Secondary School

Dear Secondary Parents and Guardians,

On behalf of the Secondary staff team, I would like to wish you and your families a very happy and successful New Year. It has been a pleasure welcoming our students back to school this week. Students have returned with positive energy and enthusiasm and have settled quickly back into routines. The term ahead will be busy, purposeful, and academically demanding, and we look forward to supporting students as they continue to grow as learners and young adults.

As part of our return to school, Secondary students took part in a thought-provoking session with Ross Jennings, an international bagpiper, presenter, and digital creator. Ross uses music, storytelling, and travel to explore ideas of identity, culture, and perspective, having played the bagpipes in more than 100 countries around the world. Rather than a performance-focused experience, the session challenged students to think critically about global citizenship, personal purpose, and the value of curiosity. Students were encouraged to reflect on how passion, discipline, and originality can shape meaningful pathways beyond school, themes that align strongly with our Secondary learners and the IB learner profile. Families who are interested can explore Ross’s work here: How it all started (The First Piper Journey)

We also proudly marked Arabic Language and Culture Week. Students engaged in meaningful activities within their Arabic lessons, strengthening their understanding of local language, heritage, and traditions. I would like to thank our Arabic teaching team for their thoughtful preparation and commitment to creating authentic learning experiences.

As we begin the new term, we have implemented a clear behaviour reset across Secondary. This includes a renewed focus on students wearing the correct uniform, arriving on time to lessons, and transitioning calmly and purposefully between classes. I want to be very clear that this approach is not about conformity for its own sake, nor is it a boot camp model of schooling. Rather, it is about helping students develop strong professional habits that will serve them well beyond school. Secondary school is, in many ways, a dress rehearsal for adult life. Being punctual, prepared, and appropriately presented are foundational expectations in universities, workplaces, and professional environments. When these expectations are consistent and calmly enforced, students benefit from clearer boundaries, improved focus, and a stronger sense of shared responsibility. For parents who would like to explore this idea further, James Clear’s short article Why Habits Matter More Than Motivation clearly explains how consistent routines and expectations are far more powerful than motivation alone in shaping long-term success: https://jamesclear.com/motivation

Our goal is to support students in building self-discipline and personal accountability, not simply compliance. We appreciate your partnership in reinforcing these expectations at home and supporting students as they develop these important life skills.

We are pleased to share that our Pre-Med and Health & Social Care BTEC students will be taking part in a 10-week internship programme at King’s College Hospital Dubai, beginning Monday 12 January. This structured and supervised programme provides students with rare, first-hand exposure to professional clinical environments and represents a significant opportunity for those aspiring to careers in medicine, healthcare, and related fields. We are incredibly proud to be able to offer this experience as part of our commitment to meaningful pathways and real-world learning. Full details have been shared directly with participating families.

Our Grade 12 students will begin their mock examinations next week. These assessments are an important milestone as students prepare for their final examinations later in the year. This can be a demanding period, and students may experience increased pressure. Support from home plays a vital role. Encouraging calm routines, healthy sleep, balanced nutrition, and reassurance can help students remain focused and resilient. Strong outcomes are always the result of a close partnership between school and home, and we are grateful for the support you provide our students during this important time. We wish our Grade 12 students the very best of luck.

We are also very much looking forward to working with our current Grade 5 students as they approach the end of their PYP journey and prepare for the transition into MYP. In the coming weeks, Myrna and I will be sharing further details about the Grade 5 transition process, including how we support students academically, socially, and emotionally as they move into Secondary. This is an exciting stage of development, and we are already looking forward to welcoming this cohort and supporting them as they take their next steps into Middle School.

As previously communicated, the Ministry has directed schools to implement early dismissal on Fridays. Secondary students will be dismissed at 11:30 a.m. Our timetable has been adjusted to minimise disruption to learning and ensure that teaching time remains focused and purposeful.

Our GISPA community is hosting World Cultures Day on Saturday, 31 January. Many families have volunteered to share their cultures, and we look forward to celebrating the diversity that makes our school community so special.

IMPORTANT CALENDAR ADJUSTEMENT: It has come to our attention that the initial school calendar listed February 5th and 6th as dates for Parent–Teacher Conferences. Please note that this was an error, and both days will be regular school days.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership. We look forward to a focused, productive, and successful term ahead.

Kind regards,

Aaron Kane
Secondary Principal