HIS HIGHNESS
Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani
AMIR STATE OF QATAR
HIS HIGHNESS
Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani
FATHER AMIR STATE OF QATAR
OUR History
SHERBORNE SCHOOL is an independent boys’ boarding school re-founded in 1550 under a royal charter granted by King Edward VI. It has grown into a modern school of nearly 600 pupils and about 100 teaching staff. Surrounded by the bustling market town, the school attracts pupils from across the world. Sherborne Preparatory School is an independent coeducational school for children aged 3-13 years.
The school has a long and distinguished history and an enviable academic reputation as a feeder to many of England’s leading independent schools. As of April 2021 Sherborne Preparatory School has been part of Sherborne School. Sherborne Qatar was founded in 2009 and is a joint venture between Sherborne School and Sheikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Thani. Members of the Qatari royal family such as the Emir, HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, have attended.Shirburnians follow a diverse range of careers at the highest levels and include diplomats, bishops, politicians, journalists, actors, poets and musicians.
Sherborne Qatar is a founding member of Qatar’s Ministry of Education & Further Education Outstanding Schools Initiative and is overseen by the Ministry’s Private Schools Office. Sherborne Qatar is a selffinanced, not-for-profit school with its own Board of Governors, of which Sherborne School has half of the appointed membership. Our ethos, brand and educational standards are overseen by and aligned to Sherborne School.
FROM THE CEO
Sherborne Qatar was launched on the 9th of September 2009. Today, we are celebrating 15 years and 15 days of educational excellence. I am proud of our achievements over the past 15 years, but I am even more excited about the possibilities that lie ahead in the next 15 years. I will share more about future developments shortly.
In 2009, I was asked to establish a school in the image of Sherborne UK. This request, made by the Founding Principal, Dr. Colin Niven, initially puzzled me because Sherborne School in the UK is a Senior Boys Boarding School, while I was tasked with establishing a Junior Co-Educational Prep School. These are two schools at completely different ends of the education spectrum. However, it did not take long to realize that we shared the same values and a holistic approach to education. It became apparent that, although we were different, by placing our pupils at the centre of all that we do, we could genuinely say we shared the same educational ethos as Sherborne UK, and we could proudly call our pupils Shirburnians.
Founding a new school is not easy and requires many people to work collaboratively towards a specific goal. There are far too many individuals to thank, but by mentioning just a few, I hope everyone realizes that I am attempting to highlight the outstanding work of all staff in creating the schools we are celebrating today. If I do not mention your name in this short section, I hope I have not caused any offense, but there have been too many excellent staff members since 2009 to mention you all.
Firstly, I must acknowledge the leadership and support given to the school, and to myself personally, by Sheikh Abdulla, our Chairman of Governors. Thank you for the trust you have shown in all of us to run your schools.
I would also like to thank Sheikha Amal, our Managing Director, for her continued advice and guidance, especially with respect to the culture of Qatar.
From the admin team, I would like to highlight two former members: Mrs. Gill Johnson, who is here as a parent today but was our first professional Marketing Manager in 2012, bringing our marketing and communication into the modern era; and Mrs. Emma Keefe, who did an amazing job looking after me and the entire Executive team for the last seven years.
From Sherborne UK, I would like to thank Professor Richard Hodder Williams and Michael French for their incredible support and guidance. They were Founding Governors and true visionaries in establishing Sherborne in the State of Qatar. Both gentlemen remain interested in the progress of the schools, and I meet with them each year to keep them informed.
From the staff, I am spoiled for choice in whom to mention to epitomize the hard work and commitment of so many great teachers. However, I would like to thank Ms. Susan Saada, who has been with Sherborne for almost the entire 15 years and works tirelessly for the benefit of her pupils. She is also an amazing advocate for her subjects, Arabic and Islamic studies.
I heard just last week that Sherborne Qatar School for Girls had been awarded the prestigious Microsoft Showcase School status. Achieving this distinction takes incredible effort from the whole staff, but in particular, this award is thanks to the enthusiasm and knowledge of Jo Gilbert. Jo has recently relocated to the new Boys School, so unfortunately, she needs to start the process again, but we all have confidence that she can once again achieve this amazing accomplishment.
Mr. Richard Williams has been a colleague and friend since 2009, and I have relied on his wisdom and guidance more times than I can mention. Thank you for all that you have done for the school and the support you have shown me personally.
From the Ministry of Education, I would like to acknowledge the support from Dr. Ibrahim Al Nuaimi, the Undersecretary at the Ministry of Education and Higher Education. Back in 2009, Dr. Ibrahim was the Chairman of the Outstanding Schools Council and played a key role in bringing Sherborne to Qatar.
