MEA August 2017

MEAMARKETS / August 2017 21 Achieving Success in an Ever-Changing World g “The curriculum offers students from a wide range of cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds the opportunity to gain a world class qualification. The three International Baccalaureate (IB) programmes are modelled on elements of educational systems from around the world. The result is a unique and inspiring curriculum based on identified and robust curriculum standards. “Ajman Academy offers innovative technological integration in all areas of the curriculum which enhances and helps unlock the learning of each child. The school provides a rich language programme in English and Arabic, with the aim of the language programme being to develop the mother-tongue of all students alongside English.” Technology and curriculum Ajman Academy offers innovative technological integration in all areas of the curriculum, which enhances and helps unlock the learning of each child, Esme tells us. She develops this point and tells us about the school’s facilities. “It provides all students and teachers a complete Wi-Fi experience, a 1:1 iPad programme, wireless configuration of shared learning with real-time commentary. The school provides a rich language programme in English and Arabic, also developing the mother tongue of all students alongside English. “The school’s facilities are innovative and support the vision of providing a healthy safe environment and include a canteen serving healthy organic food, music and art rooms, science and computer labs, libraries and sport spaces for football, basketball and tennis. The extra-curricular programme is extensive with specialist activities such as football, gymnastics, ballet, taekwando, tennis, also including the AJAC Swim Club, which makes full use of the 25m swimming pool.” Child protection team Child Protection Officers (CPOs) are trained members of staff who are responsible for ensuring policies and procedures are carefully followed, with regards to safeguarding and child protection, Esme explains. “They deal with referrals from families and teachers and ensure these are processed per policy and UAE law. “CPOs also ensure that the school itself is protecting and caring for children to the highest standard. This included monitoring eSafety, actively working to eliminate bullying, advising on classroom personal, social and health education programmes (PSHE), monitoring school behaviour management procedures and working with the health and safety committee.” Cafeteria and school catering services Ajman Academy is partnering with Tuck Shop Café, who will provide all the school’s catering as from September 2017. Esme then dishes up more details about this exciting project, as the interview concludes. “Tuck Shop Cafe is an independent Dubai based catering company specialising in the provisions of healthy (fresh ingredients with low sugar, salt and fat content) and affordable catering options for schools. They have been offering high-quality catering services to commercial organisations and retails outlets since 2000 and to schools from 2006.Tuck Shop Cafe is a family British run company, employing over 40 staff in several schools in Dubai. “Tuck Shop Cafe offers a healthy, nutritious menu catering to each schools’ different needs including an organic range, tuck shops and small canteens. A daily live barbecue stations, coffee cafés for staff, parents and 6th formers and full school canteens serving a variety of hot and cold meals plus a daily salad bar selection and pasta station are also offered. For younger students - we offer the full canteen service, healthy snack packs delivered to their classes or a picnic and mix where the full class have the same - so they learn to share and are encouraged to try new foods. “At Ajman Academy, we believe that healthy bodies = healthy minds, to encourage all students to have a healthy diet and drink plenty of water. All meals are Halal, nutritionally balanced and are prepared locally, using locally sourced ingredients and produce wherever possible. Early years children have their snacks and lunches sent to their classrooms, whilst from year one upwards, students eat in the school cafeteria. All children are supervised by class teachers. If you require any special dietary requirements, due to food allergies, please let your teacher know in writing and this will be passed on to the catering staff, the school nurse and the Primary Principal.” Company: Ajman Academy Name: Esme Halpenny Email: [email protected] Web Address: www.ajmanacademy.com Address: PO Box 639, UAE Telephone: +971 6 731 4444