I am deeply honored to address you in this year's yearbook. The academic year 2023-2024 has been a remarkable journey for our entire school community, defined by our unwavering commitment to acceptance and inclusion.

In a world often divided by differences, our school community has stood as a beacon of unity and belonging. We have embraced diversity in all its forms, recognizing that every individual brings something unique and valuable to our community. Through our collective efforts, we have fostered an environment where everyone feels accepted, respected, and supported.

To our students, your commitment to acceptance and inclusion has been truly inspiring. You have embraced your peers with open hearts and open minds, creating a culture of kindness and empathy that sets our school apart. Your willingness to celebrate differences and stand up for what is right serves as a powerful example for us all.

From our youngest learners in KG-1 to our graduating seniors in Year 13, each of you has played a role in shaping our school community into the inclusive and welcoming environment it is today. Whether through acts of kindness, participation in diversity-focused initiatives, or simply by treating others with respect and compassion, your contributions have made a meaningful difference in the lives of those around you.

To our exceptional faculty and staff, thank you for your tireless efforts to promote acceptance and inclusion in our school community. Your dedication to creating a safe and supportive learning environment for all students is evident in everything you do. Whether through inclusive teaching practices, diversity-focused initiatives, or fostering meaningful connections with students, you have played a pivotal role in shaping our school into a place where everyone feels valued and empowered to succeed.

I would also like to express my heartfelt appreciation to our supportive parents and guardians. Your partnership and collaboration with our school community have been instrumental in promoting acceptance and inclusion. Your advocacy for diversity and equity, both within our school and beyond, has helped to foster a culture of acceptance that extends far beyond the walls of our classrooms.

As we reflect on the past academic year and look ahead to the future, let us continue to prioritize acceptance and inclusion in everything we do. Let us celebrate the rich tapestry of cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives that make our school community so vibrant and unique. Let us challenge stereotypes, break down barriers, and create a future where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to reach their full potential.

In closing, I want to extend my deepest gratitude to each and every member of our school community for your unwavering commitment to acceptance and inclusion. Together, we have created a school environment where everyone feels like they belong—a place where differences are celebrated, and every voice is heard. As we continue on our journey, let us carry forward this spirit of acceptance and inclusion, ensuring that it remains at the heart of everything we do.

As we gather here, at the end of another academic year, I find myself reflecting on the journey we've taken together. Each year brings its own set of challenges and triumphs, but through it all, there's been a common thread that binds us: acceptance and inclusion.

From our youngest learners in KG-1 to our graduating seniors in Year 13, our school community has embraced diversity in all its forms. We've celebrated the richness that comes from different backgrounds, cultures, perspectives, abilities, race and nationality. We've recognized that every individual brings something unique to the table, and it's through acceptance and inclusion that we've been able to truly thrive.

In a world that often seems divided, our school has stood as a beacon of unity. We've fostered an environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and supported. Whether it's in the classroom, on the playing field, or in the hallways, we've strived to create a culture of belonging where no one feels left out or marginalized.

This commitment to acceptance and inclusion hasn't always been easy. We've faced obstacles along the way, and there have been times when we've stumbled. But each challenge has only strengthened our resolve to build a more inclusive community.

One of the most powerful lessons we've learned is that true acceptance begins with empathy. It's about taking the time to understand and appreciate each other's experiences, even when they're different from our own. It's about walking in someone else's shoes and seeing the world through their eyes.

As we look back on the past year, I'm filled with pride at how far we've come. We've seen rich student demographics come together to collaborate on projects, support each other through difficult times, and celebrate each other's successes. We've witnessed acts of kindness and compassion that have inspired us all.

But our work is far from over. As we prepare to embark on a new journey, we must redouble our efforts to foster acceptance and inclusion in everything we do. We must continue to challenge stereotypes and break down barriers. We must strive to create a world where everyone feels valued for who they are, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, or abilities.

To the graduating class of AY 2023-2024, as you prepare to spread your wings and embark on the next chapter of your lives, I urge you to carry the torch of acceptance and inclusion wherever you go. You are the future leaders, the change-makers, the ones who will shape the world for generations to come. Let acceptance be your guiding principle, and let inclusion be your legacy.

To our returning students, faculty, parents, and staff, let us continue to work together to make our school community a shining example of what acceptance and inclusion can achieve. Let us celebrate our differences, learn from each other, and grow together as one family.

I want to express my deepest gratitude to each and every one of you for your dedication, your passion, and your unwavering commitment to acceptance and inclusion. I would also like to extend a special thank you to the Board of Directors, school leadership, faculty, staff, parents, and students for their tireless efforts and unwavering support throughout the year. It is through your collective efforts that we have been able to create a school community where everyone feels valued and included. Together, we have created something truly special, and I can't wait to see where our journey takes us next.

