2022 - 2023 YEAR BOOK
Welcome young hero to be! Have you heard of Citizens? Citizens! A school where education is re-imagined!! A school full of heroes!!
Contents Message from the Founder Message from the CEO Message from the Vice Principals Nursery FS1 FS2 Year 1 -6 Special Subjects Assistant Mentors Inclusion Team 6 Strands Events Highlights Graduations 04 06 08 11 14 18 24 46 48 54 56 68 80 A school where education is reimagined? I must have a look...
Welcome to Citizens! Before meeting our heroes you must know what Citizens is. Dr. Adil Alzarooni Founder, Citizens School 4
Congratulations to my Citizens Squad! As we celebrate Citizens fantastic first year, I want to marvel at my unnatural good luck in having you all – learners, mentors, and other squad members – my Super Citizens experiencing the momentous birth of the Citizens Universe. Citizens – illuminated by its brightest stars: diversity, inclusivity, and lifelong learning – was not shaped overnight but during an eight-year quest for the key to the future of learning. Through my quest, I’ve discovered how every little learner is extraordinary and blessed with unique special powers, and how combining those powers would enable us to create super entrepreneurial teams. With the strength of Citizens super mentors, our magical framework, and a venture studio full of entrepreneurial adventures, I hope to train our young and energetic super teams to hunt for new ideas, armour up with tools to pursue their missions, create agile ventures, face failure with courage, and use education to enhance wellbeing across their communities. I also want to grow the Citizens community of educators, mentors, learners, and parents, with entrepreneurship and wellness as its valued possessions. I wish you all a better tomorrow! Let’s regroup in Year 2 for new feats! MESSAGE FROM THE FOUNDER 5
MESSAGE FROM THE CEO Dear Citizens Team, I hope this message finds you all in the same high spirits with which we started our amazing and intense founding year. Together, we have achieved remarkable milestones and set the stage for an even more extraordinary future. First and foremost, I want to express my deepest gratitude to each and every one of you—our bright learners, who’ve been the most inspiring and resilient in keeping us focused on our goal of reimagining education and aiming higher. Also, our spirited mentors, and dedicated team members, your unwavering dedication and commitment have propelled our team forward, and I am truly honoured to lead such an exceptional group of individuals. Your diverse talents and unique contributions have played a pivotal role in transforming Citizens into a powerhouse of learning. Hisham Hodroge CEO of Citizens School 6
Let us celebrate the incredible achievements we have accomplished together. We embraced innovation by accepting payments in cryptocurrency, ensuring that we stay ahead in this rapidly evolving digital landscape. Equipping Citizens with cutting-edge digital tools and fostering an entrepreneurial mindset has empowered us to thrive in an ever-changing world. Moreover, we launched a groundbreaking Citizens learning lab, where we have crafted a future-focused curriculum that equips our learners with the skills and knowledge necessary to tackle the challenges of an unknown future. Our commitment to holistic development led us to open the school-operated fitness centre, promoting the well-being of our community and nurturing a healthy and balanced lifestyle. In line with our vision for a sustainable future, we embarked on a journey toward COP28, embracing environmentally friendly practices and instilling a sense of responsibility in our learners. Additionally, our partnership with the Ministry of Economy’s NextGenFDI programme showcases our commitment to fostering economic growth and providing our learners with opportunities to thrive in the global economy. I would also like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to the remarkable parents for believing in us and trusting us with the most valuable part of themselves - their amazing children. Your unwavering support, passion, and inspiration have been instrumental in our mission to revolutionise education. Together, we are reimagining learning and creating a brighter future for generations to come. Looking ahead, I am filled with immense enthusiasm for the next chapter of our journey. Together, we will continue to push boundaries, break records, and strive to achieve unprecedented success. Together, we will shape a future where learning has no boundaries. 7
