PRESS RELEASE
ACS Doha celebrates 10th anniversary
17 November 2021, Doha: ACS International School Doha has marked its tenth anniversary in a series of events this month.
The school hosted activities at its newly inaugurated 60,000sqm campus in Al Kheesa, culminating in a VIP reception with guests from the Ministry of Education, Mr Mohammed Sultan Al Jaber, Chairman of Al Jaber Group W.L.L, whose organisation constructed the new campus, H.E. Jon Wilks, British Ambassador to Qatar, international embassies, education and business partner organisations.
They were joined by Mr Tim Cagney, Chief Executive of ACS International Schools, and senior leaders from the school’s Head Office in the UK.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Rob Cody, Head of School, ACS Doha, said: “During the Covid pandemic, we were thankful that due to our large new campus being purposely built with many breakaway rooms, and learning centres, we 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 in our new campus.”
With public safety measures and Covid restrictions throughout the majority of last year, for some guests, it was their first opportunity to visit the new campus, which opened in autumn 2020, and fully explore the student facilities including 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.
Tim Cagney, Chief Executive, ACS International Schools, said: “Our decade in Doha has truly cemented our 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.”
Mr Cody and Mr Cagney both paid tribute to the school’s celebrated multicultural, inclusive, and supportive community of families and staff spanning over 70 nationalities, and to the invaluable support of ACS sponsor, Mr Mohammed Sultan Al Jaber, Chairman of Al Jaber Group W.L.L, whose organisation constructed the new campus.
Mr Al Jaber said: “I am proud to have partnered with ACS Doha to deliver an international school that enhances Qatar’s educational offering and resonates so strongly with the National Vision 2030. Going from 200 students when the original campus opened in 2011, to its state-of-the-art campus with 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.”
“With ACS International School Doha, not only are they celebrating 10 years in Doha, but bringing with them 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,” commented His Excellency Jon Wilks, British Ambassador to Qatar.
During the VIP reception, ACS Doha’s leaders buried a time capsule in the school’s garden, filled with ACS students’ hopes and dreams 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.
ENDS
ACS PR contact: Malak M. Kanaan, Email: mkanaan@acs-schools.com, Mobile: +974 50981194
About ACS Doha:
At the very heart of ACS Doha is our warm, inclusive, welcoming community. It’s something our parents tell us they really value about our co-educational day school.
Home to over 900 students, aged 3 to 18, representing 70 nationalities, we have 150 expert faculty and staff. It’s this global outlook that informs our world-renowned curriculum, building on the very best of global and US education standards. It gives our students unprecedented flexibility to tailor their studies from a wide range of options and access to world-leading universities.
Established in Qatar since 2011, we opened our landmark new 60,000sqm campus in Al Kheesa in September 2020, to accommodate up to 2,500 students. ACS Doha is part of ACS International Schools, which was established in 1967 and also has three schools in the Greater London area, UK.
ACS Doha is the only school in Qatar to offer both the College Board’s Advanced Placement Programme (AP) as well as the International Baccalaureate Career Related Programme (IBCP). We also offer the full range of International Baccalaureate programmes: Primary Years Programme (IBPYP), Middle Years Programme (IBMYP), Diploma Programme (IBDP). This is in addition to the US High School Diploma.
Our educational approach embraces the fact that every child comes to ACS Doha with his or her own hopes and aspirations. To meet these needs, we believe it is important to encourage the pursuit of academic endeavour within a caring environment that promotes each student’s ability and learning style.
