Riffa Views International School Students Benefit from State-of-the-Art Technology

Riffa Views International School (RVIS) maximized the use of its state-of-the-art technology to reclaim as much learning time as possible for its students during the official closure of all schools in Bahrain. Teachers at RVIS were able to create meaningful learning activities for all grade levels and subject areas as students completed their assignments outside the school via the Homelink pages on the school website.

RVIS is wired with fiber-optic cable as well as wireless network throughout the campus. This allows to seamlessly integrate high-speed internet, intranet, videoconferencing and state-of-the-art home/school communication. RVIS Director, Bruce McWilliams, commented: “The Homelink program helped students improve literacy and math skills in an exciting and challenging way, in addition to allowing them to have access to subscribed on-line learning programs. Parents were also asked to encourage and support their children while they were busy completing their Homelink assignments.”

Students from grades 1 to 6 are now back to school and RVIS held a ‘Curriculum Night’ which started by celebrating the school’s growth from 78 students last year to 178 students this year. Alfredo Laffitte, CEO of Riffa Views commented on this achievement: “We are pleased to see that RVIS community is growing in parallel to the Riffa Views community. RVIS is implementing as part of its mission the core values of Riffa Views by engaging students in environmental awareness and action, by promoting multicultural understanding and assisting them in becoming ethical contributors to a global society.”

At the ‘Curriculum Night’ each teacher did a SmartBoard presentation describing RVIS’ four core subjects: language arts, math, science and social studies, and highlighted the class expectations and how parents can help support their child’s learning. The Arabic team gave creative presentations regarding RVIS’ two innovative Arabic programs, one for native speakers and the other for non-native speakers.

Registration for Eden Challenge Gets Under Way

The registration process for The Riffa Views Eden Challenge 2009 has already begun with Eden Challenge Registration Packs being distributed to every school in Bahrain. All the Kingdom’s schools have the opportunity to enter this interactive schools’ competition, initiated so successfully last year by Riffa Views Signature Estates.

Based on the theme of the Riffa Views Bahrain International Garden Show (RVBIGS), “Water for Life”, The Riffa Views Eden Challenge 2009 aims to inspire scholars to consider the relevance and importance of water in all its multiple facets and aspects. From seasonal rains to plant and animal reliance and even the innovative techniques for conserving and managing water in the 21st century, these are all relevant and to be explored.

Schools will be able to register to take part in the Eden Challenge 09 in four categories, all of which will have a slightly different focus in the use and interaction of water in the environment – Junior Primary (6-9 years) – water sculpture or model; Primary (10-12 years) – water mosaic artwork; Intermediate (13-15 years) – water ‘power generating’ mobile; and Secondary (16-18 years) – water conscious garden. One entry is allowed per school per category.

Richard Browning, Chief Executive Officer of Riffa Views Signature Estates said, “We were all very excited by the enthusiasm, energy and ingenuity that all the schools who entered Eden Challenge 2008 demonstrated in the way they put together their projects. The connection between the pupils and the Eden Challenge was very strong. We hope that Eden Challenge 2009 continues to strengthen that bond and further highlights the fun, exciting and educational opportunity that it brings to all schools”.

He went onto further comment, “Going to the schools to present the commemorative plaques and trees for Eden Challenge 2008, the tremendously positive reaction of the children to the competition was very apparent and hopefully this comes through in “The Eden Challenge Story Book”. To those schools who are yet to register to receive an Eden Challenge Schools Pack or are still considering whether to enter Eden Challenge 2009,I can only re-iterate that the feedback we got from everyone involved in Eden Challenge 2008 including the children, the schools and the educators was overwhelmingly positive and I would encourage all schools to register as soon as possible to make sure that they and their children do not miss out on the opportunity to enjoy and learn from the experience of Eden Challenge 2009.”

The Riffa Views Eden Challenge stand at RVBIGS 2009 will comprise of a central garden feature to be designed by Chris Beardshaw, Riffa Views Ambassador, Landscape & Gardens. The stand will aim to capture the spirit of the use of water in the garden and landscape, and will include plants and features that complement the theme. The focal point of the stand will be a specialist water feature. The layout of the garden will create four equally sized rectangular spaces into which each of the four category winning designs from the Riffa Views Eden Challenge 2009 will be incorporated and designed.

To further reinforce the opportunity and fun that lies ahead for all schools that register for The Riffa Views Eden Challenge 2009, the Registration Pack also includes a copy of “The Eden Challenge Story Book”, which provides a pictorial history of the enthusiasm, emotion and project ideas that the schools produced in making Eden Challenge 2008 so popular with the children and such a resounding success overall.

The Registration Pack also provides details of the prizes and awards on offer, not only to the four category winning entries but also all of those schools who support Eden Challenge 2009. Each category winning entry will receive BD1,000, with the Overall Riffa Views Eden Challenge 2009 Winner, chosen from the four category winners, receiving a further BD3,000. Each school that enters the Eden Challenge 2009 will receive a certified participating name plague from Riffa Views Signature Estates, who will also plant a tree representing each participating school in a selected public park.

Registration is still open for Eden Challenge 2009 and those schools interested in registering for the competition should contact Abeer Abdullatif on 1775 7999 or 3960 2662; email – aabdullatif@riffaviews.com as soon as possible – the closing date for registration for the Eden Challenge 2009 is 23rd October.

Riffa Views TV – Episode 12: RVIS, A Positive Start

Following on from the previous episode, Richard Browning, Riffa Views’ CEO, introduces two parents who share their reactions to the Riffa Views International School just a few weeks after it officially opened, and tell us a little about their aspirations for their children’s education and how RVIS fits in to their strategy.

click to download Riffa Views TV Episode 12

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