Education UAE Issue 18 - Spring Break

HAVE AN ABSOLUTE ADVENTURE

MARCH 2024

ADEK AWARDS WINNERS CROWNED

EXPLORING THE WORLD

THE TRANSFORMATIVE BENEFITS OF EDUCATIONAL TRAVEL FOR LEARNERS

DANAT JEBEL DHANNA RESORT

MOVING & STORAGE 50% OFFER

Enjoy the ultimate family vacation at The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Hamra Beach with our exclusive School Holidays Package, filled with excitement, fun, and culinary delights.

Package Inclusions:

• Daily breakfast for 2 adults and 1 child at the Shore House Restaurant.

• Complimentary lunch and dinner with soft drinks and ice cream for children under 12 years.

• AED 200 Resort Credit per night for additional activities and experiences.

• Access to Ritz Kids at Al Hamra Beach and Al Wadi Desert with shuttle service.

To know more, visit //www.ritzcarlton.com/al-hamra-beach or dial +971 7-204 8888

CELEBRATING DIVERSITY IN EDUCATION DURING RAMADAN

As the crescent moon graces the night sky and the call to prayer echoes through the air, we welcome you to the Spring Break edition of Education UAE. Education is not merely the acquisition of knowledge but a transformative journey that shapes individuals and societies alike. Just as fasting during Ramadan strengthens the body and soul, the pursuit of knowledge nourishes the mind and spirit. Through thoughtprovoking articles, insightful interviews, and captivating stories, this edition highlights the transformative power of education in fostering empathy, understanding, and compassion.

We visit JESS Dubai, to share a biscuit and a pat on the head with the school’s reading dogs, specially trained therapy dogs that create a non-judgmental atmosphere, encouraging reluctant readers to practice reading aloud without fear of criticism.

In the world of mental health, understanding and accommodating autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is paramount. Each individual with autism possesses unique strengths, challenges, and learning styles, and Education UAE looks at how the gap can be bridged in understanding and inclusion among educators.

We also look at how exploring the world through educational trips can be transformative for students and, staying on the subject of international exploration and success, we speak to Global Student Prize Winner, Nhial Deng, who calls on inspirational UAE students to apply for the 2024 edition.

Taking to the stage, we look at how the performing arts play a pivotal role in education, offering students a holistic approach to learning that cultivates creativity, expression, and collaboration. Through music, theatre, dance, and more, students develop essential skills such as communication, problem-solving, and emotional intelligence, and we visit the only academy of its kind in the MENA region, Sharjah Performing Arts Academy (SPAA), which is dedicated to world-leading education and training

This issue of Education UAE is packed with news, views, and opinions, and as we delve into the pages of this special edition, let us embrace the values of curiosity, empathy, and lifelong learning that define both Ramadan and the field of education. May it inspire us to cultivate a deeper appreciation for the beauty of diversity and the limitless possibilities that learning affords.

Rod Millington Editor-in-Chief

Rod Millington has been active in the commercial writing sector for over 30 years, with work published throughout Europe, North America, the Far East, and the Middle East. During this time, he has had the privilege to speak to a wide range of fascinating and entrepreneurial people, from captains of industry through to pop icons such as Sir Paul McCartney. In total, Rod has had over 25 million words committed to print across more than 35 publications for clients as diverse as FIFA, Cunard, Virgin Atlantic Airlines, and Dubai Municipality.

TEAM

Belinda Breeze

Daniel Murad

Ellaine Mae

Gemmalyn Cruz Ocampo

Laura Wojciechowski

Leah De La Hunty

Louis Rayner

Rod Millington

CONTACT

educationuae@tpg.media www.education-uae.com

SOCIAL MEDIA

@educationuaemag

@educationuaemag @education-uae

16 SHARE THE DIBBER JOY AND EARN BIG REWARDS!

72

NLCS DUBAI: WHERE GLOBAL LEADERS BLOSSOM

96

VIRTUAL CLASSROOMS IN THE CLOUD

THE FEATURES IN THIS ISSUE INCLUDE…

DID YOU KNOW?

6 Inaugural ADEK Award Winners

10 More Growth in Number of Children attending Early Childhood Centres in Dubai

EXCELLENCE IN PRE-SCHOOL

16 Spread the word: Share the Dibber Joy and Earn Big Rewards!

20 UAE President Honours Nursery

EXCELLENCE IN SCHOOLS

30 Rated ‘Outstanding’: Guiding the Path to Excellence

52 Scholars International Academy: Setting the Bar Higher and Where Results Speak Louder

72 NLCS Dubai: Where Global Leaders Blossom Unpacking The Success Story

74 Global Student Prize Winner Nihal Deng calls on “inspirational” UAE students to Apply for 2024 Edition

EXCELLENCE IN HIGHER EDUCATION

90 University of Birmingham Dubai, Bridging the Gap in Autism

94 Canadian University Dubai Partners with Harvard Model Congress Middle East to Empower Future Leaders

EDTECH

96 Virtual Classrooms in the Cloud: Redefining Learning Spaces

100 Transform Your Future: Learn Chinese With Hihilulu For Global Opportunities!

EDUCATIONAL TRIPS

104 Exploring the World: The transformative Benefits of Educational Travel for Learners

110 Epic journeys, Unforgettable Memories with Absolute Adventure

SPORTS

122 Abu Dhabi Cup 2024 Concluded with New Records Set and International Champions Crowned at Zayed Sports City

128 Young Golfers Shine at Brighton College Dubai’s Junior Open

OUR WORLD

132 As Part of the Wildlife Rescue Programme, the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi and The National Aquarium are Set to Rescue “turtle 1,000”

PARENTS CORNER

134 Hands-on fun for Everyone at Olioli® Children’s Museum!

TEACHERS CORNER

146 Schools and Teachers Shortlisted for First ever TES Awards for International schools 2024

150 50% off Moving and Storage for Teachers with Easytruck!

BON VOYAGE – TRAVEL NEAR

156 Elevating Hospitality to Extraordinary Heights

160 Your Ultimate Holiday Escape Awaits!

162 Unforgettable School Holiday Escape

HEALTH AND NUTRITION

164 Red Meat Consumption Associated with Increased Type 2 Diabetes Risk

FASHION

166 What Does Your Kids’ Clothing Say About Them?

INAUGURAL ADEK AWARDS WINNERS CROWNED

The winners of the inaugural ADEK Awards have been crowned in a celebratory ceremony that was attended by the school principals, teachers, and students across Abu Dhabi schools. Organised by the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge, the ADEK Awards recognises the outstanding achievements of people, schools, and initiatives across the emirates’ education ecosystem.

In its first edition, ADEK Awards drew over 300 submissions across 11 individual and school-level categories from public, private, and charter schools in the emirate. Each submission was assessed by 35 expert judges against a comprehensive assessment and scoring criteria for each award.

ADEK AWARD WINNERS

Five winners won the Individual ADEK Awards. The winner in each category won a prize of AED 50,000.

Principal of the Year Award:

 Salama Khalfan Obaid Al Mazrouei, Qatr - Al Nada High School

OUTSTANDING TEACHER AWARD:

Early Years & Primary Teacher:

 Mariam Mohammed Jumma Al Jaberi - Mubarak Bin Mohammed School

Secondary Teacher:

 Sadiq Amin Khan - Islamiya English School

Arabic Literacy & Culture Teacher:

 Hanan Fathy Salim - Yasmina British Academy

Unsung Hero:

 Amal Al Shriti - Liwa International School, Falaj Hazaa

AED 3.6 million prize pool awarded to 28 winners across 11 individual and school level categories

SCHOOL AWARDS

The schools’ awards recognised the winners, with winning schools receiving various prizes that are dedicated to improving the winning schools’ initiatives.

Best Inclusive Practices (AED 300,000):

 Mayoor Private School

Most Improved (AED 200,000):

 Bright Riders School

Best Professional Development Programmes (AED 150,000):

 Liwa International School for Girls

Best Reading Programme (AED 150,000):

 Abu Dhabi International Private School

Best Arabic Programme (AED 150,000):

 Liwa International School, Falaj Hazaa

Best Parental Engagement (AED 100,000):

 Al Ain Juniors School

Best Student Wellbeing Programme (AED 100,000):

 Mohammed Bin Khalid Al Nahyan Generations School (MBKS)

STANDARDISED BENCHMARK ASSESSMENT

The schools who won in this category for their attainment and progress in Standardised Benchmark Assessments each picked up AED 125,000.

 Abdulla Bin Al Zubair Private School

 Abu Dhabi International Private School

 Al Ain Juniors Private School

 Al Saad Indian School

 Baraem Al Ain Private School

 Emirates Falcon International Private School

 Emirates Private British School

 Future International Academy

 Mayoor Private School

 Oasis International School

 Raha International School

 Sharjah American International School

 Universal Private School

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND AJMAN FREE ZONE COLLABORATE TO APPROVE LICENCES FOR HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS

The Ministry of Education (MoE) and the Ajman Free Zone have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the aim of licensing higher education institutions (HEIs) owned by the latter. The goal is to provide high-quality higher education in the emirate and offer students multiple study options, aligning with their passions and aspirations and enhancing their competitiveness in the job market.

The MoU was signed by His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Al Mualla, Undersecretary of Academic Affairs at MoE, and His Excellency Ismail Al Naqi, Director-General of the Free Zones Authority in Ajman.

His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Al Mualla highlighted that the MoU supports MoE’s efforts to create an innovative and globally competitive educational system, meeting future labour market requirements. He expressed the ministry’s keenness to attract leading HEIs to provide quality education that enhances students’ abilities to contribute to enhancing the efficiency of government and local performance.

His Excellency Dr. Al Mualla emphasised the Ministry’s dedication to collaborating with federal and local government entities to develop a comprehensive and integrated educational system.

This goal is to align with the government’s vision of building a knowledge-based society and achieving sustainable development, enhancing the competitiveness of community members across all fields.

For his part, His Excellency Ismail Al Naqi praised the strategic cooperation with MoE, highlighting the significance of the MoU as a crucial step in attracting investments and advancing economic development in the emirate. His Excellency said: “At the Ajman Free Zone, we are committed to delivering sustainable, best services and facilities to fulfil the diverse needs of our customers.”

The MoU facilitates the granting of a commercial licence to any HEI affiliated with the free zones of Ajman Free Zone, in cooperation with the Ministry of Education. Additionally, HEIs obtaining a commercial licence from the Ajman Free Zone must also acquire the institutional licence and programme accreditation from the Ministry’s Commission for Academic Accreditation department.

KHDA

DUBAI PRIVATE SCHOOLS RANK IN THE TOP 14 GLOBALLY FOR MATHS, SCIENCE, AND READING

For the first time, Dubai private schools have ranked among the top 14 in the world in mathematics, science, and reading in the most recent cycle of the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), exceeding the National Agenda target of the top 15.

Organised every three years by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), PISA measures the ability of 15-year-olds to use their reading, mathematics, and science knowledge and skills to meet real-life challenges.

Dubai private schools ranked ninth globally in mathematics with a mean score of 497, exceeding the OECD average by 25 points. Dubai schools also ranked 13 globally in reading with a mean score of 498, and 14th in science, with a mean score of 503 points.

Dr Abdulla Al Karam, Director General of the Dubai Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) said: “Earlier this year we announced the biggest ever year-on-year increase in school student enrolment in Dubai. Today, we’re announcing the highestever ranking by Dubai private schools in PISA. Through the leadership of their principals, the expertise of their teachers, and the resolve of their students, our schools have gone beyond the national agenda targets and can rightfully take their place as among the best in the world.

“Dubai private schools were quick to resume face-to-face teaching and learning during the pandemic, enabling students and staff to reconnect and

improve learning outcomes. We’re grateful to school leaders, teachers, parents, and students whose commitment to quality and improvement has made our private school community what it is today, and whose continued dedication will propel it into the future.”

Schools rated Outstanding scored 551 points in mathematics, 553 in science, and 554 in reading, significantly higher than the OECD average of 472, 485 points and 476 points respectively.

IB curriculum schools performed the best, scoring 535 points in mathematics, 538 points in science, and 528 points in reading.

Fatma Belrehif, CEO of Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau said: “The performance of Dubai private schools in the latest round of PISA assessments

shows our schools continue to offer a high quality of education across all curricula, which is on par with the best education systems around the world and exceeds the UAE National Agenda targets.

“The effectiveness of our robust quality assurance system is reflected in the results of schools rated Good and better, which continue to outperform global averages in international assessments. We thank our schools for supporting their students throughout the pandemic and congratulate them on their outstanding achievement.”

A total of 9,250 students from 171 schools offering eight different curricula participated in the PISA 2022 study.

 FATMA BELREHIF, CEO OF THE DUBAI SCHOOLS INSPECTION BUREAU

MORE GROWTH IN NUMBER OF CHILDREN ATTENDING EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTRES IN DUBAI

More parents than ever are choosing early childhood centres in Dubai to give their children a head start, according to figures just released by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA).

The latest infographic data on Dubai’s private early childhood centres show a 15% increase in the number of children enrolled, echoing the 12% record enrolment growth reported by Dubai private schools earlier this academic year. Nearly 250 centres - 27 of which have opened in the previous 12 months - care for more than 23,500 children, 3,000 more than this time last year.

Dr Abdulla Al Karam, director general of KHDA said: “Early childhood centres are not only about today’s children; they are about tomorrow’s innovators and changemakers. Just as they nurture children to live, learn and thrive in a city and world that is constantly evolving, they also nurture the growth and prosperity of Dubai.

“The enrolment growth we have seen in the past year is a clear indication of the effort centres have made to improve quality, and of the trust that parents have placed in early childhood centres to provide children with rich learning experiences."

“We’re grateful to early childhood centre managers and teachers for giving our children a safe and happy start to their education journey. The foundations they provide lead to more cohesive communities, a stronger economy and a more prosperous future for all.”

Data in the infographic also points to the diversity in early childhood centres in Dubai. Parents can choose from centres offering 14 different curricula and learning approaches, with Arabic, English, French, Spanish or Russian, among others, as the main language of instruction. The majority of centres have children from up to 20 different nationalities enrolled, while some centres have more than 41 different nationalities.

The majority of children enrolled - 66 per cent - are between two and four years old. Nearly 80% of children attend five days a week. The infographic also includes data on the number of teachers and staff employed at early childhood centres.

15%

G���I����S���E���U���A��

I���r���i���l ��e���o��C���i���u� (I��)

(N���)

S���i��

W���o��

14 d���e���t ���i���a . 7 o���r ��t��

UNITE AGAINST HATE SPEECH

The UNESCO International Day of Education, celebrated annually on 24 January, serves as a global platform to highlight the importance of education as a fundamental human right and a key driver of sustainable development. The theme for each year's celebration reflects current global challenges and opportunities, and in 2024 it focused on the crucial role of education and teachers in countering the rise of hate speech amplified by social media.

Hate speech on social media has become an alarming and pervasive issue, highlighting the darker side of the digital age. The ease of communication and anonymity afforded by online platforms has, unfortunately, provided a breeding ground for the spread of hate speech, contributing to the amplification of prejudice, discrimination, and hostility.

The impact of hate speech goes beyond the virtual realm too, affecting individuals’ mental well-being. Targeted groups, whether based on race, religion, gender, or other characteristics, may experience emotional distress and, in severe cases, face physical threats.

Hate speech on social media has become an alarming and pervasive issue

That is why this year's UNESCO International Day of Education, was held under the banner of ‘Learning for Lasting Peace’. An active commitment to peace is more urgent today than ever: Education is central to this endeavour, as underlined by the UNESCO Recommendation on Education for Peace, Human Rights and Sustainable Development. Learning for peace must be transformative, and help

empower learners with the necessary knowledge, values, attitudes, skills, and behaviours to become agents of peace in their communities.

Safeguard the essence of our societies — empower individuals with the tools to resist and counter hate, nurturing tolerance and mutual understanding.

Together, let’s reshape education for a brighter future.

COORDINATING COUNCIL FOR HIGHER EDUCATION EXPLORES STRATEGIES FOR EDUCATIONAL SECTOR TO REALISE UAE’S AMBITIONS

His Excellency Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Education, chaired the 22nd meeting of the Coordinating Council for Higher Education.

The event drew the participation of highlevel officials, including His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Al-Mualla, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education for Academic Affairs, His Excellency Younis Haji Al Khoori, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Finance, and Prof. Dr. Mohamed Yousif Baniyas, Director of the Commission for Academic Accreditation at the Ministry of Education. Higher education institutions (HEIs) were represented by His Excellency Zaki Anwar Nusseibeh, Chancellor of United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), His Excellency Dr. Faisal Al Ayyan, President and CEO of the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT), Prof. Dr. Michael Allen, Provost and Chief Academic Officer at Zayed University, Prof. Dr. Andrew Marrington, Dean of Academic Affairs and Advisor to the Provost for Programmes & Curricula at Zayed University, Sumaya

Abdulaziz Al Hosani, Vice President of Strategy and Future at HCT, and Khalfan Saleh Al Dhaheri, Deputy VC for Finance and Admin Affairs (Secretary General) at UAEU.

The meeting evaluated the progress of work at UAE-based HEIs, and explored strategies for implementing the priorities outlined by President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for the Union's aspirations in 2024 in the educational sector. Recognising education as a cornerstone of progress, the participants emphasised its pivotal role in elevating the country's global standing.

His Excellency Dr. Al Falasi said: “The directive of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to focus on education in 2024 will guide the Council’s

work during the upcoming period. Our goal is to launch projects that advance higher education and scientific research in the country, equipping students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the labour market. The Ministry of Education is keen to work together with all HEIs to boost the educational sector, enhance its competitiveness, and empower students to take on leadership roles, fostering creativity and innovation for a better tomorrow.”

The meeting's agenda encompassed an overview of HCT's programmes and initiatives aimed at aligning educational outcomes with labour market requirements. Furthermore, the Council members discussed health educational programmes designed for Emirates Health Services (EHS) to boost the country’s health sector. Additionally, they examined the guidance document for federal HEIs on admission, teaching, and qualification procedures for students of determination, along with the mechanisms for the experimental implementation of these guidelines.

The Coordinating Council for Higher Education was established by a decision of the UAE Cabinet in 2014. The Council oversees all issues concerning higher education in the country with a focus on the alignment of strategic plans among UAE-based public and private HEIs as well as establishing frameworks for unified admission. The body is also responsible for ensuring the effective implementation of higher education policies.

JUMEIRAH INTERNATIONAL NURSERIES CHAMPIONS WOMEN AND FAMILIES WITH WOWPRENEUR EVENT

In a heartfelt celebration that beautifully intertwined the essence of womanhood and the joys of family, Jumeirah International Nurseries (JINS), part of the esteemed Fortes Education portfolio, hosted the memorable WOWpreneur Market at JINS Downtown. Held on March 8th, in alignment with International Women’s Day and as a precursor to Mother’s Day festivities, this event showcased the collective spirit of empowerment, entrepreneurship, and familial bonds.

At JINS Downtown, the WOWpreneur Market unfolded as a dynamic celebration, drawing together over 100 attendees — passionate mums, encouraging dads, and enthusiastic children — in a powerful homage to women’s dual role as nurturers and pioneers. The event spotlighted 14 women entrepreneurs, each presenting an array of compelling offerings, from enriching lifestyle products and insightful literature to gourmet delights, innovative beauty solutions, and captivating entertainment, showcasing women’s indomitable spirit and creativity.

Esteemed figures from Fortes Education, namely, Mrs Shakuntala Mankani, the founder; Katrina Mankani, the Managing Director; and Samina Khanyari, the Group General Manager, graced the event with their presence. Their participation underscored the deep-seated belief in nurturing and empowering women to lead and inspire.

Mrs. Shakuntala Mankani shared her insights and said, “WOWpreneur is more than an event; it’s a movement. It’s about recognising the incredible capacity of women to lead, create, and nurture. Today, we celebrate not just women’s entrepreneurial spirit but also motherhood’s profound impact in shaping our future.”

LADYBIRD NURSERY ACHIEVES LEED GOLD

Dubai’s Ladybird Nursery is only the second in the Middle East to achieve LEED Gold Certification. Located in Al Barsha, Dubai, and designed by Godwin Austen Johnson (GAJ), it is the sister nursery to the first Ladybird Early Learning Centre, also designed by GAJ, which achieved certification in 2016. Both nurseries have achieved the highest scores for a pre-school outside of the United States, with scores of 72 points and 68 points respectively, and are the only LEED-certified nursery schools in the UAE.

PRE-SCHOOL FRIENDSHIP: SOCIAL SKILLS START IN EARLY CHILDHOOD

In celebration of February’s International Friendship Month, Hummingbird Early Learning Centre, one of the leading centres for early years education and development in the UAE and accredited by the UK’s Pre-School Learning Alliance, shines a light on the importance of teaching friendship skills to pre-schoolers. Friendships are one of the earliest and most important skills we learn in nurseries. It gives children valuable contexts in which to learn and practice skills related to social, cognitive, communicative, and emotional development. At around three to four years old, children begin to gravitate towards each other, looking for play partners and acknowledgment from others their age. However, that doesn’t mean children always know how to be a good friend. That’s where teachers come in.

SPREAD THE WORD: SHARE THE DIBBER JOY AND EARN BIG REWARDS!

Do you know someone who wants their child to become a curious, compassionate, and confident lifelong learner with a heart for the world? Look no further!

At Dibber, we're passionate about nurturing the next generation of global citizens. We also believe in the power of community, and that’s exactly why we're excited to announce our ‘Introduce a Friend’ programme.

WHY REFER YOUR FRIEND TO DIBBER, YOU MAY ASK - HERE’S WHY!

 Make a positive impact: Help shape the future by introducing a family you know to a suitable programme for their child that will empower the young one to become a responsible and engaged global citizen of tomorrow.

 Get rewarded: Enjoy benefits for sharing your positive Dibber experience with friends and family in your circle and by being a Dibber ambassador.

 Strengthen your community: Help families in the UAE discover a unique and globally reputed educational approach that fosters a love for learning and encourages children to thrive through playful and holistic learning.

WHAT IS IN IT FOR YOUR FRIENDS?

Dibber is a corporation with international preschools that provides the finest Early Childhood Development (ECD) services. We have over 600 Early Childhood Education Centres across 10 countries, ensuring that more than 40,000 children learn new skills, build competencies, create fond memories and new friendships, experience the Dibber way of learning, and feel valued every single day.

Our internationally acclaimed education is delivered by a team of compassionate and qualified educators who are dedicated to your child’s growth and happiness.

A PLACE WHERE EVERY CHILD IS TREASURED

We provide Early Childhood Development with the aim of making every child feel valuable, focusing on their holistic development, and helping them become the best versions of themselves through our interactive and playful learning approaches.

600 Early Childhood Education Centres, 10 countries, ensuring 40,000+ children learn new skills.

LEARNING ‘DRIVEN BY HEART’

We are driven by heart and can guarantee that you and your child will experience this in every Dibber facility. Our heart culture unifies us in our belief that everyone is valuable and deserves the opportunity to recognise their intrinsic value and thrive. Learn more about our Heart Culture: Dibber's Heart Culture | Nursery | Dibber UAE.

WARM-HEARTED AND ENGAGED EDUCATORS

At Dibber, we recognise that the quality of interaction between children and adults is essential to children’s development and learning. When children step through the doors at Dibber, they will be greeted by our highly capable, warm-hearted, and professional adults.

OUR WORLD-RENOWNED NORDIC HERITAGE

Dibber learns from the happiest nations to nurture thriving children and embraces evidence-based Nordic approaches. Our teaching is shaped by Nordic pedagogy principles, considered among the most respected and progressive in the world, that create a lifelong love for learning.

At Dibber, we want to lead the way towards children achieving mastery and self-efficacy. Our carefully crafted curriculum helps us do just that: The Dibber Curriculum | Nursery | Dibber UAE | Dubai | Abu Dhabi.

THE DIBBER MEAL AS A LEARNING CONCEPT

We believe learning extends beyond textbooks and tests. It’s about nurturing the whole child - mind, body, and soul. What better way to do that than through the heart of every community - the meal table? This is a revolutionary concept that goes far beyond simply providing meals for our children when they are at our facilities. A Joyous & Healthy Dibber Meal | Nursery | Dibber UAE.

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO DO?

 It’s simple - refer a friend to Dibber!

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

You get AED 3,000 if your friend registers.

 The family that you introduce will get AED 1,000 and 1 free month of the Dibber Meal, which is up to AED 625. It’s a sweet deal, isn’t it?

 Additionally, we have a special bonus for you! If you make five successful introductions, you earn an extra AED 1,000.

HOW DO YOU REDEEM YOUR REWARD?

 Once ‘your introduction’ completes their second month at Dibber, you will be granted your reward.

 You can get an immediate deduction from your child’s next term’s fee.

 We do have one tiny clause. You cannot exchange your rewards or cash it.

So, what are you waiting for?

Introduce a friend and earn up to AED 3,000! It comes with a great incentive, so do not miss the chance. The Dibber family is always looking to welcome new members and grow, and we would love your support in this. Let’s spread the happiness!

It’s about nurturing the whole child - mind, body, and soul

UNDERSTANDING NATURE’S BALANCE AT IDEA EARLY LEARNING CENTRE

As the world faces increasing environmental challenges, equipping children with knowledge about sustainability prepares them to address these challenges as future leaders and change-makers. At IDEA Early Learning Centre in Victory Heights, Dubai, they are paying more than just lip service to this, announcing the launch of the first sustainability curriculum designed specifically for nursery-age children.

Claire Walker, BA Hons and NCFE CACHE Level 5 in Leadership is currently managing IDEA Early Learning Centre In Sports City, Dubai. With Over a decade of experience in education and a passion for sustainability. Claire is committed to going beyond traditional learning and providing hands-on experiences that empower children to become stewards of the environment.

Teaching sustainability involves skills like problem-solving, innovation, and resourcefulness. These skills are valuable not just for environmental issues but for navigating various aspects of life, with IDEA Early Learning Centre introducing a programme that integrates sustainability principles into its early childhood curriculum.

Sustainability education encourages critical thinking, and the curriculum is crafted to instil an understanding and appreciation for environmental conservation among young learners. By way of hands-on activities, absorbing lessons, and interactive experiences, children will embark on a journey to

“We believe that early education plays a pivotal role in shaping environmentally conscious individuals”

explore the miracles of nature, recognise the significance of conservation, and learn practical ways to contribute positively to the planet.

