Dear IKNS Parents,

As the school year has come to an end, I am writing to update you on the progress of two major projects that IKNS is currently undertaking.  Firstly, the Primary Years Program (PYP) and, secondly, the new buildings for the Kindergarten and Elementary sections of the school.

Regarding the first project, Kindergarten and Elementary Faculty has been working hard this school year to lay the grounds for a smooth and successful implementation of the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program (PYP).  Since the start of this school year, they have been meeting every Tuesday to collaboratively finalise the Unit Plans that will be implemented starting September 2018. The purpose of these Unit Plans is to guide the teaching and learning processes.  On the training front, over 130 PYP training certificates have been issued this school year by the IB in recognition of our KG and Elementary faculty members completing PYP workshops.  This number of PYP training certificates is impressive by any means.  It reflects the seriousness and dedication of the faculty and administration to move forward with this project.

Also, during the coming school year, teachers of Grades 6 to 10 will start preparing for the implementation of the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program (MYP), which will be introduced gradually to Grades 6 to 10 starting the school-year 2019-2020.  To this effect, the School has already started training faculty members to prepare them for the work to come.  10 faculty members have already completed MYP workshops, and another 5 will be busy training during the summer holiday.          

IKNS has been rated by the Education and Training Quality Authority (BQA) as an outstanding school.  To honor this recognition, we will continue to work hard in order to continue to develop and distinguish ourselves.  Adopting the PYP and MYP  is demanding.  It requires putting a lot of effort on the side of the faculty and administration. Yet, because we truly believe that this move is in the best interest of our students, faculty and school in general, we are enthusiastically putting the due effort.  

The second major project that we have been busy with is the new buildings for the Kindergarten and Elementary School.  We have finalized the architectural drawings of these buildings and are expecting the construction work to commence late this summer vacation.  The new buildings are to be constructed in the sand field that is adjacent to the existing Elementary School.  The new facility, that will replace the existing one, includes three in-door sports halls, a cafeteria that is designed to serve students from KG1 up to Grade 5, an auditorium that seats 320 guests, two prayers rooms (one for girls and another for boys), a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) lab, and an Activities Center that includes halls for Music, Drama, Dance, Art, and Cooking among other things.  The new state of the art facility is expected to be ready during the 2019-2020 school year.

On this note, I would like to congratulate the Chairs and Members of the Board of Trustees and Board of Directors and the Board committees for their wise decisions, the Faculty and Staff for their dedication and truthfulness to their duties as educators, the Students for always challenging themselves, and Parents for their continued support and understanding.  

I wish you all a very pleasant summer.

Dr. Kamal Abdel-Nour
School President