Our Guiding Statements Our Vision Providing world-class education
Our Mission To empower students with a rigorous, holistic and international education for success in an ever -changing world
Our Philosophy • To be recognised by the success of our students in achieving their personal goals • To make student development the centre of all school decisions • To aspire to the highest internationally recognized performance standards • To build and celebrate a culture based on internationalism • To enable the staff to become life-long learners through the development of their professional practice
Our Core Values Achievement | Collaboration | Innovation | Integrity | Respect | Responsibility
The RWA Motto ‘Towards Excellence’
The RWA Mascot Arabian Stallion
The RWA definition of International Mindedness International mindedness begins when we are open to and curious about the world in which we live, respect our own culture and want to know about the culture of others. We progress to acknowledge our common humanity and to recognise and value diversity existing within our communities, whether local, national or global. We exercise our individual and collective responsibilities as world citizens to safeguard the planet we share, promote peace, challenge injustice and engage in improving welfare for all, especially the disadvantaged. We seek to develop a deep understanding of the complexity, diversity and motives that underpin human actions and interactions. We strive to foster mutual respect, dialogue and cooperation through being open and willing to see the world through the lens of all those who share it with us. As an IB World School, international mindedness is embodied in our implementation of the IB Learner Profile, which challenges students to be communicators in multiple languages, principled in their promotion of international justice, risk-takers in the spirit of exploring new cultures, knowledgeable about world issues, thinkers about complex problems, caring and committed to service, inquirers about the world, open-minded toward other perspectives, balanced in their approach to life, and reflective about their own personal development.
The IBO Mission Statement The International Baccalaureate (IB) aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. To this end the organisation works with schools, governments and international organisations to develop challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment. These programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.
The IB Learner Profile At RWA we aim to supplement our own guiding statements along with the IB Learner Profile which we regard to be relevant to students in the primary, all of whom follow the IBPYP (Primary Years Programme, KG1 – Grade 5). IB learners strive to be: Inquirers We nurture our curiosity, developing skills for inquiry and research and research. We know how to learn independently and with others. We learn with enthusiasm and sustain our love of learning throughout life.
Knowledgeable We develop and use conceptual understanding, exploring knowledge across a range of disciplines. We engage with issues and ideas that have local and global significance.
Thinkers We use critical and creative thinking skills to analyse and take responsible action on complex problems. We exercise initiative in making reasoned, ethical decisions.
Communicators We express ourselves confidently and creatively in more than one language and in many ways. We collaborate effectively, listening carefully to the perspectives of other individuals and groups.
Principled We act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness and justice, and with respect for the dignity and rights of people everywhere. We take responsibility for our actions and their consequences.
Open-minded We critically appreciate our own cultures and personal histories, as well as the values and traditions of others. We seek and evaluate a range of points of view, and we are willing to grow from the experience.
Caring We show empathy, compassion and respect. We have a commitment to service, and we act to make a positive difference to the lives of others and in the world around us.
Risk-takers We approach uncertainty with forethought and determination; we work independently and cooperatively to explore new ideas and innovative strategies. We are resourceful and resilient in the face of challenges and change.
Balanced We understand the importance of balancing different aspects of our lives – intellectual, physical, and emotional – to achieve well-being for ourselves and others. We recognize our independence with other people and with the world in which we live.
Reflective We thoughtfully consider the world and our own ideas and experience. We work to understand our strengths and weaknesses in order to support our learning and personal development. In addition to these concepts, content and skills that are embedded in the curriculum, students are taught and practice the attitudes outlined by the IB. These attitudes are descriptive of a person who is a responsible citizen of their local and worldwide community.
At Raffles World Academy (RWA), we take our responsibility for the education, care and welfare of each child very seriously. It helps us establish the cornerstones that support the growth of lifelong learners as well as imbibe values that will help them become positive and productive contributors to the communities they live in.
Established in 2008 as Raffles International School (West Campus), the school has grown significantly. In 2012, with established programmes and strong IB Diploma results, the school was renamed Raffles World Academy (RWA).