The most important group of people in any school are the pupils. Here, I would like to mention Ghada Al Enazi, a pupil who has faced more challenges in her life than many of us could imagine. She joined the Prep School when she was entering Year 3, and I remember accepting her application faster than any other pupil during my time as Headmaster. She greeted me with such a warm smile and gracious good morning that I knew she would make a great Shirburnian. I met with Ghada just yesterday, and she told me of her plans to study business during her GCSEs and hopefully at university. She still has the warmest smile.
One of my favourite memories as Headmaster was watching a young man play goalie for his House and seeing
his father’s reaction when he made a save. This might not seem like an outstanding event, but when you realize that Esaa has cerebral palsy and had to use a walking frame or wheelchair in his daily life, you can appreciate the enormity of Esaa being involved in house sports. However, it was the reaction of the other children that made this one of my favourite memories. They did not take it easy on Esaa but adapted the game by lowering the crossbar to ensure their friend had a chance to save the ball. Apart from that small change, he was treated equally by his friends, and the celebrations when they won the match were magical—a wonderful example of the values we pride ourselves on at Sherborne. For your information, Esaa is now studying Law at Exeter University.
Sharaka Holdings is our Qatari holding company, and I must thank Mr. Amer, the CEO, for his friendship and guidance as we work together to achieve our shared goal of creating the British Schools of choice in Qatar.
I have mentioned a few people by name, but as I alluded to before, I hope everyone associated with the school understands that by highlighting these individuals, I aim to thank everyone who has been involved in the school. Thank you all for your efforts to create an excellent group of schools with the same ethos and high expectations as Sherborne UK.
Back in 2009, we originally planned to build one central campus, but after considerable thought and discussions, it was decided to build a family of schools. We believe it is to the pupils’ benefit to be in smaller and more nurturing schools, where everyone is known and appreciated for their individual talents. The Sherborne Qatar Family of Schools now consists of a Boys School, a Girls School, an all-through Co-Educational School, and a stand-alone Prep School, which includes specialist provision for children with Special Educational Needs (SEN). I am delighted with the development of all the schools, but the SEN provision holds a special place in my heart.
Thirty-five years ago, I started my teacher training in Cheltenham, specializing in Physical Education. Much of my training involved coaching a special group of children in preparation for their swimming and athletics events for the National Special Olympics. They were an amazing group who couldn’t try harder to improve their skills and please everyone around them. I owe this group of children a great deal, as they were responsible for making me the teacher and educational leader I am today. I always wanted to repay them for their
kindness. Therefore, starting a school to help similar children became an important ambition of mine. I am hugely grateful to Sheikh Abdulla, who encouraged and supported me in setting up this school, and to Sam Campion Gibson for making my dream a reality. I hope the children of Paternoster Special School would be pleased with the school we have created in Qatar.
This seems like the perfect time to announce that, following meetings with the Qatar Olympic Committee, Sherborne Qetaf will be hosting the National Indoor Special Olympics next January. This will be a hugely prestigious event, and I am sure it will be greatly enjoyed by our pupils.
Our 15th Anniversary Logo mentions academic excellence, but I hope we have achieved much more than pure academic success since 2009. I hope we have encouraged our pupils to take risks with their learning, to make a wide variety of friends, to try new challenges and activities, and to have fun in their learning. We have achieved academic excellence, as highlighted by our recent A Level results, but to me, academic excellence is not just about examination results. It is about teaching a child how to read so they can access the world of books. Academic excellence is teaching a child how to hold a pencil and make marks on a page, which will grow and develop and eventually lead to amazing creativity within art. It is about mastering a second language (1,200 of our pupils speak English as a second language), appreciating and enjoying music, having the confidence to participate in public speaking, or excelling at debating and the Model United Nations. Ultimately, I believe that academic excellence is about outstanding teachers developing a true connection with their pupils and supporting each individual to have a genuine love for learning and to achieve standards that were perhaps beyond their initial expectations. Good schools should not just be a hotbed for examination results; they should offer a genuine holistic education, an all-round education that encourages challenge, creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, community, leadership, and very importantly, charity and service. Unfortunately, this list
would not fit on the poster, so we adopted the term “Academic Excellence” as a general statement for all that we stand for.
Ten years ago, I was the Headmaster of the Prep School, and as part of our 5th anniversary celebrations, we buried a time capsule, which was dug up last week by some of the boys at our new Boys School. As the Headmaster, I wrote a letter to the future Head of the Prep School, who is now Mrs. Heidi Berry, and I would like to read a short extract from that letter to you now:
“A very warm welcome to you all as you celebrate 15 years of this wonderful school, from 10 years in the past. I am sure many things have changed over the last 10 years, although I am not convinced we will have ‘hover iPads or unicorns’ as suggested by a Year 1 pupil back in 2014. But I also hope many things have remained the same. I hope that the relationships between pupils and teachers have remained at the forefront of teaching and that the school community continues to work together for the benefit of all the pupils. I hope technology has not taken over from books and that children still use their imaginations to write stories. I hope that we all enjoy our sport and physical activities and continue to flourish during plays and public speaking. I hope there is still time to paint with our fingers and to take time to enjoy the creativity all around us. I hope we are still a proud British School that benefits hugely from being guests in this wonderful country of Qatar, supported by our friends from around the world. It was an absolute pleasure to lead this school in its first few years, and I hope that whoever is Head now will be as happy as I was, and I wish you and your school every success for the next 15 years. With very best wishes, Nick Prowse.”
