It is fitting that the front cover of this term’s Newsletter has an image from the Young Musicians Of the Gulf.
We hosted this competition for the first time in its 27 year history last term - only the second time it has been hosted outside of Bahrain.
It was an honour for BSAK to host this showcase of musical talent from across the region.
Women in STEM Week; Future Finance Workshops; Ted Talk Sustainability Workshop
Because we are a community of 968 individuals in our Secondary School, with a wide variety of different talents and interests. So we are always looking to provide opportunities for our community to thrive and shine. Some notable new initiatives the World Scholars Cup competition, the BSME Dance competition, and the hosting of a Model MUN conference.
But BSAK also goes beyond opportunities. It is also crucial that we are helping, along with parents, to shape the best young people and young leaders of tomorrow.
Our passion is to create ex BSAK students who are making a real difference in being something to be truly proud of and signal to others that this person has received a wonderful education.
& Care
is as important as academic growth and wider provided - and that is why it plays such a significant part in these newsletters.
As always, I encourage you to look beyond just the year groups that your child(ren) is (are) in - when you look at this as a school, it is incredibly impressive, and we are rightly proud of our school, and our students.
to those partaking, and happy Spring break to everyone.
Empathy
You may, or may not be aware of the Channel 4 program Swiped. This is a documentary about a school in Colchester who banned Smartphones completely for 21 days. The documentary reports that following these 21 days there was an improvement in working memory and a decrease
In school we have used the results from Swiped to continue discussions with your children about the use of mobile phones.
We also shared a summary of recent Parliamentary activity regarding mobile phones within school. you are interested, I have linked a current UK Government guidance and evidence around phone bans.
We then moved to consider phone addiction and shared our
After these registration sessions we introduced the students to what a Phone Pouch is, and the plan to introduce them at BSAK in the next Academic Year.
Our Year Reps and Form Reps then collected feedback from all students in Year 7-11. The student feedback will guide us when we create our school procedures, we will also use it to create a student FAQs document for use next term.
Year Representatives and Form Representatives across Year 7 to 11. They have been integral to this process.
Yazan YEAR 11
Rose YEAR 10
Logan YEAR 9
Lily YEAR 8
Sammar YEAR 7
One of these coffee mornings was planned to coincide with Neurodiversity Week with a guest speaker from Maudsley Health.
HOUSE COMPETITIONS & WORLD BOOK DAY
The year group have shown enthusiasm in all House related competitions this term.
World Book Day was a great success and allowed the Year 7’s to show off their reading, with costumes ranging from The Little Misses series and The Minions, to many of the beloved
The Musical chairs competition was a great event which saw many Year 7’s coming to cheer on their classmates as they strove to ‘seat’ their
Trip to Museum Of The Future
The Year 7 trip to the Museum of the Future was an unforgettable experience, immersing students in cutting-edge technology, futuristic innovation, and creative thinking.
From exploring AI and space travel to interactive exhibits on sustainability and robotics, students were inspired by the possibilities of the future.
The trip encouraged curiosity, critical thinking, and problem-solving, allowing them to connect their learning to real-world advancements. This exciting visit not only broadened their perspectives but also sparked a passion for science,
I would like to wish you all a wonderful Spring break traveling or staying here, I hope you all enjoy a little relaxing time together. Finally, as Ramadan draws to an end, wishes to all those who have been observing the Holy Month. Eid Mubarak for next week and Happy Easter to all those celebrating.
YEAR 8: Spring Term
MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD OF YEAR 8
HEAD OF YEAR 8
Sports Day Highlights
Well done to all students in Year 8 for a fantastic 2nd term.
This has been a very busy term with so many different events happening.
It has been lovely to see the improved maturity in so many of the year group and I hope that we can continue to show kindness towards each other as we move into the 3rd term.
Wishing you all a well deserved and relaxing holiday.
This term’s Sports Day was a huge success!
Year 8 students competed in a range of events, from track races to team sports. It was a day full of energy, fun, and house spirit!
BSME U13 WINNERS
Congrats to the U13 BSME team who Bahrain, hosted by St. Christophers.