Claire Walker, Director of IDEA Early Learning Centre, explained: “We believe that early education plays a pivotal role in shaping environmentally conscious individuals. Our sustainability curriculum goes beyond traditional learning by providing hands-on experiences that empower children to become stewards of the environment."

“At IDEA Early Learning Centre, we believe in fostering a profound connection between children and nature. Our innovative farming curriculum for our children is designed to instil a deep understanding of the agricultural world and cultivate an appreciation for sustainable practices from an early age. Through hands-on experiences, our young learners engage in various farming activities, from planting seeds and nurturing crops to caring for animals. These experiences provide invaluable lessons on responsibility, teamwork, and the interconnectedness of our ecosystem. By immersing children in the farming process, we aim to nurture a sense of stewardship for the environment and an appreciation for where our food comes from.”

Recognised as one of the best international nurseries by the Nursery and Day Care Association in the United Kingdom, IDEA Early Learning Centre is committed to empowering children to make informed decisions, become responsible global citizens, and actively contribute to creating a more sustainable world.

Teaching sustainability involves skills like problemsolving, innovation, and resourcefulness

IDEA EARLY LEARNING CENTRE

UAE PRESIDENT HONOURS NURSERY

 IN ATTENDANCE WERE, HIS HIGHNESS SHEIKH MOHAMED BIN ZAYED AL NAHYAN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES AND RULER OF ABU DHABI, HIS HIGHNESS SHEIKH THEYAB BIN MOHAMED BIN ZAYED AL NAHYAN, CHAIRMAN OF THE OFFICE OF DEVELOPMENT AND MARTYRS FAMILIES AFFAIRS AND CHAIRMAN OF THE ECA

Tappy Toes Nursery becomes the first nursery in the UAE to receive recognition from the UAE Government.

The UAE encourages organisations to be more supportive towards working parents, making it the central focus of the government’s programmes and strategies. In line with this strategy - Tappy Toes Nursery, an early childhood education provider, has announced that it has been awarded the prestigious Parent-Friendly Plus Label for fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for working parents and exceeding global best practices.

The nursery was honoured in a recognition ceremony, which took place in Abu Dhabi, which was attended by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, His Highness Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Office of Development and Martyrs Families Affairs and Chairman of the ECA. His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan had expressed his appreciation to all the institutions participating in the programme for their commitment.

The parent-friendly label programme was started by the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA) to encourage companies across the UAE to adopt policies/ practices that support working parents of young children - making

it easier for them to balance family and work responsibilities. Studies have shown that over 70% of fulltime working parents want flexible workplaces or family-friendly policies.

Tappy Toes Nursery upholds a range of progressive policies aimed at promoting a healthy work-life balance for its employees. Among these initiatives are extended maternity leave options, paid leave in case of miscarriage, paternity leave, flexible work hours, and well-being programmes to support emotional and mental health. Additionally, the nursery boasts of a dedicated maternity room to support the needs of nursing mothers within the workplace.

Foram Gohel, Managing Director, Tappy Toes Nursery said, “We are deeply honoured to receive this prestigious award as it confirms our dedication to creating an environment that supports working parents. We strongly believe that by providing comprehensive support to our staff, we can offer the best care and education to the children entrusted to us.”

Studies have shown that companies with family-friendly policies benefit children’s overall health and development, and the wellbeing of employees.

Companies experience increased employee satisfaction, leading to higher retention rates, less absenteeism, loyalty, higher employee morale and improved productivity.

Tappy Toes Nursery was established in 2015 and has branches in Al Karama and Dubai South.

TAPPY TOES NURSERY

HUMMINGBIRD NURSERY AND BEHAVIOUR DANAT TO REVOLUTIONISE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

In a momentous collaboration, Hummingbird Nursery and Behaviour DANAT have joined forces to redefine early childhood education standards. This strategic alliance brings together two industry leaders, combining their expertise to establish an unparalleled learning environment for young minds.

 JODIE TAYLOR, MANAGER OF HUMMINGBIRD NURSERY IN THE DAFZ

Hummingbird and Behaviour DANAT are set to elevate early childhood education standards. This partnership represents a commitment to providing a dynamic and advanced educational experience that sets a new benchmark for excellence.

Focusing on a holistic approach to development, the collaboration integrates innovative educational practices with cutting-edge behavioural methodologies. This ensures that every child receives a well-rounded learning experience, fostering not only academic growth but also personal development.

As a part of their commitment to accessibility, parents can now unlock exclusive offers by participating in the ‘DANAT Points’ programme. This initiative empowers parents to actively contribute to their child’s educational journey. By participating in the programme, parents earn valuable points through various engagements, creating a symbiotic relationship between home and school. These accrued points serve as a gateway to an array of exclusive offers, discounts, and special privileges, extending beyond conventional educational incentives.

The ‘DANAT Points’ programme not only recognises and rewards parental involvement but also strengthens the sense of community within the learning environment. It embodies a commitment to making premium early childhood education an inclusive and collaborative endeavour, ensuring that every family, regardless of financial considerations, can partake in the transformative educational experience provided by Hummingbird Nursery.

Jodie Taylor, Manager of the newest branch of Hummingbird Nursery in the DAFZ, expressed her enthusiastic anticipation about the partnership, stating, “This collaboration with Behaviour DANAT signifies a significant step towards shaping the future of early childhood education. It is not merely an alliance between institutions; it is a convergence of cutting-edge educational practices with a nationally acclaimed programme that studies behavioural science. Together, we are not just offering a curriculum; we are crafting an environment that goes beyond conventional learning. We are prioritising the holistic development of each child in our care—nurturing their intellectual curiosity, emotional intelligence, and social skills.

Our aim is to empower them with the tools they need to thrive in an everevolving world.”

This partnership not only marks an important milestone for both organisations but also signals a transformative era in early childhood education. Behaviour DANAT and Hummingbird Nursery, strategically situated in DIFC and DAFZ Dubai, along with Al Reem Island Abu Dhabi, extend an invitation to the community, parents, and education professionals to join the journey of innovation and excellence in early childhood education.

VISIT WEBSITE EMAIL

HUMMINGBIRD NURSERY

REDWOOD CENTER OF EXCELLENCE BECOMES THE FIRST PRE-SCHOOL IN THE UAE TO RECEIVE THE INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE (IB) PYP ACCREDITATION

“Redwood CoE offers the IB PYP within the innovative blended curriculum of Montessori, Reggio, EYFS and STEM - this is not found in any other setting or school, comments Kamil Najjar, CEO of Kids First Group, It’s an honour to receive such a prestigious authorisation, following a strict process monitored by the IB and we’re proud to be the first to set a new standard for early childhood learning in the UAE”

Founder and CEO of Kids First Group (KFG), Kamil Najjar has extensive corporate experience in Beauty and FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer Goods) with some of the biggest companies in the world. However, his passion for early childhood education led him to leave the corporate world in August 2011, and today KFG owns and operates 32 nurseries in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha.

The IB is a global organisation that has been around since 1968 and it is organised into 4 programmes, one of those is the Primary Years Programme now available at Redwood CoE until the age of 6. The first six years in a child’s life are critical. A child’s future wellbeing, attainment, happiness and choices are profoundly affected by the quality of the guidance, care and opportunities they receive during these formative years. By choosing an enabling and interactive learning environment, to allow for more personalised learning, means they are more ‘school ready’ and likely to flourish once they enter the education system.

“Many schools offer the Primary Years Programme, but the benefit of staying in a pre-school setting is the extra care young children receive in a nurturing, safe environment where they get to explore without pressure, contributing positively to their adaptability and confidence,” IB PYP coordinator, Sima Abou Chacra explains. In addition to the above, parents are choosing to opt for this option to early learning for the educator ratios as well as the flexibility in hours since Redwood CoE is open until 6 pm, throughout the year.

The PYP is a student-centred approach to education that offers an inquiry-based, transdisciplinary curriculum framework that builds conceptual understanding. This means that students learn across subject areas while inquiring into big ideas. The PYP at CoE is conducted through an abundance of Active Play which nurtures young learners’ holistic development, unlike Early Years Departments in schools which are part of a wider instruction-led, standardised school system and more heavily orientated towards testing and assessment from a young age. “Play is often one of the first activities to be taken away from children in schools to replace it with more ‘formal’ proper learning,” says Geraldine Hill, Director/ Head of Research & Development.

By learning through inquiry and reflecting on their own learning, PYP students develop the attributes of the IB Learner profile to make a difference in their own lives, their communities, and beyond.“ The programme’s approach to

learning allows students to adapt easily to any big school they transition to, no matter which programme they follow.” comments Elizabeth Scahill, Director at Redwood Center of Excellence. The IB learner profile represents a broad range of human dispositions, capacities and traits that encompass intellectual, personal, emotional and social growth such as “risk taker,” “principled,” “inquirer,” “thinker,” “caring,” and others. Developing and demonstrating the attributes of the learner profile is an expression of what the IB means by international-mindedness.

The PYP is an example of best educational practice globally, responding to the challenges and opportunities facing young students in our rapidly changing world. It has evolved to become a world leader in futurefocused education.

The PYP curriculum recognises learners’ innate potential to inquire, question, wonder and theorise about themselves, others, and the world around them. They’re self-directed in their learning, they know how to identify problems and how to use their skills to solve them. The environment is seen as a teacher, and students are partners in the learning process.

With over 55 nationalities currently recorded at Redwood CoE, it’s only fitting that such a programme is inducted into the early learning center that seeks to raise 'future-ready' children in a multicultural city. Each

Children

graduating from Redwood Center of Excellence with the IB PYP

will have a significant advantage in enrolling into Primary Schools and adapting to learning environments at top schools across the world.

school decides specific concepts and topics studied through each theme based on their local context so Redwood CoE’s commitment to the U.A.E.’s culture remains the same, if not stronger.

VISIT WEBSITE

REDWOOD CENTRE

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS PARTNERSHIP ANNOUNCES 100 SCHOLARSHIPS FOR STUDENTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST

International Schools Partnership (ISP) has announced that it will offer up to 100 scholarships across its nine schools in the Middle East. The scholarships will be awarded across a variety of academic and non-academic disciplines to both existing and new students for the 2024-25 academic year.

“We are excited to offer these scholarship opportunities to students across the UAE and Qatar. At ISP, we champion a transformative approach to learning that goes beyond the classroom. We ignite our students’ curiosity and grow their self-confidence, empowering them to become the next generation of change-makers. These scholarships not only support our approach to learning but also allow us to celebrate the talents of so many students,” said Rory Galvin, Director of Learning, ISP – Middle East.

The first scholarship recipient was identified last week as part of an Art competition held in partnership with Dynowish Foundation and Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). Jud Muhammad, a Year 4 student at The English College received the ISP Art scholarship, covering 50% of her tuition fee for next year, after her artwork received the greatest number of votes from the community.

THE EFFECTS RAMADAN HAS ON EDUCATION | SISD DUBAI

In the vibrant city of Dubai, the holy month of Ramadan brings with it a unique tapestry of traditions and practices. While adults observe the fast, children navigate its nuances, experiencing both challenges and benefits within the school environment.

Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is a deeply significant time for Muslims worldwide.

RGS DUBAI WELCOMES INTERNATIONALLY ACCLAIMED FOR AN INSPIRATIONAL MASTERCLASS

The Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai (RGSGD) was thrilled to host the celebrated pianist, Marcos Madrigal, for an inspirational day of music. The visit was part of the school’s unique collaboration with Encore Dubai and Dubai Opera, aimed at offering pupils unparalleled musical experiences.

GCC STUDENTS SHOWCASE ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE IN JEE MAIN 2024

Allen Overseas student Yatharth Shah’s outstanding achievement of securing the rank of Outside India Topper in the JEE Main 2024 Session 1 with 99.99 NTA (National Testing Agency) score.

The JEE Main 2024 Session 1 results have hit a new milestone, with hundreds of students participating to showcase their academic prowess through these competitive entrance exams.

For the first time, 11.7 lakh students sat for the exams, which is the highest number of participating candidates since the National Testing Agency (NTA) started conducting the exams.

AHMAD BELHOUL AL FALASI HONOURS WINNERS OF THE ‘EMIRATES YOUNG SCIENTIST COMPETITION’

His Excellency Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Education, honoured the winners of the ‘Emirates Young Scientist Competition’, during the closing ceremony of the seventh National Science, Technology and Innovation (NSTI) Festival.

BLOOM WORLD ACADEMY TO LAUNCH NEXUS CENTRE FOR POST-16 STUDIES FOR GRADE 11 IB STUDENTS IN 2024

Bloom World Academy (BWA) proudly unveils its latest development, The NEXUS Centre for Post-16 studies, set to redefine the pre-university educational experience and will welcome Grade 11 IB students in September 2024. This ground-breaking initiative will ensure that students are fully prepared, not just academically, but also armed with essential life skills, ready for tertiary education and life beyond school. Unique to BWA, the NEXUS Centre for Post-16 Studies will be housed in a dedicated university-style environment – a split-level expansive open plan learning and study space with mezzanine floor in the heart of the school. It will also feature tutorial rooms, seminar spaces with tiered seating, a student café, open study spaces, silent study pods, a common room area, library, and a counsellor’s office aiming to create an innovative, multi-purpose setting.

With flexible learning hours extending from 8am to 8pm, students will enjoy unrestricted access to resources, fostering an environment conducive to research, study, collaborative learning, mentorships and self-development. The implementation of the flipped learning approach sets the NEXUS Centre for Post-16 studies apart from other offerings and will provide students with course content and materials at the beginning of the year, enabling them to plan and take ownership of their learning. This practical approach enhances engagement, performance and overall learning in the class, aligning with students’ preferences over traditional pedagogy. Real-world experiences will be seamlessly integrated into the curriculum through relevant work experience programmes and partnerships with businesses, connecting classroom learning to practical applications. Adaptive learning will take centre stage, with courses and programmes tailored to individual student needs, empowering them with control over their learning process and flexibility to pace themselves.

OUTSTANDING EXCELLENT

RATED ‘OUTSTANDING’: GUIDING THE PATH TO EXCELLENCE

THE CRITERIA FOR RATING A SCHOOL ‘OUTSTANDING’ INVOLVES EVALUATING VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THEIR PERFORMANCE, ENVIRONMENT, AND OUTCOMES. ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE IS A FUNDAMENTAL CRITERION, ENCOMPASSING FACTORS SUCH AS STANDARDISED TEST SCORES, GRADUATION RATES, AND UNIVERSITY PLACEMENT. BEYOND ACADEMICS, THE QUALITY OF TEACHING AND FACULTY EXPERTISE PLAY PIVOTAL ROLES. OUTSTANDING SCHOOLS OFTEN BOAST HIGHLY QUALIFIED TEACHERS, INNOVATIVE INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS, AND SUPPORTIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS.

Furthermore, the holistic development of students is crucial. This includes opportunities for extracurricular activities, arts, sports, and character-building programmes. Outstanding schools foster a culture of inclusivity, diversity, and equity, ensuring that all students have access to resources and support tailored to their needs. Community engagement and partnerships also contribute to a school's distinction, as collaboration with parents, local organisations, and businesses enriches the educational experience.

Based on KHDA’s latest inspections, these 13 private schools in Dubai earned an ‘Outstanding’ rating:

 Deira International School

 Dubai College

 Dubai English Speaking College

 Dubai English Speaking School

 GEMS Dubai American Academy

 GEMS Jumeirah Primary School

 GEMS Wellington International School

 Horizon English School

 Jumeirah College

 Jumeirah English Speaking School

 Kings’ School

 Lycée Français International Georges Pompidou School

 Repton School

Moreover, the physical infrastructure and resources available to students are significant considerations. Modern facilities, technology integration, and well-equipped libraries and laboratories enhance the learning environment. Additionally, effective leadership and governance are essential for sustaining excellence and fostering continuous improvement.

Based on ADEKS’s latest inspections, these 10 private schools in Abu Dhabi earned an ‘Outstanding’ rating:

 Aldar Academies, Al Muna British Academy

 Aldar Academies, Al Yasmina Academy

 Aldar Academies, The Pearl Academy

 American Community School

 Brighton College - Al Ain

 British International School

 British School, Al Khubairat (BSAK)

 Cranleigh Abu Dhabi School

 Merryland International School

 Raha International School

Outstanding schools often boast highly qualified teachers, innovative instructional methods, and supportive learning environments

Sharjah ‘Outstanding’ and ‘Very Good’ Rated Schools.

The information released by SPEA on social media indicates that only one school has been awarded the highest rating of ‘Outstanding’:

 GEMS Millennium School Private School.

SPEA also highlighted that GEMS Cambridge International School and Victoria International School have also improved to ‘Very Good’ in Arabic as a First Language.

Read more about these outstanding schools, book a visit, watch a virtual school tour, or speak to one of the admissions team by visiting our Schools directory here.

EDUCATION UNLOCKED, POTENTIAL UNLEASHED

The Al Futtaim Education Foundation (AFEF) stands as a beacon of educational innovation and empowerment in the United Arab Emirates. Established under the patronage of the Al Futtaim family, renowned for their diverse contributions across various sectors, this foundation has emerged as a catalyst for educational excellence and societal development.

DISCOVER, DREAM, ACHIEVE

One of the key pillars of AFEF is its dedication to providing accessible, high-quality education across various levels. From early childhood learning initiatives to comprehensive K-12 programme and vocational training, the Foundation has a multifaceted approach, catering to diverse educational needs at its two well-regarded schools, Deira International School and Universal American School.

EMPOWERING EDUCATION THROUGH INNOVATIVE TEACHING

Innovative teaching methodologies are at the heart of the Foundation’s educational framework. This framework embraces modern and interdisciplinary approaches into the curriculum. Such an approach aims to equip students with the critical thinking, problem-solving, and adaptability skills essential for success in a rapidly evolving world.

BEYOND ACADEMICS: DISCOVERING TALENTS, CREATING LEADERS

Beyond academic excellence, the Foundation prioritises holistic development. It champions extracurricular activities, sports, arts, and community service, recognising the significance of a well-rounded education in shaping welladjusted, empathetic individuals poised to contribute meaningfully to society.

PRESERVING HERITAGE, EMBRACING ARABIC EXCELLENCE

Sentence should begin: Outside of the classroom, but aligned to it, Project AGHSAN) (texts aimed at children aged 3-11+ by 2026 and 500 titles of AGHSAN will be available for use in the academic year 2024/2025.

 JAMAL SAWAN, SECONDARY MATHEMATICS TEACHER.

The programme was conceived to address and tackle several challenges posed by existing Arabic reading material, including material not matching the reading ability of children, content being more skewed to non-fiction, content that is not relatable to 21st-century life, and the absence of a unified system for levelling children’s books.

ARABIC: A TAPESTRY OF CULTURE AND COMMUNICATION

AFEF is committed to supporting bilingualism in Arabic and English by providing an immersive bilingual educational track that can improve cognitive outcomes for students whose ‘home’ language is Arabic; ensure that students achieve linguistic mastery (without compromising polyglotism); build capacity for a bilingual IB Diploma outcome for all.

TRAIN TO HIRE

At AFEF, they believe that Emirati youths should be active agents in shaping the future of the UAE across all sectors of the economy and human activity. It is paramount, therefore, that Emirati children being educated at private international schools can identify Emirati role models at school who act in several capacities, including teaching. To achieve this, AFEF has teamed up with the University of Birmingham, the top-rated university in the UAE, to offer a fully funded Train-to-Hire Programme for selected applicants.

DIVERSE VOICES, ONE COMMUNITY

Central to AFEF’s mission is the belief that education transcends borders. The Foundation embraces diversity, promotes inclusivity, and celebrates cultural exchange, nurturing a global mindset among its students. This approach prepares them to navigate a multicultural world with understanding and respect.

LEADING THE WAY IN GLOBAL EDUCATION STANDARDS

In essence, the Al Futtaim Education Foundation stands as a cornerstone in the UAE's educational landscape. Its unwavering commitment to innovation, inclusivity, and holistic development paves the way for a brighter, more empowered generation, poised to lead and excel in the ever-changing global landscape.

READING PARTNERS WITH A PAW-SITIVE IMPACT!

JESS Dubai fosters diverse communities where every student, regardless of background or ability, feels valued and supported. Prioritising equity and adapting teaching methods to accommodate various learning styles and needs, its inclusive environment celebrates differences, promotes empathy, and cultivates a sense of belonging among all students, enhancing overall educational experiences.

Karalynn Thomson set up the Reading Dogs UAE programme in 2017, it is the first Animal Assisted Education programme in the region and now delivers over 15 sessions a week in UAE schools. Karalynn also runs Happiness Dogs, an Animal Assisted Activity programme for SEN departments and inclusion centres.

Beth Sargeant, is the Head of Inclusion at JESS Secondary and has been working at the school for the past 10 years. Beth has a wealth of experience in SEND in both the UK and the UAE and is particularly passionate about raising awareness and understanding of neurodiversity in the school setting.

Beth Sargent, Head of Inclusion at the school, and Karalynn Thomson, Managing Director of The Animal Agency, spoke to Education UAE about the support services JESS offers to students who may have special needs, including its innovative Reading Dogs programme, which helps to boost confidence, motivation, and enjoyment in reading, creating a relaxed atmosphere where children feel more at ease practicing their reading skills alongside furry companions.

Education UAE: What specific support services does the school offer for students with special educational needs or disabilities?

Beth Sargent: In secondary, we offer a range of intervention groups with focus areas such as literacy, numeracy, and social skills development. We have a team of inclusion support assistants and specialist inclusion teachers with a range of different areas of expertise to support students both in the classroom, in small groups, and one-on-one.

We also have a small Essential Pathways class, made up of students in Key Stage 3 who benefit from a tailored curriculum made up of the ‘essentials’ for their Key Stage 4 pathways. Moreover, along with the AR primary school, we currently offer onsite occupational therapy through our school-employed occupational therapist. We work with external speech and language therapists too, but we will be expanding our therapy service next year through the employment of our own SaLT.

Education UAE: Is there an Individual Education Plan (IEP) or a similar personalised approach for each student with SEND, and how are these plans developed and monitored?

Beth Sargent: For those students who require them, we use IEPs to monitor individual targets based on the needs of the student. Targets are developed with the students, their teachers, and their parents. These are reviewed termly.

Education UAE: What is the objective or goal of the Reading Dogs Programme within the school?

The dog is a non-judgmental companion that the student can practice their reading and language skills with, building their fluency and literacy

Karalynn Thomson: With reading sessions, the aim is to build students’ literacy and love of reading by making sessions fun. The dog is a nonjudgmental companion that the student can practice their reading and language skills with, building their fluency and literacy.

Beth Sargent: We have been using the Reading Dogs sessions with our students who are reluctant readers, due to this being an area of continuous struggle for them. In secondary school, we notice that students become more aware of their difficulties and find

reading very anxiety-inducing, especially in the classroom with their peers. We use small groups who read texts that are at a suitable level for their needs. We have seen incredible improvement in confidence with reading aloud when our students are reading with our dogs, Hero and Ratty.

Karalynn Thomson: Outside of reading sessions, spending time with the dogs promotes a whole host of social and emotional benefits.

 RATTY WITH OUR HEAD TEACHER STEPHEN GREEN

Beth Sargent: We have students who read with Hero and Ratty who do not face literacy difficulties but who struggle with social communication and/or mental health difficulties such as anxiety. We have perhaps seen the biggest impact on our autistic students. Unlike humans, dogs do not have complex social needs, so for our autistic students, they are a ‘safe’ companion whom they do not need to expend energy figuring out. They are a source of unconditional positive regard, and that is so powerful for our students, who find the social complexities of secondary school incredibly overwhelming.

Education UAE: How are the Reading Dogs selected or certified? Are there specific criteria they must meet?

Beth Sargent: We have dogs across all three schools at JESS. Each dog has completed training and assessment with the animal agencies’ Reading Dogs Programme. Harley (at JJ) and Bugsy (ARP) are staff members’ dogs. In secondary school, Ratty and Hero belong to one of our lovely parents, who has recently also begun working for us as a Learning Support Assistant.

Karalynn Thomson: All our dogs have to attend an assessment day where they’re assessed by our animal behaviourist and trainer. If the dog passes the initial assessment, both the dog and handler enter a training programme. Even once the dog and handler have passed their training, they’re continually reassessed and evaluated throughout the year and are given additional support and training as needed.

Education UAE: How often and for how long do students typically engage with the Reading Dogs?

Karalynn Thomson: A session is a maximum of 45 minutes, with the frequency of the sessions set out by the school based on the learning objectives of that student.

Education UAE: Is the programme integrated into the curriculum or offered as an extracurricular activity?

Beth Sargent: In secondary, we offer Reading Dogs sessions to students who have a reduced curriculum, who

All sessions are carried out to international Animal Assisted Therapy guidelines and standards

Outside of reading sessions, spending time with the dogs promotes a whole host of social and emotional benefits

typically are our highest level of need in school. These sessions form part of their additional offerings. The dogs have become so popular that we often have students come to the Oasis department at break and lunch to seek out the dogs. Staff members also often come to say hello!

Education UAE: What feedback or data has the school collected regarding the programme’s impact on students’ reading skills or attitudes toward reading?

Beth Sargent: We gather feedback from the students regularly, and it has only been positive. If, for any reason, the dogs are unable to come to school, the students are always really disappointed.

Education UAE: How does the school ensure the safety and well-being of both the students and the Reading Dogs during these sessions?

Karalynn Thomson: All sessions are carried out per international Animal Assisted Therapy guidelines and standards. This includes the length of the session, the frequency of sessions a dog can deliver, and the number of students in a session. Reading Dogs UAE is a full member of Animal Assisted Intervention International and the International Association of HumanAnimal Interaction. We also have an animal behaviourist and a vet on our team who ensure the well-being of our dogs.

Education UAE: How does the school involve parents or guardians in the planning and review of their child’s SEND provision?

Beth Sargent: In addition to the IEP process and regular meetings with individual parents when required, we also have regular parent coffee mornings with a focus on SEND, which

have become lovely opportunities for open discussion and feedback. We often invite speakers from outside agencies to speak on topics that have been requested by parents or topics that are pertinent to the needs we are seeing in school.

We have a group of parents who have started an ‘Oasis Parents Group’ and they meet once a month outside of school. This group has been incredibly impactful to some of its members, offering a safe and non-judgmental place for parents of children with SEND to support each other. I know all too well from my role in school that parenting a child with SEND can be difficult and exhausting, and I am so pleased that our parents have banded together for support. It really encapsulates the community we have built here at JESS.

