Stuart Dennis - Principal
Stuart believes in developing students who are active and enthusiastic in all areas of the curriculum; students who are comfortable in any situation; who are confident without being arrogant and who are realize when they are wrong or do not know an answer, and thus, students who are open to learning. Stuart has high expectations and is ambitious for the success every student deserves to become well rounded 21st century global citizens.
Helen Maffini - Head of Early Years
Helen Maffini is a certified Canadian international educator who has worked in Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Bahrain and UAE. She is the co-author of the book “Developing Children’s Emotional Intelligence” and is a certified emotional intelligence trainer. Helen holds a Masters in Education degree specializing in Early Childhood Education and is a regular presenter at conferences and in schools. A former Kindergarten Principal, she is passionate about developing social emotional skills in teachers, children and schools. She is also passionate about the field of early childhood education and enjoys working with young children, their parents and teachers. Helen has been working in the education reform project in Al Ain with Nord Anglia Education for the past two years as a Cluster Leader leading on the Early Years and Foundation Stage (EYFS) development. She writes regularly in international magazines and newspapers and has written a children’s book ‘Sammy’s Next Move’ which is due to be released later in the year about the life of a “Third Culture Kid”. She brings extensive experience of both British and international best practice to BISAD in her role as Head of Early Years.
Jo Vigneron - Head of Primary
Jo was raised in West Africa and educated in an international school before moving with her parents to the UK when she was 12. She continued her studies in Bristol and qualified as a teacher in London. Jo began her teaching career as a class teacher in Inner London where she worked for 6 years before the arrival of her triplets, Sam, James and Katy. She then moved on and worked in Hong Kong for 6 years before moving back to the U.K where Chloe, her youngest daughter was born. Jo subsequently worked in Hampshire, both as a teacher and as part of the Senior Leadership Team, for the next 8 years. Prior to working at the British International School, Jo has most recently worked as a Lead Adviser supporting local UAE schools in raising standards in teaching and learning.
For Jo one of the most exciting aspects of working at BISAD is the very fact that it is ‘international’. To be part of a school that respects and celebrates diversity, which encourages children to become active learners and enables them to become positive contributors to the ever changing global society in which we live, is an important and very special place to be.
Jo has always believed that great schools involve great teamwork, both with pupils, staff, parents and the wider community. She believe it is vital that parents are partners in their children’s learning and that it is through working together we create an environment in which our children feel safe, cared for and have a real sense of belonging. Jo is very much looking forward to working as part of the BISAD team and playing my part in building a world class school for our children of today and creators of tomorrow.
Rick McIntyre - Head of Middle School
Rick joins us from New Zealand, where he was the Vice Principal at Te Puke Intermediate. As Vice Principal he headed numerous departments, some of which include sports, education outside the classroom, and health and wellbeing. Cricket is Rick’s passion and he played as a senior representative in New Zealand and also played club cricket to a high level in England. Having retired from cricket, Rick now plays Golf and has a handicap of 7.
Rick loves his job. Shaping children’s futures is a privilege and a responsibility he does not take lightly. Children need to be at the centre of all decisions made in a school. Rick believes it is his responsibility to instill a sense of wonder in children about the world in which they live. All children are entitled to experience success. Children can only excel when they are happy, valued and treated with respect. As a school leader, Rick is passionate in his belief that children should love coming to school. It his prime responsibility to create the conditions that enable children to achieve.
Clare McIntyre - Head of Student Support Services
Clare was in Dubai for 4 years at Jumeirah primary School before moving to New Zealand. At Jumeirah Primary school, she was the Vice Principal. Clare has travelled extensively, she was born in Zambia and spent much of her childhood in Zimbabwe. She worked as a teacher in London and Dubai. Clare’s interests include photography, cookery, golf, belly dancing and pottery. She is also an avid reader. She has 2 daughters and loves being a mum.
Clare loves being surrounded by children and strongly believes in actively supporting the caring ethos of the school. She is keen to implement positive behavior strategy and create a safe learning environment for all children. Clare believes in involving children in their own learning by setting achievable targets, providing effective feedback, and parent and child consultations.
Nema Hussein - Head of Arabic & Islamic Studies
Nema joins us from Taaleem (Dubai) where she was the Arabic Director. Nema has 14 years of professional teaching and supervising experience. She has a Master’s in Educational Leadership. Nema is married and has 3 children. Nema is a highly disciplined leader with proven ability to manage multitask efficiently under extreme pressure while meeting tight deadlines. She is a strong team worker and facilitator. Nema believes in fostering and creating a positive atmosphere that encourages teachers and students to balance high skills with maximum production.
