Message from the Head of Junior School

‘Reflection is one of the most underused yet powerful tools for success’

It is at this time of the school year that the process of reflection comes to the fore. However, its real strength lies in constant reflection – to see what has been achieved, what worked well and how further success can be assured.

As I look back and ‘reflect’ upon my first year as Head of Junior School at NLCS Dubai, my overwhelming feeling is one of pride. I am incredibly proud of all of our students, of every member of staff who work tirelessly to support and nurture each child and of you, as parents, for being the supportive community you are.

NLCS Dubai has exceeded my expectations in so many ways since we arrived, as a family, last July. The sense of community and desire to be the very best we can all be stands out on a daily basis. As I reflect upon the year which this yearbook showcases so vividly, I am reminded of all the wonderful activities, learning opportunities and fun we have all shared these past 12 months.

My overriding desire is for us, as a school, to develop kind, caring and relentlessly curious students. As T.H. White once said in the story about King Arthur, ‘The Once and Future King’, “Learn why the world wags and what wags it. That is the only thing which the mind can never exhaust, never alienate, never fear or distrust, and never dream of regretting. Learning is the only thing for you. Look what a lot of things there are to learn.”

So, as we celebrate the past year, it is imperative to develop that relentless curiosity. It makes for an active mind where the asking of questions and the search for answers is fostered. It makes the mind observant of new ideas where you expect, anticipate and recognise new opportunities to learn.

As I think you can see from the wonderful array of stories, activities and achievements during this past year, that curiosity is constantly nurtured here at NLCS Dubai Junior School – to take the students on a journey where inquisitiveness, discovery and learning are at the heart of all that we do, in and out of the classroom.

I hope you enjoy sharing in the successes of our 2022-23 yearbook. Have a restful and fun-filled break and I look forward to seeing you all again at the start of the new school year.

Simon James Head of Junior School NLCS Dubai