The Last Word

Many hundreds of thousands of youngsters across the UK have had a taste of Oman brought to their living rooms via The Blue Peter programme recently shown over three weeks in January.

One of our Sultan's School students acted as their roving a guide and showed them what “Life was like in Oman”. Andy Akinwolere and Konnie Huq were the presenters who were allowed a glimpse of Qaiz Al-Kindy’s life along with the BBC viewers.

One of the aspects that shocked quite a few viewers was the slaughtering of the goat for the Eid celebrations. I spoke to the producer who said “Children in the UK think that meat appears in the supermarket from nowhere and have no idea of the steps that are involved in the farming and slaughtering process, at least the programme made them think and created awareness”.

Andy’s and Konny’s journey took them to stay with the Bedouins, traverse Snake Gorge, go camel racing, collect honey, search for and “milk” snakes.

During some down time in her trip Konnie secretly confided to me that “she loved Oman and would like to buy a place here as the people were just so nice and the country stunningly beautiful”.
Mr. Clive getting his Blue Peter Badge
Andy
Konnie
 
Again we have to thank the BBC for allowing the Young Musicians of The Year to play for us at school. They were ( I have included a pen picture of each for our students who wanted to know all about them).
Cordelia Williams – piano
Hearing her mother teach piano Cordelia wanted to learn to play too, and began lessons at the age of 3. She now attends Chetham's School of Music and is hoping to attend the Royal Academy or a music college in America following her A levels next year. Cordelia's many other interests include snowboarding, learning Russian and watching Disney movies, she also enjoys jazz and world music and would like to travel the world as a soloist and experience different musical cultures.
Mark Simpson – clarinet
Mark began his music studies playing keyboard and recorder, but soon swapped to clarinet when he was offered the chance to learn at primary school. He is now the Principal Clarinet of the National Youth Orchestra and hopes to study clarinet and composition at music college. Mark has received two commissions from the RLPO's Ensemble 10/10, one of which will be broadcast on Radio 3, and ultimately hopes to be a professional composer.
David Massey – guitar
David's home was full of guitars when he was growing up and he started to have lessons aged 8 at Mid Herts Music Centre. He has had piano lessons for just over a year now and also sings bass in the school senior choir. He is studying for his A levels at Dame Alice Owen's School in Potters Bar and hopes to go on to study Music at university or music college. David wants to have a career closely linked to or directly involving music.
Toby Kearney – percussion
Toby comes from a musical family and was encouraged by his mother to learn to play. He was also keen to join in with his older brother who played percussion, so began percussion lessons at school at the age of 10. He is now a member of the Royal Northern College of Music Junior Department and the National Youth Orchestra. Following his A levels in Further Maths, Music and Physics, Toby would like to study at music college. He also enjoys cycling, hockey and spending time with friends.
Huw Morgan – trumpet
Huw began learning piano aged 5 and a year later took up the trumpet after hearing the Welsh Brass Trio perform at his Primary school. He also studied violin to Grade 6 and continues to study piano and trumpet at Chetham's School of Music where he is Head Boy. Huw is also principal trumpet of the National Youth Orchestra and hopes to go to Oxford University or the Royal Academy of Music and become a renowned soloist. Huw is also a keen sportsman and computer enthusiast and enjoys reading politics and current affairs. He is also a fan of all things Welsh.
They all gave advice to our aspiring musicians and played solo pieces that exhibited their wonderful range of talents.
 
Recently we entertained the wives of many Ambassadors in Oman. The group led by Mrs. Ashok Kumar Attri were given a history of the school to the present, given a tour of the facilities and entertained to lunch by our students. Great opportunities have stemmed from this where a party of our students have been invited to Japan this summer as guests of The JCCME (Joint Cooperation Council for The Middle East). This organisation seeks to identify potential leaders and create links for the future with Japan. Included in the visit by our delegation will be a two day “Entrepreneur and Leadership Course”.
The Sultan’s School has also organised this year’s British Schools in The Middle East Silver Jubilee Conference a four day event based at Shangri La’s Bar Al-Jissah Resort. John Birchall and I have had a busy time over the last year organising what turned out to be the largest conference ever put on by the BSME. It brought together Senior Management from accredited schools from many countries and top educational speakers and major suppliers of school services and equipment.

His Excellency Yahya bin Saud Al-Sulaimi Minister of Education opened the conference and gave an address. Steve McNulty Head of The British Council in Oman, Edward Goodwin Chairman of BSME and His Excellency jointly opened the Exhibition of 77+ stands. George Walker ex Director General of the IBO gave an inspiring keynote speech.

BSME Conference Muscat February 2007. The Executive Committee and Distinguished Guests

From right to left: Jo Frain (Conference Coordinator) Jeff Turner (BSME Exec) Dr. Sana Al Blushi (MOE and Board of Trustees of The Sultan's School) John Siviter (BSME Exec) Steve McNulty (Head of The British Council, Oman) His Excellency Yahya bin Saud Al-Sulaimi, (Minister of Education) Ed Goodwin (Chairman BSME) George Walker (ex Director General of the IBO) John Birchall (BSME Exec) Clive Pierrepont (Local Conference Organiser) Marion Sinclair (BSME Treasurer)

Clive G. Pierrepont
Director of Development and Admissions
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