The Sherborne Qatar Shirburnian | 2022-2023

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

FROM THE Principal

I am delighted to welcome you to the 2022-2023 edition of the Qatar Shirburnian. The pages that follow are a snapshot of the hard work taking place within our schools by both pupils and staff.

This year, the Sherborne Qatar family of schools continued its period of growth as we welcome the first cohort of pupils to the Junior School at the newly refurbished and former site of the Senior School, Bani Hajer. We welcome Mrs Mary Robertson-Barnett and her new team and look forward to reading about their first year.

In June, it was wonderful to see all schools were able to invite parents to attend their respective Commems. The events were a rich mix of celebration of achievement and pupils’ performances and were all extremely well attended by members of the Sherborne Qatar community. If you were not able to attend, please do take the opportunity to watch the highlights on our social media channels.

All that remains for me to do is to thank the pupils for all their hard work, to acknowledge the dedication of our support and teaching staff and to thank you, the parents, for your continued support.With my best wishes,

Nick Prowse Principal

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 co-educational 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 self-financed, 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.

Summary OF THE YEAR

I am delighted to write this ‘Summary of the Year’ for the latest issue of The Shirburnian for Sherborne Senior School, Qatar. The aim of this publication, is to celebrate achievements and to provide a memento which we can all look back on fondly in years to come.

As another academic year has drawn to a close, we have much to celebrate and many happy memories. Each and every pupil and teacher has brought their own flavour to the school and helped to shape it. These pages show how our school community has flourished these past 12 months. Our pupils have excelled in so many fields it is impossible to list them all. It has been my great pleasure to have attended many celebration events and have listened in awe as the pupils’ achievements have been described.

We are not quite post COVID-19 yet, but we have travelled well along the road back to a sense of normality. Although not permitted to run the array of overseas trips that we did pre-pandemic, these past 12 months have seen the return to external examinations for our iGCSE, AS Level and A Level pupils (and what great results have been achieved – as I will demonstrate shortly), the reintroduction of many exciting and inspiring sporting and enrichment opportunities, the opening of the Cafeteria, the return to in-person arrangements in classrooms and at break times, exciting House events (including the Sports Day in March) and the fantastic Parent Teacher Association (PTA) Spring Fair (hosted by Sherborne Senior School on 3rd March).

At the start of the 2022/23 academic year the following teachers joined Sherborne Senior School:

Tauqeer Abbasi Chemistry & Science Teacher

Deeqa Adde Biology & Science Teacher

Zubeir Alvi Islamic Studies Teacher

James Anderson Global Citizenship & Geography Teacher

Wail Younis Assaf Arabic Teacher

James Bleach Head of Design & Technology

Zakiya Hussein Chemistry & Science Teacher

Aneesa Iqbal English Teacher

Tasnim Islam Maths Teacher

Garry James Deputy Head Pastoral

Grace Jefferies English Teacher

Kirsty McDonald Head of Drama

Iman Mahamud English Teacher

Richard Pradic Learning Support Teacher

Vicki Watson Student Counsellor and Learning Support Assistant

Over the past five years or so, Sherborne Senior School has become one of the highest performing British senior schools in the Middle East.

I/GCSE – May/June 2022

• 51% of iGCSE grades were the top 9 to 7 grades (compared with 27% in England). Up from 49% in 2021, this was the school’s best result to date. The increase in grades 9, 8 and 7 was contrary to what happened in England where there was a 3% fall in grades 9 to 7 between 2021 and 2022.

• In line with 2021/22, 87% of grades were a grade 4 or higher. In comparison, in England only 75% of all grades were a grade 4 or higher in 2022. The percentage of pupils achieving grade 4 and above fell by 4% in England this year, mirroring what happened at Sherborne Senior School.

• Nearly one in five pupils (18%) did amazingly well, achieving a grade 9, 8 or 7 in all subjects. Up from 15% in 2021, this was Sherborne Senior School’s best result to date.

• Up slightly from 2021/22, for 48% of pupils at least half of their grades were a grade 9, 8 or 7 (up from one third of pupils in 2020). This was also the school’s best result to date.

i/GCSE results 2018 to 2022

What makes these results even more impressive is that, unlike some other schools in Qatar, Sherborne Senior School is a non-selective school (accepting children of all academic abilities). Despite not being academically selective, pupils at Sherborne Senior School continue to outperform those from other schools in Qatar in their examinations. A comparison with the UK

Note: Comparative information for i/GCSEs, AS Levels and A Levels is not available from the Cambridge examination board.

AS Level – May/June 2022

• Over a third of all grades (34%) were a grade A (A* grades are only awarded at A Level). This result matched last year’s figure, which was the school’s best result to date.

• 4% of pupils did exceptionally well, achieving an A grade in all subjects.

• In line with pupils’ perfor mance in 2021/22, over half of all grades (54%) were either an A or B, and over three quarters of the grades (78%) were in the A to C range.

Note: As most schools in England now follow linear A Level courses, pupils in England do not take AS Levels at the end of Year 12, but instead, sit A Levels at the end of two years of study. This means that we are unable to compare our performance at AS Level with the averages in England. At AS Level, pupils at Sherborne Senior School also continue to outperform pupils from other schools in Qatar.

Pearson Edexcel AS Level results - 2022

A Level – May/June 2022

• 51% of all grades were an A* or A (compared with 36% in England). This was Sherborne Senior School’s best result to date.

• 42% of pupils did exceptionally well, achieving an A* or an A in all subjects.

• Nearly three quarters of all grades (73%) were in the A* to B range. This was the best result to date.

• 0% of all grades were in the A* to C range (compared with 83% in England). Again, this was Sherborne Senior School’s best result to date.

Finally, A Level pupils at Sherborne Senior School performed much better than pupils from other schools in Qatar.

Deservedly, in term 1 the examination boards that we use recognised some truly amazing achievements by our pupils in the May/June 2022 external examinations.

Pearson: Outstanding Personal Learner Awards (OPLA)

Award:

Highest in Middle East

Highest in Qatar

Subject:

IGCSE Islamic studies

IGCSE Computer Science

Highest in World GCSE Art

Highest in Qatar

GCSE Spanish

Name:

Maab Elsheikh

Haneen Ortashi

Habiba Shehata

Isabela Ventorim

Cambridge Inter national: Outstanding Cambridge Learners

Top in Qatar AS Level Media

Top in Qatar AS Level Art & Design

High Achievement AS Level Literature in English

Top in Qatar AS Level Sociology

Top in Qatar AS Level Psychology

High Achievement A Level Psychology

Leen Abou Jalala

Aljori Al Kuwari

Moza Al Thani

Hithrisha Pillai

Hithrisha Pillai

Nadeen Yusif Khalil

As in previous years, on completing their studies, our pupils continued on to top universities in the UK and worldwide.

Business related subjects, law, history, politics, medicine, biochemistry, dentistry, engineering, and computing remain the most popular courses.

“Well educated, well-rounded individuals who have high aspirations and achieve their potential, in a happy and nurturing school.” – Sherborne Qatar Mission. Well done to our incredible pupils for the above achievements.

BEYOND ACADEMIA

The measure of a pupil at the end of their schooling is not, however, just down to examination results and the university that they have secured a place at. As parents, you have chosen for your child/ren to be at Sherborne because you believe in our mission and see the value of our holistic approach to education. Thank you for believing in us and for trusting us with your most precious possessions – your child/ren.

Educating the whole child, and a commitment to giving pupils a wealth of opportunities inside and outside of the classroom, is what attracted me to Sherborne Qatar back in the autumn of 2015 when I saw the advert for the Senior School Headmaster position. What resonated with me, and still does, is striving for academic excellence in tandem with being equally passionate about cultivating responsible and compassionate citizens. In the words of the first Headmaster that I worked with when I went overseas, schools should be dedicated to fostering “…all round good eggs”.

Of course, providing Sherborne Senior School pupils with the best foundation for success at university and beyond rests firmly on the partnership between our incredible pupils and our dedicated and passionate teachers. I would like to thank all my colleagues personally for their efforts this year. Throughout my time at Sherborne Senior School, I have been so impressed by the enthusiasm and commitment shown by the academic and non-academic staff.

Change is part of life and sadly we say a fond farewell to a number of colleagues at the end of the 2022/23 academic year:

Zulema Arandiga Spanish Teacher

Sam Arts Head of Music

Romina Ashiq English Teacher

Aimee Broome Head of Academic PE

Carl Broome Head of P.E. & Games

Cristina Cobo Head of House and Modern Foreign Languages Teacher

Gillian Gregory Head of History & Politics

Tasnim Islam Maths Teacher

Christopher Kinlan Head of Learning Support

Barnaby McKendry Head of Year 9 and Geography Teacher

Christopher Martin English Teacher

Robert Morley History & Politics Teacher

Simon Mortimer Art & Design Teacher

Lisa Parsons English Teacher and Second in Department

Rokhsareh RamezaniMaths Teacher

Sarah Robertson Head of House and P.E. & Games Teacher

Afaf Turkmen Arabic & Islamic Studies Teacher

We wish you every success, health, and happiness.

A FOND FAREWELL

After seven years in post, this academic year is also my last at Sherborne Qatar. It’s been quite the journey and I am very proud of having been part of a team that has achieved so much and has elevated Sherborne Senior School to being one of the highest performing, and most respected, senior schools in the country.

Sherborne Senior School is a special place, and it has been an honour to serve the school community. Leaving, having invested so much energy, is an odd and quite uncomfortable feeling. Life is, however, about letting go, seizing opportunities, growing, and embracing new experiences. I am very excited to be taking over the Headship of a fantastic unashamedly ambitious school in Portugal and enjoying this next chapter of my life with family and friends. Handing over the reins, I wish my successor Mrs Robertson-Barnett every success.

“Life is a journey, travel it well”

- unknown.

As a parting piece of advice, you will never regret being kind. In the journey of life, it is unavoidable that we will encounter some unkind and cruel people, and sometimes these people have a significant impact on us and those around us. That said, I am a believer of karma and ‘what goes around comes around’.

“The universe is based on fair exchange. What you give you will get.”

- Guruji Sri Sri Poonamji.

To end, here’s some final advice for the pupils at Sherborne Senior School; have fun and enjoy life, smile, and make others smile around you.

All the best,

Stephen Spicer Headmaster

FROM THE HEAD Boy AND HEAD Girl

After another challenging but successful year in our final year at Sherbor ne, I want to take a moment to celebrate our achievements and thank every member of our school community for their hard work, dedication, and support in helping us navigate through our final year. Our academic and sporting accomplishments, as well as our House and enrichment achievements, are a testament to all our collective efforts in making Sherborne Sixth Form the very best place to study A Levels and prepare for the challenges that lie ahead at university.

As we celebrate our successes, we also recognise that leaving school can be a daunting challenge. We are about to embark on a new journey filled with uncertainty and unfamiliarity. But let us not forget the Shirburnian values and the skills that we have learned in our time at Sherborne. The lessons of resilience, adaptability, and determination that we have developed in our time here will serve us well in the years to come.

To my fellow Year 13 pupils, and for those in Year 12 who are also leaving Sherborne this year, I urge you to take a moment to reflect on the experiences and relationships that have shaped you during your time at Sherborne. Cherish the memories and remember the lessons as you embark on the next, exciting chapter of your lives.

Finally, I want to extend my deepest gratitude to our Sixth Form teachers and tutors who have supported and guided us through this crucial time. Your unwavering dedication, encouragement, and guidance have helped us reach our potential and prepared us for the challenges that lie ahead. We will forever be grateful for the foundation that you have built for us and will take the Shirburnian values into what I am sure will be a bright and exciting future.

Good luck and congratulations to all those leaving in 2023.

Jack Tobin – May 2023

I have had the privilege of being Head Girl for this academic year.

My jour ney at Sherborne Qatar began in Year 7 and what a privilege it has been to be a part of this incredible school. The last two years have been both the hardest and the most exciting times of our lives as Sixth Formers, we have grown and developed into people who are now ready for a new challenge. As we look back on how far we have come, we can hold onto great hope of just how bright our futures will be.

I would like to say a huge thank you on behalf of the Sixth For m pupils, we are grateful for every person that has played a role in our lives to help us be in the position we are in today. From our amazing teachers, to all the staff who make Sherborne the wonderful place that it is.

As this chapter closes, I would like to say to all Sherborne pupils: don’t take anything for granted, work hard but have fun, and treasure this time because before you know it, it will all be over. To those of you leaving Sherborne at the end of Year 13, I want to congratulate each and every one of you on your achievements and wish you all the best as you embark on your new adventure. University will have its challenges, but I am sure that you will excel in whatever you choose to pursue.

Good luck and best wishes for the future.

Abigail Van Eck – May 2023

Jack Tobin

Head Boy

Abigail Van Eck Head Girl

SENIOR Gala 2023

As we bid farewell to another remarkable academic year, it is with great pleasure that I write this message to commemorate the Senior Gala event. This special occasion brought together our Year 11, 12 and 13 pupils, who gathered for an evening of joy, reflection, and heartfelt farewells.

The Senior Gala was designed to provide a cherished opportunity for our departing pupils to create lasting memories, celebrate their accomplishments and bid adieu to their time at Sherbor ne. It was a night filled with joyous reunions and the bittersweet realisation that paths would soon diverge. However, it also served as a reminder that the friendships and bonds formed within these walls will forever endure.

The photographs taken during the Senior Gala encapsulate the essence of the evening, displaying the genuine smiles, laughter, and camaraderie shared by all. These snapshots will serve as cherished mementos.

The Senior Gala would not have been complete without the heartfelt speeches delivered by the Head of Year 11, Director of Sixth Form, and our esteemed Head Boy and Head Girl. Their words resonated deeply, acknowledging the incredible achievements and growth of our pupils while imparting wisdom and encouragement for the future.

It is also worth acknowledging the presence of our dedicated teachers, who joined us on this memorable evening. Their unwavering support, guidance, and mentorship have been instrumental in shaping some exceptional individuals. We owe them a debt of gratitude for their tireless efforts, which have not only equipped pupils with knowledge, but also nurtured their character and prepared them for the challenges beyond our campus.

The Senior Gala was a fitting tribute to our pupils’ accomplishments, marking the end of this chapter and the beginning of an exciting new one.

SCHOOL Council

After following a form group selection and interview process, our School Council was formed to support the school and our return to a sense of normal, postCovid. A lot changed due to COVID-19, and as we work towards rebuilding school life, we must be considerate and mindful of the school community and not effecting too much change at one time. School Council members sought the thoughts, ideas and options of their respective year groups and during our monthly meetings, shared these comments for consideration.

Several important topics were discussed, and it was agreed that pupils with PE last period may leave and return home in their PE clothing, to offer more activity time in their lesson, and to also celebrate sport and activity in the wider community. The School Council was also responsible for agreeing when pupils can stop wearing winter dress and blazers, and move to summer dress. These are but a few items discussed and agreed within the School Council leadership group.

The voice of our pupils and its integral role in supporting the school’s continued growth and development, will continue. We look forward to the new academic year and the opportunity for more change, and thank our current council members for their great support and efforts this past year.

Year 13

Jack Tobin (Head Boy)Abigail Van Eck (Head Girl)

Year 12

Abdelrahman Ahmed Ghanem Haneen Ortashi

Year 11

Khalid Hamad Al MarriZeinab Nazih Abdelhamid Abdelrahman Elshafei

Year 10

Tamim Tahir Rameen Arefeen

Year 9

Mustapha Ghaly

Year 8

Aya Ortashi

Syed Hussayn ShahLayla El Safty

Year 7

Rami Jabari

Syeda Mariam Rizvi

Year 7

Dear Year 7 pupils,

As we come to the end of your first year of senior school, I wanted to take a moment to express my immense pride in each and every one of you. This year has been a journey filled with enthusiasm, excitement, and growth, and it has been a privilege to witness your development.

From the moment you stepped through the doors, you embraced the opportunities for independence and seized every moment with an unwavering spirit. Your thirst for knowledge and willingness to step out of your comfort zones has been truly inspiring.

Throughout the year, you have formed wonderful friendships, building a sense of camaraderie that has brought joy and support to your lives. These friendships have been a testament to your kindness, empathy, and inclusivity, which have created a vibrant and harmonious community within our school.

I have been particularly impressed by the progress you have made in terms of confidence and maturity. Your eagerness to learn and your commitment to personal growth have been evident in every task you have undertaken. Whether it was contributing to Interhouse competitions, engaging collaboratively in Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education sessions, or immersing yourselves in the school enrichment programme; you have consistently gone above and beyond.

Throughout this year, you have embodied the values that are the cornerstone of Sherborne Senior School: teamwork, perseverance, responsibility, respect, honesty, and kindness. Your dedication to these values has had a profound impact on our school community and has set an outstanding example for others to follow.

As we look ahead to the next academic year, I have no doubt that you will continue to excel. Your strong foundations, both pastoral and academic, will serve as the stepping stones for even greater achievements. I am confident that you will approach Year 8 with the same enthusiasm, determination, and zest for life that you have shown throughout Year 7.

Your tutors, subject teachers and the entire school community join me in expressing how proud we are of your accomplishments this year. We look forward to watching you continue to thrive and make a positive difference in the years to come.

Congratulations on completing your first year of senior school! Enjoy a well-deserved break, recharge, and return ready to embrace the exciting challenges and opportunities that await you in Year 8.

Yours faithfully,

Lucy Williams Head of Year 7

Comments from Year 7 pupils

Sherborne Senior School has truly helped me become the person I am today. Throughout my first year, it was a roller coaster of emotions; from assessments to non-uniform days. The senior school has created a wonderful and welcoming atmosphere for all Year 7 pupils and will do for those who are yet to come. Here at Sherborne, I am building myself up to become the best version of me and to prove that I am a well-rounded, educated and nurtured individual who is capable of many great things. We all are!

Syeda Mariam Rizvi, 7E

Year 7 is a whole new experience and is utterly amazing. It is like no previous years and the time flies by. The teachers are all extremely kind and all the pupils are very welcoming. You will settle in quickly. It is my favourite year in school so far. Year 7 is so enjoyable, we gain independence and have lots of fun.

Kareem Molokhia, 7A

When I started secondary school, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I had been to four schools already and each one was different– some offered more extra-curricular activities and others had longer school hours. The year started slowly because of COVID-19 but with time, we settled in and more opportunities arose. There are so many after school clubs that you can pursue your interests in. Another thing I really enjoyed was the library. I am an avid book reader and I generally borrow two books per day except on Thursdays when I borrow more. The Design and Technology rooms are amazing too. As the year progressed, I really enjoyed the different projects we completed.

Ayesha Hussein, 7B

Serene Salem, Year 11

WHIP – THE DRAGON

It was just another casual spring morning when my friend Betty and I went to pick berries for Ma. I inhaled the fresh, ripe air and it felt – different.

Betty bent down to pick one of the juicy raspberries from the bushes as I rested my head on a log, wishful for an adventure. All I could do was dream of one. Betty’s mother had been ill all autumn and was still in bed, sick and almost lifeless. So, I helped Betty take care of her (or at least I tried). But this morning was like no other…It was all mine.

As Betty picked the berries, plucking each one with skilled precision, I searched the forest for something fun. I picked up a discarded toy airplane from under all the weeds and stood up in triumph. Just as I was about to show Betty, a large ball of fiery blue emerged from the plane. I took a few steps back in pure amazement! Suddenly, it disappeared into the endless forest of greenery. I took a glance back at Betty; she was still deliriously plucking the berries. I grinned excitedly as I ran after the…we’ll call it ‘Whip’.

