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On 22nd May, BIS Abu Dhabi proudly celebrated the graduation of our incredible Class of 2025. This special event brought together students, families, and staff to celebrate a milestone that was years in the making, one filled with dedication, friendships, and unforgettable memories. The school auditorium was filled with pride and excitement as the ceremony unfolded. Read on to relive the highlights of this special day.

At BIS Abu Dhabi, we believe that when families and schools team up, incredible things happen. We’re proud to have won the Parent Partnership category at both the ADEK Awards 2024/25 and the MENA School Excellence Awards 2025, but this award is about more than just recognition. It’s about the people, the conversations, and the community that make it all possible. Read on to discover how we’re making a difference together.

This week at BIS Abu Dhabi, we have had the joy of celebrating both ends of the school journey and it has been a beautiful reminder of how we support our students to dream big and grow into their future selves.

At BIS Abu Dhabi, inclusion isn’t a separate initiative, it’s the foundation of everything we do. From the moment a student joins us, they are welcomed into a caring, respectful, and inclusive environment, guided by the values of Kindness, Honesty, and Respect. Discover how this ethos shapes every classroom, corridor, and connection in our school community in this blog.

As exam season unfolds, there's a special kind of stillness that settles over the school. In the quiet hum of the examination hall, behind the rustle of papers and the soft clicking of keyboards, is a profound truth: we are witnessing a moment that our students will carry with them forever. It is the culmination of years of learning, growth, and perseverance, a chapter closing and a new one ready to be written.

Please see below the ADEK-approved calendar dates for the 2025 2026 academic year.

"Play is the highest form of research." – Albert Einstein Step into any vibrant Early Years classroom, and you'll likely hear the joyful hum of children deep in play - building, pretending, exploring, and negotiating their world. To the untrained eye, it may just look like fun and games. But within those moments of giggles and glue sticks lies something truly magical: deep, meaningful learning.  In this article, discover how play supports vital early development, how BIS Abu Dhabi brings the EYFS curriculum to life through play, and why protecting this joyful, purposeful approach to learning is more important than ever.

Lately, I have been reflecting on how important curiosity is - not just for children, but for us as adults too. Through my own learning with coaching through Making Stuff Better and alongside our EYFS and Year 1 team's work with The Curiosity Approach, I have seen how curiosity can transform the way we learn, teach and create spaces for exploration. Are we still curious as adults? When was the last time you asked a question just to learn, not just to know the answer?

A few weeks ago, as part of our IB DP Language programme, Year 12 students in the French Ab Initio and French B classes united to celebrate Mardi Gras (Shrove Tuesday). Originally a catholic event welcoming the ritual fasting of Lent, Mardi Gras is celebrated in France with festive parades and sumptuous public celebrations. At BIS Abu Dhabi, students came together to not only recognize the festivity but rejoice at the opportunity to share and learn about the international traditions fostered within our community. With the help of Monsieur Depose and Mademoiselle Merchadier, the French DP classes baked tasty treats, including crepes, waffles, brownies, and traditional beignets!

As a teacher at BIS Abu Dhabi, I have the privilege of watching students grow — not just academically, but as young people finding their path in a complex world. One thing I’ve learned time and again is this: success doesn’t come from rare moments of brilliance — it comes from the quiet power of habits. Research tells us that up to 40% of what we do each day is driven by habit, not active decision-making. That means the routines our students form — the way they begin their morning, how they handle a setback, whether they choose to read or scroll — are shaping who they become.

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.

The British International School Abu Dhabi (BIS Abu Dhabi) was deeply honoured to welcome Her Highness Sheikha Shamma Bint Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan to its campus on Thursday, 17 April 2025. Her Highness, President & CEO of the UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators (UICCA) and The Climate Tribe, is a distinguished entrepreneur, thought leader, and researcher with a deep commitment to sustainability, climate change, and gender equity.

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.

A very warm welcome back to the final term of the academic year! We hope you all enjoyed a restful and refreshing break, and that you're returning with renewed energy and excitement for the weeks ahead! The summer term is always a special one. It brings opportunities for reflection, celebration, and meaningful moments – both inside and outside the classroom. Whether it’s final projects, performances, sports competitions or community events, we encourage all of our students to embrace everything the term has to offer. Let’s make it a time to be proud of – a chance to finish the year strong, to support one another, and to continue building lasting memories together.

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:

At BIS Abu Dhabi, safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do. As an international school, we are proud to provide a diverse and inclusive environment where students from various cultural backgrounds feel safe, supported, and empowered throughout their educational journey. Our core values of Honesty, Kindness, and Respect underpin all our safeguarding efforts, ensuring that every member of our school community is treated with care and consideration.

At The British International School Abu Dhabi, we believe that education is not just about academic success—it’s about nurturing compassionate, responsible young people who understand the importance of giving back. This Ramadan, I have been truly moved by the way our students have embraced the spirit of the holy month, demonstrating kindness, generosity, and a genuine commitment to making a difference in the lives of others.

The Eco Edventure has been buzzing with activity! We have worked collaboratively with the Design & Technology department and Mr. O’Brien’s CCA students, who kindly built a wooden bed for our rabbits Bun Bun and Rosie. Our Duke of Edinburgh students have been diligently supporting our Foundation Stage (FS) and Key Stage 1 (KS1) students during their Eco Edventure CCA. Some have even given up their break times to ensure the rabbits are fed, watered, have had their nails clipped, and are receiving plenty of cuddles. Read on to discover how our Eco Edventure brings learning to life!

At BIS Abu Dhabi we recognise that play is not just for early years—it is a vital component of learning at every stage of life. Play fuels creativity, problem-solving, and resilience, shaping curious minds that thrive in an ever-changing world. This year, we are continuing to build on the strong foundation of play in learning, further exploring how curiosity and hands-on experiences enrich education for all.

What is the purpose of school? While gaining qualifications is certainly important, it’s just as vital to develop the skills needed to succeed in life. Research shows that 85% of job success comes from well-developed soft skills—transferable life skills such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, adaptability, and the ability to negotiate and challenge viewpoints effectively.