Academic Year 2021-2022
Information Update – November 2021
Dear Parents,
Following on from my previous letter at the end of September, I am writing to provide you with some important information regarding the rest of this term and the start of term two.
National Day Celebrations: As is tradition we will celebrate National Day on Thursday 18th November. However, given the current Ministry of Education (MOE) restrictions with regards to large gatherings, we will be adjusting our programme accordingly.
Students and staff are still encouraged to come to school in traditional Omani dress but most of the celebrations will be either class or year based. Sadly, we will not be holding an assembly in the auditorium because of the need to maintain the appropriate levels of social distancing.
Please note that school will finish at 11:30am on November 18th and as I am sure you are aware the National Day holidays have been set for Sunday 28th and Monday 29th November.
Student Vaccinations and On-Line Education: As stated in my letter of September 29th, the MOE have issued a series of guidelines relating to this topic. In accordance with these guidelines, I want to remind parents that most of our on-line/distance learning programme will cease at the end of this term. Parents who believe their child/children qualify for the on-line programme, beyond the end of this term, need to contact the Head of Primary or Head of Secondary before December 1st.
As a point of reference, the MOE guidelines have been reproduced again at the end of this letter.
Extra-Curricular Activities (ECA) Programme: Please note that it is our intention to restart the ECA programme in term 2. We have sent the MOE a list of activities we would like to offer and are waiting for their approval. Mr Lee will be sending out details of the activities for term 2 in the near future.
Coffee, Tea, Talk and a Tour: In line with MOE guidelines, we will be making several changes to the Primary and Middle School curricula for next school year (SY22-23). These changes will have a direct impact on those subjects being taught in English.
To keep parents updated with regards to these changes, we will be hosting several open mornings towards the end of this term. In addition, we will be providing a tour of the school to highlight some of the recent campus developments. The details of these meetings are as follows:
Sunday 5th December KG to Year 2 Parents 0830 – 1030
Monday 6th December Year 3 to 6 Parents 0830 – 1030
Tuesday 7th December Years 7 to 9 Parents 0830 – 1030
Wednesday 8th December Years 10 to 13 Parents 0830 – 1030
Due to social distancing regulations, numbers will be limited to 30 parents per meeting, so I would encourage you to reserve your space as quickly as possible by emailing Ms. Nancy (PA to the Principal). Nancyt@sultansschool.edu.om
Yours sincerely,
Dr. Glenn Canterford
Principal
Ministry of Education Guidelines regarding Vaccinations and Distance Learning
We have recently received additional guidelines from the Ministry of Education (MOE) with regards to student vaccinations and attendance at school. These have been translated and are reproduced below.
The Ministry of Education have received several inquiries from private schools based on parents’ requests to enroll their children in these schools but are requesting additional information with regards to the vaccination against COVID-19. These are as follows:
- Those parents who want their children, who are aged 12 years or above, to attend school but have not had the vaccine because of a pre-existing medical condition.
- Those parents wanting their children, who are aged 12 years or above, to attend school but have not had the vaccine and have no medical reasons preventing them from doing so.
- Those parents who do not want their children (irrespective of age) to attend school in person because of a pre-existing medical condition and would prefer to continue with distance learning.
- Those parents who do not want their children (irrespective of age) to attend school and would prefer them to continue with distance learning but have no pre-existing medical condition that prevents them attending school.
The Ministry would therefore like to inform every one of the following directives based on the above:
- With reference to point (a) the Ministry has no objection to this request given the fact the child’s medical condition prevents them from taking the vaccine. Approval for attendance can be granted once the school has received the appropriate information that must include a report from a government hospital and a recommendation from a treating physician that confirms that face-to-face attendance in school does not pose any threat to the student’s health.
- With reference to point (b), schools are advised to decline this request and the student should not be allowed to attend school in person. Students will, however, be allowed to continue their education through ministry approved distance learning platforms until the end of term 1 of school year 2021-2022.
- With reference to point (c) the Ministry has no objection to this request given the child’s pre-existing medical condition prevents them from physically attending school. Approval for the continuation of distance learning can be granted once the school has received the appropriate information that must include a report from a government hospital and a recommendation from a treating physician that confirms that face-to-face attendance may pose a treat to the student’s health. This measure is valid for the school year 2021-2022 only.
- With reference to point (d), children will be allowed to continue with distance learning through ministry approved distance learning platforms until the end of term 1 for school year 2021-2022 only.
