Qatar Academy

Senior School Akhbar

Date: 31st March 2011 Issue: 24

Qatar Academy www.qataracademy.edu.qa Phone: (+974) 4454-1892/93/94 Fax: (+974) 44542028

Upcoming Events
March:
 31st – Non-Uniform Day
Please note in the official calendar sent out by
April:
the school and on the school website, the next
holiday is April 22 – 30.
 6th at 1pm, Rock Band
Exposition

 10th-12 IB Diploma Arts

Exhibition
Qatar Academy Free Tutoring
 th
11 – PTA meeting 2:30
resumes on April 19
 14th -17th ISAC Track and
Field.
after Student Led Conferences.
 14th MUN Fundraising Day Every Monday and Tuesday afternoon from 2.30-3.30pm in the
 14th Report go line on library, IB teachers from Qatar Academy Senior School offer their
power school. services as tutors for FREE! There are teachers from Arabic,
English, Mathematics, Science and Humanities each afternoon.
 17th April – Bake Sale
Every Monday and Tuesday from April 19.
 18th April – Grade 6 – 8 In the Senior School Library from 2.30 –
student led conferences 3.30pm.
 19th QA IDOL
Questions? Please see Ms Mitchell - B2.21
 21st Earth Day. Telephone: 4454 2207 or email:
 21st Last day of Classes for
kmitchell@qf.org.qa
grade 12.

 21st Non Uniform Day

 21st Half Day- School

dismissed at 11am.

 22-30th Spring break.

QA Mission Statement
It is the mission of Qatar Academy (QA) to provide internationally accepted, comprehensive, English medium programs
plus Arabic and Islamic studies from preschool through to secondary graduation. QA develops independent critical
thinkers, lifelong learners, responsible citizens, and empowers students to gain entrance to elite universities and colleges.
‫إن رسبلت أكبدَمُت قطر هٍ تىفُربرامح شبملت ببللغت اإلوجلُزَت ومعتمذة دولُبً ببإلضبفت إلً اللغت العربُت والذراسبث اإلسالمُت مه الروضت إلً مرحلت‬
‫ وَكىوىن مىاطىُه مسؤولُه وتهُئهم‬، ‫ وتكىن أكبدَمُت قطر متعلمُه َتصفىن بفكر وقذٌ مستقل وَطلبىن العلم مذي الحُبة‬. ‫التخرج مه الثبوىَت‬
. ‫لالوتسبة لجبمعبث ومعبهذ الىخبت‬
 2 Senior School Akhbar - Issue: 24

Attention Grade 7-9 students and parents!

This year, all Grade 7 -9 students will be learning a concert band instrument in class. This
will be an exciting new challenge for them! There are a few things that students need to do
before coming to music class next week:

Think about what instrument you want to learn (choices below)

Research that instrument, listen to it being played,
Ask yourself ―Will I like playing this instrument for 15 minutes each day, plus 45 minutes in
class?
Discuss your decision with your parents
Email Ms Mandy if you have any questions.

The instruments can be borrowed from the school; HOWEVER, we have limited numbers.
No one is guaranteed their choice, unless they provide the instrument themselves. If
parents are going to purchase an instrument, it is STRONGLY ADVISED to contact Ms
Mandy first to know about key things you should look for in an instrument.

Instrument choices:
Flute, Clarinet,
Baritone Horn, Trumpet,
French Horn, Tuba,
Trombone
Percussion (includes snare drum, marimba and bass drum, not drum kit)

*Oboe and Bassoon are available only to students who purchase them
*Saxophones are not available to first year players. A clarinet player might be able to switch
to saxophone in year 2 of the band program.

*Please note the piano and guitar are NOT part of the in class choices

Celebration of the Arts Opening Concert

Qatar Academy primary and senior schools provide vibrant extracurricular music programs
each year. This year, the two schools are giving a joint concert to kick off the ARTS month
celebrations at QA.

