New principal Elizabeth Lamb ready for an exciting and rewarding year ahead

The NAIS Al Khor community is delighted to welcome our new Principal to the school – Mrs Elizabeth Lamb. Mrs  Lamb was appointed to the post in March and has spent the last few weeks and months busily preparing for what will undoubtedly prove to be the most exciting and rewarding year in the school’s history.

Mrs Lamb joins NAIS with over 20 years’ teaching and leadership experience and is a seasoned Nord Anglia educator, having worked for several years at both the British School of Beijing and, most recently, Nord Anglia International School Dubai.

Asked what sits at the heart of her teaching philosophy, Mrs Lamb answers without hesitation: “I am a passionate believer in the importance of life-long learning. I want to encourage the whole school community – students, parents and teachers – to recognise that none of us ever stop learning.”

Mrs Lamb visited the school on several occasions in April, May and June and was struck by the warmth of the welcome she received on every occasion.

“One thing was abundantly clear to me,” noted Mrs Lamb, “the families and staff who choose to join the school really do encounter a multi-cultural and welcoming international school community from the moment they arrive.”

With over 30 different nationalities on roll, and an enthusiastic Parent, Teacher & Family Association working tirelessly on an annual programme of more than 25 events, everyone contributes to the caring sense of community at the school.

Mrs Lamb is also enthusiastic about the improvements that have been made to school facilities over the summer – the new Secondary School building and swimming pool that will be complete for the first day of term, the renovation of the existing buildings and the brand-new Performance Studio that will open later in Term 1.

“I want our students to love coming to school, to love learning, so we feel a deep sense of responsibility here at NAIS to create for our children engaging and caring learning environments where they can feel inspired to explore, to take risks with their learning and to innovate both in and out of the classroom.”

“Our new Secondary School building and swimming pool are just two expressions of our commitment to engaging learning environments.”

A scientist by training – our new Principal holds a BSc in Biology and worked for a number of years at the Science Museum in London before turning to teaching – Mrs Lamb is certainly excited by the investment in the new Secondary science labs. However, as a qualified ballet teacher who still teaches dance, the new Performance Studio is another improvement that Mrs Lamb looks forward to opening.

“In common with other Nord Anglia schools, NAIS Al Khor really does think beyond traditional education to transform the learning of the children who are entrusted to us. Our collaboration with The Juilliard School is already enhancing our performing arts curriculum, and the new studio will take that collaboration to a whole new level.”

With the first day of term just days away, Mrs Lamb and her staff are getting ready to welcome families back to school – including the many families who are still signing-up to join for the first time. “Like me, they’ll be new to the school,” comments Mrs Lamb, “but I’ve no doubt they will settle-in just as quickly as I have.”