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Making it Real

As we move towards the end of term, one theme keeps popping up across everything happening at the College: students are taking what they learn and making it real.

It's there in our Business and Economics department, where KS3 students are running an enterprise as part of their studies; selling their products every Monday and Wednesday in the Desert Garden. It's in our Year 12 team winning the 'Blueprints for the Future' sustainability competition with designs that show how young people can contribute practical solutions for environmental challenges.

Making it real means applying knowledge in authentic contexts. Our BTEC Hospitality students visited the Arabian Tea House to experience traditional service first-hand. Sixth Form students completed professional qualifications - six earning their CISI Fundamentals in Finance credential, others gaining CPR certification through Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. These aren't theoretical exercises; they matter in the real world.

It's visible in our sports programme, where students competed across an average of 20 to 25 fixtures per week throughout Term 1. It's in our debate competitions, where students articulated complex arguments at both House level and the AIDEN Interschool Competition, finishing second overall. And it's in Vivan Panda reaching the final 10 (out of 400 students across the UAE) at the Next Gen World Majlis, tackling real urban challenges.

Students are also making it real through leadership and service. Progress Pop-Ups saw over 50 Sixth Form students supporting more than 100 KS3 students during Progress Weeks. Our Year 12 and 13 golfers volunteered at the DP World Tour, gaining Duke of Edinburgh hours while developing customer service and organisational skills. Pink Week, organised by Head Girl Shloka and her team, raised breast cancer awareness through education and community.

What strikes me about all of this is how naturally our students move between learning and doing. Year 12 Art student Xindi Huang curated a solo exhibition in Shanghai during half-term. Year 7 students explored mangrove conservation in Kalba, not just reading about ecosystems but kayaking through them. Year 8 Geography students created magazines about real-world environmental challenges, earning Earth House the competition prize.

Even our rewards system reflects this emphasis on action. As you'll read in this issue, aside from academic achievement, we routinely recognise and celebrate character, progress and values. Last year, 534 students received Prize Day medals, and 52,347 character rewards were logged across the College. 

Recognition matters because it reinforces the behaviours and qualities we value most: taking initiative, showing resilience, supporting others and making positive contributions.

As we head to the break, I'm energised by seeing our students use the knowledge they're gaining to compete, create, lead, serve and solve problems. 

That's what education should be: not preparation for life, but life itself, lived with purpose and impact.

Wishing you all an enjoyable and ‘real’ holiday!

Matthew Cotgrove
Headteacher

Shanghai Debut

Year 12 art student Xindi Huang spent her half-term break curating a solo exhibition of her own work in Shanghai; a remarkable achievement for a student artist.

The exhibition, entitled Mental Fatigue, featured oil paintings exploring burnout, anxiety, and the pressures of modern life. Xindi drew from personal experience and observation, creating work that invited viewers to pause and reflect on emotions many of us recognise but rarely articulate.

The exhibition space was designed to encourage exactly that: a moment to stop, look and connect with what the paintings were saying.

It's an impressive debut, and we are looking forward to seeing where Xindi's work goes next.

 

Business & Economics: A Department on the Move

The Business and Economics department is having its busiest term yet, with record numbers of students signing up for everything from enterprise clubs to international competitions.

KS3 Enterprise Club

The KS3 Enterprise Club has attracted more participants than ever before. Students have pitched ideas, secured approval, raised finance, and are now in full trading mode. Every Monday and Wednesday at second break, the Desert Garden becomes a pop-up marketplace where handmade jewellery, funky socks, stickers and fidget toys change hands. The energy and commitment have been remarkable.

Desconomic Review

Students are currently drafting articles for the Desconomic Review, developing their analytical writing skills while tackling real-world business and economic issues.

Investors Club

Forty students have joined the Investors Club, learning how markets work and tracking stocks and trends.

Business & Economics Society

The Society continues to generate lively debate, with student-led presentations on current affairs, economic theories and business innovations.

Wharton Global High School Investment Competition

A team of students is competing in the Wharton Global High School Investment Competition, hosted by the University of Pennsylvania. They are managing a virtual investment portfolio, developing strategy and preparing professional reports while competing internationally.