Education UAE: What training or professional development opportunities are provided to teachers and staff to enhance their understanding of SEND and inclusive teaching practices?

Beth Sargent: JESS is incredible regarding its support of professional development. We have had staff members complete a number of external courses; for example, both myself and my colleague have completed the CCET course and are registered assessors with the British Psychological Society. This year alone, so far, I have had staff members complete externally provided CPD on dyslexia, dyscalculia, ADHD, and autism.

We also have external agencies work with us to offer internal CPD sessions for all staff and small groups of staff based on the needs of the cohort. For instance, we started the school year this year with a session from Grainne Boyle from Insights Psychology on Autism in school.

JESS DUBAI

FORTES EDUCATION CELEBRATES THE LAUNCH OF SUNMARKE MANDARIN ACADEMY

Sunmarke School, a leading educational institution in Dubai, is delighted to announce the successful launch of the Sunmarke Mandarin Academy.

With over 2,035 students from 96 different nationalities, Sunmarke School takes pride in its multicultural community. The introduction of the Sunmarke Mandarin Academy underlines the school’s belief in the importance of Mandarin learning and the celebration of Chinese culture in nurturing global citizens and change makers of tomorrow.

Dr. Neil Hopkin, Director of Education, Fortes Education, expressed his thoughts on the significance of Mandarin learning and Chinese cultural understanding. “In our mission to shape future-ready global citizens, we recognise the indispensable role that Mandarin learning and Chinese cultural immersion play. As educators, we are not simply teaching a language; we are opening doors to a civilisation with a history stretching back thousands of years. We are providing our students with the tools they need to engage

meaningfully with a significant portion of the world’s population, to understand different perspectives, and to navigate a multicultural world with confidence and empathy.”

Nicholas Rickford, Principal, Sunmarke School said “The successful inauguration of the Sunmarke Mandarin Academy is a powerful affirmation of our unwavering commitment towards fostering an inclusive and diverse educational environment. This milestone is not just about adding another language to our curriculum; it is about embracing diversity, promoting cultural understanding, and preparing our students for a globalised world. We are beyond excited about the multitude of opportunities this initiative brings for our students – opportunities for learning, for personal growth, and for forging connections that span across borders and cultures.”

In today’s increasingly globalised world, the importance of Mandarin cannot be overstated. As one of the six official languages of the United Nations and with over a billion native speakers worldwide, Mandarin stands as a vital pillar in the edifice of global communication.

SUNMARKE SCHOOL

 NEIL HOPKIN, DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, FORTES EDUCATION, MRS SHAKUNTALA MANKANI, FOUNDER, FORTES EDUCATION, MR ZHOU BIAO, MINISTER OF THE CHINESE EMBASSY IN UAE, MS HE JIA JIA, THE MINISTER’S WIFE, MR AJAY MANKANI, VICE CHAIR & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FORTES EDUCATION, MR NICHOLAS RICKFORD, PRINCIPAL OF SUNMARKE SCHOOL, MS FIONA MCCONNON, DEPUTY HEADGLOBAL LANGUAGES.

FEATURE

YOUR COMPANY IN OUR SUPPLIERS DIRECTORY FOR EDUCATORS

Make your company accessible to 1,000’s of education buyers in the UAE, giving them access to view your latest products and services in our SUPPLIERS directory.

ROYAL

GRAMMAR

SCHOOL GUILDFORD DUBAI

MARKS MEMORABLE VISIT BY BEST-SELLING AUTHOR AND ESTEEMED CHILDREN’S ADVOCATE BARONESS FLOELLA BENJAMIN

RGS Guildford Dubai had the honour of hosting Baroness Floella Benjamin OM DBE, the esteemed actress, presenter, author and children’s advocate, as part of her participation in this year’s Emirates Literature Festival.

During her time at RGS Guildford Dubai, Baroness Benjamin embarked on a special tour of the campus, with a notable stop at the school’s library. She captivated the pupils by providing a reading session with excerpts from her renowned books, 'Keep Smiling' and 'Coming to England'. Pupils from year groups 3 and 4 had the unique opportunity to interact directly with the Baroness, asking insightful questions and drawing inspiration from her remarkable career.

Budding young writer, Karim Ahmed Siddiqi, a Year 5 pupil presented his first published book to Baroness Benjamin. At the beginning of 2023 Karim started authoring a book called ‘Mystery of Mansions’, a cozy mystery story set in 1930’s England, which was published earlier this month.

Baroness Floella Benjamin’s illustrious career spans over 53 years, encompassing pivotal roles in iconic British television shows such

as Playschool and Playaway, along with significant contributions to film, theatre and television. Her dedication to children’s welfare and education is further exemplified by her role as Chancellor of the University of Exeter and her advocacy work in the House of Lords, focusing on issues of diversity, equality and children’s rights. In 2020, she was awarded a Damehood for her charitable activities, chaired the Windrush Commemoration Committee, and was honoured by the late Queen Elizabeth II with the Order of Merit, as well as receiving a prestigious appointment at the Coronation of King Charles III.

Clare Turnbull, Principal of The Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai, shared her enthusiasm about the visit, stating: “Hosting Baroness Floella Benjamin was an extraordinary experience for not only the pupils but the whole RGSGD community. Her insights into the Windrush Generation and her life’s work resonated deeply

with our pupils, highlighting the importance of resilience and embracing diversity. We are thankful that this inspiring visit possible, which has left a lasting impression on our young learners.”

VISIT WEBSITE

RGS GUILDFORD DUBAI

 CHARLOTTE GRIEVES DEPUTY HEAD OF PREP. WITH BARONESS FLOELLA BENJAMIN

HORIZON INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL CELEBRATES ‘OUTSTANDING’ BRITISH SCHOOLS OVERSEAS RATING

In a testament to its unwavering dedication to excellence, Horizon International School, the studentfocused community school located in the heart of Jumeirah, Umm Suqeim, proudly unveils its latest triumph: an ‘Outstanding’ rating from British Schools Overseas (BSO). This prestigious rating underscores the school’s steadfast dedication to delivering an exceptional British education experience for pupils aged 3 to 18.

The British Schools Overseas report, which is benchmarked against defined UK standards and expectations, saw inspectors visit 65 lessons and conduct 22 meetings with leaders, teachers, pupils, parents, and members of the school’s governing board. Having met all the standards in the report’s framework of quality expectations, the school has been rated outstanding across various aspects, including quality curriculum, teaching and assessment practices, pupils’ spiritual, moral, and social development, pupils’ welfare, health, and safety, as well as the leadership and management of the school.

Darren Gale, Principal, Horizon International School said: “Receiving the ‘Outstanding’ rating from British Schools Overseas is a momentous achievement for Horizon International School. This recognition is a testament to the dedication of our staff, the enthusiasm of our pupils and the unwavering support of our parents. We are proud to provide an exceptional learning environment that fosters holistic development and prepares our pupils for a successful future."

KEY HIGHLIGHTS OF THE BSO REPORT:

Outstanding Curriculum: Horizon International School’s curriculum is described as outstanding, offering a broad, balanced, and relevant education that combines the requirements of the English Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and national curriculum with the UAE’s standards. The curriculum is regularly reviewed to cater to the diverse needs and abilities of all pupils, including those with Special Educational Needs (SEND) and English as an Additional Language (EAL).

Quality of Teaching and Assessment: The school excels in teaching, with educators consistently delivering wellplanned and skilfully executed lessons. Teachers leverage comprehensive data about pupils’ attainment and progress, incorporating critical thinking and realworld examples into all lessons. The use of artificial intelligence to tailor teaching to individual pupils’ needs is also highlighted.

Pupils’ Development: Pupils at Horizon International School exhibit exemplary behaviour for learning, with a keen motivation to work and succeed. The school’s focus on spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development is outstanding, fostering an inclusive community where diversity is celebrated and respect is paramount.

Leadership and Management: The leadership and management of the school are recognised as outstanding, with the Principal and Vice Principal leading by example and setting high expectations. The school’s vision, ‘Everyone Counts, Everyone Contributes, Everyone Succeeds,’ is embraced by pupils, staff and supported by proud parents.

Horizon International School remains committed to delivering an outstanding education and dedication to fostering a strong sense of community spirit, placing pupils at the centre of everything they do. The school will continue prioritising nurturing excellent connections within its school community to create an environment where pupils, parents, and staff feel a profound sense of belonging. At Horizon International School, the ethos of ‘Everyone Counts, Everyone Contributes, Everyone Succeeds’ underscores its commitment to an aspirational and values-driven education. Part of the Cognita family of schools, Horizon International School looks forward to continuing its legacy of excellence.

Horizon International School is accepting admissions for 2024/5.

HORIZON INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

TRAILBLAZING LEADERSHIP: BRIGHTON COLLEGE DUBAI CELEBRATES STABILITY, EXCELLENCE AND INNOVATION

Celebrating a remarkable journey to educational excellence, Brighton College Dubai proudly acknowledges the pivotal role played by its stable and steadfast leadership team. Since its opening in 2018, the premier British curriculum school in Dubai has consistently demonstrated its unwavering commitment to academic brilliance for its pupils, supported by an exceptional team of teachers and staff.

Simon Crane has a wealth of educational best practice through his eight years working alongside Brighton College in the UK, and his role as a highly regarded, qualified team inspector for the Independent Schools Inspectorate.

In a region, where leadership turnover in schools is commonplace, Brighton College Dubai stands out as a beacon of stability and enduring leadership. Global research underscores the critical role of school leadership in achieving success and effectiveness and headteachers, identified as the primary source of leadership by key school staff, shape the internal processes and pedagogies that contribute to improved pupil outcomes.

Under the visionary guidance of Head Master, Simon Crane, Brighton College Dubai has prioritised the College’s long-term success, through the holistic development of its pupils and retention of its dedicated leadership team. Having previously served as the Head of Senior School and Deputy Head Master at Brighton College Abu Dhabi, Mr Crane has been an integral part of Brighton College's family of schools for 11 years. His continued presence has played an instrumental role in empowering pupils to achieve exceptional academic results and preparing them for a lifetime of success. As a Brighton parent as well, Mr Crane fully understands the impact an authentic Brighton College education can have on the pupils.

Successful school leaders define success not only in terms of test and examination results but also in personal and social outcomes, pupil and staff motivation, engagement and well-being, the quality of teaching and learning, and the school’s contribution to the community, according to a report. As Head Master, Mr Crane has implemented various programmes, including the establishment of a strong community, prioritising well-being, promoting financial literacy, navigating inspections with excellence, and the successful launch of the Sixth Form. Brighton College Dubai was crowned as ‘Best New School in the UAE 20182024’ and the College has also achieved ‘Outstanding’ in all areas of the British Schools Overseas report, as well as outstanding GCSE and A-level results. These accomplishments reflect the College’s commitment to providing a well-rounded education that goes beyond academics.

Speaking on his role over the years and plans for the upcoming school year, Mr

“We’ve built something special here - a place where academic brilliance meets genuine care for our pupils”

Crane said, “Being a part of Brighton College Dubai’s incredible journey has been an absolute joy. We’ve built something special here - a place where academic brilliance meets genuine care for our pupils. Looking ahead, my vision for the next school year is one of continued growth, innovation, and providing an even better experience for every pupil. Together with our committed and stable leadership team, teachers, and staff, we will shape a legacy of excellence, not just in classrooms but in every aspect of our pupils’ lives, setting them up for a future filled with success and happiness.”

Brighton College Dubai would not be complete without its long-standing senior leadership team, which has been instrumental in steering the College toward continuous improvement and growth. Sharing the same ethos to create a family-orientated, respectful, and vibrant community for all of its pupils, the leadership team includes Sarah Brannon, Head of Preparatory School, who has dedicated six years to Brighton College Dubai, bringing over 25 years of dedicated international school leadership experience to the institution. Additionally, Katy Cooke, Head of PrePrep, and Jane Clewlow, Head of Senior

School, have been integral to the College’s journey with six and four years respectively. Furthermore, Joe Hall, Head of Sixth Form, brings eight years of leadership experience, having previously served at Brighton College Al Ain.

Craig Lamshed, Chief Operating Officer, Brighton Colleges UAE commended the leadership’s outstanding efforts, stating, “Maintaining a steadfast presence, the leadership team at Brighton College

Mr Crane has been an integral part of Brighton College's family of schools for 11 years

Dubai have done the hard yards, stayed engaged, and evidenced tangible improvements. This is a clear reflection of the relentless pursuit of excellence and continuous enhancement that characterises Brighton College Dubai’s approach under its extended leadership and the broader commitment of the institution to provide an outstanding educational experience for its pupils.”

Brighton College Dubai’s commitment to long-term leadership significantly contributes to the establishment of a strong and consistent educational culture, benefiting pupils, teachers, and the entire school community.

VISIT WEBSITE

BRIGHTON COLLEGE DUBAI

SCHOLARS INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY: SETTING THE BAR HIGHER AND WHERE RESULTS SPEAK LOUDER

In the heart of Sharjah, nestled amidst the vibrant cultural tapestry of the United Arab Emirates, stands Scholars International Academy (SIA), Sharjah’s first accredited High-Performance Learning (HPL) school, marrying academic rigour with a deep commitment to student well-being. Founded with a vision to cultivate global leaders and thinkers, SIA has established itself as a premier institution, setting the standard for academic distinction and holistic development.

James Batts, is a distinguished figure in the field of education, serving as the Principal of Scholars International Academy (SIA). With an illustrious career spanning over 20 years, his visionary leadership has seen SIA emerge as a trailblazer in education, becoming the first high-performance learning school in Sharjah. James has consistently championed a vision of empowering children to reach their full potential, irrespective of their initial circumstances.

SIA’s learners are amongst the highest achievers in the UAE, the region, and the world

Following the English National Curriculum, which is one of the most well-known and highly regarded in the world of international education, the school is recognised by the UK’s leading education accreditation bodies - British Schools Overseas (BSO) and British Schools in the Middle East (BSME).

THE HPL EDGE: SIA'S BLUEPRINT FOR UNMATCHED LEARNER SUCCESS

At SIA, the HPL system is the cornerstone of its educational philosophy, guiding its learnerss to exceptional achievements.

This advanced framework is designed to unlock each learner’s potential, promoting a culture where exceptional achievement across all spheres is the norm. Through this innovative lens, it cultivates learners who are not only knowledgeable but also adaptable, creative, and equipped with the critical thinking skills and growth mindset necessary for lifelong success.

As the sole bearer of the High Performing Schools Awards (HPSA) status and on an exclusive path towards World-Class status with HPL, SIA sets the gold standard in education.

SIA’S EXCEPTIONAL ACADEMIC IMPACT: THE

SIA 4X ADVANTAGE

SIA has set new benchmarks in academic excellence through its Sixth Form learners, who have attained an average Global Learning (GL) valueadded score of +7.3, significantly outperforming the UK and UAE averages of +0.5 and +1.85, respectively. This score, validated by GL Assessments and the Fischer Family Trust (FFT), reflects the substantial impact of SIA’s high-quality teaching and learning environment. This is the SIA 4X Advantage.

SIA's Value-add score is 4X higher than the UAE's national average

This outstanding performance is not just higher, but four times higher than the UAE national average. Notably, GL assessments are universally utilised by schools across the UAE, making this accomplishment even more remarkable.

The value-added score is a critical indicator of the actual academic progress learners make, surpassing their predicted outcomes. It reflects the effectiveness of SIA’s HPL ecosystem, which not only enhances individual learner achievements but also shapes the school’s strategic educational approaches.

For further insight into the SIA 4X advantage, you might find the following resource valuable: A-Level Value AddedTop School Guide.

PIONEERING LEARNER LEADERSHIP

At the forefront of innovative educational practices, SIA was distinctively chosen to showcase its pioneering ‘learner leadership’ programme at the prestigious annual HPL conference. This programme exemplifies SIA’s commitment to cultivating leadership qualities across all year groups, empowering learners to spearhead events and initiatives, thereby nurturing a culture of responsibility, leadership, and building and managing teams.

PERSONALISED LEARNING AT ITS BEST

SIA’s success stems from its personalised learning ethos, fostering deep connections between teachers and learners and customising the educational journey. This approach empowers learners to set ambitious goals, explore their interests, and take charge of their learning, supported by targeted feedback and resources from dedicated educators. This environment nurtures every learner’s potential, making SIA a beacon of academic excellence and personal growth.

GLOBAL ACHIEVEMENT AND RECOGNITION

SIA’s learners are amongst the highest achievers in the UAE, the region, and the world, consistently attaining test scores that are above the UK, national, and global averages for GL achievements, IGCSE, and A Levels. Its commitment to becoming an HPL school and consistently innovating learning opportunities has yielded positive outcomes, of which SIA is immensely proud.

CHAMPIONING LEARNER WELL-BEING AT SIA

Understanding the critical importance of mental health among youth, SIA is committed to fostering a supportive and nurturing environment that addresses the well-being of its learners. This commitment comes against a backdrop of concerning statistics, such as a 2023 study revealing that one in five children and adolescents aged 8 to 19 years are likely experiencing a mental disorder, with the prevalence slightly higher in the older age group of 17 to 19 years.

In response, SIA has developed a comprehensive well-being initiative designed to support learners’ emotional and psychological needs, ensuring a safe, inclusive, and empathetic educational environment where every learner has the opportunity to thrive.

A THRIVING LEARNING OASIS HOLISTIC DEVELOPMENT AT HEART:

SIA crafts a nurturing learning ‘Eco System’, emphasising the well-being and holistic growth of every learner. The blend of academic excellence with character education and social-emotional learning prepares learners to excel and contribute positively globally.

ELEVATING TEAMWORK: SIA'S DYNAMIC SPORTS PROGRAM

At SIA, sports take centre stage as one of its unique strengths. Its vibrant sports programme, highlighted by annual sports days, competitive leagues, and a variety of competitions, showcases the school’s commitment to physical education and team spirit.

Building on the sporting prowess at SIA, the boys’ team recently made waves at the Ajman Academy swimming gala, competing in the esteemed external EISSA league. Clinching first place in the U14 category, the athletes not only secured a remarkable victory but also embodied the spirit and pride of the school.

REMOVING BARRIERS

SIA is a catalyst for learner success, offering a spectrum of opportunities that extend from prestigious university applications to essential life and workplace skills. Starting from Year 10, learners engage in hands-on experiences across various departments, gaining practical insights and earning certifications that pave the way for their future.

The only school with HPSA (High Performing Schools Awards) status

Engaging in practical roles across various sectors such as the cafe, medical office, marketing, administration, library, and finance, learners at SIA gain invaluable real-world experience. They maintain reflective journals and receive certifications upon completing their programmes. The unique ‘Yusa'id initiative’ within SIA, aimed at uplifting the school’s blue-collar community, instils a deep sense of compassion and empathy in learners.

DIVERSE AND DYNAMIC TEACHING

At SIA, 57% of its homeroom teachers hail from the UK and Ireland, bringing with them a depth of educational expertise and cultural insights. Alongside a faculty that spans 14 different nationalities, this British influence enriches the school’s educational approach, emphasising critical thinking and a love for learning, all within a framework that celebrates diverse perspectives and global understanding.

BEYOND THE BOOKS

Beyond academics, SIA places a profound emphasis on nurturing the whole child, fostering character development, leadership skills, and a sense of social responsibility. Through an extensive array of extracurricular activities, including sports, performing arts, and community service initiatives, learners are encouraged to explore their passions, hone their talents, and embrace the values of teamwork and empathy.

UNITY IN DIVERSITY

Also, central to the ethos of SIA is a commitment to fostering a culture of inclusivity and diversity. With a learner body comprising over 60 different nationalities, cultures, and backgrounds, the school celebrates the richness of its community and promotes cross-cultural understanding and mutual respect, enhancing the vibrant community spirit that defines SIA.

DYNAMIC PARENT COMMUNICATION VALUED PARTNERS IN LEARNING

At SIA, parental involvement is essential, with families playing a crucial role in the educational journey. The school’s commitment to open communication, collaborative efforts, and educational programmes for parents helps foster a vibrant community atmosphere, ensuring every learner is well-supported.

CREATING CONNECTIONS

SIA's welcoming culture encourages regular parent engagement through various activities like book reviews, coffee mornings, and workshops, nurturing a familial environment appreciated across all grades.

PERSONAL TOUCH

Weekly ‘Meet the Heads’ sessions, dubbed 'HOD POD', alongside monthly teacher-parent calls, ensure a personal connection with every family, enhancing the educational experience.

FEEDBACK-DRIVEN GROWTH

Actively seeking parents’ feedback postevents, SIA stays well-tuned into the community’s pulse, tailoring events and activities to meet their needs and enrich the school’s vibrant life.

LEADERSHIP VISION BY PRINCIPAL JAMES BATTS

Well-Rounded Education

SIA stands out for its comprehensive approach to education, preparing learners for success in a dynamic world. “We provide a well-rounded education that prepares learners for success,” Batts states, highlighting the school’s commitment to excellence.

Creating a Thriving learning ‘Eco System’

Principal James Batts emphasises the importance of a positive, inclusive culture at SIA. “At SIA, we prioritise creating an ‘ecosystem’ where every individual feels valued, supported, and motivated to excel,” he notes, highlighting the foundation of the school’s success.

Empowering Transformational Leadership

James is a staunch advocate for transformational leadership, aiming to inspire and motivate the SIA community. “My approach is centred on guiding and nurturing our school community towards continuous improvement and growth,” he shares, underlining his commitment to fostering an environment of excellence.

Strengths-Based Leadership

A key aspect of James’s leadership philosophy is leveraging individual strengths. “I have found great value in helping leaders identify and harness their unique strengths to drive better outcomes,” he explains, advocating for a culture where everyone’s best is celebrated.

Values, Attitudes, and Attributes

James aligns his leadership with SIA’s core values of happiness, approachability, empathy, and inclusivity.

“By fostering a collaborative and empowering culture, we create an environment where individuals can thrive,” he states, reinforcing the school's ethos.

Journey of Transformation

Reflecting on SIA's progress, James shares, “Over the past three years, I've witnessed remarkable transformations within our beloved school." He highlights the journey towards becoming the first HPL school in Sharjah, emphasising the commitment to enriching educational experiences.

Recognition and Aspirations

With high aspirations, James looks forward to SIA achieving ‘World-Class’ status through the HPL journey. “This year, we are laser-focused on achieving recognition as a ‘World-Class’ school,” he asserts, showcasing the ambition to elevate SIA’s status further.

A Prestigious Honor

James shares exciting news: “I have recently been honoured with a prestigious HPL Fellowship, (one of just three individuals globally honoured with a fellowship from HPL founder Deborah Eyre), which I will be receiving at Warwick University in March 2024,” a recognition that celebrates the dedication and commitment of the entire SIA community. This accolade underscores the collective efforts in shaping an outstanding educational environment.

VISIONARY PATHWAYS CONTINUOUS EVOLUTION

SIA is not a school that just sits back and rests on its laurels though, with one eye constantly on the future, as James explains, “As we navigate the ever-evolving landscape of education, it is essential to reflect on our vision for the future of Scholars International Academy. Rooted in educational research and best practices, our vision for the future of SIA is multifaceted. More than a school, SIA is a dynamic community committed to excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement.

“As we work towards realising this vision, we remain committed to collaboration, innovation, and continuous development. Together, we will shape the future of SIA and empower generations of learners to become leaders, thinkers, and changemakers in the world. How exciting!” James concludes.

SHAPING FUTURE LEADERS

Mr. Kumar Verma's Educational Ethos In his director’s message, Mr Kumar Verma, Managing Director of Scholars International Group (SIG), reflects on the essence of education at SIA. “In the fast-evolving landscape of education, the challenge lies in equipping our

Beyond academics, SIA places a profound emphasis on nurturing the whole child

learners for a future driven by relentless innovation,” he states. Drawing from the innate curiosity and creativity of learners, Mr Verma highlights that the inspiration for advancing education at SIA comes directly from the learners themselves.

Describing the transformation at SIA, Mr. Verma discusses moving away from a standardised, one-size-fits-all educational model to embrace a more personalised, teacher-driven approach. “Our focus has shifted to emphasise the critical role of quality teaching in delivering true educational value,” he adds.

Mr. Verma concludes, “At SIA, we view innovation not as crafting something new but as rekindling timeless principles of learning. We recognise

that true education extends beyond our classrooms, thriving within each child. Our mission is to ignite the innate spark of wonder in every learner, guiding them to create their own paths.”

GET IN TOUCH!

We invite you to explore the impact of the school’s educational approach and discover why SIA stands out among international and British curriculum schools in Sharjah or Dubai. Join the conversation and gain insights into its value-added advantage.

To find out more about SIA’s unparalleled educational experience, why not take advantage of one of its school tours, which offers flexible timings for the convenience of parents during both weekdays and weekends.

SIA offers its learners work-related opportunities from Year 10 to Year 13

DISCOVER THE DIFFERENCE:

ELEVATE EDUCATION, EMPOWER DREAMS

EDUCATION UAE CAUGHT UP WITH PRINCIPAL RACHAEL GILES TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT HER APPOINTMENT AND THE PHILOSOPHY AND FACILITIES TO BE HAD AT NOYA BRITISH SCHOOL, WHICH WILL OPEN FROM NURSERY TO YEAR 6 AND PROGRESS WITH NATURAL GROWTH OVER THE COMING YEARS.

Rachel Giles, brings an abundance of experience from school in the UAE, UK, and Europe, including her current role as a Principal at Liwa International for Girls in Al Ain, joining her new school ahead of its opening for the 2024-25 academic year.

Education UAE: How do you feel your previous UAE experience will assist in opening the new school? And what specific experience from your previous roles do you expect to draw on in your new role?

Rachael Giles: Having worked in the UAE for over 10 years, I have valuable insights and understanding of the local culture, educational landscape, and regulatory environment in addition to local and national priorities such as inclusion and national identity. I believe I am well equipped to navigate the unique challenges and opportunities associated with opening a new school in the region.

We will foster a dynamic learning environment that emphasises academic rigour alongside holistic development

Furthermore, I already have a wealth of experience successfully leading a school in Abu Dhabi, which was rated Very Good with Outstanding features at the end of my first year, so I am very confident that Noya British School will go on to achieve great success as the first Aldar school.

