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For the past decade, The British International School Abu Dhabi has actively participated in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE), promoting personal growth, resilience, and community impact among our students. This year is particularly special as we celebrate our first cohort of Gold Award achievers. With the largest number of participants ever, the DofE International Award continues to be a vital part of our mission to create world-class learning experiences, nurturing empathetic, resilient, and talented individuals.

Life is full of questions - some small and simple, others profound and life-shaping. At BIS Abu Dhabi, we believe asking the right questions is key to growth, discovery, and future success.  This term, our students have been reflecting on big questions:  - What do I want to do when I’m older?  - Where do I want to go to university?  - What GCSEs should I study to help me achieve my goals?  - Should I pursue a BTEC pathway or the IB Diploma Programme in Senior School?  These are not easy questions, but it’s not about having all the answers now - it’s about being brave enough to ask them.

As a proud member of the Nord Anglia family, The British International School (BIS) Abu Dhabi is at the forefront of cutting-edge research. As one of the select pilot schools, we are benefitting from innovative studies like the recent Forbes-featured Metacognition project, which aims to enhance student learning and critical thinking.

In my experience, Term 2 is always a productive part of the year. By this point, relationships between adults, teachers, and students are well-established, routines and expectations are firmly in place, and the children have settled into their classes.

At the British International School Abu Dhabi (BIS Abu Dhabi), the early years mark the beginning of a magical journey where children thrive in a safe, happy, and child-centered environment. Led by passionate educators, our Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) nurtures purposeful, lifelong learners through engaging, play-based learning experiences.

From December 11th to December 16th, 2024, 16 male students from Years 8 and 9 took part in a life-changing journey to Mecca and Medina during our school's first Umrah trip. The programme, organised by the Islamic Department and overseen by Dr. Abdul Rahim Al-Amad and Professor Ahmed Arafa, offered students a special chance to connect their classroom lessons with real-world experiences while deepening their spiritual understanding.

I want to wish each and every one of you a very Happy New Year! It has been truly wonderful to see everyone return after the winter break. The students have come back with smiles, delighted to reconnect with friends after their time away. We also have many new starters this term, and I am sure you will join me in extending a very warm welcome to all our new families and staff.

We are delighted to celebrate the exceptional accomplishments of our students in academics, showcasing their dedication, talent, and passion for learning.

As exams approach, students often feel the pressure of increased academic demands. Developing effective time management skills can help ease these pressures. Breaking tasks into smaller, more manageable steps can prevent feelings of being overwhelmed and allow for steady progress.

In this final newsletter of the term, I find myself reflecting on the many events, changes, improvements, challenges, and next steps. This term has been incredibly eventful. The past few weeks have been busy at our school, filled with opportunities and celebrations of our children’s growth and successes.

As we approach the end of Term 1, the upcoming winter break presents a valuable opportunity for students to strike a healthy balance between preparation and relaxation. While some time over the holidays can be devoted to revision and study, it’s equally important to step away from the day-to-day routines of school life to rest and recharge.

Often, as an educator, you experience immense joy in helping shape a child's future. This week has certainly brought many moments of joy! The overarching theme within the school has been celebrating the UAE, and I’ve had the privilege of working across both Primary and Secondary classes, offering me a unique window into various areas of school life.

We’re thrilled to announce that Nord Anglia Education is continuing its partnership with UNICEF for another three years! Since 2017, this unique collaboration has provided incredible opportunities for our students to engage in meaningful social impact initiatives that raise awareness of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), helping foster empathy, social advocacy, and global citizenship in all our classrooms.

On Wednesday, 20th November, our school community came together to celebrate and acknowledge World Children's Day, with this year’s theme on ‘The Future Changed Child’.  The day began with a powerful moment of unity, as we  gathered onto the school field to form a large "WCD" for a group photo, while our Primary School students sang *‘We Are the World’* under the direction of Miss. Keane on the piano and Mr. Quigley orchestrating away. This heartfelt performance highlighted the spirit of collaboration and hope for a brighter future for children everywhere.

In an increasingly interconnected world, Third Culture Kids (TCKs) stand out as true citizens of the globe. These remarkable individuals grow up immersed in diverse cultures, often living outside their parents’ home country, which shapes them in unique ways.   Nord Anglia Education’s latest INSIGHTS article delves into the fascinating lives of TCKs, exploring their strengths, challenges, and the crucial role schools and parents play in supporting them. Adding a personal touch to this global discussion, our very own BIS Abu Dhabi parent, Sobia, shares her experience of raising three TCKs in Abu Dhabi. Her reflections bring a heartfelt perspective to the complexities of identity, belonging, and resilience.

This week, BIS Abu Dhabi joined the global celebration of World Children’s Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness of children’s rights and empowering young people to share their voices. Marking the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the day serves as a reminder that children’s rights are universal, non-negotiable, and essential for building a better future.

At BIS Abu Dhabi, we believe that every student has boundless potential, and our role as educators is to empower them to reach it. This term, our students have set an inspiring example by pursuing remarkable opportunities beyond the classroom, demonstrating that their possibilities truly are limitless. By stepping into spaces of innovation, international collaboration, and cutting-edge research, BIS Abu Dhabi students are embracing their roles as change-makers of the future.

This month, I had the privilege of delivering assemblies alongside Sajid Latif to our Secondary students on the important topic of neurodiversity and hidden disabilities. This subject is particularly close to my heart and is a key focus within our EDIB (Equality, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging) framework.

On the way into school this morning, I had an inspiring conversation with my daughter about traditions. She shared that the Year 13 students have been eagerly discussing ways to leave their legacy in their final year, and they’ve decided on a wonderful new tradition: the Senior School Camp. This event will give them a chance to camp overnight on the school grounds, connecting as a year group with fire pits, music, food, and memories of their time at BIS Abu Dhabi. This conversation made me reflect on why traditions matter so deeply to us all.

I’ve been really looking forward to attending my first UAE Flag Day and have used it as an opportunity to learn about the flag itself.  It’s been very interesting to do so, as a ‘newbie’ and it has really helped my understanding of the pride that Emiratis have in their country and its national emblems.  I’ve discovered that the flag was designed in 1971 by Abdullah Mohammed Al Maainah, a 19-year-old at the time, as part of a nationwide design contest and it was adopted by the country on 2nd December 1971.  The choice of colours is deeply important, and their symbolic meanings make a wonderful parallel with the work of the school and the values we seek to promote across the community: