Misk Schools Candidate and Welcome - 05.12.2022

MISK SCHOOLS

DIRECTOR GENERAL’S WELCOME

As a beacon of academic excellence in the very heart of Riyadh, Misk Schools is here to realise our Founder’s vision: to educate the future leaders of society – globally-minded enterprising learners, advanced performers, and accomplished leaders. Our brand new, state-of-the-art campus is designed to offer boundless opportunities for learning and discovery, paving the way for our students’ ongoing success beyond school, at the world’s leading universities, and in the competitive environment of work.

Our success depends on the calibre and attitude of the professionals we hire. This is a school like no other, in an exciting and vibrant country that is on the move. Being a part of the Misk Schools team provides all staff members, academic and administrative, with significant opportunities and experiences that are not always available in other schools.

Thank you for your interest in joining us. I very much look forward to welcoming you to the team.

Dr Steffen Sommer

ABOUT MISK SCHOOLS

Misk Schools is a pioneering, not-for-profit PreK–12 private day school in Riyadh for male and female Saudi students. We are proud to be setting a new standard for education in the Kingdom, actively supporting Vision 2030

Founded in 2016 by HRH Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, we focus on leadership education, empowering our students to become globally minded creative thinkers, so they can chart their own unique paths in serving and leading society.

Delivered in English, our curriculum is innovative and international, infused with Saudi culture and values. Every student has a personalised timetable designed to maximise his or her potential. We embrace project-based and experiential learning, alongside traditional academic teaching, to ensure our students develop the character and skills required to effectively apply their education in a real-world context, locally and globally.

THE NEW CAMPUS

Misk School’s extraordinary, purpose-built campus is situated in Mohammed bin Salman Nonprofit City, a new district of Riyadh designed to be a premier ecosystem for youth, and a global centre for incubating innovative, educational, and creative enterprises.

The 21-hectare campus comprises nine school buildings for students aged three to 18 years (separate facilities for boys and girls from Grade 1). All the buildings are eco-friendly and digitally connected, with flexible learning spaces that support the school’s commitment to fit the curriculum to the child, not the child to the curriculum.

Every distinct school age-group area features academic classrooms, a library, art and design studios, science and food technology labs, Arabic culture hubs, IT suite and music room.

Each also has a kitchen to support the school’s “farm to table” initiative. Whole school facilities include three professional-style auditoriums (the largest of which can seat up to 850) and an exhibition gallery for cultural showcases. A total of 29 Olympic summer sports are catered for, together with e-sports, and there are equestrian, golf and go-karting academies.

THE CURRICULUM AND CO-CURRICULUM

Our curriculum is based on the British IGCSE pathway which we have adapted to suit local conditions, while catering for learners with international aspirations. Students follow a broad range of subjects in the Upper Primary School, culminating in a wide array of subject options at the start of Grade 9.

The curriculum is designed to take into account ambitions for the future of the Kingdom, alongside our students’ learning styles, to ensure they leave us able to be competitive on the global stage. In addition to traditional IGCSE options, students also undertake a curated selection of leadership studies to equip them with the skills and competencies for leadership positions in Saudi Arabia, and in a rapidly changing world.

We are proud to be the Kingdom’s first High Performance Learning (HPL) school. The philosophy and framework of HPL will help us achieve our goal of delivering high performance for the many, not the few.

National Identity Subjects are delivered within the Ministry of Education’s framework, using standards developed by the Misk Schools team. The programme focuses on National Studies, Islamic Studies and Arabic Language. The aims of National Identity Subjects are to strengthen the national character of students, helping them to acquire essential principles, knowledge and skills, and uphold the Arabic language.

Our students also benefit from an enviable world-class Co-curricular Programme (CCAP) that stems from careful identification of 21st-century skills that matter. Students are able to sample activities ranging from the culinary arts, performance, artificial intelligence, traditional sports and more. This, in addition to ad-hoc visits from notable guest speakers, ensures that our students will leave the school equipped with both academic and social skills to be global citizens.

