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On behalf of everyone connected with the school, may I first welcome all the new families who have joined us at BIS Abu Dhabi this term. Starting remotely won’t be ideal but we all look forward to welcoming you in person in a couple of weeks’ time. The school staff and the parent groups will be only too happy to help you and your children however we can in order that you can make the most of our school.
I hope that everyone has had a good start in these first couple of days. It would have been wonderful to see you all in school but we trust and follow the guidance of the authorities. Sunday, January 17th will be a very special day when we can welcome everyone back in school again and it is one we are all looking forward to.
Over the holiday our senior students have received some exciting University offers and we look forward to sharing these with you in the coming weeks. Even for our Primary families, it is nice to hear about the success of the older students. I am sure many fellow parents will tell you that even if exams and Universities seems a long way off now it will come around very quickly!
Learning throughout school is a journey that lasts about 15 years for most people – from the age of 3 through to 18. The curriculum is planned to increase in breadth and challenge as students get older and I know that many will have begun this term with exciting new topics. We should never forget the joy of learning and of discovering new things - there is a great deal of wonder to behold throughout school life and it is such a privilege to share this with young people.
My thanks as ever to all parents for their support throughout their children’s time at school and for enjoying the joy and wonder of learning alongside them.
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.
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