The first Catholic school in Ras Al Khaimah opened on Tuesday.
St Mary’s Private High School was inaugurated in Khalifa bin Zayed City, on land donated by Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah.
The English curriculum institute can take up to 1,800 pupils and will operate from Foundation Stage through to A-Level.
About 300 pupils currently attend the school, which had a soft opening in September.
Sheikh Ahmed bin Saqr Al Qasimi, chairman of Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone, attended the inauguration on Tuesday, saying the new school would contribute towards providing “an inclusive and robust education system that caters for every segment of society and instils the values of tolerance, respect and a strong work ethic in its students.”
Bishop Paul Hinder, Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia, who was involved in the initial discussions with Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, about the opening school also attended the ceremony.
“We wanted to build a school in Ras Al Khaimah to serve the growing number of families and students here due to the rapid development of the Emirate,” he said.
It is St Mary’s Group of Schools’ sixth campus in the UAE, with branches already established in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah and Fujairah.
“This St Mary’s School, like all of our schools in the UAE, will serve students of many nationalities, cultures and religions,” said Bishop Paul.
