Message from the Principal

A warm welcome to every member of our school community for the start of the new academic year. Whether you are a new family joining us, or a returning family, I trust you enjoyed the summer break and all has gone smoothly for the start of term.

For all our new families, you are joining a school which has care at the centre of it – staff who will look after your children and who will also look out for you! In addition, the parent community here is something very special and a wonderful thing to be part of. Every family already in the school will remember those early days when still trying to get to grips with things – please do reach out to staff or to other parents and everyone will be only too happy to help.

It has been a wonderful start to the week and I know I can speak for every member of staff here about how exciting it is to see the students back in school and equally excited about the new academic year. Students at BIS Abu Dhabi achieved amazing things last year despite the various restrictions, and I know we can look forward to even greater success for students this year.

Following on from the above, I should highlight the academic results which our senior students achieved in their IB Diploma and IGCSE examinations, having received their results during the summer.

The IB students achieved an incredible average points score of 38 out of a maximum of 45. These achievements are way ahead of worldwide expectations and have enabled these students to now begin their degree courses at world-renowned Universities such as Oxford University, the University of Melbourne and McGill University in Canada. 

63% of the grades achieved at IGCSE were at A or A*which is another amazing achievement ahead of UK and global expectations. Again, this was achieved within a year of challenges, not least of which was a late-changing examination system. Our highest admiration goes to these students and it has been great to see them commence their IB studies this week.

Even if your child is only 3 and has just started Nursery, it is worth reflecting on the results above and what your child can achieve. The education journey starts very young but every bit goes towards building them towards success. Not only academic success, but building young people with confidence and kindness who can make a positive difference to our world.

My very best wishes to everyone for an enjoyable and successful year ahead. 

Patrick Horne