Additionally, through Aldar Education’s wide network of schools, Noya British School will benefit greatly from the exchange of knowledge, best practices, and resources. This network enables collaboration among educators, sharing of innovative teaching methodologies, and access to global educational trends.

Education UAE: What is your vision for the new school, and how do you plan to implement it?

Rachael Giles: My vision for Noya British School is to create a vibrant learning community that prioritizes academic excellence, holistic development, and

student well-being. We plan to implement this by fostering an inclusive and nurturing environment where every student feels empowered to reach their full potential. Our curriculum reflects this vision by prioritising academic excellence while also incorporating elements that promote personal growth, critical thinking, and creativity. Through innovative educational practices and an engaging curriculum, we aim to equip our students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the future.

Education UAE: How many teachers - and with what qualifications and nationalities - is the school hoping to

attract, and what subject specialists will be employed for the opening?

Rachael Giles: Recruitment is already underway; our teachers are predominantly from the UK and Ireland. The majority already have experience of teaching in international schools in the context of the UAE. We are in the process of recruiting Ministry of Education subject specialists, along with well-qualified teachers who deliver the English National Curriculum.

Education UAE: What will be the key strengths of Noya British School?

Rachael Giles: Our approach at Noya British School goes beyond traditional teaching methods. We will foster a dynamic learning environment that emphasises academic rigour alongside holistic development, ensuring that our students not only excel academically but also thrive socially and emotionally.

Technology integration is also a key component of our educational approach at Noya British School

We are committed to creating an inclusive environment that welcomes students from all backgrounds and nationalities.

Our teachers are predominantly from the UK and Ireland

We believe that learning extends beyond the classroom, which is why we offer a diverse range of extracurricular activities to complement our academic programme. Students will have the option to participate in various activities designed to promote physical, social, and emotional growth.

Technology integration is also a key component of our educational approach at Noya British School. Our state-of-theart facilities include smart classrooms equipped with the latest educational technology, providing students with interactive learning experiences.

This holistic approach ensures that students receive a solid foundation for their future success.

Education UAE: Noya British School will be the first National Curriculum for England curriculum school on Yas Island. Are you expecting to attract predominantly expatriate families?

Rachael Giles: We anticipate attracting a diverse mix of expatriate and local families. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment that welcomes students from all backgrounds and nationalities. Additionally, as part of the newly established Aldar Schools segment, Noya British School stands out for its commitment to providing exceptional education at an accessible cost.

Education UAE: How are applications currently being handled? Where can parents go to find out more about the school?

Rachael Giles: We are pleased to say we have received an extremely high volume of enquires and applications. We have a range of open days where parents can come along and meet me and ask any questions they may have. We also have assessment days where children can receive on-the-spot admission should parents wish to secure a place right away. All of our open days and events are listed on our website.

Education UAE: How will provision differ at Noya British School versus an Aldar British Academy given the lower fee levels?

Rachael Giles: While both schools share the same commitment to academic excellence, Noya British School distinguishes itself through its focus on providing quality education at an accessible cost. We prioritise not only academic excellence but also the holistic development of each student, fostering their intellectual, emotional, social, and physical growth through state-ofthe-art facilities and a wide range of extracurricular activities.

Education UAE: What are average class sizes likely to be across the Primary school?

Rachael Giles: The average class sizes at our Primary school are carefully determined to ensure an optimal learning environment for students. We prioritise a balance that allows for personalised attention while fostering a collaborative and engaging atmosphere.

We have appointed an experienced, highly qualified head of inclusion

The specific class sizes may vary based on factors such as year group. All class sizes will be in line with ADEK regulations.

Education UAE: Tell us about the facilities or resources at the school?

Rachael Giles: We have two semiOlympic swimming pools, sports fields, outdoor play areas, and subject-specific classrooms such as science labs.

Education UAE: How will the school ensure inclusivity and accommodate students with SEN and those who are gifted and talented?

Rachael Giles: We have appointed an experienced, highly qualified head of inclusion and teachers to ensure that our SEN students are well supported and have the correct provision for their needs. Ensuring an inclusive and supportive environment is essential for the holistic development of students.

Education UAE: What extra-curricular activities are likely to be available initially?

Rachael Giles: By fostering a collaborative and community-driven approach, we will create a vibrant and inclusive extracurricular programme that truly enhances the overall educational experience for children at our school.

Education UAE: What will the school hours be?

Rachael Giles: The exact school timings are yet to be approved but our goal is to be aligned with most school hours - 7:30 am to 2:30 pm. This will be slightly different for the early years. Extracurricular activities will commence after school hours.

Education UAE: Will there be bus services, and if so, to which locations?

Rachael Giles: Yes, we will be offering this across Yas Island, Saadiyat, Reem Island, and Khalifa City. However, depending on ADEK regulations, we may be adding buses across Abu Dhabi city and other areas outside of these locations. This depends on the number of students living in each area that require access to the bus and travel

time. We welcome all enquires for transportation and we will do our best to accommodate all students.

Education UAE: What do you plan to do in your first 100 days as head at Noya British School?

Rachael Giles: In my first 100 days, my key focus will be to establish strong connections with my students, parents, and the local community whilst ensuring that our students are thriving in a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment. After the first day, I want our students and parents to be happy and excited about being part of this special community.

NOYA BRITISH SCHOOL

THE ENGLISH COLLEGE DUBAI: NURTURING EACH CHILD'S UNIQUE POTENTIAL

THROUGH A RIGOROUS AND COMPREHENSIVE CURRICULUM, COMPLEMENTED BY A WIDE RANGE OF EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES AND ENRICHMENT PROGRAMMES, THE ENGLISH COLLEGE DUBAI PREPARES ITS STUDENTS TO THRIVE IN AN EVER-CHANGING GLOBAL LANDSCAPE. IT IS A SCHOOL THAT RECOGNISES THAT EXCEPTIONAL EDUCATORS ARE THE CORNERSTONE OF A TRANSFORMATIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT AND, WITH THIS IN MIND, IT HAS APPOINTED A NEW DEPUTY HEAD OF PRIMARY TO START AT THE BEGINNING OF THE NEXT ACADEMIC YEAR, ANDREW STENHOUSE. EDUCATION UAE SPOKE TO ANDREW, FIRST ASKING WHAT INITIALLY INSPIRED HIM TO PURSUE A ROLE IN EDUCATION.

Andrew Stenhouse, BA Hons Primary Education and NPQML. Andrew's proactive approach to student wellbeing, commitment to professional development, and recent completion of Level 3 Safeguarding qualification showcase his dedication to creating a safe and enriching learning environment. As he prepares to assume the role of Deputy Head of Primary, Andrew Stenhouse is poised to lead with integrity and passion, shaping a brighter future for The English College community.

Education UAE: What initially inspired you to pursue a role in education?

Andrew Stenhouse: During a rugby tour in Canada, I found inspiration in the educators who nurtured our team and created enduring memories. Consequently, I began visiting my former primary school to gain firsthand experience. This propelled me to enrol in Camp America that summer, serving

as a camp counsellor in Maine, USA. Since then, I have had the privilege of working with children from diverse backgrounds worldwide, contributing to their development.

Education UAE: You are currently the Assistant Head of Primary at The English College Dubai, so you know the school well, but when you move into your new role, how do you plan to support and

"I intend to challenge every student to reach their full potential"

enhance the academic achievement of primary school students?

Andrew Stenhouse: In my new position as Deputy Head of Primary, my aim is to collaborate with the Primary Phase team to foster a culture of academic excellence and enthusiasm for learning at The English College. I intend to challenge every student to reach their full potential and cultivate

an environment where they eagerly anticipate each school day with joy. Partnering closely with fellow educators, I will design engaging and memorable learning opportunities. An example of this is that we are currently collaborating with external companies to introduce exciting characters like the lifelike Thomas the Gorilla and Jam the T-rex Dinosaur to our school curriculum. We are also looking at more events that

promote a passion for engineering such as Yas in School Formula One.

Education UAE: Can you discuss your approach to fostering a positive school culture and promoting inclusivity among students, staff, and parents?

Andrew Stenhouse: I prioritise fostering a positive school culture and promoting inclusivity among students, staff, and parents by leading with respect, empathy, and openness. Communication is central, with channels for dialogue always open to understand perspectives and address concerns. Celebrating diversity and creating a sense of belonging are key initiatives. Encouraging students to excel academically, professional development for staff, and partnerships with parents all contribute to an environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to thrive.

Education UAE: How do you envision collaborating with teachers to ensure effective curriculum implementation and instructional strategies?

Andrew Stenhouse: I will work closely with colleagues to ensure effective curriculum implementation and instructional strategies. This collaboration will involve regular

Celebrating diversity and creating a sense of belonging are key initiatives

meetings to discuss curriculum objectives, instructional methods, and assessment strategies. By working together, we can share best practices, identify areas for improvement, and tailor teaching to allow all learners to thrive. Additionally, I will provide ongoing support and professional development opportunities to empower teachers to implement the curriculum effectively and engage students in meaningful learning experiences. By fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement, we can ensure that our curriculum is dynamic, relevant, and responsive to the needs of our students.

Education UAE: How do you plan to assess and address the diverse learning

needs of students, including those with special educational needs or English as a second language?

Andrew Stenhouse: In addressing the diverse learning needs of students, including those with special educational needs or English as a second language, my approach is multifaceted. Firstly, I believe in employing a variety of assessment methods to gauge students’ strengths, challenges, and progress accurately. This may include formative assessments, observations, and standardised tests, supplemented by ongoing teacher-student dialogue. Additionally, I advocate for scaffolding and challenging, whereby teaching methods and materials are tailored to accommodate individual learning styles. This includes providing additional support, enrichment activities, or modifications as necessary.

Collaborating closely with the inclusion team, I will ensure that appropriate interventions and resources are available to support students in their learning journey. Furthermore, fostering an inclusive classroom environment, where diversity is celebrated and all students feel valued and supported, is essential in promoting academic success and overall well-being.

Education UAE: How do you prioritise student well-being and mental health within the primary school environment?

Andrew Stenhouse: Prioritising student well-being and mental health within the primary school environment is fundamental to my approach. We implement the PERMA model, focusing on positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishment to foster a supportive atmosphere. Daily check-ins with students, coupled with an open-door policy, provide opportunities for them to

Prioritising student well-being and mental health within the primary school environment is fundamental to my approach

In a previous role, I spearheaded the implementation of the ‘Power of Reading’ programme, aimed at enhancing students’ reading and writing skills

express their feelings and concerns in a safe space.

Additionally, we utilise PASS data to monitor and assess students’ happiness and contentment, ensuring that appropriate interventions are implemented when needed to support their well-being. Through these proactive measures, we strive to create a nurturing environment where every student feels valued, supported, and able to thrive both academically and emotionally.

Education UAE: Can you describe a successful initiative or project you’ve

led in a previous role that positively impacted student learning outcomes?

Andrew Stenhouse: In a previous role, I spearheaded the implementation of the ‘Power of Reading’ programme, aimed at enhancing students’ reading and writing skills. This initiative involved not only curriculum development but also fostering a culture of reading within the school community. As part of this project, I facilitated teacher reading groups to explore innovative teaching methods and cultivate a love of literature among students. Moreover, I organised workshops for parents to encourage

reading at home and to empower them as reading role models for their children. Through these efforts, we observed tangible improvements in student literacy levels and heightened enthusiasm for reading, ultimately positively impacting learning outcomes across the board.

Education UAE: How do you ensure that technology is effectively integrated into teaching and learning experiences for primary school students?

Andrew Stenhouse: Ensuring that technology is effectively integrated into teaching and learning experiences for primary school students is a priority in our approach. We leverage various devices and tools to enhance learning, including artificial intelligence, which enables creative responses to engage students in writing activities. Additionally, platforms like Google Sheets are utilised to teach essential skills such as creating

charts and analysing data, fostering digital literacy from an early age.

To bring learning to life, we incorporate video editing software and writing tools like Canva to publish final drafts. Collaboration with specially trained staff is essential; we conduct continuous professional development sessions to equip teachers with the necessary skills to integrate technology seamlessly into the curriculum. Furthermore, we adapt the curriculum to ensure it aligns with technological advancements, preparing students to thrive in an ever-changing digital landscape.

Education UAE: What strategies do you use to foster creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills among primary school students?

Andrew Stenhouse: Fostering creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills among primary school students is essential for their holistic development. To achieve this, I employ a range of strategies tailored to nurture these abilities.

Firstly, I incorporate project-based learning activities that encourage students to explore topics in-depth, solve real-world problems, and think

critically about various perspectives. In addition, I promote inquiry-based learning approaches where students are encouraged to ask questions, investigate, and draw their conclusions, fostering curiosity and independent thinking.

To stimulate creativity, I provide opportunities for open-ended tasks, such as creative writing and STEAM challenges, allowing students to express themselves and explore innovative solutions. What’s more, I integrate collaborative learning experiences where students work in teams to solve problems, encouraging communication, cooperation, and the exchange of ideas. Through these strategies, I aim to empower students to become creative, analytical, and adaptable problem solvers, equipped with the skills they need to succeed in an ever-changing world.

Education UAE: If you could create a new subject for the primary school curriculum based solely on your interests and passions, what would it be?

Andrew Stenhouse: At Camp America, I introduced an elective called Fire and Ice, which offered a dynamic blend of physical, adrenaline-fueled activities alongside calming pursuits.

For me, an ideal combination would involve organising a rugby match or an obstacle course followed by a serene painting session under the sunshine or immersing in a thrilling book. Additionally, I advocate for incorporating more cooking opportunities into the curriculum, providing students with the chance to explore culinary arts, where I can sample delicious treats, a prospect I enthusiastically support.

THE

NLCS DUBAI: WHERE GLOBAL LEADERS BLOSSOMUNPACKING THE SUCCESS STORY

KNOWN FOR ITS EXCELLENT BLEND OF ACADEMICS AND NURTURING ENVIRONMENT, NORTH LONDON COLLEGIATE SCHOOL (NLCS) DUBAI IS A SHINING EXAMPLE OF WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION. WITH A SHARED HERITAGE WITH NLCS UK, RENOWNED GLOBALLY AS ONE OF THE PREMIER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, NORTH LONDON COLLEGIATE SCHOOL (NLCS) DUBAI STANDS AS A BEACON OF EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE. CONTINUOUSLY RECOGNISED AS ONE OF THE BEST IB SCHOOLS IN THE REGION, RECENT AWARDS, AND ITS INNOVATIVE TEACHING METHODS, HIGHLIGHT NLCS DUBAI'S ROLE IN SHAPING FUTURE LEADERS GLOBALLY.

Recent Achievements Highlight NLCS

Dubai's Excellence:

 Outstanding IB Results: NLCS Dubai achieved an impressive average score of 37.3 in the IB Diploma for 2023, surpassing the global average by a significant margin. This showcases the school's dedication to academic rigour and student achievement, placing it among the top IB schools worldwide.

 Successful Alumni: NLCS Dubai graduates regularly gain admission to prestigious universities worldwide, including John Hopkins, Columbia, Stanford, and The London School of Economics and Political Science, among many others. Their achievements reflect the school's effectiveness in preparing students for higher education and global careers.

Key Features of NLCS Dubai:

 Holistic Education: NLCS Dubai prioritises the holistic development of students, focusing not only on academics but also on their emotional well-being and personal growth. Tailored support ensures each student receives individual attention, creating an environment where they can thrive.

 Diverse Extracurricular Activities: NLCS Dubai offers an incredible range of extracurricular activities,

from robotics and theatre to sports and sustainability projects. Participation in these activities helps students develop essential skills like teamwork, leadership, and community involvement.

 Excellent and Diverse Faculty: The staff at NLCS Dubai consists of highly qualified and passionate educators from diverse cultural backgrounds. This diversity enriches the learning experience, creating an international educational environment.

 Embracing Innovation and Global Citizenship: NLCS Dubai's curriculum emphasises understanding global issues and cultural diversity, preparing students to become responsible global citizens who can make a positive impact.

NLCS is known for promoting values such as independence, resilience, and intellectual curiosity, and for families who aspire to world-class universities for their children, it brings a unique educational offering to Dubai.

North London Collegiate School (NLCS) Dubai stands as a beacon of educational excellence

The staff at NLCS

Dubai consists of highly qualified and passionate educators from diverse cultural backgrounds

NLCS DUBAI

 EMMA DAWSON, VICE PRINCIPAL PASTORAL CARE

GLOBAL STUDENT PRIZE WINNER NHIAL DENG CALLS ON “INSPIRATIONAL” UAE STUDENTS TO APPLY FOR 2024 EDITION

With applications now open for the Chegg.org Global Student Prize 2024, 25-year-old Nhial Deng, who has helped thousands of refugees, says UAE students deserve to be recognised for their tireless work to build a better tomorrow.

The 25-year-old South Sudanese refugee Nhial Deng, who last year won the $100,000 Chegg. org Global Student Prize, has urged UAE students to apply for this year’s prize, with applications closing on Sunday 28 April.

Chegg.org partnered with the Varkey Foundation to launch a sister award to the Global Teacher Prize in 2021. Now in its fourth year, the award was created as a powerful platform to highlight incredible students who are making a real impact on learning, the lives of their peers, and society beyond.

Nhial Deng empowered over 20,000 refugees in the Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya through peace building, education, and entrepreneurship programs, as well as creating a safe space for young people to heal from their trauma. He was selected as the winner of the 2023 Chegg.org Global Student Prize from almost 4,000 nominations and applications from 122 countries around the world.

Nhial believes his fellow students across the UAE have made extraordinary contributions to their communities and society more widely, so deserve recognition through the Chegg.org Global Student Prize.

Nhial Deng said: “Emirati students are working tirelessly both in and out of the classroom to build a better tomorrow. Their inspirational achievements deserve international recognition and widespread celebration, which is why I strongly urge them to apply for the Chegg.org Global Student Prize 2024.”

The prize is open to all students who are at least 16 years old and enrolled in an academic institution or training and skills program. Part-time students and students enrolled in online courses are also eligible for the prize. Vansh Gadhia a 17-year-old at the time student, studying at Dubai College in the UAE, was included in the top 50 shortlist for the Chegg.org Global Student Prize 2023. Also studying at Dubai College was Maya Bridgman who was a top 10 finalist for the prize in

2022 and in 2021 Lamya Butt, a pupil at Dubai Scholars Private School at the time, became a top 10 finalist.

Heather Hatlo Porter, Head of Chegg. org and Chief Communications Officer of Chegg, Inc., said: “2024 is set to be a landmark year as we face unparalleled global challenges. Students are keenly aware of this urgency and are taking action in every corner of the world. I encourage student change makers everywhere to apply for the 2024 Chegg.org Global Student Prize. Not only because they deserve to have their outstanding contributions recognised, but because this prize provides a powerful platform for them to share their ideas and motivate others to pursue their dreams and make a difference.”

Sunny Varkey, Founder of the Varkey Foundation, said: “Both the Global Student Prize and the Global Teacher Prize were created to highlight the vital role education plays in crafting solutions to humanity’s greatest challengesfrom climate change to global health emergencies to growing inequality. Policymakers must always remember the importance of education, and it must be top of their agenda as it is the key to facing the future with confidence.”

AND

Students applying for the Global Student Prize will be assessed on their academic achievement, impact on their peers, how they make a difference in their community and beyond, how they overcome the odds to achieve, how they demonstrate creativity and innovation, and how they operate as global citizens.

Students can apply for the Chegg. org Global Student Prize at: www.globalteacherprize.org and the closing date for applications is 28 April 2024.

The prize will be narrowed down to a Top 50 shortlist and Top 10 finalists, to be announced later in the year, helping provide worldwide recognition for high achieving students. The winner, announced later in the year, will be chosen from the top 10 finalists by the Global Student Prize Academy, made up of prominent individuals.

If students are being nominated, the person nominating them will write a brief description online explaining why. The student being nominated will then be sent an email letting them know they’ve been nominated and inviting them to apply for the prize. Applicants can apply in English, Mandarin, Arabic, French, Spanish, Portuguese and Russian.

APPLY HERE FOR THE GLOBAL STUDENT PRIZE

VISIT WEBSITE

EMAIL US

 NHIAL DENG, 2023 WINNER

 HEATHER HATLO PORTER, HEAD OF CHEGG.ORG

CHIEF COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER OF CHEGG, INC

THE ASSOCIATION OF BRITISH SCHOOLS OVERSEAS: NAVIGATING A GLOBAL LANDSCAPE

In the dynamic tapestry of global education, the Association of British Schools Overseas (AoBSO), a notfor-profit organisation, emerges as a beacon promoting the UK Government’s BSO accreditation scheme. In doing so it upholds the principles of a British-style education, fostering excellence in teaching and learning on an international scale. In this issue of Education UAE, Kieron Peacock, Education Advisor to AoBSO, talks about how, through the promotion of the BSO accreditation scheme, it helps to shape the trajectory of British education worldwide. The expanding number of BSO schools supports the intellectual and personal growth of a growing number of students across the global community of schools, united by the pursuit of knowledge and excellence.

WHY BOTHER?

In my role as Education Advisor for the Association of British Schools Overseas (AoBSO), I’m often asked by school principals, head teachers, school group CEOs, and even overseas UK Department for Business & Trade (DBT) international missions, about the British Schools Overseas accreditation (BSO) scheme and ‘why bother?’ It’s a good question, as, like in many walks and aspects of life, the ‘Why bother?’ question may well get a standard and non-committal response of ‘It depends!’

Firstly, it is perhaps best to clarify what BSO accreditation is. Anyone asking the ‘why bother?’ question can then decide whether or not it’s for them. That is, of course, unless it is a requirement

by an international government for British international schools or is a requirement for a specific association membership. In these cases, schools may not be in a position to choose.

A BSO is the UK Government’s only inspection scheme for British international schools. There are a number of other accreditation pathways available for British international schools, but they are not overseen by the UK Government and not monitored by Ofsted, the UK Government’s Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills.‘So what?’, some of you may ask, and I get that. Each school has its own USP in its own locale and with its own regional and international association membership options. BSO accreditation may not, from some perspectives, add any additional value and could be viewed as an unnecessary extra layer of accreditation in what might already be a crowded inspection calendar. If that’s the case, read no further; you’ve got what you need, and your school is ticking along very nicely. But, and there’s always a ‘but’, for many of the world’s top British international schools (about 250), a BSO is a must. Why, you may ask? Consider the three following points:

 The BSO inspection framework mirrors the UK Government’s Independent School Standards for independent schools in England. Consequently, successful BSO schools can compare themselves to leading independent schools in England and many of the very best British schools around the world.

 It is the only accreditation scheme endorsed by the UK Government for British international schools allowing such comparisons and is advocated within the UK Government’s International Education Strategy.

 So, for those schools wishing to compare themselves to well-known independent schools in England and many outstanding British international schools, a BSO has gravitas and adds value.

There are almost 7,000 British or hybrid curriculum schools out of a total of more than 13,500 international schools

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING DIFFERENT

At this stage, it is perhaps worth outlining what the international school arena looks like. Believe it or not, there are almost 7,000 British or hybrid curriculum (where the English curriculum occupies a significant part of teaching and learning in a school) schools out of a total of more than 13,500 international schools. That’s 51% of the total, with US curriculum schools making up 22%. International schools employed 565,700 staff in 2018 and 650,000 in 2023. In 2018, six million students were generating $49.6 billion in income. By 2023, that had increased to 6.74 billion students, generating an income of $58.4 billion. It’s big business and generates a huge amount of cash for the UK, and the International Education Strategy is looking to increase educational exports to £35 billion by 2030 from what was £20 billion in 2016. There will continue to be an expansion in the number of British international schools across the world and target growth areas include KSA, India (a sleeping giant of growth opportunities), Nigeria, Vietnam, Brazil, Mexico, Pakistan, China (back on the radar after a while in the doldrums), and Hong Kong. As I said, this is big business with even greater potential for expansion and development.

For many schools, the widely recognised gold standard is a BSO accreditation via a BSO inspection

A BSO is the UK Government’s only inspection scheme for British international schools

But why the growth in British and US curriculum schools? There are many reasons for this, including, but not limited to:

 Local market demand for English: English remains one of the key languages for learning.

 Western pedagogy, directly and indirectly, provides Western opportunities for ‘local’ pupils, e.g., university education.

 There is now a breadth of fee points making international education more affordable for ‘local’ children; India is an excellent example of this, hence growth opportunities.

 Increased mobility and the potential to provide and explore more opportunities.

 Educational choice is now much more accessible - more so than before.

 Investment in international education is valued by local parents.

 International understanding is also valued; it’s a complex world.

 International schools are seen as offering a better alternative.

 The UK IES will make further inroads - economically driven, soft

power-driven, opportunity-driven.

 Independent school brands occupy 1.5% of the global market - 209 independent school brands (158 UK, 46 US, 3 Australian, 2 Canadian)and there is an appetite for growth and investment.

Consequently, within this complex and seemingly ever-increasingly busy and competitive international educational environment, those wanting to stand out from the crowd often look for something else.

A WORLD-CLASS KITEMARK

For many schools, the widely recognised gold standard is a BSO accreditation via a BSO inspection. As much as we Brits continuously scrutinise and sometimes metaphorically ‘bash’ our education system, it remains one of the most widely respected across the world. Even those with limited knowledge of independent education in the UK will probably have heard of one or two world-famous schools. If any inspection system mirrors that which these famous schools go through, it must be worth doing!

That is a simplistic and perhaps somewhat patronising perspective, but you get my drift. We are prone to criticising our education system, but there is a lot more right than wrong with it. Independent schools in England are groundbreakers, but so are many of the very best British international schools. Indeed, my experience as a member of inspection teams in the UK independent sector and BSO schools tend to lean towards the international schools as being on the even sharper side of cutting-edge best practice.

Of course, budget will always be a factor for all buyers. For a relatively small part of the global British international schools’ market, but for a significant proportion of the UAE market, a BSO inspection provides a high-quality ‘overcoat’ - a Hugo Boss, Ted Baker, or Dolce and Gabbana if you will - an extra layer of warmth that the buyer trusts. You get what you pay for, but you also get the added bonuses of:

 Being able to support Early Career Teacher (ECT) Statutory Induction: you can employ ECTs fresh out of university or after completing iQTS (international qualified teacher status) and take them through their ECT induction. You have to be a BSO school to be able to do this.

