An extra set of helping hands to the caregiver. A safety net to the greater-support-needs-tobe-met sibling. A guardian and a loyal friend who sticks around for better and for worse. Inevitably, these kids are more likely to be more mature and stoic than other kids their age, they are more accepting of people’s differences and more tolerant to adversity. It would be

difficult to answer whether this dynamic is fair or not, but this is a journey that does not come with a road map. If you or your children are struggling with anxiety and finding it difficult to manage, it’s important to seek help.

Sofia Stigka, a child psychologist at Thrive Wellbeing Centre, is available to provide support and assistance to both children and parents facing challenges.

For additional information and resources, please visit www.thrive.ae

MEDITATION IS THE KEY

There are thousands of studies showing the positive impact of meditation on our health and wellbeing. And these fantastic benefits aren’t just for adults! Meditation is the key to raising children with a sense of focus and happiness. It can alleviate stress, anxiety, frustration, fear, anger, restlessness, and many more symptoms youngsters suffer from in the increasingly hectic world in which we now live.

All children are naturally curious and creative, and meditation can fine-tune these abilities

With regular practice, children show signs of being calmer, better focused, and with more enhanced creativity and concentration. Children with behavioural issues benefit from daily meditation.

CHANGE YOUR THOUGHTS, CHANGE YOUR WORLD

Meditation is a continual process of training your mind to focus and redirect your thoughts. A few benefits of meditating as validated by scientific research include increased self-awareness, concentration, selfesteem, creativity, and calmness.

Awareness

By looking inside of themselves, children discover what they’re passionate about and what they would like to do in life. They begin to understand how they react and why they react, and learn how to better respond in challenging situations. Through meditation, young people can also develop a level of independence where they follow their intuition instead of just following the crowd.

Concentration

Learning how to focus and concentrate is at the heart of meditation, helping children to read, study and learn much more effectively. Teachers have reported considerably less hyperactive behaviour, ADHD symptoms, and inattentiveness in their students when they mediate regularly.

Self-Esteem

Meditation helps youngsters to learn how to pay attention to their thoughts, feelings and emotions. In doing so, they can be more empathetic and more compassionate toward others. They even become better listeners.

Creativity

All children are naturally curious and creative, and mediation can finetune these abilities. Psychologists at Leiden University in the Netherlands, for instance, found that, after doing short meditation exercises, participants performed better on tasks that required them to produce fresh creative ideas.

Calmness

Modern technology is a boon and sometimes a curse. Children are especially predisposed to the side effects of too much technology, such as shorter attention span, less patience and anxiety. It’s essential to offset all this exposure to technology with some quiet time, and meditation is the perfect complement. In a British study across 15 schools, where 96% of students had low relaxation levels or high hyperactivity, 85% of students reported feeling calmer and more relaxed after practising meditation.

IT’S NOT ALL IN THE MIND

The benefits of meditation are not only ‘in the mind’ either. It can also change the body in surprising ways. Studies have shown, for example, that mediation has a direct influence on the way our hormones are released and regulated. And when we meditate, our mind impacts the body on a cellular level, helping to regenerate and balance the body by regulating the endocrine system. Meditation has also been shown to regulate parts of our nervous system directly. Indirectly it even helps to control our blood pressure to some extent. Various researchers point out that meditation practices are effective in assisting in the prevention and mitigation of heart diseases.

Other benefits include:

 Reduces pain: a 2016 study found that meditation significantly reduces the intensity of pain in the body

 Reduces inflammation: a study at the University of Wisconsin – Madison, found that meditation changes the genes acting upon cellular structure in the body, reducing inflammation

 Helps asthma symptoms: a metaanalysis published in August 2017 in the Journal of Asthma found significant evidence to suggest meditation increases quality of life in people with asthma, as well as helping relieve symptoms

HOW TO BEGIN

The fact is that so much of what parents want for their children is accessible through meditation – the impact on young people can quite literally be life-changing! But how does a child begin to learn how to meditate?

