Newton International School first week

iman0493
By iman0493

Just wondering if any parents or teachers wanted to make comments about it. My son has had a great time. Friendly teachers, organized routine, helpful staff and a really cool mix of students. (I know, it's only the first week...)

By iman0493• 26 Sep 2007 10:41
iman0493

My son is still having a great time.

One of the many problems with his school last year, in my opinion, was that at least half of his class was Qatari students. Unfortunately, they seem to have that "Master" attitude very young. Not doing homework, not listening to teachers, not following rules and a penchant for violence. I think his teacher just basically lost her mind by mid-year. So I was elated by the diversity of students at NIS and can already see a more relaxed,comfortable and serious atmosphere there. Funny though, yesterday my son came home and said a boy tried to trip him and push him down in the hallway. I couldn't help it-I asked if the boy was Qatari. My son said yes. Fortunately, my son made a friend who is almost twice his size and was there to tell the bully to shove off.

Anyway, I think the variety of nationalities will be a great benefit to this school. I hope there will be an Open House or Parents Night soon.

By Moonbeam• 26 Sep 2007 08:21
Rating: 5/5
Moonbeam

Yes, I think it's improving. I think it has more to do with the fact that now parents have gotten used to the staff and the routine. There is still room for improvement, but I suppose these are things that will get ironed out eventually. Main concern is that that the children are safe and that security should always be alert.

My kid is loving it so far, and the teachers are wonderful.

As long as parents are kept in the loop, and constructive criticism is always accepted in a positive fashion, then there is no reason why this school cannot excel.

Visit my website! http://www.qatarpets.org

By the_hippo• 25 Sep 2007 17:12
the_hippo

How do parents feel that the new school is shaping up? Are things getting better?

By Moonbeam• 20 Sep 2007 07:02
Rating: 5/5
Moonbeam

Don't get me wrong. Newton (on D-ring) has the potential to be a top notch school. The teachers are lovely. What scared me was the disorganization the first days.

It's ok when kids are older, you have less to worry about. But with the very young tots, stability and calm is very important the first few days.

West Bay and D-Ring Newton's are run by different administrations. Most of the teachers that arrived are new.

What delayed the school was the beurocratic red tape the school faced on a daily basis. The least that could have been done by the owners of the school, which are of course Qatari, could have been to PR the process in order to speed things up.

Sadly, Ramadan time is always used as an excuse to do even less than usual. Inshallah, Boukra , Ma'aalesh is not a valid argument when it comes to the wellbeing and safety of our children.

Visit my website! http://www.freewebs.com/qatarpets/index.htm

By iman0493• 19 Sep 2007 19:40
iman0493

Moonbeam- you are right that there are issues that need to be worked out ASAP. I rather think that when the principal left for summer break she should have hired someone here to supervise developments to make sure these "wrinkles" were ironed out before school started. I get the impression the staff arrived back from break the last week of August and were way behind. Anyway, I may just be on a parenting high because my son is actually enjoying school for the first time in almost a year.

By ksarat16• 19 Sep 2007 14:48
ksarat16

Good...for u girl...i hope u havent brainwashed ur kid or threatened him to go to school LOL...kiddin...

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" Live Life To The Fullest ! Enjoy Yourself "

By ksarat16• 19 Sep 2007 14:33
ksarat16

Alexa: how u doing champ...

And all other parents and mums...hey guys how u doing...

I really pity ur kids...who r having to go to school...saaaadd....

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" Live Life To The Fullest ! Enjoy Yourself "

By Moonbeam• 19 Sep 2007 12:43
Rating: 4/5
Moonbeam

Honestly? First you need to describe which Newton School you are referring to. The one in West Bay, or the one on D-ring?

My comment refers to the one on D-ring. So far my impressions are less than ideal. Organized? NO way! The teachers and the principal are the the only positive aspect. They are very nice.

However, the school is far from being 'ready' and routine changes are the order of the day.

Pitfalls:

1 week late in opening, no phone-calls made to parents to advise

No welcome pack for the parents (have no idea who is who in the school)

No working phone number or contact, only got installed yesterday.

Pros:

Teachers are good

I am sure it's just 'teething problems', but I feel a school has a responsibility to the students and parents to provide a safe, structured, calm and organized environment. Before the School was scheduled to open on the 9th, I wrote an e-mail to the school in west bay. It subsequently returned with a message "mailbox full". Tried calling over and over again, it was constantly busy...... only to be told later that they had deliberately kept it off the hook.

I think parents deserve a little better than that, considering the amount spent to send children to a decent school here.

Even though I personally really liked the teachers I met, and the Principal too was very nice, I am still disappointed with the events of the first week of school. I hope things will change quickly and that the school takes comments and suggestions in a positive light in order to better the experience for everyone.

Visit my website! http://www.freewebs.com/qatarpets/index.htm

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