Write to the editor

Further to GulfWeekly’s front page article last week headlined Tune into Arabic, it should be mentioned that the British School of Bahrain (BSB) fully supports the Ministry of Education and will always work together to offer the best learning for our students in Bahrain.

It is common practice in top international schools around the world to offer classes for native and non-native students in the language of the host country.

We are a British curriculum school in Bahrain and are committed to promoting global citizenship and ensuring all of our students make the most of their experience living and learning in Bahrain.

Over the last three years, the BSB has been building an engaging and educationally-rewarding Arabic programme to develop our students Arabic language skills as well as to deepen their understanding of the rich Arabic culture in Bahrain. 

All BSB students, native and non-native, study Arabic from Kindergarten through to the end of Year 6. Students from all Arabic countries must study Arabic up to the end of Year 9, where they can then choose to continue with Arabic at IGCSE level.

Our hope is that as our programme grows, more non-native students will choose to take an Arabic IGCSE or A Level in the future. 

Since the BSB already offers Arabic to all students up to Year 6 and plans to offer more opportunities for non-native Arabic students to study Arabic in the Senior School, it will not require the large additional hiring costs that have been raised as concerns by other private schools in Bahrain.

In order to help develop International understanding and promote a greater appreciation for the rich culture of Bahrain, on February 27 the BSB Infants celebrated ‘Arabic Alive’ day. 
Children with all levels of mastery of the Arabic language were combined to participate in a range of learning activities where only Arabic was spoken.

Those children who spoke Arabic most fluently could scarcely contain their pride, whilst newcomers were amazed with their developing language ability. Children enthusiastically participated in a myriad of exciting activities including games, quizzes and obstacle races to practice various Arabic language structures and vocabulary.

As always, the BSB works in cooperation with the Ministry of Education to offer the best possible learning for our students in all subjects, including Arabic education.

Dot Loveland,
Acting head of BSB.

West Side Story is a hit musical based on the timeless story of Romeo and Juliet. Set in downtown New York City rival gangs, Sharks and Jets, get set to face off whilst love is blossoming between Shark girl Maria (Scarlet Robinson/Gabriella Liandu) and Jet Tony (Gershom Vacarizas).

With emotions running high, this teenage tear-jerker is set to take Bahrain by storm from March 20-23 and will feature famous numbers such as America, Officer Krupke, I Feel Pretty and the infamously difficult Tonight ensemble piece in which the entire cast take to the stage, juxtaposing intricate harmonies and rousing melodies. 

Lead Shark Bernardo is to be played by James Liandu of the British School of Bahrain whilst Jet leader Raith Hamzah is from Bahrain Bayan School. 

MASK prides itself in offering performing opportunities to students from a wide variety of different schools and backgrounds. In this show we have students from the British School of Bahrain, St Christopher’s School, the French School, Bahrain Bayan and Sacred Heart School.

For many of the cast, this will be their first time performing in a MASK production. However, many of our female stars return to tread the boards with us year after year.

Playing Maria we have two seasoned MASK students, Scarlet Robinson who starred as the Artful Dodger in Oliver! and Dorothy in Wizard of Oz, and Gabriella Liandu who played Rafiki in the recent production of Circle of Life. One young leading lady deserves a particular mention; Phoebe Rennie who has participated in all six MASK shows; she has risen through the ranks from back of the chorus to take the powerful role of Anita in the forthcoming show. 

The show also features four cameo adult roles played by Jacob Rusling and Martyn Wharrie from the British School of Bahrain alongside seasoned performers Guy Parker and Mike Eddison.

Choreography is provided by Louise Chapman from Ballare, Danny and Hayley Furness are directing the show assisted by Mary Vaillancourt. The production designer is Sowsan Hasan.

Tickets can be reserved at the British School of Bahrain Academy reception, priced at BD6 and BD8 (front two rows) and will shortly go on sale at all Alosra outlets. Contact 17610943/973 for more information.

Lydia Martin, director of the Academy of Performing Arts & chairman of MAS