NEW PARENTS’ INFORMATION GUIDE FOR AL BATEEN
EXCELLENCE CREATIVITY PASSION RESPECT COLLABORATION
ABU DHABI
ALBATEEN.SCH.AE
A FUTURE SHAPED BY OUR CHILDREN
CONTENTS 01. WELCOME LETTER 02. OUR PURPOSE , OUR PROMISE 03. OUR VALUES 04. KEY STAFF 05. CURRICULUM LOWER SCHOOL CURRICULUM (YEARS 7, 8 AND 9) MIDDLE SCHOOL CURRICULUM (YEARS 10 AND 11) LANGUAGES SENIOR SCHOOL CURRICULUM (YEARS 12 AND 13) CAS & ENRICHMENT
IMS (INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC SERVICE)
10. ASSESSMENT TEACHER AND DEPARTMENT ASSESSMENT LOWER SCHOOL ASSESSMENT (YEARS 7, 8 AND 9) MIDDLE SCHOOL ASSESSMENT (YEARS 10 AND 11) SENIOR SCHOOL ASSESSMENT (YEARS 12 AND 13) REPORTING PROCEDURES MARKING PRINCIPLES HOMEWORK 13.
PASTORAL SYSTEM STUDENTS' PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT STUDENT PROTECTION, CARE, GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT SCHOOL NURSE LEARNING SUPPORT SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS (SEN) ENGLISH AS AN ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE (EAL) GIFTED AND TALENTED (G&T) HOUSE SYSTEM CULTURE & COMMUNITY LUNCH ARRANGEMENTS
17. FACILITIES 18. STUDENT SCHOOL UNIFORM 19. ABSENCE AND LATE POLICY AND PROCEDURES
COMMUNICATIONS
ALDAR ACADEMIES Al Bateen Secondary School New Parents’ Information Guide
WELCOME LETTER Welcome to Al Bateen Secondary School – a wonderful school, with high expectations and standards, in a creative, supportive and caring learning environment. In our most recent ADEC inspection we were again deemed to be a ‘Band A High Performing School’ with aspects of our school graded as being ‘outstanding’. We are, of course, very proud of this and our other achievements since the school opened in 2011. But what really makes this school wonderful? The students are the heartbeat of the school; our decisions are student-centred; and we have a strong commitment to providing a truly outstanding holistic education for all students. Al Bateen therefore aims to develop students academically but, also, to be confident, independent, caring, open minded and tolerant leaders of the future. We know that universities and employers seek articulate, balanced, creative, high achieving learners and leaders who have, and will continue to, contribute positively to their local and wider community. Al Bateen students are locally educated; internationally competitive. Al Bateen has many strengths - a strong curriculum, world-class facilities and plenty of outstanding teaching. A particular strength is the planned development of students - both academically and personally – as they continue their exciting journey as life-long learners. Opportunities beyond the subjects are varied, whether it be through our CAS (Creativity/Action/ Service) Programme; visits to museums, exhibitions and organisations; overseas residential trips; guest speakers to the school; work experience; links with universities and employers. Our students achieve high grades at I/GCSE (Years 10 and 11) and with the prestigious International Baccalaureate Programme (Years 12 and 13). In doing so, our students follow the principles of the International Baccalaureate Learner Profile and our own school values, as reflected in the school motto: PRIDE. • Participation • Respect and Responsibility • Integrity • Determination • Empathy and Tolerance This is a beautiful and vibrant international school and we really hope your child will be happy and achieve their academic and personal goals during their time at Al Bateen. With very best wishes, David Hutson Principal MSc BA (Hons) NPQH
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ALDAR ACADEMIES Al Bateen Secondary School New Parents’ Information Guide
OUR PURPOSE
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EMPOWERING OUR NEXT GENERATION TO SHAPE OUR FUTURE This is our “big idea”. It is what we are determined to achieve and the legacy we wish to leave. It is our intention and what we want to ensure happens.
