Inspired by the popular '73 Questions with Vogue' we're excited to introduce a new series on our NAS Dubai community 'Questions with NAS Dubai'
Message from the Principal
Welcome back and let’s look forward to a great term and year ahead.
There are of course some ‘bumps in the road’ but I do believe that although we are witnessing a significant spike in the infections at the moment the worst is over and as the vaccine rolls out the lifting of regulations will continue. I believe that during this year we will enter a phase when we all look back on all that we have come through and remember what we used to do before Covid. We will review all of the things we used to do and decide what to bring back, what to leave out and what new things to bring in as we have learned so much through this period.
With regards cases in our school Since 3rd January, four teachers have tested positive and two students additional to those who tested positive during the holiday period. During the holiday there were six staff and eleven students and they will return soon.
As I begin to think about where we will be at the start of the next academic year as January is the peak month for teacher recruitment, we learn how schools outside of the Nord Anglia Group have managed their learning during lockdowns and feel privileged to have the support that comes from being part of a global network of schools. We ask all prospective teachers what they think it means to work at NAS Dubai and enjoy listening to candidates responses which helps us to gage how well we live up to our mission.
You will know that this year we go through a further process of accreditation with the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, NEASC, which asks us to present our definition of learning. A lot of work has gone into this with various committees working on the school review supported by parent members of the Advisory Council. As part of the process, we are required to provide a definition of learning and show how we try to live up to that. The document below has been drafted following consultations with all teachers and students and has gone through various changes. I now share it with all parents for discussion and welcome any feedback by way of comments, recommendations and questions for clarification. Please send all feedback to Alyson.Pickin@nasdubai.aefor Alyson to share with the steering committee and myself further to making any additional changes to the draft.
A definition of learning at NAS Dubai
Learning at NAS Dubai supports the mission that there are no limits to what we can achieve for ourselves and for others. It is a lifelong, active process of acquiring, developing, and consolidating knowledge, skills and understanding in a creative and innovative way. With a global perspective, learners create and collaborate to construct individual meaning and understanding of the world. In our school, learning and teaching fosters the personal attributes of the IB Learner Profile for all. It promotes engagement and reflection whilst encouraging natural creative curiosity supported by the sense that we are all included and motivated to learn in blended environments supported by technology. This is all reinforced by the deeper understanding and educational value of knowing that together we are all members of a complex school where diversity is a community resource and inclusion is a community outcome.
At the end of the last term you were asked to complete the annual parent survey. I appreciate that this is a long time ago now and invite everyone who has not completed the survey to do so. Your feedback is so important and does help us to find ways to continue to improve our school. So much has happened since the last survey which was completed before Covid came and this feedback is an essential contribution as we plan for the year ahead and a time after Covid. The link can be found on here.
Finally, you may be aware of the cancellation of public examinations in England and Wales and how this might impact international school students taking GCSE/IGCSE. Rest assured that we will keep you up-to-date with all communication received from the exam boards as and when received.
It is good to be back. Stay safe.
Matthew Farthing
Message from the Head of Primary
Happy New Year to you all. I hope that you have had an enjoyable winter break and that you and your loved ones have stayed safe and well.
It was lovely to see the children return for the first day of a new term and a new year. Let us hope that 2021 brings fewer challenges and more opportunities to share good times and create positive memories. There have been many messages from world leaders at this time, many sharing a consistent view that the coronavirus pandemic has taught the world how necessary it is to take an interest in others’ problems, to share their concerns and that by doing this we move towards a more peaceful world. How wonderful if 2021 were to be ‘A Year of Peace, A Year of Hope.’ Our assemblies this week and next will focus on treating people with kindness. If we offer a comforting word, a tender gesture and be at peace with ourselves we know it will spread to those who are near us. New Year thoughts and resolutions have been written by the children and are on display around school.
We have welcomed new members to our school community this week. Miss Emma Hooton (Reception G – Giraffes), Miss Roslyn Smith (Year 2H), Miss Louise Wheeler (Year 1J) and Miss Louise Slann (Year 3H) have joined our teaching staff and we have also welcomed new children to our primary setting. It has been lovely to meet new teachers and children and to feel their excitement about being part of our wonderful school community. Please remember to say hello to the new staff if you see them on the corridor or outside the building.
We have lots of exciting and creative learning opportunities planned for this term. Year 5 have already enjoyed a science day, ably supported by our Year 6 students who wrote and organised a Science Quiz for them. Watch this space for more information about what we are learning.
The Emirates Lit Fest is almost here again! The structure of the festival and school access has changed to an online format which means that children right across school will be able to access sessions. There will be lots for everyone to do in both English and Arabic.
We also have two teams from Y6 entered into the Readers Cup competition being held on the 17th January. If you see Aylin, Anandmayee, Fifi, Toni, Aly D, Riana, Zeenia and Salma around do wish them luck! They have worked very hard studying three books in preparation for the competition.
2021 has certainly started with energy, enthusiasm and excitement for all. Let’s hope it continues in the same way.
