OUR SCHOOL

Hi, we are students of Al-Haddadine High School for Girls. We’ve been in this giant school since grade 7 but we didn’t know much about it, so we decided to visit the principal Mrs Salam, the general supervisor Mrs. Nouha to inquire about our school and share this knowledge with you. They welcomed us warmly and answered our questions.

Al-Haddadine High School was founded in 1984. It is owned by ‘Manar Society’ and rented by the government. At the beginning of the war the school was destroyed so they joined to that of boys, they taught one day for boys and the next day for girls. In 1990, the government rebuilt the school and it became only for girls. In the past, the two schools had one principal, while now each school has its own principal.
Al-Haddadine High School is the only English High School for girls in Tripolie. However, there is a section for French educated students who can enter from grade 10.
Our school consists of three floors. It contains 840 students distributed in 28 classes. There are 94 full-time teachers and 41 who teach with a contract with the government. The school has two laboratories and according to the lab responsible they are well equipped with the necessary materials. There is one lab for Physics and the other one is for Chemistry and Biology.
Mrs. Salam informed us that this year the school is building an audio-visual room for students so we’re looking forward to it. Moreover, we have a big library. According to the librarian Ms. Leila the library contains 1628 books ranging from novel, drama, story, poetry, encyclopedias and religious books. The books are arranged in alphabetical order according to the Dewey system, which is a system for organizing a library. In this way students can choose and find easily any book they want to see. Moreover, they can sit in the library and read or research if they wish. There is a specific day for each class to borrow from the library. This is done in order to keep order and avoid mess in the library. When we asked Ms. Leila about her hopes for the future, she replied that she wishes to improve and enlarge the library and to have a computer, a printer, and a photocopying machine in the library so that students can do all their researches and get all the needed information from our library.
As a result of the good administration of the school and the hard work of the teachers, 100 students graduate every year. Some of them achieved high grades in the official exam.

Researched and written by: Dania Ghounaim, Suzanne Breiss, Myce Hammoud, Salam Morheb, Tammam Al-Moury, and Mountaha Marouk. Grade 10.
 

Activities

The students of Al-Haddadine High School for girls are pleased to be on line with students from other schools so that they can share information and experiences with others. We will publish students’ activities and writings so you can learn about our work, compare it with yours and comment on it.

Summer Thoughts

 Autumn

Summer fades, Autumn approaches,

Heat is replaced by cold,

Naked trees start to appear,

Under my feet crush the leaves,

Stars shimmer at night,

Fireflies light the fields,

Wind howls asking the doors to open their gates,

School bells ring, children cry

With faces full of delight.

School Is Here

Kids are happy,

School is here!

It’s time to begin a new school year,

Many things to do and learn,

Many new friends to meet.

Yes, we’re happy and proud to say

School is here! School is here.

Sleeping At Night

Under the back porch one night,

Sleeping awake with open eyes.

I heard many sounds and started to get afraid,

Thinking of my grandpa’s stories that scare:

I was going to be beaten and eaten;

All the wild things around me are ready for their prey,

I closed my eyes and went to sleep.

I was awaken by a blue jay’ song

It was a morning song.

I thought to my self why was I afraid!

For Heaven sake it’s my backyard!

But I am happy, I made it through the night.

Places Made For Me

A place where I go everyday,

A place where nobody knows,

A place secret but to me,

A place made only for me

Nature communicates with creatures around,

A quiet place to go about,

A place where only wind twirls,

A place as nice is made for me.

Judy Dabboussi

Grade 9. Sep. 2003

Vision Of The World

I have a dream

More like a fairy tale,

Hope it will come true,

And the world will be a better place one day.

I cry watching the days

Passing by so fast.

I think I’m a fool

To spend my days dreaming like that.

Where is the harm

If people love each others,

With no greed or hatred

They live together.

Sometimes, as I sit alone,

I can hardly imagine

What if wars were over

And peace fell down from Heaven.

Then people would care for others.

It feels like we’re living twice,

With happiness and purity,

And all will end up in paradise.