“Jake!” Betty called.

But I was too far gone now.

The Whip was still in sight, as if purposefully trying to lure me into some sort of trap. Whatever it was doing, it was working. I had never run faster in my life! Butterflies, peonies, woodpeckers – everything whizzed past me. I had never unlocked the true beauty of the forest. The way the vines twisted around the tall, naked, yet sheltering trees. The way the weeds smothered the mossy floors. But then – I fell.

It was a trap! One which I had fallen straight into. Frantically, I searched the darkness for support, only to be pushed down again by an abnormally strong and warm gust of wind. I looked up to see two large, pale green eyes. They deeply resembled emeralds in the semi-gloom of the dark pit. But I wasn’t scared. A ray of illumining sunshine fell upon its body. A dragon! A beautiful dragon with a tall, long neck and steel-like scales, overlapping like the lorica (body armour) of the Romans. I smiled gently, waved and held out my hand.

“Hi. I’m Jake. What’s your na…”

Before I could even finish, its pointy nose was on my hand and it closed its eyes. I wished for the moment to never end. A dragon! A dragon was now my friend and I was now a dragon’s friend.

But before long, it disappeared. Just like that. I was left all alone. If only…

“Jake!” Betty had her grip firmly around my arm. “Where have you been? I was worried sick!”.

“Nowhere,” I replied. It was my secret and mine to keep. It was all mine.

Maryam Rizvi – Year 7

Year 8

Dear Year 8 pupils,

This academic year was a truly exciting time for pupils in Year 8 as they were finally able to experience school without the restrictions that were brought due to COVID-19. The amount of pupil engagement in activities throughout the school, such as the bi-weekly Interhouse events, cross country and football competitions was truly commendable. We also celebrated a few gold, silver and bronze medals which were awarded to some of our Year 8 athletes throughout the year.

It was amazing to see how seriously our Year 8 Student Leadership Team representatives, Layla El Safty and Hussayn Shah, took their responsibilities in their drive for change within the school community. This was supported by the Year 8 student voice who were responsible for directing some of the tutor time activities this year. We witnessed some fantastic pupil-led assemblies by all of our tutor groups with a focus on our six core school values.

One of the great joys that I have as the Head of Year 8, is that I get the opportunity to observe some of the amazing work that is produced, and the responsibility that pupils have taken in their bid to become more independent in their learning, the maturity displayed and the strive for academic success.

I would also like to extend my thanks to our Year 8 Pastoral Team who have continued to support our pupils throughout the year.

Yours faithfully,

Mr Collins Head of Year 8

Pupils Comments

This academic year, we saw a complete return to muchneeded normality following the COVID-19 pandemic. This year was a totally new experience for the pupils in Year 8 as many opportunities came our way. We had our first ever end of year exams which were very nerveracking for many of us as we have never done anything similar to this before. Despite this, pupils in Year 8 dealt with the examination period very maturely and were able to get used to studying and preparing for their exams; which will help us in our future examinations. We also had a great Sports Day: a much better one than last year. This pitted Houses against each other and students found it fun to compete in such a way. In English, one of our other highlights was taking part in a Dragons Den style competition. The event was about making a pitch for a unique product and having it judged by the ‘Dragons’. Students worked long and hard on this and supported each other thoroughly throughout the project.

Overall, Year 8 has had an exceptional year of academic excellence and we are hoping to continue this into Year 9 as we edge closer to our iGCSEs.

Syed Hussayn Shah 8E

8A have made a very positive and enthusiastic contribution to tutor time throughout the year. They have consistently shown a strong interest in learning, actively participating in discussions and asking insightful questions to deepen their understanding of Personal, Social Health and Economic (PSHE) education topics. Their energy and enthusiasm has made§ our form an engaging and enjoyable environment.

Ms ONeill

8A Form Tutor

8B have had a great year. They have worked hard and continued to achieve a large number of merits throughout the year. They have been the form class with the most merits once during this year, and hope they can continue their efforts into Year 9.

Ms Isam

8B Form Tutor

This year has been my first year as a form tutor and I feel privileged to have been one for 8C. All the pupils have evolved in their subjects and are continuing to grow into fantastic and talented young adults. I have enjoyed seeing it and supporting them over this academic year.

Mrs Ingram

8C Form Tutor

8D have had a great year this year. Returning to some normality after a long period of COVID-19 restrictions has been a challange, but as a form we have coped well. This year also brought great excitement in the form of the FIFA World Cup. The pupils had a fantastic experience watching the football and enjoying the festivities. They are now looking forward to a well deserved break after a very eventful and busy year.

Mr Asif

8D Form Tutor

This year, 8E has had a brilliant year in terms of behaviour and academics. The form has consistently been able to accumulate a large number of merits and acted as a role model for the other form classes. The majority of the top 15 merit holders were in 8E, and they hope to continue their brilliant efforts into Year 9.

Mrs Ramezani

8E Form Tutor

Maha Salatt, Year 13

PART I – THE FIRST MISSION

It was not a normal job. They needed someone special.

When climbing into the vehicle, the night protected him like a blanket. Rain whooshed heavily, drenched the ancient lanes and bellowed out water. The wind tossed as they all clung onto the soggy metal bars. The creaking echoed out to the town. It was all asleep. Nearly all...

They effortlessly zoomed onto the empty freeway. All of them were ready – it was their first assignment. As it screeched to a halt, the van emptied and not a sound could be heard. He was ready – three weeks was plenty for him.

The building rose majestically out of the dying town. The glass doors swung open. Party time.

He was going to be rich. Screeching to a halt, a pale yellow erupted out of the sky. Time was ticking. He had to hurry.

A few hours later, his parents’ frail bones slowly creaked as they were helped down the stairs by him. Making their breakfast, they patiently waited as the pots and pans danced on the walls.

“I’ve got this, mum. We’re going to be rich!” He announced.

“Where did you get this money?” Questioned his mother.

“It’s a long story...”

After hearing the explanation, his parents’ yells echoed off the walls. That night, he took his bag, never to be seen again.

PART II – THE MAN COVERED IN ART

In the ancient building, rain pattered on the roof and seeped out like a gushing river. A lone man was walking. They knew what had happened. They knew it. They had warned him.

Stumbling on the cracking concrete, he was covered in shame. The wind whooshed and the thunder bellowed, all at him. The world was against him. Everyone had turned their backs on him. There was only one place left to go.

Looking into the distance, he saw his only point of refuge. It was wrong. He should stop. A war erupted in his head as two sides clashed. Should he? The familiar building stared at him menacingly. He did not want to go. But where else to go? Thunder filled his ears. With a heavy heart, he forced himself in.

This man is a menace, covered in art. His stitches have stitches and scars are entrenched in his face. He was known to everyone. They practically worshipped him as their lives were in his hands. The remnants of those hands were now life takers. He had death in his eyes. Everyone knew him. He knew everything. He knew what was happening. He was going to do it, any second now.

The doors creaked open as a glimmer of moonlight spilled into that room he had only visited once before. He was always awake. He knew when and where. He did not sleep. He was not cracking.

Muhammad Durraiz - 8D

Year 9

A Message for Year 9

Dear Year 9 pupils,

As we look back on this year, it is clear that we have come a long way since the start of the year and are grateful for all the opportunities we have had to learn, grow, and bond as a community. We also remember the excitement from the countless amazing events that we have experienced, such as the Spring Fair and Charity Days.

One of the highlights of the year was undoubtedly the buzz surrounding the FIFA World Cup. As sports enthusiasts, many of us were eagerly awaiting this global event, and it was exciting to see the school come alive with discussions about the different teams, players, and predictions. The school helped to build excitement by hosting a festive Interhouse World Cup for all years, allowing the students to feel included in the tournament. Moreover, the school was luckily selected to give some students the opportunity to do flag bearing, inside the World Cup stadiums, which sparked the buzz further. The excitement and anticipation made it feel like a once-in-a-lifetime event and one that we feel incredibly lucky to have experienced.

Another significant aspect of the year was the preparation for our iGCSE options through Personal, Social, Health, and Economic (PSHE) education sessions. We have had a lot of support from our teachers and guidance counsellors who have helped us to understand the new topics and helped us choose them wisely, by explaining the benefits of each subject and discussing what professions we may aspire to follow. They also encouraged us to look at the new future ahead, instead of focusing on the stress that follows iGCSEs. Through these sessions, we have developed a better understanding of time management, study techniques, and stress management, which will be useful not only for our exams, but also for our future studies and careers. This has helped to build excitement for the years ahead of us at Sherborne.

Sherborne has also gifted us with a myriad of opportunities, such as the enrichment programme, to allow us to enjoy school and understand that it is much more than academia. It has also helped us bond as a community. Throughout the year, we have had a range of fun activities organised by the school, which has helped us to grow closer and forge lasting friendships. From thrilling Interhouse competitions and successful charity events, to a memorable Spring Fair, these activities have not only been entertaining but have also helped us to develop valuable and lasting skills such as teamwork, leadership, and communication.

There has also been a comeback regarding sports competitions, which the year group has enjoyed thoroughly. Both boys and girls have embraced the experience with humility and have shown incredible resilience when in tough positions while also demonstrating miraculous pride when succeeding.

As we look forward to the coming year, we are excited about the prospect of exploring new subjects that we have not had the chance to study before; that permit us to take hold of our future and own it. Moreover, having the chance to experience clubs in the real world, such as the International Award (IA) that accelerates survival skills and new thinking methods. We are also looking forward to beginning this exciting, but scary chapter together and making new memories.

In conclusion, we are extremely proud of the strength, determination, and growth that Year 9 has shown, and we are confident that we will continue to excel academically and personally in the years to come.

We are grateful for the experiences we have had in the past year and for the promising friendships we have formed. We are looking forward to the challenges and opportunities that the coming year will bring and are excited for what the future holds.

Best regards,

Mustapha Ghaly and Aya Ortashi Year 9 Representatives

A DREAM HOLIDAY DESTINATION

Have you ever desired a holiday that will stick with you and your family for the rest of your lives? Ever wanted to take a break from reality? Well then you should visit Qatar, the city of the future!

Qatar is an Arabian paradise peninsula located off the east coast of Saudi Arabia. It is surrounded by the wonderful waters of both the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman. Qatar is populated by approximately three million welcoming residents that will ensure you enjoy your time during your stay. Surprisingly, only about 300,000 of these three million residents are local Qataris, isn’t that fascinating?

Just recently, Qatar was chosen to host the famous FIFA World Cup, a world-known event that encourages unity and brings all countries together to watch fantastic football matches. Qatar has prepared significantly for this event over the span of 12 lengthy years. It has prepared all types of stadiums and malls, each with their own unique twist to them. The largest stadium Qatar has built for you to check out is Lusail Stadium. It holds an astonishing capacity of almost 90,000 spectators! Lusail Stadium ensures you have a comfortable visit, with airconditioned seating, and if you are expecting extra, they prepare a plethora of foods from many cuisines.

To get to the stadiums, you could take the newly established metro, which is extremely efficient and fast, while also being extremely affordable. Metro stations are quite ubiquitous and easy to find. If you get to Lusail Stadium a bit early, you may want to check out Lusail Boulevard, which is located about a five-minute walk from the stadium itself. Lusail Boulevard is a street which has been decorated with a myriad of restaurants and cafes, so if you want to rest, you can have a cup of coffee and maybe a few treats too! It is also filled to the brim with exciting cultural shows that range from African dance to Qatari song performances. In the heart of the boulevard, there is a tremendous whale shark floating right above your head that has been decorated with glistening lights for light shows. Surrounding this majestic whale, four towering skyscrapers touch the clouds and reflect the lights from the whale to give off a vibrant blue hue. It is absolutely breathtaking!

Even post World Cup, Qatar is known for its mindblowing malls. One of them being “Place Vendome” which is a huge and luxurious shopping centre where you can find anything you can name from A-Z. It is built in the style of a marvellous golden palace, and in its centre sits a beautiful dancing fountain. Around this fountain is a myriad of cafes so you can sit comfortably and enjoy a perfect performance.

By Renad Khalid – Year 9

THE WONDERS OF VENICE

Walking through the beauteous streets of Venice, Italy, one may feel as if one is entering a wonderland. Widely known as ‘the floating city’ and ‘the city of canals’, Venice is built on over 100 islands in a lagoon, located in the Adriatic Sea. Consisting of numerous canals in place of roads, this exhilarating city may seem to merely be drifting on the ocean; however, in reality, it is held firmly in place by the myriad of islands it has been constructed upon.

Fondly referred to as ‘La Serenissima’, Venice is famous for its picturesque views and scenic beauty. With candy coloured shops lining the magnificent turquoise waterways where the ambient flow is occasionally hurdled by artistic bridges, Venice showcases a veritable collection of glamorous architecture, and the city itself is an outstanding example of advanced infrastructure.

Best visited in summer, this mesmerising city boasts a plethora of seasonal market places and town squares to fulfil all one’s quintessential shopping needs.

During May, June and July, this water world entertains a wave of tourists, as these sun kissed months add an alluring pop of colour to this venue. Swarming with blooming flowers, the streets of Venice are popularly traversed in this season, with visitors taking romantic strolls, warmly welcomed by Mother Nature’s vivid decorations.

In addition to serving as an ideal getaway from the constant hustle and bustle of working life for middle-aged people, Venice is also an action-packed spot of immense adventures for teenagers. Home to an extensive variety of unique boats, this hydra city offers a wide range of astounding activities such as speedboating, birdwatching, water sports and many more.

Encrusted with precious gems and stained glass windows reflecting its rich heritage, Venice’s churches are known for their exquisite beauty. Showing off many murals depicting its awe-inspiring culture, it attracts historians and art lovers from all around the globe.

Venice is a must-see bucket list location, ensuring an enjoyable holiday experience for all types of people. One must visit Venice at least once in one’s lifetime as this astounding Italian city is sure to leave one spellbound.

Harshini RamKumar – Year 9

SOULFUL

SEOUL

Walking through the jam-packed and teeming streets of the metropolis that is Seoul, is a venture in itself. Located in the northwest of South Korea, Seoul dates back 2000 years. This is reflected through the picturesque and awe-inspiring streets and buildings in the city. It might be helpful to note that the phonetic pronunciation of Seoul is ‘sole’. The main religion is Buddhism; however, Confucianism is also the religion of a large part of the community and has always been, historically. This is due to the fact that the Confucian principles encourage group harmony, respect for elders and history, tradition and culture.

This is echoed in the ethos of the people living in Seoul. Whether a Korean national or a resident from elsewhere, the respect, kindness and cleanliness are engulfing. Seoul is one of the cleanest cities in the world - being cleaner than some of the most developed. If you face any issues, all Koreans, without a doubt, will treat you with the highest care and concern; when you step off your plane, you will immediately sense the hospitality and assistance from everyone.

‘Bulgogi’, ‘Tteok-bokki’, ‘Gimbap’ and ‘Kimchi’ are just some of the tantalising traditional dishes found all over Seoul. Whether it’s from a kiosk in the colourful and aromatic

Myeon-dong Shopping Street or a 7-Michelin Star restaurant booked up until 6 months post your trip, it is imperative that you try the Korean cuisine while you are there because no one cooks Korean food better than those who grew up with it; as for you, is it comfort food when you can only have it once?

Unfortunately, language can be an issue for anyone visiting Seoul, so keep your translation apps on hand. This is due to the reality that English is an option in the Korean education system, which is rarely selected as a subject. It is important to keep cool and collected in order to convey your point and communicate clearly.

Despite this, there are few flaws in this mind-altering conurbation, and the artistry of the landscapes and views is above all, an excuse to visit. Furthermore, visiting Jeju (an island south of Seoul) should be on your bucket list; however, with all of the activities in Seoul such as walking through the palaces, visiting Lotte World, which is one of the world’s largest indoor amusement parks, and Seoul Sky, which is at the top of the Lotte World Tower, the fifth tallest tower in the world, standing 123 stories and 555 meters high, and includes a mesmerising panoramic view at the top, you will be more than satisfied at the end of your trip.

Overall, Seoul is the picture-perfect destination for newly-weds and families with children of all ages, looking to immerse themselves in history, tradition and culture yet still be able to scream at the top of their lungs on the Gyro Swing at Lotte World.

Star Rating: 4/5

Fatima Al Mulla – Year 9

Year 10

Starting this iGCSE journey is a significant milestone in our academic life. It marks the beginning of a new chapter where we are challenged, can learn new skills and gain valuable knowledge.

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” - Lao Tzu Year 10 is an exciting year for iGCSE pupils. It is a time when you explore different subjects and identify your strengths and weaknesses. Some key memories of Year 10 include National Day and Sports Day where we made new friends and engaged in fun activities. Alongside learning new topics and preparing for the mock examinations, it can be overwhelming sometimes but it is crucial to remember that hard work and dedication pay off in the end.

Of course, Year 10 also comes with its challenges and humorous events. For instance, forgetting your calculator during a mathematics examination or mixing up dates and missing a deadline. These moments can be frustrating but they also serve as valuable learning experiences. Similarly, the prophet Muhammad (PBUH) stated: “The strong man is he who controls himself when he is angry.” Here we can understand that to remain calm is the best outcome, regardless of the matter.

As we move onto Year 11, it is natural to have hopes and expectations: perhaps, hoping to achieve high grades, learn new skills, find new interests or just survive the year with satisfaction. Regardless of your goals, it is important to stay focused and determined.

Year Representative of Executive School Council Committee

YEAR 10 TUTOR COMMENTS

This year it has been my pleasure to take 9A through Year 10. We welcomed many new faces into the tutor group after saying goodbye to some familiar faces.

10A have been a delight to work with this year and I look forward to helping you through Year 11 - but PLEASE:

Tuck your shirt in.

Tie your hair up.

School shoes?

Blazer?

Tie!

Enjoy your summer break and I will see you next year.

Mr Graeme Tracey

10A Form Tutor

It has been an absolute pleasure being 10B’s form tutor this year! You have grown into fantastic, mature young adults and have faced challenges this year with great resilience. It has not been the easiest of years given that we have had really long academic terms due to the World Cup Winter Break, but you have dealt with that extremely well and have gone from strength to strength as the year has progressed. I want to thank you all for making me feel so welcome as a new member of staff; tutor time is one of the most enjoyable aspects of my day, even if I do have to nag some of you constantly with things like punctuality, uniform and revision! But I loved our ‘active’ Thursdays and the enthusiasm you have for the activities within tutorials. I have no doubt that you will be successful next year and I look forward to seeing you after the summer break. Have a lovely holiday!

Mr Abbasi

10B Form Tutor

I have had the pleasure of leading this tutor group since August. Throughout the course of this year, I have been pleased to see how much you have matured as a group. Our tutor room became a place of comfort where

we celebrated achievements and discussed your concerns. As you move closer to the completion of your iGCSEs, you are one step closer to achieving your goal. All of you have settled nicely into your options and I hope that you have all had an enjoyable start to Key Stage 4 despite the difficulties. The next stage ahead will be intense, so make sure you rest over the summer and recharge your batteries. Ultimately, you are the only person that can stop yourself from accomplishing your goals. So, please ensure you continue revising over the holidays and start the new year in the right frame of mind.

I look forward to welcoming you back in August.

Mr Thompson 10C Form Tutor

It has been an absolute pleasure being your form tutor, 10D, and I want to thank you for making it such an enjoyable experience. We have had some great times during tutor time, from discussions about current events to fun team building activities. I have been impressed with your engagement and enthusiasm during our tutor sessions, and I hope you have found them valuable. As you move onto Year 11, I want to offer some advice to help you make the most of your summer and prepare for the challenges ahead.

