Principal: Mr. Raymond Williams - NCBIS · New Cairo British International School is the sole...

New Cairo British International School is the sole operating activity of the Heliopolis Society for the Cultural and Social Care of English Speaking Foreigners. Ministry of Social Affairs Registration No: 2643 Nasr City

Principal: Mr. Raymond Williams

Family Prospectus

Dear Family,

Firstly, we would like to thank you for this opportunity to share information about NCBIS, and say how

much we appreciate your enquiry and request for information. We realise that there are many excellent

International and bilingual schools in Cairo, and so are grateful that you have approached us to find out

more about our high level academic programmes, as well as our commitment to educating the “whole

person”.

NCBIS, your entrance to a unique international educational experience, Welcome!

Mission Statement and School Aims

New Cairo British International School is a caring, vibrant and forward thinking international community.

Our shared educational goal is to develop independent, confident and principled individuals able and willing

to fulfill the role of valuable members of society.

Tel: +202 2758 2881

Fax: +202 2758 1390

E-mail: [email protected]

Web: www.ncbis.co.uk

Po Box 9057, Nasr City

Cairo, Egypt.


Our school aims to:

Provide a secure, well resourced, purpose designed, healthy and stimulating environment.

Promote the confidence and self-esteem of all staff and pupils.

Foster a culture which develops an understanding of, and respect for, each other’s world view,

recognising that all individuals share equal value and status.

Develop independence and resourcefulness, and nurture creativity.

Encourage high standards of achievement for all through a broad, balanced and rigorous curriculum,

thus empowering pupils to work purposefully and co-operatively.

Enable our pupils to fulfill their potential by preparing them intellectually, socially, spiritually,

emotionally and physically for life-long learning and adulthood.

Value the contribution of all the members of the school community.

Promote co-operation and mutual respect through the home–school partnership, recognizing its

centrality in achieving a continually improving learning experience for pupils.

“Our school could not be more aptly named. We are “New Cairo” to reflect our location in this wonderful

part of Cairo but we are also new in attitude as we constantly strive to be at the vanguard of educational

provision. At NCBIS, your child will receive an education based on the best of British values and traditions

but one that is designed to foster an international mindset. This is manifested in our formal curriculum

which fuses the best of British and international programmes to allow our students to acquire the

appropriate balance of knowledge, understanding, and enquiry based learning skills to succeed at university

and beyond.” (Webpage message by Principal, Raymond Williams, www.ncbis.net). Please note that we also

offer a Dutch Stream in Primary School (4-11 years of age), using the Dutch National Curriculum through the

academic vehicle of the IBO's "Primary Years Programme". Students study their core programme in Dutch,

but mix with the rest of Primary School for the arts, music, PE etc, and can continue with Dutch Language

and studies in Secondary School, as an additional afternoon activity.

The New Cairo area

New Cairo is now a vibrant, quickly expanding residential and commercial area with excellent access to

sports facilities of the highest standards, international schools, luxurious shopping malls and restaurants; as

well as easy access to Cairo airport and the main coastal road to Ain Sukhna, El Gouna and Hurghada, for

accessible weekend escapes. NCBIS is just a few minutes’ drive from the newly completed Cairo Festival City


with branches of top chain stores, including IKEA and Marks and Spencers while the adjacent Route 90

provides access to “Downtown” restaurant and retail centre, the major world banks and increasingly to

Head Offices of many Trans National Companies, which offer "work experience" to our students.

There are 2 Carrefour hypermarkets and a very wide selection of restaurants and shopping within 10

minutes’ drive of school and local housing areas, like Arabella, Lakeview, Kattameya Heights etc.


“Friday’s”, “KFC”, Pizza and Hamburger chains make familiar landmarks on Route 90, where the prestigious

American University of Cairo is also conveniently located. In terms of housing, New Cairo gated compounds

provide magnificent residences, sports facilities including their own golf courses, security, greenery and

probably an unparalleled quality of outdoor life, to enjoy Cairo to the full. Highways link residential New

Cairo to Maadi, Heliopolis and the city centre for business; while local access to school, shopping and

entertainment is easy and traffic-free. Many of the large multinational companies are relocating to this area

of the city, though we do provide bus transport from other areas.

