National Orthodox School

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National Orthodox School / Shmeisani
Together we set the standards for Excellence in Life-Long Education
Location
Amman, Jordan
Information
Type Private, co-educational, day school
Established 1960
Principal Mousa Sha'ban (in Arabic: موسى شعبان)
Website http://www.oes.edu.jo/Shmesani/English/index.aspx

The National Orthodox School - Shmeisani (NOS) (in Arabic: المدرسة الوطنية الأرثوذكسية - الشميساني‎) is a school in Amman, Jordan. NOS is a private, non-profit, co-educational, day school in Amman, Jordan, that caters to students from diverse religious and socio-economic backgrounds, providing bilingual (Arabic and English) education through two educational streams: national and international. NOS was founded by – and operates under the umbrella of – the Orthodox Educational Society (OES) (in Arabic:جمعية الثقافة والتعليم الأرثوذكسية), a not-for-profit, charitable, Christian welfare organization which has among its aims the establishment of schools and other educational institutions throughout Jordan. NOS boasts a strong sense of nationalism and familial bonding between students of different religious, cultural and socio-economic backgrounds as part of one, large, cohesive community. The school’s balanced and well-integrated social blend is largely a result of its commitment to providing opportunities for quality education, not only to students from well-to-do families, but also to students from moderate and modest income families, through reduced tuition fees and financial aid programs.

History/Background: NOS was established in 1960, by the Orthodox Educational Society (OES), as the first co-educational school in Jordan. From a rented building in Jabal Amman, NOS commenced its academic mission on September 5, 1960. In 1965, NOS moved to its current, permanent campus in the area of Shemiesani, in the Jordanian capital, Amman. The School's kindergarten 'Wahbeh Tamari Kindergarten (in Arabic:روضة وهبي تماري - الشميساني), moved to a separate, but nearby, location allowing for special facilities, in 1974, when the heirs of the late Mr. Wahbeh Tamari generously donated the funds for the construction of a kindergarten on a plot of land owned by the Orthodox Educational Society. More than half a century ago, NOS began with only four classes, 70 students and four teachers. Today, the school’s student population has grown to around 2400 (from KG1 – Grade 12), with more than 400 faculty members. A sister school, NOS - Al Ashrafieyh (in Arabic:المدرسة الوطنية الأرثوذكسية - الأشرفية), was established by OES in 1990, in Jabal Al-Ashrafieyeh, in the eastern suburbs of Amman, to provide opportunities for quality education in other areas of the capital where it is not as readily available.

Academics

Curriculum. NOS follows the Jordanian curriculum assigned by the Ministry of Education(Grades1-12), the British Curriculum IGCSE (Grades 9-12) and the Cambridge Program(CP) for Grades 1-8.NOS which adopts a different English and French curriculum from that of the Ministry of Education.

Learning Technology Center. The school is considered as a pioneer in establishing its Learning Technology Center which specializes in producing teaching materials that help students be engaged in the lesson. This center contains a video library, slides, transparencies and other various equipment such as: overhead projectors, TV and video sets, maps and learning charts. Computers are mainly used for: 1-Devising and producing suitable teaching aids in cooperation with teachers 2-Designing computerized lessons in cooperation with the IT Team and other parties in the school 3-Training teachers on using various teaching aids and technological equipment available at school 4-Supporting all the school activities that require technological support.

NOS consists of six academic sections, which are as follows:

  • Grades (1-5) National stream
  • Grades (1-5) International (CPP) stream
  • Grades (6-8) National stream
  • Grades (6-8) International (CPP) stream
  • Grades (9-12) National stream (Tawjihi)
  • Grades (9-12) International stream (IGCSE & GCE)

Facilities

Stages 6–12, Secondary and Foreign Program Library: The library contains 17,095 books: 11,855 Arabic books and 5,240 English books that cover different scientific and literary subjects

. The library has a section for periodicals that cover various scientific and literary subjects to keep up with the latest developments in various fields. Computers were recently introduced to the library to facilitate accessing information in order to give the students the opportunity to research. Students can access the library during their recess and library periods. Various educational activities such as knowledge contest and other contests are held by various departments and teachers. Special classes are held in the library to teach students how to make use of the library by accessing references processing information and documenting it.

