RELATIONSHIPS|EXCELLENCE|ASPIRATION
IMPORTANTDATES
23Mar Term3begins
26-29May DayofArafat&Eid-Al-Adha
16Jun IslamicNewYear
3Jul AcademicYearEnds
*Datessubjecttochangeinaccordancetheministry’sannouncement
From the Office of the Principal
FROM MR. JAN
DearRahaGardensCommunity,
As I look back at Term2, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to our students, staff, and families for the dedication, spirit, and resilience shown throughout the term and also these pastweeks Althoughthetermwasshorterthanexpectedandwithaweekofonlinelearning duetotheongoingconflictintheMiddleEast,itwasfilledwithinspiringmomentsoflearning, creativity,andconnection
There are too many highlights for me to share but I must mention the successful CIS and IB synchronized evaluation visit, which affirmed the quality of our programmes and the strength of our community We are proud of the commitment and professionalism that madethisachievementpossible TheartscontinuedtoflourishwiththedelightfulEarlyYears and Primary production of WingIt and the truly impressive Primary musical MaryPoppins, both celebrating teamwork, confidence, and talent of so many students. The DP Visual Arts Exhibition inspired with its creativity and depth, while the MYP Personal Project Exhibition showcasedinnovationandindependentthinking,remindingushowcapableourlearnersare whengivenauthenticopportunitiestoleadtheirownlearning
Meanwhile, our Secondary Week Without Walls provided rich opportunities for growth whether through adventurous residential trips or local service and cultural experiences. Our RahaRaptorsalsomadeusproudacrossmultiplesportingevents,demonstratingteamwork, determination, and school pride Adding to the vibrancy of the term, our much beloved and anticipatedGlobalVillageInternationalDaybroughttogetherfamilies,students,andstaffina joyfulcelebrationofourdiversityandsharedvalues.
AsIlookaheadatTerm3,Iremainhopefulforpeaceandwe,asaschool,arecommittedto resuming regular on campus learning as soon as it is safe to do so Our community spirit continuestobeasourceofstrengthandsupport
Thankyouonceagainforyourpartnership,positivity,andcareforoneanother.
EidMubarak to all who celebrate, and warm wishes to everyRahafamily for a restful and peacefulbreak
Mr. Jan Stipek
CISRE-ACCREDITATION
Followingarigorousevaluationprocess,RahaInternationalSchoolGardensCampus hasbeensuccessfullyre-accreditedbytheCouncilofInternationalSchools(CIS)for the year 2026 This achievement highlights our dedication to continuous improvement and to providing a high-quality international education for all students.
FROM MRS. CAROL
EidMubaraktotheRahaGardensCommunity.
Despite a disappointing and challenging final week, I would like to take a moment to reflect on what was otherwise a wonderful Term 2 As always, our students and staff embraced every opportunity to grow in their learning, develop their talents, and strengthen their resilienceandcourage.
Wewereparticularlyfortunatelastterminourperformingartsprogramme,enjoyingnotone but two fantastic productions: Wing It! and Mary Poppins Jr Our students performed brilliantly in both, and they were an absolute delight to watch Of course, events such as Sports Days, Rocket Day, the Colour Runs, the Torch Run, Week Without Walls, and our celebrationof100DaysofSchoolallhighlightedwhatmakesRahasospecial;aschoolfullof energy,fun,andstrongcommunityspirit.
Our Parent Team also deserves congratulations for organising a successful Global Village and International Day, as well as for their continued commitment to the Giving Campaign Thankyoutoeveryonewhosupportedtheseinitiativesinanyway.
Behindthescenes,lasttermwasequallysignificant.WesuccessfullyachievedourIBandCIS reaccreditations, hosted ADEK for our NIM Inspection, and received candidacy for the IB Career-related Programme The effort that went into these achievements was considerable, andtheypositionustocontinuegrowingandstrengtheningasaschool.
Althoughwehadanunexpectedlyearlyendtotheterm,Ihopeeveryonewasabletoenjoya well-deserved break I wish happiness to all those celebrating Eid al-Fitr, and safety and health to all members of our community I sincerely hope to see you back on campus soon afteranextensionofonlinelearning
Mrs. Carol
Providesaninsightfullookintohowwelearnwhatwe learn,withstudentsexploringtopicstheyaretruly passionateabout.Fromtrendybarbersandmusic composersandthefutureoffoodsecurity,the exhibitionshowcasesadiverserangeofinterests.It'sa thoughtfulblendofcreativity,criticalthinking,and real-worldissues.Joinustodiscoverhowcuriosityand explorationshapeourunderstandingoftheworld.
PYPSYMPOSIUM
The G5 PYP Symposium provided students with a chance to engage with diverse ideas and real-world experiences through inspiring talksfromguestspeakers Itfosteredcuriosity, creativity,andpurpose,encouragingstudents toaskquestions,reflectontheirinterests,and connect their learning to the world Such events promote open-mindedness, critical thinking, and a greater understanding of communitycontributions
MENASCHOOL EXCELLENCEAWARD 2026–INCLUSION
Forthesecondconsecutiveyear,our schoolhasbeenrecognisedwiththeMENA SchoolExcellenceAwardforInclusion2026. Thisachievementreflectsourongoing commitmenttocreatingalearning environmentwhereeverystudentfeels valued,supported,andempowered. GuidedbyourIBvalues,inclusionatour schoolisnotsimplyaninitiative,itisa sharedmindsetthatshapesourteaching, ourcommunity,andthewaywesupport everylearner
The Secondary Sports Extravaganza was a vibrant celebration of student participation, perseverance,andteamwork Throughoutthe event, students demonstrated focus and determination while supporting one another and embracing healthy competition Experiences like these play an important role in nurturing resilience, collaboration, and well-being, helping students develop skills that contribute to personal growth and a balancedschoolexperience
ROCKETDAY
OuryoungEYlearnersandtheirfamiliescametogetherforanexcitingRocket Day, celebrating inquiry, creativity, and play-based learning From exploring chemical reactions to designing and building more aerodynamic rockets, studentssteppedintotheroleofyoungengineersastheybroughttheirSTEAM projects to life With the grand mission of reaching the moon, the event sparkedcuriosity,collaboration,andimagination,demonstratinghowhandsonexperienceshelplearningtrulytakeoff
COLOURRUN
StudentsfromEYstoGrade5tookpartinour vibrantColourRun,embracingthecolourful spiritofExcellence,Relationships,and Aspiration Theeventencouragedstudentsto stayactivewhilecelebratingthejoyof movement,friendship,andshared experiences Throughthisinitiative,students wereremindedthatlearningisnotsimply aboutreachingthefinishline,butabout growth,positivity,andthemeaningful momentscreatedalongtheway.
