Some are leaving home and school communities, some are staying while friends leave and some are unsure of what exactly the future may hold. Whether you are staying within Dubai and our school community or moving on or do not yet know which way life may take you, we hope you are thinking back on your time with us with fondness, enjoying the time you have left and looking forward with curiosity, trusting what this next year may bring.
On a personal note, I am finding my way through it too. I am so grateful to have been part of our school community and this senior leadership team. It’s an amazing school and I’ve loved every minute of it. These past few months, I have been overwhelmed by the kindness, compassion and commitment of everyone in our school community. We were all teachers and we were all students, invested in learning, making mistakes and rising to meet new challenges. We were open-minded risk-takers, reflective and incredibly caring. It seemed there were new and deeper connections made through the disconnection created by the site closure. It turns out who we are is not in the school, it is in us no matter where we are in the world. Conversations seemed more personal and everyone made an effort to go the extra mile to reach out to one another. It leaves me in awe and wonder of who we chose to be as a community during a challenging time.
I hope you are also feeling ready to look ahead to the new adventures that await you. I know as I look ahead I see a highly competent and confident GWA Elementary Leadership and teaching teams ready for whatever next year may bring. I have complete confidence in how far they will go to ensure you and your families are happy, healthy and safe, while supporting and challenging children in their learning.
As many know, Kristen and I have worked closely over many years and have made special efforts to align ourselves in leading the elementary school together as an integrated whole this past year. She will be the one to lead forward, uniting the community with her professionalism and sense of humor.
Please take care of yourselves and each other, make the most of your summer holidays and all the best to you in future.
Air hugs and high fives to all,
Cheryl Murree