Wishing you all a restful weekend,
Best wishes
Stay safe
Christine Walker
Message from the Head of Secondary
Secondary Success Story 2019/20
Welcome back and Happy New Year. I hope you and your family embraced the opportunities of spending time together over the long break.
This term although short has many great challenges as we support our students across Years 13 and 11 through an ever changing and complex exam season. Mock exams, feedback sessions and coursework deadlines are examples of key areas that are of the highest importance right now.
The term has started off well considering all the uncertainty and I am very proud of the staff, students and families for all working together and continuing to adapt. The announcement on GCSEs in the UK is one such example of how schools now have to be agile enough to ensure any government or exam board decisions do not have a detrimental impact on students’ success.
I am delighted that we now have language transition for Years 7 and 8, I know that will greatly enhance the learning experience for students. In addition to this, Mr Malcom is busy trying to finalise ways to introduce break times although this is not without its challenges.
In my assembly this week I shared with students the statement made by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai.
2020 has taught us that unity is strength, that happiness lies in our families, that excellence is in giving, that health comes before politics and economy, and that placing confidence in youth can lead us to the stars.
I think his reflections and belief in the voice of youth is a powerful statement and one that I am a true believer in. As I observe events globally I am reminded of the important role schools play in ensuring that we are educating hearts and minds. I truly believe that the young people we work with will help to shape a much fairer society which helps to reduce inequalities and create a fairer more just world. We will look at opportunities this term to create events in our school that encourage debate, discussion and conversation about issues that shape our lives beyond the academics.
Have a good weekend and please enjoy the video above that recognizes and celebrates the personal and academic achievements of our students last year.
Liam Cullinan
News Bites
MIT Challenge 1 – ‘Out of this world’ Entries
The theme for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Challenges for this academic year is Space, a topic which all students hold a curiosity and wonder about. It is particularly poignant in the UAE following Hazza Al Mansori’s recent successful mission to the International Space Station (ISS). He became the first person from the United Arab Emirates to enter space, a feat which further emphasizes the growing ambition towards space exploration in the UAE.
In September, we launched challenge 1, ‘Living in Space’ where students had to think creatively and find solutions to improve the life of astronauts in terms of exercise, food choices, and art on board the ISS. The students had the opportunity to hear from the scientist at MIT involved in the challenge and get real perspective on why it is so important for these improvements to take place.
We were amazed by the level of creativity and innovation the students of NAS Dubai portrayed in their submissions. Challenges like this allow freedom of expression from students and this was evident in the diversity amongst the entries from students.
Prizes were awarded for Creativity, Innovative, and Originality. Congratulations to the winners across primary and secondary listed below.
Primary Winners
Vir Dhawan 4A Creativity – Food preparation equipment
Orla McEvoy 4A - Innovation – Gymnastic equipment
Suraya Saha 4C - Originality - Super Space Garden
Rhys Banfield & Omar Attia Mohamad - 6A – Originality - Edible Glue
Sophia Baker 6C - Innovation - Food Dispenser
Maya Stecyk & Eileen Schwarz 6C - Creativity ‘Revolutionary TM’ for their Water Sucker and Colour Brush
Secondary Winners
Aerin Thatcher Y7B – Originality – Mental Health App for Astronauts
Akanksha Mahapatra 8A – Creativity - Acrylic Paint Dispenser
Lauren McOmish 8F – Innovation – All in One Paint Brush to counteract zero gravity.
To provide some context for new members of the Nord Anglia community I will briefly outline our collaboration with MIT and what it is involves. Every academic year, the professors at MIT will launch a theme which consists of 3 challenges which students complete. The challenges are based off the work been completed at the university and it offers students the chance to explore, create and problem solve, key skills in this ever-changing society we are a part of. As well as this, the collaboration offers professional development for teachers and an opportunity for students in Nord Anglia schools around the world to come together at MIT in a yearly trip to take part in creative challenges at the campus in Massachusetts, an experience like no other.
The 2nd MIT challenge will launch very soon and will see students explore the potential of MOXIE and the importance of filters when trying to make Planet Mars habitable for humans in the future. Watch this space...
Time Capsule
The 17th of December marks the day where we buried a time capsule with each year 13 students’ names engraved on it, containing images, videos, symbols, a face mask, and hand sanitizer which reflects Covid 19, and objects that symbolize such an interesting last year. A time capsule as special as the one submerged onto the grounds of NAS Dubai represents the memories, dedication, and recollection of the year 2020. Something I know will be special to every member of this amazing school, especially if and when we will all gather together again in a few years to open it. A huge thank you is given to all our teachers who have helped us through such a rough year. We would like to thank Mrs Gray for pushing us about EE deadlines, Mrs. Banfield for reminding us to login into CAS, Mrs. Brown for making sure we applied to University, Mr. Khadir for being that backbone of support every single one of us needs right now, Mr. Farthing and Mr. Cullinan for being exceptionally amazing, supportive principals and finally to our wonderful form tutors who make sure every morning is as amazing as it can be before our lessons start. Being in the school from the day it opened, I have been blessed to observe how Nord Anglia has evolved in the past 7 years, and with the time capsule, we can measure how it will keep changing and progressing in the future.
