All new term, school and curriculum in Dubai

Pupils wait to go in their classes on the first day of school at the Dubai British School in Jumeirah Park, Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

DUBAI // For some there were tears and tantrums, while for others laughter and excitement as youngsters were dropped off for the first day of the new academic year.

About 300 pupils arrived at the new Dubai British School in Jumeirah Park.

Amid the hustle and bustle, parents took photos of happy youngsters while others gave reassuring hugs to help calm nerves.

“We have been in Dubai three months and chose this school because we live close by and the Dubai British Schools have a good reputation,” said Olivier Milhaud, from France, who was dropping off his son.

David, 7, will be in year three and moved from an American to British curriculum school.

“I’m really excited about making new friends,” he said.

“It’s the first time I have seen the school and it looks really big. I can’t wait to explore it.”

Although it will eventually have a capacity of 1,600 children, the school is opening in stages. The primary school is the first section to open.

Heather Mann, the school’s principal, said staff were excited for the start of the new year.

“We have been in the planning phase for months and now it’s a case of the teachers wanting to meet the children and start the new year,” she said.

The development of the school is expected to cost between Dh150 million and Dh200m.

Sanet Stander from South Africa took her 10-year-old son Marco to school and was impressed with the facilities.

“It wasn’t a difficult choice because of the academic record of Dubai British Schools,” she said.

“I think Marco is going to enjoy his time here.”

Her son was previously at Raffles International School and has three siblings in the nearby Dubai British School in The Springs.

He was happy to be at his new school. “I’m looking forward to it but I don’t know anyone here yet so I’ll have to make some new friends,” Marco said.

“I love sport and I know the facilities they have here are great so I can’t wait to use them.”

Rebecca Ryder, from the UK, was helping to ease her daughter Poppy, 9, and son Rocco, 5, into their new surroundings.

“We are new to Dubai but we came to see the classrooms in April and were really impressed with the facilities,” she said.

“They are amazing and so much better than what you would get in the UK.”

Poppy said she was eager to meet other pupils.

“I can’t wait to start,” she said. “The school looks really nice and the teachers are friendly.”

Amy Falhi, a year seven teacher, was helping to settle the pupils in her class by organising icebreaker exercises that helped the children to get to know one another a bit better.

“It’s also about getting them to understand what is expected of them and what they can expect from me,” she said.

The school is part of the Taaleem network.