Firstly, make sure you take some time to relax and recharge over the summer. It’s been a busy year, and you deserve a break. Secondly, it is essential to start thinking about your revision for Year 11. This will be a crucial year for you, and it is important to set yourself up for success. Finally, remember that Year 11 will be challenging, but also incredibly rewarding. You will have the opportunity to achieve great things, and I have every confidence that you will rise to the challenge. Believe in yourself, work hard, and do not give up, and you will achieve your goals.

Mrs Ebrahimi 10D Form Tutor

Over the last year, I have had the pleasure of getting to know 10E and each pupil on an individual basis. I have been so impressed with the way in which they have handled their first year as iGCSE pupils with determination and resilience. Along the way, they have supported and helped each other, acting not just as colleagues but as friends. It is this unique combination which makes 10E a powerful force. I look forward to seeing all they can achieve in Year 11.

Mrs McCormack

10E Form Tutor

A MESSAGE FROM A YEAR 10 REPRESENTATIVE

The school year starts uneventfully: the first few months quickly pass by and you fool yourself into believing your exams are still ages away. You push studying firmly into the ‘do later’ category and instead, endeavour to enjoy your time now. World Cup break comes around, bringing into your life a new period of excitement and noise as you cheer for your team. Events and matches are lined up every day. By the end of it all, you have forgotten everything you had learnt. When school resumes, it takes a couple of days to fall back into your routine. You spend the next couple of weeks trying to hold onto the football fever for as long as you can. You are barely in Year 10 yet; what else would you do?

Then, the first bit of fear comes creeping in. The vibrant mood in school dies down and the atmosphere grows sober. Suddenly, glancing at your calendar, you realise exams are right around the corner. The days blend into one another, each one a repeat of the one before. Your leadership positions bring about new responsibilities that you struggle to juggle along with the new piece of homework you are assigned every day. You vent your frustrations at your teachers in the Charity Week dodgeball game. Then, you move on. You are in Year 10; what else can you do?

As April approaches, you and your friends grow distant. Everyone is busy, too busy. You are so disorganised you go to school with mismatched socks and leave your blazer in the car. To top it all off, in your PE lesson you find that you forgot to bring your change of clothes. Winter leaves grudgingly, lingering as though reluctant to give in to summer. The temperature goes from cool to heated, resembling the state of your mind as stress overtakes you. Ramadan brings in a bout of hunger and your evenings are spent at Iftar parties and hotels. Your assembly coaches you through your exam preparation and it starts to feel all too real, too soon: essays to write, flashcards to make, exam questions to answer. One last respite comes in the form of World Heritage Day; flashes of silks, beads and embroidery surround you on the last day before your week long holiday (which you spend revising until you are unsure of your own name). You are in Year 10; what else can you do?

Then, before you know it, it’s exam time. Papers flying, pens drying, pupils crying, all over colossal piles of notes, condemning themselves for not starting to study earlier. Everyone expects nothing short of the best. The night before exams, you lose your appetite, your sleep and your sanity. When you look around, all you see are books. The temptation to burn them all is so strong you can taste it at the back of your throat. Looking at your study timetable makes you nauseous as your mind whirls, trying to calculate how much work you will have to cram into the little time you have left. You shove information into your brain, surprised that you have not run out of space yet. The hours spent in the exam hall are a nightmare, as you pick apart every question, begging your brain to come up with a reasonable answer for each one. When you are finally released, your mind dies as you compare answers with your friends, moaning about the questions you had to skip and the stupid mistakes you made. At the end of the day, you are in Year 10; what else can you do?

Then, as suddenly as it came, it is over. You breathe a sigh of relief, wondering why you were so anxious

over something so fleeting. Finally, summer comes around and you travel abroad. Next year, you will come back with a strong resolve to not repeat the past year’s mistakes, because you are no longer in Year 10. What else could you do?

Rameen Arefeen 10C

Year Representative

A LETTER FROM HEAD OF YEAR

Dear vibrant and lively Year 10 pupils,

As the academic year draws to a close, I would like to take the opportunity to take a moment to celebrate your energy, enthusiasm and zest for life. This year has been a roller coaster ride; yet, your positivity and resilience have been a source of inspiration for me and everyone around you.

So many of you have shown resilience, determination and perseverance in many aspects of your school life and these values will serve you well as you continue on this journey. Remember: success is not just about getting the highest grades; it is about being passionate about what you do, setting goals and working towards them with discipline and dedication.

As you move onto Year 11, I urge you to keep your positive energy and passion for life. Your attitude and approach to learning will bring about a palpable difference in your success. Stay curious, ask questions and challenge yourselves!

Thank you for making this year memorable and remaining a bright star through your enthusiasm. I am proud of what you have achieved so far and cannot wait to see what you will accomplish next year.

Yours faithfully,

Mrs Hamlin Head of Year 10

Year 11

Dear Year 11 pupils,

In the blink of an eye, the end of the iGCSE courses are upon us. Year 11 is the first time that Sherborne pupils are exposed to external examinations and we do everything we can to ensure that they are as prepared as possible for this important milestone in their lives. It can be a challenging time for pupils but, as is always the case, I can reflect on what a wonderful transition I have seen from a group of pupils who started their courses whilst still under COVID-19 rules, to those who now confidently walk the corridors of our school. It is always a source of tremendous pride when we reflect on where we were when we started this journey compared to the here and now. But it is important for the Year 11 pupils to appreciate that this is only the beginning. As teachers, we have seen them blossom, particularly over the last academic year and there is no doubt in my mind that they will continue on this path. Landmarks in education come and go, with iGCSEs marking the start of a pathway to bigger and better things. There will certainly be challenges along the way with the grit and determination so many Year 11 pupils have shown, will stand them in good stead as they look towards their AS Levels and beyond. Whatever the summer holds in terms of results, exciting times are ahead, and whether those times are with us or elsewhere, all of our Year 11 pupils should remember: once a Shirburnian, always a Shirburnian.

Yours faithfully,

Mr Oldridge Head of Year 11

DESCRIBE AN OUTDOOR EVENT WHICH IS RUINED BY BAD WEATHER.

Parasols stood atop glass tables, providing shade from the sun for babbling aunties who filled the air with sniggers that boomed to the ends of the horizon. The parasols, all in colours of pastel blues, pinks and greens, radiated the summer feel throughout the garden as they lightly twisted and turned in the light breeze, and with each turn came a light rattle. Giggling children rapidly dashed past the aunties to the snack table, all anxious as to who would eat the most. Pretty pink peonies decorated the proximity and gave off scents sweeter than the sugar cookies served. Music boomed all over, matching the partygoers’ heartbeats with each beat.

Children in light, flowery dresses spun around like sycamore leaves, twirling, wild smiles from ear to ear. Aunties, in their divisive garment sets, continued their banter and sniggering, all whilst the booming rhythm changed. It was not a little pitter patter. The air no longer tasted zesty and sweet, but rather bitter, moist. The dresses no longer spun, now weighed down with the heaviness of being wet. Larger crystals began to collide with the ground, sounding a greater ‘boom’ the longer it went on. Darkness suddenly coated the garden as the music was drowned out by the water.

Children dashed with urgency for safety, running into and around the aunties, drenching them in muddied water. Their tweed, woven clothing sets were now an unrecognisable shade of brown, limp and plasticky to touch. Now smelling of damp and wetness, the hats of the ancient aunties flopped around, shaking off the wet.

Everyone sprinted for cover as the rain aimed at the children like projectile darts choosing their aim. Their once gleeful faces, characterised by gaping smiles and scrunched noses to smell the sweetness of summer, were now dull and fearful. Scrambling like a pack of wolves, the ancient aunties yanked on one another to reach the pentagonal outhouse that stood metres away. With each step, they shook their mane of tweed like a wet dog to try to get to the safety of the dry outhouse.

The outhouse stood strong with glass panes that looked like diamonds. The door cranked wide open with a huge piercing screech as multitudes of feet clambered in, dirtying the floor with arrays of different sized and shaped brown footprints. As the fatigued entered from the rain, the door was slammed abruptly shut.

Inside the centre of the outhouse stood a large oak tree, with arms stretched out to warmly hug and embrace the wet survivors and the trunk was large enough to seat everyone. The air no longer tasted humid as the rain’s surprise ambush started to relent. It tasted sweet again as those sat within the tree’s soft embrace watched the light rain crystals scrape against the glass surface, becoming lighter with every drop. The rain played a soothing rhythm for the party as the pace started to pick up once more.

Saja Suliman 11D

Hana Elahi – Year 11

Sixth FORM

A Message From the Director of Sixth Form

It has been another exciting year in Sixth Form at Sherborne Senior School. Even though there were still challenges presented by the pandemic at the beginning of the year, with the final easing of the restrictions, we began our return to in-person learning, hosting events and leading the school.

It has been, as ever, an honour to have supported our Sixth Form pupils on the next stage of their journey. I have been impressed by the hard work, commitment and dedication of our Sixth Form pupils who have been role models to the rest of the school.

I was especially pleased that we were able to organise and run the first BBQ and Film Night at the end of September, and were also able to enjoy several other social events including the Sixth Form Breakfast, Sixth Form Iftar and the Ladies Night. We were also able to enjoy the second annual Senior Gala for the pupils in Years 11, 12 and 13. There is a separate feature about this event elsewhere in the Shirburnian but suffice to say, it was another roaring success.

For our Year 12 pupils who have made the successful transition from the lower school, I would like to congratulate them for their contributions to life at Sixth Form this year. Their contributions certainly mark them out as being a mature and resourceful group of pupils who are always willing to support our Shirburnian values. For those in Year 12 who are leaving us this year, I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all the very best on what I am sure will be an exciting and fulfilling future, wherever you happen to study.

For our Year 13 pupils about to embark on the beginning of their adult lives, I would like to thank you all for the contributions you have made, throughout your years at Sherborne, and for making Sherborne the success it has become. It is through your diligent and mature approach to your studies that you will, I am sure, enjoy further success wherever you plan to study next year. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our Head and Deputy Head Boys and Girls; Jack Tobin, Mohammed Ahmeda, Abigail Van Eck and Raima Naweed. Along with all the senior prefects, you have made another year much easier to deal with. I thank you all for your hard work, support and encouragement.

And finally, to all of you leaving the Sixth Form this year, I would like to wish you every success in your endeavours for the future and hope that the values which you have demonstrated whilst in the Sixth Form, help to inspire you to ever greater achievement. You leave with all our very best wishes and hopes for the future.

Mr M Hamlin Director of Sixth Form

LADIES NIGHT

Our Ladies Night was an evening of music and dance that allowed all of the girls to, quite literally, let their hair down. Food, fancy footwork, and fun games were enjoyed by all in a night to remember.

BBQ AND MOVIE NIGHT

As the first of many social events for our oldest pupils this year, this evening was a roaring success. With Mr and Mrs Hamlin taking charge of the BBQ, pupils enjoyed some great food and social time with their friends followed by a movie. It was a great evening and one that is sure to be repeated in the future.

IFTAR

During this ‘bring a dish’ event, our Sixth Formers enjoyed tasting international culinary delights as they opened their fasts with their friends. This event was suggested by the pupils themselves, and they did not disappoint with the dishes they brought along to share.

THE LEAVERS’ CELEBRATION FOR THE CLASS OF 2023

On Tuesday, we celebrated the Sixth Form Class of 2023. There were a number of keynote speakers including the Headmaster, Mr. Stephen Spicer, the outgoing Head Boy and Head Girl, Jack Tobin and Abigail Van Eck, as well as a Year 12 representative, Noora Alajmi. After the speeches, the pupils were presented with their leaving certificates before celebrating the moment taking many happy photographs.

We wish all our leavers well on the next exciting steps in their adult lives.

Maha Salatt, Year 13

ARABIC AND Islamic STUDIES

It has been another fruitful and challenging year in the Arabic and Islamic Studies department. All Muslim pupils at the school studied Islamic Education either in English or Arabic, in accordance to the new guidelines published by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education. In order to cater for the demand, the department welcomed Mr. Alvi to the team, who is the author of the iSyllabus for School Workbooks, the textbooks which we have been using at school at Key Stage 3 for the teaching of Islamic Studies in English.

A special mention to Maab ElSheikh who was recognised for her excellent examination performance in the Edexcel iGCSE Islamic Studies examination. Maab received the highest mark in the Middle East! A huge well done to her.

Over the course of the academic year the Arabic and Islamic Studies department has entered and organised a number of competitions. Mustapha Ghaly and Yahya Abdullah Muhammad entered the Awqaf Hadith competition with both achieving a distinction – well done!

The Islamic Art competition organised by Mr. Alvi was well received with many excellent entries. The judges, Mr Spicer, Miss Rudling and Mr Eldemiry eventually agreed on the following winners:

1st place – Hla Mohamed (Year 9)

2nd place – Ali Mahasneh (Year 9)

3rd place – Noor Abuzgia (Year 9)

During Ramadan, the department recorded and shared reminders about the blessed month of Ramadan on the school’s social media platforms. The videos were very much appreciated by the school community. The Arabic and Islamic Studies department also organised a Qur’an and Hadith competition during the month of Ramadan and took the lead with the Heads of House for the charity collection for Ramadan. Well done to everyone who participated in the competitions. Below are the winners from both competitions:

Qur’an Hadith

1st place – Hla Mohamed (Year 9)

2nd place – Mohammad Abdullahi (Year 13)

3rd place – Mohammad Rayan (Year 8)

1st place – Bilal Ghanim (Year 9)

2nd place – Khuloud Al Maliki (Year 7)

3rd place – Syed Ali (Year 8)

Lastly, we bid farewell to Miss Afaf Turkmen who has decided to move to another school here in Doha. We thank her for her hard work over the last two years and wish her the very best for the future.

As Eid al-Adha approaches, we would like to take the opportunity to say Eid Seed, happy Eid to you all and we hope that you have a restful summer break!

ART & Design

As we reflect on the 2022-2023 academic year, it has been very pleasing to see Sherborne Qatar Senior School has returned to a semblance of normal, daily life. The tenacity and perseverance of the pupils has shined through as we celebrate the dedicated, young and inspiring artists. We have had some outstanding iGCSE, AS Level and A Level submissions; Habiba Shehata achieved the iGCSE academic award for ‘Best in the World’ from the exam board, Pearson/Edexcel and Al Jori Al Kuwari, a former Year 12 pupil, achieved the AS Level academic award for ‘Best in Qatar’ from Cambridge International.

Just in time for Ramadan, together the Islamic, Arabic and Art Departments launched, ‘The 99 Names of Allah’ Islamic Art competition. The pupils must be congratulated on the many creative and inspired entries, showcasing superb Arabic calligraphy and design. It was an extremely difficult choice to make for the judges, however we were proud to announce that Hla Mohammed (9A) won 1st prize, Ali Mahasneh (9E) came 2nd and Noor Abugazi (9D) was the 3rd prize winner. All pupils were awarded certificates for their participation and the prize winners were awarded gift vouchers for their outstanding submissions.

The Art Department continues to foster links with the wider artistic community, even more so this year as we celebrate our very own Mr Mortimer, who is currently coming to the end of a 10-month Artist in Residency at the Fire Station. As part of the residency, he delivered workshops and was involved in outreach events such as public talks and open studios, as well as exhibiting his artwork. He describes his work as mixed media taking inspiration from Qatari popular culture.

Unfortunately, we have to say goodbye to Mr Mortimer as he moves onto pastures new as Head of Art at the British International School in Riyadh. I would like to take this opportunity to thank him for his five years of service at Sherborne Qatar and for his contribution, enthusiasm, and energy. We wish him every success in his new post.

Creating artwork can be a frustrating process and the artistic journey is not an easy one. However, the below ‘Artists of the Month’, have really discovered what perseverance is all about. None more so than Abigail Clarke (11B) who joined Sherborne in Year 11 and through her tenacity, has managed to create an entire portfolio of work in less than 10 months. She was also awarded the ‘Special Art Prize’ for this year for her commitment, dedication, and ability.

ARTISTS OF THE MONTH 2023:

Malak Yagoub (8D)

Abdulrahman Al Mahmoud (11A)

Suad Darwazeh (12C)

Hana Elhai (11B)

Emily Spicer Gregory (11D)

Chenae Samura (11A)

Abigail Clarke (11B)

Ava Berger (10C)

Below are a few words from one of our Year 9 artists who has elected to take iGCSE Art and Design next year.

“I have really enjoyed art this year because we got to work with lots of different materials and explore new disciplines, such as: sculpting, mixing oil and graphite, and spray painting. Learning these new skills has allowed me to develop my strength and confidence in perfecting my own creative style. It inspires me when a painting can be interpreted in so many ways. Furthermore, I am looking forward to my art course next year so that I can continue my artistic journey.” Gabriella Panaretos, 9E

The Art Department is immensely proud of all the artists we have at Sherborne from Year 7 through to Year 13 for all their hard work and commitment to their studies. We look forward to supporting and encouraging pupils to produce new and innovative artwork next year. We are also excited to announce, that Miss Ann McNally will be joining us as a new member of staff; she will make a fantastic addition to the Art and Design Department.

Ms L Rudling

Head of Art and Design

Business STUDIES & ECONOMICS

What an exciting year! With the introduction of Travel and Tourism, we are proud to share the news of our department’s growth. This course has allowed students to explore global tourism and immerse themselves in the various submarkets of this fascinating industry. The coursework element gave students the opportunity to experience planning and running their own events which were all varied and hugely successful in equal measure. Some of the events led were a Year 11 University Fair and a tourism trip to the 3-2-1 Museum. Both were hugely successful and a credit to the maturity and creativity of our pupils.

During the first half of the academic year the business department had the pleasure of hosting Mr Ghanim Al-Sulaiti, CEO of Enbat Holdings, who delivered a talk to our business pupils on 3rd October 2022. Enbat Holdings boasts a range of businesses specialising in vegan products including food, beauty and wellbeing products and services. During his talk, Al-Sulaiti shared his entrepreneurial journey and information about his various business ventures which all feature unique aspects of business, including Evergreen Organics, Botany Lab and Papercut Factory. Pupils described the talk as ‘inspiring’ and ‘eye-opening’, as it introduced them to different niche markets including the world of veganism. The pupils commented that they found great value in the presentation as it enhanced their understanding of key iGCSE concepts such as entrepreneurship, product development and different types of business. Al-Sulaiti ensured that there was time at the end for the pupils to ask questions, which allowed them to gain more insight, not just from a business point of view but also more information regarding veganism. Many of the pupils came away from the talk inspired to become an entrepreneur and even asked Al-Sulaiti for any tips that he could give them.

During ter m 2, marketing was the key focus of our Year 10 iGCSE lessons. It was a time for pupils to unleash their creativity, think outside of the box and devise a new business idea, which they then ‘pitched’ for funding from the Sherborne Business Dragons: Mrs Ingram, Mr Collins and Mr Choudhri. In small groups, pupils were asked to develop a product or service which they would brand, market and present using the four key components of the marketing mix (product, price, place and promotion). The aim of the task was simple; fill a gap in an existing market or develop a new product for a potential niche market. Some of the ideas were amazing. We saw the use of AI technology, a jazzy jacket and a pair of very interesting cyber reality glasses. This provided pupils with a golden opportunity to demonstrate strong knowledge and presentation skills, teamwork and dedication to mature an idea through the various stages of product development.

