Mr. James’ Weekly Reflection – 14 December

Dear Nadeen family, 

As we have come to the end of Term 1, and the festive break is upon us, I find myself filled with an overwhelming sense of pride and gratitude for our Nadeen community. This term has reminded me, time and again, that a school is far more than a building or a timetable, it is a place of care, connection, and belonging. Our learners, our staff, and our families have come together with generosity, warmth, and a shared commitment to one another, and it has been a privilege to walk alongside you throughout this term, maybe slowly and on crutches but definitely alongside you. 

When I reflect on Term 1, one word continues to stand out: community. Over the past weeks, there have been countless opportunities to come together, to listen, to celebrate, and to support one another. From parent consultations, learner conferences, assemblies, and workshops across Primary, Secondary, and Inclusion, to our monthly coffee mornings together, these moments of connection have mattered. They have strengthened trust, deepened relationships, and reminded us that at the heart of Nadeen is care for every learner and every family.

Alongside these moments of togetherness, we have celebrated so many achievements across academics, creativity, sport, and service. From Ebrahim in 2LA earning a silver medal at the Bahrain Taekwondo Open Championship, to our swimmers bringing home an impressive collection of gold, silver, and bronze medals, our learners have shown resilience and determination. Success continued across our sports leagues, with our U11 girls winning their football competition and our volleyball teams placing strongly across all categories. Peter in Year 9 represented us with pride at the BSME Games in Cairo, earning a silver medal in High Jump, an outstanding achievement built on perseverance and hard work. I also have to give a shout out to the Ladies Netball team ‘Nadeen Wolves’ for winning the leagues this year- incredible effort. 

Such moments remind us that success rarely arrives all at once. It grows through effort, practice, and perseverance, you don’t have to be great to start, but you do have to start to be great. This is a message we share with our learners every day, and one they continue to live out with confidence, evident daily as I walk through the school. 

Academic growth and partnership with families have remained central to our work. Year 9 curriculum pathways and Year 10 learner conferences created meaningful opportunities for dialogue, while Year 11 now enter the important countdown to mock examinations, supported by a team who believe deeply in their potential. We also proudly launched our new Post-16 brochure as we prepare for our first A Level and BTEC cohorts, an exciting milestone in our school’s journey.

Our younger learners have inspired us through learning with purpose and heart. Year 1’s Enquiry Learning project, led by Emma and Darren, saw learners take action on plastic pollution in Bahrain through a beach clean-up at Sama Bay, later transforming their experience into a collaborative art piece promoting responsible recycling. This is learning that connects care for the world with care for one another. This leads nicely into our Eco Summit we are holding at Nadeen in February. 

Across Primary, celebrations of learning have been joyful and memorable. Year 3 transported families to Ancient Egypt through a creative carousel of activities, while Year 6 showcased thoughtful sustainable artwork inspired by Hundertwasser. EYFS and upper primary learners brought festive cheer to the stage through festive performances, moments that captured the magic of this season and the joy of learning together.

We have also seen our learners step forward with confidence beyond the classroom. Four learners represented Nadeen at a Ministry led education lecture, speaking in Arabic to a large audience with pride and poise. Leana was recognised by HH Sheikh Khaled bin Hamad Al Khalifa as the youngest volunteer at the Bahrain Youth Asia Games, while Danial in Year 10 placed 3rd in Bahrain in the MOE Chess Tournament. These moments reflect courage, service, and commitment, qualities we hold dear.

Our National Day celebrations were another highlight of the term, bringing together heritage, pride, and community spirit. We were honoured to welcome VIP guests Mohammed Abdulrahim and Mohammed Mansour Al Mubarak. I would also like to thank you all for your kindness as I attempted to open the event in Arabic, proof that learning never stops, and that this is a community full of encouragement and good humour. I am very grateful that you indulged me, and my sincere thanks go to everyone involved for such a meaningful celebration.

Throughout the term, our community spirit has been further strengthened through shared experiences beyond the classroom, cooking classes at the Address Hotel, charity runs, Think Pink initiatives, our Commendation Evening, and the many festive events that have brought smiles, laughter, and connection. These moments matter. They remind us that care is shown not only in words, but in time spent together and support given freely.

I want to extend my thanks to every learner, parent, and member of staff. Your kindness, positivity, and trust have shaped Term 1 into a term defined by care and community. This has truly been a wonderful start to the year, and none of it would be possible without our shared commitment to helping our learners grow together and thrive as one. As I reflect on the term, I will be asking myself two simple but powerful questions: What went well? and Even better if? I invite you to do the same. It is through reflection, honesty, and shared purpose that we continue to grow stronger together.

I wish all our families a peaceful, joyful, and happy winter break. May the break bring rest, warmth, and special moments with loved ones. I look forward to welcoming you back in Term 2 as we continue our journey together.

Kind regards, 

James Batts

Principal, Nadeen School