National Orthodox School

National Orthodox School - Shmeisani
المدرسة الوطنية الأرثوذكسية - الشميساني
Location
Amman
Jordan
Information
Type Private, co-educational, day school
Motto Together we set the standards for Excellence in Life-Long Education
Religious affiliation(s) Christian - Greek Orthodox
Established 1957
Oversight Orthodox Educational Society
School number +9625608500
Head of Principal's Body May Goussous (in Arabic: مي قسوس)
Website http://www.oes.edu.jo/Shmesani/English/index.aspx

The National Orthodox School - Shmeisani (NOS) (in Arabic: المدرسة الوطنية الأرثوذكسية - الشميساني‎‎) is a private, non-profit, co-educational, day school in Amman, Jordan. It 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.

History

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 began its academic mission on 5 September 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 donated the funds for the construction of a kindergarten on a plot of land owned by the Orthodox Educational Society. NOS began with 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.

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 has a Learning Technology Center which produces teaching materials that help students be engaged in the lessons. The center contains a video library, slides, transparencies and equipment such as overhead projectors, TV and video sets, maps and learning charts. Computers are used for:

Academic sections

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

Facilities

Stages 6–12, Secondary and Foreign Program Library

The library contains 17,000 books: 11,900 Arabic books and 5,000 English books that cover scientific and literary subjects.

Computers are available the library to facilitate accessing information. Students can use the library during their recess and library periods. Educational activities such as knowledge contest and other contests are held by departments and teachers. 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 8300 Arabic and English books on science, references books, encyclopedia, and recently published novels. The library also contains a collection of French books suitable for Grades 1-6.

Computer Labs

There are six Computer Labs. 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. Internet service is available in the Computer Labs during school hours.

Science Labs

The school has 12 labs:

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) on the 4th floor of the school.

The Vocational Workshop

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

Music Hall

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

Arts Hall

The hall has the 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

The theater has audio, lighting, projection screens and furniture to enhance the teaching and learning process. The theater has 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 has introduced drama as part of the curriculum. 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 canteen

A catering company has been in charge of the canteen since 1999.

Maintenance Section

The Maintenance Section functionally reports to NOS while administratively it reports to the Orthodox Educational Society. The 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 technicians.

Janitorial Section

The section has 27 staff. It cleans the school premises.

Security Section

The section has five staff, four are on day duty while one is on night duty. Thes section is entrusted with the following:

Store Section

The section has two staff handling the following activities:

See also

References

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

Coordinates: 31°57′48″N 35°53′35″E / 31.9633°N 35.8931°E / 31.9633; 35.8931

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