All of us had a place in the home when we were kids – behind a bedroom door, under the stairs, on the fridge – where we marked off our growth.  Each term, or every few months, we would scribe a line and write our name next to it, along with the date.  Sometimes, perhaps too ambitiously, we would do it by the week, but all we would end up with were a series of lines, closely compacted, perhaps not even large enough for our names to appear in their full majesty.  The anxiety would subside and then another line would appear, some considerable distance from the last. The Yearbook, in the life of the school, in many ways represents the recording place for our growth – as a school.  Fortunately it occurs at well calibrated, uniform times.  The growth is rarely so well calibrated or uniform.  

We started the year with a bang.  As the year commenced, we received news that an EMS Doha student achieved the Best Across 8 in the Country for IGCSE and and two EMS Doha students were in a tie for the Best in World for AS level Arabic - from two different classes with two different teachers!  

By November, we had successfully negotiated re-accreditation and the NEASC ACE protocols - amongst the most demanding accreditation standards in the world.  

Following on from that, EMS Doha piloted the process for Council of British International Schools (COBIS) membership, via NEASC accreditation. Upon the receipt of our NEASC accreditation, and with the submission of a corresponding COBIS report, we were admitted to COBIS membership.   We remain a Google Reference School.  By March we discovered that in every QUESS (Qatar Union of English Speaking Schools) football competition, girls and boys, under 11 through Under 19, we finished either first or second (with the exception of the U16 boys, who finished third on goal difference!  Hard luck guys, we know you will make it up next year!) 

There is also a different type of growth – the breadth of our community; the engagement within our community; the expansion of our enterprise; the depth of our commitment: these things cannot be represented against a marking board.  They can be represented within our Yearbook: fifty-seven nationalities; our sports programs and the MUN, the depth and breadth of our Middle School and High School advisory programs and a webpage we can be proud of; our student leadership programs, the Student Voice; Book Week, Battle of the Books, the makerspace, amongst so many other things.   Still we culminate with our Seniors – more plentiful in number and wider in their ambitions.  The Yearbook represents a space against which we write our name and the date proudly. We hope you share this pride.    

As I write this message for our yearbook, I can't help but feel a surge of pride and admiration for each of you. This academic year has been a journey of growth, resilience, and character development, and it has been an absolute privilege to witness your evolution.

As we reflect on our shared experiences, I want to highlight two fundamental values that have been the pillars of our school community - Acceptance and Inclusion. These seemingly simple principles carry a deep significance and have been instrumental in creating a harmonious, respectful, and nurturing environment in our school.

Acceptance is about understanding, acknowledging, and respecting our diverse backgrounds, experiences, perspectives, and individuality. It is about celebrating that we are all unique individuals, each with strengths and weaknesses, passions and fears, hopes and dreams. It is this acknowledgement that our differences do not divide us; instead, they enrich our collective experience and strengthen our bonds.

Inclusion, on the other hand, goes a step further than mere acceptance. It ensures that everyone feels acknowledged, involved, valued, and cherished. It is about creating an environment where everyone feels they belong, every voice is heard and respected, and everyone can contribute, learn, and grow.

Our school is a vibrant tapestry of different cultures, beliefs, abilities, and talents. This diversity forms the essence of who we are and shapes our identity. By practising acceptance and promoting inclusion, we have managed to create a community that is not just diverse but also united, supportive, and resilient.

As you enter your next life phase, I implore you to carry these values. In an increasingly interconnected and diverse world, the ability to accept and include others is not just a virtue but a necessity. By embracing diversity and creating inclusive spaces, we can aspire to build just, equitable, and harmonious societies.

Remember, acceptance starts with understanding, and inclusion starts with action. Remain curious about the world and the people around you. Seek to understand before seeking to be understood. Be proactive in creating spaces where everyone feels included and valued. Let your actions reflect the change you wish to see in the world.

As we celebrate your achievements this academic year, I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to all of you. I am confident you will continue to make us proud in your future endeavours. I am excited to see how each of you will contribute to making our world more accepting and inclusive.

At the same time, I want to express my profound gratitude to all the teachers who have played a pivotal role in your journeys. Their dedication, hard work, and unwavering support have been invaluable in shaping your future.

Thank you for the memories, the learnings, the challenges we've overcome together, and the laughter we've shared. Here's to you and a future filled with acceptance, inclusion, and mutual respect.

With warm regards,