The President of the UAE, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has addressed school children across the country. The message reflects the UAE leadership’s enduring commitment to nurturing the next generation by equipping children with the tools and support needed to grow with confidence, hope, and ambition.
The video has been played to students in school during their Arabic lessons, and is available through our online student channels for all students to re-watch at their convenience.
Parents can access the video here with subtitles in English or Arabic.
As a school community, we continue to emphasise the importance of lifelong learning, curiosity, and intellectual growth, empowering students to become thoughtful, informed, and confident learners.
Our Islamic Value for May is Seeking Knowledge (طَلَبُ العِلم), aligned with the IB Learner Profile attribute Knowledgeable (مُطَّلِعون). This value highlights the central role of learning in Islam and encourages students to seek understanding, ask meaningful questions, and apply their knowledge responsibly in their daily lives. Islam places great emphasis on the pursuit of knowledge as a means of personal growth, service to others, and positive contribution to society.
We encourage families to support this value at home by nurturing curiosity, encouraging reading and reflection, discussing ideas and current events in a thoughtful manner, and modelling a positive attitude towards learning. When students see learning valued both at home and at school, they develop confidence, purpose, and a strong sense of responsibility rooted in Islamic values.
Thank you for your continued partnership and support.
Khaled Farag | Assistant Principal & Head of Arabic & Islamic | kfarag@dwight.ae
We are thrilled to announce that the application window is now open for the Spark of Genius Scholarship. Scholarships are available for academic excellence, visual arts, drama, music, and sport, recognising students who demonstrate exceptional talent, dedication, and potential in these areas.
Open to Grades 9 to 12, these scholarships provide unique opportunities for growth, development, and enrichment. For more details on eligibility and the application process, please click here. The deadline for internal submission is Friday, 15th May.
Asia Minervini | Head of Admissions | admissions@dwight.ae
Extra-Curricular Activities (ECAs)
ECAs will resume in the week commencing 4th May. Please note that the temporary restrictions have now been lifted and all outdoor activities can now take place, alongside those operated by external providers.
Please see the brochure here which includes sign-up information. Note that the brochure was produced before the lifting of the restrictions, so please check SchoolsBuddy for the latest list of activities 'available' for booking.
Swimming - PYP
Swimming lessons will resume next week for PYP (PreK to Grade 5).
Students will need - black/navy blue swim costume or shorts/jammers, swim cap, swim goggles, flip flops, towel, school uniform/PE kit for changing, and their refillable water bottle.
To ensure the smooth running of lessons, the PHE Department recommends that students wear their swim kit to school, with PE kit over the top.
Sports Team Photos - Wednesday 6th May
This year's sports teams will have their annual team photos taken with the PHE Department on Wednesday, 6th May. Students are required to bring their relevant sports kits to school and to change before and after the photo(s). Students are also required to return their sports kit(s) to the PHE Department after the photo(s).
If students are in multiple teams, they should bring all relevant sports kits and attend the different team photos, as per the schedule here. The Lower & Upper School Swim Squads should wear their official swim team shorts and jackets (no swimming attire).
Please note that if any kits are missing, or parts of kit are not correct, students will not be permitted to be in the team photo. If you have any questions about the sports photos, please do not hesitate to contact a member of the PHE Department.
Robert Mathews | Head of PHE | rmathews@dwight.ae
We invite all parents and students to visit the Grade 12 Diploma Programme Art Exhibition in the Welcome Hub, curated by our talented Grade 12 Visual Arts students, Alicja and Maria.
The exhibition will be open for viewing from Tuesday 5th to Friday 8th May, during school hours.
We hope you can drop by to appreciate the culmination of Alicja and Maria's dedication and creativity over the past 18 months.
Rajakrishnan Kalaichelvan | Visual Art Teacher & Upper School Digital Learning Leader | rkalaichelvan@dwight.ae
The CP & DP are the two-year programmes offered in Grades 11 and 12 here at Dwight.
Thank you to the parents who attended the IB Career-Related Programme Coffee Morning today. If you were unable to attend, please contact Tammarin Young with any questions you may have.
