Primary School | Student Life | DIA Emirates Hills | Dubai, U.A.E

Primary School

we believe Primary education is the foundation for a lifetime of learning. By embracing the PYP Learner Profile, we empower students to grow academically, personally, socially, culturally, and athletically, nurturing well-rounded individuals ready to thrive in a global community.

At DIA, we believe in the transformative power of education, and our Primary School reflects this through a holistic approach. Here, your children will grow academically, socially, and emotionally in an environment that celebrates curiosity, creativity, and international-mindedness. Through the PYP framework, we nurture learners who are principled, caring, and reflective, preparing them to thrive in an ever-changing world.

From our dedicated teachers to our extensive opportunities in academics, arts, sports, and co-curricular activities, we strive to inspire every child to reach their fullest potential. Our "third culture" ethos promotes a unique blend of cultural traditions, creating a truly global community where students develop respect, empathy, and open-mindedness.

We value the partnership between school and home, as your involvement plays a crucial role in your child’s success. Through regular newsletters, events, and parent workshops, we aim to keep you connected and informed throughout the year.

Together, we make this school a memorable experience of learning, growth, and achievement. We thank all our parents for entrusting us with their child’s education, and we look forward to working alongside prospective parents in order to make a positive impact in young lives.

 

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Student Council

Student Leadership at Dubai International Academy

At DIA, we believe in empowering our students to become confident, compassionate, and proactive leaders. Our Student Leadership program provides a platform for students to contribute meaningfully to the school community, develop their leadership skills, and inspire positive change.

This year, we are proud to announce a total of 49 year long student leadership positions across various roles:

  • Head and Deputy Head Student Leadership

    • Head Boy: Ayaan Ahuja
    • Head Girl: Rihanna Khirandish
    • Deputy Head Boy: Samarth Shreyas
    • Deputy Head Girl: Tiffany Rosa

 

  • House Captains (8 positions)

    • Water: Jordan Jain & Alejandra Dot Ribas
    • Fire: Harry Ryan & Vedika Kulshreshtha
    • Air: Krish Mimani & Jessica Wong
    • Earth: Azzurra De Mitri & Ahan Jadhav

 

  • Sports Ambassadors (8 positions)

    • Representing excellence in sports and encouraging physical activity among peers.

 

  • Eco Ambassadors (8 positions)

    • Driving sustainability initiatives and fostering environmental awareness within the school.

 

  • Action Ambassadors (20 positions)

    • Promoting community service, engagement, and teamwork through a range of projects.

 

  • Wellbeing Ambassadors (6 positions)

    • Supporting mental health, kindness, and inclusivity to enhance the overall wellbeing of the school community.

These roles not only help students grow as individuals but also contribute to the vibrant, inclusive, and collaborative spirit of our school. Together, they represent the heart of our mission to "Dream, Inspire, Achieve.

Co-Curricular Activities

At DIA, we believe that learning extends far beyond the classroom. Our diverse range of Co-Curricular Activities (CCAs) provides students with the opportunity to explore their passions, develop new skills, and foster meaningful connections with their peers.

Our CCAs cater to a variety of interests, including:

  • Sports and Fitness: Football, basketball, swimming, and yoga.
  • Performing Arts: Choir, drama productions, and dance clubs.
  • STEM: Robotics, coding, and math clubs.
  • Creative Arts: Art workshops, photography, and design challenges.
  • Community Service: Charity initiatives, environmental projects, and Junior Dukes activities.
  • Open Clubs and Development Squads: We believe in competition, but we also believe in development. Our open clubs and development squads cater for students who want to play, try out or develop their sporting profiles.
  • Squads With over 500 competitive fixtures in a typical calendar year and an ever-expanding program, students can engage in activities that enhance their competitive spirit.
  • Paid CCAs: Every day of the week there are opportunities for students to engage with a range of our hand picked partners who offer a wide range of clubs that compliment our already wide offering. 

CCA Booklet

Paid cCA Booklet

School Timings

At DIA, we have structured our school day to maximize learning while supporting the wellbeing of our students. Below are the detailed timings for the academic year:


KG1 & KG2 Timings (Monday to Thursday)

  • Drop-off: 7:00 AM - 7:35 AM
  • Registration: 7:35 AM - 7:40 AM
  • Lesson 1: 7:40 AM - 8:20 AM
  • Lesson 2: 8:20 AM - 9:00 AM
  • Lesson 3: 9:00 AM - 9:40 AM
  • Break: 9:40 AM - 10:00 AM
  • Lesson 4: 10:00 AM - 10:40 AM
  • Lesson 5: 10:40 AM - 11:20 AM
  • Lesson 6: 11:20 AM - 12:00 PM
  • Lunch: 12:00 PM - 12:40 PM
  • Lesson 7: 12:40 PM - 1:20 PM