MESSAGE FROM VICE PRINCIPAL ( Year 1 - 4) As we come to the end of a remarkable academic year, I reflect on the exciting journey we have experienced together. The pages of this yearbook demonstrate the many memories we have created, the knowledge we have shared, and the dedication we have shown as a school community. Our wonderful children have been the heartbeat of our school. Each one has brought a uniqueness and an energy that makes Citizens so special. The determination, resilience, and eagerness of our learners has inspired us all and we couldn’t be more proud of all their achievements. The unwavering support of our dedicated parents has been the foundation of our success. The trust in our school and commitment to progressive education has been instrumental in fostering a nurturing and conducive environment for learning. Citizens School is immensely proud of our exceptional admin and academic team. Their passion for education, innovation, and genuine care for the well-being of our learners has set the stage for countless achievements. As we bid a fond farewell to our inaugural year, we remember the friendships we have forged and the cherished moments we have shared. We remember the laughter, the triumphs and the challenges, because through these experiences we have grown as individuals and as a community. Kephren Sherry Vice Principal 8
MESSAGE FROM VICE PRINCIPAL ( Year 5 - 8) Congratulations on reaching this first Citizens milestone in your academic journey! As we approach the end of our first year together, it is essential to reflect on the memories and friendships we have cultivated throughout this time. First and foremost, I want to commend each and every one of you for your hard work, dedication, and resilience. We have all had our fair share of challenges however, one of the proudest moments for me has been seeing how our learners have truly grown and blossomed into the individuals they are today. Together, we have shared countless memories; from the EYFS laughterfilled learning labs to the exhilarating moments on the sports fields and the vibrant end of year performances on stage. We have cheered each other on, celebrated victories, and supported one another as true Citizens should! We have learned the importance of being kind, understanding, and accepting of one another. We have discovered our passions and potential to make a positive impact on the world. Let us dare to dream big, work relentlessly, and embrace what lies ahead. Our future is bright, and I have no doubt that each and every one of us will go on to achieve incredible things. Congratulations on this milestone…..it is only the beginning of our extraordinary journey and I look forward to seeing you all return in September for the next part of our Citizens journey. Janice Butterworth Vice Principal 9
10 A school like this must have a lot of super talented learners!!
Annalisa Harris Mentor A poem for the Explorers, but where should I begin? My little class of superstars, full of laughs and cheeky grins. We’ve got Nelly and Sofia, super-smart and oh so bright. Chiara, Fares and Luna, my outstanding rays of light. Manal loves songs through and through, Dahlia always makes us smile, and for that we say thank you. I will miss you a lot when we go our separate ways, you’ve all been brilliant during your first Nursery days. All of you keep shining your wonderful little lights, you’ve made the world of Miss Annalisa so happy, fun, and bright! Explorers Class 11
