Star International School, Al Twar, welcomed students back for the start of the 2026 to 2027 academic year, bringing our community together for a year that marks an exciting new chapter for the school. With a refreshed Star identity, a new logo and a new senior leadership team across Primary and Secondary, students returned to the strong sense of community that defines Star, with fresh opportunities to Grow with Purpose, Think with Depth, Connect and Collaborate, and Act for Tomorrow as they continue their learning journey. Returning students were excited to reconnect with friends and teachers, while new students and families received a warm welcome as they began their journey at Star International School, Al Twar. Across both our Primary and Secondary campuses, the first days focused on helping every student feel comfortable, connected and ready for the year ahead. The beginning of a new school year is about much more than returning to the classroom. It is an important opportunity for students to build relationships, establish routines and develop a strong sense of belonging. During the opening days at Star, Al Twar, students reconnected with their teachers and classmates through classroom activities, assemblies and opportunities to become familiar with their both our Primary and Secondary campuses. For families joining Star, Al Twar for the first time, these experiences helped students get to know their teachers, classmates and surroundings, building the confidence and connections that support a positive start to school life. As an established British curriculum school serving families across Dubai and Sharjah, Star International School, Al Twar is part of the International Schools Partnership (ISP), a global community of schools with a shared focus on putting learners and their learning first. Star, Al Twar brings together students, families and colleagues from a wide range of backgrounds, creating a welcoming international community where students can build friendships, experience different perspectives and develop the confidence to contribute positively to the world around them. This combination of a strong community, refreshed identity and new leadership has created a positive sense of momentum at the start of the academic year. For Principal Ms Lisa Passante, the year ahead is an opportunity to build on the school’s established strengths while creating new possibilities for every student. Ms Lisa Passante, Principal of Star International School, Al Twar, said: “This academic year marks an exciting new chapter for Star International School, Al Twar. With new leadership across Primary and Secondary and a refreshed school identity, we are building on our strong foundations while looking confidently to the future. Our new Star, Al Twar identity reflects who we are today and our ambitions for what comes next: a community where students are inspired to learn, supported to grow and empowered to achieve their full potential. There is a real sense of energy across the school, and we are excited about everything the year ahead will bring.” A Strong Start Across Primary and Secondary That shared ambition is being brought to life in ways that reflect the different stages of each student’s learning journey. For our FS and Primary students, the beginning of the year has focused on building confidence, curiosity and positive relationships. Students have been encouraged to settle into their routines, reconnect with their classmates and teachers, ask questions and approach learning with enthusiasm. Creating this strong foundation from the first days of school helps younger learners feel secure and ready to explore, participate and make progress. It is an approach that Ms Mandy Palmer, Head of FS and Primary, is looking forward to developing as she begins her own first year at Star, Al Twar. Ms Mandy Palmer, Head of FS and Primary, said: “The start of a new school year is such an important time for our younger learners. Our focus is on creating a nurturing and inclusive environment where every child feels confident, curious and excited to learn, while building the relationships and skills that will help them thrive. As I begin my own journey at Star, Al Twar, I am looking forward to getting to know our children and families and being part of this new chapter for our school.” As students progress through the school, that emphasis on confidence and personal growth continues, alongside increasing opportunities to take ownership of their learning and think purposefully about the future. For Secondary students, the new academic year has brought opportunities to reconnect with their community, welcome new classmates and begin thinking about the year ahead. Under the leadership of Ms Beth Golds, Head of Secondary, students will continue to develop through the five ISP Learning Pillars: academic achievement, multilingualism, life competencies, international opportunities and future pathways. Together, these pillars support students to achieve academically while developing the skills, experiences and confidence they need for life beyond school. Students are encouraged to take ownership of their learning, develop confidence and independence, and make informed decisions about their next steps. Star’s Secondary provision offers personalised learning and multiple progression routes through GCSEs, BTEC, AS and A Level programmes, helping students pursue pathways that reflect their strengths, interests and ambitions. As part of ISP, students can also connect with a wider global community through international learning opportunities and experiences that broaden their perspectives, encourage collaboration and extend learning beyond the classroom. Together, these opportunities are designed to prepare students not only for their next academic milestone, but also for the choices and opportunities that will follow. Ms Beth Golds, Head of Secondary, said: “As we begin the new academic year, our focus in Secondary is on preparing students for both academic success and life beyond school. Through academic achievement, multilingualism, life competencies, international opportunities and future pathways, we want every student to develop the confidence, skills and ambition to make informed choices about what comes next. As I begin my own journey at Star, I am proud to be part of this new chapter, with our refreshed identity reflecting the ambition and opportunities ahead for our students.” A Fresh New Look for Star, Al Twar While new leadership is helping shape the next stage of the school’s journey, students have also been seeing another visible sign of change across the campus. The start of the year gave the community its first opportunity to experience Star’s refreshed identity in school, with the new logo generating an especially positive response among Secondary students. For students, the refreshed design brings a contemporary feel to the school while retaining the familiar Star and shield at the heart of its identity. Alvina, Year 11, said: “I really like the new logo. It feels fresh, modern and professional, while still representing Star International School, Al Twar.” Fatima, Year 8, said: “I love the new logo because it feels fresh and reflects the exciting changes happening at our school.” The response from students has been echoed by families, reflecting the importance of balancing a fresh look for the future with the identity and sense of belonging that the Star community already values. One parent shared: “We love how the colours, shield and Star have been incorporated into the new logo. It feels fresh while still representing Star.” While the refreshed identity represents a visible new chapter for Star, Al Twar, the purpose behind the school remains firmly centred on students and their learning. As part of ISP, Star International School, Al Twar shares a commitment to putting learning first and helping every student make meaningful progress. Through ISP’s Learning.First™ approach, students are recognised as individuals, supported at the right level and encouraged to take greater ownership of their learning and progress. This provides a common foundation across the school, connecting the experiences of students from their earliest years through to Secondary and Sixth Form. Rory Galvin, Regional Learning Director, ISP Middle East, said: “As we begin a new academic year, our focus is on what matters most: the learning and progress of every student. Through our Learning.First™ approach, we recognise each student as an individual and create opportunities for them to keep getting better, academically and personally. Alongside strong academic foundations, we want students to develop their curiosity, resilience and life competencies, giving them the confidence, skills and ambition to make the most of the opportunities ahead.” The start of the 2026 to 2027 academic year marks an important new chapter for Star International School, Al Twar, but it is only the beginning. Building on the relationships established during the opening weeks, the school looks forward to creating even more opportunities for students to achieve academically, develop essential life competencies, broaden their perspectives through international experiences and make confident choices about their future pathways. As the year unfolds, students will continue to be encouraged to Grow with Purpose, Think with Depth, Connect and Collaborate, and Act for Tomorrow. With a refreshed identity, new leadership and a community united by shared purpose, Star International School, Al Twar looks forward to helping every student discover their strengths, embrace new opportunities and make meaningful progress as we continue Guiding Stars to Bright Futures.
