Private Activities

After school club is a fee paying club for children from FS2 to Y6.

Children are supervised while they wait for a sibling to finish school or while they waiting for their after school activity to begin. There are a range of puzzles and games available to use.

Timings: Sunday to Wednesday between 1.45 pm and 3.15 pm

For further information and booking please contact Barbara Belsten: 55845681

Qatar Chess Association is a non-profit organisation and is part of the Ministry of Culture and Sports. Its main goal is to popularise chess in Qatar and to give the chance to the younger generation to better themselves at the game. In the past year we worked successfully nationally and internationally by running paid chess clubs and organising chess competitions. The best students competed in the Qatar Primary and Secondary School Chess Championships with the participation of more than twenty schools, including DESS, in each competition. In 2000, a landmark study found that students who received chess instruction scored significantly higher on all measures of academic achievement, including maths, spatial analysis, and non-verbal reasoning ability (Smith & Cage, 2000)

September 2020 update: During Covid, private and group online chess classes are available upon request

For further information and to book please contact: Adina Hamdouchi, Professional Chess Coach

Email:  Chesstrainingqatar@gmail.com , Tel: +974 7406 2387

Dance Club is run by the Sophie McDonald Dance Academy. The club offers classes in four different professional dance styles: Hip Hop, Cheerleading, Tap and Jazz.

The Dance Classes are held in the Small Gym as follows:

Hip Hop  on Sunday:  Age 4 - 6 years from 2:15pm - 3:00pm, Age 7years+ 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Cheerleading on Tuesday: Age 4 - 6 years 3:15 - 4:00pm, Age 7years+ 4:00 pm - 5:00pm
Jazz & Tap on Wednesday: Age 4 - 6 years 2:15pm - 3:00pm, Age 7years+ 3:00 pm - 4:00pm

Classes Cost:
Hip Hop (14 weeks): QAR1000 for 45 minute session and QAR1100 for 60 minute session.
Cheerleading (10 weeks): QAR550 for 45 minute session and QAR600 for 60 minute session.
Jazz and Tap (14 weeks): QAR900 for 45 minute session and QAR950 for 50 minute session.

For further information and to book please contact:
Sophie McDonald, Tel: 5540 0419 Email: info@smdancecompany.com or sophie@smdancecompany.com

DAC is delivered by Liz McColgan Nuttall - World Champion, Olympic Silver Medallist, Coach to European Bronze Medallist, Eilish McColgan, and John Nuttall - Commonwealth Games Bronze Medallist, Lead Endurance Coach in London 2012 and Coach to three European Champions. Athletic training in Qatar is not accessible for the international community via the club system therefore 'DAC' is a unique venture for all children of any nationality and ability to participate in the sport. The lead Coaches, Liz and John, deliver developmental programs for running, jumping and throwing both in individual and team context. The course will improve your child’s fitness and agility levels in several key areas of athletics training.

The Doha Athletics Club is held on Thursdays from 1:15pm – 2:15pm on the DESS Playing Field. Classes cost QAR60 per session paid in advance. There will be no DAC available during the Summer Term.

Term 1 start date: 7th November. The club will run for 6 weeks.

For further information and to book please contact:
Liz McColgan, Tel: 6605 1263 www.dohaathleticclub.com

qaHamilton Aquatics have been based at DESS for over three years. The club provides the school with curriculum and after school swimming lessons. Hamilton Aquatics offer swimming lessons based on the 'Hammy's Learn to Swim' programme and follow the in-house programme at DESS. Offering classes for children aged 3-11, classes are designed to teach swimming fundamentals as well as developing more capable swimmers for swimming squads.

Hamilton Aquatics run swimming classes in the DESS swimming pool each day from 2:15pm.

For further information, including timetables and costs, please contact:
Giovanni Malatesta, Tel: 66859372

Email: dess@hamiltonaquatics.qa
Website: https://www.hamiltonaquatics.ae/hamiltonbay/bookings/login

Qatar's leading gymnastics club welcomes all ages and abilities to classes held at DESS. With superb facilities and an expert coaching team they are the place to be for gymnastics in Doha.

