Amaad Private School aims for its students to be ready to live and work in a world where cultures, races, religions and beliefs interact; where environmental issues are inherent in every decision; where creativity is as important as content knowledge; where ability to think critically (eg. think of ‘fake news’) and adaptability to rapidly changing situations are paramount. APS is determined to equip its students to thrive in this world by developing these skills and encouraging their natural curiosity. We want to help them to learn where to look, not tell them what to see.

Teaching and learning at Amaad Private School is based on the philosophy stated in the school’s vision, mission and guiding statements.

Students at Amaad Private School are expected to be brilliant students, but we do not believe that brilliance is necessarily reflected in top academic exam results. Brilliance in a person can also include their kindness, creativity, willingness, abilities in other areas (sports, dance, technology etc) and general attitude to life.

As a school we do value academic excellence, but not at the expense of children’s wellbeing.

Our teaching methods encourage children to try things. Mistakes in school work are expected. Albert Einstein said wisely, “A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.”

Tests – these are as much, or more, about seeing if the teaching has been done well. If test results are not good, teachers need to re-consider their methods. All assessment results should be used to inform teaching.  Low test results are not always a sign of a lack of intelligence or capability.

The formal school classroom is not suited to everyone – Albert Einstein did not do at all well at school. Neither did Bill Gates, or Walt Disney, or Richard Branson, but they all did well in life.

In every classroom, every day, the teachers monitor their students. Ongoing assessment is taking place all of the time, and alterations and adaptations made to school work or expectations according to the need of the students. This is assessment for learning.

Summative assessment is that given at the end of a period of study, whether in the form of a test, or conversation, or project. This is assessment of learning.

Currently, the school is adhering to the requirements of the MoE in Oman with regard to classroom assessment tasks, but additional assessment of students and their progress and abilities is also being noted.

A combination of all of these factors will contribute towards the students’ report cards.

All students at Amaad Private School are required to attend school every day for two semesters each year.  Lessons are offered on most of these days, although there will be a few days every year set aside for such things as class excursions and practice for presentations.

In order to benefit from the education offered at APS, it is expected that parents will plan for their children to attend school daily, with exceptions for sickness and bereavement; and public holidays.

Parents are requested to notify the school if their child is away, or going to be away. For absences of longer than three days, parents may request extra school work.

If a student is absent for 3 consecutive days, without the school being notified, the office staff will telephone the parents to request reasons.

Missing one day of school every week equates to over 2 years absence during the period of compulsory schooling.

At Amaad Private School we believe that every student comes to school with the expectation that they will be able to learn. We do not expect student behaviour to be perfect because we value the innate character of children, but we do expect all students to respect their classmates and allow each other to learn. Teachers will judge when behaviour is appropriate.

When lesson disruption, or any sign of bullying, is detrimental to other students, the teacher will notify the office and the disobedient student/s will be removed and sent to the principal’s office.

Students in the principal’s office will be offered a chance to explain their behaviour, and each event will be dealt with individually.

If the event is considered serious, the principal will call the parents and ask them to come in and discuss the issue.

After three visits to the principal’s office, the parents will be called in, however trivial the offences. A breach of behaviour record will be kept at the school.

If student behaviour does not improve after parent meetings, exclusion of the student from the school is a possible action.

It is strictly forbidden for any parent to punish any child other than their own while on school grounds. This behaviour will not be tolerated by school management.

Amaad Private School encourages teachers to organise excursions to enhance learning and experiences for the students. As student safety is a priority, the following information outlines the procedures that teachers need to follow when planning a trip away from the school grounds.

1. At least one week prior to planned trip, teachers are to submit a written plan of the day to the principal, explaining educational purpose and schedule of the trip.
2. All students are to have written parental permission and provision must be made for students who do not have permission and need to stay at school.
3. MOE approval must be given prior to any excursion – the deputy principal will be in charge of all ministry permissions.
4. Teachers must consider provision of water (and food if appropriate), and first aid.
5. Teachers must carry a class list with parent contact numbers.
6. Suitable transport arrangements must be organized before the trip.
7. Ministerial guidelines for supervision and transportation must be followed.

For the school bus transport system to work safely and efficiently, the following guidelines should be followed.

Children

1. Sit quietly with seat belt on and remain seated until the bus stops.
2. Notify driver or supervisor of any misbehaviour of others.

Drivers

1. Bus must be stationary before anyone boards or leaves the bus.
2. Keep register of students, their locations and their parents’ telephone numbers.
3. During this Corona Virus Pandemic, drivers are to have all windows open and clean bus regularly. At other times, air conditioning is fine if windows are closed.
4. Bus must be serviced regularly, have good tyres and have sufficient fuel prior to the trip. Buses are not to go to fuel pumps with children on board.
5. Drivers may not use telephones except when the bus is parked.
6. Wait only 3 minutes for children to be ready to board, unless in pre-arranged circumstances.
7. Drivers may not take any passengers other than the children and supervisors of Amaad School.

Supervisors

1. Maintain register of students and note absences.
2. Wear a seat belt and ensure student behaviour is acceptable.
3. Supervisors must be on the bus at the start of the trip and remain on the bus until the last student has left the bus.
4. Report any unsuitable behaviour of students of driver or parents to school principal or deputy.
5. Notify school and driver of any absence prior to bus trip.

Parents

1. Have children ready to board bus at agreed time. Drivers are not to be using their telephones while driving so please do not expect them to call on arrival. Drivers will wait 3 minutes only for each child.
2. Notify driver or supervisor prior if child is not attending school.
3. Ensure there is someone to meet the child off the bus at the specified time and place.
4. Remain patient and understand that delays may happen due to traffic conditions.