I feel that many of my wishes in 2014 have remained true. The teachers at Sherborne continue to encourage creativity, and they do allow the children to paint with their fingers. The teachers continue to develop honest relationships with their pupils. Sport and physical activity are still of paramount importance, and I believe we are still a proud British School. We continue to find the individual talent within each pupil and nurture it to
its fullest potential
However, my concern about technology overshadowing books is growing. I believe that reading is the best indicator of future academic success, as supported by a recent study. A study published in The Journal of Pediatrics in August 2024 found that children who are regularly read to during their early years have a more extensive vocabulary and better language skills by the time they start school. These advantages translate into higher literacy levels, which are strong predictors of academic success in later years.
I think every teacher would agree with this statement. Moreover, many of us feel that the increased reliance on social media as a form of entertainment for our youngest children has the potential to undermine their future intelligence by reducing their ability to read and enjoy a good book.
My current favourite question during interviews is: “With the rapid growth of AI, do the three-year-olds who have just joined our school need to learn to read and write?” I am not sure there is a correct answer to this question, but it certainly leads to very interesting discussions about the future of education. Every candidate seems to have a different opinion, often based on the subject or age group they teach. What I do know is that the way we teach and what we teach must change. We need to be teaching skills, including reading, rather than just subjects if we are to prepare our pupils for the uncertain yet exciting future they will enter when they leave school or university. AI can already simultaneously translate meetings and presentations, write essays, and read texts; it can even write 15th Anniversary speeches! And yes, I used AI to write a small portion of this speech. If you think you know which part, please come and speak to me afterward to see if you are correct.
As part of my dissertation for my Master’s Degree, I quoted an article in an Arabic newspaper which stated that the average 11-year-old English-speaking girl reads 12 novels a year, while the equivalent 11-year-old Arabic boy reads on average just 11 pages a year. This is a very worrying statistic.
My message here is clear: as a school community, we must work together to ensure all of our pupils, especially the boys, are surrounded by and exposed to great literature, from Dr. Seuss to Shakespeare, until they find a joy in reading or, at a minimum, master the skill of reading. I strongly believe that the ability to read will have a significant impact on their future academic ability.
The Sherborne Qatar Family of Schools is proud to celebrate 15 years of excellence in Qatar, but I feel the next 15 years will be even more crucial as we develop new educational models and strategies that embrace the rapidly changing world. We need to be leaders in developing a new approach to teaching, one that provides our pupils with the best opportunity to be successful
while they are at school and afterward when they enter the wider world. This is why, as I mentioned earlier, academic excellence cannot be determined solely by examination results. We need to consider new and innovative approaches to education. These approaches will include the increased use of technology but must not exclude the vital skill of reading.
We have created a Family of Schools in Qatar over the last 15 years, but we are not stopping there. We are planning new schools throughout the MENA region, with our next school opening in Jeddah in September 2025, and hopefully Riyadh in 2026. We are also in discussions to open schools in Oman and the UAE. These additional schools will provide wonderful opportunities for staff and pupils alike. Pupils can compete internationally in debating, music, academic quizzes, and of course, sports. Staff can become involved in greater opportunities for training and possible exchanges within the group of schools. It is an exciting future for Sherborne MENA.
As we grow into a larger group of schools, I am hopeful that we will have the opportunity to influence future educational policy and perhaps develop new educational pathways for our pupils.
As I come to the end of my allotted time, I would ask for the opportunity to thank one final group of people and that is my family. To Beccy, Alexander, Sophie and Amelia, I am hugely grateful for your love and support over the last 15 years, I appreciate that I have missed many birthdays, family occasions and special events whilst I have remained in Qatar, but I promise to make it up to you all when I return home.
I hope you enjoy the remainder of today’s celebration, as well as the other events we have planned for this year.
Thank you.
Prof. Nick Prowse CEO
FROM THE Deputy Head
Teaching for me is the best job in the world! Watching children learn and flourish, knowing you have made a difference, is the best feeling. Daily, we weave our magic; we encourage, motivate, question, reason, challenge and support. Every day we are asked many questions. As practitioners it is our job to explain, how, what, who or why. We warmly smile every time we see children grasp new knowledge or acquire a new skill through their inquisitiveness. It gives us an incredible sense of pride knowing we have made a difference and contributed to their brilliance. Throughout the year, we have seen brilliance across the school, whether that be the fabulous learning in the classrooms, the creativity and confidence on stage through our year group productions, dance and musical talents or the sporting success on and off the field. We have shown just a snippet of the excellence in this edition of the Qatar Shirburnian.