IEOx Essay Challenge

Kushal Pagarani in Year 12 is taking part in the IEOx Essay Challenge, exploring global issues through an economics and business lens as part of this International Economics Olympiad-linked competition.

FT Student Advocate Programme

Mohammed Yahya Faruqui and Anahita Hundekari have been selected for the Financial Times Student Advocate Programme. As advocates, they will promote news literacy, complete monthly leadership tasks and collaborate with students globally while developing communication, organisation and public speaking skills.

The department's culture of enterprise and intellectual curiosity is flourishing, giving students practical experience in leadership, communication and critical thinking alongside their studies.

From Apps to Objects: KS5 at Dubai Design District 

In November, Year 12 and 13 students took part in a workshop at the Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation (DIDI). The session, From Apps to Objects: Reimagining AI in Physical Form, challenged students to transform popular apps into speculative physical prototypes, strengthening their creativity, critical making and innovation skills.

Students also gained insight into future academic pathways through talks from university lecturers on design and technology study options at third level.

The Great DESSbate and AIDEN Debate Competition

In October, the DESS Theatre hosted the annual House Debate Competition: The Great DESSbate. Students from Sky, Coast, Desert, and Earth Houses debated various topics, demonstrating reasoning, collaboration and persuasive skills.

Congratulations to the winning Houses: Sky (Year 7), Desert (Year 8), and Earth (Year 9).

Three KS5 students also represented DESS College at the AIDEN Debate Interschool Competition this term. Judged by professionals from Reid UAE and HP, Emaan, Umaima and Anahita competed across three rounds and finished second overall. Strong work against tough competition.

Pink Week Brings the Sixth Form Together (In Style)

October's Pink Week brought the Sixth Form together to raise awareness of breast cancer, organised by Head Girl Shloka and her student team.

Throughout the week, students visited informative stands offering facts, support resources and personal stories. Tutor time activities encouraged reflection and conversation. All Sixth Form girls attended a keynote with guest speaker Dr Sheetal Bhambani, learning about prevention and breast cancer awareness education.

The week finished with Diva Night, an evening of performances, laughter and solidarity. Singers took to the stage, popcorn was consumed, pink decorations were everywhere, and the atmosphere was excellent. It was entertainment with purpose, reminding everyone of the importance of support, awareness and community.

Celebrating UAE Flag Day across DESS 

In early November, DESS marked UAE Flag Day with celebrations across all three campuses: College, Oud Metha and Academic City.

The morning began with Arabic music at the gates, themed photo booths and cupcakes in the colours of the UAE flag. Students waved hand-held flags and posed with festive props.

In classrooms, students explored the significance of Flag Day through specially prepared presentations, learning about the UAE's history and the symbolism behind the national flag.

The flag-raising ceremony was led by Emirati students, with the National Anthem sung as the flag was raised across each campus.

Students then contributed to a collaborative art piece, adding thumbprints in flag colours to a shared canvas. The library hosted a pop-up corner featuring UAE stories.

Thanks to all staff, students and families who made the day work. Flag Day at DESS is a chance to honour Emirati heritage and remind students of the country that hosts our schools.

Breakfast with Heritage

Year 12 and Year 13 BTEC Hospitality students visited the Arabian Tea House in Dubai, experiencing traditional Arabic hospitality and authentic Middle Eastern cuisine first-hand.

The trip served multiple curriculum purposes. Year 13 students explored customer service practices, while Year 12 students gathered material for their Events in Hospitality unit. Both groups drew inspiration for their Asian Cuisine unit, which feeds into the practical work of planning, preparing and cooking dishes for their BTEC course.

Students saw how the Arabian Tea House preserves Emirati culinary heritage through its service style, ambience and cultural presentation. The breakfast menu showcased the diversity of regional cuisine, giving students a clear example of how traditional flavours and hospitality customs work together.

The visit has energised preparations for the department's ninth annual luncheon event, where students will showcase their own culinary skills. It is a practical example of how experiential learning strengthens hospitality education.

