“The youth should play a key part in this mega event. They will get opportunities to observe, learn and contribute creative ideas so they can develop innovative solutions for creating a better future for our region and the world.”
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
We are constantly amazed by the ever-changing landscape of the UAE and having lived here for 13 years, I thought that the day when building projects shocked me were long gone. Yesterday however, I was invited to represent our school at an EXPO 2020 meeting for school leaders. There I gained a privileged view of the EXPO 2020 site, and enjoyed presentations showcasing what the event will offer our students from FS Nursery through to IB. The ambitious scale and development of this project is highly impressive.
The school section of EXPO 2020 will focus on four unique journeys designed to inspire the UAE school community. They are:
The artistic design and computer-generated videos of these areas are certainly inspiring and something I would encourage you to experience when it officially opens. Some firsts from previous EXPO’s include:
One thing for certain about Expo 2020 is that there will be more firsts, the questions is, what will they be?
Mike Wolfe, Head of Primary
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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