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The Holy month of Ramadan is indeed a special time for the UAE and Muslim communities across the world. For all of our families celebrating, we wish you a blessed month at this time of reflection and spending special moments with families and friends.
For those who are not Muslim, it is a privilege for many of us to live in an Islamic country and also experience the culture and religion with our families. Having lived in the UAE for 15 years, this is a time I look forward to also, but for many who have recently joined the school, it may be helpful to share some information in order that everyone observes the true spirt of Ramadan.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. The Islamic year has twelve lunar months totalling 355 days, with each month starting on a new moon. Once the new moon is sighted, Ramadan is called as it was at the beginning of April. As a general rule, Ramadan begins ten days earlier each year compared to the Gregorian calendar used in the West. The Islamic New Year also advances by 10 days per year.
During Ramadan, Muslim friends will fast each day from dawn until sunset. This means that people will not eat or drink during daylight hours. Faithful believers rise early in the morning and take a meal called Suhoor before dawn and the first prayer call. The next meal is called Iftar and is taken after the sunset meal. Families and friends often get together to share food in each others company during the evenings with a reflection upon prayer and charity. For those families who are not Muslim, we should respect the Islamic culture and refrain from eating or drinking in public places during the day. Also during Ramadan, we should refrain from playing loud music and dress conservatively at all times. Ramadan is also a month of peace and serenity, so showing patience and tolerance is very important. Many of these points obviously apply throughout the year but especially during the Holy month.
For those families who have recently joined us, I hope that you enjoy your first experience of this special time in the UAE. For our families who are observing Ramadan, we wish you Ramadan Kareem!
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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