Mangroves, Kayaks, and Year 7 in Action

Year 7 spent two days of RISE week at the mangroves in Umm Al Quwain, swapping textbooks for kayaks and getting hands-on with coastal ecosystems.

Expert guides introduced students to the hidden world of mangroves, explaining how the tangled roots protect coastlines from erosion, act as carbon sinks, and provide nurseries for fish species. Watching students connect this to classroom discussions about climate change and coastal flooding made the trip worthwhile before we had even hit the water.

Team-building games gave students a chance to build new friendships and practice cooperation and communication; skills just as important as any academic subject and central to our RISE values.

Then came the kayaking. As students paddled through the serene, shaded tunnels of the mangrove forest, the outside world disappeared, only to be interrupted by screams of laughter (and occasional anguish) as they battled with their peers. Navigating the waterways required responsibility, teamwork, and a fair bit of resilience, especially when a little water got involved!

The entire Year 7 cohort represented the school brilliantly. Their behaviour was excellent, their curiosity infectious, and their positive attitudes never wavered.

It is a reminder that some of the best lessons happen outside the classroom. Students returned with a greater appreciation for the local environment and stronger bonds as a year group. Well done Year 7 - let's carry this spirit forward.

Book Competition

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Geography Gets Creative

Year 8 Geography Magazine Competition

Year 8 spent Term 1 exploring Development in Geography, looking at why some countries are wealthier than others, how the development gap can be closed, and the challenges that come with progress.

The unit finished with a focus on the environmental impacts of development, and students created their own geographical magazines for a house competition. Topics included the shrinking of the Aral Sea, pollution in China and India and overfishing in the North Sea; examples that showed how economic growth affects the planet and why sustainable choices matter.

Each class nominated a winning group, which Mrs Lee then judged. The standard was high, but Earth House took the overall prize for their clear research, strong presentation, and geographical flair.

Earth House leader Jasmine-Lily Mattison presented the award to the team.

It was a creative way to end the topic and gave Year 8 the chance to engage with real-world issues. Well done to all who took part.

Dune Production

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Tomorrow's World Comes to DESS (With a Reminder About Today)

Year 7 watched Dune Productions perform Tomorrow's World at DESS College, exploring how artificial intelligence might shape the future while keeping one idea front and centre: human connection remains our most powerful tool, even in a world of algorithms and automation.

The session encouraged students to think about how they can contribute to a future where innovation is guided by integrity, reflecting the UAE's emphasis on using technology responsibly and ethically across sectors including education.

Thanks to the performers, especially Karim, for offering our students valuable food for thought.

Sustainability

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Building a Sustainable Future (and Winning While Doing It)

A Year 12 team of nine students won the mid-November Blueprints for the Future competition, beating seven other Dubai schools at the St Regis, The Palm.

Students were asked to design and build a model home using Bildits kits, incorporating sustainability features like energy efficiency and eco-friendly materials. They also tackled problem-solving challenges that tested their ability to innovate and collaborate under pressure.

Judges praised the team's approach to sustainability and the energy they brought to the day. Their project showed how practical design thinking can contribute to environmental solutions.

Well done to the team for some really strong work and excellent representation of the College.

Progress Pop-Ups

Drop In, Level Up

Progress Pop-Ups have had a strong start this term, with over 100 KS3 students attending across three days in Term 1A, supported by more than 50 Sixth-Form volunteers.

These lunchtime drop-in sessions offer KS3 students revision help and exam guidance from KS4 and Sixth-Form peers during Progress Weeks. Students can get support in any subject and pick up strategies for managing academic pressure.

The sessions also provide space for older students to share personal experiences, revision tips and self-regulation techniques. It's peer support that goes beyond subject content.

Progress Pop-Ups return in Week 10B of Term 1B, ahead of Progress Week 2.

IAG Team: From CPR to Finance Qualifications to the DP World Tour

It has been a busy term for students exploring careers and developing real-world skills through workshops, guest speakers and professional qualifications.

Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi: CPR and Careers in Medicine

Students interested in medicine took part in a Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi Careers in Medicine Workshop, combining hands-on learning with life skills. Alongside exploring pathways into healthcare professions, students completed their CPR qualification, gaining both confidence and certification in an essential emergency skill.

