Awali School was a primary school in Awali, Bahrain. The school was started by employees of the Bahrain Petroleum Company (BAPCO) for their children living in Awali. Eventually, an arrangement was made to allow a certain number of children of non-Bapco employees to attend the school for an academic fee.

Awali School
Location
Map

Coordinates26°5′30″N 50°32′49″E / 26.09167°N 50.54694°E / 26.09167; 50.54694
Information
TypePrivate
EstablishedSeptember 8, 1936
ClosedJuly 7, 1998
GenderCo-educational
LanguageEnglish

The school offered British primary curriculum education from reception to Sixth form. The history and geography of Bahrain were also included in the curriculum, with the addition of Arabic language for Arab students and Islamic Studies for students practicing the faith.

History

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Awali School was established on September 8, 1936. By the end of 1937, two class rooms were built - then becoming the third private school in Bahrain (The American Mission School - now called the Al Raja School - was the first one, opened in 1913 and the Al Ittihad Al Ahli School became the second in 1923).

In 1938, Phyliss Knowles became the first teacher-in-charge of Awali School.

In World War II, the oil refineries in Bahrain were bombed causing the closure of the school and expatriate families were evacuated.

The school slowly re-opened in 1946 and expanded, as families returned to Awali.

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip visited Awali School in 1979 during their tour of Bahrain.


Principals

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Date Principal
1946 1952 V.W. Herzig
1952 1954 Mr. King
1954 1956 M. Job
1956 1957 Maurice Bowler (acting)
1957 1972 William F. Thompson
1972 1975 John Clingley
1975 1984 Donald Lawson
1984 1994 Mary Potts
1994 1998 Maggie Curley

Closure

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Awali School permanently closed on July 7, 1998. The school became the Awali Infant School administered by St. Christopher's School. In December 2007, Bapco took over the premises and converted it as a training facility.[1][2][3]

References

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  1. ^ "Local school with global appeal!". Gulf Weekly Online.
  2. ^ "Awali School Online :: The web site of Awali School, Bahrain (closed 1998)". karlclaveria.com.
  3. ^ "Former school head Mary Potts dies". Gulf Daily News – via www.thefreelibrary.com.