Staff and Students both past and present are fed up with our school’s being slurred unfairly on the internet. Now is the time for the silent majority to speak. September 20, 2008

About this Site

Welcome to Sabisspeaks. This site is an open forum in which anyone may participate. The comments section is open to all, whether you have a question about Choueifat, a story regarding your experience and  also gives an opportunity for any of the thousands of past pupils and staff to share their memories and experiences. I know that these experiences are both positve and negative which this blog will hopefully show.

As the internet is relativley unregulated people are free to post pretty much what they like, with impunity . Other SABIS sites encourage anonymity and generalisations but here you will see the real names of real people.

We are not professional bloggers, unlike others out there. We have worked with the organisation described elsewhere on the net in derogatory terms, for a number of years, and have had positive and negative experiences (as we all do in every aspect of our lives) . We are part of students, staff and parents, both past and present that totals in excess of about 40,000 students, 80,000 parents and who knows how many staff .

We owe SABIS nothing but we have chosen to work for them. We have been paid fairly. Treated fairly and learnt a lot. This is not the point, this site is not for SABIS but for those of us students (some who are from families where 3 generations have attended these schools) and staff who along life’s journey have stopped off and educated or been educated by SABIS.  This is for you.

 You can contribute to the site by providing information or a testimonial about your experience with SABIS, please feel free to contact us (hopefully an us soon as I really dont have time for this) by submitting comments / articles to sabisspeaks@gmail.com.

A SAD FAREWELL! October 26, 2008

It is with sadness in my heart that I will no longer be able to bring you news. The amount of time that this blog has taken up is too much for me and I can no longer juggle family and work whilst giving proper attention to this important subject. I am currently searching for some former colleagues who still work for SABIS to take over from me (so I am not gone yet). Watch this space. UPDATE AS OF DECEMBER 2008 I AM OUT OF HERE! HOPE THE NEW GUYS KEEP THE FLAG FLYING!!

Father of Chanakya Sinha of Grade 11-International School of Choueifat-Abu Dhabi June 30, 2009

My son has been studying in Choueifat for the past 5 years. He has learnt so much in this past five years. He has learnt to be self independent; he has learnt to judge from what’s right and wrong; but most importantly he has leant to stand on his own two feet and face a problem a problem instead of avoiding it. Students who graduate from Choueifat are smart thinkers. The school keeps him active all the time. But there is too much pressure, but the way the students have coped with these kinds of pressure is mind-blowing, these are the result of my son studying in Choueifat and I am really proud of him. He has not only grown physically but also mentally. Hat’s off to the Sabis system. It has helped my child to get ready for the whole new world out there.

Prabir Kumar Sinha.
Father of Chanakya Sinha of Grade 11
International School of Choueifat-Abu Dhabi

Yasmin Hamad-Grade 10-International School of Choueifat-Abu Dhabi June 27, 2009

My time in Chouiefat broadened my experience of life. The teaching process that every student goes through helps test his/her existing knowledge and then “fills in the missing gaps” to furthermore enable him/her to learn more.” The course materials were excellent and have been used as reference materials since. They are well thought-out and well structured.” “The highlight of the course was the overall satisfaction I felt at completing, and the achievement of knowing I did it myself. The practical elements of the course gave me an opportunity to network and it was great when people recognize what I can do and what kind of person I am. The course has improved my communication skills and given me a very good grounding for working in real life conditions.”

Yasmin Hamad
Grade 10
International School of Choueifat-Abu Dhabi

Sharang Biswas-Head of Student Life ISC Abu Dhabi 2007-2008-Alumni Student-Graduate of year 07-08 June 27, 2009

From my early years as a Lost and Found prefect, to my senior year as Head of the SLO, the Student Life Organization has helped me all through my Choueifat career. It helped transform a shy, timid young boy into a confidant, mature adult. The SLO improved my management skills, my communication interpersonal skills, my organization… it helped me meet new people, make new connections… Truly, the Student Life Organization was an indispensable part of my school-life.

Sharang Biswas
Head of Student Life ISC Abu Dhabi 2007-2008
Alumni Student-Graduate of year 07-08

Rawaa Bashir- International School of Choueifat-Abu Dhabi June 26, 2009

Choueifat is a school that gives high quality education that enables us to attend the best universities. It also helps enhance certain aspects of our personalities including self-confidence and intra-personal skills along with preparing us to deal with real life situations. Students that graduate from Choueifat do so with fond memories of friends that were always there for us and teachers who were always willing to lend a helping hand.

