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As more than 800 students, including 200 new pupils, flooded the gates at Bradenton Preparatory School on Sunday, Head of School, Dan Young, opened the morning assembly with some comforting words: "I'm the new kid here too."
Although Young has taught in Dubai schools for 13 years, Sunday marked his first day at the Sports City-based GEMs facility.
But he wasn't the only new kid on the block.
Looking curiously at his timetable at 8.35am, 14-year-old French-Egyptian, Adham Howaidy, told Khaleej Times it was his first day in the school too.
"I'm feeling good, but I'm still readjusting. I'm trying to figure out what my first subject is, I think it's Chemistry."
Although new to the campus, Howaidy said he does know some people at the school, but his biggest bug bear is getting back into the early morning routine again.
"I spent most of my Summer between France and Egypt. I'm finding the morning readjustment hardest but in a few days it'll be fine. This is a new start for me, I'm excited."
Like Howaidy, 17-year-old Tristan Larsen, is a newbie. A student at his previous school for six years, he said it was slightly daunting having to move on to pastures new.
"I know a few people here but I'm most looking forward to meeting new friends."
Much like his peers, Larsen said his biggest qualm is having to wake up at 7am every morning.
"I have been with my family in Switzerland for most of the Summer and most days I would wake up aty 12pm. But on the plus side, I'm looking forward to learning lots," he said.
As the schools entrance began to clear and students made their way to class, Young told Khaleej Times that "as educators, we're at our best when we are with our students".
And just like the first-time students, he said anxiety did play a part in his first day at school.
"Like anything, you want today to go smoothly. It can be stressful but that's a natural feeling. The atmosphere is great."
A US curriculum school catering to Kindergarten to Year 12 students, not everyone was pleased to be back at Bradenton Preparatory School.
"Ruben is not a fan of the back-to-school buzz," his mother Reinette Bester said.
"He has been telling me he doesn't want to change class or meet new teachers, but he's happy he is in the same class as his friend, Jericho."
After spending three weeks in South Africa with his grandparents, 5-year-old Ruben was a little hesitant making his way back through the school gates..
But for German expatriate, Tami Sonne, getting her son Tristan back into the swing of school was a breeze.
"We spent eight weeks back home in Germany but we returned a little early this year so Tristan could enroll at a local Summer camp for a week. It really helped readjust him back to his normal routine."
Students speak to KT about first-day jitters:
Reinette Bester and her son Ruben Bester (left). He is in KG2 and 5-years-old. Speaking to Khaleej Times' Kelly Clarke, Reinette says Ruben is not a fan of the back-to-school routine. "He has been telling me he doesn't want to change class or meet new teachers, but he's happy he is in the same class as his friend Jericho (pictured right). He has just spent 3 weeks in South Africa with his grandparents so he wasn't happy to leave them, but give it a week and he will be back to normal again."
This is 14-year-old Adham Howaidy. He is in Grade 10 and this is his first day at Bradenton Preparatory Academy.
He says, "I am feeling good, but I wam still re-adjusting. I am trying to figure out what my first subject is, I think it's Chemistry. Even though I am new, I do have some friends here. My mother is from France and I was born in Egyt so I spent most of my summer between the two countries. Like everyone, I am finding the morning re-adjustment the hardest, but in a few days it will be fine. This is a new start for me and I am excited to be here."
Yazan Jamous, 16, and Laith Jamous, 11, both attend Bradenton Preparatory School, Sports City.
Tristan Larsen, 17, Grade 11, speaks to Kelly Clarke about his first day at school.
Dan Young, Head of School at GEMS Bradenton Preparatory School, speaks to Kelly Clarke on the first day of school. With more than 800 students flooding the gates, including 200 new pupils, Young says he is looking forward to the year ahead.
WATCH: Students return to school
Video by KT photographer Dhes Handumon from Indian High School.
Students of Indian High School in Oud Metha Dubai recite their prayer during their first day of school assembly at their school auditorium. Video by Dhes Handumon/KT Photographer
Students of Abu Dhabi Indian school resume classes after vacation. Video by Ryan Lim/Khaleej .
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