MISK SCHOOLS STUDENTS

Misk

Our students realise the value of the unique experiences gained at Misk, and apply themselves accordingly. They have an acute understanding that the future of the Kingdom is intertwined with the need for highly engaged and aspirational students. This realisation is evident in the breadth and depth of subjects and co-curricular activities they sign up for.

Our students are proud of their culture; this is evident during the Morning Parade when the Saudi National Anthem is sung with gusto and immense pride. Our Misk Morals of kindness, leadership, judgement, bravery and many others are fully embodied in how students relate to their peers and staff alike. While our students aspire for leadership positions within the Kingdom, they also display an innate understanding of how the world is getting increasingly interconnected. To this end their aspiration to be the best extends to their choice of further study, with many habouring ambitions to study at top universities across the world.

Schools prides itself on attracting some of the best students in the Kingdom.

LIFE IN SAUDI ARABIA

Saudi Arabia is growing at an unprecedented rate and is a melting pot of opportunity due to its internationalism and strategic foresight. It is in an exciting transformative phase that has resulted in a surge across all industries including tourism, entertainment, F&B and healthcare.

The country is showing off its beautiful heritage by turning landmark locations, as well as hidden untouched gems, into full-blown art/cultural/educational experiences with events such as AlUla Moments, MDLBeast Soundstorm, The National Festival of Janadriyah and Riyadh Season, the world’s largest lifestyle festival - and that’s naming a few!

LIFE IN SAUDI ARABIA

‘As-saudia’, as it is affectionately called by both its local and international Arabic speaking residents, has something to offer everyone, whether you are a thrill-seeker, music lover, food enthusiast or someone who would enjoy meditating with the colourful desert sunsets and warm red sands beneath your feet.

Check out https://www.visitsaudi.com/en for all the up-to-date information.

ACCOMMODATION

On arrival in Saudi Arabia, we offer a choice of compounds that cater to different tastes. They include:

Al Nakhla - Antara

Carolina Palm - Palms Estate Compound

If you are single you are offered one bedroom apartments in Antara and Al Nakhla. It is highly recommended that you avoid the one bedroom at Al Nakhla as it is very small. The most popular choice is Antara, due to its facilities and quality of accommodation.

All compounds besides Al Nakhla are within 15 minutes driving time of school. Al Nakhla is the furthest and can take around 45 minutes.

Check with HR which size accommodation you qualify for and please check the links to each location.

You can also take an accommodation allowance if you wish to find a private place. Once again, please speak to HR regarding this.

MEDICAL BENEFITS

Tawuniya is the school’s preferred medical insurance provider.

As a school, we have access to excellent VIP medical care at the best private hospitals within the Kingdom. Dr Sulaiman Habib is the most popular hospital used by our staff team. Our policy includes dental cover and many other medical services within a specified limit, and is considered to cover most ailments fully. It also gives you cover outside of the Kingdom, where you would usually get approval and then pay for treatment and be reimbursed accordingly.

Just a note of warning, you must check when you go for treatment outside Saudi Arabia to be aware of how much you are covered.

CULTURAL AWARENESS

Life in Riyadh is not very different from other Middle Eastern countries but newcomers often find their perceptions of Saudi Arabia change very quickly on arrival, as the country has massively changed in recent years.

Modest dress is an expectation across the country in public spaces, customary to Muslim tradition. At school, women are expected to wear abayas that come in all sorts of shapes, styles and colours.

When greeting a Saudi of the opposite gender, it is best practice to greet them verbally with a nod of the head, and wait to see if they feel comfortable extending their hand.

The following are significant days in the Saudi calendar. Islamic dates of significance are based on the Islamic lunar calendar, and therefore the actual dates vary from year to year:

• Islamic New Year (Hijri)

• Holy Month of Ramadan

• End of Ramadan (Eid al-Fitr)

• Feast of Sacrifice (Eid al-Adha)

• Saudi National Day, 23rd September

• Founding Day, 22nd February

WHAT

TO

EXPECT ON ARRIVAL IN

Time Out Riyadh is a useful source of information and can be helpful for newcomers to the city.

