Welcome to TWS Dubai's Green Website
TWS is the Middle East’s first, and to date only, ‘Centre of Excellence in Sustainability and Climate Change Learning’ and holds impressive green credentials. Our school has also partnered with eduCCate Global and has already achieved the related Bronze and Silver Awards in record time, making it the largest school in the world to have achieved this status. A total of 292 TWS teachers and leaders are now UN-certified Climate Change Teachers.
Our school's efforts in moving towards a more eco-friendly organization has been on-going and innovative. From in-house green initiatives like Greet Pot Initiative, Rethinking Waste Competition, Organic gardening, TWS creatively expanded its eco-journey with student led action plan highlighting high impact, medium impact and awareness based action points.
Senior Leadership Team with our own green harvest
Mr. Carl Roberts (Principal) at our Green Garden spot
Fresh green leaf and vegetable harvest from our TWS garden
SENIOR LEADERSHIP MEMBERS ON SUSTAINABILITY
Carl Roberts
Executive Principal and CEO
At The Westminster School, Dubai we understand our responsibility to ensure that young people are well educated in environmental and sustainability issues – after all it is they who will ultimately undo the damage done by previous generations. We also understand that we can all do something today to ensure that future generations continue to have a beautiful world in which to live. That’s why we continually look for sustainable solutions in the way we run our school and continually consider our impact on the environment. It is also why we have built a sustainability education programme that not only educates all students on climate change and the importance of sustainability but also encourages them to find simple and practical ways in which they can protect our planet’s future.
Dr. Vijayakumari Sathyan
Head of School/ Deputy CEO
The recorded population in the year 2020 is 7.8 billion. This number is projected to go up to 10 billion by 2050, with demand for water increasing by 70%. To keep up with the demand for food, the production in the agriculture sector would have to increase by about 60%, of which 50% is irrigated agriculture. Due to the water stress that this will cause, experts predict that about 6 billion people will experience clean water shortages by 2050. Currently, there is insufficient supply to keep up with the demand, and 2 billion people live under water scarcity conditions. This is only the tip of the iceberg.
At the Westminster School, we have launched some initiatives we believe will help practise sustainability. From in-house green initiatives like Greet Pot Initiative, Rethinking Waste Competition, Organic gardening, TWS creatively expanded its eco-journey with a student-led action plan highlighting high impact, medium impact and awareness-based action points. We have also hosted "Green Vogue", a virtual conference on sustainable fashion, and "Youth Vision, Green Solution", a program for students competing for the best sustainable solution on the burning issues of climate. On 28th June 2021, TWS will host "Green Souq". Climate change initiative to source sustainable solutions from industry experts who create change to make this world a better place to live. The conference aims to encompass sustainable solutions that can be adopted at the individual level to create a more significant impact in society and embrace the objectives of Triple Bottom Line (People, Planet and Profit) of Social Enterprise to create a broader effect. TWS is also the Middle East's first, and to date only, 'Centre of Excellence in Sustainability and Climate Change Learning' and is the largest school to hold Bronze and Silver Awards from eduCCate Global.
With green hope, the Eco-school journey continues!
Carl Roberts
Executive Principal and CEO
At The Westminster School, Dubai we understand our responsibility to ensure that young people are well educated in environmental and sustainability issues – after all it is they who will ultimately undo the damage done by previous generations. We also understand that we can all do something today to ensure that future generations continue to have a beautiful world in which to live. That’s why we continually look for sustainable solutions in the way we run our school and continually consider our impact on the environment. It is also why we have built a sustainability education programme that not only educates all students on climate change and the importance of sustainability but also encourages them to find simple and practical ways in which they can protect our planet’s future.
Dr. Vijayakumari Sathyan
Head of School/ Deputy CEO
The recorded population in the year 2020 is 7.8 billion. This number is projected to go up to 10 billion by 2050, with demand for water increasing by 70%. To keep up with the demand for food, the production in the agriculture sector would have to increase by about 60%, of which 50% is irrigated agriculture. Due to the water stress that this will cause, experts predict that about 6 billion people will experience clean water shortages by 2050. Currently, there is insufficient supply to keep up with the demand, and 2 billion people live under water scarcity conditions. This is only the tip of the iceberg.
At the Westminster School, we have launched some initiatives we believe will help practise sustainability. From in-house green initiatives like Greet Pot Initiative, Rethinking Waste Competition, Organic gardening, TWS creatively expanded its eco-journey with a student-led action plan highlighting high impact, medium impact and awareness-based action points. We have also hosted "Green Vogue", a virtual conference on sustainable fashion, and "Youth Vision, Green Solution", a program for students competing for the best sustainable solution on the burning issues of climate. On 28th June 2021, TWS will host "Green Souq". Climate change initiative to source sustainable solutions from industry experts who create change to make this world a better place to live. The conference aims to encompass sustainable solutions that can be adopted at the individual level to create a more significant impact in society and embrace the objectives of Triple Bottom Line (People, Planet and Profit) of Social Enterprise to create a broader effect. TWS is also the Middle East's first, and to date only, 'Centre of Excellence in Sustainability and Climate Change Learning' and is the largest school to hold Bronze and Silver Awards from eduCCate Global.
