My Random Ramblings: #tips

Registering our children to Saudi School - Registration Form at Mariya International School

Backdated post Dated : 3rd June 2015 (Wednesday)

So, we finally received our children's assessment result and alhamdulillah they have passed the test. So now, time to register. We went to school to get the registration form and seek the necessary information that we need to know with regards to the school, our children's needs, school requirements, etc.

There are a few part of the form which as usual the Letter of Undertaking, parents and children's particulars, medical report, school bus (do not have to fill this up if the children is going to school by private transport i.e by parents etc.)

After all the information are ready, we then submitted the forms together with medical reports. I will share below the registration forms and what not for references. Will also share the medical procedures taken for school entry undergone by my children.

Lot's of Love,
Nor Farihan Mohd Yatim
Jubail, Saudi Arabia

Assessment Test for School Admission

Backdated post dated : 3rd June 2015

Since we are new to the school, my children had to be put under assessment test before they could enter any International school here in Saudi. After the result of pre-screening is out, then only the children will be allowed to register for the school.

We initially pre-select AL-Moattasem to send our children and wanted to book for screening test. But since their pre-screening test was supposed to be the week after. We then went to Mariya International school and get to book the screening test a few days after going there.

My children's assessment test at Mariya International School was scheduled at 10.50 am. Went out as early as 9.30 am from the house to make sure that we reached the school on time.

Faiq was put thru Level 1 test even though he should by right be place for level 2. Why? because remember that we arrived end January and we get to have our Iqama in April. Since Faiq did not have any Level 1 school certificate, so he had to go thru Level 1 test instead. Schools in Saudi, similar to the ones in the UK starts in the Autumn around September each year.

Fatini was put thru for Level KG3 (kindergarten 3) assessment test. Note also that children who is born after June will be put on higher level compared to their peer who was born on the same year but before June. I am not sure is such rulings applies but that too took part on the selection of school children's level. In Malaysia school system starts in January and finishes around November each year.

The differences between Saudi and Malaysia is the one that made Faiq loses 1 year. Well, if he is in Malaysia he is still the same as his peers since schools starts in September but unlike Fatini, she is advanced 1 year than her other peers of her same age in Malaysia. What the heck that I am mumbling about?! It is just levels. As long as the children gets to learn at school it is fine already, right? Which school, what level that they are admissioned into does not matter as long at the are doing OK and blends well at schools.

Here is the scene at the screening hall and registration area. Parents were waiting outside for the children. I also observed that there are lot of Saudian parents at the registration area. It is good that most Saudis are more open now and start sending their children to International schools to tighten up the English.

Result are out the week after. If the children passes the test, then their parents could come to the Admission and Finance office for fees payment and register straight away. I will update in my next post on the registration part.

Lot's of Love,
Nor Farihan Mohd Yatim

Inside the screening test hall where Faiq and Fatini took their assessment test.

Car Wash service in Saudi

Throwback post originally dated 13 April 2015

Thru my observation, there are two options on how cars are being washed in Saudi,

1) Wash at dedicated car wash centre normally situated at Petrol Station

2) There are also many part-timers such as people who came to saudi as labourer that wanted to find extra money who did car washing too. These people are literally everywhere. Waiting by the roadside and also at the parking spaces near housing areas and shopping mall/ hyper markets. These people also offer help in practically anything - washing house, lifting furnitures, cleaning rooftops and compounds areas or even bringing our shipping bags to our house. you just pay them like 5 to 10 riyal per service.

Cars are being washed in saudi using roughly 1.5 litre of water. They practically bring along only a large bucket of soapy water, damp cloth and 1 bottle of mineral water to clean the cars. The car cleaner will then wipe clean the car with the dampened clothes.

Am impressed with the dedication of these people and how hard working they are to earn money. May All bless them and all of us InshalAllah.

Ladies Street Dammam

Throwback post originally dated: 27 March 2015

My neighbour brought us to the famous ladies street in dammam where they claimed to be selling Saudi Abaya in lower then market price. It is situated at the heart of Al-Dammam city centre. I went there with 2 other families whom are my compound neighbours. Verdict : dammam's ladies street do have more choices compared to ladies street jubail. The the prices are attractive too.

Situated at Damman centre

there is this paragon thai restaurant nearby the ladies street area

cars lining up to enter the ladies street area

some of the shops at ladies street dammam. They ain't call it ladies street for no reason. Of course because it sells a lot of household and ladies related items.

we parked at the parking area of a small shopping mall. I forget the name. easier to park there than finding parkings by the street as it is super full.