JEDDAH, 27 January 2008 — One of Jeddah’s most familiar educational institutions officially marked its 40th birthday yesterday. The colorful ceremony was conducted by headmaster Paul Hay to the accompaniment of the traditional birthday celebrations of cake and balloons, and the entire compliment of staff and 760 students. British Consul General Kate Rudd cut the colorful birthday cake.
“Forty years ago, the foresight of the British and Dutch communities led to the establishment of a small one-class school in a house on Tahlia Street,” Hay told the gathering. “Little did anyone know what would develop from there.”
He noted that after becoming Jeddah Prep and Grammar School in 1998, the school had gone on to become recognized as one of the top British schools in the world. “This reflects much hard work, dedication, support and guidance from all sections of the community,” he said.
Hay paid tribute to the support of the Saudi Hollandi Bank and the school’s landlord, Sami Mosly, and opined that without their unstinting support, the school might not have survived to occupy its current substantial campus in north Jeddah.
“Equally, the Saudi Ministry of Education has been a fair and honest colleague and has supported the delivery of the curriculum here.”
Chairman of the Board Tahir Al-Dabbagh said that the celebration of the anniversary was special because the school started with just a handful of students and was now an institution to which many had entrusted the education of their children to over the years. “Hundreds of students have moved on from this institution to embark on their next level of education and this is a remarkable achievement that we should all be proud of,” he said.
After the ceremony, Rudd commented that the school was a very valuable contribution to the academic life of Jeddah.
“It has a long and honorable history of contributing not only sound education but also furthering understanding between the dozens of different and widely varying cultures of the 59 nationalities of the students here who learn and play together in tolerance and understanding,” she said. “Happy birthday Jeddah Prep! We look forward to the many special 40th anniversary events planned for the rest of the year.”
Founded originally as a co-educational school by members of the British and Dutch communities, it catered for three to 13 year olds and developed to offer three-form entry. Today it teaches up to the completion of UK A-Level standard and class sizes are still kept low with an average of 17 pupils. It is a non-profit organization that is owned by the community it serves.