Children learn best with a facilitator or guide. The personal touch allows them to connect better with this practice and lays the foundation of a beautiful habit that they can carry into their adulthood.

Books and DVDs can be additional support for them and their parents, as families that meditate together receive immense benefits.

They should begin with just five or so minutes every day. It’s not easy for them in the beginning, but with regular practice, they can increase the duration. The easy ones, to begin with, are deep breathing, a few simple Pranayama techniques, chanting mantras, candle meditation, sound bowl and gong meditation, or meditating with crystals. Children respond better with sensory support.

Youngsters should practice meditation first thing in the morning before they begin their day, and in the evening once they start to unwind from the day’s exertions. And guided meditations can help enormously as they allow children to follow a script that lets them explore their imagination, without losing their way. The facilitator subtly guides them through the experience to achieve the target of the topic of the meditation.

Meditation can change your life and even a sense of who you are. There is a reason it has been around for thousands of years and practised by people from all walks of life and in every corner of the world. But how do children know if they are doing it ‘properly’? Well, they are successfully meditating if they meditate; it’s not rocket science. Simply taking a moment to discover what is going on inside their own minds, without engaging in any kind of dialogue, is all that is required. The result of this observation is the beginning of an extraordinary and magnificent journey!

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THE CHILDREN OF THE ANTHROPOCENE

Described as “extraordinarily moving, wild and engaging - the book of the moment,” by Mary Robinson, Former President of Ireland and author of Climate Justice, The Children of the Anthropocene, by conservationist and activist Bella Lack, chronicles the lives of a broad range of young people who, on the frontlines of the global environmental crisis, have moved into uncharted territory as they involve themselves in the biggest fight humankind has ever faced – evolution or extinction.

Bella advocates for the protection of both people and the planet by highlighting the stories of those who are most directly affected by global environmental crises ranging from air pollution to deforestation and overconsumption. She transports us from the pulsating abundance of Ecuador’s Choco Rainforest and the beautiful arcs of the Himalayan Mountains to the windswept plains and vibrant vistas of life in Altiplano, speaking to young activists from all over the world, including Afroz Shah, and Artemisa Xakriabá, vividly depicting what is an ever-deepening crisis.

Dara McAnulty, the award-winning author of Diary of a Young Naturalist, commented: “Astute, erudite and crystalline, Bella writes with visionary clarity and passion. It was a pleasure to be interviewed by Bella for The Children of the Anthropocene, she questions everything with intelligence, grace and humour. It’s a wonderful book.”

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has warned that the window to take urgent climate action is closing rapidly. Unless countries dramatically scale up their efforts to counter the climate crisis, the world faces a global catastrophe. “Our world cannot afford any more greenwashing, fake movers or late movers,” he said.

The Children of the Anthropocene is, therefore, a timely reminder of the challenges we all face, with Bella’s manifestos for change looking to inspire and mobilise you to rediscover nature’s marvels and wilds, ultimately changing your perspective on our planet’s problems. This is a unique opportunity to hear the urgent stories of an endangered species that is all too frequently overlooked: the Anthropocene children.

For more information at to buy this book click HERE

She transports us from the pulsating abundance of Ecuador’s Choco Rainforest and the beautiful arcs of the Himalayan Mountains to the windswept plains and vibrant vistas of life in Altiplano

AVAILABLE FROM AMAZON FOR SR43.29

LUXURY SHOPPING IN RIYADH

VIA Riyadh, the Kingdom’s newest premium shopping and entertainment destination, opened its doors for business on 11 May 2023.

VIA Riyadh features Saudi Arabia’s first St. Regis Hotel, as well as elite shopping outlets, cinemas and an international food market, as part of a larger initiative under the Saudi Vision 2030 plan to modernise the country and develop its entertainment sector to help diversify the economy.

