No.20 - Dubai College

DUBAICOLLEGE eBulletin
A tradition of quality in education
News Sport House Events
DUBAI COLLEGE
U.A.E.
Issue No. 20 20th December 2011
Music and Mince Pies
This year the Music and Mince Pies
concert was our most successful
ever, with an audience of around
900 people joining the Music
Department for an evening of festive
cheer. As ever, this year’s Beginner
Band kicked off proceedings with
the classic Jingle Bells. This concert
also saw the debut performance of
another new ensemble, the Concert
Band, which caters for wind and
percussion players of Grade 4 level
or above. The wealth of talent
displayed was indeed impressive,
with some 250 students performing
in the event. Highlights included
the Senior Orchestra’s performance
of Themes from “Scheherazade”,
as well as the ever-popular Man
Choir singing Bohemian Rhapsody.
Bringing the concert to a close was
the Jazz Band, who invited the
audience to join them in a rendition
of Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it
Snow! whilst some of Santa’s elves
(aka the Beginner Band) delivered
some season treats to the audience.
As this time of year is traditionally
a time of giving, the Charity
Committee were on hand raising
money for Harmony House, which
helps thousands of children in New
Delhi. We were extremely proud
that they managed to raise around
6,000 AED, and thank everyone for
their kind donations.
Dubai College closes from 12
o’clock on Tuesday December 20th
and will reopen for the SPRING
term on Tuesday, 3rd January.
During the holiday the office will
be open for general enquiries only
from 9.00 a.m. until 1.00 p.m. on
the following dates:
December 21st, 22nd, 27th and
28th and January 2nd.
Headmaster’s note
This last term has been packed with achievement, success and sheer
hard work. Achievements - large and small - individual and whole school
are too numerous to mention here but well done to everyone for their
collective contribution to a highly successful few months. Next term looks
even busier than this one with many highlights - not least the Senior
School Production of Hair Spray which is sure to be a spectacular show.
I hope everyone is able to undertake at least some rest and recuperation
before we hit the track running again on January 3rd.
If you are celebrating Christmas may we wish you a very merry one as
well as a Happy New Year. If you are travelling, have a safe journey!
Tasmin Little, world-renowned
violinist and the woman behind the
innovative ‘Naked Violin’ project,
performed this week at Dubai
College in front of an audience
of some 270 students. We were
pleased to also have in attendance
music students from DESC, JESS at
the Ranches and JC, who had been
specially invited to join us for the
performance.
Tasmin’s career as a professional
violinist has been impressive
indeed, having played with many
of the world’s leading orchestras as
well as having a discography which
runs to some 25 recordings. Her
success has been reflected in the
many accolades she has received,
including a Gold Badge Award for
services to music and the Critic’s
Choice Award at the Classic BRIT
Awards. Her work with young
people is far-reaching and she has
promoted classical music through
every walk of life.
Tasmin’s Dubai College workshop
included works for unaccompanied
violin and discussion of both the
technical and musical aspects of
performance. Her engaging style
and passionate performance skills
were truly inspiring. Our sincerest
of thanks go to Tasmin Little for
visiting Dubai College and providing
such a memorable performance!
More information on Tasmin Little,
as well as free downloads of her
performances, is available at
Tasmin Little Performs
at Dubai College
www.tasminlittle.net
Masterchef Final
This year’s Masterchef final was
notable for its very high standard.
Working in pairs the competitors
produced some spectacular
dishes. The eventual winners
were Lauren Beattie and Ellen
Burley who were awarded the title
for their organisation, teamwork,
wonderful presentation and most
importantly, delicious flavours.
Lauren and Sophie are pictured
at work along with their winning
entry
Duke of Edinburgh Silver expedition to Mauritius
On Friday 25th November, 30
anxious Year 11 students set off
for a Duke of Edinburgh Silver
expedition to Mauritius. After
a long, tiring journey, we finally
reached the youth hostel and
primary checkpoint of our 3-day
challenge.
The next three days involved pain,
persistence and perseverance. We
had to put our best navigation
skills to work and make our way
through sugarcane fields and
around forests. As well as walking
50 kilometers under the blazing
sun, we also made a stop at two
different schools: Petit Bateau and
Santa Clara. Here we spent time
with the children on the beach
making sandcastles and playing
games like football and catch.
