.: The Red Brick – Dubai College's Student Newspaper :.

 Dubai College recently hosted representatives from Maastricht University who spoke to parents from DC and other schools in Dubai about higher education opportunities at this leading European university. Most were struck by the ‘value for money’ aspect when compared to costs in the UK and USA. Further details will be posted on the school website in the near future.

 This year’s boys Under 13 and Under 14 Unity Cup football competitions were held last weekend at the Rashid School for Boys. Both Dubai College squads emerged as Champions over the course of the weekend, both teams remaining unbeaten in their respective competitions.

The under 13 event comprised 7 teams: Dubai College, Dubai International Academy, the Sultan School Muscat, Ras Al Khaimah English Speaking School, the British School Bahrain, Jazeera Academy Qatar and ALL from Jordan. Dubai College won 5 of their 6 games and drew the sixth to win the tournament, scoring 18 goals and conceding 1.

The under 14 event comprised 8 teams: Dubai College, the British School Muscat, the Sultan School Muscat, Dubai American Academy, GEMS World Academy, IKNS Bahrain, Azza bin Qais School Oman and ALL from Jordan. Dubai College won 6 of their 7 games and drew the seventh, scoring 26 goals and conceding 4.

 Both Under 15 netball squads spent an exhausting day on Friday competing in the U15 BSME games here at Dubai College. Both A and B teams produced impressive displays in the group games facing international competition from around the Gulf and advanced to the semi-finals. Unfortunately, it was at this stage that they had to face each other in a very close game that saw the A team narrowly claim victory. However, the B team were not down hearted and picked themselves up to claim a solid victory over English College to take the third place slot. Taking breath, the A team then faced our local neighbours in Jess Arabian Ranches. After a nervous start in front of an enthusiastic crowd, the DC girls soon found their momentum and took the game “by the horns” culminating in a notable 12-4 victory. Every squad member made a valuable contribution to a fantastic day of netball and should be proud of the manner in which they represented the College.

Top grades? Check. Won a million and one awards? Check. Prefect, school newspaper editor, sports captain or a leader of some sort? Er, all of the above. Given a couple of concerts at Carnegie Hall? All sold out. Initiated a massive project that will benefit all of humankind, simultaneously battling world poverty, stopping global warming and paving the way to find a vaccine for the common cold? Like, duh.

Ah, there we go then, the top universities of the world aren’t asking for much at all. The admissions process may be taxing to say the least, but it is comforting to think that a whole year of students have just gone through it, and are very much still alive and kicking. Anyone familiar with Amy Chua’s extraordinary book 'The Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother' will tell you that banning frivolities like the school play and sleepovers, instead making your five year old practice piano for hours (in the plural) daily and cracking maths sums intended for children two years older, is but usual for those who like to get a head start on these things.

 Charlie Peacock, a Year 13 student whom many of us will know as the Chief Editor of Dubai College’s online newspaper, The Red Brick, having worked exceptionally hard and now the owner of a stellar resume, is set to tackle a course in History at Trinity College, Cambridge next year. She has also been accepted into Kings College London and the University of Durham. Charlie gives an interview to The Red Brick revealing what she did to gain a coveted Place at those hallowed halls of higher education...

When did you develop an interest in History?
Charlie: I have always loved History since I was young – it used to be my favourite subject at Primary School!

Which AS and A levels have you taken?
I have taken History, English, French and Maths, all to A2 Level (though defo regretting the Maths now!)

Which extracurriculars have you been involved in/ mentioned in your personal statement?
In my personal statement I mentioned that I founded the History Society, and had attained the Gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. I also put in that I achieved the highest marks in the world for Coordinated Science, Geography and History in my CIE IGCSEs and also the Highest Marks in the UAE for English Literature and PE; I think that helped a bit! I think Mr Jones mentioned that I was Senior Prefect in my reference and how I was nominated for Head Girl. In my reference I also had sport (e.g. netball, football, rounders etc).

How did you go about planning to apply and researching universities?
I visited some universities at Easter in Year 12, and then visited the ones that I hadn't seen yet in the summer. I knew a bit about them from my sister and I also went onto their websites (although I preferred actually having the prospectus in front of me).

What did you wear, and what are you supposed to wear, to your interview?
To my Cambridge interview I wore some jeans and a smart jumper... I tried to keep it casual and smart at the same time. However, I also had forgotten to take off my nail polish (which was black and gold), and my friends were shocked, to say the least, but thankfully it didn't seem to matter in the end. To be honest, I think the most important thing is that you’re comfortable.