OUR PROMISE
DELIVERING THE HIGHEST STANDARDS OF EDUCATION AND INSPIRING A LOVE OF LEARNING This is our commitment. This is what we do as a team every day. This is what others can expect from us and what we can expect in return. This is the way we do things.
ALDAR ACADEMIES Al Bateen Secondary School New Parents’ Information Guide
OUR VALUES EXCELLENCE
What we do, we do very well. We all help students learn and achieve the highest standards. We employ the best quality people. We deliver value and quality beyond expectations. We achieve peak performance by investing in the best techniques, creating and sharing exceptional facilities and using the latest technologies. We encourage and actively support personal and professional development. We act with integrity and continually learn and improve.
CREATIVITY
We dream big! We believe that imagination, creativity and big dreams can change our world! We are focused on improvements and solutions. We empower our staff and students to be innovative, unconstrained and change our world. We celebrate thinkers and doers. We celebrate new ideas and nurture them.
PASSION
We have fun and energy. Passion is at the heart of who we are. We want to shape a better future. We are committed in our hearts and in our minds. We feel strongly about things. We inspire. We are driven, enthusiastic, positive and ambitious. We are excited about the future. We are continuously moving forward, innovating and improving things.
RESPECT
We care. We are welcoming. We listen. We care for all people and our environment. We promote understanding and learning. We do what is right, rather than what is easy. We know it takes people with different ideas, strengths, interests and cultural backgrounds to help us all succeed. We are each important and unique.
COLLABORATION
We do things better, together. We value teamwork and doing things together. We help each other. We achieve our goals together. We share ideas, best practices, resources, processes and opportunities. We understand the importance and values of others. We communicate well. We share the love of learning and empowering the next generation. We know the power of collective genius.
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KEY STAFF
ALDAR ACADEMIES Al Bateen Secondary School New Parents’ Information Guide
In the first instance you should contact your child’s form tutor (for pastoral/care issues) and subject teachers (for subject related matters). You will receive the names your child’s form tutor and subject teachers at the start of Term 1 in September.
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ALDAR ACADEMIES Al Bateen Secondary School New Parents’ Information Guide
CURRICULUM INFORMATION
Our principle curriculum aim is to provide and develop knowledge, skills, intercultural understanding and challenge, so students can achieve their academic potential and progress to Year 12 and beyond. Students follow a broad, balanced curriculum that is relevant to today’s increasingly globalised and multicultural world. Whilst the school’s curriculum is based on the English National Curriculum, there is an international dimension, making it relevant for students who are living and studying in the UAE. There is provision for students who are gifted and talented and support for those with individual needs. All students will complete a programme in Arabic, Islamic and Social Studies, in accordance the after with Ministry of Education requirements, and these subjects are taught in Arabic or English. It is the school’s belief that it is important for children to understand the UAE culture, language and heritage. With this in mind, all Muslim students will follow an Islamic Studies programme and every student learns about the History and Geography of the UAE through our Social Studies programme.
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ALDAR ACADEMIES Al Bateen Secondary School New Parents’ Information Guide
LOWER SCHOOL CURRICULUM
(Years 7, 8 and 9) Unlike Primary School, students will not stay in one classroom or have just the one teacher. Instead our students move from one classroom to the next, with a specialist teacher for each of the subjects listed below. • Arabic (taught in English or Arabic) • Art & Design • Citizenship (non-Muslim students) • Design & Technology • Drama • English • French or Spanish • Geography • History • Information Communication Technology (ICT) • Islamic Studies (Muslim students; taught in English or Arabic) • Mathematics • Music • Physical Education (PE) • Science • Social Studies (taught in English or Arabic)
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ALDAR ACADEMIES Al Bateen Secondary School New Parents’ Information Guide
MIDDLE SCHOOL CURRICULUM (Years 10 and 11) Year 10 marks the beginning of the I/GCSE programme and our Middle School Curriculum. The I/GCSE is a British academic qualification awarded in a specified subject; the International GCSE qualification is available for international students. Both GCSE and I/GCSE are qualifications equally recognised by universities and employers throughout the world. For some subjects there is no I/GCSE option so the department has opted for a GCSE qualification. Both IGCSE and GCSE are rigorous qualifications and there is no easy option or easy subject. Students choose one or more Science subjects (Biology, Chemistry, Physics) from the options blocks.I/GCSE option subjects include Business Studies, Design & Technology, Art & Design, Computer Science, Drama, Economics, French, ICT, Psychology, Music, Physical Education, History and Geography.