Tayla James Mentor Having the opportunity to be the Mentor of the Discoverers Class this academic year has been a very fulfilling experience. The opportunity to make an impact on our learners lives during their day at the nursery was something I perceived as a privilege. It has brought me immense joy and pride to see our little learners grow and blossom into the children they are now ready. They are ready to move forward in their academic journeys. Here are some highlights of our year. D - developing a sense of identity I - investigating our surroundings and gaining confidence in our abilities S - socialising with our friends and forming new friendships C - cultivating new found interests and skills O - opening ourselves to new learning experiences outside our comfort zone V - vibrant and bold personalities E - evolving our understanding of the world R - respecting our mentors and the learning environment E - earning rewards through positive behavior patterns R - remembering our fun moments together S - shining so bright amongst the other little stars in my class Discoverers Class 12
Noel Orango Mentor In the Experimenters class, the learners are given lots of opportunities to express themselves freely. These experiences allow the learners to express and cope with their feelings. Through creativity, children can try out new ideas, and new ways of thinking and problem solving. Creative activities help acknowledge and celebrate children’s uniqueness and diversity as well as offer excellent opportunities to personalise our teaching and focus on each child. Experimenters Class 13
Deidre McCarthy Mentor What an incredible year it has been! We've laughed, learned, and created such special memories. Exploring different topics was a blast, but I think it’s safe to say one of our favourites was discovering the amazing people who help us in our community. From courageous firefighters to talented chefs, caring doctors to gentle dentists, we experienced their worlds with excitement. Remember, the future is yours to shape, and you can be anything you dream of as long as you believe in yourself. Keep shining bright! FS1A 14
Julia Kanafani Laia Miralles Antiusina Luis Alonso Spindler Mikhail Smirnov Noora Khoory Patricia Skolovskaya Samar Hussein Abdallah Skylar Rose Quawasmi Yenhei (Xixi) Sung Yusuf Haroon Zane Adam Fernandes Zayed Al Madani Taeri Lee Zachary Arthur Hirrel Ali Tarik sen Bodhi Cheung Fahad Omran Federico Hovakeemian Hadi Hammoud Jaime Boerner Garcia Hamed Alkaabi 15
Gwenaelle Techer Mentor This year in FS1B, we have learnt to become independent and self-confident in various situations. We are small yet mighty. We have learnt to think by ourselves and think of solutions to problems. We have taken a lot out of the topics we have learnt such as All About Me, Growth and People Who Help Us. We have discovered about our strengths, worked hard on getting better at things we are not so good at. We looked at the world around us; things grow and change with time. We looked at our community and how it works. As you know, we have taken on many challenges: we showed determination on Sports Day, embraced the world on International Day, showed respect for the country we live in on National Day. However, every day has been a day where we have worked at becoming better, stronger, embracing our uniqueness. We are Super Humans! FS1B 16
Adam Eshugaov Aleksandr Grevtsov Alicia Ortega Aliyah Yousfi Ameera Sabha Anaiya Singh Arious Zandi Atlas Stolp Edoardo Michele Gabriel Rzayev Gabriele Pallavidino Gleb Andronov Benousmane Arsèshélios Ilia Nunuparov Boris Antonovich Maryam Al Falasi Matvey Chicherin Maya Weber Musa Azhar Khan Oliver Erdelyi Kourosh Olamazadeh Rayees Fahad 17
Vera Silva Mentor I can’t believe the time has gone so quickly. We had such amazing moments like our unforgettable trip to Ventura Park, our adventure in Green Planet and our super fun trip to OliOli. We have learned so many different things. We became risk takers, creative thinkers, problem solvers, investigators, inquirers, and curious explorers. As you continue through life, never forget to keep learning and having fun. I’m so proud of you all. FS2A 18
Abdullah Khan Adrian Khoei Alexander Schmuki Alisa Abashina Daria Skachkova Darina Rakhmedov Dina El Harrak Cesar Aljord Hassan Ethan Leveratt Janan Masoumipour Lara Patel Lisa Berirmen Maksim Lashmanov Hamed Alkaabi Mila Noraee Dorian Maselli Siana Popescu Tyler Gomes Ukasha Naveed Aslam Yue Liao Yusuf Ali Panjwani Sara Alshehi 19
