Primary Buzz - Celebrating Connections
Hello DESS Families - and welcome to your December 2025 newsletter!
Celebrating Connections: Highlights from this half term
As we come to the end of this second half of term, it’s wonderful to look back and celebrate the many moments that have brought our wonderful school community closer together. Our word of the year, Connect, has truly been at the heart of everything we have done; shaping learning, friendships, and the sense of belonging that makes DESS so special.
Noticing November was a great success in encouraging us all to pause and appreciate the small but powerful acts of kindness and effort happening every day. From children spotting positive choices to teachers highlighting growth, this focus on noticing has deepened the connections across our classrooms. Let’s keep ‘Seeing it. Saying it and Celebrating it!’
And who can forget Fist Bump Friday? These joyful moments have become a tradition that sparks smiles and laughter, reminding us that connection can be simple and fun as well as meaningful.
This newsletter is full of articles and photos showcasing the exciting learning, opportunities and events that have taken place over the past few weeks. From creative projects and performances to sporting achievements and community celebrations, I am incredibly proud of our children for their enthusiasm and achievements, and of our staff for their dedication and creativity in making these experiences possible.
Thank you, as always, for your unwavering support. Your partnership makes everything we do possible, and we are so grateful for the trust and encouragement you give us every day.
As we head into the winter break, we wish you and your families a safe, peaceful and joyful holiday season. We look forward to welcoming you back in the New Year for more learning, laughter and connection.
Best wishes
Tony Clarkson,
Headteacher
Junior Leadership Team
Meet the Junior Leadership Team: In Their Own Words
With student leadership positions filled and children taking on their new roles with such enthusiasm, the Junior Leadership Team wanted to introduce themselves and share their thoughts on what great leadership means and where they hope to make an impact this year.
Hello! My name is Aria Menon and I am a proud member of the Junior Leadership Team. I joined DESS Oud Metha in FS1 in 2018 and I am having the most amazing time at school. I have so many wonderful memories, from residential trips with my friends to being appointed to the JLT and hosting new parents at the Open Day.
To me, leadership means listening to others, supporting your team, taking responsibility and working together while leading by example. A good leader always helps others feel valued and makes choices that are fair and kind.
As a member of the Junior Leadership Team, I represent my school with pride and would like to be remembered as a fair, kind and thoughtful leader. I want to set a positive example for everyone and contribute to the school's social and sustainability initiatives. I am very excited to make a difference and help our school be the best it can be! Aria Menon, 6Y
Hello everyone, I am Anahita and I am very lucky and grateful that I am part of the JLT. I have been at DESS Oud Metha for seven years and it truly feels like a second home to me. I love the safe, friendly environment and all the amazing opportunities our school gives us every day. Over the years I have made lots of friends, and whenever I feel stuck my astonishing, helpful teachers are always there to guide and support me with their patience and care. But really my favourite thing about this school is the people in it and how our amazing DESS family is made, growing stronger each year.
I believe that great leadership is about being kind, helpful, supportive, and always ready to listen. Also a good leader makes sure everyone feels included and confident to share their ideas. This year I hope to bring positivity, teamwork and new ideas to the team. These are a few of my ideas that can help with our mental health: mindfulness mornings, colouring at break.
Anyway, thank you so much for this opportunity. I can't wait to learn, grow and achieve wonderful things! Anahita Shekhar, 6B
Hello, my name is Miran Shaheed and I am from Year 6 Green. I have been enrolled at DESS Oud Metha from FS1 and I can wholeheartedly say it has shaped me into the person I am today. What I believe makes a great leader is that the leader not only makes their own decisions but also listens to their fellow students' suggestions, making sure everyone's voices are heard and that everyone feels included. As a JLT member, I want to make a positive impact on the school by making it more inclusive so everyone plays a part regardless of their shortcomings. In conclusion, I believe what makes a good leader is someone who leads by example and is always ready to be a team player, manage and, if needed, take accountability for those who they are leading. Miran Shaheed, 6G
Hi, my name is Arahaan Dutta Roy and I am excited to be a part of the Junior Leadership Team this year. I joined DESS Oud Metha in FS1 and I have made so many great memories since then. Being chosen for the JLT feels like an opportunity to give back to my school that has helped me grow.
To me, great leadership means listening to others, being kind and setting a good example. A good leader also works well in a team and doesn't give up easily.
