Al Khaleej National School win the inaugural GEMS Education Parental Engagement Golf Day
The inaugural GEMS Education Parental Engagement Golf Day, was held at the Els Club Dubai on Thursday 6th February, offering a unique family experience praised by students, parents and teachers from across the GEMS Community.
Golf Day was the first sports event of its kind within the GEMS Schools network and was a part of the Parental Engagement initiative. With 18 schools taking part and almost 100 golfers representing students of all ages, parents and teachers, the event was deemed an all-around success.
“GEMS Education is dedicated to promoting student development with new and diverse experiences,” explained Nadia Petrossi, Senior Manager of Parental Engagement for GEMS Education, “and since we all have different interests, as educators, we need to be creative to offer unique opportunities appealing to a variety of people.
“We know learning experiences are reinforced when there are healthy partnerships with teachers, so the family engagement golf day had all the makings of the perfect occasion to allow parents, teachers and student to come together, develop new skills and enjoy each other’s company.”
Each team consisted of students, parents and teachers playing a “Par is Friend” Format to keep the event competitive but most importantly fun for all skill levels. Student golfers ranged from +1 handicap to 36 and from age 6 to 20 yrs.
The overall winning team was the Al Khaleej National School – Dubai, with a superb team score of -18 led by Ahmed Al Budoor (10) and Vincent Joubert-Strauss (28) and Jared Slee, just nudging ahead on a countback to second place team, Cambridge High School – Abu Dhabi. Jumeirah Primary School played above their years and finished 1 back on -17 with the youngest player in the field, 6 year old Sean Cooper making 4 nett eagles in his very impressive round of 101 gross.
Prior to the start of the tournament all players were invited to watch and interact with World Golf Trick-Shot Champion Geoff Swain, who showed a variety of amazing tricks including hitting balls in the air, using a 7ft long driver and even swinging while seated on a chair.
Tournament Director, James Bowring explained “This event is a vision of Jay Varkey, who has been a very good amateur golfer himself. Jay has always felt that golf has been good to him, and that he has learnt a lot from the game. He now wants the students in GEMS schools to experience the same benefits.”
“We really are delighted with the interest shown by students, parents and the schools in this inaugural event and hopefully this will keep growing and become an annual event for GEMS Schools and their Parental Engagement Programme,” added Bowring.
Jay Varkey, Senior Director – Business Development & Commercial for GEMS Education presented all of the trophies and prizes at the post tournament ‘Family BBQ’ which saw 300 guests including players parents and siblings enjoy an evening of sports activities and great food.
“The GEMS Golf Day was a chance to bring GEMS families, schools and the community together in an informal setting to build relationships and further develop the whole student,” said Jay Varkey, Senior Director – Business Development and Commercial for GEMS Education.
“With exposure to the world-class Els Club course, professional level coaching and superb organization, our families and staff had a game they’ll be talking about for weeks, and a day they’ll remember for a life time.”
