Raptors HB 2627

RAHA RAPTORS ALL ABOUT SPORT. ECP’S, EXTERNAL PROVIDERS

INTRODUCTION At Raha, our vision for sport is aligned with the school’s mission: we grow people, and we use sport as the vehicle to do so. The Raha Raptors Sports Programme is designed not only to develop athletic ability and physical literacy, but also to strengthen the values and learner traits that underpin the IB curriculum. Through sport, we create opportunities for students to demonstrate resilience, perseverance, integrity, and communication, while fostering balance and well-being as lifelong habits.

Our philosophy rests interconnected pillars:

on

three

Raptors - Competition: Pathways for our athletes to excel and represent Raha in competitive competitions

Sport 4 All:

Ensuring inclusive opportunities where every student can participate, belong, and thrive.

Curriculum: A dynamic and purposeful PE programme that builds fundamental skills, promotes physical literacy, and directly enhances the IB learner profile.

“While these pillars often overlap, every activity we deliver has a clear purpose and contributes to the holistic growth of our students. Whether on the pitch, in the pool, or in the classroom, sport at Raha is a powerful extension of the IB curriculum and an essential part of growing principled, balanced, and confident young people”.

Ben Sapwell-West - Director of Sport

STRATEGIC GOALS

OUR MISSION: WE GROW PEOPLE, THROUGH SPORT. OUR DRIVERS Our school-wide driving principles were constructed in consultation with the broader community during 2023/24. This suggested that our language and core values centred around the IB Learner Profile, Approaches to Learning, and the school’s vision could be redefined and simplified.

In 2023/24, in consultation with the broader community, we redefined and simplified our core values. These values guide everything we do through sport.

We plan explicitly for excellence. Sports are prioritised,we set KPI’s and reflect consistently.

85% of our stakeholders feel informed through accurate, consistent and prompt information.

RELATIONSHIPS We offer sporting opportunities for all students. We adapt to student demand and aim increase participation rates.

EXCELLENCE

ASPIRATION

EXTRA CURRICULAR

EXTERNAL PROVIDERS At Raha, we are fortunate to have strong connections with a range of external providers who deliver high-quality sporting opportunities to our students from EY right through to Grade 12.

Our partnerships span across swimming, tennis, volleyball, gymnastics, football, and many more activities.

We offer a wide variety of options, both free of charge and as paid services, ensuring that every student can find a pathway that suits their interests and aspirations.

Some of these programmes also operate as part of our Raptors pathway, with fixtures and competitions included, but are run and facilitated by our external providers in collaboration with the Raha teaching team.

For further information about external providers, please contact Ms. Pippa at ecp@ris.ae.

THE RAPTORS PROGRAMME The Raptors programme is open to students from Grade 2 upwards. Our teams compete locally and across the UAE. We are planning to add international tours to our schedule.

Training and fixture commitments vary by sport, though in PYP most run on a termly basis. At PYP and U13 level, we do not “drop” or “cut” students — all are welcome to join the ECP and continue to strive for selection. Squad sizes, however, must be capped based on staffing, facilities, and health and safety.

At U15 and U19 level, teams are merit-based, and where possible we aim to field two or three squads.

Raptors teams compete in a wide range of events, including the ADISSA League, ADEK Cup, Taaleem Cup, Platinum Sports (U9), and BSAK 7’s Invitational, with more exciting competitions to come.

Termly calendars, sign-up dates and specific fixture information are pushed through our major communication pathways: SchoolsBuddy, Toddle, Raha Reminders and Instagram.

WHAT WE OFFER AND WHY? In line with our driver of Excellence, we plan and prepare with the intention of helping our teams excel and perform at their best. While we would love to give equal time and energy to every sport, this is not always possible due to staffing, facilities, resourcing, and student interest.

To ensure balance and fairness, we are explicit and deliberate in how we allocate coaching expertise and funding. Sports are prioritised based on the resources and opportunities available, and we use a tiered system

Green Sports: Well-resourced programmes with strong coaching and facilities. These sports have clear KPIs, defined performance goals, and are assessed regularly.

Orange Sports: Seasonal or developing programmes. While there may be limitations, we remain aspirational and compete to the best of our ability.

Red Sports: Recreational / ECP-based Sports: Programmes with limited fixtures or informal structures, often due to smaller numbers or facility constraints.

“ We are reflective and continually review sports to ensure they sit in the most appropriate tier, allowing us to focus resources where excellence is most achievable while still offering broad opportunities. “

OUR SPORTING CODES Green: Swimming, Touch Rugby, Football, Volleyball, Triathlon, Basketball, Water-polo

Orange: Netball, Cricket, Rugby, Athletics, Jiu-Jitsu

Red: Badminton, Running Clubs, Cycling, HIIT/Hyrox, Cheerleading, Chess, Tennis, Golf, Padel

White: To Be Determined and under review for future inclusion or development : Futsal, Table Tennis

PYP RAPTORS FULL YEAR SQUADS: PYP Swim Squad, PYP Triathlon Team, Cheer Squad - selection based only

TERM ONE: U9 Girls Football, U11 Girls Netball, U9 Touch Rugby, U11 Boys Football, Run Club

TERM TWO: U9 Girls Netball, U11 Girls Football, U9 Boys Football, U11 Rugby, PYP Athletics *, Tennis Fixtures *, Badminton Club *

TERM THREE: U9/11 Boys & Girls Basketball, U11 Cricket, PYP Volleyball

We’ve done our best to make this as accurate as possible, but please note that seasons and entries may change as the year unfolds. Astrex sports are pending.

MYP / DCP RAPTORS FULL YEAR SQUADS: Swim Squad, Triathlon Team

TERM ONE: U13, 15, 19 Girls Netball, U13, 15, 19 Boys Football, U15/U19 Boys Volleyball, U19 Girls Volleyball, Senior Cricket, U19 Water polo, Jnr NBA U12, U14, U16 Boys & U16 Girls

TERM TWO: U13, 15, 17 Rugby, Secondary Girls Rugby *, U13, 15, 19 Girls Football, U13 Boys Volleyball, U15 Girls Volleyball, Jnr NBA Continuation, Secondary Select Squad Volleyball, MYP Athletics *, Padel Club *

TERM THREE: Social Badminton, U13 Cricket, U13/U15 Boys & Girls Basketball, ADEK cup V/JV Basketball, U16 Water polo

We’ve done our best to make this as accurate as possible, but please note that seasons and entries may change as the year unfolds and we are given updated competition dates

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Uniforms:

Pick Ups:

Students can purchase Raptors uniforms

Students must be collected promptly after

through the online Kukri store. From this year, uniforms will be stocked in the UAE, with delivery reduced to approximately 2–3 days.

fixtures and training. In line with ADEK policy, all students aged 15 and under must be collected by an approved adult. This is nonnegotiable.

Communication:

Trainings:

SchoolsBuddy is our platform for:

Attendance at training is required for team selection. To support families with

Managing attendance

the new ADEK pick-up policies, many

Sharing fixture and training

training sessions will be scheduled before

details with parents

school. This also helps with heat policies

Collecting permission forms All students must have parental permission before

participating

in

fixtures.

Fixture

information will be shared as soon as available, with a minimum of 72 hours’ notice.

We will also use the following platforms to communicate with our community: Raha Reminders,

Toddle,

Instagram,

notices through powerpoint. .

student

Our Coaches: We are fortunate to have outstanding coaches. Alongside our PE team, many homeroom

and

subject

specialist

teachers also contribute. Raha has the highest

number

of

non-PE

staff

supporting sport across Taaleem schools - something we are proud of and deeply grateful for.