We then arrived at Les Orchidees
Hotel in Grand Baie, where we
were finally able to take those
highly anticipated showers.
The following days involved trips
back to the schools to paint murals
and renovate the locations and also
an exciting kayaking experience.
Our final day in Mauritius was
memorable as we spent it exploring
the town, shopping and haggling in
the markets.
On the whole, it was an exhilarating
and unforgettable experience for all
of us! We can't thank the teachers
enough for accompanying us.
Sucheta and Sanjana 11VB
‘Debate Dubai’
On Sunday 19th November
four teams from Dubai College
went to Jumeirah College for
‘Debate Dubai’, an annual debate
tournament which was inaugurated
last year.
The competition was fierce with
students from schools across the
city displaying levels of intelligence
and eloquence which left both
judges and teachers in awe.
All of our teams represented
the college beautifully and all
but one team got through to the
quarter finals. In the semi-finals
our last team was knocked out by
‘Jumeirah College A’ who went
on to win the event and whose
members regularly compete on an
international level.
Mrs. Hodge and Miss. Brenham
would like to extend their thanks
and congratulations to all of our
debaters- our successes really were
the result of a team effort but a
special mention should go to Owen
Over and Aarya Mishra who were
highlighted by judges as being
exceptionally adept speakers in a
field of extraordinary talent.
Students are urged to look out
for more opportunities to debate
competitively coming soon.
Year 7 Fun Day
On 9th December the FDC ran the
annual “Year 7 Fun Day”. This
year there were almost 400 people
involved including students,
parents, staff and family members.
It was one of the most competitive
days so far and each event was
keenly fought from start to finish.
There were team meetings and
practicing whenever there was a
spare moment. The feedback was
positive and we hope everyone had
a great time - certainly, the look on
most people’s faces, especially the
students would seem to indicate
they did.
At the end of the day, however,
there can only be one winning
team, and this year it was the
white team - 7EA Mrs Adamson,
who now get to keep the famous
trophy for the rest of the year.
Andrew Laven
FDC Chair
Biologists get
a treat
Year 12 and 13 Biology students
were given a treat recently
when Dr. Hans Meijer from
‘Dubaiomics’ visited the College.
Dr. Meijer gave a fascinating talk
that included his ‘Journey’ from
university in Holland; working
with Drosophila fruit flies and
snap dragons plants; using gene
therapy to treat rheumatoid
arthritis in humans and his recent
work on using gene therapy in
Dubai to help race horses recover
from injury.
The talk helped the students
appreciate the wider applications
of the concepts and principles they
learn in class.
The Science Department and Mr.
Rivers in particular, would like to
take this opportunity to thank Dr.
Meijer for giving up his valuable
time to give this presentation.
Musicians perform at Servcorp
This year a jazz quartet provided seasonal entertainment for the clients
of Servcorp at their offices in Emirates Towers, Dubai, as well as in Abu
Dhabi. Joanna Helsby (piano), Helena Wick (double bass), Mia Bazzoui
(vocals) and Taimur Samee (drum-kit) put a swing into Christmas with
numbers such as Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree and Santa Baby.
Helena and Joanna also entertained with some carols on the flute.
We were very pleased with how successful the events were and with the
many compliments we received from the guests. Our congratulations go
to the musicians for their superb work!
We would also like to thank Servcorp for their generous donation,
which will go towards the purchase of timpani for use with our larger
ensembles.
Charities
We left Dubai on Friday 25th
November late at night and landed
in Mauritius the next day. Every
student was given responsibility
for one extra box which
contained either grooming kits (2
toothbrushes, 2 toothpastes, 1 bar
of soap, 1 flannel), soft toys (over
500 in total) or the camping gear
kindly donated by Adventure HQ.
Part of our charity initiative
involved spending a day with Ecole
Petit Bateau in Grand Gaube as
well as the Santa Clara Community
Centre in Goodlands. In addition to
this, our students completed a 50
Km. walk over 3 days in the sugar
cane fields as part of the Duke of
Edinburgh Silver Award. Once this
was completed, they returned to
the Ecole Petit Bateau and gave
it a much needed coat of paint
while part of the group cleaned the
garden at Santa Clara Community
Centre so that children can use it
to play. Finally, as a reward, our
students did a one-day Kayaking
Trek in the Mauritian mangrove
where they learned about its fragile
environment.