The students in this concert have been working hard and will give an amazing performance!
Please come and support them. There will be performances by:
Qatar Academy Junior Band
Qatar Academy Choir
Qatar Academy Orchestra
Qatar Academy Advanced Band

These ensembles are directed by Mandy Hollingshead and Vic Vermaak, and meet after
school for their rehearsals.
 3 Senior School Akhbar - Issue: 24

Grades 6-8 Student-Led Conferences

12:00 – 3:00pm Monday 18th April

This is an opportunity to sit with your son/daughter so that they can explain their learning by
showing a collection of work, which is stored in their E-Portfolio. It is important to
understand that the student will lead this conference whilst the advisors are simply
facilitators of the process. As Qatar Academy offers the Middle Years Programme this is an
ideal opportunity for your son/daughter to demonstrate the meaning and importance of the
central areas of student inquiry: the Learner Profile and the Areas of Interaction.

The conferences will last for approximately 30 minutes and nearer to the date you will
receive an appointment sheet so that an exact time can be made for the conference.

Today you should have been given a personal invitation from your son/daughter to attend the
event and an information meeting will be held in the Senior School at 4:00pm on Monday 4 th
April. In one week a set of guiding questions will be sent home, which will help you to
understand the purpose of the conference.

Please mark this date in your calendars, as we hope to see you all on the 18 th April. This is a
very important event for your son/daughter and the school.

Regards,

Christine Blackburn Mike Hitchman

Assistant Principal: Middle Years Senior School Principal

‫ ثحيج يًكٍ أٌ يفسزٔا نكى اسهٕة انتعهيى انًتجع في انًذرسخ يٍ خالل‬، ‫ اثُتك‬/ ‫تعتجز ْذِ فزصخ نهجهٕس يع اثُك‬
‫ ٔيٍ انًٓى أٌ َفٓى أٌ انطالة سٕف يذيزٌٔ ْذا‬.‫ انتي تى تخزيُٓب في يهفبتٓى اإلنكتزَٔيخ‬،‫عزض يجًٕعخ االعًبل‬
‫ اثُتك إلظٓبر انًعبَي‬/ ‫ ٔتقذو أكبديًيخ قطز ثزَبيج انًزاحم انًتٕسطخ فزصخ يخبنيخ الثُك‬.ٍ‫انًؤتًز ثًسبعذح انًشزفي‬
.‫انًًٓخ إلحتيبجبد انطبنت يتضًٍ ٔجٓخ انًتعهى َٕٔاحي انتفبعم نهتعهيى‬
‫ ٔثقزة انتبريخ سٕف تتهقٌٕ فيّ جذٔل انًٕاعيذ ثحيج يًكٍ تحذيذ انًٕعذ‬، ‫ دقيقخ‬30 ‫ٔسٕف يعقذ انًؤتًز نحٕاني‬
.‫انًُبست نكى‬
‫ حيج سيعقذ االجتًبع في انًذرسخ انخبَٕيخ‬،‫ اثُتك نحضٕر ْذِ انًُبسجخ‬/ ‫الثذ اَكى قذ استقجهتى دعٕح شخصيخ يٍ اثُك‬
‫ انتي سٕف‬، ‫ في غضٌٕ أسجٕعيٍ سيتى ارسبل يجًٕعخ يٍ األسئهخ إنيكى‬.ً‫ اثزيم انسبعخ انزاثعخ يسبءا‬4 ٍ‫يٕو االحُي‬
. ‫تسبعذكى عهى فٓى انغزض يٍ انًؤتًز‬

/ ‫ كَّٕ حذث يٓى جذا الثُك‬.‫ أثزيم‬18 ‫ َٔحٍ َأيم أٌ َزاكى جًيعب في‬،‫انزجبء تسجيم ْذا انتبريخ في دفتز يٕاعيذكى‬
.‫اثُتك ٔانًذرسخ‬

ٌ‫كزستيٍ ثالكجيز‬ ٌ‫يبيك ْيتشًب‬

‫ انًزاحم انًتٕسطخ‬-‫يسبعذح يذيز انًذرسخ‬ ‫يذيز انًذرسخ انخبَٕيخ‬
 4 Senior School Akhbar - Issue: 24

Parents Forum
6:00pm Wednesday 13th April in the AV Room

This is an opportunity to hear about the current initiatives at QA and discuss areas of interest
with the administration. If you have topics you would like to raise please email Mike
Hitchman (mhitchman@qf.org.qa ) by Sunday 10th April. I hope to see you all at the
meeting.
Mike Hitchman

Arts
Please mark your calendar for Monday 4th April – to
make sure you don‘t miss the “Celebration of the
Arts‖ in the senior school. Students from grade 6
through to 9 will be showcasing their Art, Drama and
Musical ability. Selections from different grade levels
will be performing and work will be exhibited from
2.30-4pm. We welcome your attendance and look
forward to seeing both parents and students there.
Please watch this space for more detailed information,
as well as a calendar of events occurring throughout
the Month of April where we celebrate the talents and
diversity of all manors of creative endeavors happening
in and around Qatar Academy.