The children, the parents, the staff, the community. You are the Sherborne WAY - wholeness, aspiration, you! When pupils, parents and teachers feel connected, there is a greater sense of belonging, pride in our school and motivation to teach and learn. All school community members have a role to play in learning, in solving problems for adults and children alike and in contributing to the learning goals of all our pupils. By being connected, there is shared responsibility and an overall increase in the learning opportunities for us all.
Life has few guarantees. But one thing you can count on is change. You can’t stop life’s ebbs and flows, but you can learn how to accept change in your life. It’s natural to feel cautious about change. After all, consistency feels comfortable, and the unknown offers more questions than answers.
Every day, we grow into a different version of ourselves. We meet someone new, improve a skill, or read a new fact in a book that gives us new knowledge or clarity about something in our lives. These small moments may be so ordinary that you don’t realise you take a small step forward each day. Even when changes seem scary or even unfair, I do believe that when you embrace change — both small nudges and seismic shifts — you gain more personal development and a deeper sense of fulfilment.
So, to the future, we look forward to growing as a school and embracing the changes ahead, as a team and as a community - The Sherborne WAY!
Sarah Bennett
PRE PREP Pre-School
Time flies when you are having fun! Pre School spent the first few weeks getting to know each other, the school and their teachers. For some it was the first time away from their families, but they all settled in and got used to the school environment. It has been wonderful to see their little happy faces beaming with excitement every morning.
Our youngest children have particularly enjoyed singing, which is a very important part of our daily routine. They built an impressive repertoire of songs and rhymes during our Nursery Rhymes topic.
The children have also enjoyed the All About Me topic, taking part in puppet shows and role play. The Three Billy Goats Gruff and The Enormous Turnip have been amongst the favourites. We had so much fun cooking a vegetable stew, learning about healthy food choices, exploring different types of fruits and vegetables and talking about the various flavours and textures.
We started the Teddy Bears topic with a Build-a-Bear workshop. The children learnt to distinguish between teddy bears and real bears and the importance of treating our teddies with kindness.
The children impressed the audience during our We’re Going on a Bear Hunt production.
Anna Varina
RECEPTION
What a fantastic year we have had in Reception!
After settling into the school routines and making new friends the children immersed themselves into our wonderful topics. During Why am I super? children were developing and applying all the Learning Dispositions needed to be a Superhero. In People Who Help Us at School, and Home, to Stay Safe and Healthy the children were aspiring teachers, doctors, nurses, firefighters and police officers. They were very excited to have a visit from a Paramedic in his Ambulance. They also had lots of fun sharing their learning and completing activities with their parents, during Stay and Play.
Our first Spring Term topic was What a wonderful World in which the children used their own experiences and imagination. We explored the similarities and differences of many cultures.
In Artists and Authors we learned about authors like Julia Donaldson, Roger Hargreaves and David McKee. We recreated artwork in the styles of Van Gogh, Kandinsky and Pop Artists like Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein.
During the Summer Term, we first focused on Dinosaurs and a mysterious, very large, egg appeared in our classroom. It was so exciting! We then moved onto our final topic, What Can We Find in Space? The children thoroughly enjoyed pretending to go in a rocket and walk on the moon. They continued to learn new Maths and English skills throughout the topics.
Sarah Marsden
YEAR 1
YEAR 2
Year 2 enjoyed an exciting year filled with exploration and discovery.
In the Autumn Term pupils delved into the world of Transportation. They took part in several engaging, hands-on activities as they built their own boats, made from everyday materials. In the Food, Glorious Food! enquiry they explored foods from around the world, how animals obtain their food and tapped into their culinary skills as they made healthy pizzas.
The Spring Term took Year 2 into the hustle and bustle of London, where they brought history to life and showcased their creativity and dedication during their production The Great Fire of London. They also visited the Snow Dunes and experienced how the other side of the world live.
In the Summer Term, their exploration continued with The Enchanted Forest. Year 2 also visited the QNCC and watched a mesmerising production of Alice in Wonderland.
Nishat Rahman
LOWER Key Stage 2
YEAR 3
What a joy 3 Cypress has been this year. We had such fun with our World Studies and Enquiry topics. From African weaving to Egyptian hieroglyphs, from Peruvian panpipes to erupting volcanoes! World Book Day was a clear highlight – the children loved completing the scavenger hunt in animal fancy dress. Who could forget our class trips to OliOli and Baladna Farm, potting our own plants, sculpting our own clay pots and taking on the Ninja Warrior obstacle course!