Gymnastics is held in the MPH at DESS daily except Wednesdays and Fridays.

For further information please visit our website: www.gymacademydoha.com

or contact us by email: gymacademy_doha@hotmail.com

Mad Science Club is for children in Years 1 – 6. Founded in Montreal, Canada in 1985, Mad Science has grown to over 150 locations in over 25 countries.  We are the world's leader in fun science for children.  Mad Science conducts educational, entertaining and hands-on science activities for elementary age children throughout Qatar.  Our unique brand of exciting, interactive activities instills a clearer understanding of how science affects the world around them.  Through Mad Science, your children will be able to touch, see, hear, smell and taste what science is really all about.

September 2020 update: Mad Science are pleased to offer virtual classes. Please click below for further details.

https://form.jotform.com/madscienceqatar/VirtualClasses2020

Minis Stay and Play is run by a group of four DESS mums, who volunteer their time and energy for this great cause. Offering a weekly parent and child play in a safe, fun setting, babies and toddlers can explore the toys while parents can chat and mingle – the perfect match! Socialisation for little ones is vital for development and the group have all kinds of age appropriate toys, crafts, equipment etc. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity and to further strengthen our valuable DESS community! 

Minis Stay and Play is held on Sundays from 07:30am – 8:50am in the Small Gym. The group is open to DESS parents with their babies and/or toddlers under the age of 4 with a maximum capacity of 35.

In the Spring and Summer Terms, new children (starting at DESS in September 2020) are also welcome. Each session costs QAR10 per child and all proceeds go directly towards buying new equipment for the group.

For further information and to book please contact:
Gen on: +974 55846132 or Paula on: +974 55594249 or Email: minisstayandplay@gmail.com

Acting Classes: This exciting drama programme is available for children aged 6 to 11. Professionally run acting classes to develop children’s self-confidence, creativity and communication skills in a fun and supportive environment. From inspiring weekly sessions to full-scale performances, if your child is passionate about theatre, this could be a great class for them.

Acting Classes are held in the DESS School Library on Wednesdays - Year 2 – 4 from 2:15pm – 3:15pm and Year 4 – 6 from 3:15pm – 4:15pm. Classes cost QAR770 for 11 one hour classes.

Musical Theatre: This exciting drama programme is available for children aged 6 to 16. Professionally run musical theatre classes to develop children’s self-confidence, creativity and communication skills in a fun and supportive environment. From inspiring weekly sessions to full-scale performances, if your child is passionate about theatre, this could be a great class for them.

Musical Theatre Classes are held in the Small Gym on Saturdays – Age 7 – 10 years from 9:00am – 11:00am and Age 11 – 16 Years from 11:00am – 1:15pm. Classes cost QAR1320 for 11 two hour classes.

For further information and to book please contact:
Elaine Potter or Jane Williams Email: mockingbirdYT@gmail.com

Drum Kit Lessons: Drum Kit lessons are available on Saturdays in the DESS Music Room.

For further information and to book please contact:
Patrick Dilley: misterpqatar@gmail.com

Guitar Lessons: Guitar Lessons are available Sunday to Thursday in the Learning Support Department.

For further information and to book please contact:
Vladislav Marinov, Tel: +974 5513 4616 Email: guitarteachervlad@gmail.com

Piano Lessons: Lessons are available Sunday to Thursday at the piano situated on the first floor of the Multi-Purpose Hall (MPH).

For further information and to book please contact:
Svetlana Bogatyreva Email:  svetlanabogatyreva@gmail.com

This year Evolution Netball will be delivering the Netball Club within DESS. The key aim of these sessions is to offer all girls within DESS an introduction into the sport with specialised coaching. Alongside The Netball Club Evolution Netball will also be delivering the squad training sessions which will aim to give the selected squads tactical knowledge to aid their technical skills. The Netball Club is for girls in year 3, 4, 5 and 6.