Stages 1–5 Library: This library has 8326 Arabic and English books on different subjects: science, references books, encyclopedia, and recently published novels. The library also contains a big collection of French books suitable for Grades 1-6.The Library staff are keen on enriching the library with the latest books, references and periodicals.

Computer Labs: There are six Computer Labs provided with up-to-date equipment and software programs that are suitable for all grades at the school. Computer classes are taught in all stages. There are five E-Learning labs that are supplied with interactive boards in order to reinforce all subjects through the computer. Moreover, Internet service is available in the Computer Labs for educational purposes during school hours.

Science Labs: The school has 12 labs distributed as follows a. 2 chemistry labs b. 2 physics labs c. 2 biology labs d. 3 general science labs: one for Stage 1-5 National, one for Stage 1-5 international and one for Stage 6-8 National. All the labs are new and provided with the necessary equipment to support practical experiments. These labs are operated by experienced and qualified staff. The Physics and the Chemistry Labs have been certified by the University of London and Cambridge University for practical exams for students in AS and A2 Levels. There are three more labs (physics, chemistry and biology) in the 4th Floor of the school.

The Vocational Workshop: This center contains the wood and metal shops where the students, through the vocational classes, produce samples of tables, chairs and carved wood. Moreover, the students are trained on plumbing and welding for which the center is equipped with all the required tools and instruments.

Music Hall: This section contains a studio for musical and audio recordings equipped with the latest technical instruments and sound proof system. Moreover, this section has a multipurpose hall and booths where special courses are held to train the students individually on how to play various musical instruments. The Students of grades 1-6 take their music courses in the music room. Pianos, lutes, drums and various musical instruments are available for students to use.

Arts Hall: This hall has the necessary requirements for teaching art such as tables, cabinets and washing basins for students’ use. The school holds yearly art exhibitions to display artistic works by students.

Fouad Constantine Yaghnem Theater: This theater has been recently renovated and equipped with state-of the-art technology in audio, lighting, projection screens and furniture to enhance the teaching and learning process. The theater has excellent heating and cooling systems. All school activities regarding drama, music, singing, cinema, lectures, morning assemblies, etc. are conducted in the theater.

Drama Hall: The school introduced drama as part of the curriculum 13 years ago. The objective of teaching drama is to change undesirable behavior and develop the student personality in various ways. The theater is equipped with the best audio system, lighting system and technical effects. Various kinds of decorations are used in the drama classrooms to enhance credibility, facilitate performances and achieve the objectives of drama. Various shows are offered such as clinical drama (psychodrama). It is taught to students in Grades 1-6 as an assigned class. However, students in Grades 7-11 can participate in the Drama Club after school hours.

The School Canteen: A specialized catering company has been in charge of the canteen since 1999.The company provides a high quality of food that has high hygiene standards and reasonable prices.

Maintenance Section: The Maintenance Section functionally reports to NOS while administratively it reports to the Orthodox Educational Society. This section is entrusted with the maintenance of the whole school premises and also the National Orthodox Society offices. The section is composed of an engineer and five specialized technicians in different trades. The team performs regular, immediate and preventive maintenance.

Janitorial Section: In addition to its head, this section has 26 employees. It is entrusted with cleaning all the school premises and keeping the school in top condition.

Security Section: This section consists of 5 trained employees, four of them are on day duty while one is on night duty. This section is entrusted with the following: 1-Securing the entrances and exits of NOS. 2-Keeping up the Visitors’ Registration Book. 3-Monitoring the arrival and departure time of both the employees and students. 4-Making sure the school is completely vacated at the end of the school day.

Store Section: This section comprises two employees handling the following activities: 1-The process of purchasing, storing and selling the school’s textbooks. 2-Purchasing orders of the various supplies for the school through coordinating the process with the Purchasing Committee at the Orthodox Educational Society. The responsibility includes purchasing, receiving, and delivering the materials. 3- Distributing the various office supplies and stationary items to the school sections according to the established accounting procedures. 4- The budgeted petty cash for the various school activities. 5- Processing the health insurance advanced cash payments as per the established procedures.

See also

External links

References

  1. ↑ http://www.oes.edu.jo/Shmesani/English/index.aspx

Coordinates: 31°57′49″N 35°53′35″E / 31.963559°N 35.892983°E / 31.963559; 35.892983

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