As a JLT member, I will try to create a school environment where everyone feels confident and comfortable to share their ideas. I also hope to organise fun activities that bring different classes together. I want to be someone that all my schoolmates can come to if they need any help or want to suggest something new.
I am looking forward to a great year on the JLT and making a meaningful difference. Arahaan Dutta Roy, 6Y
My name is Sienna Al-Samarrai and I am thrilled to be part of the DESS Oud Metha Junior Leadership Team this year. I joined DESS in Year 3 and, since then, I have made amazing memories from opportunities like playing the violin in Winter Concerts, pushing my boundaries on adventurous residential trips and cultural learning on National Days.
I think being a great leader involves being a good communicator and being able to collaborate well with other people. Great leaders are kind, responsible, confident and inclusive to ensure everyone in the team feels included.
During my time on the Junior Leadership Team, I aim to build on my skills learnt as Wellbeing Leader in Years 4 and 5 to help make all children continue to feel included and connected with each other. I also look forward to taking part in DESS events and meeting parents to tell them what a wonderful and unique place DESS is to learn. Sienna Al-Samarrai, 6Y
Hi everyone, my name is James, and I am a proud member of the Junior Leadership Team 2025. Let me tell you a little about myself. I'm 10 years old and in 6 Red. I have been at DESS Oud Metha since FS1, and I can't begin to tell you how much fun I've had over the years. At DESS I feel at home while being safe and comfortable with friends around me. One of the many reasons I love DESS is that I'm always busy taking part in lots of sports and music activities.
Being a member of the JLT is a great privilege to hold. I have enjoyed representing the school on many occasions including the Open Day we had last week. It is important to be a confident speaker, well-organised and focused, and to answer questions that people have about the school. I look forward to events in the future.
Keep your suggestions coming because I am always here to CONNECT with everyone as your school ambassador, to keep our school irresistible, and improve it even more! James McGrogan, 6R
Mangroves, Mountains, and Moonlit Hermit Crabs
Before half-term, Year 6 students headed to The Adventure Centre's new site in Kalba, nestled between the mountains to the west and the Arabian Sea to the east. They spent two days and nights exploring the mangroves and surrounding area at the Kingfisher Retreat.
The trip mixed water and land-based activities. Children visited the Kalba Mangrove and Al Hefiayah Conservation Centres, learning about the fauna and flora endemic to the UAE's west coast and why mangroves matter globally. On the water, they developed their kayaking and canoeing skills, played games, and worked as a team on the giant stand-up paddleboard. With the camp based on Mangrove Conservation Island, they also tried mountain biking and had a go at orienteering.
After two busy days, children gathered for a campfire on the beach. October's full moon lit up the sand, and they watched thousands of hermit crabs scuttle across the shore.
For many, the highlight was staying in tents with friends. It was more glamping than camping, but the children still had enough energy after each day's activities to tell stories, share snacks, and have a laugh before lights out.
It was a trip that will stick in the memory, not just for the activities but for having the nature of Kalba as a classroom for a few days.
INVENT and INSPIRE: A Term of Creativity
This term, the heart of our learning has been powered by two of our IEI pillars: INVENT and INSPIRE. INVENT invites children to dream big, think creatively, and bring new ideas to life through curiosity, imagination and problem-solving. INSPIRE encourages them to look outward, to be role models, show kindness, take brave action and spark positive change in others.
In FS1, imagination has been running wild as children baked in the gingerbread bakery, invented new characters, built castles for princesses and created their own kind characters in the story-dough station. Friendship bracelets, storytelling and joyful role play have filled the classrooms with creativity and connection. Most recently, our FS2 inventors have been diving into the world of architecture with Iggy Peck, the Architect. They have been designing their own structures, comparing homes from Bedouin tents to modern buildings, and experimenting with bridges to discover what makes them stable and strong.
In Year 1, children became eco-champions in action, showcasing how they reduced, recycled and reused through vibrant collages made from recycled materials, bags created from old T-shirts, shimmering salt-dough shells inspired by their learning and bold posters packed with powerful messages. It all culminated in a red-carpet finish where our young change-makers shared their story with the wider community.
Year 2 have thrown themselves into their INSPIRE journey with enthusiasm, letting powerful stories ignite their creativity, courage, and self-belief. They stepped into Mary Anning's world through The Fossil Hunter, crafting their own fossils and uncovering the magic of discovery. Through The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark, they explored what bravery looks like, dreaming up imaginative ways to help the Owl move more confidently. And with Godfrey the Frog, they became problem-solvers and teachers, inventing clever ways to demonstrate animal life cycles.