Raffles World Academy is committed to imparting excellence in education by striving to provide each student with opportunities to reach their full potential as lifelong learners in a holistic, challenging and supportive learning environment. RWA is an IB World School that offers a continuum IB curriculum (PYP, MYP, IBDP) from KG 1 to Grade 12. The IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) is offered from KG 1 to Grade 5, the MYP in secondary school from grades 6 to 10 and the IB Diploma Programme (DP) is offered in grades 11 and 12. The school has an international population of over 1990 pupils from more than 85 nationalities and an equally diverse academic and administrative team. RWA is an IB World School and is accredited by the Council of International School (CIS) and the IB. It is a member of the Middle East IB Association (MEIBA) and one of the first schools to receive the prestigious Green Flag from Eco-Schools UAE. The rigour of the IB curriculum and the IB Diploma Programme challenges students to meet internationally recognised standards in academic achievement while preparing them for the higher education and the knowledge economy. Students graduate from RWA with a broadened world-view and the mental agility to pursue their dreams in an ever-changing global landscape.
Realising our Dreams What do you dream for your child? As parents, we all want our children to be healthy, happy, well-adjusted and well-educated so that one day they can realise their own dreams. We look ahead and envision them in their chosen careers, even raising a family of their own one day. At Raffles World Academy, we help lay the foundations that can nurture those dreams to reality.
How do we do that? We implement best practice available in education to secure your child’s successful future from nursery through primary and on into secondary and college entrance. RWA delivers a world-class curriculum based on the best standards and practices of school systems around the globe. At RWA, your child has the opportunity to interact and make friends with students from different parts of the world that helps them gain a truly international experience.
Creating our Dreams
The IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) at Raffles World Academy offers each child a journey to discover our place as citizens of the world. It is a trans-disciplinary programme designed to foster development of the whole child, not only in the classroom, but also through other means of learning. Kindergarten (KG1 & KG2) Children from the age of four to five years may attend kindergarten. The premises consist of spacious and bright classrooms, separate rooms for music, movement and languages and large indoor and outdoor play areas. The early years of a child’s life are the most formative. During this period, children absorb innumerable impressions from their surroundings as their inner development takes place. Very young children are happiest when their living environment is familiar and constant. They thrive on routine, external order, encouragement and respect for their individuality. RWA kindergarten is an early learning centre with a child-centred programme in which the needs, abilities and interests of each child are met. Our curriculum does not concentrate solely on academic achievement, but also on the physical, emotional and social development of children at pre-school age level. Children learn through playful investigation and reflection. As young authors, scientists, mathematicians, artists, historians, singers, and dancers, they make meaning by observing, approximating, recording, performing, questioning, confirming, telling, re-telling, thinking, feeling, and searching.
Making our mark in a diverse world Primary School (Grades 1-5) A good start in education is essential in the building of a strong and enduring foundation for a bright and successful future. Raffles World Academy believes that parents play a fundamental role in the education of children during their formative years. Our curriculum seeks to develop a “partnership with parents� where information about the programme - about how enquiry develops into knowledge and understanding - is shared with the parents in regular information sessions as well as updates on the progress of their children on a regular basis. This approach is useful for parents and effective for children. After all, children will succeed if they are motivated, confident and encouraged, and parents actively take part in this partnership with RWA. At RWA, the concern, care and love for each young child takes centre-stage at all times.
Raffles World Academy - IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) The Primary Years Programme is an inquiry-based programme which focuses on the comprehensive development of a child, addressing social, physical, emotional and cultural needs. For further details and a short film introduction, please go to www.ibo.org/pyp
Reaching our Goals Secondary School (Grades 6-10) Building on the strong foundation of the Primary School Programme (PYP), students in the lower secondary school level begin to refine their skills and train for future success. Our aim is to build their self-confidence and encourage them to explore and discover the wider world around them – all done within a rich, culturally diverse community. We harness our collective experiences to embed empathy and responsibility, and to ensure students feel good about the choices they make. We prize the academic and social enrichment of every member of our school. Students are motivated to grasp opportunities and develop skills to succeed in a future they will help shape. The secondary school follows the Middle Years Programme (MYP) of the International Baccalaureate, which, as can be seen in the graphic below, covers all essential learning areas but also emphasises interdisciplinary learning. Clearly defined learning outcomes are given for each subject area and they are measured internally by criterion-referenced assessment. Students are externally assessed at the end of Grade 10 via on-screen examinations and are awarded an MYP certificate, before moving on to the two-year IB Diploma Programme (DP).