Term 2 has been a fantastic and eventful term, with students taking part in a range of exciting activities, including Sports Day, Epic House Week, the Year 9 Residential, and the GCSE Options Evening.
It has been great to see Year 9 students demonstrate teamwork and maturity, especially as they made the important decision of finalizing their GCSE choices for next year.
Wishing you all a wonderful Spring break and Eid Mubarak!
SPORTS DAY
The start of this term saw the whole school travel to 321 on Hudayriat Island for our annual Secondary Sports Day, where students competed in their houses across athletics events, cycling, and team sports. It was fantastic to see everyone come together, showing great team spirit and support for one another. The energy and enthusiasm shown throughout the day was outstanding. A huge well done to all who participated and congratulations to our winning house, Centaur!
Year 9 Options Evening
Thank you to everyone who attended the Y9 GCSE Options Evening. Hopefully you managed to chat to your child’s different teachers and get some clarity on final GCSE choices.
HOUSE WEEK
Epic House Week has been a fantastic celebration of teamwork and school spirit, with students coming together to earn house points in a variety of challenges. Whether competing in sports, showcasing their skills in board games, singing their hearts out in karaoke, or expressing creativity through painting. It has been amazing to see everyone get involved. The enthusiasm and camaraderie have been incredible, making this week a true highlight of the year!
The Year 9 residential was a fantastic experience, and I was incredibly proud of the students for their teamwork and determination. They had so much fun planning their own 5km route, using a compass to navigate to their campsite, where they set up their own tents and cooked their own dinner. It was amazing to see them develop important life skills, gaining independence and resilience. This adventure gave them a real taste of what’s to come next year if they choose to take on the Duke of
Year 9 Residential
YMOG
Young Musicians of the Gulf
At the end of January, several talented Year 10 musicians took part in Young Musician of the Gulf competition hosted in Abu Dhabi.
YEAR 10
WORK EXPERIENCE
Year 10 students had amazing travel opportunities this term, with excellent participation on the ski trip to Bormio History trip to Vietnam, and the Geography trip to Iceland
A special mention to Kenodh, who made it to the finals—an amazing achievement!
Overseas Trips
In mid November, our Year 10 students completed their Duke of Edinburgh practice journey in the desert. The adventurous trip was a fantastic challenge, and everyone showed great resilience and teamwork. Well done to all who It was fantastic to see Year 10
celebration of reading and
Many members of Year 10 completed their Adventurous Journey in Al Khatim desert in February for their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Their resilience, teamwork, and determination were
This term, alongside continuing academic preparations across their subjects, so many of our students have still found the time to contribute towards our school community in a variety of ways. However, we are now within touching distance of the summer 2025 exams, and this needs to be the focus as we move into term 3. During MELS we’ll continue working with the year 11s on different techniques and strategies, but I’d hope that all students are already in the routine of regular, planned revision across their subjects. I also trust that students are making the most of the Revision sessions being offered by their teachers.
MUSICAL PROWESS
Having so many of our Year 11 deliver amazing performances during the Young Musician of the Gulf competition highlights what a talented year group they really are. Not only were they competing however, Harry Jones won the Brass Award and Emma Clews, Millie
The regularity of such musical heights being met by Year 11s perhaps leads to us taking their dedication and gifts for granted, so it is important to recognise what a marvelous achievement this was.
Exams are in full swing,
exams in Fine Art, Graphic Communication and Photography. Coursework deadlines in a variety of subjects have come and gone or are indeed approaching and information about GCSE PE moderation has been shared.
Alongside preparations for the exams this summer, we’ve also had one eye on our next steps.
Our Sixth Form taster day gave students the opportunity to experience what certain A level and BTEC lessons may be like to assist them in making their KS5 choices.
Our Year 11 mentors, Mrs Saleem and Mrs Monaghan-Greene, have also been working with our Sixth Form Subject Ambassadors to deliver workshops in the Sciences and Maths to Year 11 students. Hearing from students going through the courses currently has I know been invaluable for many of our Y11s.