Rawaa Bashir
International School of Choueifat-Abu Dhabi

Sandra Atrash-Grade 11-International School of Choueifat-Abu Dhabi June 26, 2009

Sabis System, is a great system which must be used by more and more schools , I mean the idea of AMS and homework everyday make sure that students are studying and to help them bring up their averages. SLO is also great its various activities after school help trips an organization which helps students to anticipate in school activities. Without the SLO students would fail and fail without any care of what so ever of their own averages =]
so thank you Sabis System
Sandra Atrash
Grade 11
International School of Choueifat-Abu Dhabi

Tamara Shiyab – KG1 (joined ISC Al Ain in 2004) March 1, 2009

After working for five years at the International School of Choueifat, I have learned to appreciate the benefits of using the SABIS system.
Using SABIS system is simple and straightforward. In my KG1 classroom, basic concepts are introduced, drilled and repeated over and over again throughout the year to ensure that no student is left behind.
It is truly a rewarding experience to be a part of the SABIS team. I enjoy working with some amazing teachers and meeting many children from all parts of the world. For myself, the most rewarding part of my job is to watch students enter the school for the first time, many not knowing a word of English, and by the end of the year, they are reading short stories and communicating beautifully. This truly is the greatest joy for me and proof that the system really does work!!!!

Hani Hussein – Physics teacher/ University Advisor (joined ISC Al Ain in 1997) March 1, 2009

As soon as I started teaching Physics at the International School of Choueifat Al Ain, I felt the deep belongingness as well as the commitment to achieve high standards of education. The rich world of SABIS by its multinational diversity adds value to your life, and at the same time it promotes your teaching and communication skills. Throughout my years at SABIS many students graduated and were influenced by what we gave them and that is the torch of knowledge which they will carry, to pass it on to the coming generations.

International School of Choueifat- Koura Class of 2008 testimonials before graduation: February 7, 2009

“I have been a student at ISC-Koura since 1996. I will be attending Ohio University doing Biology. I’m going to a new country to face new challenges therefore, with the help of the school and especially my friends I’m more than ready to achieve my goals.”
Ghassan Daye

“I have been a student at ISC-Koura since 1999. I will be attending University of Balamand doing chemical engineering. During my 9 years at school I have got to know great people who have helped me in my studies and gave me very good basics to start with for the next year challenges.”
Rami Makhlouta

“I have been a student at ISC-koura over the past 12 years. I’m graduating this year from grade 12 LS and I will be doing nutrition next year at AUB. Although most of us as students here think that we were under a lot of pressure but I’m thankful to all my administrator, teachers and friends because I’m positive to start a new phase in my life and I’m mature enough to make the right decision.”
Judy Abdel-Aziz

“I have been a student in ISC-Koura since 1996 when it first opened. I will be attending Concordia University next year doing computer science. Although this is a challenging school academically, I feel that I was pushed to my best at all times. Even if there were good times and bad times, but in the end I’ve been accepted in a good University and I’m confident that I will continue to succeed in whatever challenges that come my way.
Fawzi Kabbara

“I have been in ISC-Koura since 1999. I will be attending MIT doing biomedical engineering. The school has given me all the tools I need for my future, therefore I’m confident that I can face any challenges that come my way.”
Ragheb El Khaja
“I have been a student in ISC-Koura since 2005. I will be attending MC. Gill University doing mechanical engineering. I am proud of my achievements at school and the best is I have reached my goals due to the opportunities I have had at school coupled with my willingness to do my best at all times.”
Omar Obeid

“I have been a student at ISC-Koura since 2003. I will be attending AUB doing Freshman Arts. Although this is a challenging school academically, I feel that I was pushed to my best at all times. Even if there were good times and bad times, but in the end I’ve been accepted in a good University and I’m confident that I will continue to succeed in whatever challenges that come my way. I wish you all the best of luck.”
Nour Mawass

“I have been a student at ISC-Koura since 2003. I will be attending AUB doing Freshman. This school taught me how to appreciate and cherish the diverse culture of the world. I’ve also founded great relationships with my classmates. With them I’ve done a true meaning of life and its little gift such as hope & happiness. I’m confident that I’ll succeed whichever challenge that comes my way.”
Nataly Sarkis

Lina Naja–Graduate–ISC KOURA January 21, 2009

We former Choueifat students are extremely proud of ISC-Koura. Now that we have transitioned to the college phase of our lives, we have come to fully realize the true value of all that our school did for us in terms of preparation.
When we were in our SABIS school, our teachers helped us in so many different ways:
Not only did they prepare us academically, but they also acted as our friends, counselors and confidantes, giving freely of their own time whenever it was required. Also, the quality of our Choueifat education has become very evident here in college. I am finding my 3rd level Math, Chemistry and Biology courses to be so easy because of all the main work in these subjects having been previously done in Choueifat. I really wish our former ISC-Koura teachers could teach us again in college!
Another debt of gratitude that I owe to Choueifat is the way that it enabled me to learn languages so quickly. When I first came to ISC-Koura and entered grade 6, I could not speak any English and had only basic Arabic but I quickly gained quite a high level of proficiency in both.
All in all, I am very proud of what I have achieved and am deeply grateful to Choueifat and everyone who works there for having helped me so much.

ISC MUSCAT- Parents December 21, 2008