Nadya Lee Mentor What an amazing year we have all had in FS2B! We have been explorers, investigators, scientists, artists, authors and illustrators, designers, mathematicians, musicians, athletes and lots more! We have had the best time this year and have made great friendships which we will cherish forever! Throughout our time in FS2B we have had lots of fun and learned so much, we are super proud of all our achievements! FS2B 20
Adam Altakrouri Amina Sobh Arnica Darvishi Amir Arad Danishjo Elianaquinn Udosen Arsha Vajdi Isa Abow Isaiah Argent Lev Kulikov Makar Gashkova Mariya Buslova Mohammed Zeeshan Nada El Sabeh Hamed Alkaabi Nik Nikaev Karen Tanada Soren Sowdagar Talya Azzouni Theodore Aoun Yousef Alfalasi Rowda Alkaabi 21
Lailla Zahri Mentor FS2C is a new class of learners. We have packed so much into a short time though! We have enjoyed our Project-based learning, with topics like “How do we survive?” What’s Out There?” and “Why are wheels helpful?” The children especially liked having their parents into school for productions, showcases and activities … and got better and better at saying goodbye! FS2C have learned so much this year and are excited to move into Year 1! FS2C 22
Adam Galiev Kira Mae Rahman Mashal Omar Malik Anas Bataw Miia Tiutkova Mohammad Dehqani Maysa Abdallah Nikolai Smuschkovich Polina Shilnikova Rayyan Adnan Saud Abdulla Sophia Hanna Vera Prilopova Oscar Molyneux 23
Megan Logan Mentor To my wonderful 1A, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude. Each day, you bring a smile to my face and warmth to my heart. Your eagerness to learn, curious questions, and exploration of new ideas is truly remarkable. Thank you for reminding us of the wonders of exploration. Your boundless energy and infectious enthusiasm created a vibrant and joyful learning environment. Thank you for reminding me why I became a mentor and for inspiring me to be the best educator I can be. Your eagerness to grow and discover fills our hearts with hope for the future. Thank you for reminding us of the beauty in the simplest of things and for reminding us to approach life with a childlike wonder. I am grateful to be part of your journey, and I cherish every moment we spend together. You are an amazing group of learners, and I am truly blessed to have you in my class. YEAR 1A 24
Ahmed Soliman Antonina Tumina Elizaveta Zasova Diana Sudakova Inessa Pavlova Hirud tafazoli Kinan Kafsi Sviatoslav Dankov Zakariya Kahhat Zayn Weber Sofia Snigireva Konstantin Schiersing Muhammed Halid Polina Shchetinina Rosalina Hanna Lev Vlasov Nikita Voronenko Stefaniia Safronov 25
Katie Jones Mentor I am bursting with pride for all of you! The progress you've made this year is incredible, and we've created such magical memories together. Your friendships have blossomed into something truly special. As you continue your journey in Citizens School, I can't wait to see what amazing things you'll accomplish. Remember to always be kind, curious, and brave. You are all destined for greatness! Keep shining, my little stars! YEAR 1B 26
Abdulrahman Alfalasi Adam Khoury Brook Berhanu Ali Khan Elysee Hossein Farhad Abdullayev Dani Kim Iana Kulina Mahak Kalami Ginevra Pallavidino Nina Podkopaeva Mohamed Rayan Fahad Hussein Rakan Kafsi Sviatoslav Mishin Varvara Skripnik Ziyaan Taha Ziyaan Taha Vanessa Sokolovskaya Stefania Prodayvoda Svetlana Chicherina 27
Chantelle Philips Mentor 1C has had a great and busy first year at Citizens. So much learning took place whilst having fun and engaging in projects and exploring new technologies! During each term, we focused on a different topic. We immersed ourselves in projects to find solutions for problems existing in the world around us to become better global citizens. We started in 1C from term 2. In term 2, we learned about all animal groups including humans. We explored the meaning of freedom looking from different perspectives. In Term 3 we learned all about plants– their structure, how they grow and reproduce. We explored different ways of taking care of plants around us and how to be more sustainable with our food choices. Danielle Rocha Mentor YEAR 1C 28
