Latest news with #StChristopher'sSchool
Gulf Weekly
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Weekly
Silver screen sensation
Scottish-Bahraini thespian Ghazi Al Ruffai's latest thriller film 28 Years Later is entertaining audiences worldwide, shining a bright spotlight on the kingdom's cinematic talent. The 25-year-old, who attended St Christopher's School, is also set to star in the sequel 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, which will release in January next year. 28 Years Later is the third instalment in the series, following 28 Days Later (2002) and 28 Weeks Later (2007), and explores the second outbreak of the 'Rage' virus. There are plans for a fifth film 28 Years Later Part 3. A group of survivors from the first outbreak live on a small island. When a member of the group leaves the island on a mission into the mainland, he discovers a mutation that has spread to not only the infected, but other survivors as well. 'Filming 28 Years Later was simply wild! Everything was very tight-lipped during the audition process, so I never knew I'd be playing a key role,' said the former Riffa resident who currently lives in London and brings 'Jimmy Snake' alive on the big screen. During the initial outbreak of the virus, Jimmy (played by a different child actor) flees from his house after his family gets infected. While taking shelter at a local church, he finds his father, a local vicar, who gives him a necklace and urges him to escape, succumbing to the virus in the process. 'I make my first appearance at the end of the first film as part of the cliff-hanger, and the lead-up was intense. We had weeks of stunt training, which consisted of fight choreography, acrobatics and weaponry,' he added. Elaborating on his experience filming, the creative talent who lived in Bahrain for 19 years before moving to the UK said: 'The whole thing was so surreal; I still pinch myself about it. Above all, to be directed by Danny Boyle, a true legend that I have admired for so long, was a dream come true. Being able to work with legends such as Ralph Fiennes and Jack O'Connell was like witnessing a masterclass in acting daily. On top of that, my fellow Jimmies and I truly became a family. We all just clicked instantly that it felt like we had known each other for years.' Ghazi has always had the 'acting bug' in him and was an 'expressive' child growing up, forcing his siblings to join him and put on shows for their parents. However, he did not think it could happen. That changed during his years studying at St Christopher's School. 'At St Christopher's, I was able to explore drama in an academic setting. The drama department was incredibly supportive, and that encouragement helped me take acting a bit more seriously,' he said. However, a real turning point came when Ghazi joined the Makan School of Speech and Drama and met its founder and acting instructor Ruqaya Aamer, who helped him hone his craft and find his voice as an actor. 'I credit so much of my growth and success to her,' he noted. The actor, who visits regularly, was in Bahrain in January this year when he visited St Christopher's and gave a talk to Year 12 and 13 drama and acting students, sharing his journey and offering tips. After graduating school, Ghazi moved to the UK in 2018 to pursue acting professionally and trained at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and the Guildford School of Acting. Towards the end of his studies at Guildford, he landed an agent and it has been 'go go go' ever since. His past projects include Layla (2024), and the docudrama Lockerbie: A Search for Truth (2025), in which he portrayed Khaled Megrahi. In addition to his screen work, Ghazi is a prominent content creator on social media, where his comedic and character-driven videos have built a dedicated following of more than 200,000. He is passionate about using his platform to challenge stereotypes and spotlight under-represented voices in the industry.
Gulf Weekly
20-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Weekly
Showtime!