Following our success last year, we have once again joined the Revas Business Simulation Games Challenge. Competing against 95 teams in 36 countries and 11 markets around the world, our three Year 10 students are in the running for the title of ‘Best Young Managers in the World’. By working together to run their own travel agency as efficiently as possible, they have learnt important business skills which have stoked the fires of their entrepreneurial spirit. The competition is still in progress so we will keep you posted on the results!

DESIGN & Technology

This academic year, Sherborne Senior School has opened the doors to a new Design and Technology (D&T) Department. The curriculum currently runs at Key Stages 3 and 4 and will continue to grow into Key Stage 5 in the next few years, offering iGCSE D&T and A Level Product Design. The department comprises of five well-equipped spaces for both staff and pupils:

COMPUTER AIDED MANUFACTURING (CAM) IN G20

The CAM suite is equipped with six 3D printers, a laser cutter, four DOBOT robotic arms and a vinyl cutter. Each of these machines allow pupils to prototype professional outcomes linked to designs and programming that they have completed on a range of 2D and 3D software.

PREPARATION ROOM IN G26

This room is for the storage and preparation of a wide range of materials as well as power tools.

COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN (CAD) IN G25

The CAD suite is where pupils use industry standard software such as Adobe Illustrator and Fusion 360 to plan, model, develop and render their ideas.

PRODUCT DESIGN STUDIO IN G28

This space is developing as a product design library with a range of iconic products and reading materials for pupils to learn from.

PROTOTYPING STUDIO IN G30

This is a practical prototyping workshop featuring a range of hand tools and machinery such as drills, scroll saws and sanders. In this room pupils can cut, shape, deform and reform a range of timbers, manufactured boards, polymers and metals. There are also machines for heat treatment and casting such as a convection oven, vacuum former, pewter casting unit and hot wire strip heater.

The curriculum in Design and Technology enables students to understand and apply iterative design processes through which they explore, create and evaluate a range of outcomes. The course enables pupils to use creativity and imagination to design and make prototypes (together with evidence of modelling to develop and prove product concept and function) that solve real and relevant problems, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values. It gives pupils opportunities to apply knowledge from other disciplines, including Mathematics, Science, Art and Design, Computing and the Humanities.

At iGCSE, pupils will acquire subject knowledge in Design and Technology that builds on Key Stage 3, incorporating knowledge and understanding of different materials and manufacturing processes in order to confidently design and make prototypes in response to issues, needs, problems and opportunities. Pupils learn how to take design risks, helping them to become resourceful, innovative and enterprising citizens. They should develop an awareness of practices from the creative, engineering and manufacturing industries. Through the critique of the outcomes of design and technology activity, both historic and present day, students should develop an understanding of its impact on daily life and the wider world and understand that high-quality design and technology is important to the creativity, culture, sustainability, wealth and wellbeing of the nation and the global community.

This summer we will welcome Mr Leonard to join the Head of Department, Mr Bleach.

Mr Bleach Head of Design and Technology

Drama

When I joined Sherborne Senior School this year, knowing that the world was beginning to return to a sense of normality, I was full of excitement. The pupils gave me a warm welcome and quickly learned to respond to expectations, collaborate in groups, and develop their confidence when performing.

In Year 7 we have been joined by Ms Jefferies, Mr Martin, and Ms Raychell, and we have enjoyed an introduction to Drama, through improvisation, devising, and performing. Pupils quickly learned to work well in teams, responding flexibly when our lesson timings were adjusted due to the World Cup. We followed this with some physical theatre work based on ‘Alice in Wonderland’ and looking at scripts in our Roald Dahl unit.

In Year 8, pupils have looked at voice work and radio drama, melodrama and historical interpretations, and puppetry, focusing on the set text ‘War Horse’. Pupils have expanded on skills learned in Year 7 and been able to develop practical skills with confidence. We have been lucky to have Ms Raychell and Ms Broxup join our Year 8 team and are thankful for their work with the pupils.

Finally, in Year 9 pupils have looked at verbatim theatre based on historical events from the Titanic disaster, before working on pieces inspired by ‘a sense of self’ and ‘Home’. We were able to use the expertise of Ms Iqbal and Mrs Ashiq to help Year 9 learn about interpreting and using poetry as a dramatic stimulus. The department is also grateful to Ms Mahmoud and Ms Menouar for their assistance when I was on maternity leave.

Pupils in Year 10 and 12 enjoyed using the auditorium stage as a performance space and learning about technical theatre with the use of lighting and sound. Pupils have developed confidence when interpreting and performing scripted work, studied set works, and devised their own creative work. We have analysed scripts at a high level and learned to look at the work of existing professional theatre companies.

In Drama Club we have been joined by Ms Martin to produce a murder mystery play called ‘Café Murder’. We have given pupils leadership roles as Assistant Directors and thank Grace Lloyd in Year 12 for her valuable input. Pupils have responded well to the challenge of this play and are enjoying the improvisational aspect. The audience will interview the key suspects and arrive at a conclusion. We are very excited to close the year with this performance.

English

In South Africa, where I grew up, we have a Bantu Nguni word, ‘Ubuntu’. It means: ‘I am because we are’. This is the philosophy of the English Department staff. We work together, as a unit, in harmony, for the good of the whole department and all our pupils. This year, we were joined by three new staff members: Miss Grace Jefferies, Miss Aneesa Iqbal and Miss Iman Mahamud. These teachers quickly settled in and have become an integral part of the team.

Thankfully, there has been some semblance of normality this academic year as the country, and indeed the world, settled down after the pandemic. As a result, we have been able to collaborate more as a department by organising activities for whole year groups and had some enjoyable combinations of sets using the auditorium as a performance space.

We have also run some very successful year group competitions. The Year 7s wrote X (formerly known as Twitter) length short ‘stories’ for a writing competition in term 1; the Year 8s entered a poetry competition entitled ‘Growing Up and Growing Old’ in term 2; and, by the time write-up has gone to print, the Year 9s will also have been judged on the short stories they wrote for their competition.

In addition to these written competitions, the English Department implemented a Dragons’ Den competition for all Year 8 pupils (based on the concept of the TV show). Pupils were required to design a new product for teenagers and then pitch the product in class to their English teacher and peers. The pupils who had the most innovative products and the best pitches were selected by their teachers to take part in the finals, held in the auditorium in term 2, in front of a panel of judges (Dragons) and the entire year group. Competition was fierce and there were some incredibly well delivered pitches. The ultimate winners were:

3rd place: Muhammad Durraiz and Ali Shah for their product ‘Cloud’.

2nd place: Ayesha Minhas for her product ‘Portacup’.

1st place: Juraj Kovacic and Ibrahim Abdalla for their product ‘Keep Kool’.

A special commendation went to Mousa El Hares for the exceptional delivery of his pitch for ‘Aqua Hydration’.

The Year 10 and Year 11 pupils worked hard this year to master their literature texts, including ‘Life of Pi’ by Yann Martel and ‘Othello’ by the master playwright

himself, Shakespeare. Furthermore, a new and exciting AS Level subject, English General Paper was introduced in August and the uptake from the Year 12 pupils was pleasing - with a record number of pupils opting for the subject. The department is also proud of the pleasing iGCSE, AS Level and A Level Cambridge International results in English as a Second Language, English Language, English Literature and AS Level and A Level English Language and English Literature in the June 2022 external examinations. Special mention must be made here for former pupil, Moza Al Thani who received a special award from Cambridge International for her excellent AS Level English Literature results in the final examinations.

As a whole school, we celebrated World Book Day on 2nd March this year. During the week leading up to this day, the department implemented DEAR (drop everything and read) daily, as well as launching a competition where a record 54 classroom doors were decorated by staff and pupils to celebrate their favourite books and then, finally, character dress up day was held on 2nd March when staff and pupils dressed up to depict characters from books that have had an impact on them.

Sadly, this year we say goodbye to four staff members as they move on from Sherborne Senior School. Firstly, Mr Chris Martin who has been an invaluable member of the team for two years and is leaving us to take up an English teaching position in India. We wish him and his family all the best in their new endeavours. Secondly, Mrs Romina Ashiq who, after four years in the department and eight years in Qatar, is returning to England with her family. She will be sorely missed by all the staff and pupils and she leaves a huge void in the department. Thirdly, Miss Chloe Broxup (Mrs Temple), who after five years teaching English at Sherborne is going to enjoy some quality time with her new baby, Lottie and take a break from teaching for a little while. We wish her the very best and thank her for her invaluable commitment to the team.

Lastly, Miss Lisa Parsons, who is not leaving the Sherborne family entirely, as she is moving to Sherborne School for Girls to teach English there. Miss Parsons has been second in the department for five years and an integral part of the English Department at Sherborne Senior School for seven years. Her support and expertise will be sorely missed by me, as Head of English, by her colleagues in the department and by the pupils who were lucky enough to be taught by her.

Miss Linda Castaldo Head of English

Geography

It has been another successful year in the Geography Department at Sherbor ne Senior School!

This academic year the Geography Department had some outstanding results in our iGCSE and International A Level (IAL) courses which increased the popularity in the subject across Key Stage 4 and 5. A special mention to Rohan Martin, William Selwood, Leo Conflane and Sama Saeed who achieved exceptional results at iGCSE and Saul Saunders, Erik Paul, Nifael Michalowski and Rayyan Nazri for achieving A grades in their International A Levels. This success alongside many others has been attributed to both staff and students hard work and dedication.

This year, we were also delighted to restart our trips across Year 11 and 12. Field investigations continue to be an important element of Geography at Sherborne Senior School and are vital to broaden pupils’ understanding of both the human and natural world. Pupils travelled around Doha to have a look at transportation issues and regeneration – they visited several sites ranging from Souq Waqif and Msheireb. Year 11 and 12 pupils also travelled to Al Wakrah beach in March to investigate the impact of human and natural processes on the coastal environment, specifically looked at beach profiles, long shore drift, environmental quality surveys and wave frequency.

As Qatar put on a spectacular FIFA World Cup tournament, our pupils across Year 7, 8 and 9 were lucky enough to have a whole taught unit on the tournament which they thoroughly enjoyed. We covered topical issues related to the World Cup, its successes and looked at the various stadiums.

We were also very excited to bring back Green Day this year which was held alongside Science Week. In Year 7 and 8, the pupils worked on creating an eco fashion outfit. The finalists then got staff to model it down the Sherborne runway! Congratulations to all pupils for creating such wonderful outfits and a special mention to Ivy Tavola in Year 9 who won the contest. Alongside this, we ran a bake sale and pupils dressed in green to raise money for the Turkey/ Syria earthquake and also held an eco vs science bake off.

At Key Stage 5 we have been delighted with the enthusiasm and dedication of our Year 12s whilst they have been learning about global challenges and hazardous environments. The Year 13s continued to prove that they are conscientious learners as they grappled with the challenge of writing a 60-mark report on tectonics for Unit 4 in timed conditions, and continued to impress with their evaluative skills in essay writing.

Over the academic year we have continued to develop the Eco Club and were delighted to receive the Green Flag Award from the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). Syed Abedi (CEO), Rebecca Matthews (President), Nishita Mohan (Junior Vice President), Erik Paul (Senior Vice President) and William Selwood (Vice President in Marketing) held a presentation to the judges over the themes we have implemented across our school over the last two academic years. The judges were thoroughly impressed with what Sherborne Senior School had implemented and commended the students on their leadership, hard work, and dedication to all projects. What an outstanding achievement!

Lastly, we would like to thank Mr Mckendry for his exceptional service and commitment to Sherborne Senior School and the Geography Department over the last seven years. He will be leaving Qatar with his family and returning back to the UK. We wish him and his family the very best for the future.

I would also like to introduce two new members of staff to the department: Mr Anderson who started this academic year and Mr Foster who will be joining us in August 2023.

Ms A Malik Head of Geography

Global CITIZENSHIP

As we come to the end of the inaugural year of Global Citizenship, we are thrilled to report on the progress and growth of this new subject at Sherborne Qatar. Global citizenship is a concept that goes beyond national borders and emphasises the interconnectedness of all people and nations in the world. It encourages individuals to recognise and embrace their role as responsible global citizens who can contribute to making the world a better place.

This year, Year 7, Year 8 and Year 9 pupils were introduced to a range of topics that covered social justice, conflict, the environment, human rights, and globalisation. They developed their key vocabulary and were continuously encouraged to think critically about the choices that humans make. This has helped them to understand how their actions can impact the world around them.

In Year 10, pupils have started their iGCSE course, where they have tackled topics such as politics, economic development, and the environment. They have looked at the causes, effects, and solutions to these major global citizenship themes. This has enabled them to develop a deeper understanding of the challenges facing our world and the importance of taking action to address these challenges.

We would like to extend a warm thank you to the Year 11 pupils who embraced the challenge of doing a short course version of Global Citizenship. They looked at big world issues and challenged the actions of the human race. Their enthusiasm and commitment have been an inspiration to us all.

Those who teach Global Citizenship are excited about the prospect of continued growth in this new subject for Sherborne Qatar. We are committed to providing an engaging and challenging curriculum that helps pupils develop the knowledge, skills, and values needed to be responsible global citizens. We look forward to seeing our pupils continue to grow and develop as global citizens in the years to come.

History AND POLITICS

This year, while History pupils have continued to develop both their understanding of the past and their historical skills, our Politics pupils have worked hard to understand both differing political ideologies and current events in the UK and USA.

Year 7 pupils have learnt how to use historical sources to find out about the past while developing their essay writing skills. They have also made models of Roman army equipment, undertaken research and presentation projects on aspects of Roman life, made impassioned speeches as the three main contenders for the throne in 1066 AD and designed board games on the Black Death.

In Year 8 and 9, pupils have continued to develop their historical skills enabling them to recognise both the value and limitations of sources and how the causes of events link together to make things happen. Year 8 have debated if Mary I deserves her nickname, acted out a play on the execution of Charles I; while Year 9 have been involved in a reconstruction of the ‘White Feather Movement’ during a World War One recruitment drive and analysed the causes of the Russian Revolution.

Our iGCSE pupils have become adept at time management to help them with the demands of the examination papers. With the return of the final unit of the iGCSE paper on the development of international organisations our Year 11 pupils have analysed the effectiveness of both the League of Nations and the United Nations in dealing with a wealth of disputes ranging from the aggressive foreign policies of the dictators in the 1930s to the recent conflicts up to 2011 including tackling genocide in the Balkans and the deep routed conflicts in Somalia, Mozambique and Sudan.

At A Level we have seen the development of talented historians as they have looked at the long road to improving civil rights and race relations in both South Africa and the USA along with the causes and effects of Nazi rule in Germany and the Hot War in Asia. Our Sixth Form Politics pupils have contemplated the demise of Boris Johnson and the post-Trump era and debated the state of democracy in the UK and USA.

While our hope to resurrect our Remembrance Day Assembly was not to be, our cross-curricular interactive display that graced the reception area in Sherborne Senior School, was amazing and ensured that those fallen in all battles are remembered and the devastation caused by conflict is not forgotten.

ICT & Computer SCIENCE

Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) is currently bringing the biggest public excitement. A platform such as ChatGPT allows users to create text, videos, images and 3D models using prompts and the world has been intrigued by this innovation. This new tool is allowing people to improve their productivity level in communication, marketing, legal work and computer coding. At the same time, it is also a worrying time as many jobs will be lost. There are heavy ethical issues that need to be tackled and the necessity of regulating generative AI is prompting several governments to think on how to regulate this mechanism.

In the ICT and Computer Science department, we continued to strengthen the curriculum by offering both ICT and Computer Science from Key Stages 3 to 5. In Key Stage 3, we blend the teaching of ICT and Computer Science, where ICT is more geared towards applications such as spreadsheets, databases, e-safety, 3D modelling and video editing. Our Key Stage 3 modules in Computer Science focus on block-based and textbased programming such as Scratch and Python, cyber-security, computational thinking and data representation.

In Key Stages 4 and 5, we offer ICT and Computer Science as two distinctive subjects which offer pupils the opportunity to embark on a fruitful career. ICT allows them to explore digital technologies and tools while producing effective solutions. In Computer Science, computational thinking and programming methodologies are at the forefront of the curriculum. Skills are developed through the use of pseudocodes with complex problems involving 2D arrays and text file manipulation.

As we have moved away from the restrictions of COVID-19, we have been very active as a department. We organised a coding transition visit for our Year 6 pupils in Preparatory School. They visited our brand new building, had a fantastic time doing activities in ethical hacking and block-based programming. Below are some comments from Year 6:

“My experience at the Senior School was really nice and it felt quite different to the Prep School as we are the oldest there whereas the Senior School will teach me how to be more independent and more mature.”

“I found it entertaining when my friend and I got lost in the school- they were kind about it and they did not laugh and helped us. The teachers were nice and they helped us figure out what to do in the coding. The Year 7 helpers were kind and interesting while telling us about the Senior School.”

“It was really big and I did get lost for a few minutes but overall it was really good teaching and I learnt a lot from this trip!”

Carnegie Mellon University organised a spring camp in robotics, Minecraft and programming, which a lot of our pupils attended. They got the opportunity to meet pupils from other schools, used a variety of different resources and we strengthened our collaboration with such a prestigious university.

We took a handful of pupils to the SUMO ROBOT robotics competition at American School of Doha, where we tasted tremendous success by reaching the final.

Finally, I would like to sum up achievements at public examinations in ICT and Computer Science at iGCSE and A Levels. Our pupils achieved outstanding results and a special mention goes to Haneen Ortashi who achieved the highest iGCSE Computer Science grade in Qatar. Our A Level Computer cohort of 2021-22 achieved 100% A grades. Mohamed Elsayed and Ziyad El Ansari excelled and are now pursuing degrees in Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon Doha and Nottingham University UK respectively.

Mathematics

It has been another successful year within the Mathematics Department with a new member of staff joining the team, building on the wide range of teaching strategies employed to our pupils.

Key Stage 3 and 4 have continued to develop their problem-solving skills in the topics of Algebra, Shape and Space, Geometry and Data. These are particularly important in preparing the pupils for external examinations in Year 11, 12 and 13. Activities such as group work, quizzes and independent study are integral within lessons and ensure a solid foundation in the subject.

In Key Stage 5 we are also pleased to note that we have seen a further increase in numbers wanting to take both Mathematics and Further Mathematics at A Level. Additional sets have been created allowing for more tailored teaching to our pupils. This shows our pupils’ strength in Mathematics and desire to learn more about this fascinating subject.

This year we had 22 pupils undertake the United Kingdom Mathematics Trust (UKMT) Maths Challenge within the Senior and Intermediate categories. Special mentions must go to Yaqoub Bugla (9A) Tiara Osiago (10E) and Youssef Ibrahim (10A) who gained Gold certificates. We also achieved a total of nine Silver and five Bronze certificates. Well done to all those involved.

A special mention must be given to Niranjan Muthuswamy (13E) who achieved 300/300 Uniform Mark Scale marks in both his AS Level Mathematics and AS Level Further Mathematics examinations last year. An outstanding achievement. This year he has been working hard on his A Levels as well as the additional Society of Trust and Estate Practitioner (STEP) qualification which is a prerequisite for his university place at University College London where he is hoping to study Mathematics with Economics.

Looking ahead to next year, we have two new department members joining us who we are excited to welcome. Sadly, we say goodbye to two of our Mathematics teachers; Mrs Islam and Mrs Ramezani who are both returning to the UK. We would very much like to thank them for their hard work and commitment during their time at Sherborne Senior School and wish them the very best in their new schools. Finally, we would like to take the opportunity to wish all of our pupils in Year 11, 12 and 13 every success in their external examinations and look forward to hearing about their new and exciting ventures in the future.