This is my dream as you see,

But what will happen will just be.

Wafaa Salloum

Grade 10, Oct. 2003

 Life is always unfair

It can be better if we care.

Green planted land with flowers,

Butterflies hopping from one to another.

No politicians to control the world’s power,

As brothers and sisters we will gather.

Pictures painted with gaiety,

Children jumping around a tree,

Dreaming girls filled with energy.

People laughing and dancing,

The songs of birds playing.

Near the river stands a tree

As solid as oak can be,

Like it, I wish life to be.

Oh! How a dream can lift us faraway,

Up to the sky to spend a day,

Heaven on Earth shall be our way.

 Jamila Jamal

Grade:10, Oct 2003

Celebration of Children’s Day.

March 21^st, 2003.

 Students of Grade 8 at Al-Haddadine High School for girls celebrated Children’s Day in their own way. They wrote plays, songs, and stories that were acted, sang and read in class during the English session under the supervision of their English teacher, Manal Hakam.

 Play 1

Written and acted by: Judy Dabboussi, Hiba Arnaout, Zeina Maroush, Fatina Harmoush, Israa Shams, Alaa Abdullah.

Characters:

Ashley: A student at Adam’s High School.

Victoria: Ashley’s best friend.  Jason Ashley’s brother.

Mom: Ashley’s mother.                        Teacher: Ashley’s teacher.

Beggars.

Teacher: Remember students! Don’t forget your project about Children’s Rights. I want you all to get As, no excuses. You turn them in tomorrow.

Ashley: What? I’m not going to do it. It’s such a boring assignment, borrrring, borrrring.

Victoria: Me too. I’m not going to do it, but we have to…

(They are interrupted by the teacher)

Teacher: What did you say?

Ashley: Uh! Nothing! Nothing at all.

Victoria: (to Ashley) I’m going to go shopping. Do you wanna come with me?

Ashley: Yes, of course

(Ashley and Victoria walk home; two beggars sit on the sidewalk.)

Ashley: (paying no attention, keeps on walking and talking) You know Victoria! I saw these really dazzling sandals at Mango and they’re only..(interrupted by the beggar.)

Beggar 1: Excuse me Miss, I …

Ashley: (shouting) What? Who are you calling Miss? Me? I’m not an old woman; can’t you see little brat? I’m still a teenager.

Beggar 1: (frightened) I was just wondering if … if … if you could buy some toys from me so that I can buy food, or my father will hit me.

Ashley: (disgusted) What? Toys? For your information we are not babies to play with toys.

Victoria: I’m hungry. Let’s go eat something.

Beggar 2: I’m hungry too.

(After eating, the two friends go home, ignoring the two beggars’ plea.)

(Ashley, at home)

Ashley: Hi mom.

Mom: (Happily) Hi honey. Guess what’s tomorrow. Children’s Day!!! What would you like?

Ashley: Oh! Just bring me this leather jacket I’ve just seen at …Mom! What? I’m a growing up. I’m a teenager. There must be a teenagers’ day. I don’t want any gifts. Thank you.

(Ashley goes to her room, leaving her mom astonished. Victoria called Ashley reminding her of the project. Both of them put nail polish and lipstick while talking.)

Jason: (making faces to his sister.) Hey, what are you doing little jerk.

Ashley: GET OUT!!!

(Next day at school)

Teacher: Happy Children’s Day to all of you. Now, where are your projects?

Ashley: (Whispering) We’re in big trouble.

Victoria: it’s all right, we’ll tell her something.

Teacher: Where is your project Ashley? And you Victoria?

Ashley: We were busy yesterday and forgot to do it.

Teacher: (yell) Well then, I said no excuses. Write 100 times “I won’t  forget my assignment.”

Ashley and Victoria: (in low voice) nooooo….

(The bell rings. As the two friends walk home, they see the beggars.)

Beggar1: Toys, toys. Who wants to buy toys?

Ashley: Well, well, look who is here. The little brat.

(Ashley starts attacking the beggars; suddenly, the teacher passes.)