 

01

Hoxton Wealth Trip: Careers in Financial Planning

Sixth Formers explored finance during a careers insight day with Hoxton Wealth, delivered in partnership with Squirrel Education. Students learned about wealth management, financial planning and global investment trends, hearing from experienced professionals. Six students successfully passed their CISI Fundamentals in Finance qualification, a professional credential recognised globally across the finance industry.

02

Aviation and Aerospace Society

Two Careers Champions and former students, Levi Matthysen and Yousef Farahat, spoke with our Aviation Society. Levi introduced Emirates Aviation University and discussed diverse aviation pathways, while Yousef shared his journey through Emirates Flight School Cadet training, providing insight into the selection process and life as a trainee pilot.

03

MedSoc Guest Speaker: A Career in Nursing

MedSoc students heard from former student Beth Cordery, now a Lead Operating Nurse within the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Unit in the NHS. Beth's presentation offered a look at the realities and rewards of nursing, emphasising the role nurses play within modern healthcare and the diverse career opportunities within the NHS.

04

DP World Tour Volunteering

Student golfers from Years 12 and 13 volunteered at the DP World Tour as static and walking marshals. Their contribution supported the smooth running of the tournament and counted towards Duke of Edinburgh volunteering hours. The experience helped students develop transferable skills such as customer service, resilience, patience and organisation while representing the College professionally.

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Year 7 Meets "The Octopus"

Forty-one Year 7 students visited the Royati Family Society to watch The Octopus, a show that uses storytelling to explore AI and internet misuse.

Through four scenarios, students saw how technology can go wrong when used carelessly, and what smarter choices look like. The show wrapped up with a dance session featuring students and the main character, which went down well.

It's digital citizenship education with a bit more energy than the usual classroom approach.

Shining Brightly in the Dubai Maths Superleague

Our mathematicians competed in the opening rounds of the Dubai Maths Superleague this term, with Year 11 and Year 8 teams taking on some of the toughest problem-solving challenges in the school calendar.

Year 8 at JESS Arabian Ranches

Year 8 competed at JESS Arabian Ranches, where the atmosphere was fast-paced from the start. After a warm-up round, DESS College Red (Reyansh, Tandie, Natasha and Amane) held a strong position through Rounds 2 and 3.

The final round was a relay combining speed and accuracy. With one team member navigating a crowded room to deliver questions under time pressure, DESS College Red scored 28 out of 32 and secured a top 10 finish.

DESS College Blue (Herbie, Naitik, Muhammed and Siddhant) showed determination throughout, finishing 26th among 47 teams.

Both competitions gave students the chance to collaborate with peers from other schools while testing their mathematical skills under pressure. It's the kind of challenge that builds confidence and shows mathematics as something more than textbook exercises.

Thanks to Dubai College and JESS Arabian Ranches for hosting, and congratulations to all our students who competed.

Year 11 at Dubai College

The Year 11 team competed at Dubai College, working through rounds that tested logic, strategic reasoning and analytical thinking. In teams of four, students tackled puzzles, code-breaking exercises and real-world scenarios that required clear communication and creative problem-solving.

Among approximately 40 teams, our representatives (Yimo, Chinmay, Eshaal, Atkish, Haroon, Keenan, Trinesh and Toprak) finished 10th overall. Strong work in a competitive field.

 

DESS College Sports Round-Up

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Unified BTEC Events

Our BTEC students hosted unified sports events, bringing together schools from across Dubai. It was impressive to see our students facilitate these inclusive competitions.

House Swimming Gala

The annual House Swimming Gala delivered strong performances from Year 7 through to Year 13. Always a Term 1 highlight.

DASSA Rugby 7s

Organised by Mr Cliffe, the DASSA Rugby 7s involved every rugby-playing school in Dubai. Over two days at three separate venues (including DESS College), more than 400 DESS rugby players participated. It is a massive undertaking that demonstrates the staff and student commitment to growing the game.

Youth 7s Festival

Our U13 and U15 teams performed well in netball and cricket. The U13 cricket team reached the finals and the U15 netball squad advanced to the final stages.

