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The BSAK community wrote another page of its history book on Saturday 23rd February, as the whole School came together to celebrate its Golden Anniversary with an international Day & Fete.

It was the most remarkable event,  spread across the playing fields of both Primary and Secondary in addition to the netball courts, with activities available for everyone.  

20 international stands provided vibrant colour and a joyful cacophony of chatter and laughter as they displayed their food, games, competitions and local wares.   Dressed in traditional costumes the field was alive with an international buzz as the crowds moved from stand to stand, tasting food and meeting friends.

Shereen Contini was the ‘Friends of BSAK’ parent organising the international stands and she remarked ‘I was amazed to see how much effort had been made by every country and their pride in their culture.   I’m sure that this was what motivated them to work so hard on their stands.’

BSAK has 53 nationalities in its student body and this international culture was very evident on the day.

Many students got involved to raise money for their chosen charities or organisations and showed great tenacity in setting up and supervising their stands.  Our Global Social Leaders created a fabulous display of merchandise to raise awareness and encourage sustainability in the BSAK community. The Duke of Edinburgh students were out in force with a cake sale and the Eco Ambassadors and UAE Ambassadors also designed and managed their own areas.  One Sixth Former organised two very successful games and raised a significant sum for the Red Crescent, and the Girl Guides and Library helpers all worked hard for their causes.

‘Friends of BSAK’ parents, Collette Withers and Sam Johnson remarked how impressed they were to be working with such dedicated and socially aware young people and agreed that this contributed to the wonderful atmosphere of the event.  

BSAK’s Science and Sports departments had also prepared innovative games and fun for all age groups and occupied numerous children all afternoon. From ‘Bat the Rat’ to ‘Beat the Goalie’ the Sports team provided an array of challenges and ran a leader board for each game to encourage healthy competition.  Sarah March was the creative talent behind this area and she was delighted by its success.

Our year 8 scientists covered the Secondary School wall with a fabulous display of their projects, while an energetic team of BSAK physicists led an eager band of budding rocket scientists, helping them make their own projectiles and launch them sky high, from a contraption of tubes and bottles. Pure joy are the words to describe the faces of the children as they watched their rockets shoot higher than the School building.   

Thanks to Souhila Chellappan ‘Friends of BSAK’ parent organising decorations, the fields were festooned with bunting, a balloon arch framed the main entrance and the smell of burgers wafted across the fields together with large clusters of translucent bubbles.

An artisan souq in the netball court led on to a bouncy castle, sand art and face painting and these also proved to be very popular.

Weeks in advance of the event the Music Department had begun auditions for BSAK’s Got Talent and devised a line-up of entertainment for the afternoon.  Dancers, singers, a Haka display and the staff band drew a massive crowd onto the Primary pitch and kept it there throughout the event. ‘Friends of BSAK’ parent Shelley Butcher, Sascha Dallas and a row of judges did a wonderful job and after much deliberation Zain, Sadie and winner Gabriella were crowned our 2019 Talent Top 3.

Excitement levels remained high right to the end as a swarm of eager Primary children surged towards the stage to watch a team of our staff receive a pie in their face.  5 teachers put themselves forward for this game, with the Headmaster the clear winner. To squeals of laughter and applause the children watched as whipped cream was smeared across the faces of their favourite teachers. ‘Friends of BSAK’ parents Randa Daoud and Debbie Digby-Johns enjoyed every second of organising this game and are confident that it will be talked about for months.

A wall of memories and a video showing the burying of the School’s Time Capsule 25 years ago, reminded us of the many students, staff, parents and friends who have been part of the BSAK community for 50 years.  From our early days on a plot of land on the Corniche, to the purpose-built building on the existing site, through expansion and development to the School that we are today, the wall displayed a rich picture of our history using many of the pictures from our 50 Year anniversary book.  

Headmaster Mark Leppard MBE reflected on the success of the day. ‘Today’s event has been an integral part of our 50 year celebrations. The BSAK community came together to celebrate its international family and its history in a very special way and it’s been a wonderful experience. I would like to thank our very generous sponsors and the dedicated parents, students and staff who have made this possible.  We have captured today’s event in photos and video and feel confident that it will provide an accurate and memorable insight into this outstanding School and the spirit of BSAK for many years to come.’