Arabella sports club and housing compound, approximately 10 minutes’ drive from school, consists of:

Tennis, Squash, spas, swimming pool, restaurants, gym and even the Cairo centre for the Atlético Madrid

Football Academy, including a Spanish Head Coach. NCBIS has use of their tennis courts.


So what makes NCBIS special?

A warm, caring and friendly community commented upon by all Accreditation Agencies and

visitors. You feel the warmth as you enter the campus, and are met by an array of world flags,

proudly representing our many nationalities, but “one culture” and one whole-school ethos.

Accreditation and regular inspections by ISI, CIS and the IBO, as well as by the Dutch authorities .

This keeps “us on our toes” and provides constant, invaluable feedback for improvement.

Non-profit school meaning that all revenues are reinvested in the school for the benefit of the

students. Most Cairo schools are privately owned. We are actually an NGO.

High quality educational provision within the British and Dutch national education systems, using

the educational philosophies of the Primary Years Programme and Diploma Programme of the

International Baccalaureate Organisation.

Truly international student population with more than 60 nationalities represented within a

current total student body of 710 students.

Teaching staff recruited from the UK and the very best international schools around the world.

Outstanding examination results with students accessing the world’s top universities .

An excellent local and International Sports Programme with provision for field and individual

sports; from netball, basketball, swimming, rugby, football and cricket to Biathlon and horse

riding.

Service-Learning across the whole school culminating in an IB CAS programme that exemplifies best

practice and makes a real difference in the local community; from orphanages to Environmental

protection agencies and even central city hospitals.

A whole school ethos with traditional House system providing student identity, opportunities for

leadership and student / school pride. A school- home partnership which places the child at the heart

of the educational system and never loses sight of our Mission Statement and aims.


History of NCBIS; new location but established reputation!

The New Cairo British International School (NCBIS) was established in 1978 by a group of parents, most of

whom, were connected with the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The school has operated since that time as a non-profit organisation under the auspices of the Heliopolis

Society for the Cultural and Social Care of English Speaking Foreigners (‘The Society’), and is managed

through a Board of Directors elected from amongst the parent community. As a non-profit organisation, all

revenue that is generated through school fees is reinvested into the school for the direct benefit of the

students and families. Recent investment has seen the upgrading of school furniture, our Primary and

Secondary libraries, resurfacing sports surfaces including the provision of more shade, as well as a massive

investment in new imacs, ipads and Macbook pros as our school becomes an “Apple” centre. In August

2015, we totally refurbished our competition swimming pool and added a dedicated Learners' pool, as well

as shaded play area with educational play equipment. (Please see webpage news articles).

NCBIS originally opened as a small primary school – Heliopolis British International School – with

approximately 80 pupils in a small villa in Beirut Street, Heliopolis. During the intervening years the school’s

growth was such that in 1998 the school relocated to its present campus site in residential New Cairo City

offering students a purpose built facility with a spacious, secure, green and healthy ‘clean-air’ environment.

The school was then renamed the New Cairo British International School.

Today, NCBIS has over 60 nationalities amongst its student population. Whilst celebrating this cultural

diversity it has intentionally controlled its growth in student numbers. This has been done to ensure its

family orientated philosophy is maintained while offering a culturally rich and academically challenging,


learning experience for all of our students. This curriculum can be accessed by all, given the support

services and planning between classroom teachers, horizontal and vertical articulation, bilingual teaching

assistants, “English as an additional language” (EAL) staff, and the Individual Educational Needs

Department, which includes provision for Gifted and Talented students.

Curriculum changes have kept NCBIS at the cutting edge of educational provision both within the city and

worldwide, mirroring the very best educational practices to be found in State and Independent education in

the UK. While we base our content and curriculum on the National Curriculum for England and Wales, the

mechanism for delivering the classes is through the prestigious Internationally-minded education of the

Primary Years Programme (Primary School), Edexcel (I)GCSE and IB Diploma Programme. Students across

the entire school enjoy enquiry-based and enhanced learning, leading to honed study, research and

analytical skills, as well as developing the attributes of the IB Learner Profile; serving all students with the

necessary requirements for a successful adaptation to an ever-changing, globalised labour market. A strong

PSHE and Careers Programme links with national and international corporations and universities, to provide

a far reaching and up to date “education for employability” strand, supported by an extensive Extra

Curricula, creative and leadership programme. This includes: International Award, Model United Nations,

Experiential Learning, Leadership courses and positions, as well as expeditions and opportunities to link

with like-minded students through regional membership of British Schools of the Middle East, ISAC, Council

of International Schools and COBIS. Work experience programmes complement careers advice.