In Year 3, the magic of Walt Disney has been sparking bold creative thinking. The children explored where these imaginative worlds began and challenged themselves to invent their own. After diving into Disney's history, they designed original characters, crafted their own stories, built vibrant settings, and even produced short, animated films using Stop Motion. With Disney films rooted in fairytales, this learning has linked beautifully with their Literacy work, allowing their creativity and storytelling skills to shine in every direction.
In Year 4, the children have thrown themselves into their Lights, Camera, Action! project with creativity and teamwork. They explored scriptwriting, sound effects, set design and performance, making key decisions at every stage to shape their production. All this hard work came together in their final show, The Great Chocolate Challenge, where the children showcased their talents, confidence, and collaboration on stage. It was a joyful celebration of their imagination and the magic they created together.
Year 5 have been exploring how attractions are invented to solve real-world challenges. They investigated the science behind rollercoaster design, considered how theme parks support accessibility needs, examined the technologies that enhance visitor experiences and analysed how attractions prepare for natural disasters. They also explored migration: how animals move to create safari parks and how people have moved towards cities and major attractions over time. It has been a fascinating journey into innovation.
Year 6 have taken INVENT to an impressive new level, drawing on The City of Ember to design and build their own escape-room adventures for their parents. From abandoned theme parks to haunted manor houses, the children created multi-layered puzzles that required critical thinking, collaboration and a huge dose of imagination. Their immersive experiences showcased both their creativity and their ability to engineer challenges that truly made their audiences think.
As we come to the end of this vibrant term of learning, it's clear that INVENT and INSPIRE have sparked something special across our school. From our youngest architects and storytellers to our oldest puzzle-designers and filmmakers, the children have shown curiosity, creativity, and real joy for learning. The ideas they have explored, the challenges they have embraced and the connections they have made remind us of the remarkable things that happen when imagination leads the way.
What's Next: A Term of Discovery
As the cool winter weather settles in, we're launching the EXPLORE strand of our curriculum: a season of big questions, bold curiosity and learning that stretches beyond the classroom. Our outdoor spaces are ready to come alive, with windows and doors thrown open as children venture into nature, inquiry and hands-on discovery.
The weeks ahead bring the kind of experiences that make Oud Metha buzz with anticipation: the Year 6 Primary Ski Trip, House Day, the Hadith Star Competition and the Bookworm Book Fair. We're also looking ahead to major sporting moments with the BSME Netball and Football Tournaments, followed by our Sports Days, where teamwork, energy and DESS spirit will be on full display.
We're preparing for cherished community highlights too: International Day, one of the most joyful celebrations of the year, and the Year 2 Production, where our young performers will take to the stage. All of this sets the scene before a fresh cycle of lessons and new ECA opportunities begins.
With adventure, creativity and connection woven through every moment, we're looking forward to a term filled with discovery and joy.
Performing Arts: A Term of Music, Dance and Drama
The Performing Arts Department has been rockin' this term, as was evident in the recent Winter Concert and various showcases that took place in a very twinkly Latifa hall.
Over 200 children from a range of ECAs including Rock Band, Orchestra, Unplugged, Guitar Group, Samba, Choir, Dance and soloists took to the stage during the Winter Concert and dazzled the audience with their dance, drama and music skills. The depth of performances and the standard the children performed was exceptional.
One group that deserves a special mention is the DESS Oud Metha Orchestra. At present, there are 42 children playing in this ensemble, many of whom began learning their instrument in Year 3 during the orchestral module offered as part of our curriculum. We are extremely proud of these young players. Seeing children from across different year groups coming together and connecting through music has been a joy.
Dance at DESS this term has quite literally been poppin'. Mrs Cassidy's Dance Crews have been assisted by the brilliant Mrs Green, Miss Hopley and Mrs Hembry, all of whom have brought their own flair and individuality. We are super grateful for their support and look forward to learning some new moves in Term 2.
No term would be complete without hearing the singing voices of our younger children in the Latifa hall. As always, the Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 children delivered their repertoire with energy and passion. We definitely have some future stars singing among us.
We would like to thank the whole school community for their support this term. Mr Grenville and his team, alongside Mr Ren are, without doubt, honorary members of the Performing Arts Department. Maybe next term we will see them on stage too. Here's hoping!
