Walking our boys into their new school for the first time was one of the most emotional days since we moved to Dubai.
Not because anything went wrong – but because everything felt right.
The Morning: Nerves All Round
We walked to Hartland School together, all four of us. Proudly (and nervously) sporting our new parent lanyards.
"Very proud day. Nervous. Excited. First day. What do you want to say to you in a week's time when you watch this back?" Riley: "I will regret saying that I am nervous." "It's okay to be nervous mate. There's so much change."
Today was for all new students – a half day to settle in. We went to the auditorium, got a speech from the principal (still getting used to saying "principal" instead of "headteacher"), and then watched the boys head off to their classrooms.
The Moment It Hit Us
Standing outside Riley's classroom, I found myself fully welling up. Sara the same.
I was trying to work out why.
"A couple of things came through my head. One: this now feels like home. That was the feeling coming over me. Secondly – now this feels like home, I want to make sure we do everything we can to sustain, enjoy and grow and live here together."
Until that moment, even though we'd moved, found an apartment, done all the logistics – it still felt like a holiday. The boys had been in holiday mode.
This changed everything.
Why Hartland Felt Right
We toured several schools before choosing. Hartland gave us something the others didn't: a feeling.
The Power of a Smile
"The teachers just seemed so friendly. They said they're a family at Heartland – that's the feeling you got. Every single teacher greeting you, welcoming you with such excitement. That was exactly what the boys needed."
It's easy for a school to say they're a family. Making you feel it is different.
It reminded us of Hilltop, their school back in the UK – the same level of warmth and welcome. That's why leaving Hilltop was so emotional. Finding the same feeling here? Huge relief.
The Shift in Mindset
Something Sara said that stuck with me:
"We've moved them from the UK, out of a school where they were happy, to a new country where they've got to make new friends. We need to make this work. There's no going back now."
Up until now, it was a two-way door (even if we never said it out loud). Now our boys are starting a new chapter. It's real.
The School Run: Electric Scooters Are Essential
Pick-up time arrived. I'd been watching other parents whizzing past on scooters while we sweated through the walk.
"I can get 30 minutes back if I just buy two scooters today."
So we did. Best purchase we've made.
Sara's First Scooter Review
- "Fast. Nice breeze."
- "I don't like the bumps."
- "I like the bell."
Then came the real challenge: getting both boys on them and riding one-handed with a kid on board.
"I've seen other people do it. They can do it, we can do it. Just hopefully without crashing."
Spoiler: We didn't crash.
Building Community: Exiles Rugby
The day wasn't over. Riley had a taster session with the Exiles Rugby Club at the Rugby Sevens stadium.
Quick background: Riley was a superstar at rugby back in the UK. It was our thing – every weekend together. He'd been with his team for 4-5 years.
"I really missed it. I used to have a really good team, really good friendships."
The Welcome
As soon as Riley reached the pitch, classic rugby culture kicked in:
- "Hey guys, this is Riley, everyone introduce yourself"
- All the kids came up, shook hands
- He settled in instantly
Within a few hours, we felt like part of the club. The youth manager walked us from the car park all the way to the pitch. There's a pool at the clubhouse parents can use during training. The vibe is completely different to freezing Sunday mornings in the UK.
A Second Community
We realized: we're building community in two places now.
| Community | Connection |
|---|---|
| Hartland School | Daily school life, parent friendships |
| Exiles Rugby | Weekend sport, family time, social hub |
Sessions are Saturday mornings and Thursday evenings – now non-negotiables in our calendar.
The Costa Confession
One downside: the clubhouse has Costa, not Starbucks. We're coffee snobs. But...
"I'm just going to put this out there. This is better than the ones I've had at Starbucks."
Sara couldn't believe it. Neither could I.
Riley's Verdict
"How did you find it?"
"It was amazing. I did score and everybody was really nice. They want to play to win. Definitely teammates. Do you want to come back and join? Yes. Definitely. I am locked in."
Locked in. That's all we needed to hear.
What We Learned This Week
| Lesson | Detail |
|---|---|
| The shift happens | School starting makes it feel real – no longer a holiday |
| Trust the feeling | Schools that make you feel welcome are worth choosing |
| Electric scooters | Essential for school runs in the heat – buy them immediately |
| Build two communities | School + activity club = kids settle faster |
| Rugby culture travels | The welcoming handshakes, the team spirit – it's the same worldwide |
The Emotional Truth
If you're about to drop your kids at a new school in a new country, you might well up too. And that's okay.
It's not sadness – it's the weight of what you've done, mixed with relief that it's working, mixed with determination to make it last.
"It's like – wow. We're not on holiday anymore. This is real. There's no going back. We need to make it work."
And when your kids come out smiling, talking about their new friends, excited for tomorrow?
That's when you know you made the right call.
For Families Considering the Move
- Take the neighbourhood quiz – Find areas near good schools
- Browse school guides – Compare options
- Work with Sara – Get personalised support for your move
This is what it feels like. The nerves, the tears, the relief. And then suddenly – home.