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Maxine
Al-Rerai
 Everyday hundreds of young children come to school
and attend classes in the elementary building. The
building is named after Maxine Al-Refai.
Those who pass by and notice the plaque realize that
this building was truly named after an individual
who made all the difference. An individual who was
there every step of the way as ASK grew and became a
highly acclaimed school. Without Mrs. Al-Refai and
her hard work there is no question that ASK would
not be where it is today.
It was the year of 1964-1965 that Mrs. Al-Refai
joined ASK. In 1969 when the school expanded to the
Surra Campus, she became the principal of the
elementary school. She continued her position until
her retirement in 1994 - 1995. As a principal her goal
was to, "help the school grow and reach higher
standards. I wanted to get ASK in a well established
campus. It is an amazing and hard goal to get ASK to
a level in which it is considered the best school in
Kuwait. I am proud that with hard work we were able
to get an excellent curriculum in a respected
school." It is clearly seen that with her hard work
and commitment ASK was able to reach that goal and
uphold its standards throughout the years. The
elementary school presently is a second home to
hundreds of children in which excellent education
and learning is implemented.
It is understood that ASK has excelled in a wide
number of things. Yet, the most important to Mrs.
Al-Refai was "a good quality education." ASK still
provides this "quality" education. She states,
"ASK's reputation has been built on an excellent
curriculum, good discipline, and warm and friendly
students, parent and staff relationship working
together to develop the potential of each student."
It was this school that was picked to provide the
education of both her grandson and granddaughter.
She mentioned, "ASK was my second home, I wanted it
to be a second home to both of my grandchildren. As
I can see, ASK has kept up with it's
changes. There
are constant changes with the education and
applications. Yet, ASK has kept its standard as a
top priority. There is so much creativity offered in
ASK now. I am pleased with the teachers and I
believe that the students are getting the "quality"
education that they deserve. With the help of
advanced technology offered in ASK this form of
education is being implemented faster and
successfully. I am proud to see learning is
expanding into activities". ASK will never be the
same without Mrs. Al-Refai. Although she is not
working for ASK she still has a special relationship
with this school that she helped build. She states
"throughout the years of my association with ASK I
came to regard it as my extended family and was
proud to contribute toward its growth. I continue to
keep in contact with many former ASK staff, students
and parents who are now scattered around the world".
Mrs. Al-Refai's hard work and dedication will always
be remembered.
It is clearly seen that without Mrs. Al-Refai, ASK
would not be where it is today. Without her, the
elementary school would not have been so firmly
established and top quality education would not be
implemented.
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