All parents are warmly invited to join us for coffee next Friday, 8th May to learn more about the IB Diploma Programme.
Tammarin Young | English Teacher & CP Coordinator | tyoung@dwight.ae
Peter Atkins | Assistant Principal & DP Coordinator | patkins@dwight.ae
Join us again this coming Wednesday 6th of May for the third episode of our online Careers Day.
In our sessions, industry professionals will share insights into their own unique academic journeys and career pathways. The aim is to provide a deeper understanding of workplace culture, key skills and the study and career options which may relate to, and certainly support, future development for our students.
This week, we welcome Mr. Max Marka, founder and chief designer of MAX FABRIQUE. Mr. Marka is an award-winning designer, software developer, and entrepreneur operating across Dubai, Miami, and Moscow.
With an internationally recognised name and nearly half a million Instagram followers, Max is a rare creative force who rarely stays in one lane. Together we will trace his journey from his studies at the British School of Design and St. Petersburg State University of Culture and Arts. We will continue through to his founding of MAX FABRIQUE and its expansion onto the global stage - including the high-profile interior design of Johnny Depp's house and the Trezini Gold Award win that cemented his reputation internationally. There will be a lot to unpack!
For times, dates and the required link, kindly see the flyer.
Looking forward to seeing you all there!
David Turner | Career and College Counselor | dturner@dwight.ae
We are excited to announce the upcoming Dwight London ChoirFest for all Dwight Schools, taking place from the 2nd to the 9th of October under the theme, “A Community in Harmony.”
Singers and instrumentalists are warmly invited to take part in this special collaborative event.
Further details, including audition dates and sign-up information, will be shared in the next Parent Bulletin.
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We are pleased that the Centre for Musical Arts has resumed instrumental music lessons this week. Registration is now open for students who wish to join.
Please check the flyer below for more information about the registration process.
Bertha Silot | Head of Performing Arts | bsilot@dwight.ae
This is a reminder that as per school policy personal devices may only be used in school if students have LANSchool installed and activated. If LANSchool is not installed or not activated on student devices, they will not be permitted to use personal devices during lessons.
It is essential for the school to monitor student activity during lessons to ensure engagement and appropriate use of technology.
To facilitate the transition of Grade 5 students into Grade 6, we will now also be using LanSchool for Grade 5 students during lessons.
Thank you for your continued support. If you have any questions please feel free to reach out.
Larissa Milne | Assistant Principal & Head of Teaching, Learning and Assessment | lmilne@dwight.ae
MYP eAssessment - Science Support
Grade 10 students who are sitting the eAssessment examination are invited to attend a workshop on the morning of the exam with the Science Team.
Nicola Ashton | Head of Science | nashton@dwight.ae
Timings: 8.10 to 11.35 with a normal break time.
At 11.35 students are dismissed to personal study, or are welcome to continue studying in the Science work area until their examination in the afternoon.
DP/CP Choices Reminder
Grade 10 parents and students are invited to personalised individual meetings to discuss their choices ahead of joining Grade 11. Please see the communication sent on Wednesday for more information about booking your slot.
Read the Grade 11 and 12 Pathways Booklet.
Complete the Options Choices Form by 1st May.
Book your individual Pathway and Subject Selection Meeting.
Experience Work Programme Reminder
Grade 10 students should now have secured a position for this important element of the MYP programme. Please refer to the email from Mr Turner sent on 23rd April for further information.
Please complete the placement confirmation form if you have not already done so (the deadline was Tuesday, 28th April).
For information, please see the original letter and supporting documents related to the programme.
Grade 12 Senior Activity Schedule - Week beginning Monday 4th May
Please find the link here to the overview and sign up sheet for Week 2 of the student led Senior Activities for Grade 12 Students. These are opportunities for their own personal growth and for contributing to the wider Dwight community. Please encourage your child to sign up and take part next week.