General Entertainment Authority (GEA)

Chairman Turki bin Abdulmohsen

Al Sheikh commented: “VIA Riyadh features a five-star hotel, Regis, 22 luxury stores, 15 restaurants and cafes,

seven cinemas, and an international food market.”

Construction of the area, which is built in the Salmani style - a process based on six core values outlined by King Salman: authenticity, continuity, humancentricity, liveability, innovation and sustainability - took 20 months. The result is an architecture that integrates the contemporary lifestyle while evoking the local identity and architectural heritage of the Kingdom.

The opening ceremony highlighted the new zone, which is characterised by a blend of authentic and modern architecture, but it is also designed to provide comfort and relaxation through immense green spaces, artistic sculptures and perennial trees near Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter.

This new destination also has a theatre for live concerts, which was launched on 18 May by celebrated Saudi singer Abdul Majeed Abdullah.

VIA Riyadh features a five-star hotel, Regis, 22 luxury stores, 15 restaurants and cafes, seven cinemas, and an international food market

The architecture integrates the contemporary lifestyle while evoking the local identity and heritage of the Kingdom

VIA RIYADH VISIT WEBSITE

ENGLISH RADIO STATION CELEBRATES LAUNCH

The MBC Loud launch party on Boulevard Riyadh featured pyrotechnics, live music and dancers, and was attended by a slew of celebrities and influencers. MBC CEO Sam Barnett said: “It’s young, it’s vibrant, it’s exciting, it’s active, and I think it’s a chance for people to hear that fresh look on life in Saudi.”

MBC’s launch of the station represents a fresh determination to cater to the Kingdom’s enormous demographic of young people as well as its rising expatriate presence.

“We’ve got lots of young Saudis speaking English. We’ve also got lots of ex-pats coming in who are all working in new jobs and new sectors with new colleagues, and this is our take on life for the new phase of Saudi,” Barnett explained.

Loud FM is the first of its kind: a contemporary music station broadcasting throughout the Kingdom. American Jay R, who has worked in radio in the US, Malaysia and the UAE, declared: “KSA is the best ever - I’m delighted to be a part of a piece of history.”

THE STATION IS AVAILABLE ON 94.3 FM IN JEDDAH, 88.5 FM IN DAMMAM, AND 99.0 FM IN RIYADH.

Loud FM is the first of its kind

MAKE IT STICK: THE SCIENCE OF SUCCESSFUL LEARNING

This wonderful book has been on the shelves for several years, but it’s still as relevant as ever, particularly for those of us who believe that learning something ‘the hard way’ implies wasted time and effort.

Good teaching, this erudite book believes, should be creatively tailored to the different learning styles of students and should use strategies that make learning easier. Make It Stick turns many fashionable ideas on their head and, drawing on recent discoveries in cognitive psychology and other disciplines, the authors offer concrete techniques for becoming more productive learners.

Memory is critical to our ability to do complex cognitive tasks such as adapting information to new challenges and drawing inferences from previously known facts. New discoveries about how memory is encoded, consolidated, and later retrieved have improved our understanding of how we learn. Dealing with the barriers that make learning difficult leads to more complicated mastering as well as improved recall of what was learned.

Many common study habits and practice routines have been shown to be ineffective. Underlining and highlighting, rereading, cramming, and obsessive practice of new abilities all provide a sense of expertise, but the benefits disappear fast. Self-testing, introducing specific challenges in practice, waiting to re-study new material when a little forgetfulness has set in, and interleaving the practice of one skill or topic with another result in more complicated and enduring learning. Make It Stick will appeal to all people interested in the challenge of lifelong learning and self-improvement, particularly teachers and trainers.

Daniel L. Schacter, the author of The Seven Sins of Memory, commented: “Learning is essential and life-long. Yet as these authors argue convincingly, people often use exactly the wrong strategies and don’t appreciate the ones that work. We’ve learned a lot in the last decade about applying cognitive science to real-world learning, and this book combines everyday examples with clear explanations of the research. It’s easy to read - and should be easy to learn from, too!”

