“Alone, we can do so little; together we can do so much.” - Helen Keller
This week the community of BISAbu Dhabi returned to school and we dedicate this week’s Newsletter to the images of the connections and emotions that everyone shared when they were reunited. The smiles on the faces of the staff, children and young adults when they were together again was infectious and welcoming our parents into The Hub allowed the bonds of friendship to continue far beyond the classroom.
These moments are important to observe and one of the key roles in any leadership role is to understand the culture and recognise if the culture creates a sense of belonging. School belonging is associated with a range of positive educational and developmental outcomes, including mental health and wellbeing, positive behaviour and academic achievement, as well as transition into adulthood.
The main ingredient for school belonging should not come as a surprise and many of you who came to hear me talk recently will know it is an element I discuss regularly – Relationships.
The interactions children engage in or observe on a daily basis will have a deep impact on them. Therefore, I am committed to an environmentwhere the moments we share with each other as parents, teachers and students are ones that have positive outcomes and intentions, where we are all heard and respected. These ideals are not always easy, but they do lead to supporting the most precious thing in education which is our children
These values are part of the DNA at BIS Abu Dhabi, and I am genuinely excited to be the Principal here. There are opportunities and challenges that lie ahead but I sense the trust and respect that exists within BISAbu Dhabi means that we have all the tools to truly flourish.
Enjoy this week’sNewsletter and allow the images of human connections excite you about what lays ahead.
Liam Cullinan