 Being DfE registered with a DfE number and listed on the GOV. UK website, Get Information About School (GIAS).

So, being able to benchmark against many of the best British schools in the UK and abroad, having an Ofstedmonitored external validation, allowing DfE registration on GIAS, facilitating the delivery of the DfE-regulated ECT induction, and being the only UK government accreditation for British international schools all add up to what some countries, international private school chains, British school associations and individual schools consider to be a compelling argument for BSO accreditation. It’s a comfy, warm coat and world-class kitemark of excellence that is developing an everincreasing market share.

STANDING OUT FROM THE CROWD

The Association of British Schools Overseas (AoBSO) directly supports over 100 of these high-quality schools around the world and actively promotes BSO accreditation on behalf of the UK Government. We also support aspiring BSO schools and BSO heads who are not AoBSO members as we have a vested interest in promoting high-quality British education, whether members or not! The three UK governmentapproved inspectorates, the Education Development Trust, Independent Schools Inspectorate, and Penta International, all deliver high-quality BSO inspections and are the only inspectorates approved to do so. British Schools in the Middle East (BSME) as an association has close to 160 members, with most of these schools having BSO accreditation.

It’s not for everyone, but general interest and growth in BSO school numbers globally suggest that the BSOs are now, perhaps even more than ever, recognised as a way of standing out from the crowd. Not only that, outwardlooking schools and school leaders keen to seek comparisons with the

very best of English independent and British international schools around the world really value the BSO ‘badge’, as do teachers and parents in the know.

UK-qualified ECT teachers can only be supported through their induction in a BSO school

AoBSO

EDUCATING WITH PURPOSE, GUIDING WITH INTEGRITY

In the corridors of educational excellence, one figure often stands as the cornerstone of success: the Head Master. Enter the world of Scott Carnochan, a visionary leader and Head Master of Brighton College Abu Dhabi whose name has become synonymous with transformative education. As the driving force behind a prestigious institution, his leadership transcends conventional boundaries, fostering a culture of inclusivity and academic excellence, ensuring that each learner reaches their fullest potential.

Scott Carnochan, born in the UK, pursued a BEd (Hons) at Heriot-Watt University and entered teaching.

After roles in the UK and Africa, he became a Head Master at 34. He completed postgraduate studies in Educational Leadership and led Brighton College Al Ain to an '’Outstanding'’ rating.

Scott believes that schools must foster children’s talents and nurture their growth through a broad, balanced, challenging, and exciting curriculum and, in doing so, create an environment where each child is provided with every opportunity to fulfil their potential.

Education UAE: What inspired you to become an educator, and how has your journey led you to this role?

Scott Carnochan: I was extremely fortunate to be able to go to a boarding school in the UK (my parents lived in the Far East) where I was inspired by a number of my teachers. I was destined for a career in the British Armed Forces when my planning took a turn as a direct result of my 1st XV rugby coach, who inspired me in many ways and who I am in no doubt shaped my leadership throughout my career. It is for this personal reason, and others of course, that I am constantly reminding my colleagues of the impact they can have on a child’s life, genuinely shaping them for their future. I will be forever grateful for the positive impact this teacher had on my life and for the change of direction my journey took as a result of his inspiration.

Education UAE: What is the school’s educational philosophy and approach to teaching and learning?

Scott Carnochan: Much of what has been captured in the above question encapsulates my educational ethos. In addition, and whilst it may sound like a cliché, we must remember that we are in a privileged position and responsible for making a positive difference in the lives of the children in our care. At the same time, we are unashamedly aspirational for our pupils and want them to become the best version of

themselves, not a second-class version of someone else. I have always believed that if a child feels safe, trusted, known, supported, and appropriately challenged and free from the fear of failure, then there is every likelihood that they will thrive in our care.

Education UAE: Can you describe the technology infrastructure and resources available to students for learning purposes at Brighton College Abu Dhabi?

Scott Carnochan: The experience of the pandemic was obviously overwhelmingly challenging for schools but it did result in a digital acceleration and upskilling, notably of some teachers. I think the best schools have learned from those years, harnessed any learnings, and dismissed those aspects that weren't positive. Whilst I think we are well-placed, the speed of change is such that we need to have a clear digital strategy, to avoid jumping on the next fashion trend! Yes, technology can and should be used to enhance learning but should not be the sole vehicle. At the same time, a key challenge for schools is in the digital readiness of their pupils so that they are prepared for the world in which they will enter and where technology will play an increasingly important role.

Education UAE: In your role, what strategies do you use to support and encourage professional development among the teaching staff?

Scott Carnochan: Whilst of course there will be times when colleagues are signposted towards PD to support their growth, I am keen that PD is driven by the individuals. The very best teachers I have worked with are reflective practitioners who know their strengths and areas for development and, as such, are well-placed to take ownership of how to support these areas of growth. I will always support a teacher who demonstrates this proactive approach to their professional growth and development.

Education UAE: Can you describe a particularly rewarding moment or achievement in your role as a headmaster that stands out in your memory?

Scott Carnochan: One of the joys of my role is I have the privilege to share wonderful moments with pupils and colleagues alike.

One clear example this year was from one of our oldest pupils who had aspirations to progress into the world of film and music. In his journey, he had faced some challenges but he overcame them and won a full scholarship to study music at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston. I could not have been prouder or happier for him. A true moment of joy!

Education UAE: How does the school prepare students for higher education and future career paths?

Scott Carnochan: In Year 12 University Week, pupils are empowered to choose the right degree course and institution through a range of workshops and talks from invited guests ranging from universities to alumni. During this week, pupils are off timetable and therefore have time to invest in their future by researching and university planning.

Beyond the classroom, our experienced teaching staff work alongside pupils to prepare for applications to varied and competitive courses - for example, the BCAD Medical Society arranges talks with practitioners, provides pupillead presentations, and shares recent medical articles, and our Law Society has engaged professionals as well as Brighton alumni to present to the group on topical issues.

From the start of Year 13, the Sixth Form Leadership Team, tutors, and our dedicated university and careers counsellor work closely with pupils to finalise their choices and prepare application documents. As well as enjoying links with top UK universities, which often present to our pupils, we offer specialised in-house support, ranging from delivering information sessions to pupils and parents, leading workshops on writing standout personal statements and offering feedback on application essays, to offering mock interviews and working with the Oxbridge Alumni Association and Brighton alumni to ensure our pupils are prepared to aim high.

Over the years Brighton Colllege Abu Dhabi pupils have successfully gained places to study at the Russell Group Universities including University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, Exeter, Manchester, UCL, Leeds, Durham and King’s College, London and beyond the UK, pupils have attended prestigious institutions including Berkeley, Dartmouth, UCLA, Purdue, University of Toronto, University of Geneva and Rome University of the Arts.

Education UAE: How does the school promote environmental sustainability and awareness among students?

Scott Carnochan: At Brighton College, we empower our pupils to lead the charge on sustainability. From PrePrep’s Eco-Warriors to Prep’s Eco-Reps and Senior School’s Sustainability Reps, leadership roles ensure pupils are at the centre of everything we do. These pupils collaborate across the school and with stakeholders to drive awareness and enact meaningful change. Moreover, sustainability is seamlessly integrated into our curriculum, ensuring its discussion and teaching across all

levels. Through visits to local farms, participation in COP28, community projects, and national competitions, we elevate awareness and foster engagement school wide.

Education UAE: What extracurricular activities and programmes does the school offer to enhance students’ overall development?

Scott Carnochan: We pride ourselves on offering a diverse range of cocurricular activities and programs aimed at enhancing pupils’ overall development. Our co-curricular approach is threefold, comprising of activities (CCA), trips and visits, and Whole College Community Events.

We provide pupils with numerous opportunities to explore new interests, challenge themselves, and develop their talents outside the classroom.

From the Owl Café visit for Pre-Prep pupils the Brighton College Abu Dhabi Diploma in Year 9, and Sixth Form-led activities and societies such as the Medical Society and Girls in STEM, we ensure that pupils across all year groups have avenues to engage and lead. Additionally, our participation in organisations like BSME in Performing Arts, Sport, Debating and more fosters global citizenship and allows pupils to connect with peers throughout the Middle East.

Recent initiatives such as the Year 8 and 9 Kenya expedition and Art and Business trips to Tokyo not only support academic curricula but also offer lifechanging experiences. Furthermore, our Whole School Community Events, such as the Global Awareness Day pupil-led initiative "Run for a Reason," exemplify our commitment to fostering camaraderie, tolerance and making a positive impact within and beyond our school community.

VISIT WEBSITE EMAIL

BRIGHTON COLLEGE ABU DHABI

CANADIAN UNIVERSITY DUBAI BBA EARNS ACCREDITATION FROM CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF MARKETING UK

Canadian University Dubai (CUD) has received accreditation from the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) UK, earning the prestigious CIM Accredited Degree status for its Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Marketing. The recognition will provide students of the BBA in Marketing program with the opportunity to gain industry-recognised qualifications at an accelerated pace. The CIM UK accreditation is also recognised by the Australian Marketing Institute (AMI).

DUBAI COLLEGE OF TOURISM TO LAUNCH REGION’S FIRST CULINARY OPERATIONS APPRENTICESHIP TO FURTHER ELEVATE HOSPITALITY EXCELLENCE

Dubai College of Tourism (DCT), a part of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), and the first-of-itskind multidisciplinary educational platform in the region, is set to launch the Middle East’s first apprenticeship in Culinary Operations. Anchored by major hotels, the programme is strategically aligned with the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33 to further consolidate Dubai’s position as one of top three global cities to invest, live and work in, by elevating its gastronomic offerings.

AURAK CELEBRATES DIVERSITY: STUDENTS SHOWSCASE CULTURES OF 23 COUNTRIES AT GLOBAL DAY 2024

The campus of the American University of Ras Al Khaimah (AURAK) celebrated the sights, sounds, smells and traditions of 23 different countries, at the 11th Global Day celebrations held under the theme of “Celebrating Cultures From Across The Globe.” The unique and enriching experience, which echoed the university’s ethos of diversity, featured a nations’ parade, booths showcasing cultures and cuisine of different countries and a fashion show of national costumes from around the world sponsored by AURAK’s Fashion Club to highlight the beauty and elegance of traditional outfits.

OVER 60 GLOBAL EXPERTS STRESS INNOVATION TO ELEVATE QUALITY OF EDUCATION IN MIDDLE EAST AT QS HIGHER EDUCATION SUMMI

Over 60 higher education leaders stressed the need for innovation in elevating the quality of education in the Middle East at the ‘QS Higher Ed Summit: Middle East’ hosted by the American University of Ras Al Khaimah (AURAK) from 27-29 February, 2024.

Organised by AURAK and QS (Quacquarelli Symonds), global higher education analyst and compiler of the QS World University Rankings, the three-day event addressed issues related to the theme “Cultures of Innovation: Elevating quality education for a thriving Middle East”. Over 350 delegates from the region and across the globe attended the event.

The summit assembled leaders from academia, industry and government to explore how universities can embed and instill cultures of innovation sustainably and creatively to enhance the quality of education in the region.

The opening session was attended by HE Sheikh Saqr Bin Saud Al Qasimi and HE Dr Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Education for UAE.

MIDDLESEX UNIVERSITY DUBAI GRADUATES EMBARK ON THEIR EXCEPTIONAL JOURNEY TOWARDS SUCCESS, GUIDED BY INSPIRING WORDS FROM PIONEERING UAE ASTRONAUT

The graduation ceremony was a groundbreaking occasion as His Excellency Dr Sultan Saif AlNeyadi empowered the Class of 2023 to dream big, and continue their search for knowledge beyond the classroom.

DIDI ANNOUNCES AED10,000 SCHOLARSHIPS DURING RAMADAN TO SUPPORT FUTURE DESIGN LEADERS

Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation (DIDI), which offers the region’s first multidisciplinary Bachelor of Design, launched today a Ramadan discount to encourage and empower a wider breadth of future design thinkers and leaders in line with the Dubai Creative Economic Strategy.

Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation (DIDI), which offers the region’s first multidisciplinary Bachelor of Design, launched today a Ramadan discount to encourage and empower a wider breadth of future design thinkers and leaders in line with the Dubai Creative Economic Strategy.

ALUMNI OF UNIVERSITY OF WOLLLONGONG, DR ZEENATH

REZA KHAN

SWAPPING A SCALPEL FOR A SOFTWARE PROGRAMME

The founding President and Board Member of the Centre for Academic Integrity in the UAE, Associate Professor of Cyber Ethics at the Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences, and Programme Director for Freshman Pathway Programmes at the University of Wollongong in Dubai, Dr Zeenath Reza Khan was named 2020 Global Educational Influencer and one of 100 Most Admired People in Education in 2021 by The Excelligent. Here, she discusses her university years and how they influenced her career path and wider philosophy of life.

Education UAE: Why did you choose Wollongong University?

Dr Zeenath Reza Khan: It’s the summer of '97 and I'm geared up to jet back to Bangladesh to embark on a thrilling medical journey. Just before I bid farewell to my bestie, we decide to sprinkle some humour on our parting moments. I ask her: “What should I bring back for you?” and she, with a twinkle in her eye, starts listing fancy cars. My deadpan replies of “We don't have that” play out like a broken record until she drops the bomb - “an Intel”. My brain takes a moment, before I respond, “What kind of car is that?” Fast forward two months, and guess who’s swapped scalpels for software programmes at the University of Wollongong in Dubai?

Of course, the plot twist wasn’t just for laughs. Being part of a STEM powerhouse family, it was always simply a question of which branch I’d choose. I’d realised medicine was as appealing to me as a wet blanket and with UOWD unveiling its BCompSc programme, it felt like a match made in quirky academic heaven. Who needs fancy cars when you can cruise

through the digital realm, right? Life is full of unexpected pit stops.

Education UAE: How did your university experience shape your career path?

Dr Zeenath Reza Khan: The journey was both distinctive and demanding. Undoubtedly, my esteemed teachers played an instrumental role in shaping not only my academic experience, but also influencing my career trajectory. Their unwavering dedication, boundless compassion, kindness, and utmost professionalism served as an inspiration. Consequently, I found myself compelled to follow in their footsteps, aspiring to become an educator, mirroring the profound impact my parents had on my academic and professional aspirations.

The experience was truly exceptional and characterised by humility. Commencing our academic journey at the campus opposite Al Mulla Plaza, where we shared space with a beauty salon, we transitioned to the Beach campus for our final semester, culminating in our graduation in 2020.

These diverse environments added a unique flavour to our academic pursuits.

Education UAE: What extracurricular activities or clubs were most impactful for you?

Dr Zeenath Reza Khan: Our campus fostered a close-knit atmosphere, accentuated by our class comprising of merely eight individuals. This intimate setting prompted collaborative initiatives that not only strengthened our bonds but also contributed to the development of our collective skills and interests.

Who needs fancy cars when you can cruise through the digital realm, right?

One notable undertaking during our tenure was the inception of ‘Eureka!’an inter-university talent competition. Personally engaged in the organisational aspects alongside fellow students, I took on responsibilities ranging from coordinating the event to orchestrating a ‘Freaky Fashion’ show and choreographing a dance performance. These endeavours not only showcased our collaborative spirit but allowed us to express our creativity on a larger platform.

We celebrated ethnic days on Diwali, where even the non-Asian students got into the festive mood, wearing Asian clothes and drawing Rangoli in the canteen area. We were also encouraged to participate in inter-campus events, such as the Sony Gulf Federal Environment Award for Undergraduate Scientific Research and the EEG Public Speaking Competition - both of which I was honoured to emerge victorious.

There is a strong pride in the degree we graduate with and our graduates are quite happy to stay in touch with the university and the current student community

Education UAE: Did you have any mentors or professors who significantly influenced you?

Dr Zeenath Reza Khan: Absolutely. Mr Nawar Al Hakeem founded not only my Computer Science programme, but also the entire faculty. He demonstrated an unwavering commitment to providing equal opportunities and actively facilitated a conducive learning environment for female students. A notable instance of this was when, amid class excursions to GETEX attended by our male peers, our professor took it upon himself to personally transport the female students, ensuring a seamless experience to alleviate potential objections from our parents. This gesture exemplified the professor’s dedication to fostering an inclusive and supportive atmosphere.

Education UAE: What challenges did you face during your time at university, and how did you overcome them?

Dr Zeenath Reza Khan: A primary challenge stemmed from the fact the majority of faculty members were relatively new and the systems in place were in their nascent stages. Despite this, an atmosphere of curiosity and eager anticipation prevailed, manifesting in our collective interest to discern the identities of our upcoming instructors and the distinctive qualities they would bring to the educational experience.

While the prospect of encountering new faces and methodologies was inherently exciting, it also induced a sense of trepidation. The realisation that the forthcoming semester held the potential to either solidify or compromise our academic pursuits added an element of pressure. Given the modest size of our cohort, we found solace and strength in working collectively to confront the uncertainties that lay ahead. This unity became a cornerstone in navigating the uncharted territory of our educational journey.

Education UAE: In what ways did the university community support personal growth and development?

Dr Zeenath Reza Khan: In our little community, the number of educators could be tallied on one hand. Among them were Mr Robert Wilson, our versatile

administrative guru, and Mr Manoj, the adept accountant. Not to be overlooked, the dynamic proprietors of the café, the canteen uncle and his wife, who occasionally extended their culinary offerings on credit, adding a distinctive charm to our small enclave.

Despite the limited scale, the compactness of our community created an environment of unparalleled intimacy. Teachers, recognising the significance of individualised attention, curated classes and assessments tailored to each student, fostering an atmosphere where our academic journey was deemed pivotal and our role as learners held paramount importance.

The ostensibly modest community, however, transcended its size, emerging as a formidable bastion of support for our academic and personal development. It stood resolute, always ready to extend a helping hand, a sympathetic ear, or a comforting shoulder. Despite its unassuming stature, our community epitomised resilience and fortitude, embodying the essence of a vibrant hub where learning and camaraderie flourished in a more formal yet supportive setting.

Education UAE: Can you speak about any specific projects or experiences that were pivotal in your learning?

Dr Zeenath Reza Khan: Our graduation project experience was instrumental in shaping my career, growth, and interest. In a team of five, we created a project management software called ‘Innova’. It meant late nights, fixing codes, writing lots of documents, testing everything, and finding and fixing mistakes - a real crash course for the working world.

It was amid the crucible of this project that a discerning realisation dawned upon me, elucidating my vocational path. My predilection for technical writing, documentation, system analysis and design, and the strategic management of information systems, became unmistakably apparent, leading to my receiving a higher distinction in the project. This epiphany guided my subsequent academic pursuits, leading to the acquisition of a Master’s in International Business from UOWD. The trajectory further extended to the

attainment of a PhD from UOW Australia, where I explored the nuanced domain of Community Informatics.

Thus, the graduation project emerged not merely as a culmination but as a catalyst, propelling me towards an academic and professional odyssey marked by continuous growth and unwavering dedication to my chosen fields of expertise.

Education UAE: How has the alumni network benefited you post-graduation?

Dr Zeenath Reza Khan: We were asked to join the network right after our graduation ceremony, but the benefit to me came much later when I launched the WISP programme to create a Human Library of mentors for our current students. Our amazing alumni community jumped in to register to help and support us. There is a strong pride in the degree we graduate with and our graduates are quite happy to stay in touch with the university and the current student community. The network is constantly helping us with job placements, judging competitions, and so on.

Education UAE: What advice would you give current students or recent graduates entering the workforce?

Dr Zeenath Reza Khan: Each stumble takes us a step closer to mastering our professional groove. Picture your career as a cool story: Add some unexpected twists, show off your growth, and sprinkle in a bit of unstoppable spirit. When things go sideways, treat them like plot twists, not the end of the road; your story’s still unfolding and you’re the one holding the pen. Imagine yourself as the main character in your career movie, not just a sidekick. Take charge of your story, shine with your skills, and let success groove to your own beat!

VISIT WEBSITE

UNIVERSITY

BRIDGING THE GAP IN AUTISM UNDERSTANDING AND INCLUSION AMONG EDUCATORS

BY DR SARAH BENSON, HEAD OF SUBJECT

GROUP FOR EDUCATION, AND INCLUSIVE & SPECIAL EDUCATION NEEDS PROGRAMME DIRECTOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM DUBAI

Dr Sarah Benson, is an Associate Professor in inclusion and disabilities in the Department of Disability, Inclusion and Special Needs. Dr Benson has published articles and book chapters on inclusive policy in the Middle East. Her interests lie in not only inclusive policy, but new teacher development and creating opportunities for students with disabilities. She has also spent time writing and researching inclusive science curriculum for primary grade students.

At the University of Birmingham Dubai, the School of Education actively works with aspiring and established educators to build their understanding of support and education for learners with disabilities

To construct truly inclusive education systems, it is vital for teachers to have the necessary knowledge about disabilities to dismantle barriers in traditional classrooms. While continuing professional development often supplements and develops teaching practices, with ‘tips and tricks’, it is rare that teachers are provided theoretical and nuanced information about the complexities of varying differences in learners. Teachers need both the strategies provided in traditional continuing professional development as well as research-backed, theoretical, and disability-specific information to increase their knowledge alongside their practice.

The limited opportunities to gain theoretical knowledge and understanding about disability impact teachers working with students with autism spectrum conditions. Recent research undertaken by the University of Birmingham-Dubai faculty in the UAE exposed outdated, stereotypical knowledge of autistic learners that can work against efforts to create inclusive classrooms. This research was sponsored by the AlQasimi Foundation and included surveys and interviews with current and former teachers in public and private schools.

A widely held misconception by surveyed teachers in the UAE is that persons with autism prefer to be alone (92% of respondents). This is a globally held stereotype, which is often reinforced by media portrayals of autism. However, recent research co-created with autistic individuals stresses the importance of and desire for relationships with other people. It is more often environmental stimulus and lack of empathy for different communication styles that act as barriers. Once a teacher understands that students with autism might enjoy and desire relationships with peers, they can begin building more structured social time in the classroom with sensory and communication supports for students.

While research exposes the gaps in teacher knowledge it can also support teachers to deepen their knowledge. Teacher development, such as postsecondary degrees and regular access to research journals can help break down misconceptions about many educationrelated issues, including special education needs. Giving teachers access to the most up-to-date research in the field and supporting critical thinking of this research will create more fidelity in practice. The additional result of focused study and knowledge development will be improved practices for inclusion.

Another example of a commonly held misconception in the UAE is that students with autism have behaviour problems in schools and need specialist intervention as a result (72% of respondents). Understanding the underlying reasons students with autism might become disruptive, selfinjurious, or engage in activity refusal will help teachers create more inclusive classrooms. If teachers develop an understanding of the sensory input needs and communication patterns of children with autism, they can better identify when a child’s needs are being unmet and causing stress and anxiety. Focusing on why students with autism might display difficult behaviours can help teachers address underlying issues by removing barriers and increasing support. Traditional continuing professional development often focuses on ‘what’ to do, not ‘why’ the behaviour is occurring in the first place.

The increased accountability for schools to create inclusive educational settings must be met with increased knowledge and understanding of disabilities. Developing teacher practices without addressing the underlying barriers for specific learners amounts to a hollow practice.

A widely held misconception by surveyed teachers in the UAE is that persons with autism prefer to be alone (92% of respondents)

An in-depth and nuanced understanding of disabilities developed through postgraduate academic courses and reading the research will increase knowledge and empower teachers to dismantle barriers with knowledge and practices.

At the University of Birmingham Dubai, the School of Education actively works with aspiring and established educators to build their understanding of support and education for learners with disabilities. The MA Education (Inclusion, Special Educational Needs) focuses on exploring international debates and solutions associated with educational policy and practice in the areas of inclusion, disability, and special educational needs.

READ MORE ABOUT THE PROGRAMMES

UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM DUBAI

VISIT WEBSITE EMAIL

CANADIAN UNIVERSITY DUBAI PARTNERS WITH HARVARD MODEL CONGRESS MIDDLE EAST TO EMPOWER FUTURE LEADERS

The partnership is to host a regional youth conference aimed at empowering the leaders of tomorrow. The gathering was convened at CUD for a second time, assembling over 200 high school students to debate and develop practical solutions to some of the biggest current global challenges.

Across the three-day event, delegates from 23 schools representing 10 countries took on the roles of US representatives, US senators, and UN delegates to negotiate complex worldwide issues such as artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, sustainable food systems, global energy

policy, and the international migration crisis. Working in collaboration with Harvard students, the high school pupils debated, negotiated, and developed policy, to pass a range of resolutions around issues including the regulation of agriculture, the privacy of data, peaceful humanitarian aid, and the prioritisation

of gender equality in education. This year, ‘Speakfluence’ was the winner of the best small delegation, while Yongsan International School won the best large delegation.

Talking about the goals of the HMCME and the student experience, Director of Programmes and Harvard student, Heather Park, said: “The mission of the Harvard Model Congress is to teach and inspire the leaders of tomorrow in a safe and welcoming atmosphere. At this year’s conference, we have witnessed immense personal growth, as every student has

emerged more confident and with a greater understanding and appreciation of contemporary world issues. I hope this marks the beginning of the participants’ long and fulfilling journey as global thinkers and speakers.”

“The mission of the Harvard Model Congress is to teach and inspire the leaders of tomorrow in a safe and welcoming atmosphere”

Alongside the schedule of committee debates and international summits, participants had the opportunity to take part in a delegate speech competition. Among the winning speakers was Mahra Mohammed AlShamsi from Ras Al Khaimah American Academy, who delivered an emotional account of her transformational journey through the HMCME. Mahra explained: “I first took part in the HMCME in 2023 at a time when my self-confidence was very low following the isolation of the pandemic and a difficult period when I was transitioning between schools. The conference was a life-changing experience as it played a crucial role in improving my confidence and led me to explore new opportunities and to try different things, which I could never have imagined before that turning point.”

grateful to the Canadian University Dubai for facilitating the education of hundreds of high schoolers around the Middle East in forms of government and debate.”

