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Dear Parents, We were thrilled to share our recent further exploration into metacognition this past week, a crucial skill in today's ever-evolving educational landscape. Metacognition involves being aware of one's thought processes, understanding how to approach tasks effectively, and being able to monitor and adjust strategies as needed - essential elements for successful learning.

Sometimes we get things wrong. Whether it is a spelling error or the wrong answer to a maths sum, misunderstanding the meaning of a word, or thinking that photosynthesis has something to do with cameras… sometimes we get things wrong. In life, that can be a real problem. A friend of mine once put diesel into a petrol engine. He got that wrong, and it caused him an awful lot of problems. In school, we want the consequences of being wrong to cause fewer difficulties for our students, but that doesn’t mean we don’t want them to get things wrong occasionally.

As many of our current parents will have noticed, something exciting is happening behind the beige screens at Gate 5. Stay tuned: Construction on a new exciting outside area is underway and it will be open for all to enjoy soon!

The meteorological events of this week have certainly tried to test us all. As I walked my dog at 5am on Wednesday morning and waded through water that covered my ankles in parts, a sense of awe confronted me. There were many people up and about, much more than usual and not just the early morning joggers and dog walkers. People had come out to help clear up, to lend a hand to help sort out the area they lived in. They weren’t just taking care of their own area and belongings, but helping to sort communal areas and each other’s spaces.  Neighbours and maintenance people all working hand in hand to get things back in order.

Yesterday saw the UAE recognise and celebrate mums. In fact, in the Arab world, there are over 10 countries that all celebrate the importance of mums on this day. The history of it in the Arab world originates from Egypt. It was introduced in Egypt by a journalist called Mustafa Amin and was first celebrated in 1956. The practice has since been adopted by many Arab countries.

Recently, I've had the incredible privilege of connecting with professionals and leaders across the Middle East, India, and Asia. These conversations have surpassed the typical networking experience, becoming windows into diverse perspectives, rich experiences, and unique expertise. It has become clear that collaboration is not just a buzzword but a powerful force that moves us beyond individual capacities and geographical boundaries.

For a moment I stood a little aside from the Community Iftar this week.  Alone, an onlooker, I watched a scene unfold.  Children ran and played.  Older children organised fun and games.  Adults talked and laughed, the sun turned the sky a rosy shade of pink and the smell of the imminent iftar filled the air.  A voice cried out in song.  New faces, familiar faces, old faces, smiling faces.  Standing alone, I couldn’t help but smile – and I couldn’t stop my heart from bursting with pride – at the sight of this community being together.

From a very early age, parents like to project a future onto the youngsters in their care.  How many parents, seeing their toddlers singing and dancing in their innocence, have watched with smiling eyes and remarked ‘they are destined for the stage!’?  How many children playing with a toy stethoscope have been told that they will make a splendid doctor one day?  How many 8-year-old Lego fanatics have been told that Lego is a fine introduction to a career in engineering?  It’s a comforting thought to imagine that the seeds of a successful future lie in the joys of the present moment.  If only a child’s journey into adulthood was so simple!

Student health and wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do at BIS Abu Dhabi. Putting mental health and wellbeing first ensures our young people are happy, healthy, and love coming to school every day. This, in turn, enables them to thrive academically and build strong social relationships. Our teachers, pastoral staff, and two specialist counsellors drive our holistic approach, implementing whole-school support programmes, coming up with innovative ideas, and making sure your child receives the right care and attention. In this article, we discuss some of our emotional support strategies – from encouraging student voices to the safe use of technology.

As a Nord Anglia Education school, our teachers never stop learning. We handpick outstanding educators to join our exciting professional community, where they collaborate, brainstorm, share best practice and innovate with colleagues from more than 85 schools around the world. In March, more than 200 international educators descended on Hanoi, Vietnam to innovate, problem solve and brainstorm at one of the world’s largest academic conferences.

