Sunmarke School empowers student voice and vision Through its Signature Events - ‘Think & Thrive Summit' and TEDxSunmarke 2025
Sunmarke School, one of Dubai's leading British curriculum institutions known for its innovation and character building ethos, has once again demonstrated the power of student voice through two landmark events held in June, the
Think & Thrive Summit
and
TEDxSunmarke 2025
. These extraordinary initiatives are key features of
Sunmarke's Signature Programmes
, which are designed to give students real-world experiences far beyond the classroom.
Held on
10 June
,
TEDxSunmarke 2025
delivered a dynamic showcase of student-led thought leadership under the theme
'Beyond the Surface'
. Twelve articulate student speakers and one distinguished guest took to the TEDx stage, exploring themes ranging from personal ambition and mental health to climate action and hidden narratives of success. The talks resonated with raw authenticity and critical insight, reflecting the school's unwavering commitment to developing not just scholars, but confident changemakers prepared for the complexities of tomorrow.
The week prior, on
3 June
, Sunmarke hosted the
Think & Thrive Summit
, a dynamic event that brought industry leaders into direct conversation with students. More than a speaking event, Think & Thrive is a student-moderated conversation space where curiosity, aspiration, and mentorship converge. This year's line-up featured renowned personalities including
Rasna Al Khamis
, Chief Marketing Officer at Emirates Nature–WWF, who shared her experience leading sustainability campaigns across the region;
Lachlan Kitchen
, seasoned radio host and Deputy Programme Director at Talk 100.3 FM, who offered insights into the evolving world of media and live broadcasting;
Maitha Alawadi
, an award-winning Emirati scriptwriter and director who spoke on regional narratives and cultural storytelling; and
Malika Singh
, a celebrated Bollywood film producer, who discussed content creation at scale and the global influence of cinema.
Their stories of triumph, creativity, and resilience served as a powerful career compass for Sunmarke's ambitious secondary students.
These events are part of
Sunmarke's acclaimed Signature Programmes
, a suite of transformative initiatives encompassing STEAM & Design Thinking, AI Learning, Environmental Sustainability, Careers Development, Performing Arts and more. These programmes spark curiosity, build leadership, and develop the self-awareness students need to thrive in an ever-changing world.
'TEDxSunmarke & Think & Thrive Summit was a powerful reminder of what our students can achieve when given the stage, they inspired, challenged, and led with conviction. At Sunmarke, we see oracy as a cornerstone of confidence and leadership. Through Signature Programmes like TEDx and Think & Thrive, we're not just preparing students for exams, but empowering them to find their voice and shape the future
—
Nicholas Rickford, Principal,
Sunmarke School
'
Part of
Fortes Education
, Sunmarke School is rated 'Outstanding' by the British Schools Overseas Inspection Authority and 'Very Good' by the KHDA. It offers a breadth of post-16 pathways including A-Levels, the IB Diploma Programme, and BTEC qualifications. With over
260 after-school and extracurricular activities
,
top global university placements
, and a
purpose-built campus
boasting state-of-the-art STEAM labs, media studios, and Olympic-standard facilities, Sunmarke remains at the forefront of educational excellence in the UAE.
Sunmarke is ranked
68th globally
among IB schools and
3rd in the UAE
, a testament to its academic distinction and student outcomes.
To learn more about Sunmarke School and its Signature Programmes, visit
www.sunmarke.com
.
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OCM sought to terminate the deal in June 2021 when Mr Mallah was placed under sanctions, and his assets and bank accounts were subject to a US freezing order. Subsequent lawsuits sought to wrest control from Mr Mallah. OCM had also sought £1 million in legal costs and in a subsequent court order in May 2024, Mr Mallah was given a prison sentence for fraud. Mr Mallah's submissions included forged documents purporting to be from the Greek authorities showing he had left the country before the notice was served, which led to a hearing for contempt of court. He was sentenced to 18 months in jail, though he is unlikely ever to serve any of it. In response, the shipping tycoon insisted he was the victim of a set-up. "I have nothing to do with Hezbollah and the Houthis. This is a big lie against me to rob me,' he said. Luxury home Mr Said lives in Dubai in the prestigious Palm Jumeirah, a big attraction for foreign buyers making high-end property purchases. When The National tried to pay a visit to his villa in Frond D, security did not allow anyone to pass unless there was permission from the owner. There was a small roundabout before the checkpoint at the Frond D entrance with a small sign on the right mentioning the letter of the Frond with a brief warning in Arabic and English: "Residents and visitors only". The security guard asked for identification and the reason for visiting. 'The host needs to alert the security so you can go inside after showing identification,' he said. Dubai is one of the world's most active markets for luxury homes and The Palm is the most desirable location for $10 million-plus properties. It has 17 fronds which extend outward from the trunk of the island, forming the distinctive palm tree shape. It is spread over an area of 560 hectares and divided into three main areas, The Crescent, Trunk and Fronds. They are primarily designed to house luxury residential villas, hotels and resorts. In June, an announcement was made for five luxurious villas to be built on land bought for Dh365 million ($99.4 million) on the island by developer 25 Degrees. Frond D is a gated sub-community on the north-east of The Palm development. The fronds are primarily residential areas, so access is often restricted to residents, guests or those with legitimate business.
