Principal Matters - December 1, 2003
Dolly Goriawala has spent 31 years in the field of education. "Education is the key to a better quality of life," she believes.
Private schools in the UAE cater to the expatriate community by offering a range of curricula and methods of teaching. Every week, we profile one school and learn of its goals from a top school official. During summer we will be focusing on the nurseries.
This week: Dolly Goriawala, principal, Apple International School
'We guide our students to be humble in success'
Dolly Goriawala has spent 31 years in the field of education. "Education is the key to a better quality of life," she believes. Not content with degrees in Commerce, Education and English Literature, she is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Education from Sheffield University, UK. An avid reader and a prolific writer, her work has been published in various newspapers and magazines. "Confidence breeds success," says Dolly. Quizzing is a passion with her and she has been hosting the 'Inter-school Block Buster Quiz' on behalf of Apple international School for three successive years.
Tell us about your school:
Dolly Goriawala: The school was founded with 20 students and in 10 years, we have grown 20-fold. Our vision: to motivate, support and challenge. Our mission: to enable the school to realise this vision within the context of its values. Though we are at present a junior school, we hope to move into our custom-built premises next year and take our students all the way to the 'O' and 'A' levels.
Where does the strength of your school lie?
DG: Our strength lies in being able to evolve so as to suit the moral, emotional and educational needs of our children, and to correlate these needs to demands of changing times. Our motto is: "Tell me and I forget; teach me and I may remember; involve me and I will learn."
Our faculty of committed teachers and administrative and ancillary staff form a wonderful team that inspires students to be team players themselves. We guide our students to be humble in success, not to let pride rule their lives.
What aspect of your responsibility do you enjoy most?
DG: I revel in the love of my students. It is emotionally satisfying to walk into a class and be greeted by happy enthusiastic faces. The most pleasurable moments are those when I meet past students who are still following the values of humility, caring and charity that I have imbibed in them.
General Information apple international school, Dubai
1. Location: Satwa, Dubai
2. No of shifts: One
3. Timing: 8 am to 1.20pm
4.Age of children: Three to 12
5.Classes held: Kindergarten to Grade V
6.Language of instruction: English
7.Familiarity of staff with other languages: French, Urdu, Hindi and Arabic
8.Transport: provided, fees: from Dh135 to Dh150 per month
9.Fee structure: Dh400 to Dh585 per month for ten months
10.No of students: 390
11.Extracurricular activities offered: Swimming, computers, sports, games, Performing Arts, quizzing, art and craft, elocution.
12.Criteria for admission: Written test from Grade II
13.Established: 1994
14.Managed by: Autonomous School body
15.Owner: NIMS Group
16.No of teachers: 28
17.No of ancillary staff: 18
18.Scholarships, freeships: Fee concessions given to deserving students
19.No of nationalities represented among students: 42 nationalities including UAE nationals
20.Contact: Telephone: 04-3444441, 3420363; Fax: 04-3494950; e-mail: appleint@emirates.net.ae; website: www.aple.sch.ae
