For pupils, September means going back to class. For schools, it also means working out how quickly everyone can settle in.
New pupils have to find their feet, teachers are joining new teams and parents are getting used to new routines—all while lessons have already begun.
At La Résidence school group, teacher Amina Bourchidi sees the other, more familiar side of la rentrée: the excitement of starting over.
“The start of the school year is always a special moment,” she told Le360. “There is all the excitement of the preparations, the classrooms we get ready and the projects we put into action.”
More than the preparations, she said, it is the return of the pupils that makes the start of the year special.
“Above all, there is the desire to see the students again and provide them with an environment where they can thrive, learn and grow.”
At Al Jabr International School, where pupils range from early childhood to baccalaureate level, the first weeks bring a different sort of workload.
Director Cyril Lefevre said the school is taking in new pupils, teachers and parents at the same time, making the opening weeks an intensive period of adjustment.
And some of that adjustment is now getting dedicated attention.
Al Jabr has set up a student well-being and integration unit, bringing in education and psychology specialists as part of the support available to pupils.
Lefevre said the school was drawing on its experience to strengthen the human and psychological support offered to students, particularly as newcomers settle into school life.
For Bourchidi, the year begins with the hope that the work put in before pupils arrive will carry into the months ahead.
“I wish them lots of courage and success in this new school year,” she said.
