مع اقتراب عيد الأضحى المبارك، نتقدم بأطيب التمنيات إلى جميع أفراد مجتمعنا. تمثل هذه المناسبة المباركة وقتًا للتأمل والشكر والعطاء، وتذكرنا بأهمية الرحمة ومساعدة الآخرين وتعزيز الروابط الأسرية والمجتمعية.
عيد الأضحى، المعروف بعيد التضحية، يخلد قصة النبي إبراهيم عليه السلام، ويحتفل به المسلمون حول العالم من خلال الصلاة والاجتماعات العائلية وأعمال الخير.
نحن فخورون بكوننا جزءًا من مجتمع متنوع وشامل يقوم على قيم الاحترام والتفاهم والوحدة.
نتقدم إليكم بأطيب التمنيات بعيدٍ سعيدٍ ومباركٍ مليءٍ بالفرح والسلام.
عيد مبارك وكل عام وأنتم بخير!
As Eid Al-Adha approaches, we would like to extend our warmest wishes to our entire community. This blessed occasion is a time for reflection, gratitude, and generosity. It reminds us of the importance of compassion, helping others, and strengthening the bonds of family and community.
Eid Al-Adha, known as the Festival of Sacrifice, commemorates the story of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham), peace be upon him, and is observed by Muslims around the world through prayer, family gatherings, and acts of charity.
We are proud to be part of a diverse and inclusive community that values respect, understanding, and unity.
We extend our warmest wishes for a joyful, peaceful, and blessed Eid celebration.
Important Notice:
All students from Grades 1 to 9 will need to bring headphones to school each day during this period that have a cord and that can be connected to their personal devices. Bluetooth or wireless headphones are not appropriate for these assessments.
Grades 6-9
Please find below the Assessment Week Timetables for Grades 6 to 9 GL Progress Tests (English, Mathematics and Science) and Etqaan Arabic and Islamic Assessments:
Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8, Grade 9
Grades 1-5
For Grades 1 to 5, pupils will complete their GL Assessments between 1st to 19th June during their homeroom lessons, staggered over the three week period to ensure an age-appropriate setting for the children. For Etqaan Assessments, these will also be staggered in their normal Arabic and Islamic lessons.
GL Progress Tests (English, Maths and Science)
Preparation for the GL assessments is integrated into the curriculum. To support preparation, teachers will provide the necessary materials through home learning and during their normal class activities. There will not be additional revision material specifically for GL assessments, as the curriculum being assessed already aligns with the content students are already studying in class. For Upper School students, teachers will offer resources during home learning and study periods that will support the preparation for the GL Assessments.
Etqaan Arabic and Islamic Benchmark Test
Preparation for the Etqaan assessments is integrated into the curriculum. To support students in this preparation, teachers will provide necessary materials through home learning and during regular class sessions. There will not be any additional revision materials specifically for Etqaan assessments, as the curriculum being assessed aligns with the content students are already studying in class. For Upper School students, teachers will offer resources during home learning and study periods to enhance students’ readiness for the Etqaan assessments.
Grade 11 End of Year DP Assessments
The Grade 11 End of Year examinations follow the same format as the external DP examinations. Each subject will have its own unique examination style, and students have been familiarised with these formats throughout the year. The timetable can be accessed here. Revision tips and guidance for students can be found here.
Grade 11 BTEC PSA
Pearson Set Assignments (PSAs) are designed to assess students’ understanding and application of business concepts in a practical, real-world context. They provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and skills through applied tasks that reflect authentic business scenarios.
These assessments are completed under supervised conditions, meaning that while students are expected to work independently, they must do so within a set timeframe and in line with specific Pearson guidelines.
Students are expected to take responsibility for their work, ensuring it is their own and meets the required standards. These assessments contribute significantly to the overall grade for the BTEC qualification.
Teachers will support students throughout the preparation process, ensuring they feel confident, well-prepared, and ready to perform to the best of their ability.
It is important to note that the end of year examination results will not solely determine the final DP1/CP1 grade. The overall grade will also consider internal assessments and other coursework requirements. While these examinations will play a role in informing university predictions, they represent just one aspect of the assessment process.
University predictions will be based on a combination of factors, including:
The end of DP1 grade and/or BTEC grade
Quality of internal assessments completed to date
CAT4 target grades
Students' work ethic and responsiveness to teacher feedback
Their overall progress during the course
Examination Period Contingency Plan for Upper School
As we approach our examination period, we have developed a contingency plan to ensure a smooth transition to online learning if necessary. If online learning is implemented on June 1st, the exams scheduled for that day will be rescheduled to allow students and staff to allow for adequate preparation and training for conducting online assessments.
Requirements for Online Exams:
Students must have two devices:
- A primary device for taking the exam.
- A secondary device (such as a mobile phone) to join a video meeting that displays the student's workspace.
All devices must have LANSchool installed and activated during the examination.
Students must uninstall all background programmes (e.g Grammarly, Claude, Monica, Apple Intelligence etc) for the duration of the examination period.
Students will also need headphones
All screens monitored during the examinations will be screen recorded.