BRINGING top talent in Bahrain under one roof in a dazzling four-day event, the inaugural edition of St Chris Performing Arts Festival is set to be staged from February 23 to 26, culminating in a gala concert for winners, writes Melissa Nazareth. The event is an 'expansion' of the St Christopher's Music Festival, launched in 1998, and will now include dance and drama. More than 500 students across 18 schools, aged four to 18, will showcase their talents at the school's Saar and Isa Town campuses. 'This year's Performing Arts Festival marks a significant milestone, expanding upon the legacy of the much-loved Music Festival,' St Christopher's School performing arts director Dennis Haggerty told GulfWeekly. 'This expansion stems from the recent integration of music, drama and dance into a unified Performing Arts faculty at St Christopher's. 'This restructuring underscores the school's dedication to performing arts education and prepares students for the world-class facilities of our forthcoming new state-of-the-art secondary school,' he added. The school will continue to offer classes in classical, rock and pop music, and has introduced solo and group acting for drama, as well as solos, duos, and group classes for dance. A panel of judges flying into Bahrain from Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Dubai and Sri Lanka will give feedback and guidance to the competitors. 'We've developed new judging criteria, ensuring fair and equitable assessment across all disciplines. We've also focused heavily on promoting the festival to students and securing sufficient resources, including venues, equipment, personnel and an impressive 50 trophies up for grabs. Each competitor receives a participation certificate and all placements receive medals. We are grateful to our sponsors for their generous support,' he added. The headline sponsors of the event are Volvo, a division of Motorcity, and Ardaas Holdings. The idea behind the festival is to draw together young performing arts students of all ages and levels from Bahrain to participate in a friendly, competitive event, according to Dennis, who highlighted the impressive work that the talents have exhibited in the days leading to the event. 'We've been impressed by both the creative interpretations of classic pieces – expect fresh takes on familiar works – and the exciting original material and modern dance styles being showcased. 'Attendees can anticipate a diverse range of talent and styles, from the traditional to the contemporary, promising a vibrant and engaging festival experience,' he added.
Gulf Insider
28-01-2025
- Business
- Gulf Insider
St Christopher's School: Shaping The Next Era Of Education
The Future Learning Summit returns to explore education in an increasingly technology-driven world. The Future Learning Summit 2025 is set to return with an expanded and innovative format. Hosted by St Christopher's School, Bahrain, in collaboration with the Council of British International Schools (COBIS), the summit continues to set new standards for thought leadership in education. Since its debut in 2019, the Future Learning Summit has evolved into a dynamic two-day, face-to-face gathering, welcoming students, parents, educators, and global thought leaders. Scheduled for Saturday, 8th February, and Sunday, 9th February 2025, this year's event is centred on 'Education for a Shared Humanity'—a timely exploration of how education can bridge human connection in our increasingly technology-driven world. A Vision for Education in a Changing World In an era marked by rapid social shifts, technological advancements, and environmental challenges, the Future Learning Summit 2025 will inspire participants to critically examine how education can equip young people with the confidence, resilience, and collaboration skills they need to thrive in a complex future. Exploring the Future of Learning Through Four Arcs Participants will delve into transformative ideas across four thematic arcs: Sustainability : Envisioning sustainable pathways for a thriving planet. Technology : Innovating for authentic human connections. Wellbeing : Promoting holistic flourishing for learners and educators. Metacognition : Empowering reflective and adaptive minds for the challenges ahead The IDEAS HUB: A Showcase of Innovation A standout feature of the event, the IDEAS HUB (Innovate-Design-Engage-Act-Share), offers a vibrant space where participants can engage with cutting-edge initiatives from schools across Bahrain, redefining what's possible in education. Opportunities for Insight and Influence The Future Learning Summit 2025 provides a unique platform for attendees to gain actionable insights and fresh perspectives. For sponsors, the event presents an opportunity to connect with a highly engaged audience of global educators, families, and decision-makers. Brand visibility, access to networks, and alignment with cutting-edge educational innovations are some benefits sponsors will gain from the two-day summit. Join the Conversation The Future Learning Summit at St Christopher's School, Bahrain is an opportunity to connect, collaborate, and co-create the future of education. Participants will explore what it means to empower humanity through education in an interconnected world. To register, visit For sponsorship inquiries, email sponsorship@ A Programme Tailored for Everyone The summit has been crafted to engage a wide audience: Day 1: Open to students, families, and educators, this day offers multigenerational workshops, stimulating talks, and collaborative activities that ignite curiosity and creativity. Day 2: Designed for educators, this day focuses on in-depth discussions, professional development workshops, and innovative teaching strategies.