Students of Excellence-we are very proud!

At a ceremony presided over by H.H. Sheikh Tamim, the Heir Apparent three of our class of
2010 graduates, Yara Darwish, Fatema Al Malki and Mariam Al Thani were honored as
Students of Excellence by the Supreme Educational Council. To put this in perspective, only
students who had maintained a GPA of 6 or above for grades 9, 10, 11 and 12 were allowed
to apply and only 14 students were honored.
Enjoy the links-we are so proud!

Sarah McGinley
I.B. Diploma Coordinator/Assistant Principal Senior School

http://www.gulf-
times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=420560&version=1&template_id=36&
parent_id=16

http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/qatar/145047-sheikh-tamim-honours-24-for-academic-
excellence.html
 5 Senior School Akhbar - Issue: 24

QA senior Physical Education

Aquatics unit

Important information for the Aquatics Unit

All Grade 6-10 students

The aquatics unit will be starting the week of the 17th April 2011 to the end of the school
year the 30th June 2011.
The aquatics unit in Physical Education is compulsory for all male and female students
from grades 6-10.

All students are expected to participate throughout the unit and be actively involved in the
lessons.
If, for any reason a pupil cannot swim for a lesson (a note is required), they are expected to
change into their school PE kit and be enthusiastically involved on the side of the pool.
Pupils will be expected to coach and assist their peers, answering questions and overall be
actively involved in the learning environment.

If they do not turn up with their swimming kit or their PE kit this will be recorded as a kit
mark on the register. 3 no kit (NK) for classes in term 3 PE will result in a detention.

Nearer to the start of the unit, students are required to ask their PE teacher the timetable for
the Aquatics unit. Each student from grades 6-9 will have 1 lesson a week in the pool for
Aquatics and 1 lesson a week of volleyball for 10 weeks. Grade 10 will have a slightly
different timetable.

All Grade 10 students

The aquatics unit will be part of an international games unit. The aquatic sport will be canoe
polo. Students will be in kayaks in the pool for 5 sessions, over 5 weeks. Students will be
expected to be in the water. Lifejackets are available and expected to be worn. Adjustments
will be made for students who cannot swim. Parents, please contact your Childs PE teacher
ASAP to discus this, if this applies to your child. For more information about the unit please
speak to your Childs PE teacher.

Girls Aquatics lessons grade 6-10

The lessons will be girls only, supported by female teaching staff and female lifeguards. All
blinds will be down, doors closed with visible girl‘s only signs and any security cameras
around the pool area turned off. Males will never enter the swimming pool area when a
lesson is on.
 6 Senior School Akhbar - Issue: 24

ATTENTION: Students in Grades 9, 10 & 11

Listed below are some opportunities that have just come into
the College Counseling Office for Summer Programs. We will
keep you updated as we learn of others.
 University of the Arts London: International Summer School in July. This is a two-
week intensive summer school offering students experience in Art & Design. Practice
takes place in the studio and in locations around London. Visit:
www.arts.ac.uk/international/applicants.htm

 The International Summer School of Scotland: residential summer programs for pre-
IB, IB revision or Extended Essay support with a range of leadership and sporting options
in the afternoon. Visit www.summerschoolscotland.com for more information.

 OSC IB Revision: Students choose which course to take for their Revision and then
participate in a variety of activities in the afternoon. Two or three week sessions are
available in Cambridge & Oxford in UK and Harvard & MIT in Boston,
Massachusetts in the USA. Visit www.osc-ib.com for more information.

 IB Summer School: Stanford University, California, USA.

This program offers sessions in Subject Revision, SAT Test Prep, US & UK College
Application Essays, and more. Visit: www.ibsummerschool.com for more information.

