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‘’Beware the Ides of March…”
Yesterday was 15th March. I am sure you were all finding your own special ways to commemorate the 2065th anniversary of the murder of Julius Caesar but just in case you forgot to send each other a card on this important day, I thought I would use this week’s newsletter to remind you of the importance of decision making.
In January, 49BC, Julius Caesar stood on the banks of the Rubicon river with a single legion of soldiers behind him. To cross the river and head towards Rome would mean breaking an ancient law forbidding Roman Generals to cross the Rubicon with their troops. Caesar took the momentous and illegal step of crossing the Rubicon, he headed for Rome and briefly, became the most powerful man in the known world.
Today, ‘crossing the Rubicon’ is a way of expressing the point at which there is no return. As Caesar himself reputedly said on that fateful riverbank, ‘the die is cast’. You have made your decision, you must live with the consequences…
Rarely is it true that the decisions we make cannot be reversed, in our lives it is rare for us to ‘cross the Rubicon’. Even our biggest decisions can usually be revoked in part, if they lead us onto a difficult path but even though that is true, teaching young people about decision making is a responsibility we all bear. Decisions always have consequences, good ones, bad ones, indifferent ones perhaps but thanks to the interconnectedness of all things, our decisions almost always impact upon others and form part of the web of events that joins us all together. Every action has a reaction.
Let us take the time to talk to our children about decision-making and about the process we should all go through before making one. Think, listen, reflect, consider the consequences of our decisions and actions on ourselves and on others. A moments’ pause might halt a negative chain of consequences stemming from a rash decision. When you stand on the banks of your Rubicon, take a moment and slow down – sadly for Caesar, no one gave him that advice and we know what happened to him don’t we…?
Chris Lowe
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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