On Wednesday 30th November,
I loaded my small car with the
donations for SOS-Villages
Enfants and drove there with one
representative from our students,
Anuradha Malik, who made a
much needed cash donation of
10,000 Rupees (AED 1200) to
their worthy cause of looking after
orphans. On that day, the camping
gear donated by Adventure HQ was
passed on to the orphanage; they
will use it regularly to go on small
camping trips around the island. At
the same time, we gave about 120
grooming kits and over 100 soft
toys .
In addition to this, Dubai College
made another donation of 10,000
Rupees to Santa Clara Community
Centre in Goodlands which will be
used to buy school supplies.
On behalf of SOS-Villages Enfants
and the children there, I would
like to thank you again for your
generous donations which are
going to make a difference to those
who received ithem.
N Bernaz
For further information visit
http://www.facebook.com/AdventureHQme#!/AdventureHQme
Morrisby
Profiling and
Y11 Careers
Convention
For those students who were
unable to attend the first sitting of
the Morrisby Profile an additional
session has been arranged for
31st January and more details
will be provided next term. We
are also planning our Alumni
Careers Convention for Y11 on
18th January. Our thanks to our
Alumni for giving up their time
to support this event and passing
on their experiences concerning
their career paths to our present
generation of students. More
details on the Careers Evening will
be provided early next term.
Islamic Studies School Calendar
Mrs Manzoor our Part-Time
Islamic Studies teacher is leaving
us at the end of term to return to
Pakistan. We wish her well and
thank her for her work.
A reminder that the school calendar can now be found on our website.
For ease of use it can be viewed by a sub category of events or by the
traditional overview of the term. A provisional outline calendar for 2012
-2013 can also be found on the website.
Table Tennis first!
Dubai College held its first
interschool table tennis match
recently against EIS Jumeirah. The
team consisted of four students
from each age group; Junior,
Intermediate and Senior. The event
was most enjoyable and made even
more so by the thrilling climax
which befittingly saw both teams
finishing on level terms with 16
points each. The team is very much
looking forward to more matches
next term.
House Round-Up
remaining open for another 48
hours, things may well have
changed dramatically by the time
you read this. Next term should be
very exciting.
Such is the intensity and extent
of the House Programme that,
even though we are into the
penultimate day of term, we
cannot yet publish the complete
standings for the whole term.
Competition has been as fierce
as ever in events as far ranging
as football and netball to
quizzes, House Music and, of
course, Merits. Thus far we have
completed 20 events and the
standings reveal that last year’s
Champion House, Chichester
lie in fourth place with 40 points.
Traditionally, their strength lies in
the second half of the year so we
can expect to see them take closer
order in due course. In third place
we currently have Heyerdahl on
52 points with Barbarossa and
Cousteau leading jointly with 54
points each. With Intermediate
and Ensemble Music still to be
finalised and the Merits book
Rainhouse
win Battle of
the Bands
Two bands from Dubai College
took part in this year’s Battle of the
Bands contest held at DIA, which
helped raise money to support
the World Food Program. There
were a total of 8 bands taking
part, each performing one original
song and one cover. Electric Mud,
featuring Anuradha Malik, Elliot
Barker, Karan Hallon and Taimur
Samee performed White Stripes’
7 Nation Army, with their original
composition being Take Me to the
Other Side.
Rainhouse, who included Serafina
de Piro, Florence Prosser, Clara
Townsend, Daniel Wakefield and
Daniel Adair were victorious,
winning the competition with
their version of Eliza Doolittle’s
Pack Up and their own Heart on
Your Hand. Florence Prosser also
won the Best Vocalist prize. Our
congratulations go to both bands
for taking part in the event!
DC Sport
This term has once again seen
DC teams and individuals excel
in the sporting arena. Highlights
of the season so far have been
the successes achieved in major
tournaments at rugby and
netball. In addition our football,
netball and basketball teams
have distinguished themselves in
their respective Dubai Schools’
League competitions. Notably we
have been able to field four or five
netball teams in every age group.