 OxBridge Academic Programs: offers students academic experience in:

 Art History Literature Politics & Economics
 Drama Creative Writing Speech/Debate
 Global Medicine International Law Business & Finance
 Architecture Filmmaking
 Programs in France & Spain offer language courses.
o Programs are offered in: Oxford, Cambridge, Paris, Montepellier, Barcelona
and New York.
o Visit www.oxbridgeprograms.com for more information.

 College Visits USA: Offers guided tours of American & Canadian Colleges &
Universities by region. Students meet with admissions representatives, tour the schools,
participate in evening seminars, attending cultural & athletic events and more. Visit:
www.college-visits.com for more information.

For students in Grade 10 & 11 Only:

Carnegie Mellon University-Qatar: is offering a Summer College Preview Program for three
weeks in July. The program is designed to help prepare students for success at university.
Students will take courses in English, math, SAT preparation and will become familiar with
American university approaches to teaching and learning. The application deadline is March 31.
 7 Senior School Akhbar - Issue: 24

Summer Programs for Students in Grades 9, 10, & 11

Visit http://summerdiscovery.com This is a ―clearinghouse‖ all-in-one site with direct links to
NUMEROUS pre-college programs in the US. They also have programs for academic
enrichment, internships, and community service opportunities.

Choate Rosemary Hall, Wallinford, CT, USA: There are two and five week summer
programs.
· Academic Enrichment—Arts, College Admissions Prep, English, History, Chinese, French,
Spanish, Maths, Science

o Special Institutes:

o English Language Institute (for non-native English speakers)

o John F. Kennedy Institute in Government (US)

o Math Workshop

o Science Workshop

o Writing Workshop

o Study Abroad in China, France, Spain

Visit: http://www.choate.edu/summerprograms for additional information.

Great Books Summer Program at Amherst College, MA or Stanford University, CA, USA:
There are one, two and three week programs at both universities that teach in the Socratic
method of discussion. The program will discuss Shakespeare, Dante, Homer, Hemingway,
Tolstoy, Virigina Woolf and more. The goal is to help with reflective reading and critical
thinking skills. There are electives in theater, music, writing and art. Visit:
www.greatbookssummer.com for additional information.

Spain BCN-Programs in Barcelona, Spain: offers students the chance to participate in a

Spanish immersion homestay (live with a Spanish host family) program. The Language and
Cultural Program is designed for students for one to four weeks and can be combined with a
sports camp (football/soccer or tennis). For further details visit: www.spainbcn.com.

The American School in England, France, Spain OR Switzerland: Programs are taught by
licensed teachers, students can choose between three or four week courses.
· ENGLAND: Courses are available in Maths, English, Writing, Shakespeare, Theatre, Art,
Photography, Movie Animation, International Business, SAT Review, College Admissions, and
TOEFL Review. All students choose an academic based course and a sport or activity session.
Students will travel on day trips, weekends, and have a variety of excursions.
· FRANCE: Les Tapies for Arts & Architecture

· SPAIN: Intensive Spanish

 8 Senior School Akhbar - Issue: 24

· SWITZERLAND: Courses in French, Italian, TOEFL Review, Art History, Painting,

Photography and Engineering

· For more information visit: http://summer.tasis.com/.

University of Toronto: DEEP Summer Academy, provides students advanced study in

engineering, technology, robotics, business and science. The program runs for four weeks in
July and students will have the opportunity to stay in supervised residence halls, participate in
cultural and recreational activities as well as their studies. For further details visit:
www.deepsummeracademy.com.

University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine and Law: Programs run from one to four weeks
and include the academic portion as well as evening activities.
· MEDICINE: Human Physiology, Medication & the Body, Molecular Biology & Genetics,
and Microbiology.

· LAW: Criminal Law, Advocacy and the Law, Corporate Law, and International Law.

Visit: www.ysp.utoronto.ca for more info.