Friday Timings

  • Drop-off: 7:00 AM - 7:30 AM
  • School ends: 12:00 PM

Year 1 to Year 6 Timings (Monday to Thursday)

  • Drop-off: 7:00 AM - 7:35 AM
  • Registration: 7:35 AM - 7:40 AM
  • Lesson 1: 7:40 AM - 8:35 AM
  • Lesson 2: 8:35 AM - 9:30 AM
  • Break: 9:30 AM - 9:50 AM
  • Lesson 3: 9:50 AM - 10:45 AM
  • Lesson 4: 10:45 AM - 11:40 AM
  • Lunch: 11:40 AM - 12:20 PM
  • Lesson 5: 12:20 PM - 1:15 PM
  • Lesson 6: 1:15 PM - 2:10 PM
  • Break: 2:10 PM - 2:25 PM
  • Lesson 7: 2:25 PM - 3:00 PM
  • CCAs (Optional): 3:10 PM - 4:00 PM

Friday Timings

  • Drop-off: 7:00 AM - 7:30 AM
  • School ends: 12:00 PM

sPORTS

At Dubai International Academy, sport is a cornerstone of our commitment to holistic education, fostering physical health, mental wellbeing, and character development. Since our founding in 2005, we have prioritized sports as a vital part of our school’s ethos, embracing the philosophy of "Sport for All." This approach ensures opportunities for every student, from enthusiastic beginners to elite athletes, celebrating effort, achievement, and participation across all levels.

A Tradition of Excellence

Our commitment to sports has earned DIA prestigious recognition, including being named the 2023–2024 Winners of the Sheikh Hamdan Order of Merit for Sport, a testament to our leadership in promoting student health and athletic excellence. Most recently, our Primary students achieved outstanding results at the World School Games 2024–2025, placing 3rd overall and proudly becoming winning a host of gold, silver and bronze medals, including a trophy for our newly crowned girls football team, who are now the U11 World School Games Champions.

Participation and Inclusion

  • On average, over 700 students are actively involved in sports teams from Primary School.
  • 164 teams across the school represent a wide range of activities.
  • 19 competitive sports are offered, including swimming, athletics, football, cricket, netball, and more.
  • 57 dedicated coaches and a 12-member School Wide Sports Faculty supporting student development.
  • 500+ Primary fixtures annually, create countless opportunities for teamwork and competition.

Achievements and Partnerships

DIA competes in the DASSA leagues, with 90% of our teams in Division 1, showcasing the strength and talent of our athletes. In 2022–2023, we proudly secured 19 DASSA championship titles across the school.

Our international reach extends to partnerships with local clubs like Shabab Al Ahli and Al Nasr, as well as global success in events such as the World School Games and international tournaments in Spain, Italy, the UK, and Sri Lanka.

Wellbeing Through Sport

Student wellbeing and happiness are at the heart of our vision. Sports at DIA promote physical fitness, resilience, and inclusivity, creating a positive impact on student health and fostering a sense of belonging. Through our programs, we aim to inspire lifelong healthy habits and teamwork.

Whether your child is discovering their passion or striving for competitive excellence, DIA provides the environment, resources, and encouragement they need to thrive. Together, we dream, inspire, and achieve—on and off the field.

Sporting Activities, Teams and Fixtures
 
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Message from the Head of Physical education and competitive Sports (Primary)

Welcome to Sport and Physical Education at Dubai International Academy, Emirates Hills!

At DIA, we believe that sport and physical activity are essential to every child’s development. Our Primary Physical Education program is designed to be inclusive, engaging, and enriching, ensuring all students, from KG2 through Year 6, develop transferable skills, resilience, teamwork, and a lifelong appreciation for health and fitness.

Our PE curriculum covers a wide range of activities, including Health and Fitness, Invasion Games, Swimming, Athletics, Striking and Fielding, Net Games, and Gymnastics. These activities allow students to explore their interests, develop sport-specific skills, and foster cooperation and determination. To further enrich their experience, we align our curriculum with competitive schedules and continually explore opportunities to enhance their learning.

The Co-Curricular Activities (CCA) program at DIA offers a diverse range of after-school sports, from basketball and football to table tennis and kickboxing. Our partnerships with leading community organisations, such as Speedo, Hurricanes Rugby, and Ultimate Athletics, create additional pathways for development. Whether participating for fun or preparing for competitive teams, every student is encouraged to find their passion and grow their confidence.

For those with a competitive edge, DIA proudly participates in the DASSA leagues and the World School Games. From Year 3 onwards, our teams compete in sports such as football, swimming, netball, and basketball, training rigorously to represent the school. These competitions foster a sense of pride, achievement, and camaraderie, celebrating both individual and team successes.