BSAK Tournament Highlights

The BSAK tournament produced several standout results:

  • U13 Boys Football won the entire competition
  • Senior Girls Netball lost the final by a single goal after a competitive match
  • U19 Rugby featured strongly, building momentum ahead of the Dubai 7s

A Busy Fixture Calendar

This term has averaged 20 to 25 fixtures per week across Dubai. Highlights include:

  • Senior and U16 Basketball for boys and girls
  • Senior Water Polo matches
  • Football fixtures for boys and girls across multiple age groups and levels (over 500 players)
  • Touring teams in rugby and netball, providing international-level competition
  • Multiple swimming galas
  • Hard-ball late-night cricket fixtures

DASSA Cross Country Relays

Our athletes also competed in the DASSA Cross Country Relays, adding to the term's sporting calendar.

Looking Ahead

These achievements contribute to the Dubai 30x30 initiative, promoting fitness and wellbeing across the city. 

Thanks to staff, students and families for supporting such a packed sporting schedule.

Making History at the Dubai 7s:

Record Teams, Record Results

Well, how about that for a weekend built on legacy, family, belief and the power of sport to shape great people.

Unmatched Representation

We fielded 4 U19 Rugby Teams, 3 U19 Netball Teams, 1 U15 Netball Team, a U19 Cricket Team (competing in the Men's Social League for the first time), a U14 Paddle Team, plus DESS Old Boys Rugby and Old Girls Netball. I think we can all agree that this was so much more than sport. It was a celebration of the DESS family, past and present, coming together to create something special.

Netball: Our Strongest Performance Ever

This year marked the most successful netball campaign in the College’s history at the Dubai 7s.

Our U19 Girls A Team won nine consecutive matches to reach the Youth Open Final as the top team in the UAE, narrowly losing to an invitational South African side. Their ability to compete under pressure and make outstanding decisions was a beacon for all our teams in every sport.

Our U19 Girls B Team reached the semi-finals of the Plate competition. Our U19 Girls C Team won the Plate in the Gulf Youth Aspire division. Our U15 Team secured victory in their 3rd/4th playoff.

With multiple finals, titles and dominant performances, this was a netball weekend to celebrate and a real legacy moment for us.

Cricket Achievements

Our U13 Team reached the final, finishing as runners-up after a series of superb performances. Our U19 Team made history by competing in the Men's Social League, the only school team in the competition, and won the Bowl after improving with every game.

Rugby Highlights

This year's rugby campaign was exceptional, with four U19 teams competing and producing some of the most memorable moments in DESS sporting history.

Girls Rugby: The A team reached the Cup Final; a thrilling match that had the entire stadium enthralled. Despite a narrow two-point loss, the quality of rugby was exceptional and a testament to the players' skill, character and determination. The B team claimed the Bowl title after a series of outstanding performances.

Boys Rugby: Both teams topped their groups, leading to an all-DESS semi-final; a first for the College. The A team snatched victory in the Cup Final’s dying seconds, while the B team won huge praise for their never-say-die display.

This level of performance across all teams reflects the depth of talent, the strength of belief and the family spirit that drives our rugby programme. More importantly, it shows how sport teaches perseverance, teamwork and leadership; qualities that last a lifetime.

Paddle Debut

Our U14 paddle team were also history-makers; winning the first-ever paddle event at the Dubai 7s. Another stand-out achievement and a sign of exciting opportunities ahead.

A Celebration of Legacy and Growth

From alumni teams to student squads, this year's Dubai 7s sporting festival showcased everything DESS College Sport stands for: legacy, family, belief and the power of sport to make great people. With record participation and outstanding results, the 2025 tournament will be remembered as one of our finest sporting achievements, a moment where generations came together to create history and inspire the future.

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Mind Matters in 3D

KS4 psychology students marked World Mental Health Day on Friday 10th October by turning theory into art - literally.

For a department competition, they created 3D models that visualised the complexities of emotional wellbeing. The brief was simple: take what you know about mental health and make it visible. The results were inventive, thoughtful, and genuinely striking.