Students will study core (compulsory) subjects and choose up to five option subjects. Arabic
Ministry of Education
Citizenship (Non-Muslim students)
Not examined. School programme of study
English
I/GCSE
Islamic Studies (Muslim students) Mathematics (Years 10 & 11)
Ministry of Education GCSE
Physical Education (PE)
Not examined. School programme of study
Statistics (Year 10 - for some students)
GCSE
LANGUAGES At Al Bateen we take pride in the linguistic diversity of our student body which is why, in addition to students studying Arabic and either French or Spanish, we are able to offer some students the opportunity to complete I/GCSE examinations in their native language. We value the development of student’s mother tongues and continuously encourage our students to practice their native language through oral work, reading authentic materials and writing.
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ALDAR ACADEMIES Al Bateen Secondary School New Parents’ Information Guide
SENIOR SCHOOL CURRICULUM (Years 12 and 13) We are proud to be an IB World School and offer the prestigious International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP). The IBDP aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. This qualification is recognised by universities and high education institutions across the world and provides an excellent pre-university programme. The Diploma Programme involves the study of 6 subjects (3 at Higher level; 3 at Standard Level) – Literature, Language, Humanities, Sciences, Mathematics, Arts or Elective. Students must also complete a Theory of Knowledge course, complete a 4,000 word Extended Essay and, at least, 150 hours of creative study, sport, and community work (CAS – Creativity/Action/ Service). Go to www.ibo.org We also offer AS-Level qualifications for students who wish to complete Year 12 only or wish to choose an alternative curriculum pathway.
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ALDAR ACADEMIES Al Bateen Secondary School New Parents’ Information Guide
CAS & ENRICHMENT Curriculum is defined as all the planned learning, whether it is carried out in groups or individually, inside or outside the school. The curriculum is enriched with day trips, overseas residential visits, extra-curricular activities, cross-curricular projects and CAS. Creativity is interpreted broadly to include a wide range of arts activities as well as the creativity students demonstrate in designing and implementing service projects.
Action can include not only participation in individual and team sports, but also taking part in expeditions and in local or international projects. Service encompasses a host of community and social service activities. Some examples include helping children with special needs, visiting hospitals and working with refugees or homeless people. Why does the school offer CAS? • To encourage students to meet new people and take on new challenges • To allow students to work collaboratively with others • To develop participation, perseverance, determination and commitment in activities beyond the classroom • To provide opportunities to learn new skills and interests All of our teachers commit to the CAS Programme and they each help to provide a very wide range of activities for our students. The activities take place on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 2:45 to 3:45 pm each day. We expect our students to commit themselves to at least one CAS activity each week. Additional activities can be agreed where places allow.
AMS (Aldar Academies Music Service) As part of Aldar Academies, Al Bateen students are offered specialist instrumental tuition. The Aldar Academies Music Service provides not only professional tuition from qualified staff, but also a very competitive instrument hire scheme to enable parents to overcome issues of costly instrument purchase. A wide range of instruments are currently available for study, which include the Violin, Viola, Piano and Voice training. Tutors help with preparation for ABRSM examinations, workshops, concerts and music recitals.
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ALDAR ACADEMIES Al Bateen Secondary School New Parents’ Information Guide
ASSESSMENT
Assessment does not rely solely on tests and examinations (summative assessment). It is about getting to know our students, the quality of their learning, providing appropriate feedback and sharing with students how they can achieve their learning goals (formative assessment).