Campus Facilities

NCBIS operates on its own purpose built campus, close to ”DownTown” on Route 90 and a variety of

smaller shopping centres, malls and restaurants around the school. Many International schools have

relocated to this area of the city providing opportunities for sports matches and other educational links. The

campus itself accommodates an Early Years Centre, Primary School and Secondary School which share a

common space around a lovely garden and shaded seating area. The school grounds are spacious and offer

a variety of opportunities for students to pursue a range of games and activities at break times and after-

school, should they choose to.

The campus includes the following facilities (photographs on our webpage)


Large, natural grass sports field

25m heated swimming pool and Learner Pool

Shaded, all-weather courts

Drama/dance studio

Early Years unit

Cafeteria serving hot meals, salads, snacks &

drinks

Dedicated Examinations room

Multi-purpose auditorium

Well resourced Secondary and Primary Libraries

with full time Librarians and on-line resources

Medical clinic staffed by fully qualified bilingual

medical staff

School buses available to provide transport to

and from school

Specialist science laboratories as well as

computer rooms and research areas

Specialist music facilities and Mac Lab for

computerised music and video production

Specialist art facilities and “Mac Lab” for CAD

School uniform shop

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

Department

Individual Education Needs (IEN) Department

Security Team and CCTV monitoring

Wi-Fi access with laptop and Ipad provision

Purpose-designed Fitness Centre


Bus Transport and Safety

NCBIS co-ordinates a fleet of buses bringing students from all parts of Cairo. Each bus is

accompanied by a vetted monitor, trained in basic First Aid and with at least a working knowledge

of English. Buses are checked on a weekly basis for all aspects of safety and security, as well as

exhaust emissions. All buses are fitted with a GPS system allowing our Administration to check on

bus movements and locations at any time, as well as speed, which we check carefully. As a part of

our contract, there are also back up buses in case of break down. Drivers and Monitors have

regular meetings with our Transport Committee to understand the NCBIS caring ethos and

insistence on health, safety and defensive driving, while routes are constantly checked and

monitored to avoid delays for any reason. Our children’s safety is paramount at all times.

Trips and Excursions

Enhanced Learning is a major feature of the NCBIS curriculum and Secondary School promotes an

Excursions week (Challenges' Week) when the great majority of the students are off campus

learning in a new environment. This includes an annual ski trip, cultural visits to one of the

countries whose languages we study (France, Germany, Spain), Art and Theatre trips to New York

and London, International Award expeditions, ecological awareness at Marsa Alam on the Red Sea

coast and a longer Geographical visit which has included Japan, China, Tanzania, Lapland among

others. These are unforgettable excursions in a child’s education and effectively take the NCBIS


classroom to a different country with associated climatic, environmental and cultural changes,

reflecting the international-mindedness which is so important to our school ethos.

Marsa Alam, Red Sea, March 2014 Saas Fe, Switzerland, March 2014

Brain Friendly Teaching and Learning

Everyone has a preferred way of learning. Some of us are more successful at learning through

observation. Other people prefer to have it explained to them, while others find learning easier if

they are provided with the opportunity to do something themselves. Similarly, each of us has a

unique range of abilities and inherent skills. By incorporating a brain friendly learning approach to

education, the school seeks to explore and develop the ‘multiple intelligences’ that children have as

part of their natural attributes, and design programmes of study that allow each child’s preferred

learning style to be accessed through lessons that have visual, auditory, kinaesthetic components to

them. This does not diminish the academic rigor of the school approach, rather improves retention

of knowledge and skills.