Simon Yearley
“The obstacle course was awesome!” LUKE (3Y)
“I was delighted my butterfly costume won. It took me a whole week to make!” IVY (3Y)
YEAR 4
Year 4 has soared through an incredible year of discovery and adventure! From mastering the art of sketching in the style of DaVinci, to delving deep into circuitry in science, their young minds have flourished. But our journey didn't stop there; we ventured out to make a tangible difference with a beach clean-up initiative, during which we collected more than 80 sacks of rubbish! With each trip and lesson, we've not only learned but also left our mark on the world, igniting a passion for learning and making a difference
UPPER Key Stage 2
YEAR
5
Year 5 started the year by delving into the Ancient World, studying philosophers and enacting daily life scenarios of Ancient Greece. They presented Greece Went to Pieces, a captivating performance showcasing their understanding of Ancient Greek culture and history, whilst using ICT tools and immersing in green screen and VR systems to create backgrounds. They also crafted myths, creating mythical creatures and animations.
In the Spring Term, they tackled the Lost World, addressing global warming and pollution. They produced podcasts on Flip Grid, painted scenes of Antarctica, and studied adaptations in plants and animals.
In the Summer Term, Year 5 transitioned to the Future World and space travel, inspired by the book Curiosity. They designed Mars Rovers, visited Doha Quest, and explored Sci-Fi writing.
Sameena Boota
YEAR 6
What an incredible journey Year 6 have been on this year. In the Autumn Term our War of the Worlds theme took the Year 6 corridor by storm as the children learned the significance of World War 2 and its impact on many lives today. This was highlighted at an Evacuation Day for which the children transformed themselves into evacuees, took shelter whenever the air raid siren sounded and later created their own television broadcasts.
In the Spring Term we dived into the unsolved phenomena of the world and started our Unsolved Mysteries unit in which the children recreated their own stencil artwork inspired by street artist, Banksy. The children also undertook a ferocious Formula One project in which they had to plan, design and test their very own racing cars.
In the Summer Term our theme was Sports Around the World. Analysing the features of Nasser Al Attiyah’s biography, whilst discovering a range of sports biographies, inspired the children to produce some brilliant writing of their own.
Trips included visits to Oli Oli, Dorset (U.K), the 3-2 1 Sports Museum, Kidzania and Doha Quest.
We wish Year 6 all the best as they embark on the next stage of their learning journey.
Kelisha Foster-Russell
ARABIC AND Islamic Studies
The Arabic Department has maintained its success with ongoing development and achievements. Our pupils have represented our school at events such as the Reading Olympics and competitions organized by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education. As a result, they gained confidence in Arabic as a first and second language.
Throughout the year the Arabic Department emphasizes Qatari culture and celebrates diversity through engaging events involving our pupils. A notable highlight this year is the introduction of an Arabic section in the school library, offering a wide array of stories and books for our pupils to enjoy and learn from. Additionally, our Year 6 pupils have showcased their strength in poetry, demonstrating comfort in both reading and presenting.
We are proud that our pupils continue to excel, consistently receiving positive feedback from the Ministry, the school, and parents alike.
ISLAMIC STUDIES
Islamic Studies is a significant component of the Arabic Department, taught in both Arabic and English and aligning with the ministry curriculum. The department offers various resources to enhance pupils’ understanding of Islam. This year, 18 pupils achieved excellent grades in the National Quran Competition. Additionally, several pupils participated in a competition organized by the ministry on the life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Throughout the year, pupils actively engaged in learning and celebrating Islamic traditions. The theme My Values Shape My Identity served as a cornerstone of our teaching, with pupils embodying Islamic values in their daily lives.
Suzan Saada
ENGLISH
The Preparatory School's English Curriculum focuses on Talk for Writing, immersing pupils in model texts with added actions to understand genre structures. Analysing and imitating these texts enhances vocabulary and grammar skills. Each year's themes are linked to inquiry topics, fostering engagement and matrix work. Weekly words enhance spelling, while Accelerated Reader (an online library) elevates guided and home reading.
This year, World Book Day featured animal-themed costumes and activities, igniting enthusiasm for literature.
The year witnessed remarkable progress, promising exciting future English learning at Sherborne Qatar Preparatory School. The school community eagerly anticipates the
French
What a ‘Fantasique’ year of French it has been for all year groups this year as the children have embraced new linguistic challenges and continued to develop their language skills with flair and enthusiasm.
Year 1 launched into the school year practising their numbers from one to ten and have actioned their way through remembering places around town and the rooms of their dream home.
Year 2 sang their way through their favourite seasons and explored different shapes.
Year 3 began the year learning about the francophone world and expressed their likes and dislikes of various fruits, vegetables … and ice cream flavours!
Year 4 transformed into French weather broadcasters whilst Year 5 demonstrated their Oscar- worthy performances in French conversation.
Year 6 battled their way to ‘beat the clock’, tell the time and express their personal opinions around their daily school routine… Bravo all!
Kelisha Foster-Russell
Maths
PRIMARY MATHS CHALLENGE
For the second successive year pupils in Years 5 and 6 took part in the Primary Maths Challenge.
The Challenge is a multiple-choice paper made up of 25 entertaining but tricky mathematics and logic questions. Each year, more than 70,000 children participate worldwide.