Adam El Sabeh Alayna Shahzad Amara Onyekwuluje Alisan Fahandezhsaadi Elliesofia Conroy Emma Norooz Angelo Khoury Jennah Khadar Moussa Yehia Lavin Kandiah Vivienne Smithson Ruslan Eshugaov Youssef Gataa 29
Chykeyah Kelly Mentor Dear 2A, It has been a pleasure watching you grow from little, excitable beings to curious, inquisitive young minds. I can’t believe you have come to the end of your Key Stage 1 journey so quickly. But they say – time flies when you’re having fun! As you transition to Key Stage 2, never forget to keep learning, to keep having fun and to keep trying your very best. I am proud of you all and you will be greatly missed. YEAR 2A 30
Akito Nomura Ali Addison Ameli Muraveva Alisa Lemziakova Anastasiia Tumina Anastasiia Zykova Ameliia Buhai Arsenii Tiunov Razan Mansour Safoora Khan Sherkhan Zhulin Tina Pavlova Vyara Kalyani Regina Orlova Daniil Maslennikov Ayla Zeibari Etain Campbell Maks Chanchikov Elizaveta Kurban Georgii Igorevich Michael Bar Nur Mansour 31
Helen Davies Mentor & Key Stage 1 Leader of Learning As we come to the end of the school year, I want to express how much I have truly enjoyed teaching all of you. We started the Citizens journey together and as a team, we have made our mark on this school. I am immensely proud of the progress an achievements that you have made this year, particularly how much you have all grown into such mature learners. Most of all, I will always cherish the daily laughs we have shared, making our learning studio a special place. Thank you for an incredible year. YEAR 2B 32
Sam Mohamadi Savelli Zaitsev Timur Jodokas Veronika Mironova Vivienne Lloyd Yasmine Coro Raja Muhammad Aleksa Stefanovic Amaya Omar Anumta Khan Anisa Nikaeva Boris Mukhrygin Cameron Conroy Arina Liudska Danny Hodroge Donzaleigh Hudson Milana Belyaeva Nadia Coro Eva Abdullina Gabriel Hanna Jackson Shatilla Evangelina Chernucho Gleb Levkov Kira Zabolotskikh Mark Haddad 33
Helen Daramola Mentor As we reflect upon the incredible journey we've had together, I can confidently say that this has been an exceptional class filled with unforgettable memories. Throughout the year, we delved deeper into the core subjects, expanding our knowledge and understanding within our learning zone. What made this year truly remarkable were the new future framework subjects that we explored together, such as Robotics, Sustainability, and Entrepreneurship. These subjects not only sparked our curiosity but also equipped us with valuable skills for the world ahead. Beyond the classroom, we embarked on exciting adventures with trips to OliOli, The Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Cultural Centre, and the Theatre of Digital Art. These experiences not only brought our learning to life but also allowed us to appreciate and connect with the world around us. It has been an honour to be part of this extraordinary class, and I am grateful for the cherished memories we have created together. I wish you all the best next year! YEAR 3A 34
Ahad Ifrahim Bardiya Naziri Ellen Elhassan Chielo Onyekwuluje Fumito Nomura Genrikh Glezman Elizaveta Mishina Gordei Semipiatnov Miron tuitkov Maha Abdalla Rohaan Niyad Ryan Masoumipour Raghd Abdullah Rojina Enayati Saliha Zeeshan Yara Osman 35
Ryan Smith Mentor It has been an absolute pleasure teaching and getting to know you all over the past year - it seems like much longer since we met in the MPH dressed as our favourite superheroes! Main highlights for myself include exploring the core subjects and introducing new subjects via the Citizens Future Framework. Let´s also not forget out trips to OliOli, The Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Cultural Centre and the TODA. YEAR 3B 36
Alisa Kulikova Beau Smithson Eadie Taylor Elisa Marie Khaled Aly Elisabeth Griffo Mahmoud Hammoud Malika Fourie Mark Gashkov Miron Islmailov Lana Mae Rahman Niamh Campbell Nikita Lashmanov Platon Pavlov Sarah Aftab Shawnell Alric Viktor Chambon 37