TEACHER AND DEPARTMENT ASSESSMENT At Al Bateen each subject department will have agreed assessment procedures and timings, most notably in departmental plans and schemes of work, for collating key assessment data and for monitoring and reviewing the learning and progress of students within their subject areas. Teachers and subject departments will use a variety of methods for informing their assessment of student learning and progress:
• • • • • • • • • •
Audio and/or visual recording of work Department moderation and standardisation End of topic or term tests and mock examinations Marking of classwork and homework Observation and listening Photographed work Project work/assignments Questioning Role play and demonstration Student presentation or performance
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ALDAR ACADEMIES Al Bateen Secondary School New Parents’ Information Guide
ASSESSMENT LOWER SCHOOL ASSESSMENT
(Years 7, 8 and 9) Student attainment and targets in the Lower School is measured using Curriculum Levels 1 to 8; 1 to 5 in Arabic and Islamic Studies with each split into L, M or H (Low, Middle, or High).
MIDDLE SCHOOL ASSESSMENT
(Years 10 and 11) The I/GCSE qualification is marked externally by the Edexcel Examination Board (Dubai) and graded A* to G (A* being the highest grade). Teachers will focus on supporting all students in achieving the highest possible I/GCSE grade. The key benchmark for the attainment of students (aged 15-16) is the percentage of students gaining the equivalent of at least five A* to C I/GCSE grades, including English and Mathematics. Each I/GCSE qualification and grade is given a point score which enables an average point score per student to be calculated. We calculate the point score based on a student’s best 8 I/GCSE results. Some I/GCSE are modular, which means that topics are learnt and tested throughout the two years of the course. Other I/GCSE may be linear, which means that students are assessed via controlled assessment coursework tasks and a terminal examination at the end of the course. Please be advised that parents are expected to pay for the cost of external examinations for IGCSEs, GCSEs, A Levels etc. Aldar Academies charge parents the actual cost of all examinations.
SENIOR SCHOOL ASSESSMENT
(Years 12 and 13) Student attainment and targets for IBDP subjects are measured using a single grade on a scale of 1 point (minimum) to 7 points (maximum): 7 = Excellent performance 6 = Very good performance 5 = Good performance 4 = Satisfactory performance 3 = Mediocre performance 2 = Poor performance 1 = Very poor performance IBDP students will have an end of course final external examination (in May of the final year). Students will also have internal assessments (IA) in all subjects. Marks from both assessments will form the overall subject score. The IB points for Theory of Knowledge (TOK) and Extended Essay (EE) are combined on a matrix to give a maximum of three (3) core points. These are added to the subject points (as above) to give an overall point score. Students must also successfully complete their Creativity, Action and Service (CAS) commitment in accordance with IBO standards. Please be advised that parents are expected to pay for the cost of external examinations for IGCSEs, GCSEs, A Levels etc. Aldar Academies charge parents the actual cost of all examinations.
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ALDAR ACADEMIES Al Bateen Secondary School New Parents’ Information Guide
ASSESSMENT
REPORTING PROCEDURES Teachers report to parents in writing on the progress of all students three times a year. Written progress reports provide teachers with an opportunity to report on Academic Progress, Attendance, Attitude to Learning (AtL), Classwork, and Homework. Every student has a target curriculum level (Years 7, 8 and 9), target I/GCSE grade (Years 10 and 11) or target IBDP grade (Years 12 and 13) for each subject. A teacher will compare the current performance with targets set by the school and judge if a student is Above, On, Below or Working towards the target curriculum level or grade. Parents are invited to discuss these progress reports and their child’s progress at Parent Evenings.
