FAQs

A list of frequently asked questions should help you find the answer you are looking for. If this isn’t the case do not hesitate to contact the secretariat at our Oysterbay campus by email, phone or by passing by the school during opening hours.

1. What are the languages of communication at school?
2. If I can’t speak French well enough, how can I help my child?
3. What if my child isn’t a francophone?
4. Are all the students French nationals?
5. If I move to another country, will my child be able to continue in the French Educational system?
6. What is the school schedule?
7. What happens if my child has a health issue?
8. What is the school’s yearly schedule?
9. Does the school accept new students during the school year?
10. Do you organise school trips?
11. How can I follow my child’s academic results?
12. Who are Arthur Rimbaud’s teachers?
13. If my child is having difficulties can he/she be helped?
14. Are school books provided?
15. Which foreign languages are taught at school?
16. Which methods of payment are available?

 

What are the languages of communication at school?

From the Petite Section (first year of pre-school) to CM2 (last year of elementary school), besides from foreign language classes (English and Spanish) all lessons are taught in French. The language of communication between students and teachers is French. Between students, French should be made a priority, in particular for children who do not have it as a language at home, or English.

 

If I can’t speak French well enough, how can I help my child?

By choosing the French education system you decide your child will be taught in French. The school nevertheless puts great emphasis on foreign language policy, especially English. Constant motivation, encouragement and support are absolutely essential to his/her adaptation and success. You help your child by helping him/her understand the choice you’ve made for his/her future: multilingualism.

 

What if my child isn’t a francophone?

He/She can integrate the school in Petite Section (at 2-3 years old) or Moyenne Section of pre-school without any difficulty. Support measures are available to facilitate your child’s learning of the French language (Cf. FLSco: Français langue de scolarisation – French as a schooling language). Having established his/her learning processes in French from this early age will make the pursuance of schooling at the French School all that much easier.

 

Are all the students French nationals?

The Arthur Rimbaud French School welcomes multinational students. Approximately 25% of students are French, 25% Tanzanian and 50% of other nationalities.

 

If I move to another country, will my child be able to continue in the French Educational system?

All the French schools within the AEFE world network as well as schools in France accept students from the Arthur Rimbaud French School without admission exams.

 

What is the school schedule?

You can find all the details here: School days and schedules

 

What happens if my child has a health issue?

The Arthur Rimbaud French School doesn’t have a nurse’s office. Under these circumstances, you must provide us with your child’s medical information at the time of enrolment, in particular regarding allergies or any specific health issues, as well as emergency contact details.

 

What is the school’s yearly schedule?

The school year starts at the beginning of September and ends at the end of June. It comprises 36 weeks of teaching. The school calendar is available online.

 

Does the school accept new students during the school year?

If the student comes from an accredited French school the transfer is possible directly depending on available positions. For any other case the outcome will be based on an admissions procedure (placement test). As of the Christmas holidays there are no new admissions for the elementary level, starting from CP, for students who are not arriving from a school that is accredited by the Ministry of Education.

 

Do you organise school trips?

School trips fulfill educational and cultural objectives. The teachers organise trips or excursions relating to their teaching subjects.

 

How can I follow my child’s academic results?

In the Petite Section (PS) and Moyenne Sections (MS) of pre-school, a school report is addressed to the parents once a semester. At Elementary level, the teachers report every trimester.

In Secondary school a mid-trimester report is available via the ProNote online platform and a school report card is given to parents at the end of each trimester after a school council is held. Both at the end of Middle School and High School, the students will sit an exam: the Diplôme National du Brevet for the middle-schoolers and the French Baccalauréat for high-school students.

 

Who are Arthur Rimbaud’s teachers?

The Arthur Rimbaud School recruit tenured teachers from the French Ministry of Education and qualified teachers with at least a Bachelor’s degree. All teachers regularly take further education courses as part of the AEFE’s regional orientation plan.

 

If my child is having difficulties can he/she be helped?

At Primary level teachers organise workshops within the classroom to support their students. If necessary a personalized assistance can be organised outside of school hours. At Secondary level methodological and/or personalised assistance can be offered to students, particularly in 6ème at the start of Middle School, to help them to adapt and assist with their school work.

 

Are school books and supplies provided?

Yes.

 

Which foreign languages are taught at school?

English (as second language) and Spanish (as third language).

 

Which methods of payment are available?

The families are responsible for school fees based on the Financial Regulations. The payment of school fees by families must be made on time for the school to function properly.