Message from the Head of Secondary

This month, I had the privilege of delivering assemblies alongside Sajid Latif to our Secondary students on the important topic of neurodiversity and hidden disabilities. This subject is particularly close to my heart and is a key focus within our EDIB (Equality, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging) framework.

I’ve been really looking forward to attending my first UAE Flag Day and have used it as an opportunity to learn about the flag itself.  It’s been very interesting to do so, as a ‘newbie’ and it has really helped my understanding of the pride that Emiratis have in their country and its national emblems.  I’ve discovered that the flag was designed in 1971 by Abdullah Mohammed Al Maainah, a 19-year-old at the time, as part of a nationwide design contest and it was adopted by the country on 2nd December 1971.  The choice of colours is deeply important, and their symbolic meanings make a wonderful parallel with the work of the school and the values we seek to promote across the community:

Over the past few weeks, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing the true spirit of community in action here at BIS Abu Dhabi. Despite the challenges we all face, including personal hardships that may touch many of us, it is heartening to see how our shared care for one another and our collective hope for a brighter future bring us together.

My journey finished this time last year upon the submission of my 12,000-word dissertation, however it started several years earlier with my first application into the master's in international education at King's College London programme. In 2019, my application was approved by Nord Anglia, but I was unsuccessful in the second round at the King's College London stage.  Determined not to let this setback stop me, I researched the course and the college further and applied again in 2020. This time, I was successful in both rounds and was delighted to receive a letter confirming I would start the master's programme in September 2021.