SO LONG, FAREWELL, AUF WIEDERSEHEN, GOODBYE

ANNIE KIRKALDY

After 29 years as an expat living in Kenya and Egypt, and 20 of those years in Dubai, it is finally time for me to head home to the UK.

I will forever be grateful to former bursar Captain Higgins for taking me on as ABRSM Administrator in 2011 after many years trying to find a job (never underestimate the power of a 40-yearold Grade 5 piano certificate!). As someone told me at the time, ‘if you’re over 40 Dubai College is the only place you’ll get a job!’ The best part of my new role was sitting outside the practical exam room listening to the mostly glorious music that I could hear through the door while I proofread the Shamal, always hoping for another rendition of my favourite Grade 4 piano piece 'Chez le forgeron' by Maikapar. of the prefects made more noise with his ‘shushing’ than any low level chatter! It was a delight to help put together the inaugural Year 13 graduation ceremony and a challenge making sure no-one missed out on a Year 12 work experience placement. A favourite memory from this time is when Head Girl Alice Lovett asked me if a sea plane trip would be a nice surprise end-of-year gift for the Sixth Form team. Great idea, I said, only to arrive on the dock at Jebel Ali Hotel and see Mr Lambert looking a little green. Who knew he was not keen on flying? The fabulous gift turned out to be a white-knuckle ride over the Dubai coastline!

After almost two years I moved on to be the first Sixth Form Administrator (and was also Exams Assistant for the first year!), supporting the team there and trying to keep quiet and corral over 200 teenagers which was never easy, especially when one I wanted to depart the Sixth Form before it was my daughter Daisy’s turn to wear a blue shirt so I was delighted to join new headmaster Mr Lambert as his assistant in September 2015. I couldn’t believe my luck – the view from my new office in D block looked out over the stunning twin

tower buildings, and the quad grass where my favourite hoopoe birds were often spotted. That first year we navigated two school inspections, torrential rain and flooding, and a visit from Rita Ora! And who can forget when I changed my email address to Head’s PA but all emails I sent out went to parents’ spam folders as it seemed the messages were coming from a HEAD SPA! Working in the head’s office for almost six years has meant fabulous community highs but also, inevitably, terrible lows, and I will carry with me always the moments of tragedy. Thank you to all of you who have written in over the years in appreciation of our ever determined efforts to provide the right assistance at all times.

So many memories: getting rid of the worryingly-cheap AED1 bright pink ice lollies from the tuck shop (yes, you’re welcome, that was me!), regularly handing money out the window to Daisy, dear colleague Conceicao giving me access to the tuck shop after hours, a duck wandering into reception, delicious DC hummus, 50 tourists turning up one quiet Thursday afternoon for a tour when I was on my own in reception, a VIP table reserved for me at Music Charity Love, helping Mr Lambert dress up as Santa behind the auditorium curtains for a festive assembly – but I suspect the treat drawer will be my legacy. What started as a small box of lollipops in the Sixth Form office to mend a possibly broken heart or uplift a low spirit became a couple of biscuit tins on my admin block desk before what is now half a filing cabinet drawer full of treats! The infamous treat drawer has kept the SLT and admin team going on many a difficult day, and some other staff are also aware of its secret location. Mr Case in particular will, I suspect, for evermore look a little peckish…

There are so many events I hope to return for - as well as my favourite Music Charity Love I will come back for the fabulous Jazz Concert and to hear the Concert Band, to attend the musicals (I know I have reason for bias, but surely Guys and Dolls can never be beaten?), cheer for the rugby teams and to pick up a copy of Shamalthat for the first time I will not have read much of in advance!

I would like to sincerely thank Mike, for having the faith in me to take me on this journey as his assistant over the last eight years. Thank you to the teaching staff and those who taught Daisy, and also Alice and Jo at Jumeirah College, and to my admin and support staff friends and colleagues. And lastly to my partner in crime Laurette Benade, who has sat alongside and supported me over the last four years. I will miss you all.

In my working life so far, I have mixed paint in John Lewis, planned telecoms projects for Hughes and Marconi, sold computers in Nairobi, volunteered in the Kenya national government hospital’s children’s ward, run a primary school parents' association, helped found a twins’ group and relocated families to this city from all over the world, but I have never worked at a place, or with a community, quite as special as Dubai College. It has been the honour of my life to work at this wonderful school and I look forward to following your ongoing success from afar.