Parsons Paris: The Parsons Paris Summer Program offers a set of intensive courses with a
modern edge in the city of Paris. Areas of study include Photography, Fashion Design, Design
Management, Illustration, Communication Design, Fine Arts and French language. Two to
four-week long courses explore art, design, business, culture, and language. Through fieldtrips
to museums, design organizations, and other sites of visual and cultural interest, participants
utilize the abundant resources in the city of Paris as subject matter. Studio work, lectures, and
independent research projects all help students develop new skills, refine their understanding of
art and design and create portfolio pieces for college admissions. For more information visit:
http://summer.parsons-paris.com

Summer in the City Pre-College Programs at Barnard College of Columbia University,

New York City, NY, USA. This program hosts one and four week liberal arts residential
programs as well as a one-week Young Women‘s Leadership Institute. Programs are available
in Writing, Literature, Art, Architecture, Dance, Theatre, Film, Psychology, and International
Affairs. The program includes cultural and social activities as well as college admissions
workshops. For more information visit: http://www.barnard.edu/precollege.

Grade 11 ONLY: Traidhos Three-Generation Camps-IB Diploma Summer School Camp,

Chiang Mai, Thailand. Residential courses with IB teachers in Maths, Geography, Computer
Science, ITGS, Revision, Exam Skills, TOK, Extended Essay and Study Skills. The programs
run from one to three weeks. Visit: http://camps.threegeneration.org/content/future-camps.html
for more information.
 9 Senior School Akhbar - Issue: 24

Book Fair
Book Mark Competition

“The Magic of Reading”

Students (KG to Grade 7) are invited to create a picture for a book mark. All book mark
entries will be displayed by grade level, and one outstanding book mark from each grade
level will be selected for printing. These special book marks will be distributed in May
during the Book Fair.

Here are the guidelines and rules for the book mark:

1. The book mark must reflect the theme ―The Magic of Reading.”
2. The words ―The Magic of Reading” must be part of the design.
3. The book mark must not be bigger than 5.5cm by 19 cm. Anything submitted which
is larger will not be judged in the competition
4. Use white construction paper for the book mark
5. You may use any media – colored pencil crayons, felt pens, water color paints, pens
etc.
6. Write your full name, Grade/Class, and Class teacher‘s name ON THE BACK of the
book mark.
7. The entry must be the work of the child whose name is on the back. You will be
disqualified if the judges feel the work is done by an adult.
8. The book mark must be submitted to your library before Tuesday 19 April 2011.
9. All entries must be in an envelope, sealed, with ONLY your class teacher‘s name
and grade level written on the front.
Remember: The deadline to take your Book Mark to the Library is Tuesday 19 April
2011.

THANK YOU TO THE PTA FOR SPONSORING

QA’S BOOKMARK COMPETITION.
10 Senior School Akhbar - Issue: 24

A is for Arts Month

Qatar Academy have chosen April to be the month that they celebrate and showcase many of
the things going on within the arts on a regular basis;
across all arts subject areas and in both primary and
secondary. The focus of the IB curriculum is that we
involve ourselves in inquiry based learning, place an
emphasis on the process as well as the product,
provide a supportive environment for students to
become risk takers and as a result create memorable experiences and develop more
knowledgeable and well balanced students in the long run.

Please take the time to look at the calendar to see the range of events available to you during
April. If you would you like to get a real feel for what goes on in class in grade 6-9 in art,
music and drama then head to the art corridor by 3pm next Monday 4th April. Please take the
time to wonder the corridors in the primary school from Sunday 3rd of April onwards to see
the wide variety of outcomes displayed for this year‘s primary art show. Then make your
way to the Diamond area in the senior school from Sunday 17th onwards (Thursday 14th by
invitation only) to experience the culmination of the 18 IB Visual Arts students graduating
this year.

Perhaps you‘d like to see a combination of some of the musical ability the school has across
the ages and genres, in which case the auditorium is the place to be on Tuesday 5th,
Wednesday 6th or Tuesday 12th April, or alternatively you can see students ‗doing their own
thing‘ on Monday 18th and Tuesday 19th with events organized by MUN action and the
student council.

Plus much more, so please take a note of the initial information and watch out in coming
Akhbars and posters around school for additional details.

Attention all Rock stars and wanna be rock stars!

On Wednesday April 6 at 1pm, we will have a Rock Band Exposition in the Auditorium.
Come out and cheer on your favorite rock band. If you want to play with your rock band,
talk to Mr. Bowe.