We also differentiate our classes to accommodate these learning styles and needs, with full

recognition of the need to provide for the “Gifted and Talented students” as well as those needing

learning support for any reason. This has led to impressive examination results at GCSE and IB

Diploma in each year group.

Creativity in Education

All schools recognize the important need for creativity, and of course this is at the very heart of the

IB Learner Profile, culminating in the CAS requirement to graduate (creativity, action and service).

We will explain more about the IB Diploma at a later stage, www.ibo.org but basically the Learner

Profile aims for every young person to become an “inquiring, knowledgeable, thinking, principled,

open-minded, caring, balanced, reflective, academically- courageous communicator.”

http://www.ibo.org/


“The aim of all IB programmes is to develop internationally-minded people who, recognizing their

common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet, help to create a better and more

peaceful world.” ©IBO 2013. How does Creativity then impact on our education here at NCBIS? The

answer is based on the definition of education, which we consider means allowing all of our

students to find and develop their potential as unique human beings. Music, Drama, Design and Art

permeate our curriculum from Year 7 up to Year 13, with performance opportunities at individual,

class, house or even interschool level. Community Art Projects, city-wide CAS projects, Puppet

making, cultural trips to London, Student Council, Model United Nations, Business Club,

International Award, ISTA Theatre workshops in the UK, orchestra, choirs, fashion shows out of

recycled and reused materials; CAD, instrument practice and Science clubs; opportunities abound

for all interest groups. Creativity is one of the skills for “education for employability”, as Daniel Pink

stresses in his best-selling book “A whole new Mind”, where he urges an emphasis on Design, Story

Telling, Symphony, Empathy, Gaming and Meaning as skills for the globalised, Knowledge economy.

“Actions speak louder than words” and hopefully the following photographs convey some of those

actions.


Parents’ Group

When joining a new school or arriving in a foreign country, we understand the importance of a

caring and welcoming Parents’ Group. Our group encourages new families to join in meetings and

general social activities, organizes tours of the local and central areas and coordinates a series of

wonderful educational and social activities including International Day, tennis and golf tournaments

together with Year 12 CAS students, quizzes, the December Bazaar, a Halloween Party, picnics and

also helps organize our annual and very popular “Family Day”. It’s a wonderful organization, with

their own Facebook page.

IB Diploma and Results

Our first IB Diploma cohort graduated in June 2013 with a top score of 43 points (out of a maximum

of 45) and an average score of 32 points which is significantly above the world average. While the

programme may be new in NCBIS, our teaching staff have up to 20 years’ experience with the IB

programmes, and include Diploma subject examiners, IB workshop leaders and even staff who have

been involved in IB authorization visits. When comparing IB results across Cairo, please take into

account that all NCBIS students take the full IB Diploma as we feel that it is academically the best

preparation for university and life, and that with our support, everyone can be successful. Our

results (and university destinations) can again be found on the webpage, and in 2015, we achieved

a top score of 44 points, and 54% of our IB Diploma students gained 34 points or more (equivalent

to three "A" grades at A level and an additional "A" at AS Level, if you are more conversant with the

British system. The subjects offered and programmes of study can all be found on our web page

under "Academic", "Secondary", "Programmes of Study".


Graduation Business and Careers Conference The final day!

Careers Education

We are rightly proud of our Careers Education which permeates everything we do here in

Secondary School as “education for employability”. We recognize the need in today’s rapidly

changing world for both “soft” and “hard skills” – soft skills including problem solving, creativity,

team work, problem resolution, enterprise skills, leadership and effective communication. A

successful future career requires guidance as to the correct subject options to be taken, tracking

and monitoring in terms of success outcomes, pastoral support, understanding of the world of work

as well as Business and University needs and requirements. Visiting speakers and University

Admissions Officers from around the world are always welcome, and our PSHE programme

provides access to on-line careers guidance as well as opportunities to discuss career growth areas

and the academic requirements of those subject areas. Regular articles in the weekly newsletter

keep Parents up to date with rapidly changing careers information, and there are opportunities to

discuss subject choices and careers at regular Parent Meetings or by appointment individually with

the careers staff. We have also started a work placement/shadowing scheme for Year 11 and 6th

formers, though this is more complicated in Egypt than in many countries.

