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My name is Oliver and I am in Year 11. When people meet me they ask where I’m from. My dad originated from Laos but lived in Australia and my mum is from the UK. I was born in Hong Kong and moved to Phuket, Thailand when I was 15 months. Island living taught me how to surf, sail, wakeboard and climb coconut trees and spending my primary years outside is one I am very grateful for.
I started BIS Abu Dhabi in Year 8 and on reflection I am amazed at how much I have accomplished through the school motto ‘Be Ambitious’. I have learnt new sports in rugby and cricket, I take part in the Duke of Edinburgh Awards, I have participated in the whole school productions, Les Misérables, being the highlight of last year. I had the adventure of a lifetime in Tanzania where I collaboratively raised funds prior to the trip, which enabled our group to build goat pens and buy goats.
Academically, my teachers have inspired me with their passion in their subjects, which in turn made my IGCSE selection easy. I am working hard at school and home to get good results for my own self -achievement.
At the weekends, I am often wakeboarding, either learning a new trick or improving an existing one. I also volunteer at Cloud 9 pet hotel and vets, where I feed the exotic birds and work alongside the vets with the cats and dogs.
I always like to set myself a goal and this year’s goal is to attain my ski and snowboarding instructors course.
Be Ambitious!
Oliver, Year 11
It’s something I’ve believed for a long time — that learning isn’t predetermined by our genes. It’s about growing, persevering, and learning through the process. I was really mindful of this idea at this week’s wonderful Primary Summer Concert, after which I found myself reflecting on whether these amazing children have an innate talent, or whether they have achieved so much because of hard work and practice.
I believe it’s the latter. These children, their parents, and their teachers all seem to share the belief that by trying and working hard, they will get better at what they do. This is what we call a growth mindset.
This week at BIS Abu Dhabi, we have had the joy of celebrating both ends of the school journey and it has been a beautiful reminder of how we support our students to dream big and grow into their future selves.
As exam season unfolds, there's a special kind of stillness that settles over the school. In the quiet hum of the examination hall, behind the rustle of papers and the soft clicking of keyboards, is a profound truth: we are witnessing a moment that our students will carry with them forever. It is the culmination of years of learning, growth, and perseverance, a chapter closing and a new one ready to be written.
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