Media STUDIES

‘Mistakes are proof you are trying’ - Jennifer Lim

Media Studies is not just about learning new and exciting technical skills, it is also about appreciating the skill and creativity which goes into the production of media texts. Just as analysing the different techniques used in the creation of a poem or novel helps you appreciate the talent of the writer, learning about media techniques helps you appreciate the skills with words and pictures that the creators of a media text have to possess.

The Media Studies Department has continued to develop since it began three years ago at Sherborne Qatar. With continued achievement in Years 10, 11, 12 and 13, we are successfully running an AS Level and A Level course for Years 12 and 13, and BTEC courses as an option for pupils in Years 10 and 11.

The success of this department is proof of the dedication and commitment of pupils taking Media Studies. Throughout the difficulty of the pandemic, Sherborne Qatar has felt incredibly proud of its pupils – especially as they have been learning a completely new subject, under very difficult circumstances.

A Level pupils in Year 13 have studied a broad range of media topics and produced a great deal of development work for a music video. The pupils have been introduced to challenging theories such as postmodernism and media regulation. They have developed a wide range of video skills including using green screens and video editing techniques to produce music videos which are to a truly excellent standard.

AS Level pupils in Year 12 have been tested through their production work in learning Photoshop skills and producing their own website. As well as learning communication theories and developing their understanding regarding the production of meaning, pupils have produced publication work to a professional standard and developed a wide range of other skills including photography and digital image manipulation.

BTEC Media Studies pupils in Years 10 and 11 have also developed cutting-edge media skills. Detailing research methods and techniques, developing production ideas and learning production skills for print and advertising have been among some of the areas covered by pupils in these year groups.

In addition, pupils have developed their digital presentation skills through the various software packages available. They have learned how to promote an idea and use technology to make their thoughts and suggestions more persuasive and interesting.

To accomplish so much while readjusting to life back in full-time education has been an outstanding feat by all our pupils. Along with the rest of the staff here, I am very impressed with the professionalism and perseverance demonstrated by all our pupils here in our new school.

Mr A M Leeder Lead Teacher of Media Studies

MODERN Foreign LANGUAGES

Learning a modern foreign language at Sherborne Qatar is not just about passing exams, it is about developing valuable skills and knowledge that will stay with our pupils for life. ‘Made in Sherbor ne, made for life’ reflects our commitment to providing our pupils with real language exposure as well as high-quality education that prepares them for the challenges and opportunities of the future.

We believe that our pupils are not just learning a language, but they are also learning valuable life skills that will stay with them forever: pupils can enhance their communication skills, broaden their horizons, and develop a deeper understanding of other cultures. Additionally, our students gain a range of transferable skills that can be applied in many different areas of their lives, such as concentration, memory, and attention to detail, as well as soft skills like empathy, adaptability, and cultural awareness.

Language learning at Sherborne is fun, interactive, engaging but also challenging and rigorous, promoting our core values of teamwork, perseverance, responsibility, respect, honesty, and kindness, providing our pupils with a unique and valuable learning experience. We know that learning a foreign language is not only about acquiring linguistic skills, but also about building relationships and fostering cultural exchange. We, more than ever, strive to create a welcoming and inclusive learning environment that encourages our pupils to engage with the wider world and develop a global mindset.

This year, as social distancing, restrictions and regulations gradually disappeared from our normality, we have been delighted to resume many of our activities, from French and Spanish cooking, to debating. Our Modern Foreign Language (MFL) community has remained strong, and we have been thrilled to see our pupils engage with their learning with renewed vigour and enthusiasm.

Science Week was an incredible experience at school. This year, Ms. Khayari’s French Year 7 class participated in various exciting scientific activities that allowed our budding linguists to explore and learn scientific key terms in French. Learning about planets in French has never been more fun! The pupils showed incredible creativity and talent while preparing for the French science stand. This was commended by numerous visitors! Additionally, we learned interesting facts about space, chemistry, biology, and many other captivating subjects. This Science Week truly ignited the pupils’ curiosity and love for both science and languages. It was an unforgettable experience that will stay with them for a long time.

The MFL Department at Sherborne is more than just a place where students learn French and Spanish. It is a community that fosters personal growth, cultural awareness, and citizenship. By combining outstanding teaching and ‘real-life’ experiences, embracing the cultures we teach, we provide our students with a well-rounded education that equips them for success in the international world.

As we rejoice at putting the pandemic behind us, building on what we learnt from it, we are also preparing to say farewell to two esteemed colleagues whose dedication, passion, and enthusiasm for their subject were an intrinsic part of our success. We are grateful for their contributions to our pupils’ personal and academic growth. Pupils will dearly miss Ms Cobo and Ms Arandiga and we wish them all the best in their new endeavours.

Music

Everybody loves music. Many people feel that music makes life worth living. Music can cheer us up, excite us or make us feel calm. This year we have enjoyed a wide variety of musical performances by our talented pupils. ‘Joy in Performance’, ‘Buskers’ Corner’ and the musical entertainment during the Spring Fair were some of the highlights of this year. As always, we thank those who support the arts and we are grateful for the community and meaningful relationships that we build through music.

Physical EDUCATION

This year saw a return to some normality in Physical Education for the first time since before COVID-19, and it was nice for pupils to finally get the chance to work in all the new facilities at the Senior School including the swimming pool. The PE Department has used the power of physical activity to encourage pupils to learn skills which will be of use to all in their life and careers.

All pupils in Years 7 to 10 had the opportunity to have swimming lessons during the warm weather, and many enjoyed the chance to practise their techniques or improve their water confidence. This is something that will be sure to feature more regularly on each pupil’s timetable in future.

In curriculum time, pupils have had a varied experience with a focus on learning key skills to take into their futures whether it be in sports or other aspects of life. Besides learning techniques and tactics from a range of sports, pupils were challenged to develop their leadership qualities, to investigate what it means to be a good team player and consider how we can communicate effectively. Year 7 also focussed on what sporting behaviour looks like and how we should behave in different situations such as dealing with defeat and showing good sportsmanship, no matter the result.

We began the year with a series of lessons titled ‘My Personal Best’ in which pupils attempted to perform different physical tasks at the highest level they could. ‘Sherborne Warrior’ – an assault course – proved to be one of the most popular activities. The purpose of the lessons was to look at the attitude of our pupils and to discuss the concept of a growth mindset and how all performances can be improved with the right approach to practice, consistency and effort.

A popular part of the year was our ‘Season of Sport’ in which pupils were assigned a team which they remained a part of for several lessons. This taught them many lessons about what it is like to be part of a team and work with the same people week in, week out as they will in the world of work. Pupils were given autonomy and took on various roles in the team, such as captain, kit person or fitness coach. After making their preparations, they then took on the other teams in a range of sports and athletic competitions, scoring points along the way which contributed to their league table. We were delighted with how many of the pupils rose to occasion and several emerged as excellent future leaders.

PSYCHOLOGY & Sociology

It is so pleasing to look back on our second year as a ‘full strength’ department in Psychology and Sociology, as well as our first year to offer both subjects to pupils from iGCSE all the way up to A Level. We were delighted with the news at the start of the year that of the six awards Cambridge International awarded our school for outstanding learning, half of them went to pupils studying Psychology and Sociology (‘Top in Qatar’ for both subjects at AS Level and ‘High Achievement’ in A Level Psychology).

Not resting on our current success, we are now looking forward to introducing a brand new A Level Psychology course for August 2023, as well as relaunching school trips, such as visits to Qatar University, The Museum of Illusions and many opportunities to complete social research in the field. Please read on to see a summary of each class and the successes from the year:

PSYCHOLOGY

Year 10 pupils were introduced to psychology by focusing on topics such as neuroscience, memory, and social influence. We delved into the various stages of development that children go through and explored ways to improve our memory. We also examined how authority figures can influence our behaviour and looked at related concepts such as conformity and obedience. Pupils also learned about how psychologists investigate human behaviour, analysing research methods and building a foundation of critical thinking skills.

In Year 11, we continued our exploration of psychology by studying perception, psychological problems, and issues and debates within the field. We learned about how we perceive the world around us and how our interpretations can be influenced. We also examined the very relevant topic of mental health, investigating how we diagnose disorders as well as how illnesses and disorders are explained and treated by mental health practitioners. Finally, we tied everything together for the two years by looking at current debates within the field.

Year 12 pupils were given the opportunity to focus on key studies in more depth. We focused on Baron-Cohen’s famous research into the Theory of Mind and Yamamoto’s unique chimpanzee study. Pupils became further familiar with how the field of psychology investigates human behaviour, analysing the benefits and drawbacks of various research methods. Our AS Level psychologists were amongst the first to sit their formal examinations during the Eid period, and we wish them the best of success for their efforts.

In Year 13, we studied a range of disorders relating to abnormality such as schizophrenia and OCD, as well as studies surrounding health promotion, pain reduction and stress management. We examined the symptoms, aetiologies, and treatments of these disorders and debated the efficacy of several, and explored how psychological research can inform health promotion and management strategies. Pupils also explored current issues and debates within these applications, such as the nature versus nurture debate, as well as changes over time.

SOCIOLOGY

In Year 10, pupils examined identity, inequality, and research methods. We explored how social and cultural factors contribute to an individual’s sense of self, and how social inequality shapes opportunities and experiences. We also learned the fundamentals of social research, including the importance of ethical considerations when conducting studies. Towards the end of the third term, some pupils conducted initial field research, which we hope to expand on next year.

In Year 11, the focus shifted to family and crime. Pupils analysed the different sociological theories and their perspectives of family structures. We also looked at how social, cultural, and economic factors influence family roles and relationships. Pupils also explored the nature of crime, its causes, and its impact on society. Different theories of crime were examined, alongside an analysis of the criminal justice system. One of the highlights of the year, was our debate on the death penalty, its effectiveness in the past, and how new justifications for punishment, such as rehabilitation, could now be seen as more important in the 21st century.

Year 12 Sociology built upon the topics studied in Year 10 and 11, with a focus on family, identity, and research methods. Pupils explored how different ethnic and social class factors shape families, and how family structures and relationships vary across different times and places. We also examined how individuals develop their sense of self through social interaction and cultural influences. Pupils also gained insight into the research methods used by sociologists and why some are more appropriate to use than others depending on the topic of investigation.

Finally, in Year 13, the class delved into the topics of education, globalisation, and media. Pupils explored how curriculum design, intelligence testing and other factors influence education, as well as the role it plays in social mobility and social reproduction. We also learned about differences in attainment and investigated what attributes to these. In the most challenging areas of the course, we examined the impact of globalisation on social and cultural processes, and the role of different media forms in shaping attitudes, beliefs, and behaviours. We also investigated the influence media has on society, tying into topics that were also covered in Year 12.

Mr Brad Reynolds Head of Psychology and Sociology

Qatar HISTORY

This year has been a very special year for Qatar History, as we have witnessed Qatar history in the making with Qatar hosting the FIFA World Cup 2023.

In terms of curriculum, the Ministry of Education has introduced new lessons which seek to address topical issues. In Year 7, pupils have learnt about tourism and its importance for Qatar. In Year 8 pupils studied the role of Qatari women and their contribution to society. In Year 9, the pupils focused on environmental issues and how Qatar is taking measures to become more sustainable.

The main highlight for this year was giving the opportunity to all our Key Stage 3 pupils to go on a school trip since the pandemic. Year 7 visited the Qatar National Museum and learnt about the history of Qatar, past, present, and future before visiting the Desert Rose Café for lunch. Year 8 spent the day at the Msheireb Slavery Museum and after, they enjoyed visiting Souq Waqif. Year 9 got to experience the new 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum before enjoying lunch in Villaggio.

The department is incredibly proud of our pupils and the staff who consistently make all lessons meaningful and engaging. We have had some of the best display work, group work and presentations across all year groups.

We are excited to see what further developments are yet to come for a subject which is progressively changing to celebrate the success and development of Qatar.

Mrs A Arif Head of Qatar History

Science

The academic year at Sherborne Senior School has been one of outstanding achievements and development, with pupils reaching new heights in their studies and showing remarkable dedication to their science subjects. It all began with the fantastic news of exceptional iGCSE and A Level results. At A Level, we celebrated a record number of A* grades, and we extend special congratulations to pupils who achieved an A* in all their science subjects. A huge well done to Shaheen Thamir Al Shaheen, Hussain Aljabir, Sulaiman Khan, Samuel Benjamin Kinnaird-Barr, Maximous Boctor and Gul E Butool Abedi for their remarkable achievements.

We were equally proud of our iGCSE pupils, who excelled in their respective fields. A special mention goes to Haneen Osman Mustafa Ortashi, Habiba Walid Mohamed Elmogazy Shehata, Isabela Kanashiro Ventorim, and Zoe Clarisse Berger, who achieved the highest (or joint highest) marks in their year group for Biology, Physics, and Chemistry.

This year, we were delighted to bring back Science Week after a three-year COVID-19 break, and it was an absolute triumph. The week was jam-packed with activities and events, and we were thrilled to see our pupils’ enthusiasm for science reignited. Highlights included the Skydome, the Science Fair, and the Sizzling Science show. For the Science Fair, pupils were tasked with creating an A1 poster and/or model to explain a scientific idea they had studied, read about, or experimented with. The quality of entries was exceptional, and we were amazed to receive close to 30 projects. During the fair, pupils were given a stand and asked to present their scientific idea to peers and judges.

Congratulations to our prize winners: Ivy Soniran and Syeda Rizvi (Year 7) for their project on ‘How we see,’; Ibrahim Muhammed Bilal Akhtar (Year 7) for ‘Nuclear energy/ reactors,’; and Naba Fatima Khan and Hafsah Adam (Year 7) for their project on ‘What are black holes?’.

Throughout the academic year, we continued to develop the Medical Club, and we were delighted by the inspiring presentations from pupils and external speakers. These presentations encouraged our pupils to explore different areas of medicine and dentistry, and we are excited to see where their journeys in the world of science will take them.

To end, I would like to introduce the new science leadership team for the next academic year, who will continue to help us deliver an outstanding science experience for our pupils:

Mr Abbasi – Head of Chemistry

Mr Tracey – Head of Physics

Mrs Teladia- Lead Key Stage 3 Teacher (New)

On behalf of the Science department, I wish our fantastic pupils further success as they navigate their journey through the world of science at Sherborne Qatar.

Mr S Malik

Head of Science/Head of Biology

Enrichment

Enrichment at Sherborne has sought to encourage pupils to develop an engaging lifestyle beyond the classroom environment. To fill pupils with enjoyment in a post COVID-19 world was one of our priorities. This year, participation rates have increased swiftly due to the incredible range of activities offered by our amazing teachers. Despite all the challenges in the three terms of this academic year we have had a minimum of 50 clubs run onsite at the Senior School.

Enrichment at Sherborne aims to meet and fulfil the needs of all pupils. As a result, we offered a wide range of clubs including the introduction of the use of our Food Tech room where clubs such as International Cuisine Club, RealFooding Cooking Club and Baking Club cooked delicious food and taught our students invaluable life lessons.

We also saw the return of our sporting clubs such as Football and Basketball. Sherborne Senior School saw the introduction of new sports to engage a wider audience with the introduction of Cricket, Short Tennis and Padel to engage pupils to take part in our extracurricular activities.

Our vision for enrichment is one of inclusivity and competition. We seek to push the boundaries for enrichment by introducing new clubs which have previously not been offered. Clubs like Product Design, Public Speaking and Content Creation are designed to reach a new market of pupils to encourage entrepreneurial skills and individuality, and to recognise that pupils have a range of different skills which can be nurtured with the correct guidance. Looking ahead to next year we look forward to seeing Sherborne return to compete in many sporting and nonsporting events while expanding enrichment provision by investing in clubs such as Mexican Art, First Aid and Drama to break new barriers in our vision to help pupils achieve excellence outside of the classroom environment.

ARABIC CALLIGRAPHY

Arabic calligraphy is an art form that has been passed down for centuries and has deep cultural and spiritual significance. For pupils who are interested in exploring this art form, Arabic Calligraphy Club introduces beginners to the traditional art of writing with a Qalam (reed pen) and ink. Starting with the Ruq’ah script, pupils are taught to write letters of the Arabic alphabet, practising each letter, and perfecting its size and shape.

Mr Alvi

BAKING CLUB

The introduction of Baking Club in our new facilities has been a popular and successful addition to the enrichment programme. During terms 2 and 3, pupils enjoyed discussing recipes to bake, shopping for ingredients independently and using club time to bake their goods. The incredible smells across the corridors on a Monday afternoon had people searching out the club!

Pupils have progressed incredibly well and are now much more efficient in the kitchen, baking simple recipes confidently with their refined skills and improved manual dexterity.

A huge success this year and one to continue into next ter m.

Ms Sultana, Ms Williams and Ms Hussain

BASKETBALL

U14 AND U16 BASKETBALL

Sherborne enjoyed a successful basketball season in their return to competitive sports. We were able to put forward Sixth Form and U14s female teams as well as U16s and U14s male teams due to the popularity of the sport. Our U14 male team did very well, coming in third in both of their tournaments against very well drilled teams. All the athletes gained valuable game experience and enjoyed playing in competitions against other schools. Their performances on the court were exceptional, as well as their conduct off the court when visiting other schools. The pupils are excited for the next season which will hopefully see continued enjoyment and development of the sport at Sherborne.

U19 BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT

The U19 girls travelled to Hamilton International School for their first basketball tournament in three years. The girls went into it with an incredible attitude and demonstrated this ethos on court. They faced a tough draw of matches against two American schools and a Canadian school; all of which trained regularly together. Sadly, the girls lost all of their matches, but each fixture proved chance to learn from their mistakes and to develop their resilience and determination. Our final match against Blyth Academy Qatar was our closest match losing by just two points. The team was captained by Haneen Ortashi who was also nominated as ‘Player of the Tournament’ by her teammates, and in addition was the highest scoring player. Matilda Von Lutzow was voted as ‘Most Valuable Player’ from Mrs Broome for her exceptional effort and ability to adapt in all of the games. Well done ladies.

Mrs Broome

Back: Isabela Ventorim, Bethany Ramsden

Front: Nur Safeia Sharizal, Haneen Ortashi, Habiba Shehata, Sama Saeed, Matilda Von Lutzow, Khadija Ghaly, Maryam Ghaly.

BOYS FOOTBALL

Qatar had been gearing up to a festival of football for a number of years so it was only fitting that we were finally able to resume our representative schools’ footballing programme during a World Cup year. Is there a better way of being inspired than watching the likes of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and my personal favourite global superstar in waiting, Jude Bellingham play on the biggest stage of all?

Whilst we could not match the levels of those illustrious players, Sherborne were represented in every single school tournament we were eligible for and were regularly commended for their hard work, attitude on the pitch, sportsmanship and sheer determination. Unfortunately, we were unable to bring any trophies home this season, with our best result being a narrow 1-0 defeat in the dying seconds of the quarter finals of the under 16 tournament against eventual finalists Park House. However, if we were to look at the bigger picture, all of the boys, regardless of their age groups, represented the school with the honour and dignity we would expect. Not every team can win but every player can uphold the standards they hold dear. In our case, there was no better way of showcasing our Sherborne values than these tournaments and we will be back next year much better for the experience.

Well done, boys. We are all very proud of you.

CRICKET

The enrichment Cricket Club at Sherborne included pupils from Year 7 to Year 10 working and playing together. It proved to be an excellent opportunity for pupils to improve their cricket skills in a fun and competitive environment. The sessions were focused on developing core cricket skills such as batting, bowling, and fielding. The pupils particularly enjoyed the blend of gameplay and skills development, ensuring that our pupils not only became better cricketers but also enjoyed the experience. Overall, the enrichment Cricket Club was a successful initiative that offered pupils a chance to learn and grow in a supportive and engaging setting.