Where our Graduates study

The answer, quite simply, is wherever their dreams lay. While the majority probably head to Britain,

students are currently studying at the prestigious universities of McGill in Montreal, as well as

Ryerson, UBC and Toronto in Canada; while others head to the USA, China, continental Europe and

a host of other nations. Our active Careers Department helps students prepare for, and apply to,

universities around the world, including of course, Egyptian and Middle Eastern universities.

Obviously the IB Diploma and all the other educational opportunities at NCBIS provide a perfect

platform to aspire to the top 100 world universities, including "Ivy League" We also prepare for SAT

exams.


School Accreditations

NCBIS has been recognised for its provision of quality education by the following organisations:

The first school in Cairo to achieve full accredited status with CIS, Council of International Schools

Registered Edexcel, Cambridge, IBO and IELTS examinations centre, and we offer SAT preparation

Full membership status with British Schools of the Middle East (BSME)

Full membership with the Cairo International British Schools Association (CIBSA)

Associate membership with the Council of British Independent Schools in the European

Community (COBISEC)

Membership of COBIS (Council of British International Schools)

IB World School status, authorised to offer the Primary Years Programme and Diploma

Programme.

All Accrediting bodies organise regular conferences, planning groups and obviously inspect their

member schools to maintain standards. As prospective Parents, therefore, you gain “quality

assurance”, consistency and a listening school, always wanting to improve, while maintaining a

caring, compassionate and ethical background to all of its educational aims.

NCBIS Language Policy

We are proud to state that we probably offer more language classes than any other school of our

size. As an international family, you will recognise the importance of languages and global

citizenship in our Knowledge economy, and at NCBIS, you will not be disappointed. We currently

offer first language French, German, Spanish, Standard Arabic and Dutch for native / near native

speakers, with native tongue teachers in all subjects. We link with French, Dutch and Spanish

examinations centres (Cervantes institute for example), to allow children to settle straight back into

homeland classes of language and Literature in those languages, when transferring from NCBIS. Our

students attend French, Belgian, Dutch, Spanish and German universities with the preparation

which we provide, along with a liberal sprinkling of Internationalism and the British educational

ethos of course. We feel that we offer a complete educational package, and universities agree with

us!

French, Dutch, Spanish and Arabic are options in Primary School, while German commences in year

Seven. All subjects (except Dutch) are also offered as "second language" and we also introduce MFL

Arabic (Arabic for second language). We guarantee that these languages once studied in Senior


School, will be available at IB Diploma level, but Beginner Spanish (Ab Initio Spanish) is also offered

at IB Diploma for those who wish to take a new linguistic challenge.

Linguists are not held back according to year groups, and many will take GCSE one or two years

early, and then complete British AS and A2 qualifications. First languages are also supported by our

library Literature provision and our ECA (Extra Curricula Activity) Programme, eg. 1st language

cooking classes and conversation classes.

Exerts from the CIS Inspection Report - Feb. 2007 (next inspection 2017)

New Cairo British International School has much to be proud of. It is a friendly, welcoming,

safe and respectful oasis where each child is valued for his or her individual abilities and

opinions. The sense of belonging to a community united in camaraderie permeates the

hallways, classrooms and playgrounds. Parents, students and staff have all commented to the

Visiting Team about their unique involvement in a school where there is a true sense of

belonging and community...

NCBIS has a concise but powerful and effective Philosophy & Aims document that helps to be

the driving force behind the entire educational programme. From the lowest levels of the

school to the highest ranked academic classes, teaching methodologies and interactive

learning showed that the Philosophy and Aims of the school are being put into active practice.

While we have tried hard to summarise the best of NCBIS in this short document, and encourage

you to read our web page Newsletters to get a feel of how busy and enriched our lives are on a

weekly basis, there is no better way of getting to know us than to visit! We appreciate your busy

schedules and can always find a time to tour at your convenience. We look forward to your visit!

NCBIS: Your gateway to a world class education, international mindedness and academic challenge for all families, in a fascinating local culture. See www.ncbis.net and newsletters for more information. We look forward to meeting you!

http://www.ncbis.net/

Principal: Mr. Raymond Williams - NCBIS · New Cairo British International School is the sole...

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