Nurture ~ Believe ~ Discover ~ Achieve
MINUTES OF THE BOARD MEMBERS MEETING HELD ON WEDNESDAY, 8TH FEBRUARY 2017 AT
16H00 AT SAFA COMMUNITY SCHOOL
PRESENT:
L. KHATIB
S. MERCHANT
S. DUCKITT
L. FRIDD
A. SCHAEFER
I. IANELLI
K. BITAR
D. SUTTON
L. STONES
(PROPRIETOR) CHAIRMAN
(PROPRIETOR)
(PRINCIPAL)
(HEAD TEACHER PRIMARY)
(PARENT)
(PARENT)
(LOCAL COMMUNITY LEADER)
(PRINCIPAL SAFA BRITISH SCHOOL)
(TEACHER)
INVITATION :
A. RAMBOCUS (HEAD OF FS / DEPUTY HEAD OF PRIMARY)
MINUTES :
L. LE GRANGE
(LK)
(SM)
(SD)
(LF)
(AS)
(II)
(KB)
(DS)
(LS)
(AR)
The meeting convened at 16h00 by LK and the following items were discussed.
1. WELCOME
LK welcomed all the members to the meeting and welcomed Mr. Dan Sutton as a new member
to the Board of Members. Ms. Rambocus was invited to the meeting to discuss Child Protection
and the Foundation Stage Report.
2. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING
The minutes of the previous meeting were accepted as true and correct.
3. CHILD PROTECTION
3.1
Ms. Rambocus reminded Board Members of the SCS CP procedures.
3.2
AR also advised that the school has rigorous and effective procedures in place regarding
anti-bullying and supporting students with aspects related to pastoral matters.
4. FOUNDATION STAGE REPORT
4.1
This report was circulated prior to the meeting.
4.2
Moderation had taken place with four other schools.
4.3
The school rates FS to be at least very good or better.
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4.4 Board members were invited in to observe lessons. AR reported that the school
management undertake regular lesson observations and learning walks.
4.5 Safa British School and SCS are working collaboratively in the Foundation Stage.
5. PRIMARY REPORT
5.1
The primary report was circulated before the meeting.
5.2
LF reported that almost all teachers were staying at SCS next year. Two teachers were
returning home and one was leaving SCS at the end of the academic year.
5.3
The data shows that students who have been with SCS for the longest are making the
most progress.
5.4
The introduction of the GRIT badges has been a huge success. These are awarded for
resilience and mental toughness amongst students.
5.5
The Year One timetable had been adapted to include much more reading.
5.6
LF also reported on the school visit to Finland at the end of March. KB reminded that it
was important not to copy work in other countries but to learn from best practice and
adapt that to the UAE culture and educational environment. He stressed that it was
important to recognize the uniqueness of each countries education system.
5.7
LF also advised of SCS being part of a visible learning project. She also reported back on
the KHDA’s recent visit to SCS which has been selected as one of the five innovation
schools for the future in Dubai.
6. SECONDARY REPORT
6.1
The secondary report was circulated before the meeting.
6.2
Two new staff appointments have been made for next year. One teacher for Mathematics
and another to teach Business Studies and Computer Studies.
6.3
SD reported that the secondary school was seeing the benefits of small class sizes.
6.4
The Arabic for non-native speakers had seen a complete change in teachers with a current
GCSE examiner for Arabic B joining the school.
6.5
The recent GCSE Options Evening had been well received.
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6.6
SD reported that throughout the school a strong policy of inclusion was in operation. It
was important that students of all abilities were able to make better than expected
progress. Across the school a number of intervention groups had been established to
support students who were making less than expected progress.
7. BUILDING DEVELOPMENT
7.1
LK reported that 65% of the new building was complete. Final completion date is during
June 2017.
7.2
The building is 1200m2 this is larger than the three existing buildings on site.
7.3
KB advised on various aspects relating to DEWA, transformers and other building
management issues.
8. INSPECTION
9.
8.1
The inspection will commence of the 19th of February 2017.
8.2
The school welcomes the views of the DSIB/KHDA.
8.3
Members were requested to be available for meetings with the inspectors. Details will
follow when known.
NATIONAL AGENDA PARAMETERS
9.1
SD reported that from Year 4 to Year 9 students had performed extremely well in the
international IBT tests this year.
9.2
The school has introduced a rigorous reading campaign with the introduction of
Accelerated Reader. In addition comprehension skills were receiving much attention. An
Arabic Bookfair will be held in the third term.
9.3
The Head of Arabic – Mrs. Khalifa – runs a programme of Arabic for parents.
9.4
The UAE Social Studies Agenda is integrated throughout the school.
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10. STUDENT NUMBERS
10.1 SD drew the Boards attention to the much larger numbers in the much younger age
groups in the school.
10.2 A number of parents were having financial difficulties due to the change in the current
market conditions.
11.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
11.1 II congratulated the school on being chosen as one of three schools in Dubai to be part
of the SHAMS Dubai Solar Rooftop Programme as part of the Dubai Carbon Initiative and
the Smart Dubai launched by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
11. DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING
The date of the next meeting to be confirmed.
The meeting was concluded at 17h40.
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