The most important things about schools are the people in them. That encompasses the students, the parents and of course all the members of staff. With regard to giving our students the best possible education and learning opportunities, this falls to those colleagues who play the crucial role of teacher.
There are two aspects which are essential for building and maintaining a great teaching team:
At the end of last week we held our annual Learning Symposium – these are two days in our calendar which are devoted entirely to sharing the outstanding work that goes on here and enabling all teachers to learn new strategies and skills which can help them in the future. All our teachers work collaboratively to undertake research into an academic area of their choice and then present their outcomes to colleagues.
As well as learning from colleagues, we were joined this year by two visiting experts: Andy Puttock, the Director of Education for Nord Anglia Education, and Steve Munby who was previously the CEO of the National College for School Leadership in the UK and is recognised as one of the leading figures in British education in recent years.
It was very inspiring to have Andy and Steve with us and to see the impact they have had by working directly with BISAD staff. It is also very encouraging to hear their feedback with regard to the quality of teachers at the school and also the quality of their training. BISAD has long had a reputation for excellent teachers and it is great to hear this endorsement from educational experts too.
It is widely acknowledged that teachers have the greatest impact on a student’s education, both in terms of educational progress and in terms of inspiring them towards achieving their dreams. The outcomes from these two days of our Learning Symposium will help drive the school and all teachers to take education at BIS Abu Dhabi to even greater heights.
Patrick Horne,
Principal
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.
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.
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.
.png?rev=1619813b30a347d9bc71977e2cfe09d2&hash=66B98CDC659BBF07EB36660B4381E1E7)