What to wear on arrival in Riyadh: It is suggested that teachers dress modestly on arrival at the airport and during the flight. For women it is helpful to purchase an abaya within the first few days of arrival.

New teachers are welcomed at the airport by school drivers who help with the process of obtaining the vital SIM card to support communication with friends and family. On arriving at the fully furnished and well equipped accommodation, teachers will find food and other basics to ensure they have everything necessary for the first few days.

Settling allowance: How much money do you need to bring? As per your contract you will receive a settling-in allowance of 3750 SAR.

It is recommended that teachers bring ATM/credit cards for convenience, until bank accounts are set up. Larger supermarkets and stores such as IKEA accept cash, but increasingly shops prefer cards or contactless payments. ATM machines are available in most localities and shopping centres.

RIYADH

WHAT TO EXPECT ON ARRIVAL IN RIYADH

Restaurants and food delivery: Riyadh is an absolute foodie hot-spot. With a staggering number of food delivery apps and variation in restaurants, you are practically always within feet of your next meal. The world’s biggest names in both fast food and fine dining are available to enjoy. For instance, on the same street downtown you can find multiple McDonalds branches, multiple Starbucks branches, and a Nobu in the middle of them!

Shops and malls: There are a number of large luxurious shopping malls in Riyadh. Clothing is readily available and expats will recognise many European and British brands. Large stores include Debenhams, Marks & Spencer and Next. There are plenty of electronics stores as well as houseware stores like IKEA, and supermarkets are located in all areas with great imported selections of your favourite food brands. Online shopping is also very easy with same day home deliveries on many apps, including Amazon.sa as well as a Middle-Eastern giant in e-commerce, Noon. Additionally, you can continue to shop at your favourite stories online with shipping to KSA available on most major sites.

Getting around Riyadh: On arrival in Riyadh, your compound security can be helpful in arranging taxis. Apps such as Bolt, Careem, Uber and Jeeny all work well, and prices are comparable. Of course, you may choose to drive and purchase your own car, however this will require undergoing a process to secure a local driver’s licence.

FOOD DELIVERY APPS:

WHAT TO EXPECT ON ARRIVAL IN RIYADH

Going to and from school: You have the option of taking school transport which will be a shared bus (on the larger compounds) or school driver. If you take the school transport then the transport allowance will be deducted from your salary. If you choose to find a private driver or take taxis, then you keep the transport allowance.

Visitors and family members: A tourist visa allows family members and friends to come to Saudi Arabia easily. The visa can be obtained online or on arrival for many nationalities. As Saudi Arabia opens up to tourism, there are many companies to help you to organise trips across the Kingdom, and also in the near vicinity of Riyadh.

VISA PROCESS

The Saudi Arabian visa is known as an Iqama. The process to secure one can differ from country to country. General guidelines are outlined in our Visa Process document, while information on visas for dependents can be found in this document.

ENTERING AND LEAVING THE KINGDOM

Please be aware that once your Iqama is processed, you can exit and enter the Kingdom anytime. However, each time you leave you must apply for an exit re-entry visa which is processed by HR. If you have dependents on your Iqama, you can process their exit re-entry yourself, through the government’s e-services app, Absher.

The school pays for two exit re-entry visas per school year which you pay for through your bank account and then have the money reimbursed. The school will process multiple exit re-entry visas too, which allow you to leave and enter the country a number of times during a stated period, but you will have to pay the difference in cost.

www.absher.sa

TRAVELLING WITHIN SAUDI

Most people’s preferred choice of travel is by air. You do not need ID documents when you travel but it is always advised to have either your Iqama or passport with you.

However, travelling in your car is great here, as motorways tend to be very quiet and there is minimal traffic on the roads until you approach main cities. Please make sure you use the petrol stations to fill up as sometimes it can be a distance before you come across one.

A word of warning, the service stations on motorway/highways do not always offer the best hygiene in terms of their toilets so always have wet wipes, hand wash and toilet roll with you. Sasco stations tend to be the best ones to stop at. Also be aware that there are random checkpoints where you may be asked to stop and show car documents, your Iqama and driving licence.