MARKING PRINCIPLES Marking work plays an important part in ascertaining attainment, progress and how each student can improve. There is a school Marking Policy. We follow the principles below:
• Marking should be done in accordance with agreed standards and criteria • Students must know how work will be marked • Each piece of work should be marked with appropriate and constructive feedback • • •
on what has been done well and how the student can improve his/her work Any spelling mistake should be corrected Marking should recognise achievement and reward success Exercise books/portfolios will be marked every two weeks
HOME WORK Teachers will set homework for all students, in accordance with the homework timetable, which can be found on our school website and in the front of your child’s Student Planner. Students can expect to receive homework from 2-3 subjects a night, which should be recorded in their Student Planner for parents and form tutors to check on a weekly basis. Year 7 students are expected to spend 30 minutes per subject per night; Year 8 students are expected to spend 35 minutes per subject per night; Year 9 students are expected to spend 40 minutes per subject per night; Year 10 and 11 students are expected to spend 45 minutes per subject per night. Senior School students will have separate homework and study timetables.
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ALDAR ACADEMIES Al Bateen Secondary School New Parents’ Information Guide
PASTORAL SYSTEM
At Al Bateen we aim to value every member of our community, nurture self-esteem and encourage caring relationships. Our Pastoral Care system embraces a caring school ethos, fosters concern for the welfare and progress of each individual student and emphasises mutual respect. Though this ethos is embedded throughout the school day by all teachers, the roles of the Form Tutors and the Pastoral Team are pivotal, as they are responsible for the implementation of the school’s pastoral care system. Through daily registration, lesson attendance, assemblies, mentoring, Citizenship and individual contact, these teams of people enact the Pastoral aims, policies and procedures. Specifically, all students can be confident that we know them well, closely monitor their welfare and progress, and provide relevant support in a professional manner with their interests at heart. The thoroughness of pastoral care at Al Bateen is exemplary. Abundant energy and commitment are shown by the staff towards their students and by the students towards their school.
STUDENTS’ PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT Under our guidance, students develop the correct attitudes and an appropriate sense of responsibility towards themselves, their learning, their peers, their teachers and school, their culture and faith, their family and the wider community, their country and their role as world citizens.
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ALDAR ACADEMIES Al Bateen Secondary School New Parents’ Information Guide
PASTORAL SYSTEM STUDENT PROTECTION , CARE, GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT
Student safety is the school’s absolute priority and we take maximum care in ensuring that our welfare system supports and monitors students academically, personally and socially. It establishes and reflects the quality of care students receive from the adults in school. All students receive helpful and objective advice about the choices they make, including career choices. We keep close track of attendance and punctuality, academic and personal progress, medical care, happiness, well-being and development. We also help students to settle into school, make friends and form good relationships with peers and staff.
SCHOOL NURSE We have a fully qualified school nurse on site during school hours. As well as dealing with children who are unwell, our school nurse is also available to support families with general health queries.
LEARNING SUPPORT As our Learning Support Policy states, Al Bateen is committed to “ensure that students with additional needs to those of their peers are fully included in the life of our learning community and have equal opportunity to fulfil their potential”.
SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS (SEN) The department, in its design and implementation, compliments the school’s ethos and aims, its teaching and learning policy and its vision for Care, Guidance and Support. All students are entitled to a broad, balanced, relevant and differentiated curriculum recognising that all students have individual educational needs, which should be taken into account. Most of the support is based in the classroom quality first teaching. However, some students will receive specialist 1:1 or small group support if this is felt to be appropriate to meet their needs.
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ALDAR ACADEMIES Al Bateen Secondary School New Parents’ Information Guide
PASTORAL SYSTEM ENGLISH AS AN ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE (EAL)
As part of our school’s mission to provide the best education possible for all, Al Bateen have started an EAL intervention programme. Students identified as needing additional support with their literacy skills are encouraged to join this specialist programme, in order for improvements to be seen in every curriculum area delivered in English. This is seen to be a major whole school focus and will only improve your child’s examination results and general English skills.