Make It Stick will appeal to all people interested

the challenge of lifelong learning and self-improvement

For more information at to buy this book click HERE

HOP SKIP HOLIDAY

If you’re planning a quick getaway with the kids, check out these top three family destinations under five hours for all age groups.

SRI LANKA SRI LANKA

CYPRUS CYPRUS

JORDAN

NEGOMBO, SRI LANKA Toddler Takes On Travel

Flight time: 5 hours and 20 minutes

Take your little one on a wilderness journey and watch through their eyes as they excitedly connect with nature’s animals like baby turtles and blue whales.

PINNAWALA ELEPHANT ORPHANAGE

Visit a breeding ground for elephants where your toddler can watch them bathe in the river. From a baby elephant all the way to the matriarch of the herd, you get to interact with them all.

Price: SR375 per private tour in an A/C car or van with an English-speaking chauffeur guide. Entrance fees: SR60 per adult and SR30 per child (3 - 12 years). Suggested time: 3 hours

Tip: Don’t feel the need to pack a million toddler products with you. Milk and diapers are readily available at almost all grocery stores across the country.

PAPHOS, CYPRUS Being a Child with Your Child

Flight time: 3 hours and 40 minutes

A great story is always a way to bond with your kids, and what better tale than that of the alleged birthplace of the Greek Goddess, Aphrodite? Explore Paphos and its mythological stories of days passed.

HALF-DAY JOLLY ROGER PIRATES CRUISE

What better way to bond with your child than setting sail on a voyage including walking the plank and watching an action-packed pirate show?

Price: SR200 per person

Suggested time: 4 hours

PETRA, JORDAN Trekking with Your Teen

Flight time: 3 hours and 20 minutes

Explore the ancient sandstone city of Petra by horseback or in the shadows of the moon by night. Either way, this famous site is a place your teenager is sure to enjoy.

LOST CITY OF PETRA

Declared one of the Seven Wonders of the World in 2019, this ride through time will leave your family in awe at the towering cliff walls of the Petra Mountains, the mystic caves, and the chilling ruins. Indiana Jones fans will especially feel the magic here.

Price: SR476 for a day pass

Suggested time: 6 hours

Tip: Don’t forget to stop by the Dead Sea for a mud bath – the fastest way to clear up your skin. Your teenager will love you for this.

SRI LANKA JORDAN

CYPRUS

FAMILY FUN IN CALIFORNIA THIS SUMMER

If you’re looking for the ultimate family getaway this summer, America’s Golden State has something for everyone. From surfing the waves in San Diego, to strolling among towering Redwoods in one of the northern state parks, whether you’re looking to immerse yourself in nature or take a deep dive into history at one of California’s many museums, there’s no end of amazing things to do at this incredible destination. Check out our top ten things for families to do in California this summer.

WANDER AMONG THE PINES AND CATCH A SUNSET AT TORREY PINES STATE BEACH IN SAN DIEGO

If you’re looking for a getaway by the ocean, Torrey Pines State Beach in San Diego is a great family friendly option. The park is located within the city limits and yet despite its proximity to amenities, it remains one of the wildest stretches of land on the southern California coast. With easy trails among the long-needled Torrey pine trees, and stretching ocean views, this location is a dream for any nature lover.

STAND AMONG ANCIENT, TOWERING REDWOODS NEAR SAN FRANCISCO

California is home to the planet’s tallest trees, the staggering Redwoods. Growing up to heights of 300 feet, these ancient trees lived here long before most other life on Earth. Many of the beautiful Redwood parks are easily accessible from San Francisco, so you can set off from the city and soon be soaking up the majesty of these towering, red giants.

RIDE THE SWINGS AT SANTA CRUZ BEACH BOARDWALK

Just north of Salinas along Highway One, the ultramellow beach town of Santa Cruz is a hub for family fun. Along the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk you can find a yesteryear style esplanade lined with arcade games, food vendors, a wooden rollercoaster and a beautiful historic carousel. With the sweeping backdrop of Monterey Bay, kids can ride the swings, enjoy tasty treats and immerse themselves in the retro thrill of this coastal town.

