WSO’s IB GEM: Marina Leads with Sustainability and Service
WSO, are proud to celebrate their IB GEM of the Week: Marina Sasselli-Agueda, recognised for her outstanding CAS profile.
Marina has been dedicating her time to volunteering with sewing and mending workshops, giving pre-loved items a second life through upcycling. These revitalised clothes are then used to support less fortunate children through the charity Thrift for Good.
Her efforts highlight three key values at the heart of CAS:
- Sustainability: By mending and upcycling, Marina helps reduce textile waste and promotes the principles of a circular economy.
- Purpose: Each item she works on contributes to a greater cause, supporting children’s charities and making a real difference in the community.
- Creativity: Through this work, Marina explores her creativity, turning practical skills into meaningful action while encouraging a less consumer-driven mindset.
A shining example of service and innovation, Marina’s initiative is an inspiration to her peers and the wider WSO community.
From Conversations to Creativity: OLS Brings the Community Together
At OLS, the past few weeks have been filled with meaningful initiatives that brought their students, parents, and staff closer together.
Can We Talk? – A Heartfelt Conversation Between Parents & Teens. This powerful session sparked meaningful parent-teen conversations through interactive role-plays, discussions, and activities. From screen time battles to trust-building, parents and teens exchanged perspectives, fostering deeper connections and understanding. A huge thank you to our wonderful parents and students for making this event truly meaningful.
When Students Lead, Learning Shines Bright – On September 18, 2025, OLS’ Primary Wellbeing Ambassadors and Associate Ambassadors, together with the Primary Head Girl and Assistant Head Girl, organised a workshop to mark International Literacy Day. They engaged support staff in fun literacy activities — from identifying rhyming words in newspapers to forming sentences and drafting leave letters — while also leading a thoughtful discussion on the importance of girl-child education in rural areas. With smiley stickers and tokens of appreciation, the students created a cheerful atmosphere that left a lasting impression on all involved.
From Pause to Stillpoint to Reset: Embracing Calm and Renewal. The school leadership wellness session at OLS provided a refreshing shift from daily demands to a sanctuary of quiet comfort and togetherness. Leaders explored creative expression through sip & paint, dance, karaoke, and puzzles — discovering calm in colour, joy in music, and energy in movement. This flexible, relaxed approach offered multiple ways to recharge, proving that sometimes the most powerful step forward begins with a pause.
Innovation and Excellence at GLS
Grade 10 Student Innovates with DevCraft App and Wins Award at ADIPEC Methane Reduction Competition
Grade 10 student Danell Koshy Gijo has developed DevCraft, an innovative platform designed to empower developers—especially students and beginners—by simplifying coding across multiple languages. Acting as a smart code translator, the app allows users to write in one language and convert seamlessly into others, while offering tools to encourage creativity, problem-solving, and mastery of coding skills.
In addition to this achievement, Danell earned 3rd Place in the Venting Category at the prestigious Methane Reduction Competition during ADIPEC, the world’s largest energy event held under the patronage of the Abu Dhabi Government. Out of more than 100 schools across the UAE, only nine winners were recognised across three categories. Danell’s success reflects both his commitment to sustainability and the school’s role in nurturing global problem-solvers.
GEMS Legacy School Named Microsoft Showcase School for the 8th Consecutive Year
GLS is proud to be recognised once again as a Microsoft Showcase School for 2025 — an honour the school has held consistently since 2018. This recognition highlights the school’s commitment to digital transformation, innovation, and excellence in teaching and learning. With a team of 352 teachers, including 8 Emirati teaching assistants, GLS continues to leverage cutting-edge technology to inspire creativity, enhance student engagement, and prepare learners for the future.
This achievement is a testament to the visionary leadership and collaborative spirit that drive the GLS community.
GAA: Balancing Football and Academics: Abdulla’s Inspiring Journey
Grade 12 student Abdulla Rashed Abdulla Ali Mohamed, captain of the UAE U18 National Football Team, is an inspiring example of passion, discipline, and determination.
Abdulla’s football journey began at a young age, with early training at the Manchester academy before moving on to Al Ain academy. His talent soon caught the attention of national selectors, and today he proudly captains the UAE U18 squad — even leading the team to a historic victory against Vietnam in the Asian Cup, which secured qualification for the World Cup.
Representing his country at such a young age is a dream come true. “Every time I wear my country’s colors, I feel a wave of pride,” Abdulla shares. “To do this at such a young age is very special, as I know not everyone has this opportunity.”
Balancing elite-level sport with academics is no easy task, but Abdulla has developed the discipline to succeed in both. He dedicates extra time to studies whenever football takes him away from class, crediting the support of both his coaches — who remind him that education comes first — and his teachers, who provide flexibility and encouragement.
His motivation comes from his love of football, as well as his family’s unwavering support. Looking ahead, Abdulla hopes to play football at the highest level, potentially abroad, while also achieving strong academic results. His advice for younger GAA students is simple but powerful: “Balance your passion and academics equally. Both are important for your future, so stay disciplined, stay focused, and never make one more important than the other.”
GEMS People Spotlight 