Message from the Vice Principal

Change is inevitable. Nothing stays the same so accept this and enjoy the journey.

My journey in the UAE started in 2007 when I accepted my first international job in Abu Dhabi which sounded similar to place names in my native country, Wales. This is where the similarities end however. After 15 years of living in the country that has become my adopted home, it is time for me to finally say goodbye to the country that has been so good to my family and provided us with a wealth of experiences that many people can only dream of. In times of change, there is rightly a period of reflection on what has happened in the past and how things have changed, in this case, the changes in the UAE since I first arrived.

Stepping off the plane late at night mid-August 2007, we were greeted with the heat and humidity that we become accustomed to over time. The temperature is possibly the one constant that has remained over time in Abu Dhabi despite everything else changing. There are many things we now take for granted that were not here in 2007 from my own experiences.  When considering change, think back to how the city has changed since you arrived. One thing is for certain, Abu Dhabi and the UAE never stand still, and this is what makes it such a fascinating place to live coupled with the rich melting pot of nationalities who also call this country “home”. From my own recollections, I’m fairly certain that the below represent some changes that may surprise some of the more recent arrivals but exemplifies the rapid rate of change the country experiences.

Back in 2007 Sheikh Zayed Mosque was not completed, Yas Island and the F1 race were a work in progress towards a distant dream. Reem Island and Al Reef were not built, taxis were gold and white and driven by the most fascinating drivers you bartered a price with (and who taught me the little Arabic I know) and traffic lights didn’t have an amber light leading to shall we say, very sudden breaking. The roads were identified by numbers in the city most notably Al Salam Street (Eastern Mangroves) being called 8th and the grid system in the city making it easy to navigate your route pre-Waze days. 4th street was next to 8th, 6th didn’t start until much later, but this just added to the charm of the place.

The Emirates Palace stood alone and majestic before being accompanied by Etihad Towers, the Presidential Palace and Qasr Al-Watan were not built, the area was a public beach. Al Bandar, Al Zeina, Saadiyat Island were all distant dreams and shawarmas were only 1 AED. Whilst not a comprehensive list, I hope this gives a flavour of how relatively quickly things change.

The country is on a fascinating journey that we are all privileged to be a part of and contribute to. Our school has also been on a journey since it first opened its doors in 2009 and some of our families have been with us from the very beginning. Just as the country goes from strength to strength, so does our school, its greatest strength being the outstanding students, families and staff who are passionate about their school and proud of its many achievements. Change is inevitable for us all and enables further progress so let’s embrace it. I look forward to hearing about future successes for the school and country both of which will always hold a special place in my heart.

Mike Wolfe

Vice Principal