RIDE HORSES ACROSS THE SAND DUNES AT PISMO BEACH

With a beautiful backdrop of rolling coastal hills, Pismo Beach in San Luis Obispo County is a must for families looking for outdoor activities near a classic beach town. Pismo beach is home to Oceano Dunes Natural Preserve, where you can take guided horseback rides on the beach or along dune trails. After a fun-filled day on the sand, you can head back to the iconic beach town for award winning chowder or locally loved seafood.

DANCE WITH GROOT AT DISNEYLAND RESORT IN ANAHEIM

At Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, you can hang out with iconic and much-loved characters, from the princesses in Fantasyland to the Mandalorian in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. At the Avengers Campout you can dance with the Guardians of the Galaxy characters in a classic rock fuelled dance party and take a ride on the screaminducing drop ride, Guardians of the Galaxy-Mission: Breakout! Top it all off with a crazy shake, hot dog or pretzel from one of the numerous restaurants and cafes.

 SANTA CRUZ BEACH

 PISMO BEACH

 GROOT AT DISNEYLAND RESORT IN ANAHEIM

 REDWOODS NEAR SAN FRANCISCO

BE DAZZLED BY THE LIGHTS AT SENSORIO IN PASO ROBLES

At the San Luis Obispo County city of Paso Robles, there is no end of appeal for adults thanks to its 200-plus wineries and vineyards, but there’s a hidden gem here for the whole family, too. Located just outside of town, Sensorio, a 15-acre field of light is sure to enchan visitors of all ages. Enjoy a pre-sunset picnic dinner from the food trucks before walking the trails after dark and delighting in the 100,000 LED light illuminations.

PLAY A REAL-LIFE VIDEO GAME AT SUPER NINTENDO WORLD

Kids will love the new video game themed area at Universal Studios Hollywood where they can join Mario, Luigi and Princess Peach while exploring the Mushroom Kingdom in Super Nintendo World. Start by riding Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, an indoor ride equipped with augmented reality goggles, before using a Power-Up Band to keep track of your digital coin tally and explore more interactive experiences around the park.

FLY AMONG THE TREETOPS IN SONOMA COUNTY

In the tiny Sonoma County town of Occidental, located just off the scenic Bohemian Highway, you can glide through the air among redwood trees at Sonoma Zipline Adventures. You can choose from two different daytime tours, featuring sky bridges, ziplines, a 45-foot rappel and relish in the thrill of zooming up to 40mph and 250 feet above the ground. If you want to make a night of it, you can combine ziplining with stargazing on the Night Flight Tour or stay in one of the park’s yurt-style treehouses.

MEET THE PENGUINS AT SEAWORLD IN SAN DIEGO

At the San Diego marine-life park there are some 400 resident penguins, ranging from large emperors to small macaroni penguins. You can visit the Penguin Encounter area at 1pm each day to ask questions and hear a talk from the aviculturist about the penguin’s daily routines. Next you can take a penguin-inspired journey on the dive style rollercoaster, Emperor, with a 14-storey, face down drop!

TAP INTO YOUR INNER ARTIST AT LACMA

At the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) on Los Angeles’ Museum Row, you can take in some incredible masterpieces, and then make a few of your own! Take a selfie at the outdoor Urban Light display made up of a grid of 202 antique gas street lamps before heading inside to explore the exhibits. From ancient sculptures to cutting new-edge art works, there’s something to suit all tastes, and the Boone Children’s Gallery runs art themed events and activities for the kids to enjoy.