On the football field we have
already gained success in both
boys and girls competitions, whilst
our basketball sides continue
to challenge for top honours at
intermediate and senior levels.
As the swim squad seemingly
goes from strength to strength,
the growth in popularity of water
polo has encouraged several
students to become regular
members of the Dubai Camels
training evenings.
This term also saw an increase in
the range of competitive sports
on offer with the first ever Table
Tennis fixture against an EIS team
taking place recently. Whilst some
of the more high profile events
tend to have drawn the spotlight,
our cricket teams continue to
develop, often producing results
of outstanding quality. Teams at
all age groups have gained great
success in local fixtures and in
recent years we have more than
held our own against some very
strong international opposition.
So far this term our cricket teams
have continued this trend.
Desert Adventures
On Friday 16th December, fifty
six students from year 10, laden
with tents, rucksacks and cooking
equipment set off on a two day trek
around Wadi Fayeh, near to Dhaid.
As the practice expedition for their
Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award,
they had to plot coordinates,
work out bearings and navigate
their way through almost 20km
of rugged terrain using a compass
and map. A significant part of the
experience was camping on sand
dunes overlooking Fossil Rock
and watching the sun set over the
mountains behind the camp. As a
testimony to excellent teamwork
and determination to succeed, each
group completed their challenge
ahead of schedule and without
getting lost. This was affirmed by
Gemma, our expedition leader
from North Star, who described the
group as ‘one of the best she had
worked with’.
As the end of term approaches,
all year 10 students at Dubai
College are looking forward to an
adventurous New Year of outdoors
education, including another
practice expedition and two
qualifying expeditions taking place
in January 2012.
Under 15 Girls team crowned champions!
The Under 15 girls’ football team
was recently crowned champions
of the Dubai Schools’ A League.
The team went undefeated
throughout the term, conceding
only one goal and scoring sixteen.
Successful coach Miss Gillespie
was delighted:
“The girls showed remarkable
commitment and sportsmanship
all season. Hayley Moore 9NB
scored at least a hat trick in every
match and our captain Megan
Purdon 10CG led the team from
midfield. Goalkeeper Gabi Guscott
10CG also provided leadership
throughout (as well as that
incredible kick-out). I am thrilled
for the girls. They deserve their
success!”
DC regain their title in style
The Under 18 sevens’ rugby squad
regained its title by producing some
of the best 7s rugby seen at this
year’s Dubai International Sevens
Tournament. The squad played
consistently well throughout the
three days against some strong
opposition. On the way to the final
the team scored 159 points and
conceded just 10. It was fitting that
the team should meet ‘old foes’ The
British School of Al Khubairat in the
final and as both teams ran on to the
pitch in front of a crowd of 30,000
the atmosphere was electric. Within
the first minute James Capon ran
in a spectacular 90 metre try and
from then on DC were in control
right through to the final whistle
when the score line read 26 points
to nil. Congratulations on a fantastic
achievement to all the squad
members and to those who narrowly
missed selection or were injured.
DC students earn praise
The success of the Dubai Ladies’
Masters Golf Championship,
held a the Emirates Golf Club
at the weekend, was in no small
part due to the sterling work of
DC students. Organised by Mr.
Davidson and his staff, a team
of over a hundred students was
present from dawn until dusk
to ensure that the scoring of the
event went off smoothly.
The tournament was won by
sixteen year old golfing sensation
Alexis Thompson from the US.
Following the presentation of the
trophy several members of the
European LPGA acknowledged the
wonderful contribution made by
DC students and staff. In addition
several of the golfers congratulated
our students on the manner in
which they conducted themselves
throughout the weekend.
Well done to all concerned!
Senior girls come close in final
Our senior girls’ basketball team
came very close to snatching
victory in the final of the Dubai
Schools’ Basketball League. Playing
a very strong and determined JC
side the girls got off to a sluggish
start and at half time JC were
deservedly in front. However some
great interceptions early in the
second half brought DC back to
within three points. The remainder
of the second half proved to be
a tremendous spectacle for the
enthusiastic spectators and
with just 90 seconds left on the
clock just two points separated
the teams. However, in the final
seconds of the game JC converted
a couple of free throws and won a
vital rebound under our boards to
stretch their lead to five points at
the final whistle.