Netball Club is held on the Netball Courts on Sundays and Mondays

Year 3 and 4 on Sundays from 2:15pm – 3:15pm

Year 5 and 6 on Mondays from 2:15pm - 3:15pm

For further information and to book please visit www.evosportsqatar.com and sign your child up via them ‘Sign Up’ area. Please note that DESS ‘Squad Sessions’ will be for those selected into the squad – please only select the Y3&4 or Y5&6 session.

If you have any issues please email: theevofoundation@evosportsqatar.com 

Playball offers a multi-skill sports programme which follows the progression from basic fundamental sports skills to mini games of tennis, hockey, football, basketball and baseball.  The action-packed curriculum will engage your little star in fun, age-appropriate, high quality games and activities, ensuring that they have a positive experience with us and enjoy every minute of being physically active! This club is for children aged 4 -7 years old.

Playball takes place in the Small Gym on a Monday from 2:15pm – 2:55pm.

For further information and to book please contact:
Nadia Rahim Email: playballdoha@yahoo.com

Pottery Club provides a unique opportunity for DESS pupils. Sessions are engaging, inspirational and productive. The programme is designed for children in Years 1-6.The pottery team brings the wheels and other equipment to school where pupils will learn the basic techniques of throwing pots on pottery wheels and how to make hand-made pottery.The pupils also learn about different types of clay, how clay can be thrown on the wheel, how to centre clay and how to make simple mugs and pots on the wheel. Besides the modern pottery technique the students will learn ancient pottery techniques through coiling and pinching. Pupils will make items of their own items which will be fired in our studio.

Pottery Club will be available for the Spring Term only and will start in January 2020.

Classes cost QAR1100 per term.

For further information and to book please contact:
Sveta Rhodes Tel: 5514 7642 Email: info@discoverarabia.today

Details regarding football will be available  will be posted in due course.

Regatta sailing Club offers dinghy Sailing for children aged 6 years to 18. Yachting is offered for children aged 11 years and over. All RSA instructors are UK RYA Certified. The syllabus is on-going each term. Safety boats are on hand at all times and buoyancy aids are provided. If your child joins this Club, please bring shorts/t-shirts with bathers underneath, cap, towel and a change of clothes; changing facilities and a shower are available on site.

Regatta Sailing Club takes place at South Beach, Katara on Sundays from 3:30pm to 5:00pm for DESS students; alternative days are available is Sunday does not suit.
Lessons cost QAR950 for an 8 week term.

For further information and to book please contact:
Registration via this link: http://regattasailingacademy.com/index.php/book-now/
Email: simon@regattasailingacademy.com Tel: 33632515
Website: www.regattasailingacademy.com

Taekwondo is a traditional Korean martial art that teaches more than just fighting skills. It is a sport that trains up one’s mind and body towards enhancing the spirit and life in general.The fact that it is an Olympic sport that boasts of over 50 million students and masters throughout 180 countries of the world is an indication of its global popularity.  Students who practise Taekwondo are physically fitter, faster in their reflexes, stronger and more flexible.   Mentally, Taekwondo builds concentration, self-discipline, self-esteem, character, and a sense of honour along with the five tenets of martial arts – courtesy, respect, integrity, perseverance and strength of spirit.

Taekwondo is held in the Small Gym on Thursdays from 1:15pm to 2:15pm.
Classes cost QAR1500 for a 14 week term.

For further information and to book please contact:
Mrs Shin Email: sjk6010@gmail.com

Tennis Club is held on the DESS Tennis Courts on a Mondays from 2:15pm to 3:15pm.

For further information and to book please contact:
Youness Karmoussi Tel: 55276687 Email: Karmoussi.youness@yahoo.co.uk  

• USA Basketball Certified Gold Coach
• International Sports Science Association (USA) certified Level 3 Fitness Trainer
• Strength & Conditioning, SAQ, Plyometric - Dubai
• First Aid/ AED/ CPR – Hamad Hospitals, Doha