HAFEET HOUSE

Georgia Ward Assistant Principal- Head of Hafeet

As this year draws to a close I have been reflecting on how lucky I am to work with such an incredible group of students in Hafeet. Another year passes for the Hafeet family and the motto of ‘Our Strength is in Our Pack’ rings true as always. I am truly humbled by the level of dedication and commitment shown by every member of the House and am excited about a future with a strong and passionate student leadership team. Our newly appointed House Captain, Hannah Khan will be joined by Abdulwahab Saggaf as Sports Captain for Hafeet.

I know that they will flourish in these leadership positions in the coming year and act as role models to all younger Hafeetians.

I have also been reflecting on past House Competitions. House Music is always a highlight of the academic year and we had such a fun time as a House coordinating rappers, soloists, musicians, dancers and performers to show off our musical talents. I was incredibly proud of everyone for trying their best and stepping out of their comfort zone to sing and dance in front of the entire school. The rehearsals brought us together and I was proud of the sixth form Hafteetians for leading the choreography and guiding the House.

We had a fantastic start with House Chess in Term 2, where we demonstrated true intellect and tactical skill in grabbing our first win for such a prestigious competition. Both girls and boys won in their grade groupings and brought home our first trophy to the delight of the entire House. I am sure that we will continue to thrive in House Chess as it is now such a popular pastime for many of our Hafeet members!

We have also experienced an array of spectacular sporting achievements this year with a fantastic display of athleticism during Sports Day and grade group wins in Netball. We have worked together to have a successful and productive year in which many Hafeetians have tried a new hobby or sport in support of their House. We have some incredible athletes within Hafeet, all of whom helped to secure a healthy third place in the Sports Day competition. We gained wins in sprints, long distance and field events and I could not have been more proud to see the support of the Hafeet crowd for their fellow peers. I am sure that with growth and the head start that we had this year, we will continue to achieve greatness in Sports Days to come.

We have also had great success in House Art with some beautiful entries with the theme of Reflection. These pieces illustrated the artistic talent we have within Hafeet. Also, a big thank you to the House Spelling Bee participants who were brave enough to take part on stage in front of the entire Senior School to battle against the other Houses to spell a complex and myriad range of terms.

As we end the year we have to say farewell to some members of Hafeet, who I send my best wishes to for their future endeavors. I hope that they always carry a little bit of yellow in their hearts as they move onto their next chapters in life and do not forget the spirit of collegiality and collectivism that they had as part of the Hafeet family. For all of our returning staff and students, have a fabulous and well deserved break over the summer and I look forward to seeing you all again in the new academic year.

Cecilia - House Captain Hafeet 2023/24

As the House Captain of Hafeet House at NLCS Dubai, one of the best moments I experienced was seeing everyone come together on Sports Day. It was our first time not coming last in the school's history, and it was truly an unforgettable moment. Witnessing the hard work and dedication of our house members pay off was incredibly rewarding, and it demonstrated the true strength and unity of our house. To me, Hafeet represents a community of individuals who are passionate, motivated, and committed to achieving their goals. We work together to support one another and push each other to be our best selves.

Being a part of Hafeet House means being a part of a family, and it is a privilege to be able to lead and represent this community. Through my role as House Captain, I learned valuable leadership skills such as communication, organization, and delegation. I learned that leadership is not about being in charge but rather about serving and empowering others to achieve their full potential. Additionally, I gained a deep appreciation for the importance of teamwork and collaboration, and I realized that achieving success is not a one-person job but a collective effort. To younger students, I would advise them to get involved and be active members of their House community. Participate in House events and activities, and always strive to give your best effort.

Remember that everyone has something valuable to contribute, and that every contribution, no matter how small, can make a difference. Lastly, always be supportive and encouraging of your fellow House members, and never forget the power of unity and teamwork.

When I was invited to submit an entry for this year’s yearbook responding to the questions of ‘Why I wanted to be the House Captain?’, and ‘What I thought it meant to be one’, I was reminded of the time when I submitted my letter of application. I reflected at that time, the big questions of what the role required, what I would bring to it and what it means to be an NLCS House Captain.

The House system provides me with a sense of belonging and excitement; how our shared passion, tenacity and eagerness always shine through, and this is why I am honoured and excited to lead Hafeet House through the next academic term.

Being part of the NLCS Dubai family since inception, I have had a unique opportunity to watch our house flourish and grow year on year. I saw as those in grades above me take on the position of House Captain and lead from the front, creating strategies with fellow members of the leadership team, and creating a community that fosters inclusion, creativity, and positivity. The House System provides students with a sense of purpose as we learn to collaborate and support each other, which is also why I wanted to take on the position and give back to the community that has given so much to me.

As House Captain, I hope to bring fresh, new ideas to the role and elevate collaboration to new heights. With new additions being made to the leadership team as the House expands, I look forward to building on our past initiatives and creating a strong team of leaders that demonstrates through action what it means to be Hafeet!

With the strength of the Hafeet ‘Pack’, I hope to author a bright new chapter in Hafeet’s history and create a lasting legacy through my final year at NLCS Dubai!

Chris May Assistant Principal, Head