Awali School

Awali School
Location
Awali Bahrain
Coordinates	26°5′30″N 50°32′49″E
Information
Type	Private
Established	September 8, 1936
Closed	July 7, 1998
Gender	Co-educational
Language	English

Awali School was a primary school in Awali, Bahrain. The school was started by employees of the Bahrain Petroleum Company (BAPCO) for their children living in Awali. Eventually, an arrangement was made to allow a certain number of children of non-Bapco employees to attend the school for an academic fee.

The school offered British primary curriculum education from reception to Sixth form. The history and geography of Bahrain were also included in the curriculum, with the addition of Arabic language for Arab students and Islamic Studies for students practicing the faith.

History

Awali School was established on September 8, 1936. By the end of 1937, two class rooms were built - then becoming the third private school in Bahrain (The American Mission School - now called the Al Raja School - was the first one, opened in 1913 and the Al Ittihad Al Ahli School became the second in 1923).

In 1938, Phyliss Knowles became the first teacher-in-charge of Awali School.

In World War II, the oil refineries in Bahrain were bombed causing the closure of the school and expatriate families were evacuated.

The school slowly re-opened in 1946 and expanded, as families returned to Awali.

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip visited Awali School in 1979 during their tour of Bahrain.

Principals

Date		Principal
1946	1952	V.W. Herzig
1952	1954	Mr. King
1954	1956	M. Job
1956	1957	Maurice Bowler (acting)
1957	1972	William F. Thompson
1972	1975	John Clingley
1975	1984	Donald Lawson
1984	1994	Mary Potts
1994	1998	Maggie Curley

Closure

Awali School permanently closed on July 7, 1998. The school became the Awali Infant School administered by St. Christopher's School. In December 2007, Bapco took over the premises and converted it as a training facility.