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Dear DCIS Primary Families,
As we reach the end of our first term of the 2025–2026 academic year, it is remarkable to reflect on just how much has been achieved since we welcomed students back on Monday, 11th August. In the space of sixteen school weeks, we have seen an exceptional breadth of learning, experiences, celebrations, and opportunities that reflect the very best of Dover Court.
From the outset, our students immersed themselves in our Learning to Learn units, establishing positive learning habits, exploring identity and belonging, and co-creating the classroom environments. These early weeks set the tone for the term and helped shape a strong sense of community in each class and year group. Across the term, children have engaged in rich units of learning underpinned by the development of key skills and knowledge, whilst making connections to real-world examples and broad conceptual understandings.
In addition to the learning at school, our children have also benefited from learning experiences beyond the classroom. This term alone, classes have explored the Science Centre, Singapore City Gallery, the Botanic Gardens, Centre Stage, and the Singapore Art Gallery. Our Year 4 students were our first year group to go on camp, and our Planet Protectors have been busy attending the Jane Goodall Institute and contributing to the UNESCO anniversary celebrations at the Botanic Gardens. We welcomed guest speakers such as OrcaNation, as well as hosting author visits.
We have celebrated together during Singapore’s 60th Birthday, Deepavali, the Mid-Autumn Festival, World Children’s Day, and Christmas, as well as neurodiversity and kindness weeks. We have had House Days and Sports Days, and our DCIS Wolves teams have done us proud, including a very successful showing at the NAE Games in Cambodia.
On stage, we have had musical showcases and class assemblies, and we have ended the year with truly joyful Year 2, Year 1, and EYFS shows!
This term also marked our Council of International Schools (CIS) reaccreditation visit, a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to continuous improvement. The visiting team shared thoughtful and affirming reflections about our culture, safeguarding practices, inclusion, and the quality of teaching and learning.
At the heart of our work sits the partnership between home and school. I’d like to make a special shout-out to all the parents who have supported our DCA, ensuring our community has been able to benefit from school fairs and picnics, coffee mornings, welcome-back drinks, and of course the wonderful decorations that accompany our celebrations. I would also like to thank all parents who attended our Parent Welcome Evening, took part in the Get to Know Your Child conferences, engaged with Parent-Teacher Conferences, contributed to focus groups, or completed our parent surveys. Your feedback and insight are welcomed, and further opportunities for us to connect and work in partnership are planned for Term 2.
As we prepare for a well-deserved break, I want to acknowledge the enormous effort, creativity, and commitment shown by our teachers, teaching assistants, administrative staff, and specialist teams. Their passion and care shine through every event, performance, lesson, and interaction.
Finally, I want to recognise our students – for their enthusiasm, kindness, resilience, and willingness to embrace new challenges. They are at the centre of everything we do, and they continue to make us proud.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership. I wish you and your families a restful, joyful, and safe festive break, and I look forward to welcoming everyone back in January for what promises to be another exciting and inspiring term.
Warm regards,
David Buckley
Head of Primary