Education Under-Secretary tours Riffa Views International School

Shaikh Hisham bin Abdulaziz Al Khalifa, Education Ministry under-secretary for resources and services was recently treated to a behind-the-scenes look at the Riffa Views International School (RVIS) construction site. The campus is moving ahead rapidly ensuring that the school is ready for its September opening for students from pre-kindergarten through grade five.

Shaikh Hisham was accompanied by RVIS Board of Trustees member Yasser Abdulrahman Al-Raie, RVIS Director Bruce McWilliams, Abdulhakim Abdulmalik, Finance Director together with Steve Russell Raynor, Project Director at Riffa Views.

Mr. McWilliams gave Shaikh Hisham a detailed insight of the progress on the school’s various facilities. The RVIS Director commented: “We are very excited with the progress we have made recently on our technology program. As we speak, the fiber-optic network is being installed throughout the campus and a development team from the Netherlands is creating a virtual RVIS network using state-of-the-art central servers. The combination of smart boards and LCD projectors in every classroom together with a laptop computer for every child will be groundbreaking”.

Besides the access to state-of-the-art technology, RVIS has recently signed an agreement with Penny’s catering to develop the cafeteria program.
“We chose Penny’s because they are known for their commitment to using wholesome ingredients to produce nutritious, balanced and healthy meals. We believe that nutrition is important for young learners and feel that Penny’s is well-suited to provide the menus that children need to be successful in the classroom,” McWilliams added.

“As the construction of the school progresses the significance of some of the architectural features incorporated in the design are beginning to come to the forefront. The main entrance to the school will be on a bridge over a man-made “Wadi” that will run the full length of the campus. Once inside the campus, a person is never far away from a green, landscaped courtyard. Both the elementary and secondary schools will feature beautiful landscaped courtyards which will provide green vistas from classrooms and hallways. One of the most striking features of the school will be the large 6-meter-high library windows overlooking the secondary courtyard. The school also features a unique structural shaft design which allows natural light throughout the hallways. It will truly be a beautiful campus,” ended Steve Russell, Project Director at Riffa Views.

CEO of Riffa Views Richard Browning commented: “The progress made on the Riffa Views International School in recent months is tremendous. The entire faculty has been recruited for the school’s academic year 2008/2009. The school attracted magnificent resources from international schools and we definitely have on board the people that we need to develop a world-class program. The school will offer an outstanding educational environment for Bahraini citizens and the foreign community alike”.