Navigating the dual roles of parent and school leader within the same setting can indeed be both enriching and challenging! I wouldn't trade this unique position, as it offers unparalleled insight into the social, emotional, and academic journey of both students and parents at BIS Abu Dhabi.

At this time of year around the world, many international schools are busy planning for the year ahead. One of the key aspects of that is recruitment. Schools are looking to add to their teams, trying to find the right people and make their school stronger. I particularly enjoy this time of year. I love getting to know people, unpicking what they have to offer. Looking to see if they could be a good fit for our team. Do they have the right qualities, the right attributes to be able to teach our children to give them more of an advantage?

My role in school has taken me on many journeys, more recently embarking on a collective mission to create a safe and enriching online environment for our young learners. On January 3rd, we had the privilege of hosting an E-Safety Workshop, where we delved into the online world and practical measures aimed at ensuring our children's safety in the digital realm. Today, I'm excited to share with you some valuable insights from the workshop and offer practical tips to keep our loved ones secure while exploring the wonders of the internet.

One People One Planet 2 was a wonderful community event, conceived, planned and led by students.  So what is OPOP?  One People One Planet is an idea.  What if we really listened to what our students talk and care about?  What if we hosted a community event that showcased the work that our students do in school to promote sustainability?  What if we invited our community into school to see a glimpse of how the world might be a little better?  What if we encouraged our community to do one thing – or more – a little differently so that we used less, recycled more, reduced our impact?  What if we paid a little more attention to our wellbeing through activity, rather than through consumption?

Research on the well-being benefits of gratitude has found that practicing gratitude can help reduce stress, depression, hopelessness, and insomnia. In a world filled with constant stimuli, rapid changes, comparisons to peers and the weight of expectation given the academic and social demands placed on children, the importance of teaching our children gratitude has never been more necessary. Gratitude is more than just a polite gesture or saying “thank you”, it is a mindset and approach to life that looks for appreciation in the small things. Such an approach can support in creating compassionate and emotionally intelligent individuals.

At BIS Abu Dhabi, values like empathy, resilience, and nurturing talent drives our mission to create a world-class learning environment. This week, my message underscores the importance of these values, offering a glimpse into our students' journey.

Come and relive the vibrant energy of our One People One Planet Celebration! On Tuesday, 30th January, our school was transformed into a hub of unity, wellness, and sustainability. Our students poured their dedication and creativity into organising this event, and their hard work was evident in the beaming smiles that filled the air. From thought-provoking TED Talks on sustainability to enlightening presentations by guest speakers, the morning was brimming with inspiration and learning opportunities. In the afternoon, under the warm sun, families indulged in a plethora of festival-style activities and sports. From the rhythmic melodies of BIYAND's performance to the laughter echoing through the Eco Enterprise area games and the excitement of the FI recycled cars competition, there was something for everyone.

There are many times in our lives when we have to make decisions. As simple human beings, when faced with numerous choices, it can often feel overwhelming. The plain truth is that we seek out opportunities that give us choices. There is joy in making choices, such as going to restaurants, perusing menus, and taking time to decide on a nice evening meal with family. However, when confronted with these choices, we often find ourselves in a dilemma. Will I make the right choice? Will I have food envy when it arrives at our table? When decisions hold more weight, there is also stress and anxiety that come with making choices.

On the 16th January 1897, John Dewey published an article called ‘My Pedagogic Creed’ which marked the beginning of a long and incredibly important body of work for a man whose ideas about education and its purpose remain as relevant today as they were 127 years ago.  John Dewey worked as a classroom teacher for a few years before entering academia to embark on a career of studying education, considering its purpose and making recommendations to various government bodies on how to organise education for young people.

BIS Abu Dhabi Launches A Guide to Effective Revision At The British International School Abu Dhabi (BIS Abu Dhabi), our passion for learning goes beyond the classroom walls, it’s the driving force behind everything we do. I became a teacher, because I loved learning in my own school days, and I continue to aspire to be a lifelong learner. My goal is to instil this passion in my students, empowering them to become independent and self-driven learners.