Mr White

DRAMA CLUB

Drama Club has had a rollercoaster year full of fun. The club has played improvisation and drama games, participated in various skits and acting exercises, worked on memorising lines and delivering them with expression whilst also contributing to the production of a final performance of ‘Café Murder’. One of the best things about Drama Club has been seeing pupils across the year groups working together. We have also seen pupils benefit from:

• Increased self-confidence

• Improved communication and language skills

• Improved concentration

• Lear ning the value of cooperation

• Developing an understanding of the world

• Enhanced creative thinking

• Developed emotional intelligence

The club has also been supervised by two Year 12 students, Grace and Eman who have been crucial in helping younger students developing their drama skills and techniques.

“We must all do theatre to find out who we are, and to discover who we could become.” - Augusto Boal.

Ms McDonald and Ms Martin

GA FESTIVAL 2022-23

This year, as part of the World Cup preparations, Sherborne Senior School pupils were involved in a Generation Amazing (GA) Festival. Generation Amazing operates in alignment with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and the Qatar National Vision 2030 with the aim to empower young leaders in Qatar across the region. The aim of the GA festival was to engage pupils from around the world in World Cup festivities by encouraging them to have fun by engaging in football tournaments but also by learning about how football can drive change in society. The pupils of Sherborne Qatar rubbed shoulders with footballing royalty by engaging with stars like David Beckham, Yaya Toure, Javier Mascherano and Gianni Infantino.

Mr Choudhri

2022 FIFA FOOTBALL WORLD CUP QATAR

What a wonderful experience for our pupils, in being flag bearers at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. 36 very lucky pupils were drawn from the whole senior school with 18 acting as flag bearers for the Belgium vs Canada group match, while the other 18 enjoyed the not so competitive Wales vs England match to conclude the group stages.

It must be said that our Sherborne pupils were amazing, having represented the school with great honour, dignity, and impeccable behaviour. They performed their roles wonderfully, having arrived well in advance of kick-off, having practised the ceremonial player line up and national anthem flag bearer role. Pupils then enjoyed the spine-tingling atmosphere of matches and can now look back upon the occasion with great pride and fond memories. We also thank Mr James, Mr Rahman and Mr Bleach for their great support.

GIRLS’ FOOTBALL

I would firstly like to commend all of the pupils who participated in this year’s Girls’ Football enrichment programme for their commitment and dedication. Their enthusiasm and positive attitudes were impressive, and they represented Sherborne with pride in the QUESS football competitions.

The U19 girls made a strong start to the football season, reaching the semi-finals on goal difference with two excellent goals from Haneen Ortashi and Uneiza Haque. In the semi-final against Doha College, Sherborne showed great determination in an exciting game that ended in a 1-1 draw. Maryam Ghaly scored the first goal for Sherborne, and the game went into extra time, where Khadija Ghaly and goalkeeper Sophia Hixon displayed fantastic defending skills. The game ended in a penalty shootout, with both team keepers saving three penalties each, but Sherborne ultimately lost on the last penalty. The girls then demonstrated their deserving medal-winning performance in the 3rd place play-off against Al Khor International School, winning 2-0.

The U16 girls, led by captain Hana Elahi, traveled to AKIS to compete, and perfor med well in their games against Qatar International School, Qatar Academy Doha, and King’s College Qatar. The girls went from strength to strength in addition to impressive attacking from Hana Elahi and solid defence from Emily Spicer-Gregory. Although they missed out on a place in the semi-finals, they demonstrated great effort, determination, and attitude throughout.

The U14s played an exciting competition this year, winning all their pool games and securing a place in the semi-finals after beating Middle East International School in the quarter-finals. Although they lost on penalties to International School of London in the semi-finals, they showed their deserving medal-winning performance in the 3rd place play-off. A special mention to Aya, the U14 team captain, for her excellent leadership skills and Ivy Tavola who was chosen as ‘Player of Competition’ for her commendable performance in the tournament.

The U13 girls were drawn in a strong group in their tournament but were extremely unlucky not to progress to the next round. Despite beating Doha English Speaking School 2-0 in their first game and drawing 1-1 against Nord Anglia International School Al Khor, narrow defeats to Doha British School and Mesaieed International School meant they finished in third place in the group. This meant a tense penalty shoot-out between Sherborne and GEMS Wellington would decide the team which went to the semi-finals, and cruelly, Sherborne lost the shoot-out 4-3 and were eliminated. The girls played with a fantastic attitude throughout, with impressive performances from Emma and Khaloud.

The Year 7 girls participated in their first football competition for Sherborne Senior School in the U12 Girls QUESS Football Tournament. Despite a narrow defeat in their first game, the girls developed a stronger defence, which benefited them and helped gain a win against Dukhan English School with Khaloud Al Malki scoring her debut goal for Sherbor ne and finishing the game with a second goal. The girls unfortunately did not make it to the semi-finals however gained invaluable experience that they can carry into next year’s season.

Lastly, I would like to thank Maryam and Khadija Ghaly for volunteering their time to coach the younger year groups. Their expertise and wealth of experience were invaluable assets to the pupils.

INTERNATIONAL CUISINE COOKING CLUB

The International Cuisine Cooking Club has been a successful club throughout the academic year. Using our new facilities has been a popular addition to the enrichment programme. In this club, pupils brought in their own ingredients and independently made international Arabic and continental dishes in 40 minutes.

Pupils developed well and are now much more efficient in the kitchen, making simple recipes confidently and showing their skills off at home.

Ms Turkmen & Ms Muhaisen

KAYAKING

The Watersports programme enabled the pupils to work with specialist instructors from 365 Adventures in Doha. Pupils and staff travelled from the Senior School to the Pearl and spent close to an hour learning paddling skills on the water. Each week, pupils could choose between paddle boarding or kayaking and were able to practise different techniques before going out on a mini expedition.

MEDICAL CLUB

We are thrilled to celebrate the amazing success of the Medical Club at Sherborne Senior School. This year, the club has provided over 12 curriculum talks by pupils, showcasing their passion for the field of medicine. From dissections to medical ethics talks and first aid training, the club has offered a diverse range of opportunities for its members. We extend a special thank you to our club President Lina Dossa and our Vice Presidents Raihah Chaudhry and Rameen Arefeen for their hard work and dedication to making this club such a resounding success. We look forward to seeing what incredible achievements the Medical Club will accomplish in the years to come.

Mr Malik

MODEL UNITED NATIONS (MUN)

QATAR LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE, NOVEMBER 2022

On Saturday 5th November, I was lucky enough to visit Qatar Academy Al Wakrah to see Rameen Arefeen (Year 10) present an excellent session on goal setting and organisation. Rameen shared a fantastic range of practical and timely skills that her fellow pupils could implement to encourage a resilient growth mindset. Rameen’s session was a part of the Qatar Leadership Conference (QLC), which has connections to Model United Nations programs in Qatar, organised through the THIMUN Qatar office.

Mr Reynolds

THE 3RD ANNUAL THIMUN SINGAPORE CONFERENCE (ONLINE), NOVEMBER 2022

THIMUN Singapore 2022 began with a flourish for all delegates. Sherborne Senior School had 10 pupils attending the conference, all of whom hold special positions from delegates of Ghana to press, reporter, and chair. The pupils attending range from Year 7 to Year 11 and for three pupils, this was their first THIMUN conference, therefore hopefully the start of a spectacular MUN journey. There are 10 committees in the conference and the delegates attended either as double delegates or as single delegates. There was a flurry of activity throughout the week from presenting, to opening speeches and writing resolutions, and not forgetting, debate! All in all, it has been a very memorable experience and the delegates are looking forward to the closing ceremony on Friday 18th November

Rameen Arefeen,

Year 10 pupil and press reporter

THIMUN QATAR CONFERENCE 14TH-17TH MARCH 2023

We are tremendously proud of Khalid Al Marri (Year 11) who participated in the recent MUN conference as Vice President of International Court of Justice. He demonstrated excellent leadership and management.

Here is a brief testimony from Khalid:

“I attended THIMUN Qatar as the Vice President of International Court of Justice (ICJ) Committee and for some part of it, I was also promoted to acting president. Even though, I was a little apprehensive at first, the experience proved to be valuable and lots of fun. It was a memorable moment as I enjoyed socialising with international delegates and helping first timer MUN pupils learn.”

Mrs Hamlin and Mr Reynolds

NETBALL

U19 Netball Tournament

The team travelled with much excitement to Doha College for their annual netball tournament (the first one since the COVID-19 pandemic). The team was captained by Sama Saeed in Year 12 and the girls played their three pool games against Oryx International School, Al Khor International School (AKIS) and Doha College (DC). The girls won two out of their three matches and progressed onto the semi-finals to face Doha College (A Team), for a place in the final. Sadly, DC were too strong on this occasion which meant we played International School of London Qatar (ISLQ) for the bronze medal.

This was, by far, the most exciting and intense school netball match of my teaching career. At the end of the game the final score was 5-5 which meant extra time. At the end of the additional five minutes, the score was still tied at 6-6 meaning we played until one golden goal was scored. Nothing could separate the teams! After four more minutes of play with no goals, and two very near misses by Sherborne, ISLQ scored the winning goal and secured their bronze medals. The team played exceptionally well as individuals, but also in synchronicity together considering the limited practice they have had due to mock exams.

Matilda Von Lutzow was voted as ‘Player of the Tournament’ and Ameera Hunashi scored 88% (15 in total) of our goals in the tournament, making her our top scorer.

Every player did their absolute best, but sadly we missed out this time. Congratulations to all those who played.

U16 Netball Tournament

The U16 netball team took part in their first tournament since 2020. There was a great atmosphere at the event, with many girls from across the country taking part. Our section had six schools, which resulted in five exciting games of 10 minutes each. The opening game against AKIS was an exciting game, but we lost 5-3. We made a great come-back against ACS International School, winning 4-0. Following a nice rest, we played the most exciting game of the tournament, against Compass, which we won 3-2.

Our final games were back-to-back, against DC (B Team) and Park House English School. We lost 4-2 to DC and 9-3 to Park House. Our two shooters, Evie and Charlotte, were excellent, with Evie scoring a massive 11 goals throughout the tournament. Our ‘Player of the Tournament’ was Tiara Osiago.

Congratulations to all that played and represented the school this year.

Front: Noor Ibrahim, Charlotte Ramsden, Rebecca Mathew, Eshal Raheel, Ana Ventorim.

U12, U13 and U14 Netball Tournaments

After this document was sent for publishing, the U12, U13 and U14 netball teams entered in their annual netball tournaments hosted at Doha College. Girls from all over the country came together to compete with over 25 teams entering across all age ranges. The Sherborne teams have been attending enrichment since September in preparation for these events and I’m sure all of their dedication, hard work and commitment will pay off on the day.

Mrs Broome and Ms Jeffries wish you all the best of luck.

Mrs Broome

Back: Bethany Ramsden, Matilda Von Lutzow, Sama Saeed, Ana Ventorim

Front: Ameera Hunashi, Talia Magbool, Daisy KinnairdBarr, Isabela Ventorim.

Ms Robertson

Back: Daphne Martino, Evie Tobin, Misam Elsheikh, Suravi Banerjee, Tiara Osiago

PAWMISE ANIMAL SANCTUARY

Established in 2019, Pawmise are an organisation that aims to rescue stray, surrendered and stranded dogs and cats. In their care, they are rehabilitated back to their happy and healthy selves. The animals are vaccinated, sterilised, dewormed and trained. Pawmise’s end goal is to rehome their animals both locally and abroad. Thankfully, to date, they have been able to rehome over 150 cats and 70 dogs. Sherborne Senior School collaborated with Pawmise in a variety of ways centred around the notion of care for the dogs and cats under the care of Pawmise. This included creating resources such as toys for the cats and dogs as well as taking walks with the pets in Oxygen Park. We thank Pawmise for their hospitality and effort in making a club like this possible and hope to work with them again in the future.

Ms McKend & Ms Martin

PRODUCT DESIGN CLUB

In January of this year, the new Design and Technology Department was able to offer its first enrichment activity to pupils. With the gradual arrival of many new machines and equipment, the department was left with a wide range of wooden pallets and cargo boxes that were crying out for a creative and sustainable solution. Pupils of all ages signed up to design and manufacture products that could be donated to one of the Sherborne Qatar family of schools. These products ranged from self-registration boards for nursery, to pallet planters that encourage children to garden.

Mr Bleach

QUESS ATHLETICS

For the first time in three years, the QUESS athletics event was held at the American School of Doha. The boys’ event took place on the 1st March and the girls’ on the 8th March.

Over 40 boys represented Sherborne and it was a truly exciting event, with 17 schools from across the country taking part.

There were some standout performances on the day, with gold medals won by Adam Stephens and Muhammad Abdulahi (2 gold medals won). Silver medals were awarded to Yousef Elbaby, Aaron Stephens and the Year 9 relay team. Bronze medals were achieved by Yousef Elbaby, Jasir Mahmoud and the Year 8 and Sixth Form relay teams.

The girls’ event had nearly 600 girls taking part in the event from across Qatar and 36 girls from Sherborne. We had even greater success with the girls, with gold medals earned by Emily Spicer (who also won 2 silver medals), Gabriella Franklin (who won 3 separate gold medals) and Ana Ventorim. Silver medals were achieved by Jessica Pradic (who won 2 medals), and Talaykwan Rees. Bronze medals were awarded to Talaykwan Rees, Bethany Ramsden and the Year 7 and 8 relay teams.

It was a really fantastic event and it was great to see Sherborne pupils challenge themselves and achieve great times and distances across track and field athletics.

Abdulrahman Al Mahmoud, Year 11

REALFOODING COOKING CLUB

What a fantastic year we have had in the Realfooding Club. For those who do not know, the idea behind it is simple: it is about making easy, tasty and nutritious recipes that will prepare our pupils for their university and adult life.

In each session our Year 10 to Year 13 chefs in terms 1 and 2 and Year 9 to Year 10 in term 3 were given a recipe that they prepared and got to taste during the enrichment programme. There was also an element of competition to see which team made the tastiest food.

We are very proud of the amazing attitude our chefs have displayed throughout the year. Without a doubt, the best part of Tuesdays was cooking with you all!

You’ve been fantastic, keep up the Realfooding cooking

Ms Arándiga and Ms Cobo

Here are a few quotes from our Realfooders:

“Cooking Club on Tuesdays was something I would look forward to every week. We made a range of different healthy foods from fajitas to mushroom pasta, and blueberry muffins. Cooking club helped to teach me that food can be healthy while still being extremely tasty. I will definitely be signing up again next term!”

Duaa Ibrahim 10D

“It was fantastic joining the culinary club this term! It was a wonderful experience learning how to make delicious and healthy meals like pasta and fajitas. I was also able to learn the proper technique for handling cooking utensils thanks to the club.

On our last day of term 2, we arranged a food competition, each competitor had to prepare something delectable at home for a taste test. Ms Wafa, who made a superb lasagna, was our winner!

Another highlight was when I was given the opportunity to lead two sessions for the younger students. It was enjoyable and rewarding plus, the steaks were delicious!!

Last but not least, I would like to thank Miss Cobo and Ms Arandiga for their incredible assistance throughout the term. I will undoubtedly repeat these recipes next year in uni.”

Karim Sobh 12A

“For the past term I have had something to look forward to every week on a Tuesday which was Cooking Club. During the enrichment, I would have a lot of fun with fellow peers and improve my knowledge on how to prepare food safely (knife skills, preparing chicken, how to use a stove, etc. )

I also found out more about my preferences when it comes to certain foods which allowed me to provide for myself when home alone. I still think about the chicken fajitas we made from time to time! I hope to continue to expand my cooking skills in the future.”

Sana

Siddiquee 11C

SHORT TENNIS

This year saw the introduction of Short Tennis in the enrichment programme at Sherborne Senior School. With the aid of smaller tennis rackets, sponge balls and nets, pupils were able to develop their forehands, backhands, volleys and serves in the courtyards of the senior school. Pupils enjoyed the challenge of rallying with one another while looking to improve their strokes each week. Competitive points were played on both the singles and doubles courts often ending with a ‘Beat the teacher challenge’. We hope to continue to develop the club next year with more pupils attending each week.

Mr Robinson

TECHNOLOGY CLUB

In Technology Club, our members enjoyed a fantastic year building robots, working on digital circuits such as Inventor’s Kit, and exploring hardware skills using Raspberry Pi. The most enjoyable activity was the SUMO ROBOT competition where a number of pupils engaged in building powerful robots, fitted with colour, gyro and proximity sensors that would wreck havoc battling their opponent off of the platform. After much anticipation and preparation, our esteemed participants were Mubarak Al Meraikhi, Muhammad Rahim Durraiz, Muhammad Sinan Durraiz, Amlan Dakua, Dane Benedict Relano and Mousa Al Hares. Their robots were built with rigour and whizzed through the platform, smashing their opponents relentlessly. Our team went to the final and were very close to winning the tournament. Our pupils learnt numerous lessons on manufacturing strategies, team building, efficiency of coding and testing strategies.

Mr and Mrs Ranglall

VOLLEYBALL

It was wonderful to be able to enter Volleyball tournaments for the first time since the pandemic, and it was great to see that we at Sherborne can still hold our own among the QUESS schools when it comes to competing.

In total, we entered teams into eight tournaments in September and October and participated well in all of them. Pupils really enjoyed having the chance to train and compete in the competitions again, with the volleyball enrichment programme extremely busy and popular every week.

Many of our teams finished in the top half of the standings, often narrowly missing out on the medals, with a big congratulations to the following teams who achieved the notable success of finishing in the top three at their event:

• U19 Boys - third place

• U16 Girls - second place

• U14 Girls – second place

We encourage anyone who would like to play in Sherborne teams next year to get practising now and throughout summer, as the competitions will come thick and fast after the summer break!

THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S INTERNATIONAL AWARD AT

SHERBORNE SENIOR SCHOOL

It’s been a very strange time recently trying to complete the International Award during COVID-19 with the restrictions, meaning it was very difficult for our pupils to find ways of volunteering in the community or taking part in an adventurous journey trekking through the desert. We did however find that the skills and physical activity sections of the award could be completed and pupils have stayed active through sports as well as learning skills such as playing musical instruments and cooking nutritious family meals.

Now though, with restrictions being lifted, we have managed to take groups of boys and girls on separate practice expeditions, where they learnt just how difficult it can be to trek through desert terrain and how they need teamwork to be successful.

First off, we took 42 girls from Years 10 to 12 out on a different kind of adventurous journey – rather than heading off into the desert we decided to try out a new idea, one that involved the girls finding their way from the Senior School to the Junior School in Bani Hajer, camping overnight there and heading back the next day in time for the Spring Fair.

Over the two days, the girls showed great teamwork and determination to complete their journeys. They practised navigating with a compass, assembling and disassembling tents, cooking their own hot meals using simple gas burners, as well as trekking and carrying all of their gear.

And then it was the boys’ chance to complete their practice expedition, so once again we headed off to the Junior School and back again with 18 boys who managed to complete their trek in a much quicker time than the girls, so fast in fact, that they had to do an extra five kilometres on the way back to the Senior School.