I’ll be seeing you…

GARY JEFFCOTE

It was summer of 2006. I was 32 and had never flown before. I stepped onto the plane in London alone, leaving behind my soon to

STUART FORSYTH

I'm off to England to start my own business. Thank you Dubai College for four lovely years and such wonderful opportunities, this really is a very special community and one which I have been privileged to be part of. be wife, to travel to Dubai. I was petrified to fly. To say it was a white knuckle ride is no exaggeration. Suffice to say, there were tears! Many hours later I arrived in one piece at Dubai airport and stepped off the plane. It was 2 O’clock in the morning and I remember as we exited the plane thinking how hot the engines were. As we moved away from the plane towards the bus I realised it wasn’t the engines! My education began. Since then I have taught in two different schools in Dubai, lived in three different houses and travelled to many different countries (I’m less afraid of flying now!). I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here. Before I moved to Dubai, I was offered a job at a very prestigious 6th Form College in England, along with the job in Dubai. I remember, as all men in this situation do, I called my Mom to ask for advice. She said to go for the job in Dubai otherwise I may regret not doing so as there would be other jobs in England. She was a wise woman and I miss her dearly every day. I have never regretted that decision. I initially signed a two year contract with the full intention of going back to the UK when it was done. Here I am 15 years later and I now have no intention of returning to the UK. My time at DC has been precious. I count myself among the lucky few who have had the opportunity to teach at such an awesome school. The contrast with my first job at an inner city school in Cardiff is too vast to mention. The great and supporting staff have been amazing, but what has made my time here so special is the chance to work with such talented and bright students. It has been a pleasure and a privilege. I truly wish everyone, staff and students alike, the best for the future, and as I have said countless times… Keep the peace my lovelies.

KELLY THOMPSON

Little did I know that a temporary maternity cover in the History Department at Dubai College in 2012 would turn into a professionally rewarding journey that would last a further nine years. In that time I have worked with wonderful colleagues and I have taught many, many talented students. It is my sincere hope that in a few of those students I have helped instill an appreciation for, and possibly even a lifelong interest in, history.

I will take away with me many fond memories of my time at DC, it is, however, incidents that deviate from the normal school day that often stand out. Watching astonishing athleticism on show at sports days, laughing breathlessly with other staff members as we are once again soundly beaten by a more youthful, leggy and lithe Old Girls netball team, being floored by the extensive knowledge of some of our students at the yearly History Bee and Bowl and incredible history trips overseas to Russia and Berlin. Wandering the gardens of the beautiful blue Catherine Palace with more than 50 excited DC students whilst it snowed remains an indelible memory.

After 23 years in Dubai it is time to move on to the next adventure and lay down deeper roots than those that grow in desert sand. I am heading back to the southern hemisphere but this time to New Zealand, my husband’s home country. I look forward to seeing my children enjoy more time in the company of grandparents and other extended family members just as I did as a child, and I relish the challenges of navigating a new school system and curriculum. Equally, however, I am apprehensive. It will not be easy to replace the warmth of the DC staffroom nor the drive and desire to learn and improve that Dubai College students possess. My years at DC, however, have equipped me with experience and expertise that I know will stand me in good stead in the future. Thank you Dubai College, students and staff, past and present. It has been a privilege.

CLAIRE MOULSON

I had thought that this school year might be quite relaxed for me, with perhaps a little bit of supply work here and there. Instead, I found myself agreeing to come into DC full-time and teach English and Drama! And I have to admit that I am really pleased that I did.

This has been a strange year for all of us and certainly one of the strangest years of my teaching career. (I never thought that I would feel so fondly towards a whiteboard.) Mrs Stillwell introduced me, with great patience, to the logistics of the classroom in 2020/21 and although I have wanted to throw my laptop out of the window many times, I have refrained and persevered – hopefully with some success. I am hugely appreciative of the students in my classes who explained, understood, commiserated, and endeavoured to learn through my turbulent IT tribulations. Special thanks also go to my husband and children who helped me set a pretend ‘virtual classroom’ at home to practise – it’s always fun living with a teacher!

Technology mastered (!) I’ve whizzed through Shakespeare, Stanislavski, fairy tales and Gothic stories and met the most amazing group of students along the way. I’ll really miss our chats – some more sensible than others – and wish them all the very best in their future undertakings. The lower school really has an amazing cohort – I hope Mr Bowler is standing by for his new Year 10. Thanks to both the Drama and English departments for making me feel so very welcome, and lots of nice people in masks who said ‘hello’ around the school! Thanks to all the students who made coming in to school so enjoyable, interesting and challenging; hopefully it was reciprocal…and I’m sorry we never made it to the beanbags. I wish you all the very best for the summer and beyond.