If any of the aforementioned requirements cannot be met during the examination, the exam will not proceed, and the student will not be permitted to continue.
Important Note
Please note that these contingency processes will only occur in the event of online learning. In all other cases, the exams will take place in the auditorium under our usual examination conditions. We will provide additional instructional videos prior to the start of the exam period to ensure that students fully understand the requirements. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we navigate these changes. Please ensure that your child is prepared for the possibility of online examinations.
Larissa Milne | Assistant Principal & Head of Teaching, Learning and Assessment | lmilne@dwight.ae
Sports Team Photos - Monday 1st June
The PHE Department is delighted to confirm the rearranged date for the Sports Photos as Monday 1st June, for all DASSA squads, in accordance with the attached schedule. Please refer to the timings, instructions and emails sent by the PHE Department. If your child has already returned their sports kit(s), they will be provided with one for the sports photos. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact a member of the PHE Department.
Robert Mathews | Head of PHE | rmathews@dwight.ae
This week, Ms Hughes held a KG1-KG2 Walk and Talk transition event for KG1 parents and families. An overview of the session can be found in the presentation here. If your child is moving from KG1 to KG2, it is important to note there are some changes as they move into the grade.
We are doing lots of preparation already in KG1 to ready the children for the next step in their journey at Dwight and we have included tips in the slides of how you can support too. If you would like to discuss your child's move from KG1 to KG2, please reach out to Ms. Hughes.
Megan Hughes | Assistant Principal & Head of Early Years | mhughes@dwight.ae
Last week’s Lower School assembly recognised the many ways our students are showing their 'spark of genius' through creativity, confidence, and knowledge. One student from each grade level, KG2 to Grade 5, shared their passion and talents confidently on stage.
We also enjoyed the fantastic Grade 4 Bodyology exhibit, where students confidently shared their understanding of the interconnected systems of the human body through engaging and interactive experiences. Our KG students enjoyed hands-on woodworking workshops, developing creativity, curiosity, and problem-solving skills, while Grade 5 students continued their final preparations for their PYP Exhibition. The Grade 5 PYP Exhibition will be highlighted in the 'IB In The News' newsletter after the Eid break.
It has been wonderful to see such strong examples of student agency, collaboration, innovation, and inquiry across the Lower School.
Congratulations to Grade 1 for the purposeful action taken by our students this week during the Spring Clean Swap Shop. It was wonderful to see their sense of agency and ownership as they thoughtfully cleared out their own items and mindfully selected new ones. The students truly embraced the joy of swapping - discovering that happiness comes not from buying something new, but from giving items a second life.
Starting from authentic student work, the 'La Brochure' project highlights creativity, language development, and the thoughtful use of artificial intelligence (AI).
Students created a travel brochure in French about a tourist destination in France for an imaginary travel agency. They conducted research, wrote an informative and persuasive text, and then used AI tools to generate an attractive and visually engaging background to enhance the presentation of their work. This activity encourages written expression, creativity, cultural understanding, and the responsible integration of digital tools within an authentic learning context.
Déborah Châtillon | Language Teacher (French) | dchatillon@dwight.ae
Grade 6 have had a fantastic time exploring the dramatic openings of Shakespearean plays this term, including the magical setting and staging of A Midsummer Night's Dream; the striking contrasts of the Scottish play; the poetic sonnets of Romeo and Juliet; and the tension and mystery of Hamlet! Students have thoroughly enjoyed bringing Shakespeare’s worlds to life.
Here, 6B enthusiastically performed the dramatic opening scene of Hamlet as part of their preparation for the end-of-year summative assessment.
Joanne Ranson | English Teacher & Literacy Coordinator | jranson@dwight.ae
Maila earns international recognition in Lumiere Scholars Essay Award
We are proud to celebrate the outstanding achievement of Maila (Grade 11), who has been awarded the Distinction Award in the prestigious Lumiere Scholars Essay Award, along with a $750 scholarship to join the Lumiere Research Scholar Program.
This global competition received over 2,100 essays from 104 countries, making Maila’s recognition a remarkable accomplishment on an international scale. Her work stood out for its clarity, depth of thinking, and academic promise, earning her a place among a select group of distinguished students worldwide.
As part of the Lumiere Research Scholar Program, award recipients gain access to advanced academic opportunities, including personalised mentorship from PhD-level researchers, writing support, and guidance toward research publication pathways. The program is designed to help students develop university-level research skills and produce work that can support future academic applications.
Maila’s achievement reflects her dedication, intellectual curiosity, and strong commitment to academic excellence. We are so proud of her success and the effort she invested in her essay.
This recognition marks an important milestone in Maila’s academic journey, and the school community congratulates her on this exceptional accomplishment. We look forward to seeing her continued growth and future successes in research and beyond.
Following another exciting House Kahoot competition last week, Grade 9 students took part in a General Knowledge challenge, and it was great to see such a strong turnout. Congratulations to Falcon House, represented by Marcus and Ivan, who took 1st place. Second place went to Scorpion House, with Leopards finishing in 3rd place.
Well done to all students who participated and earned valuable house points for their houses!