Mr Tracey & Ms Dobison

THE DEBATING SOCIETY

Debating holds great popularity as an enrichment activity at Sherborne. The Sherborne Debating Society convenes with enthusiasm each week, engaging in discussions about pressing global issues. Our pupils have attained remarkable achievements on both national and international levels in the past, participating in debating competitions held in Malaysia, Thailand, China, and Bahrain. Notably, we take pride in several of our pupils qualifying for the esteemed Tournament of Champions at Yale University a few years back, and following a lengthy hiatus due to travel restrictions, our teams are ready to participate in more international competitions. Debating remains a highly soughtafter school activity, attracting prospective Oxbridge candidates and contributing to Sherborne’s well-rounded educational environment.

Each year, I find myself consistently impressed by the unwavering commitment and diligent efforts exhibited by every member of the Sherborne Debating Society. However, this year stood out as a particularly gratifying experience as I witnessed the remarkable enthusiasm and competitive spirit displayed by the students during their preparation for the Qatar Schools Debate League as well as the World Scholar’s Cup.

QATAR DEBATE SCHOOLS LEAGUE

In October of this year, we were delighted to host the first Qatar Schools Debating league competition for girls of the season. This exciting event was organised by Qatar Debate, a member of Qatar Foundation. At this event, we welcomed a total of 64 teams from 43 institutions that debated at Sherborne. Over 330 debaters and teachers from independent and international schools gathered for approximately 10 hours to debate topical issues in the areas of science, politics, society, and global economics. This was the largest girls’ competition to date in Qatar and indeed, a wonderful opportunity for all the schools in Qatar and especially for all students.

Along with our hardworking debaters, several pupils kindly volunteered to assist with this event and on behalf of Sherborne Qatar, we would like to thank them for their on-going support of our school which was outstanding throughout the event. A special mention goes to the following pupils:

Ada Sarisakal 12E, Ludan Tajeldin 13F, Sarah Hamud 13E, Noor Ahmed 13F, Maryam Malik 11E, Huda Mohammed Ramadan 11E, Lamis Khalid 11E, Abigail Clarke 11B, Yasmin Kerwat 9A, Nur Alanna Binti Fareed 7C, Mofiseun Ogunbiyi 7E, Tasnim Hassaan 10A, Nishita Mohan 10A, Duaa Ibrahim 10D, Eman El Gohary Y12F, Rameen Arefeen 10C, Naima El Material 7E, Hameedah Agbabiaka 9D, Eshal Raheel 10 D, Yasmin Abdelhadi 9E, Haleema Jehan 9B, Fadhila Mohammed 9E, Kulsoom Rizvi 9C, Leen Khalid 9D, Anabelle McPherson 7A, Elizabeth O’Donnell 8E, Renad Khalid 9C, Mariam Rizvi 7E.

I would like to congratulate our Year 13 girls below who successfully represented Sherborne at this national competition:

• Ella Johnsen

• J’Ouvert Sykes

• Haneefah Agbabiaka

• Thwayba Hussain

• Uneiza Haque

• Hawraa Aljabir

WORKSHOP BY AN INTERNATIONAL DEBATE TRAINER

In February, we welcomed Mr. Sajid Khandaker, an international debate trainer who conducted a workshop for our debaters. Khandaker made history by being part of the first World Championship winning team from Asia in 2022. He was also crowned Asia’s Best Debater twice in 2017 and 2020, and Asian Champion in 2017. As a coach, he has a strong track record having coached Team Bangladesh to a World Schools Debating Championship (WSDC) quarterfinal and octofinal in WSDC 2018 and 2019 respectively (the team’s best achievement so far). At the workshop, the atmosphere was electric, and as a result, we were able to learn a lot from his experience. I am proud to say that all members participated fervently in the workshop, making it a resounding success.

We were given an excellent workshop by Mr. Khandaker. With the techniques we were taught, many of us were able to then give a persuasive argument for a motion he provided. We all had fun and cannot wait to put these valuable techniques into practice.

Abigail Clarke – Year 11

The workshop was an eye-opening experience and helped me to understand different ways to improve the ways that I speak during debates, and will no doubt benefit me in the future. Mr. Khandaker interacted with us and pointed out flaws in our debating techniques, giving us advice and techniques to help us gain a better understanding of debate.

Syeda Kulsoom Rizvi – Year 9

His love for debating was unwavering, you can really see the love and passion when he’s talking about debating. I really enjoyed how he interacted with the group, and he pointed out specifically what needs to be improved or what needs to change in our arguments. I really feel like I have more confidence in what I am saying or arguing in the future.

Tasnim Hasaan – Year 10

The debate coach for the Qatar National Debate gave us a seminar on how to improve our arguments. The speaker gave individual feedback on speeches we delivered during a mock debate he organised. This has improved my structure and clarity when giving speeches, allowing me to win the debate.

Henry Kakkad - Year 11

LAR’S CUP COMPETITION

Following a lengthy hiatus due to travel restrictions, students have once again embarked on the exhilarating journey of the World Scholar’s Cup this year. The Doha round of the competition witnessed the participation of approximately 300 pupils, forming 100 teams. As customary, the event spanned across two days, during which students engaged in four distinctive activities: debating, essay writing, the Scholar’s Challenge (a comprehensive 120-question exam), and the Scholar’s Bowl (a collaborative quiz). In this tournament, students actively participated in all four academic events, while also embracing the intellectually demanding Scholar’s Challenge and Scholar’s Bowl. Additionally, they had the opportunity to partake in community building activities alongside accomplished scholars hailing from various corners of the world. The debates proved to be exceptionally challenging, covering a wide range of topics spanning social studies and history, as students engaged in lively exchanges with scholars of different ages and educational backgrounds.

The main awards achieved by the teams were:

• Ella, Thwayba, J’Ouvert; Champion Team/1st Team Overall, 2nd

• Ella, Thwayba, J’Ouvert; Champion Team/1st Team Overall, 2nd Team in Debating

• Henry, Uneiza, Emma; 5th Team Overall, Champion Team/1st

• Henry, Uneiza, Emma; 5th Team Overall, Champion Team/1st Team in Essay Writing

• Haneefah, Maryam, Abigail; Top 15 Team Overall, 8th Team in

• Haneefah, Maryam, Abigail; Top 15 Team Overall, 8th Team in Debating

The main awards achieved by individual pupils were:

• Ella Johnsen: Champion/1st in Debating, 3rd Overall

• Uneiza Haque: 2nd in Essay Writing

• Henry Kakkad: 6th in Debating, 10th Overall

I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all the students involved, and I would like to give special recognition to Ella Johnsen, our dedicated Debating Captain from Year 13. We wholeheartedly wish the best to our senior team as they embark on their participation in the upcoming global round scheduled for June.

Observing the increasing confidence, improved organisation of thoughts and arguments, and most significantly, witnessing the growth of our students as critical thinkers fills me with immense pride.

Engaging in these academic pursuits not only offers a multitude of advantages but also equips them with invaluable skills that will undoubtedly have a profound impact on their future endeavours.

Ms Khayari Head of House and Debating Coordinator

INTERNATIONAL GREEN FLAG AWARD

Sherborne Senior School has been awarded an Eco-Schools Green Flag from the Foundation for Environmental Education. The school’s Eco Committee was made up of 15 pupils across the secondary year groups and was led by Syed Abdei, President of the Eco Club. The themes chosen by the school included, recycling, litter, energy and biodiversity. A number of projects were implemented included recycling bins throughout the whole school in coordination with the Model United Nations (MUN) club, litter picking programmes, no plastic cup policy, an eco garden, participation in the Heenat Salma Farm Project, eco fashion and Trashion Shows, energy saving posters, a speaker’s programme on environmental issues, eco podcast and most importantly, the incorporation of environmental education into the curriculum for all students.

Ms Malik, Head of Geography and Eco Schools Coordinator, has noted that we are extremely proud to have achieved this Green Flag after three years of hard work from the students. The pupils displayed excellent leaderships skills and were true role models when promoting environmental practices around the school.

Ruba Hinnawi from Eco Schools Qatar said: “A big thank you to the Shirburnian pupils and staff who passionately led the Eco Schools programme and worked continuously to improve their school ground and bring awareness and fun activities to their peers and the wider community. Congratulations on the Green Flag and Earthna encourages you to

keep up the great work and combine the environmental education with building thorough short- and long-term plans to integrate sustainability into daily campus life.

Committee members who were involved in the inspection were:

• Syed Abedi

• Erik Paul

• Rameen Arfeen

• Rebecca Matthews

• Nuran Abdulla

• Nishita Mohan

• W illiam Selwood

Ahmed HOUSE

After three long years of COVID-19 restrictions, a sense of normality resumed, and the House system was back in full swing! In my first year as Head of House, Ahmed have once again risen to the challenge and stepped up in each and every event. All of the pupils have made my job so easy and I would like to thank you all for your hard work, leadership and commitment to the House. There has been a slight change into how Interhouse works this year, with bigger challenges and more points on offer. It has been a tight contest all year, with Ahmed right in the mix. I am hoping by the time this has been published, Ahmed has been declared the victors for a second year in a row!

Ahmed House has achieved so much this year, and I could not be prouder. With a change in logo and motto, it is fair to say that “Ahmed Assemble” has been the key to our success.

The year started with a bang, with the first Interhouse competition being a race to try to find the missing House Cup; the Heads of House got a little too competitive and had the trophy confiscated by Mr James and the rest of the Senior Leadership Team. The other Heads of House blamed me and Ahmed for the loss of the cup but that was totally unjustified! The only way to make up for it was for the House Cup to be found first by us and given back to its rightful owners. Ahmed House managed this with total ease.

Throughout each Interhouse event, Ahmed have been competing hard, claiming the top three places in a range of activities such as netball, football, engineering, murder mysteries and table tennis. A special mention needs to go to Khalid Al Marri (Year 11) and Oliver Mills (Year 10) who were incredible models for our Trashion Show entries; coming in second place each time. The teamwork shown in each of the engineering tasks has been phenomenal with Ahmed House creating a car, playhouse and windmill which scored favourably with the judges each time placing us in the top three. Ahmed girls have been leading the way when it comes to sport, whether it was netball, football or badminton, they have emerged victorious each and every time. On Sports Day, our pupils excelled in the beautiful sunshine emerging in joint second place with Cutler House. Congratulations to Moza House on your victory on Sports Day.

Each Interhouse has shown that the pupils in Ahmed House are multi-talented and can face any challenge that they are given. However, our pupils have also been rewarded for their academic success with lots of merits, earning the most points with two other Houses. Ahmed House has excelled in nearly every category this year, with the last piece of the puzzle being our punctuality which, for some of the year groups, needs some improvement and focus.

Thank you to all the House Captains, Vice Captains, Sports Representatives and Charity Representatives for Ahmed House. You have been so supportive, kind, organised and helpful. I cannot thank you enough for your hard work over the year and how you have helped me in my first year as your Head of House. A special thank you to Fahad Al Mumaiz who has been my right-hand man throughout the year, it has been a pleasure to work with you. I wish you all success in your future.

Finally, I would like to share with you some words of wisdom from the Ahmed House Leadership Team as it only feels appropriate for them to have the final say. Thank you again for all of your hard work, I look forward to the competition next year (hopefully as reigning champions).

‘One Team, One Vision’ - Ahmed Assemble.

I have been in Sherborne for 13 years, seven of those years I spent in Ahmed House. I built a home for myself in Sherborne all these years, and through that I gained Ahmed House as my family. Even though I am leaving for university and starting the next chapter of my life, I can proudly say that Ahmed house has shaped the person I am today. In Harry Potter, the pupils’ Houses were their homes, and it is not much of a difference in Sherborne, although we never had to use code words to enter house assemblies or meetings. Being brought up in Ahmed house from such a young age has not only taught me to do everything with a smile on my face, but it has also taught me to always want to win. When I was in Year 7, I used to look up at the Year 13 House Captains like they were kings and queens, I hope my time as Senior Vice House Captain had the same effect on my younger peers. Ahmed House is supportive, energetic, happy, and resilient. No matter what curve balls were thrown at us –pandemics, world cup breaks – we were always able to get through it with smiles on all our faces. It is my biggest honour to have captained a house like Ahmed, and I will remember all our shared experiences for the rest of my life. Keep winning Ahmed!

Norain El Gebely – Senior Vice Captain

Ahmed House, named after a renowned scholar and role model, is a House at Sherborne Qatar Senior that embodies the values of care and hard work. This group of pupils are known for their unwavering dedication and compassion towards others. Whether it is supporting their fellow classmates academically, lending a helping hand during extracurricular activities, or simply being there to listen and provide encouragement, Ahmed House sets an inspiring example of unity and empathy. Their commitment to excellence and their willingness to go the extra mile make them an invaluable asset to the school community. In November, Ahmed House clinched victory in the highly coveted Sherborne World Cup, showcasing their exceptional teamwork and talent. Furthermore, their dedication to engineering tasks was evident as they emerged victorious in two out of three challenges, including the impressive construction of a remarkable car. These achievements are a testament to the relentless determination and collaborative spirit of Ahmed House, making them an invaluable asset to the school community.

Josiah Matthew – Junior Captain

Cook HOUSE

Every year, I am impressed by the hard work and dedication shown by all the members of Cook House during Interhouse competitions. This year, I was particularly pleased to see the energy and competitiveness displayed by the pupils as they prepared for Sports Day. The atmosphere during the event was electric, and as a result, we were able to achieve second place in several events. I am proud to say that all members of Cook House participated fervently in the competition, making it a resounding success.

Throughout the year, we compiled a range of useful statistics, including measures of merit and punctuality, which enabled us to identify our strengths and weaknesses. These insights allowed us to gain a deeper understanding of our performance and make informed decisions about where we needed to improve. During our House assemblies, we discussed these findings and took steps to address any areas that required attention. I am incredibly grateful to the pupils and staff for their invaluable contributions to making this year an amazing success.

Our Cook House Captains have done an exceptional job, and I want to give special recognition to our House Captain, Sarah Hamud. Sarah, who is a Year 13 student, has demonstrated her commitment to our House by leading numerous House assemblies with great success. She is a conscientious and aspiring young woman, and I am grateful for her leadership.

Throughout Interhouse this year, our pupils had the opportunity to participate in a diverse range of activities that were enjoyed by all. We kicked things off with the Code Breaker Challenge, which involved pupils working together to decipher codes that were scattered throughout the new school.

The Trashion Show was yet another exciting challenge, where pupils used only recycled materials to design and create their own unique outfits. The engineering challenge also proved to be a hit, with pupils collaborating in groups to construct frames for windmills, playhouses, and cars. In particular, the Year 10 Cook pupils were tasked with constructing a playhouse from cardboard boxes, and they demonstrated remarkable engineering skills by creating a resilient and visually appealing structure that represented our House. Pupils even ensured that it could withstand a ball being hurled at it! Huge well done to them! Alongside these challenges, pupils also participated in various House sporting events, including futsal where the girls’ team emerged victorious. In summary, this year’s Interhouse was a huge success, with everyone fully engaged and having a great time.

We were able to make a significant contribution to charity this year by supporting United World Schools (UWS) and the Ramadan Charity Project. This was made possible by the efforts of our House charity representatives, namely Karim Sobh (12A), Eman El Gohary (12F), Duaa Ibrahim (10D) and Judi El Shamouty (10E). Throughout the year, I have observed the enthusiasm of our team members, including our charity representatives, in actively participating in our meetings and taking the lead in organising events in school.

I am grateful for their dedication and commitment, and I am excited to continue working with them in the coming year. I also look forward to welcoming new pupils who are interested in taking on leadership roles and becoming a part of our successful team.

Copeland HOUSE

There have been some huge successes for Copeland House this year. To start off, our Copeland staff won the Interhouse bench ball competition at the beginning of the year – the only House that was undefeated! On 17th November, we held a World Cup themed soccer tournament which saw our Year 10 to 13 Copelanders claim victory via penalties against Cutler House. Then in the second Charity Week of the year, our staff Copeland football team won the Charity Cup, abolishing Ahmed in the final. Our Year 9 pupils produced a fantastic piece of architecture by making a Copeland house made completely out of cardboard, bringing home top points in the Interhouse competition. We were also victorious in the Year 11 to 13 volleyball tournament and finished a close 2nd place in the Year 7 Trashion Show. Overall, we were one of the most punctual Houses to school and lessons, showing the dedication that Copeland has towards school life. We may not always win, but we are always here and ready to try our best!

Our Charity Weeks this year have been a huge success! Along with the help of our staff and House charity representatives, we offered a plethora of events to raise funds: there were several bake sales, hot food stalls, staff vs. students netball, staff vs. students cricket, staff vs. students bench ball, raffles and bingo. During the Charity Weeks, we were able to raise funds to continue providing education to our fellow Shirburnians in our sister schools in Cambodia. A tremendous effort by everyone involved and heartfelt thanks from me to you all. A special thanks to our House charity representatives Nasser Al Thani (11A), Jumainah Haq (11B), Saja Suliman (11D) and Ciara Scott (8C). Their undying dedication and selfless support to charitable causes is truly remarkable.

As my first year as Head of Copeland, a lot of challenges arose managing this fantastic group of Copelanders. Thankfully, by my side, I had a fantastic team of dedicated Captains and Vice Captains to show me the ropes and help lead our House. Here is what they had to say about their year:

“Being Copeland Senior Captain this year has been a tremendous honour. I have been a member of Copeland since I joined Sherborne and wanted to give back to its community. Throughout the year, helping with various Interhouse activities, leading assemblies and participating in Interhouse to gain points have helped develop my leadership skills and work closely with the wider Copeland family.”

Syed Hasan Ali – Senior Captain

“Being Vice Captain of Copeland involves a multifaceted role encompassing coordination, fostering a positive environment, and providing support to team members. It provides chances for personal development as well as the possibility to uplift and motivate others.

The joy and fulfilment derived from seeing the team thrive, witnessing individual progress, and building a strong sense of unity makes the role of Vice Captain an incredibly rewarding experience. This year’s Interhouse has been exceptionally exciting since it gave us the chance to showcase our talents, work with teammates, and challenge ourselves through a variety of sports and creative activities which proved to be both exhilarating and fulfilling. The support and encouragement from fellow participants and the thrill of cheering for Copeland makes every Interhouse activity a memorable and enjoyable experience.”

Lina Dossa – Senior Vice Captain

“Copeland is like my own family at school, and has allowed me to expand my social life, as well as meet some of the most amazing people! Being Intermediate Captain has allowed me to see and understand how people think and what their personalities are like, and become more outgoing and social.”

Syeda Kulsoom Rizvi – Intermediate Captain

“Copeland is not always number one when it comes to activities, but I have noticed that everyone still tries, and we always have fun. People may think that we can be the worst House but I have grown fond of Copeland and over the years we have all become like family. As Immediate Vice Captain, I have discovered our strengths and faults, but that has never stopped us from trying our very best. In the end of Interhouse we always leave with a smile and leave knowing we have had a good time.”

Gabriella Panaretos – Intermediate Vice Captain

“Being Copeland Junior Captain has taught me so many things this year and unlocked so many different opportunities and possibilities.”

Syeda Mariam Rizvi – Junior Captain

“Being Junior Vice Captain of Copland has been a fulfilling and challenging role this year. I have had the opportunity to work closely with the Captain and the rest of the team to help organise House days and motivate everyone to do their best. It has been a great way to develop my leadership skills and learn how to be a better communicator.”

Naima El Materi -- Junior Vice Captain

It goes without saying, our House could not function without the continuous support of our wonderful Copeland tutors. My sincere thanks to Aaron White, Shamini Ranglall, Gavin Oldridge, Andrew Leeder, Graeme Tracey, Malcolm Ingram, Afaf Turkmen, Sam Arts, Tasnim Islam, Aneesa Iqbal and James Bleach.

