It was wonderful to welcome our Dwight community back to campus this week and see everyone reconnecting. It's good to be back!
At this stage, we expect indoor ECAs to resume in the week commencing 4th May. Please note that there are currently temporary restrictions in place for all schools regarding outdoor activities. This means there will be no outdoor sport (including swimming) for the time being. External providers are also not currently permitted to run activities, and ECA provision is therefore limited to those run by Dwight staff only.
Please see the updated brochure here which includes sign-up information.
We are pleased to offer an adapted in person ECA provision - the programme includes a range of activities, boosters and academic domains whilst remaining within the guidance issued to us by the authorities.
We acknowledge some pupils may have missed learning during the online period and based upon this, the Upper School teaching team have offered additional booster sessions for core subjects for the interim period. For Lower School pupils, homeroom teachers will continue to offer personalised provision as appropriate.
All sign-up's should be made via the SchoolsBuddy platform which opens to parents 17:00 Sunday, 26th April and closes 09:00 Thursday 30th April.
Alistair Munro | PE Teacher & ECA Coordinator | amunro@dwight.ae
We have been making exciting preparations for World Book Week - with a whole week of themed challenges, activities, mystery readers. Our theme this year is 'Book to Film'.
We will also dress up on Thursday 30 April, and parents are invited to visit Magrudy's Virtual Book Fair and take part in our Dwight Book Donation/Swap in the Welcome Hub.
See our our World Book Week Padlet to follow along with the activities!
Joanne Ranson | English Teacher & Literacy Coordinator | jranson@dwight.ae
Throughout the week, students will take part in a variety of exciting literacy-based activities designed to celebrate reading, creativity, and storytelling. We will host visiting authors, guess mystery readers and also attend an online book fair! The Arabic Department will also be running a KHDA & Ministry Competition: The Seventy-One Writers – Second Season, alongside a Faseeh and Spelling Bee Competition. They are truly geared up for a host of lively activities including theatrical puppet performances, escape rooms, book hunts and daily Arabic table activities with rotating literacy themes.
During the course of the week we will set World Book Challenges and would love every student to participate in at least one! The 9 World Book Week challenges are listed here, so you can absolutely get ahead of the game! Follow our World Book Week Padlet so that students can upload their fabulous entries. House points, prizes and certificates will be awarded!
Of course there will be a dress up! We’d love to see costumes that are home made - the more creative the better! If you don’t have a costume, perhaps your child can don a character hat or prop! This will take place on Thursday and there will be awards for the best dressed.
All parents are warmly invited to join us for coffee, over the next two Fridays, and learn more about the IB Career-Related and Diploma Programmes, both being two year programmes in Grades 11 and 12.
Tammarin Young | English Teacher & CP Coordinator | tyoung@dwight.ae
Peter Atkins | Assistant Principal & DP Coordinator | patkins@dwight.ae
Join us again this coming Wednesday the 29th in welcoming Mr. Ismail Alashqar. Ismail is a Dwight School alumni, Class of 2023, and is currently studying at 42 Abu Dhabi. In his short time both as a student and someone in the working world, he has certainly achieved a respectable measure of success!
Currently, Ismail is an AI Builder and software developer at 42 Abu Dhabi. He is highly regarded for his high impact innovation at the Cleveland Clinic, Abu Dhabi Hackathon where he placed as a finalist. In the working world, Ismail continues to focus on real-world challenges working with AI and systems thinking.
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, your future development.
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
As part of the UAE Year of the Family, we are excited to launch the initiative “A Day with Your Family Without a Phone.” This challenge encourages families to take time away from devices and focus on meaningful connection and shared experiences.
We invite you to participate and, if you wish, share your special moments on our Padlet.
We look forward to celebrating your family experiences with you.
The Zayed Crew
Thank you to those who were able to attend the Grade 9 End of Year Assessments information session on Tuesday. We appreciate your time and support in helping students prepare for this important period.
For those who were unable to attend, or for anyone who would like to revisit the information shared, the recording of the session is available here and slides are linked here.
To further support students in their preparation, the revision guide can be accessed here. This guide includes key information on what to revise, the exam schedule, and details of the upcoming booster sessions.
We would also like to remind you to refer to the Interdisciplinary exam tab, which contains important information and guidance to help students prepare effectively for this end of year assessment that will combine both Science and Individuals & Societies (I&S).
If you have any questions or require further clarification, please do not hesitate to get in touch. Thank you once again for your continued support.
Katherine Filkins | Assistant Principal & MYP Coordinator | kfilkins@dwight.ae
Science Team will offer 30 min check in sessions for Sychronous & Asynchronous learners in Grade 9-11. Where possible these take place during standard lesson time or study periods. The purpose of these sessions is access to a science teacher. Students can clarify work for the week ahead, or ask questions about things they tried but are unsure of. These are available until Friday 8th May via the links here.
The Science Department are excited to launch their new website!
https://sites.google.com/dwight.ae/dsd-scienceteam-home/home
In its infancy at present, the site will evolve over the next term and following academic year to offer updates for parents, share celebrations and successes throughout the year, and compile high quality supporting resources for students in each grade.
