Over 200 students were recognised and rewarded for their academic excellence at Doha College’s annual Awards Ceremony at Shangri-La Doha recently. The Awards Ceremony 2017 brought together secondary students, parents, staff, the Board of Governors and distinguished VIPs to celebrate the end of an outstanding year at Doha College.

Doha College Principal Dr Steffen Sommer said that this year saw many firsts for Doha College:

Doha College is the first school in MENA to be awarded a Green Eco School Flag, the first school to be awarded the COBIS Patron’s Accreditation in Qatar, and the first school to launch High Performance Learning. Our focus on this high performance pedagogy and our growth mindset approach to learning is evident across the whole school and is certainly reaping rewards within our academic attainment.’

The Awards Ceremony recognises students who are excelling in their subjects and year groups. The top prizes – Outstanding Student, the Walton Community Award and the Board of Governors Award were announced during the evening.

Deputy Head Boy Ralf Yapp receives the trophy from Dr Sommer

The 2017 Outstanding Student of the Year Award was presented to Deputy Head Boy Ralf Yapp. Ralf achieved full marks in six of his AS examinations.

This award is an amazing culmination of my time at Doha College. I already have a confirmed place at UCL in London to study Computer Science, but I will always stay in touch with Doha College and maintain the friendships I have made here.’

Ross O’Donnell received this year’s Walton Community Award for his dedication and work with abandoned animals and his support for young children. Ross has spent two years working for the Pro-Tem Education Centre in Qatar where he helped school-aged children with counseling and rehabilitation. He is also an integral part of Qatar Animal Welfare Society (QAWS), rescuing animals and organising temporary accommodation. As part of his commitment to QAWS, he coordinated efforts to collect provisions for displaced animals both in school and the community during a flood which devastated the animal shelter.

The Board of Governors also presented an award this year. Dr Tim Bentley, Chair of the Board of Governors, said that they regularly hear about the great achievements of students and the school, making it difficult for them to set specific criteria for the award.

We decided to present the award when we saw something truly exceptional, when a student really shone through. This year’s winner, Finn Froud, has proven just that. Finn has raised over QR78,000 for children in Hamad Hospital by setting himself for the challenge of running one mile a day for 100 days, wherever he was, whatever weather and in whatever country. Finn ran and was often joined by friends and supporters along the way.

Finn, a Year 6 student at Doha College, explained why he had taken up this challenge and what it meant to win the Governor’s Award.

I am very happy to receive this award. I really wanted to help the children in the Cancer Ward at Hamad Hospital. I didn’t realise how much money I would be able to raise so I was very fulfilling to see the children smile.’

As well as the main awards, students from Years 7 to 13 were presented with Subject Awards, celebrating their academic successes and Tutor Awards which recognised students who have shown commitment to extra-curricular activities and displayed outstanding leadership qualities

The ceremony was also an opportunity to acknowledge students who take part in the College’s successful Model United Nations (DCMUN). DCMUN is a student-run organisation under Joanne Conly’s directorship. The club hosts Model United Nations conferences on an annual basis to encourage secondary school students to participate in public speaking, debating and resolution writing. DCMUN proudly carries THIMUN affiliation, which has crafted the format of debate and has also enabled Doha College students to meet a variety of other students taking part in MUN organisations from all around the world.

Summing up, Dr Sommer also paid tribute to the outstanding senior prefect team where he acknowledged the significant amount of work they had contributed to the college’s development.

Visit their website for more information about the Doha College awards.