Our 12 Gold, Silver and Bronze certificate winners deserve particular congratulations.
A Mathemagical achievement by all – well done!
Simon Yearley
“It really got me thinking!” HAFSA (3Y)
“I was really proud to receive a Gold award!” SAAD (3Y)
IT
The IT curriculum at Bani Hajer focuses on giving each child the opportunity to develop foundational digital literacy skills. Early in the academic year, the children explore safe internet practices and digital citizenship, emphasising responsible online behaviour. Building on this, the children are introduced to a range of software applications like word processing, presentations and educational games, to enrich their learning.
Enrichment
The Bani Hajer Enrichment programme has gone from strength to strength this year, with teachers offering a wide variety of skills and expertise. We were able to offer a variety of clubs, as well as some external provision. Clubs on offer included archery, badminton, ballet, gymnastics, jiu-jitsu, science, Arabic, basketball rugby and table tennis.
Enrichment is very popular and gives children exposure to skills and experiences they would not necessarily gain in the classroom. This coincided with the weekly Inter House programme, during which children had further exposure to team games, challenges and tasks that sharpened their skills as learners.
Peter Morgan
Performing ARTS
As the Director of Performing Arts at Sherborne Qatar, I extend my deepest gratitude to our dedicated staff and talented pupils for their unwavering support and enthusiastic involvement in the arts. Your commitment to creativity, collaboration, and excellence has enriched our school community and brought vibrancy to our stages. Whether through music, drama, dance, or visual arts, your passion and dedication have inspired us all. Together, we have created unforgettable performances and experiences that
DRAMA
It has been an incredibly exciting and enriching year of drama for the pupils at Bani Hajer. The incorporation of drama lessons into the curriculum, as well as the opportunity for children to participate in productions linked to their learning topics, has been a fantastic way to engage pupils and bring their learning to life.
It's been wonderful to see how the children have been able to showcase their talents and creativity through the various productions they have been involved in throughout the year, from Bear Hunting, Greece Going to Pieces and many more.
The opportunity for children to perform not only helps to build confidence and public speaking skills but also fosters a sense of teamwork and collaboration. This was evident in the wonderful end of year production, Charlie and the Chocolate Recipe, devised and performed by members of the Drama Club.
Here's to more jazz hands and inspiring productions in the future!
Laura Maclennan
MUSIC
Music has thrived as a vibrant component of pupils' lives. With a curriculum emphasising both theory and practice, pupils engaged in diverse musical genres, from classical to contemporary. Dedicated music teachers fostered a supportive environment, nurturing talent and encouraging exploration. Pupils also participated in ensemble performances, showcasing their skills and teamwork. Music education extended beyond the classroom, with opportunities for individual instrument tuition and extracurricular activities, such as choir and orchestra. Through concerts, recitals, and competitions, pupils developed confidence and a lifelong appreciation for music, enriching their educational journey.
Borby Eybrrahim
SHERBORNE'S GOT TALENT
Sherborne's Got Talent is an annual showcase celebrating the diverse talents of pupils within the Sherborne Qatar family. From singing and dancing to magic and comedy, participants captivated audiences with their unique skills and performances. Pupils auditioned and competed in front of a supportive community, fostering confidence and creativity. The event promoted inclusivity and encouraged pupils to embrace their passions and express themselves.
With vibrant energy and enthusiastic participation, Sherborne's Got Talent highlights the school's commitment to nurturing talent and providing a platform for pupils to shine, fostering a culture of artistic expression and appreciation within the Sherborne Qatar community.
Borby Eybrrahim
PUBLIC Speaking
The Year 3 – 6 Public Speaking Competition has been a feature of the Summer Term for the last 12 years and the standard seems to get better every year. This year was no exception.
All children have to prepare a short speech from a range of topics, to deliver to their classmates. These in class heats move towards year group semi-finals and then finals.
However, this year there was a new element – the grand team final between Prep Al Rayyan, Prep Bani Hajer and the Junior section of the Girls’ School and featuring the individual age group winners from all three schools. The event was hosted by Prep Bani Hajer and held in front of an audience of pupils, parents and a panel of distinguished judges. The standard was very high with some excellent speeches from pupils in all three schools. There was also a guest speaker from Qetaf.
The result was very close but it was Prep Bani Hajer who emerged as the winners of this highly entertaining competition.
Richard Williams
PE AND Games
PE and Games at Sherborne Bani Hajer have really taken off and become more engrained into the culture of the school curriculum this year.
