6 years ago
Interview with Dave McMaster, Founding Director of American School Bahrain American School of Bahrain offers a holistic and challenging American and international educational program founded on the pillars of academic excellence. As an Esol Education school, ASB is part of a family of exceptional international schools around the world in locations such as Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Hong Kong, Cairo, Nicosia and Lebanon. Tell us a bit about yourself, your work and philosophy. I worked as a teacher, vice principal and principal at five schools in Canada prior to moving to Hong Kong to work at a large international school as principal for two years and then Head of School for 10 years. I’ve been an educator for 31 years, the last 26 as a principal or head of school. I’m a huge believer in having a positive school atmosphere and an ethos that the kids and staff would love to come to. The greatest thing I can do as a leader is to set that atmosphere and ethos to one where people want to be there. I think this makes the learning and the teaching much more natural. What advice would you give students from your 30 years’ experience working […]
6 years ago
When the pandemic forced schools to close, parents and educators grappled with how to keep the kids learning. Many students from low-income families also lack the basic technology they require to study online – including access to a computer and a reliable internet connection. Apart from the costs of providing decent systems and the struggles of adapting to the new arrangement, most parents are also concerned about the stability of data providers. Internet access has been a problem in Bahrain long before the pandemic, with high prices, slow speeds and lack of coverage in some areas. A number of parents debate whether online education is worth the same price as a regular classroom setup; while some worry about handling online lessons when they have no time to teach. “There were times our daughter found it hard to catch up with the learning materials because of the quality of the Zoom classes, due to either our or the teacher’s internet connection. In this kind of learning setting, we’ve also noticed how hesitant the students are in raising their concerns since they are usually put on ‘mute’”, a parent whose child is enrolled in The Indian School said. Are students becoming less […]
6 years ago
Developing capable and confident children through best teaching practices. EtonHouse Bahrain Pre School and Preparatory School provides an Early Years and Primary Years programme for children from 15 months old. Their highly qualified international class teachers are supported by teaching assistants. The Executive Principal Carol Pedersen originates from the UK and has been actively involved in various schools, educational management positions in international schools around the world for over two decades. Curriculum EtonHouse provides a programme with a carefully resourced environment that stimulates the learning and development of children from one to 12 years old. At EtonHouse, the child benefits from a learning environment that promotes the continuous development of their social, cognitive, emotional, physical and creative strengths. EtonHouse’s curriculum is inspired by internationally accepted best teaching practices from around the world. It is one of the world leading educational groups recognised and accredited by the Council of International Schools, Oxford and Cambridge, and International Baccalaureate. EtonHouse’s education group has been established over 25 years worldwide with over 125 schools globally. What is EtonHouse doing to help students during the COVID-19 Pandemic? During the pandemic, EtonHouse has provided home based online learning to over 20,000 students worldwide. They have been […]
6 years ago
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6 years ago
Why did you choose the Food and Beverage industry for your new venture? One of the driving forces of our business group is developing business opportunities. We are here to make profits but with something sustainable and in line with our quality and ethical standards. Now, the food business serves a greater good and provides people with a service they appreciate. Food has a certain quality standard and if you pick the right quality partners, you have succeeded in achieving that quality. We also wanted to diversify our portfolio and the food business seemed to be a potentially profitable and sustainable one. Can you tell us more about Costa Coffee and Al Zayani partnership? We never found the right opportunity to deal with the food franchising business. We wanted something with credibility so that we could develop on it. When the Costa opportunity came, it was available as a master franchise for different territories. We chose to bid only for the Bahrain area because we wanted a global brand which is among the top three brands. At the same time, we wanted something that could be scaled up, teach us the business, and give us a head start. Costa seemed […]
6 years ago
Charlie Cooksey spends two days soaking in the luxury of Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown. Downtown Manhattan, New York, is famous for its bustling energy and locals that are always on the go due to its 24/7 lifestyle. Manhattan is often synonymous with New York State as most think of this neighborhood as the epitome of New York, and it’s easy to see why. While the city may be buzzing, the Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown is a luxurious respite to enjoy a relaxing stay in the heart of the city. This 5-star luxury hotel is located in the financial district, a few blocks from the iconic Woolworth Building, Central Park, North Cove Marina, and Wall Street. It features 157 private apartments, 24 floors dedicated to hotel rooms, and a modern, sleek design that creates a plush feeling. This hotel is often frequented by business travelers, though it is also ideal for families and solo travelers. Upon arrival, I was stunned by the property’s appearance and greeted by the helpful and friendly staff. Check-in was incredibly smooth. I was able to head to my room earlier than the expected time as it was ready for me two hours […]
6 years ago
Gulf Insider’s Charlie Cooksey goes to Dubai to experience a very special drive… I recently went to Dubai to experience the latest Ferrari Portofino M. Ferrari booked me into the beautiful Bulgari Hotel which was quite possibly the most stunning and luxurious hotel I have ever stayed in… residing on its own private island in Dubai. The Bulgari hotel is an excellent match to the luxury standard to that of Ferrari. The next morning, the Portofino M was delivered to me – loaded onto a flatbed truck. Usually, I prefer my Ferraris in traditional red, but I must admit to being strongly drawn to the unique dark grey paintwork of this particular Ferrari. After it was unloaded and I had signed the relevant paperwork accepting responsibility for it, the car was mine for the day to take wherever I wanted to go. I always enjoy cruising and driving around Dubai, up and down Sheikh Zayed road, and in the cool winter sunshine, it’s even more enjoyable to take the roof down to feel the speed, wind and the sun… However, when you start climbing over 120kph it can mess up your hair style! It was a working business day for me, […]
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