This year, World Kindness Day was brought to life in a truly inspiring way, thanks to the creativity and leadership of our students. As part of our commitment to fostering kindness and empathy within our school community, students took the lead in organizing activities that not only highlighted the importance of kindness but also encouraged everyone to participate. 

It has been heartwarming to see so many students stop by, read the messages of positivity, and contribute their own thoughts to the conversation. Their willingness to share kind words and actions has made this day a powerful reminder of how small gestures can create a ripple effect of goodwill. This initiative has not only showcased the leadership of our young people but also reinforced the values we hold dear in our school—values that will continue to guide us in all that we do.

The following display was designed and developed by 2 talented Grade 11 students: Ayla Fardinfard and Emma Soobramoney. A range of seniors students supported by encouraging oour students to contribute the wall.

This week, during the advisory periods on Tuesday and Thursday grade 7 and 8 engaged in a scavenger hunt organized by DP2 students, Celine Salamah, Manal Kazi, Lana Hasan, Saeed Alzarooni and Dhia Mosbahi. The aim of this initiative was to spread awareness about cyberbullying during mental health week in order to further enhance the students’ knowledge on the impacts of cyberbullying on mental health. The students were shown a video showcasing how the impacts of cyberbullying impacted Saeed, the students were then instructed to find him using the clues he left behind. Each clue is embedded with information regarding cyberbullying and reveals the whereabouts of the next location. The group who completed all of the clues first were given medals by Saeed himself.

Written by Lana Hassan in Grade 12

Last Friday, our Grade 11 students and their families gathered for an exciting 'Meet and Greet' event in the ground floor canteen. Grade 11 students went to the canteen with their Homeroom Teachers at the end of break, where we met with parents, who had brought in some incredible food to share with others. The thought and effort that families put into preparing such amazing dishes was very much appreciated, as students and staff were wandering from table to table to discover the  different treats on offer, discussing and learning about different cultures and cuisines. 

It was a fantastic  opportunity for students to connect with each other, with their Homeroom Teachers, with senior staff and with parents, with everyone chatting, laughing and sharing food. Families enjoyed mingling with staff while learning more about the exciting year ahead. It was a great way to build new friendships and foster a sense of community as we embark on this new journey together. We are very much looking forward to this event next year. 

Thank you to everyone who attended and for all of the delicious food shared by families.

The Grade 10 meet and greet was a huge success  for the students and their families. Taking place in the ground floor canteen, it was a valuable opportunity for a mix of existing and new families to GEMS International School community. With almost 40 new Grade 10 families, the event was especially important for us as we foster a sense of community and belonging amongst the grade.

The best part of the  event was the array of cultural dishes brought by families, showcasing the diversity within our Grade 10 cohort. We highly  appreciated the effort and thought that families put into their contribution.

With a big academic year ahead of the Grade 10s as they head into their final year of MYP, events that focus on belonging and connection like this one are even more significant for the students and their families. Many thanks to the parents that supported this and we look forward to seeing you all again soon!