Empowerment Week: Using Our Power for Good
We celebrated Empowerment Week this term with the theme 'Power for Good,' reminding children that everyone can make a positive difference through their words, actions, and the way they treat others.
The week kicked off with Odd Sock Day, where children and staff wore their brightest mismatched socks to celebrate what makes us unique. Throughout the week, Student Wellbeing Leaders ran breaktime stalls focused on kindness, gratitude and self-belief. Children wrote Kindness Postcards and Power Pledges and added links to our Kindness Chain.
Our reflection assembly celebrated how the DESS community uses its power for good every day by living our school value of Connecting, building strong, caring relationships and lifting each other up.
Small actions, big impact. That's what Empowerment Week is all about.
PE & Sport
PE & Sport: What a Term!
What a way to end Term 1. Our DESS Oud Metha children have been bursting with energy, showcasing outstanding skills, enthusiasm and pride in their PE lessons, out on the sporting pitch and in the pool. With the cooler weather rolling in, even more opportunities have opened for them to shine - and shine they have! The following round-up captures just some of the term’s achievements and events.
Term 1 DASSA Football
Our Years 3 to 6 football teams have wrapped up a strong season in the DASSA Football League. Every player demonstrated outstanding character, desire and commitment throughout the competition. It has been inspiring to witness their growth, not only as teams but as individuals, showing resilience, teamwork, and a genuine love for the game.
Our Year 5A and 6A Football teams secured the League trophies for the DASSA North/East division. They then competed in the DASSA finals, where our Year 5 footballers came third place overall. A strong achievement considering the number of teams competing and the standard of football in Dubai.
On behalf of all our coaches, thank you and well done to every player for making this such a successful year for football for us all to enjoy.
Swimming
Term 1 has been a season of progress and proud moments across our entire swim squad. Both our A-Team and B-Team secured third place finishes in their league events.
A major milestone was taking 33 swimmers from DESS Oud Metha and DESS Academic City to the DASSA Individual Cup to race as one DESS Primary. Special congratulations to Aanya (Year 6), who brought home two silver and one bronze medal.
We are especially proud of the improvement shown by swimmers of all levels. From stronger technique to smarter racing, the squad has taken big steps forward together, ready to take on Term 2.
T100 Aquathlon
On Friday 14th November, 27 of our Years 4 to 6 students took part in the T100 Schools Aquathlon, an event that combined sea swimming and running. For most of the children, it was their first experience competing in open water and they approached the challenge with confidence and enthusiasm.
An extra special mention goes to our Year 4 student, Zhiqing, who achieved second place in her age group. Well done to all who represented our school and thank you to the families who came along to cheer them on.
Primary Netball
This term has been an exciting and rewarding one for our Primary Netball squads. Across all year groups, players have shown tremendous commitment, enthusiasm, and a real willingness to grow. From early-morning training sessions to competitive fixtures, every team member has demonstrated improvement in both their skills and understanding of the game.
Our Competitive and Development squads have enjoyed a busy calendar of matches, taking part in numerous fixtures and tournaments. They have achieved excellent results while having great fun representing the school.
Season highlights:
Year 3A finished second in the DASSA League Final. Their progress this term has been outstanding.
Year 5A finished third in the DASSA League Final and topped their league undefeated. This talented group has shown real determination.
U11 secured third place out of eight schools at the Dubai College Sevens Tournament, with every player giving 100% effort.
It's been a highly successful term for netball, and we look forward to seeing the players continue to grow next term.
Dubai College 7s Rugby Tournament
Our Under-11 Rugby team took part in the Dubai College 7s Rugby Tournament on Saturday 22nd November. They came out strong in their opening game against Nord Anglia School, scoring straight from the kick-off after an excellent run by Oscar Colberg.
Throughout the pool stages, the team played with great determination and secured second place in the pool. This set up a tough quarterfinal against Arcadia, who ultimately went on to win the tournament. After a spirited performance, we progressed to the Plate competition, where we beat JESS Jumeirah and Repton Al Barsha to be crowned Plate Champions.
A special mention must go to Year 5 student Alex Liebenberg, who played in every match on the day and showcased his skills against many Year 6 opponents.
Well done to all the boys and girls who played and represented us with such pride and commitment, and congratulations on winning the 2025 Plate Trophy.
