Welcome to the first edition of Awwaliyat, our new format School Newsletter. As part of our continuing efforts to maximise communications with parents, this new publication is designed to be distributed via the internet as well as in hard copy form. It is, however, appropriate to recognize the valuable contribution made to school life by its predecessor which was produced for many years by Mr. Don Yager, who retires at the end of the current school year after 25 years service to The Sultan’s School. We thank Mr. Yager for his work with the School Newsletter and hope this new version can continue to keep parents informed about and interested in the school and its activities. This new publication will be produced by the recently formed Development Office under the direction of Mr. Clive Pierrepont.

As the latter half of the first term draws to a close we can feel well satisfied with all that has been achieved in that time. The Primary Arabic Department has benefited from a week’s

The secondary section has continued its successful introduction of the new IGCSE course and has undergone an Authorisation Visit by the International Baccalaureate Organisation with a view to accrediting the school to offer the IB Diploma from next September. Plans have been approved and tenders awarded for the construction of our new kindergarten facility and a new stand has been built alongside our playing field.

One of the most significant events recently has been the successful introduction of the Biennial Parents’ Questionnaire. The response from parents has been excellent with over 70% of families completing and returning the survey. These results will be shared with parents and prove invaluable in refining the future development plans of the school, allowing us to determine those opinions which are truly representative of the majority of parents.

Reading this newsletter will make you aware of many other exciting initiatives taking place at The Sultan’s School. It is a very busy school indeed but a busy school is a thriving school - I wouldn’t have it any other way!

On December 4th & 5th, IBO Inspectors visited The Sultan’s School and were extremely impressed by the excellent preparation undertaken for the introduction of the Diploma. They also enthused about the high quality of the staff, the facilities and by the very friendly ethos within the school. We look forward to their written report and, come August 2005, to teaching this exciting and innovative programme to the students of The Sultan’s School.

The introduction of the IB Diploma Programme to the Sultan’s School will encourage our senior pupils to develop intellectually, aesthetically and socially. Students are required to study Mathematics, Sciences, Arts, Humanities, English and Arabic. In addition to their coursework Community Service, Physical Activities, Research, Essay Writing, and the Theory of Knowledge are all emphasized in the IB Diploma Programme, resulting in graduates who can think critically and possess the broadest of educations and outlooks.