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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:

Over the past few weeks, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing the true spirit of community in action here at BIS Abu Dhabi. Despite the challenges we all face, including personal hardships that may touch many of us, it is heartening to see how our shared care for one another and our collective hope for a brighter future bring us together.

My journey finished this time last year upon the submission of my 12,000-word dissertation, however it started several years earlier with my first application into the master's in international education at King's College London programme. In 2019, my application was approved by Nord Anglia, but I was unsuccessful in the second round at the King's College London stage.  Determined not to let this setback stop me, I researched the course and the college further and applied again in 2020. This time, I was successful in both rounds and was delighted to receive a letter confirming I would start the master's programme in September 2021.

We’re incredibly fortunate to collaborate with one of the world’s top universities for Science, Technology, and Engineering—MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA)- through Nord Anglia. Our students have access to a variety of activities, challenges, and webinars, all available on the Global Campus website under the ‘Activities -> STEAM’ tab. If you’re not a student, you can still explore some of these challenges and webinars on the MIT Curiosity Correspondents YouTube Channel: MIT Curiosity Correspondents - YouTube. Each month, Ms. Roughley, Head of Science at BIS Abu Dhabi and MIT Middle East Lead for Nord Anglia, will provide parents with updates on upcoming MIT events, helping you encourage your child to take part in these incredible opportunities listed below!

As we approach our first half-term break, I’m excited to spend quality time with family and friends from around the globe. My sister, a teacher in Finland, often shares insights about their education system, which is deeply influenced by Pasi Sahlberg’s philosophy, emphasising ‘equity, well-being, and joy in learning.’ This approach enhances student engagement and holistic development, encouraging students to take greater ownership of their learning, creating a more engaging and personalised educational experience.

As we approach half term, I want to reflect on our journey together in embracing diversity, inclusion, and belonging here at BIS Abu Dhabi. These principles are at the heart of our community and it is truly inspiring to see how our Equality, Diversity, inclusion and Beloning (EDIB) lens shapes our experiences every day. As the regional EDIB Lead for Nord Anglia in the Middle East, I feel fortunate to connect with exceptional practices across our nine schools. In this role, I actively promote EDIB initiatives, sharing best practices and supporting school champions in creating inclusive environments that empower all students and staff.

Turkan, Tia, and Renad – our student Social Impact team – returned from Houston in June. The final part of their Houston experience was to provide feedback to the school’s senior leaders about what they had learnt during the UNICEF training and to propose their ideas for change.

This week, our senior school students had the opportunity to think about life after BIS Abu Dhabi. On Wednesday, we welcomed the IDP University Fair, featuring over 50 leading universities from the UK, US, Canada, Australia, and Ireland in the Falcon Academy Sports Hall. It was a wonderful opportunity for our Year 11, 12, and 13 students to talk, discuss, and get excited about what lies ahead.

As we finish our fourth week of school, it’s amazing how quickly time has flown by! We are settling into new timetables, and our new staff members are finding their feet—just like many of our new students and families. The start of a new academic year is always a time of adjustment for students, teachers, and parents. However, the community spirit and teamwork demonstrated by everyone have ensured that this transition has been smooth and positive.

EDIB stands for Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging. At The British International School Abu Dhabi, we are committed to giving our students an experience that is inclusive and representative of all nationalities, genders, abilities and religions. In essence EDIB is an extension of our school’s core values: Kindness, Honesty and Respect.  

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.

Jasmine has been a valued member of the BIS Abu Dhabi community since she joined the school in August 2015 in Year 5. After nine remarkable years, she has graduated with an outstanding 41 points out of a possible 45 in the IB Diploma Programme. This exceptional achievement places Jasmine among the top-performing students at the school this year, and her dedication and hard work truly paid off.

As we step into the new year, I am filled with excitement and optimism for what lies ahead. This term has begun with such promise, reflecting our unwavering commitment to ensuring that every student flourishes through our dedication, care, and passion for excellence. I want to extend my deepest gratitude to the team members who have worked tirelessly over the summer. Their efforts have been crucial in ensuring we continue adding value to our community. 

One in every three grades (33%) was awarded at the world-class level of 9-8, showcasing our students' ability to excel.  One in every two students’ grades (50%) awarded was at grade 9-7, highlighting the exceptional performance of our students.

Joana joined the BIS Abu Dhabi community on 29th August 2022 in Year 12. After just two years at the school, she has graduated with an exceptional score of 42 points in the IB Diploma Programme. This impressive achievement is a testament to her dedication, resilience, and hard work throughout her time at BIS Abu Dhabi.

Gemma joined the BIS Abu Dhabi family on 28th August 2019, beginning her journey in Year 9. After five transformative years at the school, she has graduated with an exceptional score of 40 points in the IB Diploma Programme. This remarkable achievement reflects her dedication, resilience, and hard work.

Katalin joined the BIS Abu Dhabi family in 2021, starting her journey in Year 10. After three memorable years at the school, she has graduated with an impressive score of 39 out of a possible 45 points in the IB Diploma Programme. This outstanding achievement is a testament to her dedication and hard work.

Owen joined the BIS Abu Dhabi family in 2017, starting his journey in Year 7. After seven memorable years at the school, he has graduated with an impressive score of 43 out of a possible 45 points in the IB Diploma Programme. This outstanding achievement is a testament to his dedication and hard work.

Angelina joined the BIS Abu Dhabi family in 2018, starting her journey in Year 8. After four memorable years at the school, she has graduated with an impressive score of 39 out of a possible 45 points in the IB Diploma Programme. This outstanding achievement is a testament to her dedication and hard work.

Younes joined the BIS Abu Dhabi family in 2013, starting his journey in Year 3. After 11 years at the school, he has graduated with an exceptional score of 44 points out of a possible 45 in the IB Diploma Programme. This outstanding achievement is a testament to his dedication and hard work.