SIM - After you collect your bags, you'll notice Etisalat, Du or Virgin counters in the arrivals terminal. Make sure to get a visitors SIM from one of the desks. You will be able to convert this to a resident's SIM card once your visa has been processed. Send the number through to your Head of Department and the Head of school.

Getting around and the Careem App -  Before landing it might benefit you to download the Careem app in order to pre-book taxis. It's basically the same as Uber but costs a little less. Taxis in Dubai are reasonably inexpensive and generally how people get around until buying a car, however, the metro and bus services also service the majority of the city.

Cultural Sensitivity - Dubai has become a very multicultural city over the years, with many different cultures and religions. Having said that, Islam is still the official religion of the UAE and although women are not asked to cover, it is still a good idea to be mindful of the local culture when out and about in public here. When entering government offices, for example, men will only be allowed in if wearing long trousers and women must have their knees and shoulders covered.

Prayer time, Mosques, Prayer mats - At prayer time (particularly on Friday) you may notice an increase in traffic due to a high volume of cars being parked at the side of the road near mosques. This is perfectly normal and although it can cause some inconvenience, it's best not to complain too loudly. There are prayer rooms at school for both boys and girls. Please do not enter the prayer rooms if you are not Muslim.

Home sickness - Moving to a new country can be overwhelming and everyone will experience the stress differently. Some are perfectly happy and experience no home sickness whatsoever, others can feel it acutely. Whatever your experience, the leadership and staff of the school are here. Most of us have experienced it at some stage so please do reach out if/when your feeling a little down.

Every interaction counts. Please take a moment to uphold our standards by reminding students to wear the correct uniform, discouraging gum chewing, and addressing any instances of rude or disrespectful behaviour. While it can sometimes feel easier to turn a blind eye, our collective efforts send a clear and consistent message: we care about the culture of our school.

Equally important is the role we play in recognising and celebrating positive behaviour. Every member of staff has the power to reinforce good conduct by offering praise and encouragement whenever possible. Take the time to acknowledge students who are doing well, and don't hesitate to share these successes with their parents—positive communication goes a long way in strengthening our school community.

Together, through consistency and care, we can continue to shape a positive and respectful learning environment for all.

At DIA Barsha, you are joining a dynamic and forward-thinking school community that offers incredible opportunities for professional growth and personal fulfillment. You will teach wonderful students who are eager to learn, to succeed, and to make the most of every opportunity. Our co-curricular and enrichment programmes are thriving, with a wide array of clubs, societies, domestic and international trips, musicals, and competitive sports teams — and you will have many opportunities to get involved in these exciting aspects of school life.

You will be working alongside a skilled, supportive, and welcoming team of teachers and support staff, all committed to excellence and continuous improvement. This is a school where collaboration and innovation are encouraged, and where your contribution will help shape a high-performing and rewarding environment.

This is an exciting time to be part of DIA Barsha as we continue to grow and develop. You are now a member of a genuine community — one where we support one another and where the shared goal is to positively impact the lives of the young people we serve.

Make the most of the many opportunities available to you, and enjoy being part of a school that truly is a special place to work.

Wishing you a fantastic 2025–26 academic year.

The international trips for next year are as follows:

• Umrah - October

• Italy Ski-trip - December

• Paris - June

We encourage as many field trips as possible provided they meet the requirements set out in our policy ie. They are educational or engage in service of some kind and are vetted for their timing to ensure reduction on loss of learning time, clash with assessments or generation of large amounts of cover. 

PD will take place one afternoon (afternoon to be decided but will be the same each week) during the week for one hour. No secondary school CCAs will run on this day.

Women: Business attire that is respectful of the UAE culture. Shoulders should be covered. Skirts and dresses should be below the knee. Shoes should be professional (not necessarily closed toes but flip-flops are not permitted).

Friday: We do have a more relaxed dress code on Friday. The school T-shirts must be worn as an alternative to professional dress, trainers may be worn but not jeans.

Induction week is designed to support a smooth and confident transition into life at DIA Barsha. You can expect a balanced and engaging programme that includes professional development sessions, practical “how-to” workshops to help you navigate school systems and routines, time within departments to connect with your teams and plan for the term ahead, and a focus on wellbeing and community-building. It’s a great opportunity to meet colleagues, get to know the school culture, and feel fully prepared for the year ahead.

Our staff are given set hours of CPD to complete with some compulsory modules making up some of the hours and the rest made up of what our staff would like to focus on as part of their professional development.

• 20th August 2024 - Session A (for Teachers completely new to ManageBac)

• 20th August 2024 - Session B (for Teachers who are just new to using MYP/MS on ManageBac)