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Thursday 20th May 2021
Message from the Principal
 
I am truly delighted to share with you the news that we have achieved the NEASC accreditation that we sought. Our association with NEASC requires us to undergo further regular school self review and inspection, additional to the routines of KHDA and in so doing grants us the ability to issue an accredited High School Diploma further supporting our students with access to US Universities.  
 
Copied below is the letter from the NEASC Director together with some salient points for consideration. The full report will also be made available together with the School’s self review. Congratulations to everyone at NAS Dubai. 
 
This newsletter is also the occasion to further celebrate the achievements of our graduating class of 2021. I hope you enjoy their graduation picture and the further detail that Mr Cullinan has written. 
 
With seven full weeks of term remaining let us make the very most of every day, stay safe, and enjoy our shared success at NAS Dubai.


Matthew Farthing

Please find the full NEASC letter here


 
Message from the Head of Primary
Dear Parents,

I had penned a draft of my newsletter for today, reflecting upon the value of reflection and in particular self-reflection.  This was prompted by a conversation with some children about their #my pledge promises, and how they felt they were doing.  The conclusion of our conversation and, I am proud to say articulated by the children, was that we should not only do these things at certain times, such as the Holy Month of Ramadan but all the time. Their obvious desire to want to be better was inspiring and something we as adults can learn from.

I continued writing this newsletter with a warm glow having shared the celebration as our wonderful Year 13 students officially leave NAS Dubai.  I am sure that Mr. Cullinan will write about the amazing journey these students have travelled and their many accomplishments and talents.  I want to share my experience – albeit one that I know has been modified, adapted and changed due to the current pandemic- not just of the Graduation but of the wonderful sense of community that has surrounded this very special occasion.  All week people from all areas of school, including EYFS and Primary have been organising and fine-tuning their role, however small but equally important.  There has been an increased buzz around the school because everyone was involved.

Someone asked me this week if the school had become a ‘white space’ for parents due to Covid restrictions and regulations.  I think there is a potential to feel disconnected when we cannot see, hear and meet each other except through a screen.  Walking around school I was trying to understand how parents must feel if they have not been in the building for over a year.  Our new entrance to the Early Years Setting makes me smile each time I look at it.  Not just because it is bright, colourful and inviting but because it represents our sense of community.  It is there for the youngest children as they enter school but was designed and created by so many others throughout the whole school.  A visual reminder of our sense of community.

Today, reminded me of the real power and impact of our NAS Community.  As our youngest children stood proudly to attention to clap the students in and then to present them with their gifts, children from every year group cheered, clapped and shared the joy of the occasion.  There was a sense of togetherness and pride in our school and I guarantee there were not too many dry eyes in the house.

This week we have had the pleasure of seeing all the amazing and wonderful paintings created by the Early Years children. It has been heartwarming to see all the paintings on display in the Early Years corridor, what a proud moment for our children (see below). The creative arts not only cultivate children’s imaginations, so that they become more flexible and inventive thinkers, but it also helps to develop their physical and emotional capabilities. The children are raising an increasingly positive amount towards The Little Wings Foundation too. Well done and thank you to parents for their generosity! 

We should hold on to these positive feelings and the memories they create as we move forward.  We may have to maintain social distance but we should never become distant from all that makes us special.

I hope that you all have a restful and pleasant weekend.

With best wishes
Christine

 
Message from Head of Secondary 
On the 6th of May the graduating class of 2021 walked around the corridors of NAS Dubai for the final time.  As they walked around, they observed the faces of younger students all on a similar journey as them. Young people across different phases of school with a thirst for knowledge stimulated and inspired by dedicated child centered practitioners and a community joined in celebrating the achievements of the Year 13.

The graduating class of Year 13, some of whom were the founding members of the secondary leave behind them a legacy that will live on.  Their laughter, their charisma and their success will forever remain an integral part of NAS Dubai’s history.

The individuals whose names you read today are going on to some of the best universities around the world.  They are studying courses that will allow them to become the innovators, the philanthropists and the humanitarians that our world needs.

To the graduating class of 2021, thank you.
Thank you for helping to shape a school we are so proud of.
Thank you for your energy, your ambition and your drive.
Thank you for the memories and moments of JOY we shared.
Thank you for being the leaders of change.
And finally thank you for being you.  
You are all unique, you are all talented and you will all be missed.
 
 “The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.”
Martin Luther King, Jr.

Liam Cullinam 
 
News Bites

IB Art Exhibition

Click on the photo above to see the exhibition the work of just two Year 13 students Marine Ravnbol and Selina Walter, both final year students have created 10 pieces each for their final assessment. For an understanding of the rationale behind behind each student's work follow the linked names below: 

Marine Ravnbol
Selina Walter  

IB THEATRE SOLO PIECES 

IB Theatre Studies students have worked incredibly hard behind the scenes to create their final solo projects. Students had to research and identify an aspect of their theory. Next, they had to create and present their very own original piece of theatre. This was not only a performance task but rather bringing together the skills of creating, designing and performing through the lens of a theatre theorist. We have thoroughly enjoyed bringing the NAS stage back to life and we look forward to sharing highlights of their pieces in the forthcoming weeks. 

Abigail Mack 
Head of Performing Arts 
 
IB Theatre Students - Final Assessment 
Year 6 Transition to Year 7  
 
On 10th May, Year 6 students had an exciting Year 7 science taster session, where they took part in some fun science experiments with chemicals!
 
We learned about how universal indicator reacted when exposed to acids and alkaline. Getting into pairs, we put on safety goggles, tested, and recorded our results in a table. It was interesting to find out that some everyday household items such as lemon juice were very acidic. We also witnessed a colourful rainbow fizz explosion, which earned lots of applause from us all. In Year 6, we have been talking about how much we will enjoy Year 7 Science, especially dissecting a frog! 

By Sofia Omer
Year 6 
Spanish Writing Competition 
 
“Join the Spanish Department in congratulating our students Thomas Cannon in Y6 and Te’ata Robinson in Y12 as the two winners of a Spanish writing competition in collaboration with our sister school BISAD in Abu Dhabi. ¡Felicidades!
 
There were 101 entries in different categories across different levels of language proficiency and year groups. We are so proud of Thomas and Te’ata for their achievement! The Spanish embassy has awarded a prize to the winners and our school principal Mr. Farthing had the honor of presenting the prizes to them. 
 
This year, to celebrate Book Week in May 2021, the World Languages Department will again participate with BISAD in our second Spanish writing competition. The topic this year is tourism and traditions in Spanish speaking countries. Your Spanish teacher will have already shared all the details. Please see anyone in the Spanish department if you have any questions. Do not miss it!”

 
 



EYFS Paintings for Little Wings  

 
This week we have had the pleasure of seeing all the amazing and wonderful paintings created by the Early Years children. It has been heartwarming to see all the paintings on display in the Early Years corridor, what a proud moment for our children. The creative arts not only cultivate children’s imaginations, so that they become more flexible and inventive thinkers, but it also helps to develop their physical and emotional capabilities.

The children are raising towards The Little Wings Foundation too. Well done! 

 


LINKS TO REGISTER FOR THE ABOVE WEBINARS ARE BELOW
& WILL ALSO BE SENT TO PARENTS YEAR 10 & ABOVE
VIA PUSH NOTICATION


MAY 24TH 
FRIDAY 28TH 
JULY 9TH
MAY 28TH 
JUNE 4TH






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Nord Anglia International School, Dubai · Hessa Street · Al Barsha South 3, · United Arab Emirates