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
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.
I was really touched by Áine’s newsletter piece last week, posing the question: ‘What would I tell my younger self?’
I spent some time afterwards thinking about my own parenting journey, and what it’s all been about, now that my two are adults and have ‘flown the nest’. Parenting isn’t easy for any of us, and that’s true even if you’re an experienced school leader – at home, I’m just Dad.
You might have seen the trend going around - “If I could tell my younger self one thing…” - a moment to reflect, to offer advice we wish we’d heard earlier, or to remind ourselves of what truly matters.
As students prepare to cross some of the biggest milestones in school life, it feels like the perfect time to pause and join in that conversation. But it’s not just our students who are preparing — so are we, as parents. These milestones don’t just belong to them. We’re living every part of it too: the anticipation, the pride, the nerves, and the quiet hopes. Sometimes, it’s the hardest thing in the world — to watch them take these big steps, to stay strong when they wobble, to let go just a little more. It’s a milestone for us as much as it is for them — and we’re walking it together.
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