Children had many opportunities to learn and develop their sporting prowess and cultivate life skills necessary for all aspects of school life. Children have enjoyed a wide range of sports and have really understood the importance of perseverance, teamwork, responsibility and challenging yourself to be the best versions of themselves. We have enjoyed cricket, football, tag rugby, volleyball, hockey, tennis, dodgeball and many more. This culminated
KEY SPORTING ACHIEVEMENTS:
Year 3: Chloe Glenister – Silver QPPSA Outdoor Athletics
Houdayna Hodni – QPPSA Outdoor Athletics
Year 4: Eesa Shiraz – Gold and Silver QPPSA Outdoor Athletics
Ailsa Moir – 2 x Gold QPPSA Outdoor Athletics
THE Houses
Our first House Day of the year was a charity event in which our community came together to raise money for United World Schools. The children learned all about the great work we have done building two schools in Cambodia. They were eager to learn about what it is like for children living in rural parts of Cambodia and how their education differs to our at Sherborne. In addition to raising funds through our Bake Sale, Toy Sale and Book Sale, we were very grateful to the PTA for organizing some amazing prizes for the charity raffle. We raised over QR8000 on the day which was fantastic.
At the end of the Autumn term, the houses came together for a Qatar Identity Day. We learned more about what makes Qatar so special, some key landmarks, traditions and national icons. The children worked collaboratively to produce some beautiful art work which represents our host country.
In the Spring Term we hosted an International Day in which each house learned more about the culture and diversity of its members. We were very grateful to all the parents who created stalls from around the world that taught the children about the culture and traditions of those countries. The highlight of the day was sampling foods from around the world and proudly wearing national dress in our international parade.
World Book Week is always a highlight of the year. This year was all about animal stories and children were very creative in making their costumes and proudly walked the catwalk to show off their creations.
In the Summer Term, our Eco House Day was very successful. We raised the profile of the need to take greater care of our environment and created some beautiful artwork from recycled materials.
The final event of the year saw everyone celebrate mental health awareness. We wore yellow and came together to discuss the importance of talking about our feelings. The mood monsters paid us a visit and the children learned how to regulate different feelings and emotions.
Each house was well represented at our Interhouse events this year. Win or lose, the team spirit displayed throughout the year has been commendable. Interhouse challenges ranged from dodgeball, basketball and football competitions to scavenger hunts, maths races and art projects.
Chataway, Asma and Alya houses dominated the top three houses throughout the year. Ultimately, there could only be one winner and once again Chataway reigned supreme and were awarded the Interhouse cup at the Commemoration.
Sarah Bennett
THE JUNIOR Duke
This year, we extended the Junior Duke challenge to our children in Key Stage 1. Introduced several years ago to help encourage our Learning Dispositions and Values, the Mini and Junior Duke tasks children with completing a series of activities which practice a variety of life skills.
We were honoured to meet the founder of the Junior Duke, Dawn Waugh, when she came to Doha for the first time and toured Sherborne. She was delighted to meet so many children who either had or were completing the challenge. She was very impressed with the presentation and commitment to the challenge and valued their feedback and suggestions to make the challenge even better in future years.
A special well done to Orla Bleach from Year 1, who was the first to complete the Mini Duke, enthusiastically demonstrating her skills in tying knots, and Aymen in Year 2, who followed closely behind and excelled in his creativity.
Many of the children have learned new skills this year, including how to cook a variety of food, wash and iron their own clothes and do chores around the house, much to the delight of their parents!
Sarah Bennett
COMMEM Awards 2024
Pre School Acorn Achievement Abdulla Hamad Aljabri
Pre School Acorn Progress Haya Abdulla Al Meraikhi
Pre School Hazel Achievement Reem Abdulla H M Al Meraikhi
Pre School Hazel Progress Falah Abdulhadi Al Hababi
Reception Juniper Achievement Phoebe Lee
Reception Juniper Progress Omar Mohammed Al Qahtani
Reception Samara Achievement Aydin Ali
Reception Samara Progress Eisa Al Kaabi
Year 1 Willow Achievement Orla Mae Bleach
Year 1 Willow Progress Khalifa Hamad Al Kaabi
Year 1 Fern Achievement Uswah Bint Muhammad
Year 1 Fern Progress Jubarah Muhammed Al Malki
Year 1 Palm Achievement Mikaeel Shaikh
Year 1 Palm Progress Sefar Saad Al Kuwari
Year 2 Acacia Achievement Joory Osama Helmi Subih
Year 2 Acacia Progress Edith Bunker
Year 2 Rowan Achievement Solveig Nketah
Year 2 Rowan Progress Aljazi Hasan Bajaidah
Year 3 Cypress Achievement Sam Alsaidi
Year 3 Cypress Progress Houdayna HodnI
Year 4 Pine Achievement Samuel Nketah
Year 4 Pine Progress Abdulhadi Al Qahtani
Year 5 Maple Achievement Jamaan Mohammad Al Abdulla
Year 5 Maple Progress Muhammad AbdulQuddus
Year 6 Oak Achievement Hafsa Ali
Year 6 Oak Progress Daniel Melendez-Salazar
Arabic Awards for Native Arabic speakers Hamad Mubarak Al Hajri Year 1
Rashid Talal Al Hajri Year 2
Houdayna Hodni Year 3
Hussain Al Fadala Year 4
Hamad Jamal Mahjoub Year 5
Yasmeen Al Shalaby Year 6
Public Speaking Awards
Year 3 & 4 Ailsa Moir 4 Pine
Year 5 & 6 Zita Joseph 5 Maple
Sports Achievement Blythe Ferguson 6 Oak
Performing Arts and Music Robert Bills 5 Maple
Reading Award Musa Siknder 6 Oak
EAL Award Hamad Mahjoub 5 Maple
Head Teacher’s Commendations Zita Joseph Year 5 Maple
Eesa Shiraz Year 4 Pine
Yahya Shiraz Year 1 Fern
Selma Nketah Year 6 Oak
Anaya Kaur Sidhu Year 2 Acacia
Shirburnian Award Pre-Prep Aisha Hadyatullah 2 Accacia
Shirburnian Award Key Stage 2
Zachariah Shiraz 6 Oak
Inter House Cup Chataway
PTA
The Sherborne Qatar PTA has had a productive year, providing support and organizing numerous activities across all five Sherborne schools. They've engaged in charity fundraising for Palestine, held bake sales, facilitated book club enrichments, donated to science fairs, created sensory areas, supported choir competitions, celebrated international days, contributed to sports days, been involved in school productions, and conducted second-hand uniform sales.