The two cities you are not allowed to enter unless you are a Muslim are Makkah and Madinah, where you will see signs asking you to exit before you enter the city.

There is also a train facility between Madinah, KAEC, Jeddah and Makkah, as well as a train from Dammam to Riyadh. Tickets can be booked online.

www.saudia.com www.flynas.com www.flyadeal.com

DRIVING LICENCE APPLICATION

This process applies for UK licence holders. Any other country, please check if your licence can just be transferred.

Step 1: Make sure you have an Absher account. This will be possible once you have received your Iqama.

Step 2: Get an official translation of your driving licence. The translation has to be stamped. This usually costs around 50 SAR.

Step 3: Login to your Absher account, choose appointments/traffic and you should see the Muroor section. Here this is a link to the clinics from where you can get your medical done from a local clinic in Riyadh. It usually costs around 130 SAR.

Step 4: Make sure you have the following documents:

• Scanned/ photograph copy of your ID

• Scanned/ photograph copy of your valid UK driving licence

• Scanned/photograph copy of translation of your driving licence (both front and back).

Once you have all these documents you can upload them onto the Absher website under appointments/traffic/Muroor section. You can then book an appointment to do your driving test.

The licence payment has to be processed through your online banking using the MOI/Sadad account before your appointment. The cost is 400 SAR for 10 years and 200 SAR for a 5 years licence. This must be done before your test date.

Step 5: Use the list of clinics suggested to get your medical done. It usually is weight/height/ BP/ eye test/Blood test and a quick chat with a doctor to confirm you are fit. The clinic emails the report directly to the MOI and you can collect a copy, usually the next day. You will receive a text to confirm it has been sent to the MOI. Please note you must have the school's business code for the blood test and it begins with 700

Step 6: Once you have done all the above you will go for the appointment at the MOI. You will have received an SMS about your appointment, time and map. At the test location you will first complete a form. Then you will be shown what to do. A simple drive around a circuit and then complete a parallel parking task at 20mph. Some testers show you first, others shout out the instructions telling you what to do. It is very simple and lasts about five minutes.

Once completed, you go back into the office and hand in the form, show your UK licence and give a fingerprint. Once all this is completed you are given documentation which you take to the counter and your Saudi licence is printed and given to you.

Saudi Arabia is nicknamed the ‘sandpit’ by its residents. The Kingdom is famous for being home to the world’s largest sand desert, the Rub' Al Khali, also known as the Empty Quarter. As you can imagine, that means dry and hot conditions the vast majority of the year in most regions. However, a wonderful part of exploring it is discovering that it also has oases, mountains and untouched sections of the Red Sea with waters so pristine that they are clear through and through.

Here in Riyadh, from around March/April through to September/October, temperatures sit between 29 and 40+ degrees celsius, otherwise known as ‘tanning weather’. The remaining months bring a dry cold, typical of desert lands. Locals like to say “we really only have two seasons.” So, light breathable clothing is needed most of the year. For women, the great thing is abayas are seasonally customised, with options that keep you cool and others that really keep you warm!

BANKING AND FINANCE

Saudi Arabia possesses a sophisticated banking system comparable to any major city in the world. The Kingdom is part of the SWIFT network, meaning funds can be transferred to any major financial destination with relative ease.

The country’s major source of revenue is through oil, however this is changing rapidly as a result of a concerted effort to move away from oil dependency. The local currency is the Riyal which is pegged to the US dollar at SAR1$ = 3.75, providing an element of certainty for most expatriates living and working here.

The Kingdom is home to a wide range of local and international banks. Opening a bank account/applying for a car loan/credit card is an easy and painless process. Most banks understand the value that expatriates bring and go out of their way to provide products that make life easy. Most people are able to open a bank account after the issuance of their Iqama, and can apply for car loans/credit or invest in the local stock market (Tadawul) after presenting three months of payslips and a salary certificate from their employer.

Transferring your salary back home can be done through your bank or a number of regulated currency brokers.