New academy makes a splash!

St Christopher’s School’s new indoor swimming pool opened with a splash of SPARTA style last weekend following a BD450,000 investment at its Saar site

Hundreds of parents, pupils and residents in the area attended the launch event of the new community sports and arts academy to check out the facilities and courses on offer.

As well as swimming sessions a range of sports including football, cricket, netball and athletics, fitness sessions and dance activities for both children and adults form part of the SPARTA community initiative.

Academy director Gareth Holloway, an international middle-distance runner, former professional footballer and minor counties cricket player, has a team of coaches under his wing. He said: “These new and existing facilities offer something for everybody.” 

Principal Ed Goodwin added: “The launch of SPARTA, our wide-ranging, co-ordinated programme of activities, was a wonderful day for St Christopher’s. 

“Teachers, parents and pupils from the Infant, Junior and Senior schools came together for a day of exploration and enjoyment and, even though it was quite chilly, everyone had a great time. I was particularly pleased to welcome children and their parents, of course, who are not enrolled at St Chris – SPARTA is for all parts of the community!”

The 10-week courses vary in price starting from BD55. The initiative has already received a commercial boost with Euro Motors signing up as exclusive partners and sponsors for an undisclosed sum. The school says all financial support will be invested in the development of the brand.

For more details contact Mr Holloway on 39974654, visit www.sparta-bh.com or email SpartaBookings@st-chris.net or SpartaEnquiries@st-chris.net

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The British School of Bahrain (BSB) has formed a partnership with the University Foundation Programme (UFP) in the UK to offer, for the first time, a range of UK University foundation courses based in Bahrain. The school will be offering three courses in business, engineering and law.

The course is a one-year full-time bridging programme for Bahraini students who have completed the Bahrain Secondary School Leaving Certificate (Tawjihiya) and want to study overseas.

It is a modular course that is designed to prepare students for entry into Bachelor degree courses and guarantees acceptance on an undergraduate degree course at almost all UK universities, as well as some colleges and universities in Australia, Canada and the US.

l An information evening will be held for interested students and their parents at the BSB in Hamala today at 6.30pm and enrolment also begins today for the commencement of the courses in September.

For more information, contact head of the foundation programme Khalil Ahmed, pictured above, by emailing ahmedk@thebsbh.com, ufpadmissions@thebsbh.com or calling 17610820.

Sue Anderson Consultants (SAC), education consultants and UK boarding school specialists, will visit Bahrain as part of its Middle East 2013 Tour on Friday at the Royal Golf Club in Riffa from 1pm to 6pm, and Saturday at the British Club in Mahooz from midday to 5pm.

The consultants will be offering free, impartial advice to parents about boarding schools as well as summer and English language schools in the UK.

Sue Anderson Consultants have visited more than 350 boarding schools and are able to recommend schools for consideration to meet the individual needs of each child’s academic ability and interests, for both girls and boys aged seven to 19.

For more information, call 39469827 or visit www.andersoneducation.co.uk

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Bahraini sculptor Fuad Ali Albinfalah created a collection of work that he hopes will encourage unity throughout the kingdom.

It has been two years since the former IT computer programmer and systems analyst exhibited his work, although this is his fifth solo exhibition.

It was the ‘love’ that developed as a consequence of the recent uprising that inspired him to create pieces showcasing unity.

The 57-year-old sculptor uses wood, marble and bronze in his exhibition entitled ‘When points do not meet’. Art collectors are snapping up the pieces for between BD1,200 and BD3,000.

Fuad, from Saar, said: “With all the problems and divisions that started in February, 2011, I decided to make a series of works that show the human ability to build, reunite and form a close-knit society.

“It demonstrates a sense of connection and love for one another regardless of background or belief.The exhibition has taken me around a year to prepare.”

The last day of the exhibition is today and is taking place at the Arts Centre near the Bahrain National Museum at 8am-1pm and again at 4pm-8pm.

For more information on the artist and his work, email fuad-albinfalah@hotmail.com