Student-led Financial Literacy
Despite everything else that’s being going on this term, two of our students, Yazan and Syed (Ali) organised a Financial Literacy challenge for our Year 11s. This involved battling cognitive biases in auction games. It was a high-energy event filled with strategic bidding and valuable lessons.
I hope the upcoming break gives our Y11s the chance to rest and recuperate from what has been a very busy term for many, but also continue their good habits in terms of putting themselves in a position to achieve the best grades they can in the summer.
MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD OF SIXTH FORM
As we approach the end of this blessed month of Ramadan, I want to take a moment to extend my heartfelt wishes to all of our Muslim students and their families. This sacred time of reflection, fasting, and spiritual growth is drawing to a close, and I hope it has brought you peace, strength, and countless blessings.
As we look forward to the joyous celebration of Eid al-Fitr, I wish you all a wonderful and blessed Eid filled with happiness, unity, and the warmth of family and friends. May this special occasion bring you comfort, joy, and a renewed sense of gratitude.
LIFERS
On 20th February, we had the privilege of celebrating the BSAK Lifers Class of 2025 at Observation Deck at 300, Conrad Etihad Towers. The evening was full of celebration as we honoured the remarkable journey of students who have been with us since Reception and are now reaching their milestone in Year 13. From their first day at school to this incredible achievement, they have grown, learned, and thrived at every step. We are immensely proud of their dedication, hard work, and accomplishments. The evening brought together the 36 Lifer students, teachers from over the years, and parents, all sharing in the wonderful memories!
Student Spotlight
Another student-led event held last month was the TED Talk Sustainability Workshop Designed to spark meaningful conversations and inspire action towards a more sustainable world, this event provided a fantastic opportunity for students in Years 10–13 to showcase their ideas, develop public speaking skills, and engage with sustainability experts and like-minded peers.
The event featured thought-provoking talks, innovative solutions, and a platform for young changemakers to share their vision for a greener future. Winners in each category also received prizes!
University Visits
We continue to welcome representatives from universities around the world, with recent visits from some of the most prestigious institutions, including Cambridge, Oxford, Toronto, Durham, Reading and Minerva. These visits are an invaluable opportunity for students and parents to gain insights into the admissions process, ask questions, and explore the possibilities that lie ahead. I encourage you to attend these sessions, as they play an important role in helping you make informed decisions about the future.
This term has seen the start of the application process for our Year 13 Senior Prefect positions. We were truly impressed by the calibre of candidates who applied, showcasing their leadership skills, dedication, and commitment to the school community. The decision-making process has been challenging, as there were so many strong applications to consider.
A big thank you to all those who applied. Your enthusiasm and readiness to take on such a significant role is greatly appreciated. We look forward to announcing the new Senior Prefects and wish all applicants the best in their ongoing leadership journey.
International Women in STEM
In February, we celebrated the incredible achievements of women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). These fields have historically been underrepresented by women, but today, women continue to break barriers and inspire future generations. From groundbreaking research to innovative technological advancements, women in STEM are leading the way and shaping our world.
At BSAK, we are proud to encourage and support young women to pursue their passions in these exciting fields. Throughout the week students engaged in a variety of activities as well as welcoming guest speakers each day from the fields of medicine, engineering and science. This celebration is a reminder of the importance of diversity and inclusion in STEM, as we recognise the talent, creativity, and determination of women who are making an impact both locally and globally.
In March, we celebrated World Book Day with great enthusiasm! Students arrived at school dressed as a wide variety of characters from the wonderful books we have the pleasure of enjoying. It was a fantastic sight to see so many creative costumes, each representing the magic of literature and the power of imagination.
"Follow your passion, be prepared to work hard and sacrifice, and, above all, don't let anyone limit your dreams."
It’s been a busy term for Year 13 students as they prepare for end of year exams and assessments. They continue to show exceptional focus and dedication to their studies while balancing academic commitments with exciting leavers' events. The first few weeks of next term will be crucial for their academic preparation, ensuring they are fully ready for study leave
MELs
students have been gaining practical skills in sewing and cooking preparing them for university life and beyond. These workshops help build confidence in managing everyday tasks while enhancing responsibility, creativity and teamwork.
