MY LEARNING JOURNEY
Ahmed, 5-years old, grade 0:
“I go to school in Qatar-Finland International School. My teacher is Ms.
Tuovi from Finland and she has fun ideas for plays. We draw and paint
and we play outside. Sometimes Ms. Tuovi tells us stories.”
In grade 0 we create the preconditions for learning and experience conceptual
issues on everyday level. Instead of subjects, we organize teaching around core
themes, children’s interests and topical issues (e.g.”weather”,”healthy food”,”me
and my family”).
Stephanie, 6-years old, grade 1:
“I am in grade 1 and my favorite person
in the school is Principal Juha. He is
a funny man and always smiles at
us and asks us how we are. In class
we talk about letters, numbers and
shapes. Sometimes I get to help the
teacher when I am the monitor. “
In grade 1 we dive into reading, writing
and other basic skills, but not driven by the
teachers, but by the children. We want to
promote student independence and give
them more responsibility of their own
learning process.
Pilvi, 7-years old, grade 2:
“My favorite activity in school is drawing
and reading. I like doing stuff with my
friends in class, my teacher often
asks us to work together. I like helping
Jassim because he is my friend. ”
In grade 2 we work more with deepen the
basic academic skills in reading, writing and
math. We value learning together with others
and embrace creativity, arts and crafts.
ABOUT US
Qatar-Finland International School (Q.F.I. School) provides world-class education,
based on the Finnish education practices. Finnish education has repeatedly been
declared one of the best in the world by many global studies.
Q.F.I. School is a primary school for girls and boys. The school will start with grades
0, 1 and 2 for children aged 5-7. Teachers responsible for the Finnish curriculum
are from Finland, all holding Master’s Degrees in education.
The main language of instruction is English and language support will be provided
for non-native English speakers especially in the early years. All students study
Arabic language and the goal is to educate functionally bilingual students.
For us the student always comes first. We will provide your child with a
solid foundation for lifelong learning, promoting holistic well-being and
social confidence.
OUR VISION
Q.F.I. School is a unique state-of-the-art school, a safe environment, and a
supportive community for learning and growth enabling each child to reach their
full potential.
OUR MISSION
•
Providing high-quality teaching in Qatar through encouraging
your child to take an active and responsible role as a learner.
•
Creating learning opportunities, which support all your child’s
educational needs as an individual, a member of the community,
and a conscious global citizen.
•
Offering our young learners a motivational, inspiring, and secure
environment with future technology and versatile learning
materials enhancing academic achievement and creativity.
•
Modeling an exquisite combination of
educational excellence and support
of holistic well-being of our students,
staff and parents.
•
Establishing a forerunner institution
which serves key Qatari stakeholders
committed to achieving educational
excellence according to the Supreme
Education Council (SEC) Outstanding
Schools Program.
IN Q.F.I. SCHOOL THE CHILD
COMES FIRST, ALWAYS
When the children apply for school, we don’t test them in order to rank them,
but to get to know their skills and abilities. By knowing the level of their overall
development, we are able to plan the individual learning paths for our students.
When we create a learning environment, we don’t build it to show off to parents
or stakeholders. The learning environment needs to inspire the children. We want
the children to feel comfortable and safe at school.
When the children are at school, the main responsibility of all school staff is to
support children in their growth. The adults of the school are not there for any
other reason.
When we say that the child is in the center, we don’t just say that. Our teachers are
highly qualified and committed to support each child, with as many different ways
as there are children. Every child has his or her own way of learning, own interests
and own challenges.
When we think of our students, we don’t see them only
as students. We see them as complete persons and we are
dedicated to take care of their holistic well-being. That is
why we have an educated team of learning assistants,
social workers and nurses as part of the expert team in
the school.
When in class, we don’t only make children sit quietly and memorise information.
For children ages 5-7, the most effective way to learn is through instructed play
and activity. We need to apply age-appropriate ways of teaching, make learning
interesting and support their life-long passion to learn.
When we assess the students, we don’t do it because we want to test them to
compare with others. To us assessment is a collaborative process to enhance
learning. We don’t believe in standardized testing, we don’t want to make our
students study just for the tests. We want our children to learn for life.
When we think of the school path of our students, we don’t think our influence
ends when they leave our school. We have equipped them with skills to learn
throughout their life. Children are responsible for their own learning, but our
job is to encourage and motivate them to realize their full potential – through
joy of learning.
AN ENVIRONMENT TO PLAY,
DISCOVER AND LEARN
Our school’s indoor, outdoor and digital spaces form an integrated learning
environment supporting child-centered active and playful learning – as well as
inquiry-based and problem solving approaches. We are introducing an inspiring,
motivational, and safe environment where your child will be able to reach his /
her potential.
OUR CURRICULUM
BUILDING THE FOUNDATIONS FOR OUR YOUNG LEARNERS…
STEP BY STEP
Q.F.I. School curriculum provides a well-balanced system of highly academic skills
and strong self-expression and creative skills. The curriculum combines Finnish
National Core Curriculum with the Qatari curriculum standards.
Our learning approach is thematic, integrated and child-centered. The learning
provides the opportunity for highly successful academic learning alongside
nurturing your child as a whole person. Our teachers have high level content
knowledge combined with strong pedagogical skills, variety of methodological
tools and approaches to serve the individual needs of your child.
Outside of the academic skills, we work to support the development of the
following cross-cutting skills:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Higher level cognitive skills, learning to learn
Cultural competences, interaction and self-expression
Looking after oneself, managing daily activities, and safety
Multi-literacy
ICT competence
Working life skills and entrepreneurship
Participation, empowerment and responsibility
EDUCATING TOGETHER
WITH PARENTS
In Q.F.I. School, we believe that the responsibility of learning is divided between
students, teachers and homes. As a parent you are primarily responsible for the
upbringing of your child. We support homes and take responsibility for the child’s
education at school.
We want you to know that you as parents are always welcome to our school to
discuss with the principal or the teachers about your child, even to follow the work
in the classrooms. We hope you show active interest in your child’s learning, also
when the child is not at school.
WHY FINLAND?
Finnish education has repeatedly been declared one of the best in the world by
many global studies and rankings.
Many countries that have recognized education as the key for future
competitiveness and prosperity are interested in applying the Finnish expertise
in practice to create the world’s best performing education and schools. Finnish
strengths in education consist of socio-constructivist conception of learning,
excellent school operations, highest quality teacher training, modern and effective
learning materials, constructive assessment and evaluation, and flexibility across
the education system.
•
For more information visit:
w: qfischool.com
Qatar-Finland International School
@QFISchool
t: +974 6679 5973
•
•
North Al Dohail, Al Khissa Area,
Street No. 502, Doha, Qatar
•