Dear Ash Mount Community,
It’s hard to believe that October has already come to an end. What a month it has been, full of learning, connection, and progress both on site and behind the scenes.
Last week, I had the privilege of attending the IB Global Conference in The Hague, an inspiring gathering of educators from around the world. The theme for 2025, Our Humanity, Connected, resonated deeply with me. It reminded us that in a world of constant change, what truly matters in education is our shared humanity – empathy, self-awareness, curiosity, and hope. These are the values that connect us as global educators and guide us to prepare students not only for academic success but for life.
The conference was a powerful reminder of how important professional development is for teachers and school leaders. Great schools are learning communities, not just for students, but for everyone within them. Each time we invest in staff development, we enrich the whole school. When educators continue to grow, children benefit most.
Alongside my work at Ash Mount, I continue to be privileged to co-lead National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH) training at Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Awal School in Abu Dhabi, in partnership with Best Practice and the UK Department for Education. This week, I’ve been working with an incredible group of experienced principals and leaders from Abu Dhabi, Khor Fakkan, and Al Ain. Listening to their stories, sharing ideas, and reflecting together on what great leadership looks like is always a privilege. It reminds me that leadership, like teaching, is a journey of lifelong learning.
This week has also been a milestone for us at Ash Mount, as I’ve spent time working closely with our new Head of Primary and Head of Secondary. I can’t wait for you to meet them soon. They are both exceptional educators, bringing a wealth of experience across a range of international curricula, including the IB, and share our passion for inquiry-driven learning, wellbeing, and student agency. Their energy and vision will be such a gift to our founding team.
Meanwhile, our architects and builders have been hard at work on site, and each visit brings new excitement. The architects were with us again this week, walking the buildings, reviewing progress, and sharing in our anticipation. We are so fortunate to have a design team that truly understands education, professionals who see our school not just as a structure, but as a living, breathing environment for learning and wellbeing.
This week’s focus brings together the final two parts of our October theme, A School Designed for the Future:
- Technology, Innovation, and Human Connection – At Ash Mount, we believe that technology should enhance learning, not dominate it. Our aim is to teach students how to use technology creatively, responsibly, and with purpose. Innovation is not only about new tools; it’s about new thinking; encouraging curiosity, collaboration, and problem-solving. And while technology connects us across the world, we will always keep human connection at the centre of our classrooms. The relationships between teachers, students, and peers are what make learning meaningful.
- Wellbeing and Values at the Core – Everything we do at Ash Mount is guided by our vision: to learn with purpose, live with compassion, and lead with courage. Wellbeing is woven into every part of our design; from calm, light-filled classrooms and green outdoor spaces to the way we support children emotionally and socially. We want our students to feel safe to take risks, to grow in confidence, and to learn from both success and challenge. Education should shape the mind and the heart.
As October closes, I feel grateful for the progress we’re making, for the talented people joining our team, and for the incredible families who have already become part of the Ash Mount story.
Next month, our Voices of Ash Mount blogs will move into a new theme: Every Child, Every Voice exploring how we are building a school where every child is known, valued, and heard.
Thank you for following our journey as we continue to design Ash Mount with purpose, compassion, and courage deliberate by design in every sense.
Best wishes,
Abigail Fishbourne
Founding Principal, Ash Mount School