GIFTED AND TALENTED (G&T) At Al Bateen we ensure that all students are challenged and make good progress. An identification process is in place for Gifted and Talented students. Provision is then made through differentiation in mainstream lessons, homework and participation in CAS activities. These all offer a wide range of enrichment, extension and acceleration experiences. Gifted and Talented students have a range of needs, some of which are curriculum orientated and some of which are ‘personal and social’. It is important to keep these distinct needs in mind when devising appropriate provision for students whilst ensuring their full human development. The school provides opportunities for students to take part in external competitions and programmes aimed at high achievers, including the Model United Nations Conference, where participants assume the role of a UN Ambassador and discuss world issues.
HOUSE SYSTEM All students who attend Al Bateen School are a member of a ‘House’. There are four houses at Al Bateen, made up of students and staff, which are all based on the theme of Explorers, namely: Armstrong, Ibn Battuta, Columbus and Kingsley. Each tutor group is linked to a House and some tutor groups represent more than one House. Students quickly form an allegiance to their house and a sense of fun and friendly competition pervades all House events. The House system at Al Bateen provides personal and social enrichment in the following ways:
• • • • • •
promoting personal development encouraging team spirit assisting the development of an increased sense of community and belonging creating a means to reward all students for their personal achievements and supports the reward system encouraging inter-year group friendships promoting a healthy sense of competition
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ALDAR ACADEMIES Al Bateen Secondary School New Parents’ Information Guide
PASTORAL SYSTEM
Each House is led by a team of four students, two House Captains and two Vice House Captains. These students are elected from amongst the senior students within the school. The job of the House Captains is to take responsibility for the leadership and organisation of their House throughout the academic year. Regular House competitions take place throughout the year and encompass all areas of the curriculum; all competitions give students the opportunity to win house points, which are added together and the house with the most points at the end of the year will win the overall House Cup.
CULTURE & COMMUNITY There are 55 different nationalities presented across the school. We work to promote intercultural understanding and international mindedness. To this end we appreciate the importance of language and support students, wherever possible, to develop their first language. Our curriculum has an international dimension to support intercultural understanding and we encourage students to look at global issues from different perspectives. We support the values, culture and traditions of the UAE and work to promote national identity amongst our UAE students. We teach Arabic, Islamic Studies and Social Studies; we promote UAE heritage through, for example, units of work on Islamic Art and Oud Music; we have enjoyed visiting speakers who reflect on the early days of oil exploration; we celebrate UAE National Day and Eid holidays - assemblies in Arabic and English share the meaning behind the holiday. Our community is important to us. We have partnerships with NYU Abu Dhabi, Inspire Sports Management, Hamilton Aquatics and Ahdaaf Sports Club who use our facilities after school and during the holidays. We have an active Parent-Teachers Association (PTA) who work hard to support our activities and events.
LUNCH ARRANGEMENTS Students can either bring their own snacks/lunch or buy cold or hot food from the Cafeteria. Books of food vouchers are available from the Cafeteria for AED 160/-
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ALDAR ACADEMIES Al Bateen Secondary School New Parents’ Information Guide
FACILITIES
Facilities at Al Bateen are state-of-the-art and the school has been designed to meet the needs of 21st century learners. The school houses an 850-seat auditorium, extensive music, drama and art facilities and specialist teaching rooms throughout the school, all of which are fully equipped with interactive white boards. Other facilities include a research laboratory, a graphic design area, music recording studios and a recital room. Our sports facilities include a multi-purpose sports hall, a dance studio, a 25m indoor swimming pool, a full-sized astro-turf football pitch and basketball courts. Support for learning comes from a well-equipped library, seminar rooms for small group teaching and video conference suites to facilitate links with other schools or education institutes around the world. During break times, students can use the cafeteria facilities, indoor social spaces, outdoor areas or enjoy the peaceful atmosphere in the ‘Oasis’, a key feature in the centre of the building.