Gaelic Football
This term, 19 students from Years 5 to 6 challenged themselves by taking on a brand-new sport, as they represented us at a Gaelic Football tournament hosted by Safa Community School. For many of our boys and girls, it was their very first taste of Gaelic Football, and the morning offered an opportunity to learn the rules, practice new skills and experience a new style of team sport.
After a brief introduction to the game, the children took part in five friendly matches against teams from other schools. Each game was played with great enthusiasm, teamwork and sportsmanship. It was fantastic to see the pupils growing in confidence as the morning progressed, trying new positions, encouraging one another and celebrating every improvement.
Congratulations to our Players of the Day, Theo Madden and Alex Liebenberg, who showed outstanding effort, skill and determination throughout the tournament.
Special recognition also goes to our Most Improved Players of the Day: Willow McClurg, Woody McClurg and Zach Eckersley, each of whom demonstrated remarkable progress and a positive attitude from the first whistle to the last.
Well done to all of the children who took part. You represented us brilliantly.
Year 6 Sports Leaders Start Their New Role
Our Year 6 Sports Leaders have officially begun their roles this half-term, and they've already made a strong impact. They have supported our FS1 and FS2 PE lessons with energy, responsibility and enthusiasm, helping to create fun and engaging experiences for our youngest learners.
They have also shown initiative in organising activities, encouraging younger students, and acting as positive role models across the school. We are proud of their dedication and teamwork, and we look forward to seeing them continue to grow throughout the year.
Celebrating UAE Flag Day across DESS
Early last month, 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.
Celebrating Languages: Welcome
Mrs Rebecca Irving
Big news from the Modern Foreign Languages department: for the first time in DESS Oud Metha’s history, Spanish has joined the curriculum.
This year, pupils from Years 3 to 6 will spend half the year learning French with Mr Jamin and the other half discovering Spanish with our new teacher, Mrs Rebecca Irving. It's a dual-language approach that broadens linguistic horizons and deepens cultural understanding.
Mrs Irving brings years of experience teaching Primary and Secondary students in international schools across Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Her lessons are already proving popular, with children embracing Spanish enthusiastically thanks to her creative and engaging teaching style.
Introducing Spanish at Oud Metha is a milestone for the school. Learning languages opens doors to new cultures and perspectives, and with French and Spanish side by side, our children have even more opportunities to explore. They can also continue this dual curriculum at College.
Please join us in welcoming Mrs Irving to DESS Oud Metha. Our children are embarking on a bilingual journey (or tri-lingual with Arabic), filled with curiosity, learning and fun.
¡Bienvenidos a la aventura del español en DESS!
Eid al Etihad: Celebrating 54 Years of Unity
We marked the UAE's 54 years of unity on Tuesday 25th November with a day exploring Emirati heritage and community.
Children arrived in traditional clothing or wearing the colours of the UAE flag. Our Arabic and Islamic team welcomed families at the gates with Arabic coffee and dates, while children queued for photos at the colourful booths set up near the entrance. The Junior Leadership Team wandered through the school with cameras and notebooks, interviewing parents and pupils about their experiences of life in the UAE.
The morning started with a whole-school assembly on the field. Children learned important words from the UAE National Anthem before everyone stood together to sing it.
Each child then visited two main areas during the day: the Heritage Village and the Arabic Fair. At the Heritage Village, they tasted freshly made luqaimat, met a falcon and watched traditional weavers at work. The Arabic Fair had activities like pin the tail on the camel and bracelet making, all run by our Arabic team and parent volunteers who kept things moving and made sure everyone had a go.
Back in classrooms, Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 children explored Arabic families, decorated kanduras and abayas and created henna-inspired designs. Key Stage 2 tried their hand at archery and pearl diving challenges, learned about majlis etiquette and studied Emirati and Arabic artists before creating their own artwork in similar styles.
It was a full day that brought children, parents and staff together to celebrate the UAE's heritage and values, fitting the 2025 theme of Year of Community.
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.
Moving Together: DESS Oud Metha Takes on Dubai 30x30
The past month has been full of energy as everyone at DESS Oud Metha embraced the Dubai 30x30 Fitness Challenge. We started with a launch event that set the tone for an active November.
Throughout the month, we enjoyed Parent and Child Walk Mornings, Burj-a-Day Class Challenges and Fitness Fridays. The enthusiasm from children, staff and parents was fantastic.
Our 30x30 Finale was a celebration of what we have achieved together. The challenge may have ended, but the habit of staying active continues.