SHERIDAN TEASEL

What an amazing three years I have had at DC and I am so grateful for being offered the chance to work here! I clearly remember the day I received a call from Annie to arrange interviews, and was so excited when I received the offer to move to Dubai and join the DC team. Having lived in Hong Kong for 11 years, we were already familiar with the expat lifestyle, but Dubai living is special and rare. Plus, we were so happy to have stairs at home for the first time in over a decade!

I count myself incredibly lucky to have worked with the awesome Maths team at DC and I am very grateful to everyone who made it so easy to integrate into DC, especially Penny, Joe, all the Maths team, and my assigned 'parent' Richard McGrory (he doesn’t look old enough to be my parent though!?). I have loved stretching and challenging our most able students in class and in Puzzle Club, as well as helping make Maths clearer and more bearable for those less inclined towards the subject. It was such a great moment when I took our Year 8 teams to the Dubai Maths Super League last year and the DC A and B teams both beat every other school’s A team to take first and second places.

Having been passionate about the psychological theories and practices of Wellbeing for a long time, it was an absolute honour to share the role of Head of Positive Education with Mark Samways and work with him to start building and implementing the DC PosEd programme. I could not have asked for a better PosEd partner. Despite the challenges of COVID-19, it has been awesome to see staff and students making huge strides forward in our Wellbeing practices and education in the first two years. I am sad to leave and will miss all the great people at DC.

LYDIA CLOHESY

WOW 8 years have flown by! How am I supposed to fit all my memories on one page? It feels like only yesterday I was on the look out for Ms Madison, who was wearing bright pink leopard print scarf, in the Heathrow Airport terminal. It was a warm DC welcome before even stepping foot on the plane with Ms Shah, Mr Crawford and Mr Verma, and because of this I knew I had made the right decision to move to Dubai. So began an amazing adventure in the Middle East!

To my ‘cohort’ of staff who helped navigate the new expat life, including aggravating taxi drivers with painfully short trips in Al Barsha or braving the humidity to sit outside in 50 degree heat in downtown with Miss Parkes, Mr Verma and Miss Shah. You probably don’t realise it, but you guys are my 'home away from home', my rocks of support and giggles when I needed it!

To the staff room, who have been an absolute pleasure to work with, what a team! Whether you 'volunteered' to hold a stopwatch at swimming galas or for the honorary membership to ‘codgers corner’ (although I think my addition was in an effort to significantly lower the average age of that area of the staffroom) or for dancing in the auditorium pretending to be cowgirls, pandas and even wearing horses heads! Your support, enthusiasm and dedication to the school, is the core of what makes this place what it is. You are all absolutely amazing and inspiring!

To the PE department, thank you all so much for

your support and good times over the years. You have all put up with my weird and wacky sport choices (shuffleboard and frisbee golf to mention a few), listened to my 100% absolutely true (but not) facts and have provided me with plenty of laughs along the way. A special mention goes to Mr Jones for all the support you have given me over the years. It is very much a true fact that I would not be where I am for today if it wasn’t for you. You believed in me unequivocally and guided me through a very successful career, there are simply not enough words to say thank you.

Finally, to the DC students. There will be a GIANT hole in my heart the size of you all. Thank you for putting up with my pedantic white sock patrols, for making me laugh all the time (sometimes even uncontrollably – honorable mention to Mrs Bland boxing demos) and for being such an inspiration every single day, even when I’m being cranky. My cousin once said to me, “I am jealous of your job. You turn up every day and you honestly love it. It is not just a job for you, it is pure enjoyment” and she was right! It is a very rare thing to wake up day in and day out and look forward to the working day ahead, and that’s all because of you guys. As my Academic PE class have already asked, if I could fit you all in my suitcase and take you to Hong Kong, I would! I wish you all the best for your future; you all have the backing of fantastic teachers, access to the right mindset as well as the skills and tenacity to make anything of this world…. Go and get it!

