Dear GIS Community, 

As we come to the end of this academic year, I want to write to you with deep gratitude, honesty and pride. 

This has been a significant year in the life of our school. It has been a year of change, challenge, reflection, and renewal. Together, we have navigated periods of uncertainty, including regional instability, interruptions to school life, changes in leadership, and moments where our resilience as a community has been tested. I know that, at times, this year has asked a great deal of our students, our families and our staff. 

And yet, through all of this, GIS has continued to move forward. 

Our students have adapted, learned, contributed and grown. Our teachers and staff have worked with care, commitment and professionalism. Our parents have continued to show trust, engagement and partnership, even when circumstances have not always been straightforward. For this, I am sincerely grateful. 

As I reflect on my first year as Principal/CEO of aGEMS International School, I am struck by the strength and spirit of this community. GIS is a school with heart, ambition and enormous possibility. It is also a school entering an important next chapter: one where we strengthen our academic provision, clarify our identity, deepen our IB alignment, and create a more coherent, purposeful and connected experience for every student. 

This final Community Update of the year therefore looks both backwards and forwards. It celebrates what has been achieved, shares important information for the 2026-2027 academic year, and introduces some of the work that will shape the future of GIS. 

✦  Looking Ahead to the New Academic Year 

The end of every academic year is naturally transitional in nature, and staff movement is a normal part of that cycle. This year, some of our colleagues are taking on exciting new opportunities, some are relocating to different countries or returning home to be closer to family, while others have chosen to pursue new paths beyond education. 

We would like to sincerely thank each of our departing colleagues for the care, dedication and commitment they have shown to our students and wider school community. They have each played a part in shaping the GIS journey, and we wish them every success and happiness in the next chapter of their lives. 

At the same time, we are incredibly excited to welcome a talented group of new educators to GIS. Bringing a wealth of experience from leading international and IB schools, they share our passion for exceptional teaching, high expectations and ensuring every learner flourishes. We are confident they will make a significant contribution to our community and further strengthen the outstanding learning experiences we provide for our students. 

As one chapter closes, another begins, and we look forward to welcoming both new and familiar faces as we continue to grow together as a community. 

◷  Timings of the School Day 2026/2027 

As we prepare for the new academic year, we would like to thank you once again for the valuable feedback you shared through our school day timings survey. Your comments, questions and suggestions played an important role in shaping our final decision, and we are grateful for the time you took to contribute. 

We are excited about the new structure and the opportunities it will provide for our students. The revised school day has been carefully designed to support high-quality teaching and learning while recognising the different developmental and academic needs of our Primary and Secondary students. 

We are confident that this structure will create a stronger learning environment for all students, ensuring they are well supported academically while continuing to thrive both personally and socially. 

The National Anthem will play at 7:58 a.m. for the whole school. 

◆  Strengthening Our Identity: A New Chapter for GIS 

Over the past year, we have been thinking carefully about what it means to belong to GIS, not only as a school, but as an IB continuum community with a shared purpose, shared values and a shared sense of direction. 

Every strong school has more than a name, a logo or a uniform. It has an identity. It has a story. It has symbols, language and traditions that help students feel part of something larger than themselves. 

As we move into the next academic year, we are pleased to share the next stage of this work: the development of our refreshed school identity and the relaunch of our House system. 

This has not been a superficial exercise. It has been carefully considered and rooted in three important priorities: 

▪ Strengthening our alignment as an IB World School. Our identity should reflect inquiry, international-mindedness, belonging, student agency and the belief that education should prepare young people to contribute meaningfully to the world. 

▪ Building a stronger sense of community. In a large and diverse international school, students need meaningful ways to feel known, connected, and proud of the community they are part of. 

▪ Creating a clearer and more coherent identity for the future of GIS. As our school continues to grow and develop, we want our visual identity, House system, student leadership structures and community language to reflect the ambition and purpose of the school we are becoming. 

Most importantly, this work has been shaped with significant Student Leadership. A dedicated student team has worked with thoughtfulness, creativity and maturity to review the school values, logo, and House system, consider the meaning behind each House, and help shape a structure that will strengthen belonging, participation and school spirit across Primary and Secondary. 

We are extremely proud of the students who have contributed to this process. Their work reflects exactly what we want GIS students to develop: voice, responsibility, collaboration, creativity and the confidence to help shape their school community. 

We have shared a separate identity document with families which introduces: 

• A refreshed GIS logo and the thinking behind the design. 

• The renewed values and House system. 

• How the House system will support belonging, leadership, participation and community life from next year. 

We know that school identity matters deeply to families and students. We also recognise that change can bring questions. Our intention is not to lose what families value about GIS, but to strengthen it. This is not about replacing the heart of the school. It is about giving clearer expression to who we are, what we stand for, and where we are going. 

✦  Uniform for 2026-2027 - No Changes 

 Please be assured that there will be no compulsory full uniform change for the 2026-2027 academic year. 

Families will not be expected to replace existing uniform items next year as a result of the refreshed identity. 

The only new item linked to the House relaunch will be the new House T-shirt, which will be available for purchase in the new academic year. This will support House events, sports days, community competitions and other school activities. 

Further details regarding availability, cost and purchase arrangements will be shared once confirmed. 

We will approach any future uniform evolution gradually, thoughtfully and with appropriate notice to families. 

◆  Expression of Interest: Local Advisory Board Associate Member 

We are delighted to invite expressions of interest from parents who would like to contribute their expertise and professional experience to our Local Advisory Board (LAB) as Associate Members for the 2026-2027 academic year. 

Our Local Advisory Board plays an important role in supporting the strategic direction and continued development of the school. As an Associate Member, you will have the opportunity to share your professional insights, contribute to discussions, and provide valuable perspectives that help strengthen our school community. 

