Tabeetha School, Jaffa

Principal's Report 2019

It’s hard to believe we are almost at the end of another school year and I am coming close to the end of my Tabeetha career. School session 2018/2019 has had its highs and lows. It has been a difficult year for many of our school staff with family losses and some very trying circumstances. The same is true for some of our pupils and parents. However, as I sit to think of the past year, there are so many things to be pleased with and to celebrate. Tabeetha is an amazing school and that never becomes clearer than when we have visitors or film crews with us. It makes us focus on what the school is really all about. I am really looking forward (though not right now!) to meeting Jane Walker Arnott in Heaven. What a woman! What a worker! What courage! What determination! What perseverance she showed to get the job done and the result is Tabeetha, left to the Church of Scotland in her will and continuing Jane’s vision of co-existence, tolerance, respect and co-operation between cultures, religions and colours. Tabeetha continues to be a place where education is highly valued and aimed for. Our school motto: Dream Big, AimHigh, Achieve Success

is not only a slick phrase used in school but a reminder of what needs to happen to gain the best results. I hear teachers say all the time: “You can do it!” “Believe in yourself and your abilities!” “There are no shortcuts to achievement!” Children and young people who believe they can and apply themselves to their studies will find they achieve the best results and can go on to do whatever they want

in life. And, good news - it’s never too young to start! Sometimes pupils don’t appreciate what they have in Tabeetha until they leave. I am sure those Alumni reading this may well relate to that! Tabeetha pupils go on to universities across the world, find employment in multicultural companies and embassies and can work with people of all nationalities, religions and backgrounds. Our staff are very committed to the children and young people they work with. They encourage and facilitate learning and work on continually improving their teaching so as to give our children and young people the best educational journey possible. They work together after school to improve their teaching, to find better ways of doing things and to secure school improvement. I make no apology for this next quote although I used it last year! “Dreams don’t work unless you do.” Being ready for school and every class on time, giving your full concentration in lessons, participating in discussions, doing homework, catching up with work missed due to absence and speaking with teachers about anything not understood goes a long way in being the kind of pupil who will achieve success. There has to be a commitment from everyone .

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