We also champion events such as Sports Days, where students of all ages participate in fun, challenging activities that promote house spirit and teamwork. These events bring our community together and highlight the importance of collaboration and perseverance.

At DIA, we are committed to nurturing every child’s physical and emotional well-being through sport. We strive to provide safe, enjoyable, and rewarding experiences that inspire our students to lead active, healthy lives.

I look forward to working with your children and supporting them on their journey to achieving their personal bests, both on and off the field.

Katie Allason
Head of PE and Competitive sport (Primary)

Email: katiea@diadubai.com

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Message from Director of Sports

Dear Parents and Students,
I would like to welcome all of you at the start of the 2018-2019 Academic Year!
Last season we celebrated many outstanding national and international sporting achievements in football, basketball, swimming, cricket, volleyball and track and field.

The milestone achievement of being the 3rd Best Sports School in UAE by UAE Teen Sports & Fitness Awards still resonates. This outstanding accomplishment certainly puts DIA on the map as one of the best sports schools in the country which everyone should be proud of.

While we have had many successes in the past, I am confident we will achieve even better results in all of our programs this academic year.

As your child becomes involved in the sports program at DIA, they will experience some of the most rewarding moments in their life. We always strive to have our athletes reach their full potential in all areas of the sports experience academically, socially, and through the competitions.

Student-athletes are striving to succeed in two demanding areas simultaneously- academics and sports. They have the responsibility of developing and working toward an educational goal as well as training in their favourite sports. We encourage and assist student-athletes in maintaining academic eligibility so they can continue to participate in sports.

Success does not occur overnight; it is an ongoing process. Commitment is a very important part of the student’s development in sports. They must understand that coming on the day of the event or game is not sufficient. Athletes need to understand that practice along with all the other obligations is necessary in order to achieve success.

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Parent involvement, whether it be as a supportive fun, housing visiting athletes, or volunteering at concessions, all are welcome to help in creating the community you wish to be a part of. At DIA volunteering is essential to the success of the programme and development of school spirit. We welcome all students and families to participate in sports at DIA. Involvement in sports will help strengthen relationships across the many families and cultural groups which exist in our school.

Please take some time to thoughtfully consider your participation in sports for the 2017-2018 year. Detailed lists of the secondary try out, school events and fixtures will be displayed on our school webpage.

At Dubai International Academy we have talented young athletes who participate in a wide array of sports teams and events.  Our goal is to help develop student talent and give every individual the opportunity for success.

Also, I would like to invite everyone to support our athletes throughout the seasons of sports. We will be delighted to see you out there cheering on our teams.

I am looking forward to another successful sporting year ahead.

GO WOLVES!

Sincerely

Mihail G. Kouzev
Director of Sport & Activities

Email: mihailk@diadubai.com

 
Food

Packed Lunches

If you choose to bring a snack and/or lunch from home please ensure this healthy and adequate to the needs of your children.

  • NO nuts
  • NO Sweets/Lollipops/Chewing gum
  • NO Carbonated drinks

School food - Kalo Hospitality

We are pleased to inform you that Kalo Hospitality is our catering provider. Team Kalo has over two decades of experience in the UAE and we work together to provide healthy and nutritious food to our schools and early childhood community.

Kalo’s daily offerings in the cafeterias will include:

  • Live egg station for breakfast
  • Live fresh smoothie counters throughout the day
  • Freshly baked bakery products
  • Fresh salads and sandwiches with multi cereal bread options
  • Wholesome and nutritious lunch with multiple vegetarian and non-vegetarian options
  • Freshly brewed coffee for teachers and parents

Additionally, Primary school students can continue to order pre-packaged meal boxes that will be freshly prepared and delivered daily. These meal boxes offer hot and cold options and can be pre-ordered monthly that will be delivered directly into their classrooms.

Registration & cash transactions:

Kalo Hospitality has a one stop mobile application to enhance the user experience in the school cafeterias and to make managing the student meals seamless and convenient. The application will need to be downloaded and the student details will need to be registered. Multiple student IDs can be registered against a single user.

The mobile application can be used for the following:

  • Enabling payment using student IDs
  • Direct top up of funds.
  • Viewing of available balances.
  • Overview of monthly menus.
  • Pre-ordering of meals for primary students
  • Purchases can also be made from the cafeteria using cash or credit card during the registration process.

The Kalo mobile application is available for both iOS and Android users and their links are given below and an overview of its functions are attached for your reference:

  • iOS (Apple) App Link: https://apps.apple.com/ae/app/kalo-hospitality/id6461117251
  • Android App Link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=munch.kalo.delivery

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact:

  • Email: hello@kalohospitality.com
  • Kalo Hospitality Mobile / WhatsApp: 056-7200964

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