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As my team-mates and I trudged off the rugby pitch after yet another Cup Final defeat all those years ago when my junior team famously lost three county cup finals in a row, our coach would always utter the same words: "Character building lads, character building…"
I began to wonder if these consecutive defeats might bring about some kind of ‘character overload’ in me and I wondered how much character I would really need in the future. The coach was right though. Winning is a lovely feeling but defeat forces a period of reflection on what you, individually or collectively, did wrong, which small margins did you fail to account for, what might you do differently the next time around?
Self-reflection is a crucial element of growth in character. Thinking about what we have done, why we did it well, or badly, how we might change our approach next time around, is an essential life skill, one that our students here learn from a very early age as they begin to engage with the BISAD Diploma. The Diploma is a way in which students can celebrate the things that they achieve, inside and outside the classroom, but crucially it also encourages self-reflection. In writing a few notes about the achievement, students are encouraged to think about how the experience has changed them, what have they learnt from the process, how has the achievement helped to build their character…?
As student reach the senior school years begin their International Baccalaureate studies, the Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS) element of the course requires students to develop those skills of self-reflection even further and helps enormously to prepare students for the rigours of university entrance when they will be forced to ask themselves the question, ‘who exactly am I?’. All our students are encouraged to reflect on that question throughout their time in our school because the world demands character and so a character must be pieced together, shaped, considered. It is our role to give the students the tools to build that character as they progress towards the senior school and the wider world. Every experience, defeat, victory, success, and failure should be character building.
Chris Lowe
As we draw this academic year to a close, I want to take a moment to reflect on what has been a truly remarkable journey for The British International School Abu Dhabi. This year has been defined by so much more than achievement, it has been a year of resilience, creativity, compassion, and bold ambition.
Read on to discover the unforgettable highlights, proud achievements, and inspiring moments that made this year at BIS Abu Dhabi truly remarkable.
The penultimate week of term always brings a mix of energy and reflection. Lessons are still purposeful, but there is also a sense of looking back, recognising just how far our students have come.
This year, we have seen strong academic success across the school. Students have worked hard, and the outcomes reflect that effort. But just as important have been the achievements beyond the classroom in music, sport, language, technology, and the arts. Our curriculum is broad for a reason, and it has been clear this year that our students are thriving in many ways.
Celebrating Our Shared Success: A Year of Partnership and Recognition
As we approach the end of a vibrant academic year filled with events, achievements, and memorable moments, I am delighted to share some fantastic news with you all. Our school has been honoured with not one, but two prestigious awards in recognition of our commitment to parent engagement: the MENA Parent Partnership Award and the ADEK Best Parent Engagement Award.
Read on to discover how these awards celebrate our collaborative culture, highlight parent-school partnerships, and support meaningful improvements for our students.
It’s something I’ve believed for a long time — that learning isn’t predetermined by our genes. It’s about growing, persevering, and learning through the process. I was really mindful of this idea at this week’s wonderful Primary Summer Concert, after which I found myself reflecting on whether these amazing children have an innate talent, or whether they have achieved so much because of hard work and practice.
I believe it’s the latter. These children, their parents, and their teachers all seem to share the belief that by trying and working hard, they will get better at what they do. This is what we call a growth mindset.
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