It is psychology with a creative edge, and a reminder that understanding mental health doesn't always have to come from a textbook.

DESS Students Score Big at the Next Gen World Majlis (One Makes the Final 10)

Our students took part in the Next Gen World Majlis at Dubai Expo City, where young people get together to tackle challenges facing cities.

Out of 400 students across the UAE, four DESS students made it through Round 1, two went on to Round 2, and Vivan Panda made it all the way to Round 3, landing a spot in the final 10.

The competition asked students to think about real-world challenges: how do we make cities greener, improve wellbeing, boost biodiversity? Students worked through hands-on activities, explored Expo City, heard from various speakers, and took part in a mock majlis where they practiced collaborative dialogue and decision-making.

Well done to everyone who competed, and special congratulations to Vivan for making the final round.

London, The Last Post, and DESS Has Talent.

What a Term!

This half term has been busy for the Performing Arts department, with creativity, collaboration, and celebration at every turn.

Our bi-annual London Residential Trip saw 34 students from Years 10 to 13 and four staff members embark on a journey to the heart of British theatre. From the costume spectacle of The Devil Wears Prada; boasting a wardrobe worth over a million pounds, to the powerful performance of The Bacchae at the National Theatre, our students were immersed in world-class artistry. A backstage theatre tour and a stage combat workshop at Danceworks Studios added hands-on excitement, while the haunting harmonies of Hadestown left a lasting impression on everyone. Camden Market offered a taste of London's vibrant culture, and the energy soared during Live Aid, an evening that had everyone on their feet. The trip was made even more special by a surprise reunion with ten of our alumni, now thriving at top performing arts colleges and conservatoires.

Back home, our Chamber Choir gave a moving performance at the British Embassy's Remembrance Sunday service, with Mr Walton's rendition of The Last Post echoing through the ceremony. Our Marhaba morning, which centred around the department's Artsbridge programme, gave parents an insight into post-DESS pathways in the arts.

This term also saw the College take the stage at the inaugural Amp Awards hosted by Safa Community College. Our talented student band Creeparz and solo artist Zialla represented us proudly in this exciting addition to Dubai's music scene.

The Winter Festival wrapped the term in festive cheer, with Christmas stalls, seasonal treats, and a joyful Winter Music Concert that brought our community together in celebration.

We closed the term with the ever-popular DESS Has Talent, this year launched online and featuring numerous outstanding performances filmed for the vote. They showcased the passion and dedication that define our department and created a fitting digital finale to an inspiring term. We can't wait to see what the new year brings!

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Partnering with Sparkle (and Raising AED91,254 Along the Way)

This year, we partnered with the Sparkle Foundation and welcomed a team of Sparkle representatives to lead one of our popular Marhaba Mornings, during which parents had a chance to learn more about the cause.

As part of this partnership, we have created a new leadership role and filled it with Charity Champions; students who raise awareness, organise fundraising events and drive initiatives throughout the year, working alongside our Sparkle parent volunteer group and teacher Sparkle volunteer group.

One of the highlights was the Steps for Sparkle Desert Walk, where DESS College students teamed up with Year 6 students from Oud Metha and Academic City to walk through the desert to gain an understanding of the 8km that students in Malawi walk to school. We also completed gratitude chains and wrote postcards to Malawi.

The fundraising efforts have been impressive, with our first non-uniform day raising AED91,254 and the DESS Gives Back Fayre providing further opportunities for students to donate to a festive non-school uniform day, play carnival games, and buy items from our Charity Champions, with all donations going to the Sparkle Foundation.

 

New Section

Though a fresh new learning environment with modern facilities and lots of space, DESS Academic City will never become a 3-18 ‘through-school giant’. Instead, it will extend the DESSC family to three standalone schools each with their own entrance/exit points and all playing a role in making sure our next 60 years are as successful and achievement packed as the first 60, which we have been so proud to celebrate recently.

As we move through the various preparatory processes towards the start of construction, timelines and deadlines will be confirmed in good time for you to make the best choice for your child/children and family. Updates will be frequent and meaningful, and more information will be added to this page when it is available.