Following in the footsteps of our 7 global ambassadors who took part in Nord Anglia Education’s expedition alongside students from 18 of our school worldwide last year, I headed to our Shamba Kipara expedition camp for our annual senior leadership conference.
Alongside our usual gathering of 31 Principals and senior members of our education team the days spent were an opportunity to experience the opportunities our students will have when they visit this unique setting and how we can develop the experience further through community projects.
Highlights of the trip were visiting the local school, enhanced by the hard work of our students last year when the classrooms were painted to provide a more stimulating appealing learning environment. The warm welcome bestowed on us by the staff and students was truly heart -warming. Additionally we spent time at the local orphanage, following in the footsteps of our students we spent the afternoon playing simple activities such as Uno cards and thinking how we can engage our students with this group of children further this year. One of the ongoing community projects is the building of a free library and computer area, this will certainly be a project our CAS students will be involved in during their visit.
Around 20 BISAD sixth form students will visit Tanzania in February, joining students from our school in Houston, Boston, Warsaw, and our Swiss schools amongst others. Our students will partake in service activities and have the opportunity to go on Safari and visit Zanzibar. The facility and resources at the camp is truly unique and I certainly welcome the opportunity for our students to participate in this once in a lifetime opportunity to act as global citizens.
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.
The British International School Abu Dhabi (BIS Abu Dhabi) was deeply honoured to welcome Her Highness Sheikha Shamma Bint Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan to its campus on Thursday, 17 April 2025. Her Highness, President & CEO of the UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators (UICCA) and The Climate Tribe, is a distinguished entrepreneur, thought leader, and researcher with a deep commitment to sustainability, climate change, and gender equity.
.jpg?h=3723&iar=0&w=5584&rev=8eac03bc3fbb4516b0c80a2618ee5eb8&hash=CD74C9E72284B395151C53385E14FEE4)
.jpg?h=4160&iar=0&w=6240&rev=3a6f2141dddc472fb958169bb826c0d8&hash=73AB5BCB0D6782A16236413B7A9C7618)
.png?rev=1619813b30a347d9bc71977e2cfe09d2&hash=66B98CDC659BBF07EB36660B4381E1E7)
