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I was really touched by Áine’s newsletter piece last week, posing the question: ‘What would I tell my younger self?’
I spent some time afterwards thinking about my own parenting journey, and what it’s all been about, now that my two are adults and have ‘flown the nest’. Parenting isn’t easy for any of us, and that’s true even if you’re an experienced school leader – at home, I’m just Dad.
My belief as a parent has always been that I don’t own my children. They are individuals, with choice and responsibility in their own lives. I tried to model that when they were small children and, in different ways, as they’ve grown up. As I see it, my job is to guide them, love them and listen to them – but even when they were little, I always wanted to give them trust and help them to think for themselves.
Of course, this hasn’t always worked, and sometimes I’ve got it wrong – as we all do. Sometimes I’ve nagged and interfered when I shouldn’t have, and sometimes I’ve backed off when it would have been better to step in. My family has had its share of tense moments and friction, just like all families do.
At the end of it all, my children are now adults, and I find myself reflecting on what really mattered throughout their childhoods. They’re both doing well as young adults and are continuing their learning, but the questions I really care about are:
There are so many expectations on our young people to achieve amazing things. There are huge external pressures from social media and anxieties caused by the crazy world we inhabit. I’m happy (and relieved) that I can answer those questions positively.
In our hearts, we never truly let go of our children – but in our actions, we don’t have any choice. They're going to move on, whether we like it or not. Give them your trust, give them your belief in who they are, and keep giving them your love.
In the end, that’s what matters.
John Dibdin
Head of Primary
You might have seen the trend going around - “If I could tell my younger self one thing…” - a moment to reflect, to offer advice we wish we’d heard earlier, or to remind ourselves of what truly matters.
As students prepare to cross some of the biggest milestones in school life, it feels like the perfect time to pause and join in that conversation. But it’s not just our students who are preparing — so are we, as parents. These milestones don’t just belong to them. We’re living every part of it too: the anticipation, the pride, the nerves, and the quiet hopes. Sometimes, it’s the hardest thing in the world — to watch them take these big steps, to stay strong when they wobble, to let go just a little more. It’s a milestone for us as much as it is for them — and we’re walking it together.
Finding the right school for your child is a big decision. Whether you’re new to Abu Dhabi, transitioning from another school, or simply looking for the best fit, we know it can feel overwhelming. At The British International School (BIS) Abu Dhabi, we’re here to make that journey as smooth and reassuring as possible. From your very first enquiry to your child’s first day (and beyond), we’ll be with you every step of the way. This article tackles the key concerns families face when transitioning to a new school, offering clear insights into our admissions process to ensure a smooth and informed journey.
Last term was brilliant for our BIS Abu Dhabi World Scholars!
Our 2025 season kicked off during the Winter Break, with 15 students competing in the Dubai Winter Global Round. In addition to taking part in the academic challenges of writing, debate and quizzing, students also enjoyed a fun-filled scavenger hunt at Global Village. We were thrilled that 12 of our scholars qualified for the Tournament of Champions at Yale University in November 2025 — an incredible achievement that we are all immensely proud of!
The season continued with our first Regional Round of the year, held in Dubai. We were delighted to see 21 students qualify for the next round. Two of our participants, Khlood in Year 7 and Anahita in Year 9, have written a personal report of the events:
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