Your feedback is always welcome.
A permanent link has been added to the Parent Bulletin Homepage for you to access in future at your convenience.
Nicola Ashton | Head of Science | nashton@dwight.ae
We want to confirm that the school intends to proceed with the Grade 10 Experience Work Programme this year. We believe it is important to maintain this commitment to your child's growth and development, and we are encouraged that a number of families have already secured placements - including some successfully arranged outside of the UAE.
At this stage, I am working to gain a clearer picture of where our families currently stand. We kindly ask that you take a few moments to complete the short form linked below, indicating whether your child has secured a placement to date. This will allow us to understand the current numbers and provide the best guidance we can to those who may still be exploring options.
Please complete this form by Tuesday, 28th April - Google Form: https://forms.gle/DiwwXQ1ijtXdn9pEA
With this link, there is an option to inform whether anyone in our community can help place others who otherwise may not be able to place themselves. Your help here is appreciated.
Once again, I am attaching documents related to the programme below. Thank you for your continued support.
David Turner | Career and College Counselor | dturner@dwight.ae
Grade 1 students prepared the song Save the Planet as part of their unit Sharing the Planet, where they explored how we can care for the Earth and living things. Through singing, actions, and discussion, they developed an understanding of responsibility and how music can be a powerful way to share important messages. In connection with Earth Day, the students used their voices to express care for the environment, raising awareness about protecting our planet in a meaningful and creative way.
E A R T H - Planet Earth is a Happy Place!
I hope you enjoy watching it here.
Daphne Altea | Music Teacher (Early Years & PYP) | daltea@dwight.ae
German
Grade 10 students have been mastering the power of feedback as part of their preparation for the eAssessment writing (Criterion D) within the context of Identities. As part of their learning, students explored the theme of People of Determination, developing empathy and awareness of inclusivity within the school community.
The task required students to write a formal email to the Senior Leadership Team proposing potential initiatives to make the Dwight School Dubai even more wheelchair-friendly. Through a structured peer-marking process aligned with IB requirements, criteria, and rubrics, students exchanged meaningful and constructive feedback. Using the STAR approach, highlighting strengths, setting targets, identifying actions, and engaging in self-reflection, they applied these insights to refine and improve their work. Teacher feedback then extended this process further, challenging students to deepen their understanding and elevate their performance.
The results have been outstanding, with all students achieving the highest score levels!
Lower School
For World Book Day, Lower School will have a 'Best Dressed' competition, which will win a 100aed voucher and 50 house points. Children will be required to upload a photo via the padlet shared. Good luck!
Jack Beere | PE Teacher & Lower School Head of House | jbeere@dwight.ae
Upper School
Over the next few weeks, we are excited for students to participate in a Kahoot challenge, giving them the opportunity to earn valuable house points. The competition will be led by our House Captains and run during morning advisory sessions.
We look forward to seeing strong engagement and house spirit from all students.
Following on from Mr Munro’s Dwight Community Strava initiative, which aims to maintain and strengthen our community links through physical activity, I would like to congratulate Ada & Indy who are currently leading the leaderboard. Both students will be receiving a substantial number of house points for their efforts. This is a fantastic achievement - keep up the excellent work and continue staying active!
Christian Baker | Mathematics Teacher & Upper School Head of House | cbaker@dwight.ae
Current House Point Totals
22,141
23,270
22,025
21,377
Dear Parents,
It has been a real pleasure to welcome our families back to campus following the period of distance learning. Thank you for your patience, understanding, and continued support throughout - it has made a meaningful difference. With 75% of children already back at school, and more expected to return from Monday, we look forward to reconnecting with our community and continuing the remainder of term in a calm, positive and productive way.
Looking ahead, as part of World Book Week, students are encouraged to bring a favourite book into school next week for DEAR (Drop Everything and Read) time every day. We would also love to see students (and staff) dress up as their favourite book character on Thursday (30th April).
On Friday, 1st May there is an opportunity for parents to join our Career-related Programme Coordinator, Tammarin Young, for coffee to find out more about the International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (CP). Click on this link for our Grade 11 & 12 Pathways Booklet.
We are planning to recommence the Term 3 extra-curricular activities (ECA) programme week beginning 4th May. In line with current restrictions, all activities will take place indoors. Following parent feedback, we will be offering Upper School booster sessions in English, Mathematics, and Science for students who may benefit from additional support after the period of online learning. For Lower School, we encourage you to contact your child’s homeroom teacher for guidance and support.
Please click here to read this week's Parent Bulletin
Warm regards,
David Hutson | Head of School
Monday 27 April - Friday 1 May
World Book Week | Various activities throughout the week
Students are encouraged to bring a favourite book into school for DEAR (Drop Everything and Read) time every day. We would also love to see students (and staff) dress up as their favourite book character on Thursday (30th April).
Wednesday 29 April
Careers Day Session 2 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 1 May
Meet the CP Coordinator Coffee Morning | 8.00 - 9.00 | Cafeteria
Find out more about the International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (CP) - one of two pathways in Grades 11 & 12
___________________________
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
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