“WINGIT”PRODUCTION–GRADES1&2
OurGrade1andGrade2studentstooktothe stageintheirvibrantproductionofWingIt, delightingtheschoolcommunitywiththeir enthusiasm,creativity,andconfidence Throughmusic,storytelling,andperformance, studentsembracedthemessageof challengingthemselves,spreadingtheir wings,andexploringnewpossibilities The productionencouragedouryounglearnersto beadventurous,curious,andcourageousas theycontinuetheirlearningjourneyand reachfornewheights
MARYPOPPINSJr.
Our PYP students took audiences on a truly supercalifragilistic journey with their production of Mary Poppins Jr. From the first sound checks to the final lighting cues, students worked with impressive dedication and professionalism behind the scenes and on stage. Their commitment, teamwork, and countlesshoursofrehearsalcametogetherinajoyful performance that showcased their creativity, confidence,andlovefortheperformingarts
CAREERWEEK
Career Week offered students insights into various careers through engaging talks and experiences with industry professionals They explored fields like airport construction, marine conservation, mental health, emergency response, and sustainable farming The week also featured DP mock interviews, helping studentsbuildconfidenceandcommunicationskillsfor futureprofessionalopportunities
In Term 2, our MYP students took part in an exciting WeekWithoutWalls,steppingbeyondtheclassroomto engage in experiential learning through local and international trips Students explored new environments while developing independence, collaboration, and resilience Those on campus participated in engaging activities designed to build similar skills through teamwork, problem-solving, and hands-on experiences, ensuring all students benefited from this meaningful week of learning beyond the classroom.
DPVISUALARTSEXHIBITION
OurVisual Arts students proudly presented their DP Visual Arts Exhibition, showcasing a diverse collection ofthought-provokingandcreativeartworksdeveloped over the course of the programme The exhibition highlightedstudents’artisticgrowth,technicalskill,and ability to communicate meaningful ideas through visual expression, offering the school community an inspiringglimpseintotheircreativejourneys
Relationships
WE GROW TOGETHER
TheParentTeamCoffeeMorningcreated arelaxedatmosphereforparentsand stafftoconnect,converse,andfoster relationships Byenhancing communicationandtrustbetweenhome andschool,itplayedavitalrolein cultivatingasupportiveenvironment wherecollaborativerelationshipscan thrive
ALUMCHUMS
Duringwinterbreak,the2024AlumniReunionbrought togethercommunitymembers,allowingformer studentstoreconnectandshareupdatesontheir post-schooljourneys.Alumnishowcaseddiverse careerpathsandnewventures,reinforcingthe lastingbondswithintheRISGCcommunityand emphasizingtheimportanceofstayingconnectedas graduatesmoveforward
RIS GC hosted a wonderful Emirati Coffee Morning for Parents, celebrating local culture and community spirit. During the session, parents learned about the significance of Emirati coffee in local hospitality, including how it is traditionally prepared and served. It was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate Emirati heritage, gain cultural insight, and bring our parent community together
STEPINTORAMADAN
WehostedameaningfulRamadanAwarenessDay fortheentireschoolcommunity,welcoming students,staff,andparentstolearnmoreaboutthe traditionsandvaluesoftheholymonth Through engagingactivitiesanddiscussions,theevent promotedreflection,generosity,andadeeper culturalunderstandingwhilebringingthe communitytogetherinthespiritofRamadan
THEGIVINGCAMPAIGN
DuringRamadan,ourschoolcommunitycametogetheronceagainfor thesecondyearofTheGivingCampaign,embracingthespiritof gratitude,compassion,andgenerosity Students,families,andstaff contributedwithenthusiasm,reflectingthevaluesofkindnessand servicethatarecentraltoourcommunity.Welookforwardtosharing theimpactofthiscollectiveeffortandcelebratingthemeaningful differenceourcommunityhasmade
International Day at Gardens Campus was a vibrant celebration of the diversity that strengthens our community, with an incredible 54 countries represented this year The campus came alive with music, traditional dress, cultural displays, and cuisine from around the world. More than a cultural showcase, the event reflected the strong relationships and sense of belonging that define our school, bringing families, students, and staff together to celebrate the shared values that unite our global community
CAREER-RELATED PROGRAMME
RahaInternationalSchool,GardensCampusisnowa CandidateSchoolfortheIBCareer-relatedProgramme(CP) andispursuingauthorizationasanIBWorldSchool.TheCP isafuture-focusedpathwayforstudentsaged16–19that combinesacademicstudywithpractical,real-world learning BystudyingIBDiplomaProgrammesubjects alongsidecareer-relatedcourses,studentsdevelop essentialskillssuchascommunication,criticalthinking,and globalawareness,preparingthemforuniversity, apprenticeships,andfuturecareers
