May I start by welcoming back all families to another exciting term here at the British International School Abu Dhabi. Also, a very warm welcome to our new families and students who have joined us this term. We are all aware of the nerves that some can feel when starting in a new environment, but we can assure you that the BIS Abu Dhabi community will be as welcoming as ever.
Any New Year is a time of resolutions. It is a time when we seek to better ourselves and make the next year better than the previous one. This can take many forms of course, but especially after the holiday period, for many of us this means better diets and more exercise!
Learning does not work like this. Students cannot simply stop or start doing something and everything is suddenly solved. Learning is a long-term process with solid learning habits and skills built up over time.
One thing that students can focus on however, is their levels of effort and their commitment to their studies. Sometimes students might say, “I need to work harder”, yet unfortunately this is too vague and becomes just words.
A suggestion to all students starting a new term is to identify a simple area or method in which they can improve their effort. Then try to phrase this as a very specific action. Instead of “I must work harder”, something far more effective might be, “I will always do my homework on the day I am given it”, or “I will spend an extra ten minutes every day reading”.
Small steps like this are easy to measure and to maintain. These steps then lead to changes in everyday behaviours which will certainly improve learning in the long run.
Patrick Horne, Principal
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.
Finding the right school for your child is a big decision. Whether you’re new to Abu Dhabi, transitioning from another school, or simply looking for the best fit, we know it can feel overwhelming. At The British International School (BIS) Abu Dhabi, we’re here to make that journey as smooth and reassuring as possible. From your very first enquiry to your child’s first day (and beyond), we’ll be with you every step of the way. This article tackles the key concerns families face when transitioning to a new school, offering clear insights into our admissions process to ensure a smooth and informed journey.
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