Horseback ride among the sand dunes as the sun sets before tucking in to some awardwinning chowder

Be dazzled by the lights at a showstopping illumination in San Luis Obispo County

 LIGHTS AT SENSORIO IN PASO ROBLES

 PENGUINS AT SEAWORLD IN SAN DIEGO

 SONOMA COUNTY

LUNCHBOX IDEAS

LONG LAZY SUMMER DAYS ARE ALMOST UPON US AND THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR IS AROUND THE CORNER. AS WE PREPARE FOR OUR CHILDREN’S NEW UNIFORMS AND SCHOOL BAGS, WE ALSO NEED TO THINK ABOUT THEIR LUNCHBOXES.

Chef Christos Lymperis has pulled together some great menu ideas to make lunchtimes more exciting as well as healthy, explaining, “Lunchboxes should always contain a snack, a main course and a healthy treat or fruit. It’s important to include a balanced diet, so don’t forget to include protein, carbohydrates, fibre and vitamins.

“It’s best to use a thermal bag as a lunchbox and ice packs to keep the food at its optimum temperature until mealtime and avoid meals that need to be reheated.”

For those parents looking to get an A* with their lunchboxes, Chef Christos suggests spending some time making meals more attractive. This can be done by making smiley faces using fresh and colourful vegetables or fruits as children love colours and it will make lunchtime a whole lot more interesting!

SUNDAY

Baked sweet potatoes with cream cheese, avocado chicken salad and rice pudding

Great as a snack, sweet potatoes are full of fibre, minerals, vitamin B6 and carbs. Chicken and avocado salad will give your child protein, minerals, vitamins and omega-3 fats, whilst rice pudding is a great source of carbs, calcium, vitamin D and magnesium.

MONDAY

Baked salmon with steamed rice, veggies sticks (carrots, peppers, celery, cucumber, etc.) with yoghurt dip, banana mousse with cocoa Salmon is packed with omega-3 fats and vitamins, great for maintaining healthy bones, whilst veggie sticks are a source of calcium, vitamins and beta-carotene, which supports skin cells, healing wounds and healthy eyes. To top it off, bananas are rich in nutrients and support digestive health.

TUESDAY

Mediterranean lentil salad, beef meatballs in red sauce, fruit salad Lentils are high in protein and fibre and low in fat; they are a healthy substitute for meat. Make your fruit salad stand out by creating a fun face in your child’s lunchbox – grapes for the eyes, a strawberry nose, and melon for the mouth!

WEDNESDAY

Egg salad sandwich, air-fried veggie chips, yoghurt with honey Eggs are highly nutritious, supporting heart health and aiding healthy bones and teeth. Honey has antibacterial and antifungal properties; it heals wounds and may help suppress coughing in children.

THURSDAY

Spinach rice, mini pizza bites, apple pie Spinach promotes healthy bones, blood and cell function and also contains lots of vitamin B. For healthy pizzas keep it simple with lots of veggies and use brown bread as a base.

VIEW CHEF CHRIS' RECIPES

ASUS BR1100C is designed with one thing in mind: to keep on going however tough the environment gets. Built to military-grade standards, it’s packed with clever protective features, including an all-round rubber bumper, spill-resistant keyboard and ultratough I/O ports. BR1100C also supports up to WiFi 6 and 4G LTE for fast connectivity and has AI-powered noise-canceling technology for high-quality remote learning and conferencing.

ASUS BR1100

• Windows 11 Pro

• Intel® Celeron® N4500 Processor 1.1 GHz

• Intel® UHD Graphic

• 128 GB eMMC

• 4GB DDR4 2400MHz RAM

• 11.6” LED back lit, HD (1366 x 768) 16:9, anti- glare , 220 nits brightness

• Wi-Fi 5(802.11ac)+Bluetooth 5.0 (Dual band) 2*2 – Gigabit WiFi

• Noise -reducing camera

• Power and internet status LED indicator

• Spill-resistant keyboard can cope with liquid spills of up to 330 cc

• US MIL-STD 810H militar y- grade standard

• 720p HD camera//With privac y shutter

• World-facing camera 3.0M camera

• Weight with batter y 1.40kg

• Stylus