We are proud to recognise the compassion, initiative, and meaningful action shown by Huma (Grade 4). Motivated by a strong sense of agency, Huma and her friend independently organised a fundraising effort to support their horse‑riding trainer, who cares for rescued, elderly horses. They baked cookies and went door‑to‑door, raising an impressive AED 1,910 to help develop indoor stables.
This experience reflects the IB Learner Profile in action, especially being caring, principled, and reflective, and showcases key ATL skills such as communication, collaboration, and self‑management. Through this authentic, real‑world initiative, Huma demonstrated how young learners can take ownership and create purposeful change.
At Dwight, we believe in empowering students to turn learning into action. Huma’s initiative highlights the impact of student‑led contributions and reminds us of the importance of empathy, responsibility, and global citizenship. We are incredibly proud of Huma and her friend for showing how small, thoughtful actions can lead to meaningful impact.
Lillia (Grade 1) recently took part in Tini‑preneurs, an inspiring event where young learners designed their own products, set prices, and created a business name and logo before selling their items at the marketplace.
She had a wonderful experience and gained valuable early entrepreneurial skills along the way.
Last weekend, our Grade 9 students Tommaso and Adam won the Mina Cup 2025/26 with their teammates, qualifying for the Mina Cup International, which will take place in October.
In addition, Tommaso was awarded Best Goalkeeper in the U15 category: a true spark of genius! Good luck to the whole team for the next tournament.
Aizah's (Grade 5) spark of genius shines through her growing confidence and determination. Over the past 4 years of riding, she has made wonderful progress as she learns to step outside her comfort zone and trust herself more. She now confidently rides her horse, Prince, in the desert and is beginning to learn jumping, showing both courage and resilience.
These experiences have helped her build focus, independence, and a strong belief in her own abilities. We are proud of the progress she continues to make and the confident young person she is becoming.
A huge thank you to everyone who got involved in Book Week: Book to Film!
The whole school has truly felt like a blockbuster production all week - full of energy, creativity, and unforgettable moments.
The visits from authors were inspiring and complimented our exciting challenges and brilliant mystery readers!
Our whole community has helped bring stories to life, turning pages into performances and imagination into action. The enthusiasm, effort, and creativity on display have been nothing short of award-worthy!
Winners of the various competitions will be announced by 8th May.
Watch and contribute to all the action via the World Book Week Padlet or watch it as a slideshow here.
Magrudy's Book Fair with our special Dwight 10% discount has been extended until 15th May. Please click here to access the online fair site.
Joanne Ranson | English Teacher & Literacy Coordinator | jranson@dwight.ae
Upper School students took part in our Arabic team’s initiative to express their feelings and their pride in the United Arab Emirates following the initiative of 'Raising the Flag' by H.H Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, as 'the nation has emerged from the recent crisis more united, cohesive and loyal than ever before'.
We hope you enjoy reading the multilingual sentiments expressed by our students.
The Zayed Crew
The use of Canva during online language classes
Education is an ongoing journey, and some of the most meaningful learning often arises from challenging situations. When faced with change, our community continues to adapt, grow, and innovate. A wonderful example of this is our Language Department, whose teachers embraced online learning by integrating the Whiteboard tool on Canva into their lessons. This creative approach has made learning more interactive, engaging, and highly effective, highlighting how challenges can inspire new ways of thinking and teaching.
Canva Whiteboard was recently integrated in Miss Tutulici’s Spanish classes. Students used the platform to practice the format of an email, apply writing conventions, and understand assessment criteria. It also allowed them to combine vocabulary and grammar from Terms 1 and 2 to produce their own written work in Term 3.
Miss Puente’s classes have also been using Canva Whiteboard as an interactive tool to explore and practice grammar concepts, develop their writing skills by understanding text conventions and assessment criteria, and generate ideas for tasks such as photo descriptions.
Miss Montgomery has been using the Canva Whiteboard for photo description activities and to develop grammar, bringing lessons to life in a dynamic and visual way. They have recently started to incorporate the interactive Canva Whiteboard in French lessons, making learning more engaging, collaborative, and effective.
