Secondary School

Dear Secondary Parents and Guardians,

This week we came together as a whole school to celebrate UAE Flag Day and this was a special occasion that holds deep meaning for all who call the UAE home. Standing side by side as an international community, raising the flag, and reflecting on the nation’s values of unity, tolerance, and ambition was a powerful reminder of what makes Dubai such an extraordinary place to live and learn. It is always inspiring to see our students show pride and appreciation for the country that welcomes and supports families from around the world. This was my first UAE Flag Day and I will remember it for a long time.

Reinforcing Standards and Pride

I want to extend a sincere thank you for your ongoing support of our behavior and uniform reset. We have seen a clear and positive shift across the school with students arriving better prepared, wearing their uniform with pride, and demonstrating the respect and focus that underpin our values. These expectations are not about rules for their own sake; they are about ensuring our young people learn to take responsibility, show self-discipline, and value the sense of belonging that comes from being part of a community that holds itself to high standards. We want to continue to build on this and ensure progress is seen in all individuals across our school.

Every reminder at home about punctuality, respect, and the dress code reinforces the shared messages we model at school. Together, we are helping our students develop the habits and mindset that lead to success in life, not just in learning.

Secondary Snapshot: The Lab Diaries – October Edition

Our Science Department continues to inspire curiosity and creativity through hands-on, minds-on learning. This month’s Lab Diaries captured the incredible range of investigations taking place in our classrooms.

A special thank you goes to our Science Technicians, Ms. Rashida and Ms. Niji, whose preparation, creativity, and care ensure that each lab experience runs safely and smoothly. The energy, teamwork, and excitement captured in this month’s Lab Diaries perfectly reflect the kind of learning we want our students to experience every day.

Parent Article: Helping Your Teen Discover Their ‘Why’

As students begin to look ahead to university, college or future careers, one of the most valuable things we can support them with is discovering their sense of purpose. An article from College MatchPoint titled “Empowering Your Teen to Find Their ‘Why’: 5 Powerful Steps” outlines how a clear sense of purpose is linked to greater resilience, engagement and overall well-being.

Here are five steps from the article that tie beautifully into our school-community ethos:

1. Notice and encourage their sparks. Pay attention to when your teen lights up in an activity or topic; encourage exploration of those interests.
   
   

2. Provide multiple pathways for exploration. Support them in accessing diverse opportunities via clubs, volunteering or simply opportunities to develop new skills, just so they can try things out.
   
   

3. Share your own experiences. Talk openly about your journey: your challenges, your direction, what keeps you motivated. That modelling helps your teen feel grounded in their own process.
   
   

4. Focus on the journey, not the destination. It’s not about knowing exactly what they’ll do for the rest of their life by graduation, it’s about cultivating self-awareness, adaptability, and direction.
   
   

5. Advocate for purpose-driven opportunities. Be a voice for programmes, experiences and environments that help young people explore and grow their sense of purpose.
   
   

Supporting students to find their why complements the high standards, growth mindset and community focus we foster every day at GIS. When they understand who they want to become, not just what they want to be, everything else falls into place: effort, character, relationships and contributions to others.

Find the full article here; Empowering Your Teen to Find Their 'Why': 5 Powerful Steps to Help Them Find Their Purpose

Looking Ahead

As we move through November, our focus remains on high standards, positive relationships, and purposeful learning. Thank you for your partnership, your trust, and your continued belief in what we are building together at GIS.

Kind regards,

Aaron Kane

Head of Secondary