200 students convene on campus for the regional model congress

This year marked the 11th session of the HMCME, which was established in 2012 to provide a forum for young people to engage in meaningful debate, learn from current university students, and interact professionally and socially. The congress has become renowned as the premier international relations simulation for high school students in the Middle East, helping to advance participants’ leadership and public speaking skills, build their understanding of intergovernmental bodies, and develop their ability to negotiate impactful solutions across ideological divides. Meredith Zielonka President of HMCME 2024 said: “Harvard Model Congress Middle East is continually

Leading the event on behalf of CUD’s Department of Communication and Media, Associate Professor, Dr Ghada Abaido, concluded: “We are delighted to partner with Harvard University to stage this flagship congress at Canadian University Dubai for the second year in a row. This event aligns with our goals to promote youth leadership and active citizenship and offers an excellent platform for high school students to develop critical 21st-century skills. With this year’s delegates travelling from across the GCC and as far afield as South Korea, it also provided the opportunity for students to get first-hand experience of the educational and cultural landscape of Dubai as they prepare to explore the next stage of their academic journey.”

VIRTUAL CLASSROOMS IN THE CLOUD: REDEFINING LEARNING SPACES

AS THE LEADING PROVIDER OF CLOUD-BASED K-12 SOFTWARE, POWERSCHOOL SUPPORTS EDUCATORS, ADMINISTRATORS, AND FAMILIES TO HELP STUDENTS LEARN IN A WAY THAT’S RIGHT FOR THEM, WITH ITS VISION BEING TO TRANSFORM EDUCATION USING INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY THAT TRULY SUPPORTS PERSONALISED EDUCATION FOR EVERY STUDENT AROUND THE WORLD.

With nearly three decades of experience delivering innovative, best-in-class education technology, PowerSchool connects everyone in the education community with the shared goal of helping students thrive through personalised education. Connecting the central office to the classroom to the home helps schools efficiently manage secure student data, registration, attendance, grading, instruction,

assessments, human resources, talent, professional development, special education, communications, and analytics with cloud-based software.

TRANSFORMATIVE TOOLS FOR EDUCATION

In 2024, PowerSchool will provide six comprehensive Clouds to bring together the digital tools education teams need to be successful in their roles and help students succeed. PowerSchool also

offers expanded platform capabilities with AI, Analytics and Insights, and Data to empower educators to personalise teaching. It also supports better engagement between families and schools through My PowerSchool and Communications solutions.

PowerSchool has grown to support over 50 million students, including an extensive and growing customer base in the MEA region. In 2023, PowerSchool opened its first MEA office in Dubai to better support and expand customer relationships in the MEA and surrounding market. Currently, PowerSchool supports a range of UAE customers, including Al Ittihad National Private Schools, Liwa Education, Aldar Education, ESOL, and the American International School in Abu Dhabi.

PERSONALISATION AND ADAPTIVE LEARNING IN THE CLOUD

With PowerSchool, educators can experience a transformative approach to AI that is meticulously designed for the day-to-day needs of educators and is reshaping the landscape of teaching, learning, and managing school operations. As PowerSchool delves into the impactful world of AI-ML solutions in education, it acknowledges their transformative effect but sees the true value in their development and application.

PowerSchool is committed to maintaining a mindful and responsible approach to AI, guided by six principles: human-centered design, fairness and bias elimination, stringent data governance, privacy and security,

transparency and user control, and ethical use. Its vision for leveraging the power of AI bolsters its mission to help every student achieve their maximum potential by transforming how teachers teach and students learn, responsibly and ethically. It has already started upon this journey, seamlessly integrating an array of AI functionalities into its suite of products:

 In 2023, PowerSchool announced two new generative AI-powered features for educators as part of a new partnership between PowerSchool and Microsoft. Microsoft’s Azure OpenAI Services was embedded into PowerSchool’s Performance Matters and LearningNav solutions.

 PowerSchool also introduced AI to its Risk Analysis product, allowing educators to quickly identify students who require additional support through predictive analytics and machine learning and increase the chances of students graduating on time.

 On 23 January 2024, PowerSchool announced the next evolution of its platform with the launch of PowerSchool PowerBuddy™, a new AI-powered assistant that will be integrated across the PowerSchool family of products, including Performance Matters, Schoology Learning, Naviance CCLR, Connected Intelligence, Analytics & Insights, and My PowerSchool.

These additions allow educators, students, administrators, and families to unlock the untapped potential of personalized teaching and learning, leading to unparalleled efficiency and paving the way for a future where every learner can thrive for lifelong success.

THE STUDENT BUDDY EXPERIENCE

Understanding a student’s current mastery and instructional gaps including their grades, reading levels, special accommodations, learning styles, and test scores to name a few is the first step in the process of crafting personalised education experiences and curating individualised learning plans and assignments for each student.

Here is an example where a student is struggling to understand a concept within an assignment. The student reaches out to PowerBuddy for help. Leveraging its programmed Socratic method, lesson title, and standard alignment to assignment, PowerBuddy returns helpful information to guide the student along, such as providing helpful topics and hints or even challenges to personalise the student’s learning journey:

PowerBuddy: “It looks like you’re looking at your assignment ‘How Ecosystems work’. Need any help?”

Student clicks on notification and starts speaking with PowerBuddy: “How has overfishing impacted the ecosystem?”

PowerBuddy explains in a tailored way for the student: “So, imagine a big, bustling aquarium where all kinds of fish live. Overfishing is like taking too many fish out of that aquarium. When we do this in the oceans, it upsets the balance - some fish become scarce, others become too many, and it messes up the homes of other sea creatures. So, we need to be careful and take only what we need to keep our underwater world healthy and happy!”

COLLABORATION TOOLS AND FEATURES IN CLOUD-BASED EDUCATION

In 2023, PowerSchool introduced PowerSchool Clouds, tailor-made solutions built for specific roles that can help solve their challenges while increasing security and saving time. The PowerSchool Clouds are the first endto-end ed-tech solutions of their kind, built to support 21st-century K-12 needs and priorities. The Clouds are designed specifically to provide all the digital assets needed by education teams to be successful. The Clouds can help teams thrive by saving time, improving student outcomes, and simplifying workflows.

In 2024, PowerSchool provides six comprehensive Clouds to bring together the digital tools education teams need

In 2024, PowerSchool provides six comprehensive Clouds:

Personalised Learning Cloud: Curriculum and Instruction Directors know the importance of empowering teachers, fostering connections, and innovating education. With its interoperable design and powerful AI functionality, PowerSchool's Personalised Learning Cloud offers a comprehensive set of assessment, curriculum management, and instructional tools that enable teachers to create customized learning experiences for every student, regardless of their learning style or needs.

Student Information Cloud: In today’s ever-evolving learning environment, schools need operational systems that are flexible, secure, and easy to use to set them up for success today as well as in the future. PowerSchool’s Student Information Cloud is a comprehensive cloud-hosted solution

for student information, enrollment, data management, and special programmes. The Student Information Cloud’s set of products provides crucial interoperability that allows schools to power all their operations while ensuring the security and accuracy of student data. By providing critical interoperability, enhancing security measures, and offering access to complete and accurate student data, this empowers schools with the agility to adapt to evolving student needs, deliver personalised experiences, and foster student success.

Student Success Cloud: Only

PowerSchool’s Student Success Cloud provides the complete support students need to reach their potential. Student Success Cloud solutions reduce chronic absenteeism, promote positive behaviour, and include a comprehensive MTSS solution that allows schools to identify and track student needs, provide extensive inputs to conduct and monitor

interventions, and review the fidelity of the MTSS framework.

Educator Effectiveness Cloud: PowerSchool’s Educator Effectiveness Cloud has tools to transform realtime observation and instructional coaching data into personalised goals and professional development recommendations for each educator. This Cloud enables schools to foster a data-informed culture that enhances the capabilities of their staff to support student success and improve overall district performance. With this Cloud, schools can increase teacher retention, conduct evaluations, deliver content, and offer personalized professional learning.

HR & ERP Cloud: Transform a school’s critical operations with the PowerSchool HR & ERP Cloud, an integrated solution that modernizes and enhances both financial management and HR processes.

 SHIVANI STUMPF, CHIEF PRODUCT AND INNOVATION OFFICER

PowerSchool’s vision for leveraging the power of AI bolsters its mission to help every student to achieve their maximum potential

This powerful solution revolutionises recruitment, onboarding, position control, budget management, and financial strategy. With the benefits of a modernised and intuitive system, seamless workflows, and streamlined hiring processes, this comprehensive solution provides tools to effectively and efficiently manage resources, time, and workforce for a greater impact on student success.

College, Career, and Life Readiness

Cloud: PowerSchool’s College, Career, and Life Readiness Cloud provides the complete support students need to be ready for their futures. With robust tools to drive self-discovery, career pathway exploration, work-based learning, education programme and college preparation, and skills development,

students can create a personalized post-secondary plan that helps them reach their goals. With easy access to workforce insights, leaders can be equipped with the data needed to drive education and workforce alignment. As students prepare to enter a rapidly evolving global job market, empower them to acquire the skills, knowledge, and confidence they need to excel in their educational journey and beyond.

REDEFINING EDUCATION IN THE DIGITAL AGE

PowerSchool University (PSU) helps users take advantage of the robust features and capabilities of PowerSchool solutions through hands-on professional development and access to an interactive digital curriculum included with each PowerSchool University event.

PSU Remote Plus offers instructor-led training online. With PSU Remote Plus, users will receive the same hands-on training they’re accustomed to at an onsite event, with the convenience of an online format. Users will receive a digital curriculum for all classes - even those they don’t attend - with no expiration date.

PSU Express is a PSU-style training in a quick, two-day format. Available in various cities within a region, PSU Express provides hands-on training on topics specific to a user’s role. Get the training needed without the added expense of out-of-country travel or an extended stay. PowerSchool brings its best trainers to the user!

REACH OUT AND ENGAGE

PowerSchool hosts regular webinars to help schools learn more about PowerSchool’s offerings, including the PowerSchool Clouds and recent AI announcements such as PowerBuddy. Schools can also speak with a sales representative or schedule a personalised demo of the products they’re interested in by visiting PowerSchool.

VISIT WEBSITE

EMAIL

POWERSCHOOL

TRANSFORM YOUR FUTURE:

LEARN CHINESE WITH HIHILULU FOR GLOBAL OPPORTUNITIES!

LEARNING CHINESE IS INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT FOR YOUNG PEOPLE, NOT LEAST BECAUSE CHINA HAS EMERGED AS A MAJOR PLAYER IN THE GLOBAL ECONOMY, OFFERING VAST OPPORTUNITIES FOR TRADE, BUSINESS, AND INNOVATION.

As China continues to play a pivotal role in global affairs, understanding the Chinese language and culture becomes increasingly strategic. Moreover, proficiency in Chinese opens doors to educational opportunities, including scholarships and research collaborations, at some of the world’s top universities.

There is a belief, however, that Chinese is a difficult language to learn. Not true, especially when studying with hihilulu, where the methodology not only makes it far easier than you had previously imagined but a lot of fun too!

LANGUAGE LEARNING MADE ENGAGING AND EFFECTIVE

hihilulu was established in Paris by Jennifer Huang in response to the challenge of developing effective teaching strategies for young Chinese learners in France. The programme draws inspiration from the groundbreaking work of Professor Joël Bellassen, a key figure in the development of Chinese language instruction in Europe and former Inspector General of Chinese Teaching at the French National Education Ministry.

The Chinese language is presented to young children as a tonal system and non-alphabetic writing system according to an innovative educational approach created in the 1980s by Professor Bellassen, who has devoted his life to teaching this language. This approach incorporates what is known as ‘snowballing’, a powerful strategy for simplifying Chinese learning. Choosing 125 components as the fundamental building blocks that quickly snowball into new characters, words, phrases, and full sentences, hihilulu breaks down complex tasks into manageable steps, and, building on small successes, learners can make continuous progress toward their goals while gaining confidence and motivation along the way.

hihilulu also offers students the opportunity to embark on an enriching journey through a comprehensive offline Chinese language programme

Based on rich content but integrated with this highly effective proprietary pedagogy for children, hihilulu is the best-in-class full-service solution, including a digital platform and certified teachers for kindergartens and schools worldwide. Teachers are provided with tools, a curriculum system, and fun activities to facilitate the teaching of Chinese to children.

Particularly focusing on children from 3 to 12 years old, which is the golden age to become multilingual, in response to high demand from middle schools, hihilulu is now adapting to teenage groups and launching a customised solution for middle schools.

IGNITE YOUR PASSION FOR LEARNING

hihilulu is launching in the UAE at an international kindergarten group and multiple international schools, and, under the hihilulu Academy®️, led by its academic advisor Professor Bellassen, has trained and certified the first group of teachers in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, who are now ready to initiate the programme in schools.

Providing a full-service solution to schools, from a digital platform with curriculum, homework, and data to certified teachers, hihilulu also has local representatives and partners to provide support and customer service. This allows schools to enjoy a stress-free commencement to their new Chinese

Teachers are provided with tools, a curriculum system, and fun activities to facilitate the teaching of Chinese to children.

programme, which will enhance their proposition and competitiveness.

hihilulu also offers students the opportunity to embark on an enriching journey through a comprehensive offline Chinese language programme, taking 1.5-3 hours per week at a partner school or institute. This incorporates an annual plan (35 weeks per year), with different classes according to age and level.

Holiday Camps are offered too, taking in 3-7 hours per day over a week, again at a partner school or institute. These are held during school vacations with themebased contextual learning. Activities and teaching materials include hihilulu Learn Chinese APP, hihilulu Atelier® school platform, and physical materials such as immersive flashcards and Chinese characters puzzle games.

JOIN THE GLOBAL CONVERSATION: SPEAK CHINESE WITH CONFIDENCE! Schools and parents must understand the importance of learning Chinese at an early age, with two recent scientific research papers published worldwide confirming the Chinese language’s impact on brain development and multilingualism on shaping personality in early-age education.

Early exposure to Chinese facilitates language acquisition, as young minds are more receptive to new sounds and linguistic patterns. Additionally, mastering Chinese fosters cultural understanding, promoting empathy and appreciation for diverse perspectives, while proficiency in the language enhances cognitive skills such as problem-solving, multitasking, and creativity. Ultimately, early education in Chinese equips children with invaluable linguistic, cultural, and cognitive advantages for lifelong success.

HIHILULU

 LAURA WOJCIECHOWSKI, EDUCATION UAE MEDIA DIRECTOR WITH JENNIFER HUANG, FOUNDER AND CEO OF HIHILULU, DANIEL ZUMINO, STRATEGIC ADVISOR FOR HIHILULU, AND AMY LI, HIHILULU’S UAE REPRESENTATIVE.

EXPLORING THE WORLD: THE TRANSFORMATIVE BENEFITS OF EDUCATIONAL TRAVEL FOR LEARNERS

In an era characterised by globalisation and interconnectedness, the value of educational travel for learners cannot be overstated. Beyond the allure of picturesque landscapes and exotic cuisines, the profound impact of venturing beyond familiar boundaries offers a wealth of benefits that extend far beyond the confines of the classroom.

Educational travel catalyses intellectual growth and academic enrichment.

By stepping outside the confines of traditional classrooms, learners engage in experiential learning that ignites their curiosity and sparks their imagination. Whether exploring ancient ruins, conducting scientific experiments in interactive museums, or delving into local ecosystems on ecological expeditions, each adventure presents a unique opportunity for hands-on discovery. Such immersive experiences not only deepen youngsters’ understanding of academic subjects but also cultivate critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity - skills that are indispensable for success in the 21st century.

ENRICHING EXPERIENCES AND LIFELONG LEARNING

In a world brimming with possibilities, EduVoyage, a division of ITL World, a fully integrated travel management company operating in the GCC region for over 30 years, stands as a beacon of exploration, offering young adventurers the opportunity to embark on transformative journeys that transcend the boundaries of the classroom. Founded on the belief that experiential learning is the key to unlocking the full potential of young minds, EduVoyage has carved a niche for itself as a pioneer in the field of educational travel for young people.

“From nature-based excursions to cultural immersion programmes, educational travel provides a unique way to pursue specialised

interests while also gaining a unique perspective of the world. In the region, we are seeing a lot of interest in Space Camp certification and aviation-related programmes. Volunteering programmes are also gaining momentum, and this includes Teaching Aid, Healthcare, and Construction,” explained Rafeeq Mohammed, Chief Executive Officer at EduVoyage, an ITL World Company.

Serving everyone from high schools through graduate and postgraduate learners, EduVoyage with its wholly owned GCC wide operation across the region, opens doors to new horizons, fosters a spirit of curiosity and inquiry, and empowers young people to become global citizens of tomorrow. Drawing on a network of seasoned educators, historians, and adventure guides, EduVoyage ensures that each trip is not only educational but also safe, engaging, and enriching. From pre-departure orientation sessions to on-the-ground support, every aspect of the journey is meticulously planned to provide learners with a seamless and unforgettable experience.

Curating specific study tours that cater to subjects like science, history, art and design, volunteering and conservation, drama, and music, and much more, including a wide range of skill-based and linguistic course trips, EduVoyage sources and designs tailored programmes, cost control management, destination management, insurance, and health and safety - nothing is ever overlooked.

Educational travel catalyses intellectual growth and academic enrichment

IMMERSIVE LEARNING EXPERIENCES

EduVoyage believes in the power of education to transform lives and shape perspectives. That’s why it is committed to offering a vast selection of educational trips that inspire curiosity, foster cultural appreciation, and promote lifelong learning.

Perennially popular, for instance, is the Space Camp in the United States, offering an unparalleled opportunity for young people to explore the wonders of space, science, maths, and technology in an immersive and hands-on environment. These camps provide a unique blend of education, adventure, and inspiration, allowing young participants to engage with cutting-edge concepts and technologies while fostering teamwork, leadership, and problemsolving skills. Here, learners can nurture their innate curiosity for all things outer space with simulators, hands-on experiments, and lessons from experts, including real astronauts! But tackling the ‘final frontier’ is only one of many options for adventurous schools and learners. So if you want to keep your feet well and truly on planet Earth, why not consider one of the following experiences?

Serving everyone from high schools through to graduate and postgraduate learners, EduVoyage opens doors to new horizons

 Volunteering and Conservation Programmes

 Nature and Wildlife

 Multicultural Exchange Programmes

 Archaeological Visits

 Historical Sites

 Sports Camps

 Innovation Tours

 Adventure Trips

 Industrial Visits

 Music, Arts, and Performance Tours

 Media and Film Tours

With a diverse range of destinations, activities, and experiences, EduVoyage is not limited to the programmes listed either; many experiences have transpired from a conversation, which has led to concept and execution. Consequently, if you have a specific trip or adventure in mind, simply speak to EduVoyage; they will be delighted to create a bespoke package tailored to your exact requirements.

Indeed, the majority of EduVoyage’s educational programmes are tailor-made, with a portfolio of solutions and bespoke arrangements from arrival to departure. The aim is to focus on and ensure impact around the educational institution’s academic programme from an educational travel perspective. At present, EduVoyage is working with several educational institutions in the region and is a full-time member of BSME (British Schools in the Middle East) and WYSE (World Youth and Student Education Travel Confederation).

MAXIMISING LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES AND SAFETY IN EDUCATIONAL TRAVEL

Ensuring safety and security on student trips is paramount for the well-being and success of the entire travel experience. Learners, often away from the familiarity of home, rely on responsible planning and support to navigate unfamiliar environments confidently.

Firstly, safety measures mitigate risks associated with travel, from transportation mishaps to health emergencies. Comprehensive planning, including risk assessments, emergency protocols, and access to medical care, minimises potential hazards and ensures swift responses to any unforeseen circumstances.

Moreover, prioritising security fosters peace of mind for learners, parents, and educators alike. Clear communication of safety procedures, emergency contacts, and cultural sensitivities equips learners with the knowledge and resources needed to navigate diverse environments responsibly.

Whatever adventure you choose, EduVoyage successfully meets the requirements of multinational learners, parents, and teachers by following stringent measures to ensure excitement, exploration, and security all in one package.

Every aspect of a trip is thoroughly scrutinised to ensure suitability and compliance with safety measures

EduVoyage caters to both high school learners and those undertaking graduate and post-graduation courses

Every aspect of a trip is thoroughly scrutinised to ensure suitability and compliance with safety measures. Moreover, in addition to the faculties from the institutions visited and local guides, all trips are accompanied by an experienced member of EduVoyage with 24x7 on-ground assistance. Naturally, all student travel is mandatorily protected with travel insurance too.

FOSTERING INDEPENDENCE, CONFIDENCE, AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS

The EduVoyage offering is unique and the widest in the region. With a diverse portfolio of destinations, themes, and itineraries, the company caters to every student’s wanderlust and academic interests and remains committed to working with schools and universities to encourage curiosity and enrich learners’ educational journeys.

VISIT

EPIC JOURNEYS, UNFORGETTABLE MEMORIES WITH ABSOLUTE ADVENTURE

Creating extraordinary, impactful outdoor adventures that push individuals beyond their comfort level and empower teams to conquer challenges together, Absolute Adventure not only satisfies the quest for excitement but also encourages personal growth, teamwork, and a profound appreciation for the Earth’s diverse landscapes.

Established in 2005, Absolute Adventure, part of the Hero Experience Group, has extensive experience in the adventure tourism field, offering high-quality experiences based at iconic destinations that provide immersive, nature-based activities in pristine locations around the UAE.

This is a company with vast expertise on board too, incorporating leading outdoor professionals and specialists with experience across several disciplines. Lead consultant and founder of Absolute Adventure, Paul Oliver, for instance, has more than 30 years of experience in the Middle East. He has consulted with government entities, investors, and private companies all over the region. A highly qualified outdoor instructor and expedition leader, Paul has worked on projects such as trekking routes in Afghanistan, Maasai Warrior Training Courses in Kenya, and master tourism plans for several fascinating destinations.

High-quality experiences based at iconic destinations

This profound experience and expertise explain why Absolute Adventure makes it easy for your school or business to work with it: the company eliminates the usual complexities and hurdles with a streamlined process that makes planning your trip simple, effective, and fun, providing you with clear communication and assisting with all the administrative tasks.

EDUCATIONAL ADVENTURES IN NATURAL CLASSROOMS

Travelling to hand-selected destinations that ensure each experience takes individuals on memorable and epic adventures that unlock their inner hero, Absolute Adventure arranges everything from routes to logistics, equipment, permits, and safety measures. Moreover, the whole package can be tied in with individual school curricula, with all adventures curated so that students receive practical educational value while learning life skills they will take with them as they move forward. Each school event includes a resource pack for the relevant teachers filled with everything that could be possibly needed to conduct successful lessons that bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application.

And that’s just the beginning. Absolute Adventure has the expertise, staff, and facilities to assist schools in providing students with blue-chip accreditations such as the Duke of Edinburgh Award, Sheikh Sultan Award, and GCSE assessments. With years of experience in developing programmes to teach all the skills needed, getting these accreditations has never been simpler or more enjoyable.

The expertise, staff, and facilities to assist schools in providing students with blue-chip accreditations

Schools and companies throughout the UAE rely upon Absolute Adventures to take their students or team members beyond the confines of the classroom or office walls

NATURE’S

PLAYGROUND AWAITS YOU

Integrating outdoor adventures with school curricula presents a transformative approach to education, blending academic learning with hands-on experiences in nature. This pioneering pedagogy nurtures holistic development by immersing students in realworld scenarios that go beyond conventional classroom boundaries. Subjects like science, geography, and biology come to life as students explore ecosystems, identifying flora and fauna in their natural habitats. Maths skills find relevance in measuring distances during hikes, and history reveals itself through visits to ancient sites nestled in outdoor landscapes

Beyond academic enhancement, outdoor adventures encourage physical fitness and mental well-being, instilling essential life skills such as teamwork, leadership, and problemsolving. These experiences also cultivate environmental stewardship, implanting a sense of responsibility and respect for nature.

In addition, incorporating outdoor adventures into the curriculum improves student engagement and enthusiasm for learning. The fresh air, open spaces, and dynamic challenges inspire a passion for knowledge. This approach not only arms students with theoretical understanding but also with practical skills, resilience, and a deep appreciation for the world around them, fostering a lifelong love for learning.

ADVENTURES BEYOND YOUR IMAGINATION

With a team of experienced and passionate adventure enthusiasts, Absolute Adventure guarantees high-quality experiences. The company spends a lot of time recruiting only the best candidates, and then even more time to train them until they meet the highest standards of what it takes to be part of what is a unique team.

It’s a team that values nature, and the opportunities it gives it to provide clients with memorable outdoor adventures. Therefore, Absolute Adventure wants to give back to the world by aspiring to work with schools, companies, and organisations that share the same sentiment. It wants to help your charity organise fun and educational outdoor events to support your cause or even facilitate challenges to bring awareness to your organisation. If there is a good purpose, Absolute Adventure stands behind it and offers the support needed.

That is why schools and companies throughout the UAE rely upon Absolute Adventures to take their students or team members beyond the confines of the classroom or office walls and embark on a journey specially crafted to foster a stronger team spirit, enhanced communication, and improved well-being. These tailored experiences provide an opportunity for students and employees to engage in team-building activities that go beyond mere enjoyment. Walk away from the adventure with improved team communication and collaboration.

Subjects like science, geography, and biology come to life as students explore ecosystems

Absolute Adventure does not confine itself to the borders of the UAE either; it also has trade licenses in Oman and Bulgaria and the experience and capabilities to organise and consult on a worldwide level. So whatever your dream exploration, trust Absolute Adventure to blend exploration, adrenaline, and serenity into one unforgettable odyssey!

EXPRESS YOURSELF: UNLOCKING CREATIVITY IN PERFORMING ARTS EDUCATION

The only academy of its kind in the MENA region, Sharjah Performing Arts Academy (SPAA) is dedicated to world-leading education and training, where the spirit of artistic exploration flourishes, making it a haven for those who dare to dream beyond the conventional boundaries of more traditional career paths.

Located within Sharjah’s University City, SPAA aims to provide a nurturing environment for aspiring talents across a spectrum of disciplines including dance, drama, music, and production. Performers and technicians alike hone their craft while receiving globally recognised qualifications, paving the way for a successful future on and off the world stage.

UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMMES

Exploring the Magic of Musical Theatre

There are several undergraduate programmes available at SPAA, all of which provide a dynamic blend of theoretical knowledge, practical training, and real-world experiences, preparing students for the challenges and opportunities within the performing arts industry.

The BA Musical Theatre Programme, for instance, is a full-time, four-year Musical Theatre degree

that offers students intensive and thorough training in the key disciplines of acting, singing, and dance, incorporating practical learning with an individual focus and multiple performance opportunities.