Teacher: (Shouting) Ashley. What are you doing? I’m really surprised! You’re not the loving and caring Ashley that I know. I know that being a teenager is hard, but you should be polite and respect all people. Remember, you’re not better than anyone. Do you know how they feel? Now, go and apologize to those beggars immediately.

 (Ashley apologizes and walks home.)

Jason: MOM! MOM. I saw Ashley talking with her teacher after school. She’s in big trouble.

Ashley: Hi mom.

Mom: Hi sweetie! I’m in the kitchen.

Ashley: I’m so sorry mom. I was so rude to you yesterday. You can do whatever you like on Children’s Day. I promise, I will never ever yell or raise my voice like that again.

Mom: (Hugs her) Don’t worry sweetheart. I love you too. I have something for you. (She gives her a present.)

Ashley: Wow! The jeans skirt. Thank you very much. (she looks sad again.) I’ll be back in a minute. (She runs to her room, takes the present that she got for Victoria and thought to herself “Victoria can wait”. Then, she runs to the street. )

Ashley: Here, this is for you, open it. It’s for Children’s Day.

Beggar 1: (Opens the present, takes out a pair of sandals and a pink T-shirt.) Thank you very much.

Ashley: You can share them with your friend and here (She gives them food)

Beggar2: We can never be happier. Thank you.

Play 2

Written and acted by: Zainab Sabhah and Marwa Abd Alrahman.

Marwa: Ladies and Gentlemen! Good evening. Today we will have an interview with the principal of the biggest institution for children in Lebanon. Good evening Miss Zainab.

Zainab: Good evening.

Marwa: First, we will thank you because you agreed to come and make an interview with us on the Children’s Day. How are you? What do you do in these days.

Zainab: Fine, nowadays, I work in the institution, in addition to other work in some festivals and plays for children.

Marwa: Why did you choose this work and are you happy?

Zainab: First, I love children very much and I’ve always dreamed to teach children and work with them and to be a principal like now. I’m very happy in this work because this thing makes me happy.

Marwa: Are you married? Do you have children?

Zainab: No, I’m not married and I don’t have children, but all the children in the institution are my children.

Marwa: How do you take care of them?

Zainab: I take care of them in a good way, and I give them all what I have if they want.

Marwa: What did you prepare for them on the occasion of Children’s Day?

Zainab: I built in a big area behind the institution a city of toys and I put lots of toys in it. In addition, there is a special present for every child. I’m sure they will be very happy.

Marwa: Thank you for this interview. Do you want to say a last word.

Zainab: I want to say to all the children of the world happy day and especially the children in Iraq because they pass in a difficult condition, and I hope that peace covers the land and that poor children take their rights like other children in the world. Happy Day to all the children.

Play 3

Written by: Mariam Zouk. Acted by: Mariam Zouk, Rania Bairouty, Najwa Mujalled, Raghda Al-Hindy, Amal Dennawi, and Sara Ghoumrawi.

Characters:

Mrs. Adams: A mother who only takes care of herself.

Cynthia: 19, her rational daughter.

Jessica and Christina: 17, her twin daughters are aimless and careless.

Paul Hogan and Tom Wagner are the doctors.

Cynthia: Good morning mother. Today is Friday. Where are we going to spend the Weekend?

Mrs. Adams: I’m going out to meet Lisa. You can go out with your sisters and have some fun.

Cynthia: Please! Mom please! Stay with us, we’ll have more fun.

Mrs. Adams: No, I can’t, I’m sorry my dear.(The telephone rings.) Hello Lisa, I’m going to the club. Shall I pass by to take you along? Please, be ready in ten minutes.

O.K. girls, I’ll see you at night.

(Jessica and Christina appear at the doorstep.)

Cynthia: Where to?

Jessica: we’re going to spend the day with our friends.

Christina: And tonight we’re going to watch a romantic movie at the cinema, would you like to come with us?

Cynthia: No, I can’t come with you. I have to study.

Jessica: Don’t you feel bored of studying?

Cynthia: Please don’t interfere in my life.

(One hour later.)

