Dear Ash Mount Community,
The weather has finally broken, and it is now a real pleasure to spend more time on our school site in Mudon — and to enjoy a coffee from the community centre nearby. If you see me there, please do come and say hello; I am always keen to meet members of our community. These are exciting days, filled with conversations about how every part of Ash Mount School will be centred on students and their learning. From the classrooms to the specialist facilities, to the circulation and relaxation areas, we are choosing the best materials aligned with international programmes and designed to reflect our values: learn with purpose, live with compassion, lead with courage.
It is inspiring to work alongside architects and designers with international experience, as well as our on-site project team. Even the movement of light throughout the day — the patterns, shadows, and pockets of shade — has been thoughtfully considered to support wellbeing and meet the highest platinum sustainability standards. I find it especially exciting to see how light will fill our sports facilities, music rooms, science labs, and drama studios; spaces that will shape so much of our students’ school experience. I am visiting regularly and look forward to sharing further updates as the build progresses.
We are also preparing for another milestone: opening admissions for our very first cohort of students. It is particularly rewarding to already be meeting with families, including children from our outstanding sister school, Victory Heights Primary School, who may be among the first to join us.
This week I also had the pleasure of meeting with Deepika Walian, who brings a wealth of International Baccalaureate experience. Our discussion on interdisciplinary learning was a powerful reminder of how an IB education prepares students not only for academic achievement but also for life, work, and the world beyond school. It is always energising to meet passionate educators — and equally inspiring to connect with experienced teachers and leaders eager to be part of our founding team at Ash Mount.
As we continue on the theme of new beginnings, I want to pause this week on the subject of friendships. For many children, the first weeks of a new school year are filled with the excitement — and sometimes the nerves — of making new friends.
- For our Pre and KG learners, friendship is often about play. Families can help by encouraging simple phrases like “Can I join in?” or by reading stories together about sharing and kindness.
- In Grades 1–5, friendships become more defined. Supporting your child to talk about their day, celebrate small moments, and consider how their friends may have felt helps them build empathy and resilience.
- For our secondary students, friendships are closely linked to identity. Parents can support by listening without judgement and acknowledging their feelings: “It sounds like that really mattered to you.” Encouraging new activities or clubs can also open doors to fresh connections.
Friendships can sometimes change or end, and while that can feel difficult, it also helps children build resilience. By helping them name their emotions and showing that change can bring growth, we give them the language and courage to move forward positively. Taking time to share your own friendship highs and lows can also be powerful — children learn as much from your real-life examples as they do from your guidance.
As the third week of the school year closes for many families in Dubai, may these early conversations — just like the scrapbook photos of the first days — become memories that children will look back on with pride.
Warm regards,
Abigail Fishbourne
Founding Principal, Ash Mount School