Award-winning Parent Power: How BIS Abu Dhabi is Doing Things Differently

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.

On 22nd May, BIS Abu Dhabi proudly celebrated the graduation of our incredible Class of 2025. This special event brought together students, families, and staff to celebrate a milestone that was years in the making, one filled with dedication, friendships, and unforgettable memories.

The school auditorium was filled with pride and excitement as the ceremony unfolded. Read on to relive the highlights of this special day.

At BIS Abu Dhabi, we believe that when families and schools team up, incredible things happen. We’re proud to have won the MENA School Excellence Award 2025 for Parent Partnership, but this award is about more than just recognition. It’s about the people, the conversations, and the community that make it all possible.

This week at BIS Abu Dhabi, we have had the joy of celebrating both ends of the school journey and it has been a beautiful reminder of how we support our students to dream big and grow into their future selves.

At BIS Abu Dhabi, inclusion isn’t a separate initiative, it’s the foundation of everything we do. From the moment a student joins us, they are welcomed into a caring, respectful, and inclusive environment, guided by the values of Kindness, Honesty, and Respect. Discover how this ethos shapes every classroom, corridor, and connection in our school community in this blog.

As exam season unfolds, there's a special kind of stillness that settles over the school. In the quiet hum of the examination hall, behind the rustle of papers and the soft clicking of keyboards, is a profound truth: we are witnessing a moment that our students will carry with them forever. It is the culmination of years of learning, growth, and perseverance, a chapter closing and a new one ready to be written.

"Play is the highest form of research." – Albert Einstein

Step into any vibrant Early Years classroom, and you'll likely hear the joyful hum of children deep in play - building, pretending, exploring, and negotiating their world. To the untrained eye, it may just look like fun and games. But within those moments of giggles and glue sticks lies something truly magical: deep, meaningful learning. 

In this article, discover how play supports vital early development, how BIS Abu Dhabi brings the EYFS curriculum to life through play, and why protecting this joyful, purposeful approach to learning is more important than ever.

 A few weeks ago, as part of our IB DP Language programme, Year 12 students in the French Ab Initio and French B classes united to celebrate Mardi Gras (Shrove Tuesday). Originally a catholic event welcoming the ritual fasting of Lent, Mardi Gras is celebrated in France with festive parades and sumptuous public celebrations.

At BIS Abu Dhabi, students came together to not only recognize the festivity but rejoice at the opportunity to share and learn about the international traditions fostered within our community. With the help of Monsieur Depose and Mademoiselle Merchadier, the French DP classes baked tasty treats, including crepes, waffles, brownies, and traditional beignets!

As a teacher at BIS Abu Dhabi, I have the privilege of watching students grow — not just academically, but as young people finding their path in a complex world. One thing I’ve learned time and again is this: success doesn’t come from rare moments of brilliance — it comes from the quiet power of habits.

Research tells us that up to 40% of what we do each day is driven by habit, not active decision-making. That means the routines our students form — the way they begin their morning, how they handle a setback, whether they choose to read or scroll — are shaping who they become.