Jessica: (Enters the house shouting loudly.) Cynthia, Cynthia, help, please help. I don’t know what’s wrong with Christina. Please call mom right now.

(After a while, Mrs. Adams arrives.)

Mrs. Adams: Oh! Christina! What’s wrong? What happened? Come and relax, my darling. Cynthia, please call Dr. Paul Hogan.

(20 minutes later the doctor arrives.)

Dr. Paul: Good evening ladies. Where is the patient?

Cynthia: Good evening doctor. She’s in her room.

Dr. Paul: Let’s check her blood pressure. Hum! What are those marks on your arm? (Christina gets confused as the doctor takes a closer look.) Mrs. Adams, would you please come with me into the living room. I’d like to speak to you.

Mrs. Adams: Sure doctor. What’s the problem?

Dr. Paul: I’m sorry Mrs. Adams, but your daughter is addicted to drugs, and she needs a specialist. The only thing I can do for her now is to give her an injection to calm her down.

Mrs. Adams: Oh! No! I can’t believe it. Why Cristina? Why did you do that?

Jessica: It’s your fault mother. You never gave us any concern.

Cynthia: The only thing you care for is yourself. You’ve never asked us where we go, or who are our friends. Mom! Can you remember the last time you asked us how we’re doing at school? You didn’t even bother to read our school reports. There’s something else I want you to know. Two weeks ago, I found a packet of cigarettes and a bottle of alcohol in Jessica’s bag. Are you satisfied now? You ruined our lives.

Mrs. Adams: Oh My God! I don’t know what happened to me after your father’s death. I got confused and lost. Oh My God! It’s my responsibility. I’ve ruined our life. I promise I’ll never leave you again, never.

(Christina is taken to the hospital to receive a special treatment.)

Dr. Tom Wagner: Thank God. It’s not long since your daughter has been taking drugs. She needs a couple of days to recover.

Mrs. Adams: Oh! Thank you God. It is not too late.

(Two weeks later)

Christina: Mother! Aren’t you going out with your friends?

Mrs. Adams: No my sweetie. From now on I’m not leaving you alone. I’m devoting all my life to my beloved daughters. Don’t you remember that today is Children’s Day?

All together: Yes mom, we do, but we’ve never celebrated Children’s Day!

Mrs. Adams: Don’t worry girls, let’s forget the past and begin a new life now. We shall celebrate every occasion. Cynthia, Jessica, and Christina, I have a surprise for you. Here are your presents on Children’s Day.

(They rush to their mother and give her a big hug and shout together.) WE LOVE YOU MOTHER.

Song1

Written and sang by Hiba Badawi.

From where did she come!

From outer space or behind the sun!

Is she the sun that lights my days?

Is she the moon that embraces the bays?

Why is she so special?

Her slogan is “nothing is done by force”,

So, now I know that she is the source

Of everything in my life.

Chorus:

Wherever you go, she’s just there

Holding the tons of love to share,

And all she wants is a smile and some care.

Shouting and screaming is all she gets,

And feeling of anger is all we let.

Before I was born, she carried me for about a year.

When I grew, she showed me not to fear,

She showed me how to grow,

She showed me everything I should know.

She’s the mixture of everything nice,

And she gives us without a price.

But, for us, nothing is good, always complaining,

And her feeling, giving it no meaning.

Chorus:

Wherever you go, she’s just there

Holding the tons of love to share,

And all she wants is a smile and some care;

Shouting and screaming is all she gets,

And feeling of anger is all we let.

If I go above the world, up and down mountains and hills,

In my dream, or everywhere that is real,

I won’t find another like you to comb my hair.

I know sometimes I would be mean,

But believe me I don’t mean,

And you feel that you’re stabbed with a knife

Although you are the source of my life.

Chorus:

Wherever you go, she’s just there

Holding the tons of love to share,

And all she wants is a smile and some care;

Shouting and screaming is all she gets,

And feeling of anger is all we let.

I want to scream, but you won’t hear me;

I want to cry, but you can’t dry my tears;

I want to sing, but my words won’t express;

And all I know is that you are the best,

And without you, life would never ever be fair.