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ALDAR ACADEMIES Al Bateen Secondary School New Parents’ Information Guide
STUDENT SCHOOL UNIFORM Boys Standard Uniform
White school shirt (with school logo), Grey school trousers (long or short trousers), Black socks and Black shoes* White school shirt (with school logo),
Senior School Black trousers, Black blazer/sweater, Al Bateen tie for formal occasions, Black Uniform socks and Black shoes*
Girls White school blouse (with school logo), Grey school skirt, skort or trousers, White socks and Black shoes* White school shirt (with school logo), Black trousers/skirt, Black blazer/sweater, Black shoes*
Indoor PE Kit
Sports Trainers, Grey Al Bateen PE shorts or sports trousers, White Al Bateen PE Shirt, White sports socks
Sports Trainers, Grey Al Bateen PE shorts or sports trousers, White Al Bateen PE Shirt, White sports socks Girls may wear long leggings, a long t-shirt underneath their PE uniform to cover their skin, or a head scarf if they so wish
Outdoor PE
Sports Trainers or Football boots (no metal studs), Grey Al Bateen PE shorts or sports trousers, White Al Bateen PE Shirt, White sports socks
Sports Trainers or football boots, Grey Al Bateen PE shorts or sports trousers, White Al Bateen PE Shirt, White sports socks Girls may wear long leggings, a long t-shirt underneath their PE uniform to cover their skin, or a head scarf if they so wish
Swimming Kit
Swimming shorts (either Al Bateen (Black) or own pair), rash vest (optional), towel, swim cap, goggles
Swimming suit (either Al Bateen (Black) or own swim suit), rash vest (optional), towel, swim cap, goggles Girls may wear full length swim suits
* Please note that boots and trainers are not permitted. There should be no other colours, markings or patterns on the black school shoes. Skorts, shorts and skirts should cover the knees. Optional: Grey V-neck cardigan, sweater or jacket with the school logo. Headscarf: Girls may wear a headscarf in one of the following colours – black, grey, purple, lilac, white. These colours are in keeping with school uniform and do not distract from it. Jewellery and Make-Up: Students are permitted to wear a watch and stud earrings. No other jewellery is allowed. Make-up, lipstick and coloured nail varnish are not permitted. Hair should be neat and tidy and not in an extreme style. Bags: Al Bateen School bags can be purchased from the uniform shop. Alternatively, students can bring their own school bag. We expect all parents to support the school by ensuring that their son/daughter attends school in the correct uniform. The Principal’s decision is final in all matters of uniform.
Inappropriately dressed students may be sent home to change.
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ALDAR ACADEMIES Al Bateen Secondary School New Parents’ Information Guide
ABSENCE AND LATE POLICY AND PROCE DURES WHAT IF MY CHILD IS UNWELL? We place a strong emphasis on good attendance as we know that children who attend school regularly make better progress than those who have a lot of time off. If your child is ill but well enough to come to school please send them in. If they get worse during the day our school nurse will look after them until you can be contacted. If your child is not well enough to come to school, please telephone the school on 02 813 2000, from 7:30 pm, or email reception@albateen.sch.ae, and your child’s form tutor before 7:30 am. If we do not hear from you we will call you. If we need to do this your child’s absence will be recorded as unauthorised. If a child has over a given number of days of unauthorised absence, ADEC have the right to insist that the child repeats the whole academic year. We ask families to collect their children promptly at 2:30 pm unless they are involved in CAS activities. Please avoid taking your child out of lessons during term time. Education is important.
COMMUNICATIONS We are a very busy school because we offer a wide range of opportunities for our students. We know that families are busy too so we communicate what is going on in a variety of ways:
• • • • •
Our school newsletter School website www.albateen.sch.ae Parent portal messages (you will receive log-in details) Parent evenings and ‘Principal drop-ins’ (advertised in newsletter) SMS Text Messages
We want to support you and your child as much as possible so please contact your child’s form tutor or subject teachers should you have any questions or need any help. Visit our school website for more details on 'Parent Engagement'.
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SHAPING OUR FUTURE
UNIFORMS AVAILABLE ONLINE AT WWW.ZAKSSTORE.COM/ALDAR AT MUSHRIF MALL FROM 15TH AUGUST 2016 info@zaksstore.com 800 ZAKS (9257) For more info visit: www.zaksstore.com
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