British school al Khubairat launches fundraising appeal for new primary block
The British School Al Khubairat tomorrow launches its ‘Ruby Building’ appeal, to raise funds for the building of a new primary school block at its site in Al Mushrif, Abu Dhabi.
The appeal is to be launched at a reception hosted by the British Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, His Excellency Edward Oakden CMG. The event, to be held on 26 November at the British Embassy in Abu Dhabi, will be attended by business leaders, community members and school representatives.
The planned new primary block – the ‘Ruby Building’ - will replace and extend many of the original primary facilities at the school, which date back to 1980 when the school first moved to its current site. The plans include: 18 new primary classrooms, a library, two ICT suites, 12 music rooms, a drama studio, science laboratory, a sports hall, 25-metre swimming pool and new outdoor sports areas, as well as other specialist classrooms and resources. The estimated total cost for the project is Dhs60 million – 100 million.
The British Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, HE Edward Oakden, commented: “The British School Al Khubairat has been at the heart of the British community in Abu Dhabi for 40 years. Over this time, it has provided high quality education to generations of children – British, Emirati and from other nations – who have had the good fortune to call this city their home.
“The Ruby Building appeal represents an outstanding opportunity to be part of Al Khubairat’s continuing success. Your contribution, whether individual or corporate, is really important, both for the future of the school itself and as a valuable investment in the future of educational provision in Abu Dhabi more widely.”
Paul Coackley, Principal of The British School Al Khubairat, said: “From its beginnings in 1968 - on land generously donated by the late ruler of Abu Dhabi, His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan - the British School Al Khubairat has developed into a modern, vibrant, highly-respected school, with some of the best facilities in the region.
“To maintain excellence, however, requires investment. The Ruby Building will provide the highest quality resources for our youngest children, keeping it in line with the cream of British schools in the UK and internationally.
“Recently, the British School has undergone extensive redevelopment, with three major building phases being completed over the past few years,” continued Mr Coackley. “The school has funded these previous projects entirely. However, with rising operational expenses and very high construction costs, schools in Abu Dhabi are facing greater challenges in funding projects as ambitious as this one. This is the first time that the British School has launched a fundraising appeal for a building project.
“We at the British School are committed to delivering the best education for our children. This benefits not only the children, but their families and, at a broader level, the companies who employ those families. In this climate of huge opportunity, but also high inflation, we are asking businesses and individuals in Abu Dhabi to help the school achieve its aspirations for the future.”
For further information about the Ruby Building appeal, or to make a donation, please contact Paul Coackley on 02 446 2280 or [email protected] or visit www.britishschool.sch.ae.