Secondary School (Grades 11-12) We are one of a very small number of schools in the UAE to offer three exciting pathways for students in grades 11 and 12. This gives students more opportunities to access the world’s best universities.
Pathway one – the IB DIPLOMA PROGRAMME (Grades 11-12) The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is a rigorous, pre-university course of studies leading to examinations, which meet the needs of highly motivated secondary students between the ages of 16 and 19 years. It is designed as a comprehensive two-year curriculum that allows its graduates to fulfill requirements of various national education systems. The curriculum is displayed in the shape of a circle with six academic areas surrounding the core. Subjects are studied concurrently and students are exposed to the two great traditions of learning: the humanities and the sciences. They also study theory of knowledge, undertake an individual research project known as the extended essay and participate in a variety of CAS (creativity, action and service) activities. Graduates from Raffles World Academy will be prepared to take full advantage of whatever higher education or university education has to offer. For students who might find the demands of the IB Diploma too challenging, individual IB courses are also available.
Pathway two - International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (IBCP) The career-related programme aims to bridge the gap between academic rigour, industry related learning and the development of key employability skills. The programme is a framework of international education that incorporates the values of the IB into a unique programme addressing the needs of students engaged in career-related education. Students complete at least two IB Diploma Programme courses of their choice, four unique CP core components and a career-related study offered by the school. For CP students, DP courses provide the theoretical underpinning and academic rigour of the programme; the career-related study further supports the programme’s academic strength and provides practical, real-world approaches to learning; and the CP core helps them to develop skills and competencies required for lifelong learning. The programme leads to universities, apprenticeships or employment.
Striving for Excellence
Languages With over 86 nationalities represented, Raffles World Academy is well aware of the need to encourage and nurture students’ abilities to become global communicators. Languages offered include: Arabic, which is mandatory for all students in the UAE; French and Spanish; and Arabic ‘B’ for non-native speakers. Students are grouped according to their ability in the relevant language within each grade. In addition to these languages, French, German, Russian and Spanish mother tongue languages are also offered to native speaking students only. These classes are run by private teachers and there is an additional cost to participate in these classes. It is not compulsory for native speaking students of the above languages to participate in these classes.
Inclusion While holding high expectations of our students here at RWA, we accept differences as part of who we are individually. Part of these differences may entail differences in the way we learn. We believe that success is available to every student, if we work with them at the level they need us to, based on how they learn. To this end, our Inclusion department looks after students experiencing special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), students with English as an additional language (EAL) and students that are highly able who come under the talented and gifted (TAG). Our inclusion team caters to students from KG1 to Grade 12 and tailor-make support programs according to what would give our students the best chance at success.
Facilities
Dining
Raffles World Academy covers a total area of over 30,000 square metres, with ample capacity for up to 2,250 students. The vast premises houses world-class learning facilities as well as sporting and recreational facilities. These include: • Networked library
• Science laboratories
• Classrooms equipped with latest instructional audio-visual facilities (LCD projector/visualiser/sound system)
• Computer laboratories • Soccer field
• Tutorial rooms
• Sports hall
• Theatre
• Basketball courts
• Art rooms
• Badminton courts
• Dance studio
• Tennis courts
• Music rooms
• Prayer rooms with ablution facilities
• Swimming pools
Students can enjoy open and spacious classrooms and at the same time, use educational tools such as projectors and computer clusters provided to enhance their learning process.
English as an additional language (EAL) is available for those students who have been assessed by As Raffles World Academy caters to international students, we serve a wide range of balanced meals in our canteen to suit different tastes. Students can bring their own packed lunch to school or purchase lunch from the canteen at reasonable prices.
Transport Raffles World Academy has contracted Arab Falcon Bus Rental LLC, a reputable transportation company which is being used by a number of schools in Dubai to ensure that we are providing our students a safe, reliable and professional transport service.