Christian Baker | Mathematics Teacher & Upper School Head of House | cbaker@dwight.ae
Current House Point Totals
24,629
25,513
24,123
23,368
Monday 8th June
Thursday 11th June
Wednesday 24th June
The Zaks mobile shop will be on-site on 8th, 11th and 24th June from 7:30 am - 4:30 pm. Zaks has confirmed they are fully stocked with Dwight uniform for parents to prepare for the new school year.
Kim Ashlin | Community & Events Manager | kashlin@dwight.ae
The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) is pleased to announce that applications are now open for the third year of the Hamdan bin Mohammed Scholarship Programme.
The programme was launched in 2024 under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai.
The programme financially supports outstanding Emirati students from public and private schools holding a family book issued by the Emirate of Dubai, enabling them to pursue higher education at top 200 universities. It aims to develop future-ready Emirati talent by fostering academic excellence, leadership capabilities, and specialised skills aligned with Dubai’s strategic priorities.
The scholarship offers full tuition coverage, along with comprehensive financial support for international study that includes accommodation, travel, and related expenses each year for the duration of the course.
Applications for this year are open until June 30, 2026, and can be submitted through the “Emirati” section of the DubaiNow app (Services > Education > HBM Scholarship). Detailed information on the application requirements and eligibility criteria are available on the KHDA website.
Dwight School Dubai are pleased to share this opportunity with our Emirati students and their families, and will support eligible students in applying for the scholarship before the deadline.
Emirati students who would like to learn more about the programme can register their interest to attend an awareness session by clicking here. For any inquiries regarding the programme, please get in touch with the team at hbmapplicants@khda.gov.ae.
Thank you for your continued support in empowering Emirati nationals and contributing to Dubai’s future.
Dear Parents (and Grade 5 students),
Congratulations to our Grade 5 students on a truly wonderful Primary Years Programme Exhibition (PYPX). Your Exhibition was a beautiful celebration of inquiry, creativity, collaboration, and action, and a reflection of all that you have learned throughout your journey in the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP). Through your confidence, curiosity, and thoughtful presentations, you demonstrated the qualities of internationally minded learners who are ready to make a positive difference in the world.
The PYPX is recognised as the culminating experience of the PYP, bringing together the knowledge, skills, and attributes students have developed over time. Throughout the process, you showed independence, responsibility, and student agency as you explored real-world issues that matter to you. Your ability to conduct research, think critically, collaborate with others, and communicate your ideas so clearly is impressive.
What stood out most was the passion and sense of purpose shown by every group. You embraced the values of the IB Learner Profile by being inquirers, communicators, thinkers, reflective learners, and caring members of the community. Importantly, you did not simply learn about issues - you considered how action can create meaningful change. The Exhibition reminded us all that learning is most powerful when students connect their understanding to authentic experiences and opportunities to improve the world around them.
Eid Mubarak.
Please click here to read this week's Parent Bulletin
Warm regards,
David Hutson | Head of School
Monday 25th to Friday 29th May
Eid al-Adha Public Holiday | School closed
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Monday, 1st to Friday, 19th June | End of Year Assessments / Examinations for Grades 1 to 9 & 11
Please find below the Assessment Week Timetables for Grades 6 to 9 GL Progress Tests (English, Mathematics and Science), Etqaan Arabic and Islamic Assessments, and Grade 11 DP & BTEC Assessments:
Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8, Grade 9, Grade 11
For Grades 1 to 5, pupils will complete their GL Assessments during their homeroom lessons, staggered over the three week period from 1st to 19th June, to ensure an age-appropriate setting for the children. For Etqaan Assessments, these will also be staggered in their normal Arabic and Islamic lessons.
Monday 1st June
Sports Teams Photos - information link
Tuesday 2nd June
Senior Walk | 1:30 pm | across campus
Parents are welcome to join our staff and students in congratulating our graduating Grade 12 students as they tour the school.
Wednesday 3rd June
Staff Professional Development afternoon | Early School Closure| PreK to KG2 at 11:30 am; Grades 1 to 5 at 11:45 am; Grades 6 to 12 at 12:00 pm
Thursday 4th June
KG2 to Grade 1 Transition Meeting | 8:15 - 9:15 | Cafeteria & Classrooms
Parents will learn what to expect in Grade 1 with an opportunity to ask questions in readiness for their child starting their PYP journey - Sign Up Link
Grade 12 Graduation | 6:00 - 8:00 | Auditorium
Friday 5th June
Parent Coffee Morning | Parenting & Pastoral Support with the School Counsellor and the Head of Pastoral & Wellbeing | 8:00 - 9:00 | Cafeteria
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Wednesday 10 June
PreK Book Launch | 1:00 - 2:00 | Little Sparks
Join us for our PreK Book Launch, where our young authors and illustrators will proudly showcase the stories they created through their own narration and drawings.
Thursday 11 June
Grade 10 Experience Work Showcase | 9:30 - 11:30 | IB Hub
Sports Awards | 4:30 - 6:30 | Auditorium
Friday 12 June
Grade 10 MYP Celebration | 8:30 - 9:30 | Auditorium
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