BHS Welcomes Staff for a New Academic Year

 

Brummana High School began the 2026–2027 academic year by welcoming 17 new staff members and bringing the entire school community together through an in-service programme focused on professional learning and collaborative planning.

New Staff Induction

The new staff induction took place from 2 to 4 September, providing participants with an introduction to the school’s culture, values, programmes, policies, and professional expectations.

The first day opened with a welcome from the Principal, David Gray. The Head of Professional Development and Appraisal, Gisele Hanna, then introduced the new staff members to key personnel, outlined the year-long induction process, and explored the Quaker values that underpin the school’s culture. The Vice Principal Academic, Georges Rizkallah, then provided an introduction to the Cambridge curriculum, followed by training on child protection and anti-bullying led by the Child Protection Officer, Juliana Eid.

On the second day, Upper School teachers began with a section meeting with the Head of Upper School Academic, Aline Alam. Gisele Hanna then introduced the school’s mentoring programme, after which new staff members joined their mentors for roundtable discussions covering school and departmental procedures, planning, assessment, and other practical matters. Gisele Hanna then concluded the day with an overview of key school policies and guidelines.

The third day focused primarily on professional learning for teachers. Sessions included report writing with David Gray; ICT training on Microsoft Office 365 and Moodle by Charbel Bitar, Head of ICT Department; a classroom management workshop led by Lisette El Hage, Head of the English Department; and a concluding workshop on student-centred classrooms facilitated by Gisele Hanna.

By the end of the three-day programme, new staff members had gained the essential knowledge, guidance, and practical tools needed to begin their roles at BHS. Their induction will continue throughout the year, with ongoing support from their mentors, line managers, and the Head of Professional Development and Appraisal to ensure their successful integration into the school’s systems, culture, and community.

Whole-School September In-Service

All staff returned to school for the Whole-School September In-Service on 7 and 8 September. This year’s theme, “Future-Ready Professional Practice and Effective Learning Environments,” reflected the school’s commitment to preparing staff for emerging opportunities while continuing to strengthen teaching, learning, and collaboration.

The first day began with a whole-school gathering in Khoury Hall. David Gray welcomed staff, introduced the school’s new colleagues, presented the Whole-School Development Plan for 2026–2027, and discussed the Staff Code of Conduct.

This was followed by a plenary session on the ethical and safe use of artificial intelligence, delivered by Lina Mansour, a cybersecurity analyst at Layout International. Staff then attended parallel sessions tailored to their roles. These included practical AI workshops for administrative staff by Lina Mansour, speech and psychomotor therapy training for Lower School teachers by Yara Sayegh and Melissa El Khoury, the school’s newly appointed Psychomotor and Language and Speech therapists, and a workshop comparing problem-based and project-based learning for Upper School teachers by Reem El Hout, a former principal and international trainer in inclusive education, 21^st century skills, and student-centered pedagogy. The day concluded with a practical AI workshop for Infant and Lower Primary teachers by Lina Mansour, held alongside Heads of Section meetings for Upper Primary and Upper School teachers.

On the second day, Georges Rizkallah introduced the school’s new AI policy to the teaching staff. Upper Primary and Upper School teachers then participated in practical AI workshops by Lina Mansour, while Infant and Lower Primary teachers attended meetings with their Heads of Section. Later, the Curriculum Committee met with Georges Rizkallah, followed by departmental meetings for all teachers with their Heads of Department and subject coordinators.

The two-day programme concluded with the traditional whole-staff lunch, bringing colleagues together in a warm and collegial atmosphere ahead of the start of the new academic year.

Through both the induction and in-service programmes, BHS reaffirmed its commitment to supporting staff, encouraging continuous professional growth, and creating effective learning environments for every studen