I don’t know what to do!

Would this song carry my feelings toward you?

Song 2

Written and sang by Nour Afiouni.

Let children have peace.

Let them release.

Just to release from their minds

Their own thoughts without a price.

They’ll be happy and convinced

For the rest of their lives.

Let children have peace.

Let them be seen.

They do look in the sky

Looking for somehow a life,

But their hearts do not take them

To the right place made for them.

Let children have peace.

Let them read.

In learning lies the key.

Let them learn from the books. 

What they earn from the books,

Will be given to the next generation

Let children have peace.

Let them increase.

Don’t shoot them, they will increase.

Don’t kill them they won’t cease.

Plant the brains not the weapons,

In their hearts and their souls.

Let children have peace.

Don’t treat them like bees.

Don’t bite them. Your turn is coming!

The honey you’re taking is called stealing,

You will realize this when you become

One day the attacked one.

A Story:

Written and read by Judy Dabboussi.

The life of Edward

Once there lived a poor family in the lands of Africa. The mother worked in the fields all day, with her daughter Cory. Edward, her son, worked in a glass factory. As for the father, he sat all day at home drinking coffee and waiting for the money to come.

One day, when Edward was crashing glass to be manufactured into new glass, a piece of glass flew into his eye and it started to bleed. Edward couldn’t stand the pain anymore, it hurt a lot so he shouted in such a loud voice that almost made the windows of the factory shatter. The boss came and once he saw Edward, he beat him hard and fired him. Edward ran home and once his father saw him back so early he started to beat him hardly. Edward didn’t cry in front of his father because if he did, his father would beat him more, so he ran to his room and let out all his feelings in tears, but they weren’t ordinary tears, they were tears of blood that hadn’t come out in a long time. When his mother and sister returned from the fields, his mother was astonished to see her son in so much pain, that she hugged him tightly and cried deeply in her son’s hair. What could she do? Poor Edward will be like this all his life with no eye, and she can’t afford taking him to the hospital .All she could do was soak his eye with a dry cloth.

Edward lived by each day having difficulties in seeing with one eye .He often went with his mother and sister to the fields to help them plant and harvest crops, while his father sat home smoking and drinking coffee. Edward had a hard time finding a new job. His old master won’t have him back, so he continued on helping his mother. Edward’s father wasn’t pleased with Edward’s job, helping in the fields, he wanted him to do a strong man’s work .So one day, when Edward returned from the fields with his family, his father, looking curious and something in his mind, was waiting for them. Suddenly, he took Edward from his clothes and told him that he would be spending the night on the streets till he can find a job and threw him out the door into the street. Suddenly, a bright light approaching so fast and whoooooossh!!….

Edward was hit by a huge truck loaded with bananas. Edward’s mother who screamed so loudly, watched her son lying there, she ran to open the door; when slap!!The father slapped his wife with his hand and she fell down unconscious. The ambulance soon came and took Edward to the hospital; they found out that Edward would live, if the surgery succeeds. Edward was badly hit in his leg and arm .The surgery would cost a lot of money so without telling her husband, Edward’s mom sold everything she owned to save her son’s life. Everything she owned wasn’t enough. There was about twenty thousand dollars for the surgery left .The father soon knew about the plan, so he divorced her and went to live somewhere. Edward’s mother was hopeless. She lived with her daughter near a dumpster where they can find food and shelter. Edward’s mom prayed to God to help her son, and that was all she could do. Her prayers were soon answered. The next day, a couple of wealthy Russian family, who came to adopt a child, heard her prayers. She told them her story. The Russians helped Edward all they can. They took him to a hospital in Russia then to France, Germany, England and Russia again. Edward happily lived. His mother was extremely overjoyed to see her son once on the brink of death; the next second smiling with one open eye. It was a wonderful miracle. Now Edward can see only with one eye though he had many surgeries; he walks a little crooked from the accident and his other eye is recovering. Edward is an extremely lucky boy. He lived with his family happily ever after.