School Consultative Group

In November 2008, we invited parents to participate in our new School Consultative Group. Elections were held and parent and staff representatives were elected. The first meeting was held in November and further meetings have continued throughout the year.

The prime responsibilities of the SCG are:

a) Support the Head Teacher in school strategic planning and in the pursuit of continual improvement and excellence in education.

b) Support the School in understanding annual priorities in resourcing for learning during the children’s time in school.

c) Support the school in the development of agreed initiatives.

d) Assist with promoting the School in the local community.

e) Promote and encourage social activities.

f) Represent and communicate views, information, concerns and successes and make recommendations to the school, and work with school staff in developing actions to address school issues.

g) Assist the school with inspection, review and accreditation procedures.

The members of the School Consultative Group are: 

Jeannette Verspui - SCG Chair (elected November 2010 - Madinat Khalifa Campus Parent Representative)

I’m Jeannette Verspui and I have been the founding Chair of the School Consultative Group since November 2008. My family and I have lived for two years in Qatar. Our three children started at Compass at the Gharaffa Campus. In September 2010 we moved to the Madinat Khalifa campus since our oldest daughter Dorien started at Secondary in Year 7. Our son David is in Year 5 and our daughter Esra is in Year 3. In the past two years in the SCG we’ve established a committee that works very well. As Chair, my role is to get all different views and sometimes opposite opinions on the table and discuss them. The school management has been very open to receive different types of feedback on (almost) any subject. Together, we have established several initiatives to improve communication between school and parents. I feel that we have created a trustful and reliable relationship with the school management team. Over the last year we have achieved many things through the SCG by giving input for improving the learning environment and the communication with all people involved, parents and staff. If you want to know more about the accomplishments of the SCG check ‘SCG Documents’ on this website.

Please feel free to inform me about any suggestions or questions you may have or items you like us to bring forward to the school management. My email is ja.verspui@online.nl and telephone number: 6605 3645.

Nicole Taylor (elected November 2011 - Gharaffa Campus Representative)

Hi, my name is Nicky Taylor, I have one daughter enrolled at the Gharaffa Campus in Year 2. Originally from Adelaide, Australia we have been living in Dubai for the past 6 years. We relocated to Qatar in July of this year and are looking forward to continuing our adventures abroad.

If you have any questions or would like anything raised with the school management team, please feel free to contact me by email Stellas07@yahoo.com.au . Warmest regards, Nicky Taylor

Elize Rudolph (elected November 2011 - Gharaffa Campus Representative)

My name is Elize Rudolph and I will be taking a seat on the SCG as a parent representative for the Gharaffa Campus. I originate from the beautiful country of South Africa and arrived in Doha, Qatar during April 2010 when our journey with Compass also commenced. Our 3 children are all enrolled at CISD Gharaffa - Niné in Year 5, Cheri in Year 3 and Simeon in Early Years 2. I have become part of the SCG in order to be more informed, involved and to contribute to decisions and initiatives as required at the school. I hope to be a channel through which ideas, requests and enquiries from parents of the Gharaffa campus, can be directed to the management team of the school.

My contact details - Mobile number:   6654 9109, Email - elize.rudolph@gmail.com

Marietjie Engelbrecht (elected November 2011 - Madinat Khalifa Campus Representative)

My name is Marietjie Engelbrecht, born in South Africa. I’m married to Hans and we have 2 boys at the Madinat Khalifa Campus. We moved to Doha in 2010 July and are loving it here. Wian is Year 10 and Bernardt, Year 6. With the boys being in primary and secondary school I have a better overview of the whole school. Last year I was the class parent for Year 5 (Ms Leemans’ class) and it helps me to understand and be a part of my children’s school.

My professional career:  I have been an accountant all my life, and I worked in different industries but since we moved to Doha, I’m mom, wife and friend. I have good communication skills and love helping out where I can. I hope that I can be able to help parents and individuals find the right way to resolve their issues, either through their class parent, teacher or the SCG. 

John Todd (Head of School - ex officio)

Our Head of School is John Todd. Originally from the United Kingdom. He has worked in schools around the world for over 20 years.  John began his career as a primary school Teacher and Administrator in the United Kingdom; he then spent three years in Singapore, two years in Kenya and 6 years in Nigeria before moving to Qatar in August 2007.  John has taught in both primary and secondary schools and worked as both a teacher and a school leader.

John has one child in Year 1 at the Madinat Khalifa Campus, and one in Year 3 at the Gharaffa Campus. John's wife Vicki teaches English as an Additional Langauge. Their third child is still at pre-school. Email: head@wclschools.org  Tel: +974 6686 9304

Pauline Markey (Gharaffa Campus Principal - ex officio)

My name is Pauline Markey, the Deputy Head Teacher at CISD. I joined Compass in January 2008 after working in Doha for 4½ years. I have 2 children aged 9 and 12 years old. I have been teaching in the Gulf for over 8 years after spending 8 years teaching in the UK. My door is always open if you have any suggestions, questions or concerns or feel you could help in anyway. Pauline's children attends Madinat Khalifa Campus where her husband, Paul, teaches ICT and Business Studies.  Email: gharaffaprincipal@wclschools.org

Donna Brackstone-Drake (Madinat Khalifa Campus Principal - ex officio) 

My name is Donna Brackstone-Drake, your new Principal at the Madinat Khalifa Campus. I am thrilled by the opportunities the leadership of this school offers and very much looking forward to working with parents, students and staff. I have taught and led in mostly Inner London Schools for more than 20 years.  All of these Schools have served 11-18 year olds, so I am particularly excited by the all age structure of the new Madinat Khalifa Campus. The structure will ensure the smooth transition from Primary to Secondary education, and allow us to design a transformational  Secondary Curriculum  using the  best practice from the International Primary Curriculum. Email: madinatprincipal@wclschools.org

Liz Holloway (elected November 2010 - Teacher Representative)

My name is Liz Holloway and I have recently been appointed as an Early Years Teacher at the school having previously taught for two years in Qatar and 10 years in the UK. I am very keen to be part of a group who actively support the school.

I am the mother of two grown up sons Matthew (age 22) and James (19) James is studying and Matthew is a civil engineer. I originate from the UK from the Yorkshire Dales and have a home there. My interests are hill walking, cycling and in general just enjoying the outdoors which I do enthusiastically when I am home. In Qatar my activities are more gym based, I enjoy keeping fit. I am also a keen distance swimmer. I also enjoy eating out and socializing with my friends. Email: e.holloway@wclschools.org