Ewelina Kowalska | Head of World Languages | ekowalska@dwight.ae
In line with the Education 33 (E33) strategy’s goal of empowering parents and building a community that is aware of its rights, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) are pleased to share an episode titled “A Mindful Home Protects Its Own” from the Mutaafi (Recovered) podcast, broadcast on Dubai Police’s YouTube channel.
In this episode, Lt. Col. Dr. Ali Mohammed AlMatrooshi, Director of the Child and Woman Protection Department at the General Department of Human Rights – Dubai Police, shares practical guidance on positive parenting and on supporting and protecting women and children. The episode also helps strengthen awareness among teaching and administrative staff about safeguarding across educational settings.
To watch the episode, which is in Arabic with English subtitles, please click here.
استناداً إلى مستهدفات استراتيجية التعليم 2033 في تمكين أولياء الأمور وبناء مجتمع واعٍ بحقوقه، نشارككم حلقة بعنوان «البيت الواعي يحمي» من بودكاست «متعافي»، الذي تُعدّه شرطة دبي ويُقدَّم عبر قنواتها الرسمية على منصة YouTube.
يتحدث في هذه الحلقة المقدم الدكتور علي محمد المطروشي، مدير إدارة حماية الطفل والمرأة في الإدارة العامة لحقوق الإنسان بشرطة دبي، ويطرح رسائل عملية حول الوالدية الإيجابية، وتقديم الدعم والحماية للمرأة والطفل، إضافةً إلى تعزيز وعي الكوادر التعليمية والإدارية بمفاهيم الدعم والحماية في البيئات التعليمية.
The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has developed a short survey to gather parents’ feedback on student drop-off and pick-up procedures and road safety practices. Please find attached communication with more details and the survey link included.
We encourage all Dwight parents to participate. The survey will take no more than one minute to complete.
Your support in promoting this initiative will contribute to enhancing road safety and improving the overall experience for our school communities across Dubai.
Current House Point Totals
23,159
24,047
22,710
22,272
Dear Parents,
It has been a pleasure to welcome more families back to campus this week. The recent confirmation from the authorities that schools may resume outdoor activities, including sport and extra-curricular provision, is a very positive and welcome step towards a return to normal school life.
As part of our ongoing commitment to safety and preparedness, I would like to let you know that we will be conducting a short Shelter in Place practice at some point next week. Students will be informed in advance that this is a practice, and it will be scheduled carefully to avoid disruption to key events such as examinations. While staff have already received full training, and students have taken part in safety briefings and tours of designated Safe Zones, it is important that we now practise together as a whole school community.
As more students return to campus, our teaching model is naturally shifting to prioritise in-person learning. As a result, the current model of simultaneous synchronous and in-person teaching will not be sustainable beyond Friday, 8th May. Students who remain off-site will therefore move to an asynchronous learning model. Should you wish for your child to continue with asynchronous learning through to the end of term, we kindly ask that you contact Mrs Hornshaw, Vice Principal & Head of Lower School, or Ms Smyth, Vice Principal & Head of Upper School, if you have not already done so, to discuss the arrangements. Students learning remotely will continue to be assessed through submitted tasks and any online assessment where appropriate and possible.
Thank you, as always, for your continued support.
Please click here to read this week's Parent Bulletin
Warm regards,
David Hutson | Head of School
Tuesday 5 May
Grade 12 Diploma Programme Art Exhibition opens in the Welcome Hub - information link
Wednesday 6 May
Sports Teams Photos - information link
Careers Day Session 3 with Guest Speaker | 4:00 - 5:00 | Online Meeting Link
Industry professionals will share insights into their own unique academic journeys and career pathways.
Friday 8 May
Meet the DP Coordinator Coffee Morning | 8.00 - 9.00 | Cafeteria
Find out more about the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (DP) - one of two pathways in Grades 11 & 12.
Winners announced for World Book Week house 'shelfie' and dress-up competitions
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Monday 11 May
Early Years House Assembly
Students in PreK, KG1 & KG2 should wear house colours
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Friday 15 May
Join the Senior Leadership Team for coffee and a chat | 8.00 - 9.00 | Cafeteria
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