SAWSAN ABDULHADI

Big success is luck and the man who said I’d rather be lucky than good saw deeply into life. People are afraid to face how greatly our life is dependent on luck. It is scary to think so much is out of one's control and in a blink of an eye our life might change completely for better or worse. Back in the good old days, I was very much settled in Amman having a good job at the American Embassy. With a twist of fate I had to quit everything and come to Dubai leaving behind friends and dear ones and even changing my whole career. As luck has always been on my side, I was happy in my second home and loved every bit of the new job challenge. After all, happiness is about finding fulfilment and I found a lot of fulfilment in teaching Arabic, "this beautiful language", as I usually describe it to my students. When preparing for my departure from Amman, I inadvertently packed up my history and life memories which made my suitcase too heavy. There were bouts of homesickness but whenever I longed for a sense of security and comfort associated with home, I used to reassure myself that life in the host country was perceived as temporary and I would soon be returning home. However as time passes, ‘home’ in the native country becomes more distant and little by little, in the middle of the way, you abandon your heavy suitcase that bends your back and prevents you from standing upright and looking ahead.

Memories are piled up in the stores of my brain. All connected and all pulling at one another. Some memories can be quite fickle and fleeting but the day when I first walked into DC premises is still fresh and vivid in my mind. I joined Dubai College as a part-time teacher because I was doing another part-time job at JESS. Soon DC asked me to become a full-time teacher and shortly after that I was asked to lead the department. Mesmerised with success, years began rolling between my fingers like rosary beads one after the other until I stopped counting. Years that were similar in all details but not in dates.

A generation goes and a generation comes but the earth endures forever. Life is about stringing small pleasures together: moments that you share with people you love and DC has definitely brought lots of smiles into my face. It has always been so gratifying to teach motivated students who want to learn or meet trusting parents who ask your advice or see good pleasing results.

Now, whenever a student asks me about next year, I shake my head and reply with a smile, "I will not be here next year." No matter how emotional that might feel, I hope I will soon be forgotten very much like a cloud that visited once, dropped rain and was gone.

I am quite excited about my upcoming phase, I will be living between Amman and Montreal and as I cannot stay away from DC, I will be spending a big chunk of my days in Washington D.C. I do hope that luck will continue to be my ally.

I would love to see you all wherever I am based and I wish Dubai College continued success.

asuzanna_2000@hotmail.com

VICKY BANKS

Vicky’s first encounter with Dubai College was in 2005 when she visited the Registrar to enquire about a place for her daughter, Talia.

In 2007, Vicky applied for the role of ABRSM Administrator. Always willing to lend a hand, she also helped the Admissions Office and the General Admin Team. Her hard work and dedication paid off and she moved into the role of Registrar.

After two years as Registrar, an opportunity became available as the Bursar’s Assistant. The role supported the legendary Captain Higgins, which Vicky managed with ease.

Following the retirement of Captain Higgins in 2014, Vicky took on the new role of Operations and Communications Manager. Vicky has played an instrumental role in the internal and external examinations at DC. Her well organised and methodical mind has ensured that exams have run seamlessly. After 14 dedicated years at Dubai College, we are very sad to see her go and we wish her all the very best with her next chapter back in the UK.

MIR HASSAN VANESA GONZALES LAILANIE SIMON PRASAD KADALI KATIE GILL

Mir Hassan joined the DC staff as carpenter in 1996. Since then, he has moved on to being an essential part of the Design and Technology Team, supporting generations of students with their projects. His skills and patience have been a crucial part of the department and he will be sorely missed. He is heading off to re-join his family and semi-retirement and so we wish him every happiness and peace and thank him for all he has done in these 24 years.

We are also saying goodbye to Vanesa Gonzales and Lailanie Simon who both joined DC at the same time just over 8 years ago as bus attendants. In these times they have both been cheerful and supportive team members, Lailanie on bus 6 and Vanesa on bus 2. In addition, they have been both regularly assisted with many school activities and FDC events, as well as their normal duties around the school. They are heading back to the Philippines, both with the intention of starting a family; we wish them both all the best.

We all take for granted the air conditioning around the school but do not sometimes appreciate the amount of effort it takes in keeping it operational. Prasad Kadali was, when he arrived nearly four years ago, the sole AC Technician in the school. The team has developed since then, but Prasad has been the key worker understanding the systems and coaxing the best out of some fairly ancient equipment for which we have all been extremely grateful. He heads back to be with his family, but we hope that we may see him again some time. Until then, we wish him every success and happiness.

Finally, Katie Gill, our Head of HR is returning to the UK with her husband Nik. In her time here she has undertaken much in the way of modernising the HR department to provide a better service for all. Her good humour and common-sense approach have been greatly appreciated by all, as has her ability to come up with effective solutions to a myriad of problems and difficult situations. In addition to her work, she is a keen runner and eater of chocolate, both of which I am sure she will continue back home. We wish her and Nik every success in their future endeavours.