Combining world-class facilities and curriculums, SPAA offers a wealth of knowledge and experience, delivered by a faculty comprising of industry professionals. Their experience merges the Western lens of Broadway and the West End with the exciting developmental elements of theatre in the Middle East and internationally.

Script to Stage: The Art of Acting and Storytelling

The BA Acting Programme is dedicated to producing credible, professional actors who are at the forefront of the region’s theatre revolution, while also having the opportunity to establish themselves as international contenders in

film, television, voice acting, or even emerging platforms in digital media.

Bringing together an intense, imaginative and collaborative learning environment, students are exposed to a wide variety of industry-leading training techniques, genres and styles, with the four-year, full-time Acting Degree also including training in directing, writing, dramaturgy and producing.

Students engage in intensive acting workshops, scene study classes, and rehearsals, honing their craft under the guidance of experienced faculty and industry professionals. These programmes provide numerous performance opportunities, allowing students to apply their skills in front of live audiences, fostering confidence and stage presence.

Behind the Curtain: Craft and Creativity in Backstage Roles

Training in the art of production equips individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to orchestrate and manage all aspects of creating a performance, film, or multimedia production.

This specialised training is vital for those aspiring to become producers, production managers, or professionals involved in the behind-the-scenes aspects of the entertainment industry.

The BA Production Arts programme at SPAA is training tomorrow’s theatre and event professionals, with students delving into areas such as project management, budgeting, logistics, technical aspects of production, and industry regulations. Courses may also include

studies in script analysis, design principles, and collaboration techniques to provide a well-rounded understanding of the production process.

With a combination of theoretical knowledge, practical experience, technological proficiency, and collaborative skills, those trained in production arts are well-prepared to contribute to the success of diverse and impactful creative projects.

Harmony in Motion

Professional dance training is a rigorous and specialised education designed to prepare individuals for careers in a professional dance company, choreography or dance education. At SPAA, the Level 6 Diploma in Professional Dance is a comprehensive, diverse, and industry-

reactive programme that involves a holistic approach encompassing technical proficiency, artistic expression, and physical endurance.

Technical training focuses on Contemporary, Ballet, Jazz, and Commercial dance as the core disciplines to create strong, versatile, diverse dance artists, with supporting skills in Pilates and aerial to underpin the core disciplines whilst broadening performance and employment opportunities within the wider dance industry.

The UAE is a rapidly evolving market for the arts and dance is at the forefront of this development, with SPAA students strategically placed to capitalise on this, helping to shape the dance industry in the UAE, the wider MENA region and beyond.

Combining world-class facilities and curriculums, SPAA offers a wealth of knowledge and experience, delivered by a faculty comprising of industry professionals

POSTGRADUATE

The Culmination of Artistic Exploration and Expression

The Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Theatre and Live Performance Creation at SPAA is typically pursued by individuals seeking to deepen their artistic expertise, refine their creative skills, and engage in a more focused exploration of their chosen artistic discipline. Students can tailor their experience to concentrate on Set and Costume Design, Directing, and Producing, while at the same time encouraging experimentation, risk-taking, and the development of a personal artistic voice.

The MFA is meticulously designed to meet national accreditation and international benchmarks, offering a unique blend of academic rigour and hands-on studio-based practice. Over six intensive terms spanning two academic years, students immerse themselves in a dynamic curriculum that fosters the development of a substantial portfolio and invaluable industry experience.

Overall, earning an MFA is not only about acquiring technical proficiency but also about developing a deeper understanding of the cultural, historical, and theoretical aspects of one’s chosen art form. Graduates of MFA programmes are equipped with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to pursue careers as professional artists, educators, or contributors to the broader cultural landscape.

Earning a BTEC qualification in Performing Arts is a practical and vocational pathway

SHORT COURSES

Crafting Creativity

Earning a BTEC (Business and Technology Education Council) qualification in Performing Arts is a practical and vocational pathway for individuals seeking a hands-on approach to developing skills in various aspects of the performing arts industry. BTEC is a widely recognised qualification that offers a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical application, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of the performing arts.

BTEC International Level 2 in Performing Arts at SPAA offers students aged 14 - 19 the knowledge, understanding and skills that they need to prepare for a career or continue in further education.

The programme is designed to prepare students for a career in the performing arts by focusing on both the artistic and business aspects of the industry. Students may explore topics such as performance techniques, choreography, script analysis, and stagecraft, along with gaining insights into the management and marketing side of the performing arts world.

Arabic Acting Diplomas and Traditional Storytelling

Earning a Diploma in Acting (Arabic) offers a unique and culturally rich journey for individuals aspiring to pursue a career in the performing arts within the Arab world. This specialized diploma programme combines the fundamental principles of acting with an emphasis on Arabic language, culture, and traditions, providing students with a distinctive and immersive learning experience.

Earning an Acting Diploma in Arabic serves as a bridge between artistic expression and cultural heritage

Overall, earning an Acting Diploma in Arabic serves as a bridge between artistic expression and cultural heritage, preparing individuals to contribute meaningfully to the vibrant world of Arabic-language theatre, film, and television. It offers a pathway for aspiring actors to embark on a fulfilling career that celebrates both their artistic talent and the richness of Arab performing arts.

Spotlight on Success: Navigating Careers in the Performing Arts Industry

Working in the performing arts is inherently enjoyable due to the unique blend of creativity, expression, and collaboration that characterises the industry. It provides a platform for individuals to showcase their talents, whether in acting, dancing, singing, or other artistic disciplines, allowing for a deeply fulfilling outlet for self-expression. The thrill of live performances, the immediacy of audience reactions, and the transformative power of storytelling contribute to the joy that comes with a career in the performing arts. And there’s no better place in the Middle East to begin this journey than at Sharjah Performing Arts Academy!

The MFA is meticulously designed to meet national accreditation and international benchmarks

ABU DHABI CUP 2024

CONCLUDED WITH NEW RECORDS SET AND INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONS CROWNED AT ZAYED SPORTS CITY

Go Pro Under-10s team, Cup winners, who have won a trip to City Football Academy in Manchester.

Go Pro Under-10s team, cup winners, who have won a trip to City Football Academy in Manchester, were victorious at the fifth edition of the region’s Tournament of Choice after 573 matches at Zayed Sports City. The tournament saw over 1,600 goals scored by the 166 teams in a recordbreaking weekend of football in the capital.

The 2024 edition of the Manchester City Abu Dhabi Cup came to a thrilling conclusion at Zayed Sports City, with 24 teams emerging as winners in the region’s Tournament of Choice following a record-breaking competition in the UAE.

In its fifth edition, the Abu Dhabi Cup featured over 2,200 players with 166 teams from 12 countries flying into Abu Dhabi from around the world to take part in the 2024 youth football tournament.

In a historic year, 1,656 goals were scored across the 573 matches as players and fans enjoyed an international festival of football at Zayed Sports City, celebrating the beautiful game and the continued growth of the sport in the region and beyond.

Simon Hewitt, Head of Football Operations MENA, City Football Group said: “The 2024 edition of the Manchester City Abu Dhabi Cup has been a spectacular tournament from start to finish, as we celebrate a record-breaking year with more teams and players joining us from around the world than ever before.

“It’s been a delight to watch the incredible teamwork on display and we are incredibly proud to see so many young players making friends from around the world.

“We thank all our partners for their support to bring this tournament together, and we congratulate all 166 teams and the winners for making this year’s Manchester City Abu Dhabi Cup our biggest edition so far.”

As part of the tournament, Go Pro U10s from the UAE were selected as the winning team to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the City Football Academy in Manchester, where they will join training sessions with coaches on the same pitches as the stars of Manchester City.

The Abu Dhabi Cup weekend was filled with entertainment on and off the pitch, with the City Village providing fun for players and families with interactive experiences from Puma, Aldar and Experience Abu Dhabi alongside surprise appearances from club mascots, Moonbeam and Moonchester and the return of Manchester City’s BIG FIVE display for fans to get an up close look at the Treble and the club’s five trophies from 2023.

VISIT

ABU DHABI CUP 2024

CITY FOOTBALL SCHOOLS ANNOUNCE PROGRAMME EXPANSION WITH FIRST AJMAN LOCATION

Olivier Turkel, Regional Director, City Football - Middle East (left) with H.E. Major General Sheikh Sultan bin Abdullah Al Nuaimi, Commander in Chief of Ajman Police, hold a Man City ‘Ajman 24’ jersey during a signing ceremony.

City Football Schools, Manchester City’s football coaching programme, has announced its expansion into Ajman in partnership with Ajman Police Sports and Shooting Club.

Launched in 2012, City Football Schools deliver coaching sessions to more than 3,000 children across Abu Dhabi and Dubai on a weekly basis, with the same standard of programme now coming to Ajman.

CFS gives children from the age of 3 to 18 of all footballing abilities the chance to build their skills in an environment based on the philosophy and training programme of the Manchester City Academy, with an emphasis on fun, making friends, and being active and healthy.

The sessions will be held at the Ajman Police Sports and Shooting Club, an incredible venue boasting superb facilities including an indoor futsal pitch, and outdoor grass pitches.

Established in the UAE for 12 years now, City Football Schools features a team of professional coaches trained to the highest Manchester City Football Club standards encouraging the personal development of players as well as their on-field skills.

The CFS team in Ajman will be led by Lewis Barlow, who has been coaching in the UAE for six years and holds a UEFA B licence.

As with CFS’s other locations in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, sessions will be held every night of the week in Ajman, and on Sunday mornings. The first session will be held on Monday, March 4.

H.E. Major General Sheikh Sultan bin Abdullah Al Nuaimi, Commander in Chief of Ajman Police, said that the inauguration of the City Football Schools in Ajman came under the directives of the wise leadership to attract one of the leading schools to train and develop the young players’ abilities in line with the vision of improving the quality of life for Ajman residents.

He explained that Ajman Police Sports and Shooting Club was keen to choose Manchester City because of its outstanding training philosophy, and its team of qualified experienced coaches which is in line with the club’s vision of developing young players.

He added that one of the most important goals of launching the school in Ajman is to invest and develop the skills of the youth and provide a pool

of talent for local teams while supporting the development of Ajman’s sports sector.

Simon Hewitt, Head of Football MENA for City Football said: “By expanding City Football Schools into Ajman we can offer more children the opportunity to play football in a fun, friendly, and safe environment. We are delighted to see more and more young players across the UAE get the chance to play football and develop their

skills and can’t wait to put even more smiles on faces when we start sessions in Ajman.

“We are very proud to partner with the Ajman Police Sports and Shooting Club as they have a wonderful state-of-the-art facility, and we share many common beliefs especially around inclusion, opportunity, and the benefits sport can have in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.”

VISIT WEBSITE

EMAIL US

CITY FOOTBALL SCHOOL IN AJMAN

 OLIVIER TURKEL, REGIONAL DIRECTOR, CITY FOOTBALL - MIDDLE EAST (LEFT) WITH H.E. MAJOR GENERAL SHEIKH

SULTAN BIN ABDULLAH AL NUAIMI

YOUNG GOLFERS SHINE AT BRIGHTON COLLEGE DUBAI’S JUNIOR OPEN

80 young golfers from across the UAE took part in the inaugural tournament held at the Arabian Ranches Golf Club

Brighton College Dubai is delighted to announce the outstanding results of its inaugural Brighton College Junior Open held at Arabian Ranches Golf Club on Sunday, 18 February.

With 80 participants from across the UAE, including nine pupils from Brighton College Dubai, the event saw a remarkable turn out. Starting in the Boys Gross Division A, Lukas Astrom of JGE returned a gross 3 over par 75 to win by a virtue of a count back against Victor Larsen of TEC. Hannah Alan representing DCGYC competed against Hayoon Oh of AZGC under the Girls Division A with a clear 3 shot win gross 75.

In the Boys Gross Division B the best gross round of the day belonged to Siddhaan Chhibber of TMGCD and took the leader board with an overwhelming 9 shot advantage from Ricardo Bianchi of JGE. The same leader board standing went to both participants in the Boys Net Division B, where they both shared an award.

In the Boys Net Division A, it was successfully won by Ibrahim Rahman of ARG who posted a net 71 to win by a single shot from the runner-up Samarbir Singh Kochar of JGE. The Girls Gross Division B was successfully defended by Ananyaa Sood from TEC by a mile against a potential candidate Leia Maccallum of TMGCD. In the Girls Division A, the best Net score of the day went to Candice Sauvan of ARGC. Candice consisted nines of 45 and 47 and a net score of 65.

The Girls Net Division B was another tight contest on a count back between Leia Maccallum TMGCD and Samaira Choudry EGC, a Year 6 Brighton College Dubai pupil. After running through the scores from the last nine holes of the course, Leia took the spoils with a net 33, edging out Samaira with a net 37.

Standout achievement of the day was Irum Kim, who scored a remarkable hole-in-one - a significant feat.

This first-of-its-kind tournament organised by Brighton College Dubai and open to all amateur golfers ages 19 years and below with a valid handicap from Emirates Golf Federation or any affiliated club, featured a competitive Individual Stroke Play format over 18 holes. Given the high demand, a handicap ballot was conducted to finalise the field of 80 players.

Mr Simon Crane, Head Master at Brighton College Dubai, expressed his pride in the pupils’ achievements, saying, “It’s fantastic to see our pupils shine on the golf course. This tournament marks the beginning of their journey, and we’re grateful to Arabian Ranches Golf Club for providing a platform for these young talents. We look forward to witnessing more successful future golfing events!”

The tournament featured various categories, including Boys and Girls Gross and Net Divisions age 10-13 and age 14+ and special events such as Nearest The Pin challenges added an extra layer of excitement to the competition, showcasing the diverse skills of the participating young golfers.

The awards ceremony and dinner took place at the Arabian Ranches, where participants, parents, and supporters gathered to celebrate the achievements of these young golfers.

 MR SIMON CRANE AND SAMAIRA CHOUDRY, YEAR 6 BRIGHTON COLLEGE DUBAI

 MR SIMON CRANE AND IRUM KIM_HOLE IN ONE WINNER

VISIT WEBSITE

EMAIL US

+971 4 387 1111

BRIGHTON COLLEGE DUBAI

TGIF: THANK GUNNERS IT’S

FRIDAY!

At Bloom World Academy in Dubai, as children arrive for school and leave in the afternoon, there is a beloved guardian greeting every student with a smile. His name is Friday Emmanuel, the school’s dedicated security guard, whose boundless positivity and empathetic nature set him apart. Friday’s a firm favourite amongst students and to show their appreciation, one group of Grade 10 students made a plan to surprise him with a wonderful and thoughtful gift - a signed Arsenal football shirt.

Hassan, one of the students involved, said: “We just all really love Friday and wanted to do something nice for him. Originally, we wanted to band together to get him a birthday gift. He and my dad often chat about Arsenal at the gate and we knew he was a big fan. So, we thought we would get him an Arsenal shirt. When I heard the team was coming to Dubai, we decided to try and get it signed.”

With a little help from his dad, Hassan sourced not only one but three shirts, which the students gifted to Friday, as well as two teachers who also support the Gunners. Friday also received a personalised message on the shirt and a video recording from Arsenal’s Spanish Assistant Manager, Carlos Questa, who had heard of

When they gave me the shirt, I wanted to speak but the words stuck in my throat”

Friday’s popularity with the school community. “Thank you for sharing constantly a great energy, smile, and positivity for people. Every small action has the power to create a better world,” the inspirational message read.

When the students presented Friday with the shirt, he was left speechless, later saying: “I’ve been a big fan of Arsenal ever since I was a little boy. When they gave me the shirt, I wanted to speak but the words stuck in my throat. I was so happy!”

Founding Principal John Bell commented:

“We are very proud of our young people for exemplifying the values of Bloom World Academy. This thoughtful deed was an independent endeavour and shows that they are not only caring but proactive members of our community. If we as educators can encourage altruism, empathy, and a passion for lifelong and life-changing learning in our students, we can foster a truly international and inclusive community of students who are active and compassionate citizens of the planet.”

Friday also received a personalised message from Arsenal’s Spanish Assistant Manager, Carlos Questa

Friday Emmanuel, security guard and unsung hero, whose watchful eyes and considerate heart have formed an impenetrable bond with the community at Bloom World Academy, now owns a signed shirt from his beloved Arsenal, a club that consistently keeps fans on an emotional rollercoaster - one minute you're celebrating a stunning goal, the next you’re checking your blood pressure!

FOUNDED

TURTLE TALES OF HOPE: RESCUING, REHABILITATING, RELEASING

The Wildlife Rescue Programme has reached the milestone of 1,000 turtles rescued since its launch in 2020. Wildlife Rescue is the first, rescue, rehabilitation and release facility in Abu Dhabi.

In line with the Year of Sustainability, The Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD), the region’s largest environmental regulator and The National Aquarium Abu Dhabi (TNA) are set to reach the phenomenal milestone of rescuing 1,000 sea turtles in only four years.

Since its inception in 2020, the partnership between EAD and TNA has proven to be increasingly successful. The first of its kind in the UAE, the Wildlife Rescue Programme, has increased its efforts to protect and conserve native wildlife in the UAE’s capital. Additional manpower and the construction of state-of-the-art facilities have been commissioned to support rescuing sea turtles in Abu Dhabi waters with the aim of streamlining the rescue and rehabilitation processes for local wildlife.

Progress will be followed closely in an updated blog on TNA’s website and via social media platforms. In a bid to boost public awareness about the program, expert veterinarians will explain the animals’ rehabilitation processes.

Once released back into the wild in the summer of 2024, the turtles progress around the Arabian Gulf will be tracked by a satellite tag, with the turtle’s movements and positions shared weekly via the website blogs.

For the occasion, Ahmed Al Hashmi, Executive Director of the Terrestrial and Marine Biodiversity Sector at EAD, said: “As part of the newly announced

extension of the Year of Sustainability into 2024, we are thrilled to have rescued 1,000 turtles in partnership with The National Aquarium, reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s position as a leader in the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of flagship species in the emirate. With our years of experience in conservation, we are always striving to provide the most advanced care to our turtles so that they thrive in abundance until we release them back into their natural habitats. This ensures their numbers are stable and are thriving within the emirate’s waters reinforcing our vision for a sustainable future so that future generations live with plentiful numbers of marine species."

On the significance of the upcoming rescue, Paul Robert Hamilton, General Manager - The National Aquarium Abu Dhabi, said: “The rehabilitation and

eventual release of 1,000 turtles is a testament to the success and dedication of both TNA and The Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi working together for the past four years on securing the future of these important creatures. This milestone will not only reinforce the immense value of the Wildlife Rescue Program, but will also highlight the importance of reintroducing endangered species into their natural habitats as vital to the remaining populations."

The continuous success of the Wildlife Rescue Programme is also largely dependent on the support of the general public - Hamilton urges anyone who encounters defenceless turtles to call the Wildlife Rescue Programme helpline (800 555) and be a part of preserving the planet and its ecosystem for generations to come.

Throughout the programme, guests who have visited TNA have been able to see the rehab process first-hand for many of these recently released turtles. Children who were part of TNA’s Junior Marine Biologist (JMB) Program, also got the chance to assist in their rehab process.

HANDS-ON FUN FOR EVERYONE AT OLIOLI® CHILDREN’S MUSEUM!

Welcome to the world of the OliOli® Children's Museum, where curiosity meets creativity and every corner is bursting with wonder! Its hands-on approach encourages children to touch, play, and explore, fostering a love for learning that lasts a lifetime. To find out more about this journey of discovery, Education UAE spoke to Asha Ramchandani, CoFounder of the OliOli® Children's Museum.

Asha Ramchandani, Co-Founder of OliOli® Children's Museum.

Education UAE: What inspired the creation of this children’s museum, and what is its mission?

Asha Ramchandani: As young parents ourselves, we saw our children stuck between screens/gadgets on the one hand and antiquated playgrounds on the other. We felt a lack of spaces that provided families with an opportunity to bond together through play and connect, which encouraged handson non-judgmental play that gave kids engaging, creative, and enriching alternatives to ‘passive play’. So, we started OliOli® (which means joy in the Hawaiian language) to bring the joy of curiosity, imagination, and discovery (through play) to families. Our vision was to create a venue that resonated with the community whom we seek to serve, including children, parents, educators, etc and add value to their lives through our efforts.

Education UAE: Can you tell me about the different exhibits and interactive displays designed to engage children's curiosity and learning?

Asha Ramchandani: OliOli® has six permanent galleries comprising over 40 interactive and hands-on exhibits. These spaces have been curated to achieve the developmental and pedagogical objectives of the museum. The Air

Gallery for example has 10 exhibits that allow kids to play with, experiment, and learn about a variety of scientific phenomena. Toshi’s Nets is another popular gallery that seeks to encourage kids to undertake risky play and learn about the consequences of their decisions in a low-stakes environment. Cars & Ramps is focused on giving kids the chance to persevere through failure - but without losing the joy in the process! Future Park is a seminal gallery - which allows children to experience art in a collaborative and highly interactive manner.

Education UAE: How do you ensure that the exhibits cater to a wide range of age groups?

Asha Ramchandani: OliOli® caters to kids aged 1-11 years old and each gallery has different exhibits that cater to the needs of the different age groups. The OliOli® experience is an open-ended exploration of different activities and exhibits, and kids of different ages and backgrounds can engage with these exhibits at their own level. In addition, we have a dedicated space for our little guests aged 0-23 months.

Education UAE: What educational philosophies or principles guide the design of the museum's activities and displays?

Asha Ramchandani: We were inspired by a number of different institutions, individuals and learning philosophies. Our research phase included evaluating 60 informal learning environments, including science centres and museums around the world. We spoke with developmental psychologists to improve the learning outcomes of our choices. Most of all, we were deeply inspired by research on the impact of play on development and the works of Dr Stuart Brown, and the constructivist learning philosophy.

Education UAE: How do you incorporate feedback from parents, educators, and visitors to improve and evolve the museum experience?

Asha Ramchandani: At OliOli® our hands-on guest engagement team is always around to take any feedback from our guests and assure them of a joyful OliOli® experience. We also have a constant schedule of etiquette training for our whole team to enhance our visitor experience. On top of that, guest reviews across different platforms like Google and TripAdvisor are constantly monitored to gauge and improve our visitor experience.

OliOli® has six permanent galleries comprising over 40 interactive and hands-on exhibits

We also have our camps during the school holidays and special events to celebrate the holidays and other festivities

Education UAE: Can you share any upcoming special events, workshops, or programmes that enhance the educational aspect of the museum?

Asha Ramchandani: Throughout the year, we have a robust events calendar curated by our in-house creative team in collaboration with external institutions like Brand Dubai, Lego, and the Museum of The Moon to name a few. Through these activations, we aim to bring joyful new experiences to our repeat visitors.

We also have our camps during the school holidays and special events to celebrate holidays and other festivities like Eid, Diwali, Halloween, and during winter holidays.

Education UAE: How does the museum promote inclusivity and accommodate children with different abilities or special needs?

Asha Ramchandani: OliOli® has been created to welcome children of all

abilities. On top of all our galleries being wheelchair accessible, some of them like Future Park and Water Gallery were designed to provide a safe sensory environment for our visitors on the spectrum. A lot of our team members are certified to accommodate the needs of our neurodiverse guests.

Education UAE: What safety measures and protocols are in place to ensure a secure and enjoyable environment for children and their families?

Asha Ramchandani: Our whole space is designed with keeping our littlest guests’ safety in mind along with following the guidelines required by DM. And apart from having a full-time paramedic on site, most of our team is trained in First Aid and CPR protocols. Most reviews and feedback by our guests mentioning that OliOli® feels a safe space for their little ones is a testament to our efforts to provide a safe, joyful and stress-free environment for families.

Education UAE: How has technology been integrated into the museum’s exhibits, and what role does it play in enhancing the learning experience?

Asha Ramchandani: Technology in OliOli® has been integrated thoughtfully to enhance our vision of hands-on nonjudgemental play without making the experience passive. Our Future Park Gallery, established in partnership with Tokyo-based teamLab, is a perfect example of the culmination of art and science. In this gallery, technology has been used to create immersive exhibits to promote creativity and innate curiosity of our young guests and adults alike.

Education UAE: How can parents and

caregivers get involved in supporting the museum’s mission or contribute to its continued success?

Asha Ramchandani: At OliOli®, adults are welcomed and encouraged to be a part of the experience. We started OliOli® to allow families to bond together through play as a result most of our activities are age-agnostic and will be enjoyed by a playful parent as much as the child. We also have plans to start community programmes and talks for parents to overall enhance the holistic upbringing of their little ones.

Education UAE: How might the museum facilitate field trips or guided tours specifically designed to enhance students' understanding of topics covered in their school curriculum?

Asha Ramchandani: We're all about transforming education into an extraordinary journey. When schools from all corners of the UAE visit us for field trips, they step into a world where learning is anything but ordinary. Our team are ready to lead students on a hands-on exploration of topics like forces and motion, and states of matter. Picture students launching rockets and diving into interactive exhibits to uncover the secrets of science - it's not just learning; it's an immersive experience that sparks curiosity and leaves a lasting impression.

The great part is that schools can customise their field trips to suit their curriculum, weaving in our shows and workshops for an adventure that amplifies their lesson plans and brings textbook concepts to life in the most captivating way possible.

OliOli® has been designed to welcome children of all abilities

UAE STUDENTS GET EMIRATES AND ETIHAD DISCOUNTS … BUT THEY NEED TO ACT QUICKLY!

Students looking to book flights and vacations for their upcoming three-week spring break are in luck because it just got cheaper to fly with Emirates and Etihad.

If you want to fly with Emirates, you need to book your flights before 31 March using the promo code 'STUDENT', with discounts of up to 10% on Economy Class. Fancy treating yourself and flying Business Class? Well, you can buy a ticket that’s 5% cheaper. There’s an additional 10kg baggage allowance too, unless they are headed to the US or Canada, in which regular baggage allowances apply.

So, who can apply for these cheap fares?

The answer is anyone who is a full-time student and is between 16 and 31 years of age at the time of outbound travel and who holds a valid student ID from an accredited school or university of higher education. Consequently, students will be asked to show a valid student ID or school acceptance letter at check-in. You may also be asked to show proof of age as well.

Become an Etihad Guest - it’s a loyalty programme that gives you many rewards.

Students from certain countries can also save up to 10% on their Economy Class tickets and up to 5% on their Business Class tickets when they are going to their country of study or home country via Etihad.