Andrew May Mentor This was a new adventure for us all, starting here at Citizens, we all began with no idea of what to expect. I have to say I don’t think I could have had a better first class here at Citizens. The children have made me so proud, not just with the progress and attainment that they have made through the year but also the massive amounts of smiles, laughter, and fun we have had together. I wish all of you the very best for the future and look forward to celebrating your future successes with you! Stay safe! YEAR 4A 38
Adam Lahoud Anastasiia Stepanova Bushra Alshehi Atharva Mishra Diana Rakhmedova Elena Al-Kharuf Diana Hossein Emin Aydin Ray Nick Seljan Abdullayeva Vladimir Vlasov Yassine Baccouche Zara Miller Rayaan Kelkar Hashem Qaisieh Eva Smirnova Lily Soliman Mila Lahoud Katya Volchenkova Maxim Andronov Misha Usenco Nooreen El harrak 39
Sian Gallagher Mentor Dear 5A parents and learners, WOW! What an incredible, exciting and memorable first year it has been for us all at Citizens. From the first day of year 5 where we were all dressed as our favourite superheroes‚ to the last day of year 5 where we are ready to start our summers. Watching you all grow in confidence this year has been amazing and I am so proud of how hard you have all worked. We have had really fun times in 5A this year such as: Green Planet, iFly, bowling, sky trail, PE at Kite Beach and many, many more. Now it is time to enjoy the well-deserved summer holiday and I look forward to seeing you all grown up and in year 6 next year! YEAR 5A 40
Aisa Erfanian Amira Yousaf Darina Abdulaeva Ayaah Iman Fahd Ammar David Zabolotskikh Gordei Kutuzov Phillipe Prilipov Timur Tyran Varvara Shur Zaheer Zeeshan 41
Maryam Denton Mentor This is 5B – also known as the ‘new kids on the block’ in key stage 2, as we were the last class to be formed up here in the highlands. Our six months together has been nothing short of phenomenal. As their teacher, I am sublimely proud to have taught this extraordinary group. Their blend of backgrounds, personalities and cultures brought a vibrant tapestry to our classroom. Year 5B, your diverse voices have woven together to form a beautiful masterpiece, of shared creativity, stories, laughter, learning and, above all, kindness. Always remember that greatness thrives when we work hard and colour everything with compassion. Keep it up in Year 6! YEAR 5B 42
Ansar Seisen Esmira Huseinova Frederick Micheal Faisal Abu Bakr Hasnaa Bin Jarsh Hasan Ghandourah Kira Igorevna Matvey Vereshchagin Nikol Alekseeva Robert Glezman Sofiia Belkova Vyaan Kalyani 43
Chris Birch Mentor & Key Stage 2 Leader of Learning What an incredible year we have had in Year 6, and what an honour to be a part of the founding year at Citizens School, Dubai. You are all pioneers setting the stage for those who will follow in your footsteps as you climb up through the school. I have thoroughly enjoyed our time together: watching you grow and make the progress you have. We have had a lot of laughter along the way. For some of you, the transition from another country and another school has not been an easy one but you have overcome many hurdles to be here today and should be incredibly proud of the way you have tackled life’s challenges. It has been wonderful getting to know each and every one of you and finding out about your passions and interests. You have all worked so hard this year and thoroughly deserve a well-earned rest this summer. I look forward to hearing about how you are getting on in Year 7. YEAR 6A 44
Angelina Chanchikova Areez Miller Artem Buhai Bers Nikaev Elaine Anaya Haleema Ifrahim Egor Berdiaev Hussein Awad Isabella Hodroge Ivan Sergeev Jad El Sabeh Ivan Voronenko Mark Glezman Maria Zhidkova Tamena Spiers Zamil Zeeshan Philip Sudakov Matvey Zhulin Sani Vadhariya Sara Naveneethan 45
SPECIAL SUBJECTS Manar Mrayan Islamic Mentor Sauossen Mbarek Arabic B Mentor Chirine Harkous Arabic A Mentor Nour Nizar Leader of Arabic Sara Anwar Arabic B Mentor 46
Arabic Calligraphy Club Cultural Center Trip Haq Alelah 47
SPECIAL SUBJECTS Adel Sahnoun Leader of Music and PA Ana Soc Art Mentor Performing Arts 48
Still Life Practice Wild Life Practice Arts & Crafts 49
SPECIAL SUBJECTS Cameron Barnes PE Mentor Sasa Bogdanovic PE Mentor Liam Hirrel Leader of PE and Activities Louise Vickery PE Mentor 50