The girls can be very proud of the
way they contested a game that
could so easily have gone their way.
Congratulations must go to the
girls of JC on crowning a wonderful
season with a victory. The DC
squad would like to thank coaches
Mrs. Nowacki and Mr. Flower
for their tremendous support
throughout the league season.
DC swimmers can congratulate
themselves on a wonderful first
half of the season. The squad
currently leads the race for the
Dubai Schools’ Championships
having won every league meet so
far. In addition, several swimmers
have gained individual honours
in various meetings at home and
abroad. Most recently Matthias
Falzon Young, Maisy Duncan,
Chantal Meyer and Yasmeen
Mohajer (pictured) all competed in
Doha with both Maisy and Chantal
winning their age groups.
Swimming successes
Also pictured is the junior swim
squad that were successful against
JC in the recent ‘festive friendly’
gala at DC.
Thank you !
The Dubai College community
raised 850 dhs for the Poppy
Appeal this year.
Xmas Stockings for Ethiopia
Children in Ethiopia celebrate
their Xmas on January 6th and
some of them will be getting more
than they expected. Thanks to
the efforts of a group of students
in Year 8 and the Charities’
Committee the RAEY Charity
will receive a number of Xmas
stockings that have caringly been
put together to bring a smile to the
faces of some of the children in
its care. At the start of next term
Miss John will fly to Ethiopia to
deliver the stockings in time for
the Ethiopian Xmas Day!
Pictured are members of the Charities’
Committee with the Xmas Stockings.
Stop press
House Music Finals
Alumni news
Alumni support
A very enthusiastic and
appreciative audience thoroughly
enjoyed the finals of this year’s
House Music Competition, held
in the College Music Centre. The
finalists had battled their way
through to the finals to compete
in three separate age groups. The
overall quality of performance was
extremely high making the judges
job very difficult. The final results
were:
This term has again seen a growth
in the support being offered to
the College by the alumni. The
steering committee continue
to work on finalising a new
constitution and the website will
be up and running in the new
year. We have had several visitors
into the College to contribute to
the Journeys programme and and
there has been a healthy response
from Dubai based alumni who
wish to support the Year 11 Alumni
Careers Convention in June.
Alumnus
launches
website
Just in case you were wondering
what had happened to our former
Head of Mathematics and now,
Mr. Hassan Lakiss I can reveal
that he has been busy designing
his own website. Mr. Lakiss
recently launched
www.mathsmalakiss.com
Check it out – it is worth a look.
Junior: Cate Waft
(Chichester, violin)
Intermediate: Helena Wick
(Heyerdahl, flute)
Senior: joint winners,
Kinara Rodrigues
(Heyerdahl, flute)
Sophia Cafoor-Camps
(Cousteau, piano)
Overall winner for
“performance of the
evening”: Charles Barsaga
(Heyerdahl, piano)
Our thanks go to the judges Joan
Scott-Minter, Carolyn Belsey and
Martyn Bagnal
Past v Present fixtures
One of the highlights at the end
of term was the Past v Present
sporting fixtures. This year we
had more games than ever before
with alumni teams turning out for
netball, basketball, water
polo, rugby and football.
In addition a healthy crowd of
former students cheered and
jeered throughout the afternoon’s
programme.
Following the football match
students past and present enjoyed
a barbecue courtesy of the FDC.
Thanks go to Andy Jones and the
PE Department for organising
such a splendid afternoon.
results:
Water polo:
DC Present 9 v 6 DC Past
Girls Basketball:
DC Present 26 v 24 DC Past
Rugby:
DC Present 24 v 27 DC Past
Netball
DC Present 24 v 12 DC Past
Boys Football
DC Present 2 v 1 DC Past
Past v Present Gallery
Past v Present Gallery
Secret Santa
The now traditional staff Secret
Santa took place on the last day of
term and once again Santa himself
made an appearance.
‘I loves soap on a rope I does’
The Grinch
Santa’s little helpers