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Our marvellous school choir will be having a busy time in the coming days – there is something about the winter which, rather splendidly, reminds us all of the wonder and beauty of song.
Everyone can sing, even those of us who suspect that the rest of the world would rather we didn’t, can sing and often we do, usually in the privacy of our own home. Whether we are humming a tune quietly or belting out a rock song from the bottom of our lungs, using our voice to bring musical sounds into the world is a joyful experience on many, many levels.
Perhaps song is at its most joyful when we hear a collection of people singing together and perhaps that is why the ‘choir’ is such a popular art form. We know that humans have sung together for thousands of years, the oldest choral music that survives comes from the 2nd century BC and in all parts of the world there is evidence that the oldest civilisations used song to bring joy to their community and to tell their stories.
Today choirs exist in every town and city and group singing is increasingly used as therapy for people with mental health issues or to help disadvantaged people - one notable example being the Choir of Hard Knocks, set up in 2006 to help the homeless people of Sydney to find their voice and a sense of belonging.
Our own school choir will be sharing their talents and performing at the Intercontinental Hotel on Tuesday, 7th December and again at the Saadiyat Beach Golf Club on Wednesday, 8th December at their Tree Lighting Ceremonies.
I invite you to sing, sing, sing your heart out for the duration of the winter holiday, to sing like no one is listening...
Chris Lowe
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.
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