Featured School
Dubai College Benefits From A
Strong Alumni Association
D
ubai College has enjoyed over
thirty-eight years in existence
and is undisputedly a class act
when it comes to their alumni
association. Alumni associations play
a key role in the continuity process
of schools, as the alumni are often a
testament to the standard of education
that their alma mater offers.
Mr Peter Hill, Headmaster of Dubai
College and Mrs Debra Harding,
Headmaster’s Assistant & Alumni
Coordinator share some of the ways
in which the Dubai College alumni
supports the current student body.
Bernie O’Connor and Ian Brooks
are credited with starting the Dubai
College Alumni Association (DCAA).
After leaving school they invited 40
former Sixth Form students to meet
them at the Hard Rock Café in London
on December 2, 1989. The invitation
was spread via word of mouth and
led to a largely successful meeting
between past students and teachers
of Dubai College. This started the
tradition of the annual Dubai College
reunion and since then there has been
an alumni reunion in London every
year for the past 26 years.
The DCAA provides a network for
former teachers and students to keep
in touch. The alumni group has become
increasingly active in the college life,
supporting the sporting calendar, the
Sixth Form programme and offering
careers advice. Members of the
Alumni have also been integral to the
success of the Journeys programme,
Members of the alumni association at one of the
business dinners organised for Year 13 students
22 | May - Jun 2015 |
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Class Time
giving sixth form students an insight
into life after senior school.
This is often facilitated through
thoroughly planned and executed
events, which include dinners,
luncheons and other social activities.
“We try to offer an after care service
to our students which begins the
year after they leave. We invite
former students along to a big event
in December when they are back
visiting Dubai after their first term at
University. This is dubbed a ‘Past Vs.
Present Sports Afternoon.’ After the
sports afternoon, there is a social,
which involves everyone,” Mrs Harding
explains.
An additional activity is the year 11