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Mr. James Weekly Reflection – 28th November

Published on: Published in: Uncategorized

Dear Nadeen Family,

This week, I am writing to you from a very cold London, where I’ve had the privilege of attending the Association of British Schools Overseas (AoBSO) Conference. It has been an incredibly insightful experience, providing opportunities for reflection, learning, and connection with educators and leaders from around the globe. I am thrilled that my time here will lead to some exciting collaborations and future projects for Nadeen School, further enriching our community and enhancing the educational experiences we provide.

As someone with a background in Exercise Physiology, I was absolutely psyched to be seated with Adam Peaty, and I could not wait to hear him speak. He was amazing, as you would expect, and also a really decent chap. We discussed the notion of being driven to “be the best we could be,” which he describes as being better than yesterday. For those who have got to know me, you will understand that I love this. However, this wasn’t the speech that captured my thinking, as I had expected it to be. The conference began with a truly inspiring keynote address by Sabrina Hatton Cohen on “The Power of Difference”. Her story moved me deeply and highlighted the extraordinary resilience of the human spirit. After leaving home at just 15 years old, Sabrina faced unimaginable challenges, including a period of homelessness. Yet, through perseverance and a supportive sense of belonging, she was able to transform her life. Joining the fire service became her turning point, a place where she truly felt valued and found her purpose.

Her journey didn’t stop there. Fueled by determination, she attended night school to study psychology, followed by a Master’s in international fire service development, and eventually a PhD in behavioural neuroscience. Today, she is recognised with the highest award in Psychological Sciences and serves as an honorary research fellow at Cardiff University. Sabrina’s story is a testament to the power of empathy, of people who showed kindness and helped her see her potential, and her ability to put herself in others’ shoes. Her resilience and purpose serve as a reminder that, with the right support and opportunities, we can all achieve incredible things.

This message deeply resonated with me as I reflected on our role as educators, parents, and community members. Throughout my career, I have been passionate about creating a sense of belonging and psychological safety as best I can. These values are at the heart of the Nadeen Way. By fostering empathy and putting ourselves in others’ shoes, we can better understand the needs of our learners and the challenges they face. Together, we can build an environment where perseverance and kindness help learners thrive, regardless of their starting point and those bumps in the road that we all go through.

This reflection feels particularly relevant in light of recent events. It is a powerful reminder of our collective responsibility as a community to support one another and ensure that every individual feels they belong. At Nadeen, we truly value our role as an extended family, where accountability and collaboration lead to meaningful growth.

Speaking of growth, I would like to take a moment to celebrate an incredible initiative that took place last week. Over 300 plants were delivered to our school, spreading across our community to symbolise our commitment to environmental responsibility. We planted one at the school entrance as a lasting reminder of our efforts to make Bahrain greener. This initiative, in partnership with the UN Habitat team, highlights how small acts toward our planet can create a big impact.

If anyone would like to join our environmental projects, please reach out. Let us continue to grow together, support one another with empathy, and thrive as one.

#NadeenSchool #MoreThanASchool #GrowTogetherThriveAsOne #Mavericks #LearnerLeadership

Warmest regards,

Mr. James Batts

Nadeen School Principal

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With more than 35 years of experience in education, inclusion, and school leadership,
Ms Suzanne Rodricks brings a wealth of knowledge, expertise, energy, and warmth to her
role as Head of Primary. Throughout her extensive career, she has remained deeply
committed to creating learning environments where every child feels known, valued,
respected, and encouraged to reach their full potential. Her approach to education is
rooted in the belief that children learn best when they feel safe, supported,
confident, and inspired to explore the world around them.
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Ms Suzanne is passionate about developing joyful, inclusive, and nurturing school
communities where every child is given the opportunity to flourish academically,
socially, emotionally, and personally. She places strong emphasis on understanding
each child as an individual, recognising their unique strengths, interests, needs,
and aspirations. Through a balance of high expectations, encouragement, and meaningful
relationships, she strives to ensure that children develop not only the knowledge and
skills they need for their education, but also the confidence, curiosity, resilience,
and independence to succeed in the wider world.
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As a school leader, Ms Suzanne believes that strong relationships between children,
teachers, families, and the wider school community are fundamental to a successful
primary education. She works closely with staff to foster a culture of collaboration,
professional growth, and continuous improvement, while ensuring that the wellbeing
and individual development of every child remain at the heart of decision-making.
Her leadership is characterised by a genuine enthusiasm for learning and a strong
commitment to providing children with rich, engaging, and purposeful experiences.
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With her extensive experience and child-centred approach, Ms Suzanne continues to
inspire both students and colleagues, helping to shape a primary environment where
children are encouraged to be curious, courageous, compassionate, and confident
learners. She is proud to be part of a community that celebrates diversity, embraces
inclusion, and empowers every child to discover their strengths and achieve their
very best.
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