How many letters of reference should you give, and must they be from your teachers?
This doesn't apply to UK Universities, only US universities (which I didn’t apply to).

Did you have to do any out-of-school exams (e.g. BMAT, ELAT), if so how did you go about preparing for these?

No - one of the reasons that I applied to Cambridge over Oxford was the fact that it didn't require the HAT (History Admissions Test); I had no time to prepare for it and so wouldn't have done myself justice. Plus, it looked blimin' difficult! 

Did you refer to any ‘get into uni’ books/ websites- if so are there any you would like to recommend?
Nope

What is the scope of your course- what are the possible career options?

History is really open which I like as there are a lot of different possible careers - from finance to journalism, law to teaching, the possibilities are endless as the skills are transferable to most jobs (except medicine of course!)

Are there any tips you’d like to share with prospective applicants?
I would say definitely visit the universities that you want to apply to as I was pretty set on applying to a certain university, but after I visited it I hated it (one of the buildings looks like they are testing UFOs in there!). Saying that, I know some people that love it so it’s all about personal choice. I initially also didn't want to apply to Cambridge as I thought it was really quiet and village-like whereas Oxford was a proper city (I knew I definitely wanted a city university over a campus university)... However, when I visited again in the summer after being invited to meet one of the Fellows I found the actual city centre rather than the grassy bits which was actually the back of all the colleges - so make sure you know where you're going before you arrive! I would also recommend starting writing your personal statement at the end of the summer... That’s when I did and it was a lot easier for me than for some people who had to juggle that with school work as they can both be really stressful

And the celebrity question- how do you feel about having achieved so much?

I don't know how to answer that one, haha - erm...

Is there anything noteworthy or interesting that happened during the admissions process?
Well, it’s really interesting how I actually changed my mind to do history as I was dead set on doing English Literature last year (and going to Oxford! - a.k.a The Other Place). I applied to do a Summer Course at Oxford in English but was rung up a week before by my Grandma and was told that it had been cancelled. So I started trawling the internet for different courses (as I now had 2 weeks with nowhere to go!) and just found myself looking at History ones. However, it just so happened that my Grandma had misunderstood the phone call and the course wasn't cancelled (typical grandparents!) and I was still enrolled on the English one. From the sense of disappointment I had that I wouldn't be doing History I knew that it was meant to be so I switched to the History course instead. It was fate!

Also... the reason I switched from The Other Place to Cambridge was that light blue suited me as a colour better... Joking! No, I entered a competition in May for a History Essay Prize and was in the final three so got an invite to meet one of the Fellows (who also turned out to be one of my interviewers!) at Trinity College. Actually meeting him gave me the idea that perhaps I had a better chance if I applied to Cambridge as I knew one of the fellows and on the off chance that he might actually remember me! (He didn't though.) But oh well.

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Charlie will (hopefully) be happy to answer any questions about the admissions process, and can be found in Class 13TD of Dubai College. Congratulations, Charlie, and here’s wishing you, and the rest of the Year 13 cohort, the best of luck for the future!
 

 On Friday 27th January Mr Barrington and his wife Anthea put on their running shoes to take part in the 10K race as part of the Dubai Marathon. They were running in memory of Ed Hall, a member of staff at Jebel Ali Primary School who very sadly passed away suddenly last year. They ran alongside many other members of staff from Jebel Ali School, the community and some students. The run was sponsored and Mr Barrington is very grateful to the many staff at Dubai College who so generously sponsored his participation in the run. Running fever has gone to Mr Barrington’s head as he has now committed to running the full marathon next year as a way of celebrating his impending 30th birthday at the end of 2012…watch this space for news of running related injuries!

Once again DC students boarded the early morning bus for the annual schools cross country race held at the Hatta Fort hotel on Saturday 14th January. After a delayed start it was decided to run all the competitors together which proved to be quite a challenge for the organisers, but led to a very competitive run with course records being set. Dubai College students repeated their team success from last year and were well represented in the individual honours. Julia MacKay 7EA achieved second place in the junior girls, but the senior girls stole the show by taking the top six places.

1st - Maisy Duncan 10DF
2nd - Lidia Rzeplinska – 10 RA
3rd - Pritika Mehra – 11 PF
4th - Sofi Zickermann White – 10 DF
5th - Azmina Gulamhusein – 11 RG
6th - Dorottya Nagy – 11 NB