Dear Nadeen Family,
As we approach the end of Term 2, I want to take a moment to express my gratitude to everyone who makes our school such a special place. To our incredible team here at Nadeen, thank you, as always, for your dedication, passion, and unwavering commitment to supporting our learners as they continue to grow, shine, and thrive. To our wonderful parent community, your ongoing support, encouragement, and partnership are deeply appreciated. And to the Friends of Nadeen, thank you for all that you do to enrich the life of our school.
I also want to thank the heart of our community, our learners. Thank you for being your wonderfully unique selves. I absolutely love getting out into the corridors, collaborative areas, and around the school just to see you in action, it’s what school life is all about. Whether it’s a high five, a quick chat, or a surprise visit to my office, these moments are always the highlight of my day.
This week, Year 3 and 4 enjoyed incredible adventure trips to Zallaq with Arabian Adventures. From archery and sensory trails to team-building challenges and command tasks, the children embraced the outdoors with courage and enthusiasm. These experiences are not only fun but also powerful opportunities to develop collaboration, communication, resilience, and perseverance.
On Sunday and Tuesday, our Under 11 and Under 13 football teams represented Nadeen brilliantly at tournaments in Hamala, organised by 24N. The passion and commitment shown by all players were a credit to the school. I have to say though watching the football on Saturday the parents and staff certainly turned up to win that competition. Thank you to all that attended #fierce
Our badminton teams were also in action this week on Monday (Under 13) and Wednesday (Under 15). We hosted the Under 13 girls’ tournament at Nadeen, while the boys competed at ARKIS. Special congratulations to Ali Sabaa and Bingcheng, who earned silver medals for the boys, and to Laya and Joni, who did the same for the girls. What an achievement!
Saturday saw members of our community take part in the Race Against Dementia event at the Bahrain International Circuit, in collaboration with the British Embassy Bahrain. Whether you ran, walked, or scooted, your presence and support meant a lot. A huge thank you to everyone who attended, and yes, our Nadeen Wolf mascot was a big hit! But the mystery remains… who is behind the mask?
In this week’s reflection, I want to shine a light on a cause close to our hearts, animal welfare in Bahrain, particularly the incredible work of the Bahrain Animal Rescue Centre (BARC) and the BSPCA, both of which rely heavily on community support to continue their life-changing work.
Yesterday, Ms. Shanee (who really enjoyed the painting aspect) and I had the privilege of joining Ms. Rien and four of her incredible Year 10 learners, Denica, Aisha, Leia, and Diego, at BARC to paint a mural and support the dedicated team there. When I arrived, the learners were already inside playing with the cats, showing such empathy, kindness, and joy. It was one of those magical moments that truly reminded me of the compassionate spirit we nurture at Nadeen.
The visit was both inspiring and emotional. Seeing so many animals in need of a loving home tugged at all our heartstrings. That evening, I found myself speaking about the experience at an embassy event, sharing the importance of these organisations in our community. BARC was founded to help reduce the stray animal population in Bahrain and to ensure animals are no longer left to suffer due to heat, neglect, or injury. Likewise, the BSPCA continues to do vital work across the island, offering shelter, veterinary care, and rehoming services for countless animals in need. Both organisations rely on donations, volunteers, and awareness to continue making a difference.
So I wonder: can we, the Nadeen community, step in to help?
Whether it’s by volunteering your time, donating supplies or funds, or even considering rehoming one of the many animals in their care, every gesture of support matters.
BARC website: https://www.visitbarc.com/
BSPCA website: https://www.bspca.org/
Together, we can extend our values of kindness and compassion far beyond our school walls and into the wider community.
I would like to inform you of a leadership change in our Primary section. Mr. Danny Mellor has made the difficult decision to step down from his role due to personal reasons, which he feels would prevent him from serving at the high standard we expect at Nadeen. We are immensely grateful for the positive impact he has had at Nadeen in such a short time. Though he is leaving his post, he remains a valued friend of the school, and we all wish him the very best. At the same time, I am pleased and excited to welcome Ms. Lianne Greenall as his successor. Lianne is a highly experienced educator and senior leader, currently serving as Director of Education for Lyndiate Learning Trust in the UK, with a strong background in roles such as Head of School with GEMS Education and advisory positions in school improvement. She is a driven educator, passionate about excellence in outcomes for learners, but equally understands the power of connection. I have no doubt she will embrace the Nadeen Way and quickly become an integral part of our school family. Lianne will be joining the leadership team alongside Mr. Paul as one of my Vice Principals, and we are excited to welcome her to Nadeen.
”I’m thrilled to be joining the wonderful Nadeen School community. From everything I’ve seen and heard, it’s a school full of heart, where children are at the centre of everything and can truly thrive – exactly the kind of school I want to be a part of. I’m really looking forward to meeting the children, staff, and families that make Nadeen such a special place!”
There will be a further letter from Ms. Lianne the week after the break as she prepares to be with us by May 4th.
Please make sure to mark your calendars with these exciting upcoming events! On April 19th, don’t miss the Run for Autism, Exhibition World Bahrain followed by the Ocean of Hope Blue Colour run for Autism Awareness on April 25th, Lost Paradise of Dilmun. Then, bring your furry friends and join us for the Picnic and Pets event on April 26th, a perfect day for some sunshine and relaxation. Looking ahead, May 1st will be packed with fun at the School Wellness Fair and the TTF (Triathlete Factory) Run. Tickets for the May 1st events will go on sale starting tomorrow, so be sure to grab yours early!
Wishing you all a restful and enjoyable week.
Warm regards,
James Batts
Principal, Nadeen School
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