Finally, a big thank you to all our courageous Copelanders, who have worked tirelessly this year to bring glory to Copeland, but most importantly had fun within the Copeland community.

Cutler HOUSE

How great it’s been to return to ‘a sense of normality’ after a couple of challenging years!

Cutler House has made the most of every opportunity we have had to gather as a House in assemblies and Interhouses and we have offered the best of themselves at all times.

We welcomed Barney as our mascot, and our motto ‘We are a happy family’ describes our House perfectly. One of the things I always mention in assemblies is how proud I feel about every single member of Cutler House and the way they display their team spirit; we support each other in good and bad, just like a real family.

There have been many memorable moments from sports events to creating a house or windmill in less than 90 minutes! Without forgetting an incredible Sports Day where we came joint 2nd and Charity Weeks where Cutler bake sales raised over 3000 QAR!

Special shout out for the best results in:

• Year 9 and 10 Endball

• Year 11 and Sixth Form best Windmill

• Year 7 to 9 Megaquiz

• On the podium for merits

The Cutler leadership team has played a pivotal role encouraging the House in every event and taking plenty of leadership in assemblies. Maha, Noora, Nuran, Nishita, Muzza, Hussayn, Lucia, Jasmine, Siddhant, Safeia, Shireen, Ivy - you have been amazing!

However, the house system could not function as well as it does without the support and dedication of our fantastic team of teachers. Thank you all and best wishes to Mrs Broome, Mr Morley and Ms Ashiq who will be starting new adventures away from Qatar.

As most of you know, this will also be my last year as Head of Cutler and words cannot describe how sad I feel to leave such a fantastic family behind. Whoever I have talked to will confirm that I always brag about the high quality of the pupils in Cutler and how they are the driving force behind our House.

I have no doubt at all that Ms Dobison, who has always been part of Cutler House, will do a fantastic job and will take Cutler to 1st place!

I will miss you all dearly. Lots of love,

Miss Cobo, Head of House

QUOTES FROM CUTLER LEADERS:

The House competitions this year were very exciting! We united as a team and accumulated our efforts to gain as many points as possible. Among the various challenges, the escape room stood out as my personal favourite, demanding collaborative problem solving and a diverse range of skills from each participant. As the year comes to a close, I would like to wish all of Cutler good luck for next year’s competition!

Maha Salatt, Senior Captain

I have had a wonderful time participating in the Interhouse activities this year! Part of the reason I have had fun is because Ms Cobo always motivated us to do our absolute best and emphasised the importance of working as a team! We had the best house leader! My favourite activities we did this year was creating Cutler’s windmill and the murder mystery activity! We had so much fun trying to solve the case and we truly worked together as a team when creating the windmill!

Noora Alajmi, Senior Vice Captain

The biggest thing that comes to mind when I think about the House competition is the teamwork and unity of our House; even though there were many activities that we did not sign up for, everyone in our House made sure to spread the word and participate in all the activities they could. The highlight for me was the tug of war where it made us think about positions and strategies. In the end it was an amazing sports day that produced some incredible results and memories!

Nishita Madhan Mohan, Intermediate Vice Captain

This year has been another successful and celebratory House year. From Interhouses to Sports Day, there have been multiple ways we have enjoyed the House system. One of my favourite memories this year was Rugby Interhouse. The Interhouse let us play rugby against other Houses and was an amazing experience to be able to play a sport more competitively at school.

Syed Muzzamil Abedi, Intermediate Co-Captain

Hamad HOUSE

Finally, a year of normality for the House system! With the last couple of years having been a challenge with all the restrictions in place due to COVID-19, it has been fantastic to see the House system return to its full capacity. We have seen a few tweaks to the schedule to coincide with the new timetable, meaning that Interhouse competitions were on a monthly basis, but worth double the number of points!

Hamad House has continued to live up to its moto: ‘Hamad Works Hardest’. This has been evident across a range of different tasks, challenges and activities that we have undertaken this year.

The year started off with a shock; the House Cup had vanished, hidden away by the Senior Leadership Team, due to the over competitiveness of the Heads of Houses (not Hamad, who always play fair!). Pupils were tasked with a huge variety of tasks, ranging from science experiments to obstacle courses. Hamad House narrowly lost out on these tasks, just seconds behind the other Houses. It was great to see the House mix and work together as teams were joined together from different year groups.

This superb teamwork continued into our next events. Our Year 9 and 10 table tennis team rallied their way to success, whilst the Year 10s designed their way to win the Trashion Show. In some more sporting success (some say sport is Hamads’ Achilles Heel!), our Year 7 and 8 footballers showed their dominance on the pitch to take the winning spot. Once, again, we showed our determination in the Ramadan Escape Room task, winning by a clear margin.

We have also, narrowly missed out in other tasks (such as engineering and Sports Day), showing we have got what it takes to keep working our way up the leaderboard.

A genuinely fantastic year and a huge well done to all of Hamad House; you are all Heroes.

My year as Hamad House Captain has been both a pleasure and an honour. I have thoroughly enjoyed watching Hamad House progress throughout the year, staying true to our slogan: ‘Hamad Works Hardest.’ The House events this year have been extremely enjoyable, and it’s been wonderful having the opportunity to assist and lead some of these activities. I am extremely grateful to have been given this opportunity to assist Miss Robertson in leading Hamad House this year and I wish them continued success!

J’Ouvert Sykes, House Captain

To wrap up my time working with Hamad House this year, I must say that it has been one of the most enjoyable things that I have done. I wanted to take a moment to celebrate our accomplishments together. We have taken part in many competitions in different kinds of fields, including sports, mysteries, technology and the World Cup themed House competitions. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to win the House Cup this year, but we did have a lot of fun working together and created many memories together. One of the most memorable Interhouses was the World Cup themed one where everyone had a fun time as everyone had something to do, and not everyone was limited to sports activities. It was certainly a year we won’t soon forget and I hope next year, we will have more success.

Ali Elbih, Vice Captain

Moza HOUSE

With the COVID-19 restrictions pretty much lifted for this academic year, it has been full of fun and exciting activities ranging from our usual sports events, to entire year groups doing engineering challenges! I think it is safe to say that we as a House have had a spectacular year! At the time of writing this, we are close to finishing first with just four points separating us from top spot. Hopefully, by the time this is published, we have already been crowned House Champions 2022-23!

It brings me great pleasure to announce our achievements so far in winning back the Sports Day Cup! Our pupils did a wonderful job competing in each of the events. During one of our assemblies, the number of certificates we had to hand out for coming first place was amazing! Moza House not only came first but first by quite a distance! We had a wonderful team spirit and a clear desire to win! From Year 7s to Year 13s, we have several winners in each of the events.

Moza House has the most points for Interhouse events, it is just our punctuality that is really dragging us down. It has clearly been an issue we have been tackling throughout the year. Nonetheless, we have had some outstanding creations from our pupils, from the life size car by the Year 7s and 8s to the windmill from the Sixth Form. We also did very well in the Trashion Show challenge, where pupils clearly showed their creative talents.

Not only are Moza House pupils blessed with their sporting ability, but they also have the brains! We’ve come first in many of the Murder Mystery challenges, which require pupils to quickly solve a given problem. Moza House is known for maintaining high standards and achieving success, which has become quite customary for us. We proudly claim the honour of being the most successful House in the history of Sherborne Qatar, having won the House Cup numerous times. This is a remarkable accomplishment that speaks volumes about the dedication and competitive spirit of our pupils.

However, this year’s competition seemed to have a unique twist, as other Houses had stepped up their game and matched our level and it is looking like a very close finish. We are thrilled to witness a close race between multiple Houses, with pupils taking the lead and showcasing their skills. We aim to foster and nurture their talents further in the future.

We have once again succeeded in raising a significant amount of money for charity, in aid of United World Schools, and contributed to the Ramadan Charity Project. We extend a special gratitude to our House charity representatives, Muhammad Sinan Durraiz (7A), Emma Garcia Rivas (8E), Mohammed Ilyaas Alvi (8C), Abigail Clarke (11B), Max Bannatyne Saunders (11B), Saul

Saunders (13B) and Erik Paul (13F), whose dedication and efforts made this possible. Additionally, we would like to acknowledge the indispensable contributions of our House council representatives, Malac Elnahas (9D), Misam Elsheikh (10A), Henry Kaddak (11C), Amira Al Said (12E), Isabela Ventorim (12A) and Jack Thomas Tobin (13A), who played a pivotal role in organising and executing Interhouse and charity events.

As this is my final year as Head of Moza House, I wanted to take this moment to express my deepest gratitude for the incredible journey we have shared together. It has been an absolute privilege and honour to be a part of this amazing House and to have had the opportunity to lead such talented, dedicated and passionate staff and pupils. During my time, I have witnessed countless moments of inspiration, creativity and excellence. I want to wish all Moza House staff and pupils the very best in future competitions. May you all continue to strive for greatness, achieve your dreams, and inspire others with your talents and abilities. Thank you again for making my time here as Head of House so meaningful and unforgettable!

Lastly, I would like to recognise our House Captains and Vice Captains for their unwavering support and determination in leading Moza House, exceeding all expectations. The following are some remarks that reflect their outstanding performance this year:

“This academic year for Moza House has been filled with various opportunities. We have engaged in a range of academic activities, interesting challenges and sporting activities. My favourite event was Sports Day, this is because we were able to compete in a range of athletics events and other activities like dodgeball and tug of war! Overall, I think it has been an inspiring and rewarding academic year for House Moza.”

Arwa fatima Zahra Alvi (7C) – Junior Vice Captain

“As Junior House Captain, the year was an extreme roller coaster in terms of House Moza’s performance. When we won Sports Day, it was utter joy for me and for all of us. Being chosen was a dream and I loved how close it got near the end of the year. Well done Moza House, and let us continue our successes next year.”

Muhammad Raahim Durraiz (8D) – Junior Captain

“We made massive improvements after the loss last year. Even if we do not win this year, we should be proud of our miraculous win during our first Sports Day in three years. This is a big step for plenty of future wins. We do, however, need to work on our punctuality for next year. I am very proud to have been a vice captain this year and hope to contribute to Moza House in future.”

Leen Khalid (9D) – Intermediate Vice Captain

“It has been an honour to represent Moza House as Intermediate Captain this year. I feel very proud to have been able to watch Moza thrive throughout the year from a position of leadership, as we overcame the adversities we faced during COVID-19. I hope we can continue to grow and confidently move into the next academic year.”

Evie Beth Tobin (10E) – Intermediate Captain

“This year for Moza has been a great success! Interhouse activities were more immersive and inclusive with a large variety of activities to improve teamwork between House members. Additionally, the return of Sports Day after COVID-19 was not only extremely enjoyable, but also resulted in Moza winning the Sports Cup!”

Muhammad Sammani Abdullahi (13B) – Senior Captain

“I feel extremely honoured and grateful to be blessed with the opportunity to lead Moza House this year. It has always been a personal ambition of mine since I was in Year 7. My highlight of the year was our gallant displays of teamwork and perseverance which led to our landslide victory on Sports Day. Additionally, I would like to highlight Moza’s commitment to sportsmanship and honesty when competing:

“And whenever you give your word, say the truth.” - Quran 6:152

Maab Elsheikh (12B) – Senior Vice Captain

Sports DAY

On a warm, sunny day in March we hosted the first school Sports Day which took place at the new Senior School site. An action-packed day saw hundreds of pupils represent their House in track and field events and benchball, with lots of points at stake to see who would take the overall Sports Day crown.

There was lots of drama on the track with several close races, while elsewhere, pupils threw and jumped as best as they could in the field events. In the sports hall, the popular game of benchball gave pupils the opportunity to face off against the other House teams.

Moza House have a strong tradition of winning Sports Day and proved themselves once again. Despite the three-year delay, they comfortably batted off the challenge of Cutler and Ahmed House who finished joint second. Cook, Hamad and Copeland Houses took the remaining places in that order.

It really was wonderful to see so many pupils enjoying the opportunity to compete in sport and represent their Houses, and we now look forward to the 2024 edition where Moza will look to defend their crown yet again.

CHARITY Fundraising

As Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser once said:

“Educated children have the tools to break the vicious cycles of poverty and conflict.”

Charity Fundraising for the United World Schools

Sherborne Qatar has had an incredibly exciting time during our two whole-school charity events. All six Houses joined forces to raise funds for our partner schools in Cambodia with United World Schools (UWS). Pupils and staff collaborated under the guidance of charity representatives from each House, organising a variety of events such as raffles, sports matches, and a wide range of culinary delights. We are delighted to report that, although the final amount is yet to be confirmed, we have raised over 44,000 QAR during our two charity weeks.

We would like to express our gratitude to the charity representatives, as well as all the pupils, staff, and parents, whose support and contributions made this achievement possible. Whether through donating goods, money, participating in events, or volunteering time to ensure the success of the activities, we acknowledge that the funds raised would not have been possible without your involvement.

Thank you for your incredible support! We extend our appreciation for your support in future events aimed at assisting the children of Som Roung, who rely on our help to access education. If you would like to learn more about the vital work of UWS, please visit their website at https://www.unitedworldschools.org/

BREAST CANCER AWARENESS

Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent types of cancer across the world, and that includes Qatar. This year, it was many pupils’ aim to reintroduce Breast Cancer Awareness into the school, so we worked diligently over just a few days to create as many breast cancer ribbons as we could and sell them across the school. In just two days, the school was sprinkled with pink and even more pupils eager to learn about the cause and support it.

Alongside Mr. James (Deputy Head), Miss Khayari (Head of House), and the school’s charity team, we organised a pink themed bake sale and non-uniform day during Charity Week, raising even more, as well as bringing more attention to breast cancer. To help the pupils develop a better understanding of the disease and symptoms, members of the Medical Club produced an informative presentation, which was then shown to pupils across the entire school and was appropriately adjusted for each age group.

Haneen Ortashi (Year 12)

We are extremely proud of the pupils of Sherborne for their help with creating the ribbons, running the bake sale, and generally supporting the cause. Within one week they raised 2,250 QAR that was donated to the Qatar Cancer Society.

Rgizlaine Khayari (Head of House)

RAMADAN COLLECTION

“Ramadan is a time to reflect and think about other people.”

- Stephen Spicer, Headmaster

Just like in previous years, the Heads of House and the Arabic Department provided the Sherborne Qatar community with an opportunity to offer practical assistance to those who are less fortunate and reside in Qatar. We would like to express our gratitude to all those who supported the Ramadan Charity Project. We are delighted to announce that a total of 135 bags were created! Out of these, 33 bags will be distributed as a token of appreciation to our Sherborne local staff members, including the Cleaning Team, Security Personnel, Maintenance Team, Gardeners, Swimming Pool Maintenance Team, and School Drivers.

The aim of the Ramadan Collection was to show gratitude for the school’s support staff and provide assistance to local workers. This initiative was organised at House level, with the Heads of House working closely with pupils and parents to determine the specific items required for the thank you bags. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to the parents and pupils who generously donated items throughout the holy month of Ramadan. Once again, it is the collective efforts of the Sherborne Qatar community that make us truly unique. We sincerely thank you in advance for your generous contributions.

HMS CHIDDINGFOLD VISIT

The British Royal Navy ship, HMS Chiddingfold, visited Doha for three days in May and our Year 10 pupils were very lucky to have secured an invite from the British Council to have a tour of the ship. The tour itself included a demonstration on the mine countermeasures they employ at sea, as well as how they deploy the remote submarine whilst on military manoeuvres.

A military ship that is a part of the British Royal Navy, the HMS Chiddingfold is a mine-warfare ship that was first created in 1983; they use this to explode mines to protect people from the dangers of it. The protection of shipping and maritime defence are the responsibilities of the British Royal Navy. I learnt a lot about the way the ship works, the technology and machinery, as well as learning about the crew.

Ava Berger – Year 10

Suad Darwazeh, Year 12

Mutaz VISIT

Sherborne Senior School were delighted to welcome a superstar from the world of sport in May.

Qatar’s World Champion and Olympic Gold medalist high jumper, Mutaz Barshim, met 50 lucky pupils who were selected from those who have represented Sherborne in athletics this year or have chosen to study iGCSE PE. They got the chance to ask him questions about his career, take selfies and get his autograph. A few lucky pupils even got to perform their high jump skills for him and get tips on how to improve.

Mutaz spoke to pupils about the importance of finding something they love to do, about working hard to achieve their goals and in persevering even when times are tough. He reinforced the messages our PE department regularly share about good sportsmanship and the importance of mental preparation. We hope the pupils found inspiration from his words.

The PE Department would like to thank our friends from Qatar Athletics Federation for their part in organising the visit which was a fantastic occasion for all of those present.

FROM THE Bursar

Winning is not important, consistency is.

This year was dedicated to nation-building, the FIFA World Cup, the first ever in the Middle East region, and the year where the World defeated the catastrophic virus. It was the year we opened Sherborne Qatar Junior School at Bani Hajer and received enormous support from our parent community. Thank you for being part of this year.

This year’s academic calendar was unique. Accordingly, there were several challenges for us to hire and retain staff and manage building improvement expectations, yet the success of the FIFA World Cup and our pupils being part of a group escorting international teams to the grounds for the official matches was a must to watch. Our school premises continue to grow, and we worked the entire summer to ensure the Bani Hajer site was prepared to welcome over 100 pupils to start their educational journey with Sherborne Qatar. The response from the community was exceptional, and we cherished some unforgettable moments with all our pupils and parents during this beautiful year.

We had to say goodbye to our beloved Headmasters of both the Prep School and Senior School, and the Girls’ School Headmistress moved to another central role; however, all their batons were passed to the safe hands of other well-experienced and robust Headteachers. We are confident their perseverance will take our schools to enormous heights.

It was nice to see how the Senior School expanded this year and became popular by introducing new subjects like Design Technology. The success story of results continued, and our pupils achieved higher success. We maintained a safer environment for all our pupils and staff members, ensuring the educational provisions remained unaffected by the millions of visitors expected to visit the country this year for the big event.

The Prep School was redecorated with some buildings and classroom developments. The younger ones welcomed the new addition to the courtyard area and added a more protective and safer environment during break times. We went through our building fitness, and the team did an exemplary job protecting the teaching and continuation of work simultaneously. We wish to thank our parental community for their long-standing trust and faith in our team.

The Girls’ School continued their organic expansion, leading to one of the most successful all-girls British schools in the country. Despite a few challenges, we went to great lengths to ensure the success story of Girls’ School was not hindered and the pupils and parents felt energetic to attend the school every day. We started our swimming pool operation, again proving a big success amongst our pupils. We will continue to fight the challenges we face in terms of parking and will ensure the safety and security of younger ones and other pupils are not compromised.

We welcome the new Junior School at Bani Hajer to our family of schools. We welcomed some genius minds to this school and are confident that their journey with us will be full of motivation and pride. We furnished the entire school with lovely furniture and resources and nice play areas, which we believe would keep our younger ones engaged and something to look forward to every day they wake up.

Next year, we are preparing ourselves to further expand all four schools with new pupils and teachers and introduce a very exciting new Special Educational Needs provision in the name of Qetaf at our Bani Hajer site, which will make Sherborne Qatar the only group of schools in the region with such holistic and inclusive approach to education, serving pupils with special needs under the prestigious Sherborne Qatar name. This provision has already generated phenomenal interest, and we are confident that this will establish another milestone in our journey.

My best wishes to all this year’s leavers and an open-arm welcome for all new joiners.

Ashish Garg Bursar