Unlike full LAB members, Associate Members are not required to attend all meetings throughout the year. Instead, they may be invited to participate in selected meetings, projects, or discussions where their expertise and experience can add value. 

We are particularly interested in hearing from parents with experience in areas such as: 

• Artificial Intelligence and Technology 

• Marketing and Communications expertise 

• Entrepreneurship and Business Leadership 

• Engineering, STEM, and Innovation 

• Healthcare and Wellbeing 

• Sustainability and Environmental Initiatives 

✦  What We Are Looking For 

Successful candidates will: 

• Be a current parent within the school community. 

• Have relevant professional expertise and leadership experience. 

• Be passionate about education and student success. 

• Demonstrate a commitment to supporting the school's vision and values. 

• Be willing to share knowledge, insights, and constructive feedback. 

• Maintain confidentiality and act in the best interests of the wider school community. 

✦  Register Your Interest 

If you would like to be considered as a Parent Associate Member of the Local Advisory Board, please complete the Expression of Interest form. 

We look forward to hearing from parents who are keen to contribute their expertise and help shape the continued success of our school. 

◆  Secondary Academic Awards 

As we approach the end of the academic year, I would like to take a moment to thank our students, parents and staff for their attendance at the Secondary Academic Awards and extend our warmest congratulations to our prize winners. 

Seeing our students take to the stage with such confidence and pride was a powerful reminder of the important job we do as educators and parents. Our students would not have been standing on that stage, with those beaming smiles, without the unwavering support and belief in them from both teachers and their families. Thank you for all your hard work in making their success possible. 

Their achievements are a reflection of a strong partnership between school and home. Your encouragement, guidance, and belief in your children play a vital role in their success, and we are truly grateful for the part you play in their learning journey. 

We are proud of all our students as they continue to focus on building their resilience as lifelong learners, believing in themselves and the endless possibilities in their learning. 

It was a special moment for our entire school community, and we were delighted to celebrate it with our students. We look forward to seeing them continue to grow, succeed, and inspire. 

◆  The Beyond Programme: International Experiences and Signature Journeys 

Earlier this year, we introduced the next evolution of our international and experiential learning offer: The Beyond Programme - Signature Journeys. Milestones That Matter. 

This programme reflects a core belief at GIS: that some of the most powerful learning happens when students step beyond the classroom, encounter new contexts, test their independence, and connect their learning to the wider world. 

From next year, we will continue developing a carefully planned progression of local, national and international experiences that connect to students’ age, stage, interests and future pathways. Our ambition is that, over time, students experience a coherent journey through the school, with opportunities that become increasingly ambitious and purposeful as they grow older. These may include curriculum-linked visits, service learning, outdoor education, global citizenship experiences, university and industry links, and pathway-specific opportunities connected to areas such as STEM, aviation, sport, performing and visual arts, medicine, sustainability and entrepreneurship. 

We are currently developing an exciting programme of international learning experiences for next year, with proposed destinations including a STEM Innovation Tour to Silicon Valley (California, USA), STEM and Technology Experiences in South Korea and China, a Biology and Conservation Experience in Thailand, a Future-Focused Education and Innovation Trip to Finland, Cultural Experiences in Oman, Language Immersion in Italy, Performing Arts in London, and Football and Basketball Squad Tours to Madrid. We also plan to continue our successful participation in the GAAC Sports Conference across the Gulf region, alongside the return of our popular Divers Down marine experience in Fujairah. While these opportunities remain in the planning stages and are subject to final confirmation, they reflect our commitment to providing exceptional learning experiences beyond the classroom. 

◆  Closing Reflection 

As I close this final Community Update of the year, I want to return to where I began: with gratitude and pride. 

Thank you to our students, for the energy, courage and character you bring to GIS each day. You have shown resilience, curiosity and kindness in a year that has asked much of you. 

Thank you to our parents, for your trust, patience and partnership. A strong school community is built through the relationship between home and school, and your support has mattered deeply. 

Thank you to our staff, for your professionalism, care and unwavering commitment to our students. Through a year of change and challenge, you have continued to lead, teach, guide and support with dedication. 

My first year at GIS has confirmed what I felt from the beginning: this is a school with heart, ambition and a powerful sense of community. It is a place where students are known, where relationships matter, and where learning is not only about achievement, but about character, confidence and purpose. 

As we look ahead to 2026-2027, our direction is clear. We will continue to build on the strength of our IB identity, the quality of our academic pathways, and the richness of our community life. We will remain focused on creating a school experience where every student feels a deep sense of belonging, is challenged to think boldly, and is supported to grow into the fullest version of themselves. 

I wish all our families a restful summer break. Thank you for being part of this community and for the trust you have placed in us. We look forward to welcoming our students back on the 1st September with renewed energy, shared purpose and great excitement for the next chapter of GIS. 

Nevita Pandya 

Principal / CEO 

WhatsApp Channels

Primary and Secondary WhatsApp Channels for our GIS community. These Channels will run on WhatsApp, meaning you will be able to manage your own notification settings and access the updates easily.

It is important to note that only our Parent Relations Executive, Helen Gornall, will be able to post messages to

these Channels and this will only be to share announcements/updates applicable. We encourage you to check

the relevant Channels regularly to remain informed about the latest developments.

For any queries on Slices, please call or WhatsApp Andrea from Slices on 050 504 5908

Kind reminder to ensure students accounts have enough credit loaded so they do not face issues purchasing food. 

GIS Community Calendar 25/6

If you would like to subscribe to the the GIS Community Calendar, please click HERE for the link.  

This calendar will be continually updated to reflect key dates and events.