In celebration of Dubai Fitness Challenge 30×30, Nord Anglia Education (NAE) schools embraced a series of fitness initiatives, promoting health and wellness through dynamic events and community-driven activities. Across Nord Anglia International School Dubai (NAS Dubai), Swiss International School Dubai (SISD), Nord Anglia International School Abu Dhabi (NAS Abu Dhabi) and British International School Abu Dhabi (BIS Abu Dhabi) students were inspired to engage in a month of active living and positive lifestyle choices.
Empowering Healthy Choices and Community Well-being:
At SISD, Dubai Fitness Month began with a whole-school Zumba session on 28th October, bringing students and staff together in an energising kick-off to the month’s activities. This was followed by the annual Skipathon on 31st October, where students participated in a series of skipping exercises to promote fitness and raise funds for the Al Jalilah Foundation. Weekly “Rise and Shine” sessions, daily musical movement breaks and the Jumpathon hosted on 14th November kept the excitement high, encouraging daily movement and well-being. The month will conclude with the “Wellfest” ceremony on the 22nd of November, celebrating SISD’s community-wide commitment to wellness. “At SISD, we promote year-round fitness through regular PE lessons, movement breaks, and a health-focused curriculum. Our participation in Dubai 30×30 further highlights our commitment to keeping students active and engaged, and the students and staff love the opportunity to enhance our focus on sports and physical exercise during this annual event,” says Gullrukh Rafiq, Assistant Head of Primary at SISD.
At NAS Abu Dhabi, fitness and wellness are central to daily routines, encouraging lifelong healthy habits through the #MEtime and after-school enrichment programmes. November’s activities include the Run Club’s upcoming participation in the ADEK Championships on the 23rd of November and an invitation for the entire school community to join the Zayed Charity Run. Daily sports fixtures, along with bootcamp, yoga, and Aqua Zumba sessions for parents, foster a shared commitment to health. “By making fitness a daily priority and celebrating progress and positive attitudes, we aim to build resilience and well-being, creating a supportive environment where everyone feels empowered to take on new challenges,” says Callum Brooks, Director of Sports at NAS Abu Dhabi.
BIS Abu Dhabi celebrated a month focused on health and wellness with a school-wide triathlon hosted on 14th November. This event was a perfect fit, encouraging students of all ages to take on swimming, cycling, and running challenges that built strength, endurance, and team spirit. Younger students swam 25 metres, cycled 1.5 kilometres, and ran 800 metres, while Secondary students completed a more challenging course of 75 metres swimming, 1.5 kilometres cycling, and 1 kilometre running. The month’s activities also saw the BIS Abu Dhabi staff running club participating in several runs throughout Pinktober, reinforcing the school’s commitment to wellness for both students and the community. “By embedding fitness into daily routines and offering workshops on wellness topics, we aim to foster resilience and a culture of health across our entire school community” says Alan Cocker, Principal at BIS Abu Dhabi.
NAS Dubai took fitness to new heights with its Elite Sports Pathway and Sports Leaders Programme, offering students opportunities to develop both physically and as leaders. Students accessed extensive sports facilities and engaged with local organisations through community events, reinforcing teamwork, resilience, and a love of physical activity. These efforts underscored NAS Dubai’s dedication to fostering both recreational and competitive athletic opportunities
Each NAE school’s unique approach underscores Nord Anglia Education’s commitment to fostering a culture of well-being, teamwork, and resilience within its community, ensuring students are well-equipped to lead health-conscious lives.
About Nord Anglia Education:
As one of the world’s leading international schools organisations, we’re shaping a generation of creative and resilient global citizens who graduate from our schools with everything they need for success, whatever they choose to be or do in life.
Our strong academic foundations combine world-class teaching and curricula with cutting-edge technology and facilities, creating learning experiences like no other. Inside and outside of the classroom, we inspire our students to achieve more than they ever thought possible.
No two children learn the same way, which is why our 80+ schools in 33 countries around the world personalise learning to what works best for every student. Inspired by our high-quality teachers, our students achieve outstanding academic results and go on to study at the world’s top universities.