Additionally, they have contributed to events like Sherborne's Got Talent, provided sensory bags, incentivised senior school values, hosted coffee mornings, donated to school nurses, assisted families with settling in and acquiring uniforms, supported Year 11, 12, and 13 gala evenings, and planned for the 15th Birthday in the next academic year.
The recent Spring Fair was a resounding success, highlighting their dedication to enriching the school community through various initiatives and events.
Lucy Fowlie Chair, Sherborne Qatar PTA
MESSAGE FROM THE Bursar
This year has truly been a testament to the strength and resilience of our Sherborne Qatar community. As ever, our achievements have been defined not just by what we have accomplished, but by the challenges we have overcome along the way.
Qatar’s dynamic vision for the future continues to inspire us, evident in the nation’s remarkable progress in infrastructure, education, and community building. At Sherborne Qatar, we have embraced this spirit of ambition and adaptability, achieving significant milestones over the past year. Among these, the restructuring and expansion of our Family of Schools has been a standout achievement. Highlights include the growth of our Prep School at Bani Hajer, the launch of the Boys’ School at Al Rayyan, and the addition of pre-prep provision at the Mall of Qatar, transforming it into an all-through school site—hallmarks of our forward-thinking ethos.
The expanded Prep School at Bani Hajer has already become a vibrant addition to our community, offering pupils a dynamic space to learn and grow. I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to parents for their continued trust and partnership. Your active involvement, trust and continued support is at the heart of what makes Sherborne Qatar so unique and special.
While this year has presented its share of challenges—whether in recruitment, logistical complexities, or construction timelines—our focus has always remained clear: to provide the highest quality of education for our pupils. The opening of our Pre-Prep facility at Mall of Qatar is one such achievement, welcoming over 300 pupils into an inspiring environment designed to ignite curiosity and creativity.
We also celebrated a significant leadership transition at the Girls’ School, as we bid farewell to an exceptional Headmistress who has taken on the prestigious role of Director of Education for the Sherborne Schools network. Her legacy is one of outstanding leadership, and under the guidance of her successor, I am confident that the Girls’ School will continue to reach new heights.
Across our campuses, we have seen pupils thrive both inside and outside the classroom. From academic successes to extracurricular accomplishments, this year has been filled with pride and promise. The introduction of our SQ Academies, including the eagerly anticipated swimming pool, has further enriched the pupil experience, providing new opportunities for growth and enjoyment.
At the Prep School in Bani Hajer, facility improvements such as upgraded classrooms and new play areas have reinforced our commitment to creating the best possible environment for our pupils. These developments reflect not only our dedication to education but also our belief in fostering the well-being of every child entrusted to our care.
Looking ahead, the launch of the Boys’ School at Al Rayyan represents an exciting new chapter in our story. This initiative has already garnered considerable interest and promises to be a defining moment in Sherborne Qatar’s history, offering a tailored education that reflects the best of our traditions and values.
As we reflect on a year of hard work and achievement, I want to express my heartfelt thanks to everyone who makes up our Sherborne Qatar family: pupils, parents, and staff alike. Your dedication and support drive us forward and ensure that Sherborne Qatar continues to be a beacon of excellence.
To our leavers, we wish you the very best as you embark on new journeys. You carry with you the memories and friendships forged here, which we hope will remain with you always. To our new joiners, we warmly welcome you to Sherborne Qatar and look forward to the successes we will achieve together.
Thank you all for being part of our remarkable journey. I look forward to another year of growth, resilience, and shared accomplishments.
Ashish Garg Bursar
Today ... and in the future