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Thank you all so much for welcoming me into the BIS Abu Dhabi family. I have been utterly amazed and humbled by the number of you who have shown kindness and support towards me as someone who has so recently arrived at the school and in the UAE. Thank you!

BIS Abu Dhabi is a wonderful school – when I visited in February, I was so impressed with the students, staff, facilities, and Mr. Cocker’s vision that I could not resist applying for the position of Head of Primary. Now that I am here, I can only say that the school is even better than I had realised, and I can see where the students get their lovely characteristics from.

The end of the year is a time for reflection and celebration, as well as an opportunity to look ahead.

During the last weeks, we have celebrated students at the Sports Awards Assemblies, welcomed fathers sharing time with students in the Early Years team, enjoyed end-of-term showcases across many year groups, attended IB presentations, participated in a Science Fair hosted by the Science CCA, and watched the Dance Production, BISAD’s Got Talent Show, and the Music Open Mic event, to name but a few. 

Earlier in June, a group of our IB students jetted off to Iceland for an unforgettable adventure. Damian Toader from 12A shares his experience of this incredible trip, capturing the essence of Iceland's breathtaking landscapes and unique natural phenomena through his lens as the group's photographer.

Dear Parents,

As we approach the end of this term and the academic year, we take great pride in celebrating the multitude of successes our children have achieved. This period has been filled with events showcasing the diverse talents and interests of our students here at BIS Abu Dhabi. From the creativity of our dance performances, our success at sports competitions to the incredible ongoing school trips, from the talent displayed at the BISAD’s Got Talent audition and our Open Mic sessions to the World Scholars Cup and the Quran reading, our calendar has been brimming with opportunities for our students to shine.

Dear Parents,

We were thrilled to share our recent further exploration into metacognition this past week, a crucial skill in today's ever-evolving educational landscape. Metacognition involves being aware of one's thought processes, understanding how to approach tasks effectively, and being able to monitor and adjust strategies as needed - essential elements for successful learning.

Sometimes we get things wrong. Whether it is a spelling error or the wrong answer to a maths sum, misunderstanding the meaning of a word, or thinking that photosynthesis has something to do with cameras… sometimes we get things wrong. In life, that can be a real problem. A friend of mine once put diesel into a petrol engine. He got that wrong, and it caused him an awful lot of problems. In school, we want the consequences of being wrong to cause fewer difficulties for our students, but that doesn’t mean we don’t want them to get things wrong occasionally.

The meteorological events of this week have certainly tried to test us all. As I walked my dog at 5am on Wednesday morning and waded through water that covered my ankles in parts, a sense of awe confronted me. There were many people up and about, much more than usual and not just the early morning joggers and dog walkers. People had come out to help clear up, to lend a hand to help sort out the area they lived in. They weren’t just taking care of their own area and belongings, but helping to sort communal areas and each other’s spaces.  Neighbours and maintenance people all working hand in hand to get things back in order.

Yesterday saw the UAE recognise and celebrate mums. In fact, in the Arab world, there are over 10 countries that all celebrate the importance of mums on this day.

The history of it in the Arab world originates from Egypt. It was introduced in Egypt by a journalist called Mustafa Amin and was first celebrated in 1956. The practice has since been adopted by many Arab countries.

Recently, I've had the incredible privilege of connecting with professionals and leaders across the Middle East, India, and Asia. These conversations have surpassed the typical networking experience, becoming windows into diverse perspectives, rich experiences, and unique expertise.

It has become clear that collaboration is not just a buzzword but a powerful force that moves us beyond individual capacities and geographical boundaries.

For a moment I stood a little aside from the Community Iftar this week.  Alone, an onlooker, I watched a scene unfold.  Children ran and played.  Older children organised fun and games.  Adults talked and laughed, the sun turned the sky a rosy shade of pink and the smell of the imminent iftar filled the air.  A voice cried out in song.  New faces, familiar faces, old faces, smiling faces.  Standing alone, I couldn’t help but smile – and I couldn’t stop my heart from bursting with pride – at the sight of this community being together.

Navigating the dual roles of parent and school leader within the same setting can indeed be both enriching and challenging! I wouldn't trade this unique position, as it offers unparalleled insight into the social, emotional, and academic journey of both students and parents at BIS Abu Dhabi.