ACS International School Doha recently celebrated the school’s 10th anniversary with a series of events this month.
The school hosted activities at its new 60,000 sqm campus in Al Kheesa, which culminated in a VIP reception with British Ambassador to Qatar HE Jon Wilks, Al Jaber Group Chairman Mohammed Sultan Al Jaber, guests from the Ministry of Education, and representatives from the diplomatic and academic community and business partner organisations. Al Jaber Group WLL constructed the new campus.
The guests were joined by ACS International Schools Chief Executive Tim Cagney and senior leaders from the school’s head office in the UK.
Speaking at the ceremony, ACS Doha Head of School Rob Cody said they were thankful that because the new campus has many breakaway rooms and learning centres, they were able to remain open for face-to-face learning while maintaining a safe, rigorous and dynamic learning environment.
Now that we are moving to a gradual easing of restrictions, we’re able to use more of our outstanding facilities with extra-curricular programmes and purpose-built innovative spaces for our students – from Early Childhood to High School – to collaborate, and opportunities to bring in the wider communities and partners our school serves. We have bold ambitions to grow. This is an exciting opportunity for us on our new campus.
With public safety measures and COVID-19 restrictions throughout the majority of last year, some of the guests were visiting the new campus for the first time, which opened in Autumn 2020. They were able to fully explore the student facilities including the all-weather athletics track, fitness suites, new generation artificial football pitch, drama studios, music practice rooms, a state-of-the-art theatre, and the 25-metre swimming pool and learners’ pool.
Cagney said that their decade in Doha has truly cemented their commitment to Qatar.
We not only recognise our role in contributing to the human development goals of Qatar’s 2030 National Vision; we see it as our responsibility. It’s a responsibility we take very seriously. It’s also something that aligns strongly with our own purpose at ACS International Schools, to inspire the world’s next thinkers and doers.
Cody and Cagney both paid tribute to the school’s celebrated multicultural, inclusive and supportive community of families and staff spanning over 70 nationalities, and the invaluable support of ACS sponsor, Mohammed Sultan Al Jaber, whose organisation constructed their new campus.
Al Jaber said he is proud to have partnered with ACS Doha to deliver an international school that enhances Qatar’s educational offering and resonates so strongly with Qatar National Vision 2030.
Going from 200 students when the original campus opened in 2011, to its state-of-the-art campus with a capacity for over 2,000, ACS Doha is committed to Qatar’s ambitions on being internationally recognised for the quality of the education it provides and has the experience to enrich the futures of generations of students to come. This campus offers enormous potential to inspire learners and educators alike.
HE Jon Wilks, meanwhile, extended his congratulations to ACS Doha, adding that not only is the school celebrating 10 years in Doha but over 50 years of renowned international education
I would like to congratulate them on their success and wish them well as they start their new journey in this landmark campus.
During the VIP reception, leaders of ACS Doha buried a time capsule in the school’s garden, filled with the hopes and dreams of ACS students for the next ten years.
Other activities included the opening of an anniversary garden, creating tiles to represent the flags of the many nationalities represented at ACS Doha, Early Childhood students making a quilt, and a special art project for Middle High School students.
ACS Doha also hosted celebratory events for its parent community, students and staff, including a special dinner honouring the many founding families who have been with ACS Doha since 2011.
For more information about ACS Doha, visit acs-schools.com.
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