Features

A Historic Move

by BTM

Sun, 07 May 2023

Nadeen School Bahrain

From humble beginnings in 1978 with 29 students and four teachers, Nadeen School is about to make the biggest move in the school’s history. Director Pauline Puri and her daughter, Shanee, share their thoughts about the school’s historic transition.

“To move from converted villas to a purpose-built campus, which will allow us to expand all the way up to Year 13, is a dream come true,” Shanee posits. “All the while, we will be keeping our dear students, our core principles and our ethos at the heart of what we do.”

Pauline joined Nadeen School as a teacher in 1982 and, when the original owner left Bahrain in 1984, was entrusted with keeping the school’s holistic, child-centred and family-focused ethos going. Shanee joined Nadeen School in 1998 due to her passion for the school’s vision and a desire to help create an inspiring place for children to thrive.

Under Pauline’s guidance and Shanee’s care over the years, Nadeen School has remained dedicated to fostering and nurturing each child’s individuality, unique passions, abilities, gifts and interests. 

“As the school celebrates its 45th anniversary, I think of all of the people who have walked through our doors,” Pauline reminisces. “I have seen numerous changes, both at the school and in Bahrain, and marvel at how many dear children, parents and families we have had on our journey. 

“Throughout the years, one thing has remained constant – our dedication to maintaining a safe, happy, inspiring and exciting environment where all children can learn, develop and achieve with confidence and personality.”

Both Pauline and Shanee have also ensured a sincere dedication towards personal development, social responsibility and service learning, and care for the environment. 

“We consider these to be our three guiding principles which continue to be embedded in everything we do,” Pauline explains. “None of this would be achievable without the caring and dedicated teaching and support teams; our supportive parents who are our partners in education; our community who have always believed in what we do; and mostly our students. They continue to inspire us each day.”

They both keenly remember stories and anecdotes about the children and families who have passed through the school. 

“It is such an honour and delight to reconnect with our former students and their families” Shanee said delightedly. “Just last week we welcomed back a family who was with us over 19 years ago and it felt like no time had passed. I love to hear about what our former students are doing and am so proud and amazed by the wonderful things they are doing now: from award-winning designers and journalists, to doctors, musicians, social justice campaigners, pilots, engineers, entrepreneurs and so much more. We are so humbled to be a part of our students’ stories and we also have alumni who have children of their own at Nadeen, and it is so wonderful to see generations of the same family come through our doors. It really is a special connection.” 

In 2017, the school was informed that it had to leave its current campus in Um Al Hassam and relocate to a purpose-built facility. A project of the heart six years in the making, Nadeen School is about to move into a new state-of the-art campus in Dilmunia.

Shanee explained: “We are delighted that Principal, Dr Paul Walton, will be leading the school into its exciting future. Our new location in Dilmunia is perfect in so many ways; we are truly in the centre of a community and our students will be able to experience so much both inside and beyond our campus walls. Our students will have wonderful facilities to pursue different interests and passions, and we look forward to welcoming the next generation into our collective family!”

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