Co-Curricular Activities Raffles World Academy is committed to ensuring that our students excel in the academic curriculum as well as in co-curricular activities. We offer a wide range of activities and encourage participation in various co-curricular activities to aid the holistic development of our students by building their self-esteem and improving their performance in academics, sports and other extra-curricular fields. A variety of activities are scheduled during the year including: • Library-related activities
• Art activities
• Music classes
• Drama club
• Sports programmes
• Hobby clubs
• Debating club
• Robotics and coding club
• Environment club Well-rounded students are usually more prepared for challenges in life. Raffles World Academy is committed to ensuring that our students excel in the academic curriculum, and also in the cocurricular programmes. Activities at all levels (primary and secondary school) capitalise on teacher/ sponsor interests and skills in sports (tennis, swimming, basketball, football, etc.), the arts (music, drama and painting), and technology. A number of mother tongue language programmes are also offered as part of CCA in the primary school. There are no co-curricular activities for KG
Why you should make us your next school
About Innoventures Education
We promote excellence through learning, by sharing success, ensuring students leave with more than good grades, encourage broad talents, as a good education is not all about academic excellence, set individual goals, as achievement means different things to different people, we place get value on the journey, we achieve because the focus is on students, lifelong learning and not just results, we inspire all to be the best they can be, we discover and liberate the motivation to succeed that lies in everyone, we embody an ethos that enables excellence, rather than one that delivers excellence at any cost, we encourage integrity as a form of personal excellence, we provide the opportunity for all to succeed through their own desire, prepare flexible minds, seed excellence into everything and succeed with integrity.
Innoventures Education was established in 2004 with the vision of providing world-class education to Dubai. Dubai International Academy opened in 2005 and within a few years it has been established as one of the premier international schools in Dubai.
1. Genuine academic choice, including internationally-renowned college and university preparatory programmes: 2. The challenge & enrichment programme inspires the very highest level of student achievement 3. Outstanding IBDP exam results ensure our graduates attend some of the most prestigious universities in the world 4. A comprehensive range of teaching and learning strategies for students aged 3 to 18
In 2010, Innoventures Education took over the management of the Raffles Schools and Nurseries in Dubai and added nine Raffles nurseries to its portfolio. Collegiate American School, a premium international school that offers the best of American education with a curriculum based on the American Common Core Standards, was launched in 2011. In 2018, Innoventures Education opened a second campus of Dubai International Academy in Al Barsha offering the IB Continuum of Primary Years (PYP), Middle Years (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP). It also opened Raffles Starters, an early years school offering Pre-KG, KG1 and KG2 based on the Montessori approach and feeding into its schools.
5. Highly qualified and motivated teachers 6. The use of the latest technology to further learning 7. Excellent facilities and exceptional grounds to enhance indoor and outdoor learning 8. Our genuinely international and multicultural community
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9. Extensive sports and co-curricular programmes 10. We live our student-centred philosophy and values.
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Dubai International Academy AL BARSHA
Today over 7,000 pupils from over 100 countries, ranging in age from 12 months to 18 years, study in schools and nurseries managed by Innoventures Education, making it a significant stakeholder in the education sector in Dubai.
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Collegiate American School Umm Suqeim 2 Tel: +9714 427 1400/1402/1403
2 Dubai International Academy Emirates Hills Tel: +9714 368 4111
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Dubai International Academy Al Barsha Toll Free 800-ENROL (36765)
4 Raffles World Academy Umm Suqeim Tel: +9714 427 1300/1302/1303
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Raffles International School Umm Suqeim Tel: +9714 427 1200/1202/1203
Raffles Starters & Nurseries 6 Raffles Starters, The Springs Souk, Tel: +9714 427 1241/1233 7 Umm Suqeim, Tel: +9714 427 1228
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9 Emirates Hills, Tel: +9714 427 1461
10 Town Centre, Tel: +9714 427 1458
11 Lakes, Tel: +9714 427 1471
12 Hattan Gardens, Tel: +9714 427 1472
13 Springs 7, Tel: +9714 427 1466
14 Arabian Ranches 1, Tel: +9714 427 1476
15 Arabian Ranches 2, Tel: +9714 430 7129
Dubai Marina, Tel: +9714 427 1473
www.rwadubai.com
Raffles World Academy Al Marcup Street, Umm Suqeim 3, Dubai, UAE. Tel: +9714 427 1300 / 1302 / 1303 • E-mail: rwaadmissions@rwadubai.com