Book your flights before 31 March using the promo code STUDENT

To apply for this discount requires three easy steps: Verify your international student ID with a valid student ID or acceptance letter in English. They’ll email you once they have reviewed your documents.

Book your flight tickets after you’ve logged in with your Etihad Guest account.

The student discount will be available for 12 months from the date of verification, with international students aged 18-32 studying in the following countries being eligible:

Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belgium, China, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malaysia, Maldives, the Netherlands, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, Portugal, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Tanzania, Thailand, Turkey, the UAE and the UK.

All prices are exclusive of taxes and surcharges.

BOOK YOUR FLIGHTS BEFORE 31 MARCH USING THE PROMO CODE 'STUDENT'

ETIHAD AIRWAYS

ADVENTURES IN INNER SPACE: A JOURNEY THROUGH THE HUMAN ANATOMY

The Human Body Box Set: Knowledge Encyclopaedia for Children is an extraordinary educational resource that reaches into the intriguing intricacies of the human body, tailored specifically for young learners. This all-embracing box set comprises vibrantly illustrated books and interactive elements, making it an engaging and informative exploration of the human body.

The set is meticulously organised into several volumes, each concentrating on different aspects, including anatomy, physiology, organs, systems, and health. What sets this collection apart is its ability to describe complex information in an effortlessly digestible manner suitable for children. The use of colourful diagrams, captivating illustrations, and age-appropriate language ensures accessibility without compromising on accuracy or depth of content.

One of the standout features of the Human Body Box Set is its interactive elements. The inclusion of pop-ups, pull-out sections, and quizzes adds an interactional dimension that actively involves young readers in their learning journey. These interactive sections not only reinforce the concepts discussed but also make the learning process fun and immersive.

Furthermore, the content is curated in a way that caters to a range of learning styles. Whether a child is a visual learner who prefers diagrams and illustrations or an auditory learner who benefits from clear explanations, this box set accommodates diverse learning preferences. The combination of text and visuals strikes a harmonious balance, ensuring that each aspect of the human body is comprehensively covered.

Moreover, the set places a clear-cut emphasis on promoting curiosity and critical thinking. By encouraging readers to ask questions, investigate further, and carry out simple experiments, it encourages an inquisitive mindset and a deeper understanding of the human body.

While the box set excels in its educational value and presentation, certain readers might find particular sections a little advanced, especially for younger children. Then again, the wide-ranging nature of the content ensures that as a child grows, they can revisit the material and gain deeper insights, making it a resource that grows alongside the learner.

To sum up, the Human Body Box Set: Knowledge Encyclopaedia for Children is a wonderful educational tool that masterfully blends information, interactivity, and visual appeal. It serves as a precious resource for children eager to discover the marvels of the human body, providing a solid foundation of knowledge that sparks curiosity and a lifelong interest in science. Whether used for independent exploration or as part of a curriculum, this box set stands as a commendable educational asset for young minds.

The set places a clear-cut emphasis on promoting curiosity and critical thinking

What sets this collection apart is its ability to describe complex information in an effortlessly digestible manner suitable for children

THE ART OF READING: DISCOVER, ENGAGE, REFLECT

Shifting the Balance: 6 Ways

to Bring the Science of Reading into

the Balanced Literacy Classroom by Jan Burkins and Kari Yates is a groundbreaking exploration that bridges the gap between traditional literacy teaching methods and the insights gleaned from cognitive science and research on reading.

This book ingeniously navigates the often-debated realms of balanced literacy and the scientific understanding of reading acquisition. Burkins and Yates present a compelling argument, advocating for an evolution in literacy instruction by integrating scientifically proven methods into the balanced literacy approach.

At the core of this book lies the assertion that the teaching of reading should be anchored in evidence-based practices. The authors dissect the science behind reading, emphasising the importance of phonics, decoding, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and oral language development. They adeptly illustrate how these foundational elements are pivotal in fostering reading proficiency and comprehension.

One of the most admirable aspects of ‘Shifting the Balance’ is its practicality. The authors don’t merely talk about on theories but provide actual strategies

and tools for educators to implement in their classrooms. Each of the six ways outlined in the book provides a wealth of actionable steps, enabling teachers to recalibrate their literacy instruction effectively.

The book’s structure is clear and organised, making it accessible to educators at various stages of their careers. Whether one is new to the concept of integrating science-backed approaches into literacy teaching or a veteran educator seeking to hone their techniques, this book accommodates all levels of familiarity with the subject matter.

What’s more, Burkins and Yates don't embrace a one-size-fits-all approach. They recognise the assorted needs of students and emphasise the importance of diversity and flexibility in teaching, providing adaptive approaches suitable for a wide range of learners.

158.00

Nevertheless, it’s essential to note that while the book offers a comprehensive understanding and practical solutions, its implementation may well call for adjustments and continuous professional development within educational institutions.

‘Shifting the Balance’ is an inspirational work that combines pedagogical expertise with scientific research, offering educators a valuable roadmap to enrich their literacy instruction. It serves as a catalyst for change, pressing teachers to incorporate evidence-based practices while upholding the core principles of balanced literacy. This book is an indispensable resource for teachers seeking to elevate their instruction and improve student outcomes in reading proficiency.

At the core of this book lies the assertion that the teaching of reading should be anchored in evidencebased practices

SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS SHORTLISTED FOR FIRST EVER TES AWARDS FOR INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS 2024

The most outstanding schools and teachers have been shortlisted as finalists for the first-ever Tes Awards for International Schools. The awards showcase the best of the global education community and highlight their amazing achievements.

The shortlisted finalists of the awards have been selected by a panel of 19 expert judges, including school leaders, experts, and education researchers. Their objectivity, professionalism, and high standards of the judging process will help establish the awards as an achievement to be highly sought after. The shortlisted schools and teachers are spread across 36 countries throughout the world, with those nominated from the UAE being:

Teaching Initiative of the Year

Leadership Award

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Award

Teaching Assistant / Support of the Year

Emma Sims, Brighton College - Abu Dhabi

Simone Shaikh, GEMS Founders School - Dubai

Emma Dawson, North London Collegiate School - Dubai

Emma Dawson, North London Collegiate SchoolDubai

Rajkumari Tilwani, GEMS Founders School - Dubai

Helena Hill, Brighton College - Abu Dhabi

Ana de la Luna, Brighton College - Dubai

Bhumika Chandnani, GEMS Founders School - Dubai

Well-being

School of the Year

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Award

Principal / Headteacher of the Year

International

Student Mental Health Initiative of the Year

Joanna Povall Wales International School - Abu Dhabi

GEMS Founders School - Dubai GEMS Wellington Academy Silicon Oasis - Dubai

GEMS Cambridge International Private SchoolSharjah

Dubai English Speaking School & College

GEMS Founders School - Dubai

Staff

Initiative of the Year

Horizon English School GEMS Founders School - Dubai

James McDonald GEMS Wesgreen International School - Sharjah

Community Engagement Initiative of the Year

Best Use of Technology

Debra Forsyth, CEO of British Schools in the Middle East (BSME), said: “It is a real pleasure to recognise the incredibly high standards of British curriculum schools in the Middle East. These shortlisted schools and teachers are a testament to the hard work and dedication teachers in the Middle East invest to help children excel.”

The awards have been supported by leading international school associations, including BSME, COBIS, (Council of British International Schools), ECIS (The Education Collaborative for International Schools), FOBISIA (Federation of British International Schools in Asia), and the IB (International Baccalaureate), a global leader in international education.

The overall winners will be announced on 25 April 2024. For further information on Tes and the shortlist, click this link.

Repton School - Abu Dhabi

Ambassador International Academy - Dubai Brighton College - Abu Dhabi

Cranleigh - Abu Dhabi

Al Karamah School & Training Institute - Abu Dhabi

Acapable moving firm can significantly alleviate the stress and complexity associated with moving house, offering a range of services designed to streamline the entire process. Not all moving companies are born equal, though, with variations in expertise, reliability, and quality of service. Choosing the best house moving company you can find is, therefore, vital to ensure a smooth and stressfree moving experience. This is particularly true if you find yourself moving fairly regularly, which many teachers do. In cases such as these, a little research can save a fortune in therapy fees.

Happily, Education UAE has done the research for you, not only sourcing possibly the finest moving firm in Dubai but, equally as important, the finest storage solution - vital when you may be out of the country for a month or two each year - Easytruck Moving & Storage, incorporating Easypods. From the initial consultation to the final placement of every precious possession, each step is meticulously planned and executed with precision. Naturally, such a service has a premium price ... unless you’re a teacher, in which case you can take advantage of a 50% reduction in price for the first three months of storage. Consequently, as we go to press, this high-quality service with experienced and skilled staff, specialised equipment, insurance coverage, and additional services such as packing and unpacking, is the cheapest on the market!

STORE SMARTER, SIMPLIFY LIFE WITH EASYPODS

Easytruck’s high-end lock-up storage solutions redefine the concept of security and convenience, offering sophisticated options for safeguarding valuable belongings with style and efficiency. So whether it’s priceless artwork, antique furniture, or state-of-the-art technology, clients can rest assured that their belongings are in the safest hands.

“There is quite an exodus in Dubai in the summer,” explains CEO John Nolan, “including a lot of teachers, many of whom tend to leave for around two months. We realise that many of these teachers are often younger than perhaps our more traditional customers and, because they may not have such high-value items, would probably go with the lowest price. But as we now offer the lowest price with our 50% off deal, we hope that teachers will take advantage of our premium service.”

It gets even better than that too. There is a further 5% discount for the first month’s storage if you refer a colleague to Easytruck. So if you refer 10 other teachers, you get the first month’s storage absolutely FREE!

There is a further 5% discount for the first month’s storage if you refer a colleague to Easytruck. So if you refer 10 other teachers, you get the first month’s storage absolutely FREE!

Save a ton of money. No moving truck required and no hidden costs. What you see is what you get.

With customisable options, from packing to transportation and secure storage, Easytruck prioritise convenience and efficiency. And with both pods and mini pods available, if you’ve got a whole apartment’s worth of furniture or need to just put a few boxes away, there’s a solution that’s perfect for you.

So what exactly are ‘pods’? John takes up the story: “Pods are purpose-made, reinforced boxes made of breathable wood; a proven model globally, but we’re probably the only company to offer these on a large scale in Dubai. Moreover, our model is unique. It’s mobile storage, not selfstorage. We solve the central issue. We bring the pods out to the location and pack them there. The customer then closes the pod and locks it themself. We give the customer an inventory, sign it, and bring the pods back to our warehouse and store them. At the end of the storage period, we deliver the pods to whatever location is specified

and we unpack them. If the customer wants access to the pod(s) in between, they can visit our warehouse.”

All of this is for a monthly fee. But there’s more …

EXPERIENCE THE DIFFERENCE OF A TRUE FAMILY BUSINESS

Moving house can be a whirlwind of stress due to various factors, and a teacher’s life is already stressful enough due to the demanding workload, including lesson planning, grading, and administrative tasks. They face pressure to meet academic standards, manage diverse student needs, and navigate classroom dynamics. Easytruck understands this, which is why they focus on providing stress-free moves.

A ‘stress-free move’ can sound like something of a cliché, but let’s explain a little further. A stressfree house move with Easytruck prioritises

simplicity, comfort, and peace of mind for everyone involved, resulting in a smooth and enjoyable relocation experience. They even throw handyman services into the mix so that when you arrive at your new home your curtains are up, your television is plugged in, and your bed is made!

This is only possible, of course, because the company employs only the most professional people, with John explaining: “We have the best people and we pay them well – 20% to 30% more than the industry average. They are very passionate and genuinely feel part of a family. We go out of our way to make working for us enjoyable.”

When we say the employees feel part of a family, we mean a real family too. For this is a family business, launched by Chris and Natalie Humphrey back in 2009, and the same inimitable and personalised service the company was founded on is now in its DNA, with Easytruck rooted in tradition, trust, and integrity.

PLAY VIDEO

With a deep familial connection, there’s a strong commitment to customer satisfaction, ensuring the last word in attention to detail. The inherent sense of pride and accountability drives quality and consistency, while also instilling a sense of warmth and familiarity, creating a welcoming atmosphere for customers.

That is why, undertaking around 60 moves a month, the company receives zero complaints during most of these months. Moreover, 99% of people become big fans and repeat customers.

READY TO MOVE? LET'S MAKE IT HAPPEN!

Purpose-built storage PODS. Keep your belongings dust, pest, and damage free.

Teachers often have extensive collections of educational materials and personal belongings that require careful handling and organisation during storage and moving. Easytruck can ensure the safe transport of these items, giving teachers peace of mind and allowing them to focus on their responsibilities without distractions.

If it’s a small move, a quotation can usually be arranged over the telephone and sent out the same day. If a survey is required, it can be carried out the next day. It’s a very quick service whatever you need.

To take the first step towards experiencing unparalleled support and personalised attention from the company’s dedicated team, call 800 3279. Alternatively, visit the website at Easytruck, where you’ll also have the opportunity to book online.

In summary, we suggest you rely on Easytruck’s skilled team for efficient and reliable house moving, enjoying peace of mind every step of the way. Half the Price, Double the Value – you don’t need to be a maths teacher to grasp that fact!

3279

ELEVATING HOSPITALITY TO EXTRAORDINARY HEIGHTS

Situated on the 800-meter pristine beach on the Arabian Gulf in a tranquil setting, Danat Jebel Dhanna Resort is a luxurious fivestar resort located in Ruwais on the west coast of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

The resort’s luxuriously designed guest rooms and private waterfront villas and chalets are combined with awardwinning cuisine, a full range of sports and conference facilities, and welcome guests into a realm of unparalleled luxury and impeccable service, combined with award-winning cuisine. A full range of sports and conference facilities ensures both leisure and business travellers have a memorable stay.

Danat Jebel Dhanna Resort features 133 rooms and suites, including private villas and beachfront chalets, a Body & Soul Spa & Recreation Club, five restaurants and 24-hour in-room dining, one ballroom and four meeting event venues, a unique outdoor event venue, The Garden, valet parking, and much more besides.

The resort has been thoughtfully laid out to ensure easy reach and several members of its team have undergone training to take care of the requirements of special needs guests.

The resort’s luxuriously designed guest rooms and private waterfront villas and chalets are combined with award-winning cuisine

EXCLUSIVE PACKAGE - RAMADAN BEACHFRONT ESCAPE

A deluxe room with one king-sized bed and breathtaking ocean views. With complimentary Wi-Fi, the room is perfect for leisure or business guests.

 Free cancellation up to 2.00 pm on the day of arrival

 Breakfast or Suhoor and dinner or Iftar included

 20% off restaurants, bars and spa treatments

Rates start at AED 499.00 per night (excluding taxes and fees).

EXCLUSIVE PACKAGE - ALL INCLUSIVE BASIS

Identical to the ‘Family Half Board’ offer, but with all meals included.

AED 799.00 per night (excluding taxes and fees)

Danat Jebel Dhanna Resort creates a haven where guests can immerse themselves in luxury and tranquillity. The hotel’s commitment to excellence ensures every moment is curated to perfection. It’s not just a place to stay; it’s a destination where dreams come to life, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of all who have the privilege to experience it.

It’s not just a place to stay; it’s a destination where dreams come to life

The above offers are valid until 30 May 2024. A supplement may be required for Eid holidays.

For more information, call or message us on WhatsApp at +971 2 801 2222, or email: reservations.jebeldhanna@danathotels.com.

VISIT WEBSITE EMAIL

DANAT JEBEL DHANNA RESORT

BOOK NOW 

BOOK NOW 

YOUR ULTIMATE HOLIDAY ESCAPE AWAITS!

The Cove Rotana Resort redefines the staycation experience in which breathtaking scenery, relaxation, and adventure come together in perfect harmony to create the ultimate getaway.

PLAY VIDEO

Step into an exotic oasis like no other and discover lush green landscapes and sparkling views of the Arabian Sea. Nubian-inspired architecture blended with a modern touch brings forth discreet rooms and spacious villas all perfectly designed to set you in a mood of comfort and relaxation.

A gastronomic adventure awaits with an array of exciting dining options from around the globe. Whether you wish to indulge in Mediterranean flavours from Basilico Restaurant or simply sit back and munch on beachfront bites at Breakers Bar, the Resort’s skilled chefs are ready to elevate your dining experience to new heights.

Step into an exotic oasis like no other

For tranquillity seekers, the 600-metre-long beach and temperature-controlled infinity pools provide a sanctuary of serenity where you can leisurely unwind and bask under the sun or, alternatively, partake in a myriad of adrenalinepumping watersports and animation activities. The spa and fitness centres are the perfect places to pamper your body and re-engage the senses with guidance from specially trained experts. This idyllic hideaway extends into the Club Cove - an upgraded experience where guests can enjoy all the comforts of personalised services and amenities at exclusive facilities for a small supplement.

So, pack your bags, leave your worries behind, and escape to The Cove for a staycation of a lifetime.

THE COVE ROTANA

UNFORGETTABLE SCHOOL HOLIDAY ESCAPE AT THE RITZ-CARLTON, RAS AL KHAIMAH, AL HAMRA BEACH

As the school holidays approach, families are eagerly seeking the perfect getaway to create lasting memories and indulge in well-deserved relaxation. Look no further than The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Hamra Beach; where an enchanting retreat awaits amidst the serene shores and luxurious amenities.

Families will have access to both The Ritz-Carlton Al Hamra Beach and The Ritz-Carlton Al Wadi Desert facilities and activities

Nestled along the pristine coastline, The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Hamra Beach beckons families with an irresistible holiday offer that promises to exceed all expectations. Picture waking up to breathtaking views of the Arabian Gulf and embarking on a day filled with adventure and tranquillity.

Families can enjoy this irresistible holiday offer that promises to exceed all expectations. The offer is tailored to ensure a seamless and unforgettable experience for every member of the family. With breakfast included for two adults and one child daily at the acclaimed Shore House Restaurant, guests can start their day on a delicious note while soaking in the idyllic surroundings.

For the little ones, the excitement continues with a complimentary lunch and dinner featuring a delightful array of dishes, accompanied by soft drinks and ice cream at Shore House Restaurant.

Picture waking up to breathtaking views of the Arabian Gulf

From delectable meals to indulgent treats, children under 12 are guaranteed to savour every moment of their culinary journey.

As if that weren’t enough, guests will also receive AED 200 resort credit per night, allowing for even more opportunities to unwind and explore the resort's offerings. Whether it’s a rejuvenating spa treatment, exhilarating water sports, or a leisurely stroll along the beach, the possibilities are endless.

Kids can also enjoy the Ritz Kids Glamping with a large teepee tent, snacks, walkie-talkie, soft toys, and a full glamping experience located in their villa’s garden and within a safe distance from their parents.

Moreover, families will have access to both The Ritz-Carlton Al Hamra Beach and The RitzCarlton Al Wadi Desert facilities and activities, with a complimentary shuttle service between the resorts, exploring the wonders of Ras Al Khaimah has never been more convenient.

At The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Hamra Beach, every detail is meticulously crafted to provide an unparalleled holiday experience for families. From world-class amenities to heartfelt hospitality, guests can expect nothing less than perfection at this captivating coastal oasis.

Don't miss out on this exclusive opportunity to create cherished memories with your loved ones. Book your school holiday escape at The RitzCarlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Hamra Beach today and embark on a journey of luxury, adventure, and relaxation like never before.

To reserve this unique offering or to learn more about the luxurious villas and activities, please click this link.

RED MEAT CONSUMPTION ASSOCIATED WITH INCREASED TYPE 2 DIABETES RISK

People who eat just two servings of red meat per week may have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared to people who eat fewer servings, and the risk increases with greater consumption, according to a new study led by researchers from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

They also found that replacing red meat with healthy plantbased protein sources, such as nuts and legumes, or modest amounts of dairy foods, was associated with reduced risk of type 2 diabetes.

The study was published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, with first author Xiao Gu, a post-doctoral research fellow in the Department of Nutrition, explaining: “Our findings strongly support dietary guidelines that recommend limiting the consumption of red meat, and this applies to both processed and unprocessed red meat.”

While previous studies have found a link between red meat consumption and type 2 diabetes risk, this study, which analysed a large number of type 2 diabetes cases among participants being followed for an extended period of years, adds a greater level of certainty about the association.

Type 2 diabetes rates are increasing rapidly worldwide. This is concerning not only because the disease is a serious burden, but it also is a major risk factor for cardiovascular and kidney disease, cancer, and dementia.

For this study, the researchers analysed health data from 216,695 participants from the Nurses’ Health Study (NHS), NHS II, and Health Professionals Follow-up Study (HPFS). Diet was assessed with food frequency questionnaires every two to four years, for up to 36 years. During this time, more than 22,000 participants developed type 2 diabetes.

Replacing red meat with plant-based protein sources may reduce the risk of diabetes and provide environmental benefits

The researchers found that consumption of red meat, including processed and unprocessed red meat, was strongly associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes. Participants who ate the most red meat had a 62% higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared to those who ate the least. Every additional daily serving of processed red meat was associated with a 46% greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes and every additional daily serving of unprocessed red meat was associated with a 24% greater risk.

The researchers also estimated the potential effects of substituting one daily serving of red meat for another protein source. They found that substituting a serving of nuts and legumes was associated with a 30% lower risk of type 2 diabetes, and substituting a serving of dairy products was associated with a 22% lower risk.

“Given our findings and previous work by others, a limit of about one serving per week of red meat would be reasonable for people wishing to optimise their health and well-being,” said senior author Walter Willett, professor of epidemiology and nutrition.

In addition to health benefits, swapping red meat for healthy plant protein sources would help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and climate change, and provide other environmental benefits, according to the researchers.

Participants who ate the most red meat had a 62% higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes

WHAT DOES YOUR KIDS’ CLOTHING SAY ABOUT THEM?

Founded by Hanah Victoria, KIDD is a children’s clothing brand founded in 2023. All the designs are a fusion of playful innovation and thoughtful craftsmanship, resulting in a wardrobe that resonates with the personalities of the little ones who wear them. Beyond the stitches and seams, Kidd is a manifestation of Hanah’s vision—where design sketches come to life, and children’s fashion becomes a vehicle for spreading joy and mindfulness. Here, Hanah takes us through the ins and outs of children’s clothing and how it can affect things such as self-expression and discovery.

Throughout childhood, where every moment contributes to the shaping of young personalities, one often overlooked aspect is the significance of children’s clothing. Beyond the adorable patterns and miniature sizes lies a realm of subtle messages, conveying much more than meets the eye. In this age of self-expression, understanding the nuances of fashion psychology for kids unveils a fascinating narrative about their developing identities.

Children's clothing serves as a canvas for selfexpression, providing a platform for them to communicate their personalities. Bright, vibrant colours may signify a lively nature, while muted tones could reveal a more reserved one. The choices made in the wardrobe mirror the child’s preferences, laying the foundation for a sense of identity that goes beyond fabric and stitches. Themes and characters adorning kids’ attire offer a window into their inner worlds. Whether it’s superheroes, animals, or beloved animated characters, these choices reflect the child’s interests and passions. Parents may notice a scientist in a lab coat or a tiny explorer junglethemed outfit, signalling the early stages of a child’s curiosity and imagination.

Children's clothing serves as a canvas for self-expression, providing a platform for them to communicate their personalities

Beyond individual expression, children’s clothing also influences peer interactions. Shared interests in clothing choices can form bonds among youngsters, creating a sense of belonging. As children navigate the intricate terrain of social development, their clothing choices become a tool for self-discovery and empowerment. When parents encourage autonomy in selecting outfits, it promotes a sense of responsibility and self-esteem. The act of choosing one’s clothes becomes a small yet significant step in developing decision-making skills and fostering a positive self-image. By understanding the messages embedded in kids’ clothing, we gain insights into their evolving personalities, interests, and aspirations. As parents and caregivers, recognising the significance of these choices allows us to nurture an environment where children can express themselves authentically, fostering a generation that embraces diversity and self-discovery.

Children often rely on positive reinforcement and encouragement to build confidence and a positive self-image. Affirmations can help instil a sense of self-worth and resilience in them, laying the foundation for a healthy mindset as they navigate life’s challenges. In the formative years of childhood, affirmations play a crucial role in shaping a child’s self-perception and emotional well-being and serve as powerful tools to nurture their growing minds and hearts. Affirmations, offered with sincerity and consistency, contribute significantly to them, nurturing a generation of resilient, confident, and emotionally intelligent individuals. Therefore, recognising the importance of affirmations for your little ones is a fundamental step in laying the groundwork for their future well-being and success.

Shared interests in clothing choices can form bonds among youngsters, creating a sense of belonging

EMBARK ON A JOURNEY OF CREATIVITY AND SUCCESS WITH THE HANDBAG DESIGNER 101 PODCAST

Guided by Emily Blumenthal, affectionately referred to as ‘The Handbag Fairy Godmother’, the Handbag Designer 101 Podcast redefines the narrative of handbag design success.

Every Tuesday, Emily Blumenthal, Founder of ‘The Handbag Awards’ and author of the handbag designer bible, Handbag Designer 101, introduces a stellar lineup of influential guests who have revolutionised the handbag landscape. From seasoned handbag veterans to rising stars, from social media sensations to emerging prodigies, each episode uncovers the untold stories, invaluable insights, and expert counsel that define the handbag universe.

The podcast features an eclectic assembly of independent designers from across the globe - industry experts, trend analysts, and retail pioneers - including such bluechip names as South African luxury designer, Adrian Furstenburg, co-founder of FABSCRAP, Camille Tagle, and social media sensation, 'Afropuff Jada' Holmes who can make ‘anything’ into a handbag, collectively weaving a comprehensive narrative that embodies the multifaceted journey of establishing a triumphant handbag brand.

“The Handbag Designer 101 Podcast is a testament to the untold stories and immeasurable wisdom that fuel the heart of the handbag industry,” says Emily Blumenthal. “Whether you're a seasoned designer or a burgeoning creative, this podcast empowers you with the knowledge and inspiration to manifest your handbag dreams.” Emily's advocacy has propelled independent handbag designers into illustrious realms such as Bloomingdale’s, Macy’s, and Saks Fifth Avenue.

The Handbag Designer 101 Podcast is available for streaming on all major podcast platforms. Fashion enthusiasts, creative minds, and industry insiders are invited to embark on this illuminating journey into the essence of handbag design.

The podcast features an eclectic assembly of independent designers from across the globe

Listen to HANDBAG DESIGNER 101 on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform.