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The arts are often much maligned, feeling under-funded and underrepresented in education and society at large. However, I feel this is changing in the UAE. We are seeing recognition through developments like the Arts District on Saadiyat that the arts are a force for good and worth investing in.
Take dance, for instance. It provides opportunities for self-expression. Whether you’re a seasoned dancer or have just dipped your toe into dance now and again, we all know that dance offers a world of possibilities and benefits that extend beyond the dance floor.
For those who partake in dance, it not only has the obvious physical benefits of building flexibility, strength, control, and stamina, but it also has wider benefits in wellbeing and communication. It is a unique celebration of movement, allowing young people to connect with their bodies, express themselves through fluid motions, and experience the sheer joy of being in tune with music through movement. Every step, spin, and jump becomes an opportunity to experience freedom while being connected to others and the music.
At BSME Dance Festival last weekend, our students did just this. They worked together to create a sequence of moves that conveyed a message to the audience about cultural identity using structure and form. Inspiration was drawn from the amazing architecture we experience in the UAE. Their performances were outstanding.
The forms of drama and song were also explored in more depth at the Nord Anglia Performing Arts Festival in Dubai. Students were given the wonderful opportunity to create, compose, collaborate, and co-construct pieces of music, dance, and drama with experts from the fields on hand. The students worked tirelessly and gave their all. Seeing the outcomes just shows how much potential they have. Watching them return on Friday and Saturday evening, full of smiles and chatter about their achievements, further confirmed the importance of the arts for our broader success in life, the confidence it brings, and the boost to our well-being.
In art too, we are striving to deepen the value we give to our students. In the coming weeks, look out for information about our upcoming art exhibition at Yas Mall, which will showcase some of our talented students’ work and give them a wider audience to celebrate their achievements and gain recognition.
At BIS Abu Dhabi, we value the arts and will continue to grow the opportunities for our students to experience the difference the arts can make to us all.
Alan Cocker
Principal
As we draw this academic year to a close, I want to take a moment to reflect on what has been a truly remarkable journey for The British International School Abu Dhabi. This year has been defined by so much more than achievement, it has been a year of resilience, creativity, compassion, and bold ambition.
Read on to discover the unforgettable highlights, proud achievements, and inspiring moments that made this year at BIS Abu Dhabi truly remarkable.
The penultimate week of term always brings a mix of energy and reflection. Lessons are still purposeful, but there is also a sense of looking back, recognising just how far our students have come.
This year, we have seen strong academic success across the school. Students have worked hard, and the outcomes reflect that effort. But just as important have been the achievements beyond the classroom in music, sport, language, technology, and the arts. Our curriculum is broad for a reason, and it has been clear this year that our students are thriving in many ways.
Celebrating Our Shared Success: A Year of Partnership and Recognition
As we approach the end of a vibrant academic year filled with events, achievements, and memorable moments, I am delighted to share some fantastic news with you all. Our school has been honoured with not one, but two prestigious awards in recognition of our commitment to parent engagement: the MENA Parent Partnership Award and the ADEK Best Parent Engagement Award.
Read on to discover how these awards celebrate our collaborative culture, highlight parent-school partnerships, and support meaningful improvements for our students.
It’s something I’ve believed for a long time — that learning isn’t predetermined by our genes. It’s about growing, persevering, and learning through the process. I was really mindful of this idea at this week’s wonderful Primary Summer Concert, after which I found myself reflecting on whether these amazing children have an innate talent, or whether they have achieved so much because of hard work and practice.
I believe it’s the latter. These children, their parents, and their teachers all seem to share the belief that by trying and working hard, they will get better at what they do. This is what we call a growth mindset.
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