With green hope, the Eco-school journey continues!
TWS GREEN FLAG AWARD CERTIFICATION
TWS is Awarded the Prestigious Green Flag for Environmental Excellence!
A Testament to Sustainability, Innovation, and Student Empowerment
We are proud to announce that The Westminster School, Dubai (TWS) has been awarded the internationally recognised Green Flag following a recent on-site assessment—an accolade that reflects our exceptional commitment to environmental education and sustainable development.
The Green Flag Award, conferred by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), serves as a global benchmark for environmental excellence. It is awarded to schools that adopt a holistic, student-led approach to sustainability based on the rigorous Eco-Schools Seven-Step Framework, which includes:
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Eco-Committee
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Environmental Review (Audit)
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Curriculum Links
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Action Plan
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Monitoring and Evaluation
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Informing and Involving
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Eco-Code
The FEE commended The Westminster School, Dubai for its outstanding environmental practices, stating:
“We deeply appreciate the exceptional student leadership, the passion and knowledge demonstrated by the Eco-Committee, the holistic approach involving curriculum integration, community engagement, and systematic monitoring, as well as the innovative prioritisation of ‘reduce’ over ‘recycle’.”
“The Westminster School, Dubai goes beyond the standard requirements, demonstrating exemplary dedication to sustainability through an exceptionally motivated Eco-Committee.”
The assessment highlighted the school’s student-led initiatives, strong curriculum integration, community involvement, and innovation in prioritising waste reduction. The Eco-Schools team also praised the comprehensive nature of our Green Flag application and documentation.
This prestigious achievement is the result of the unwavering efforts of our Green Committee, comprising passionate student leaders and guided by a committed team of Green Teacher Ambassadors:
Ms. Ashwini Deshpande, Ms. Florence Anthony, Ms. Jyoti Paraddi, Ms. Maria Sawashere, and Ms. Sruthiba Lawrence. Their mentorship and dedication have been instrumental to the programme’s success.
We extend our sincere appreciation to Ms. Marshanil Sinha Roy, our Climate Change Lead, for her strategic vision and integral role in embedding sustainability across school operations and learning.
We also express our heartfelt gratitude to Ms. Vijayakumari Sathyan, Head of School, for her inspiring leadership and steadfast commitment to the green vision of TWS, which has cultivated a strong culture of environmental stewardship.
Once again, The Westminster School, Dubai has made its mark in the realm of sustainability. This Green Flag certification reflects the collective efforts of our students, staff, parents, and the wider school community—together championing a sustainable future through the Eco-Schools framework.
TWS ECO SCHOOL & GREEN FLAG AWARD
Eco-Schools was established in Denmark in 1994 by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) following the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio. Today, it is the world's largest international accreditation and education for sustainable development (ESD) programme. Eco-Schools empower students and schools to adopt sustainable practices while fostering proactive, environmentally conscious global citizens.
Eco-Schools follow a Seven-Step Methodology, providing a structured framework that engages the entire school community. Students play a key role in shaping and implementing the programme through the following seven steps:
Form an Eco-Committee – Establish a dedicated team to drive sustainability efforts.
Conduct a Sustainable Development Audit – Assess the school’s environmental impact.
Create an Action Plan – Develop strategies for improvement.
Monitor and Evaluate – Track progress and make necessary adjustments
.Link to the Curriculum – Integrate sustainability into learning.
Inform and Involve – Engage the wider school community.Create an Eco-Code – Develop a set of values guiding sustainable actions.
Objectives of the Programme
Eco-Schools aims to:Promote real-life, experiential, and outdoor learning to encourage sustainable practices.
Empower students to take an active role in their communities.
Foster inclusivity by uniting the school community around a shared environmental goal.
Enhance the school’s ecological footprint and overall sustainability performance.
The programme aligns with the four pillars of education:
Learning to Know – Encouraging critical and systemic thinking.
Learning to Be – Developing self-reflection and emotional competencies.
Learning to Do – Applying knowledge to real-world challenges.
Learning to Live Together – Cultivating collaboration and responsibility.
The Green Flag Award
The Green Flag Award is a prestigious recognition granted to schools that demonstrate excellence in sustainability and continuous environmental improvement.
It signifies a school's commitment to integrating eco-friendly practices, such as waste reduction, energy conservation, and biodiversity enhancement, into daily operations and the curriculum.
Achieving the award fosters hands-on learning, encourages responsible citizenship, and inspires future generations to take meaningful environmental action.
The Westminster School, Dubai, is actively working towards earning the Eco-Schools Green Flag Award. This marks a significant milestone in the school’s journey towards sustainability.
However, obtaining the award is not the final goal—it serves as a launchpad for ongoing environmental commitment and continuous improvement in education for sustainable development
SENIOR LEADERSHIP MEMBERS ON SUSTAINABILITY
Ms. Marshanil Sinha Roy
Head of Pastoral/Climate Change Leader
The green journey at TWS that began with small steps in the year 2020 has gained momentum with every passing year. The school’s Eco Committee which was formed with a handful number of students and staff (teaching and non-teaching) during the gestation days of the climate change propaganda, has now made a remarkable progress by motivating more number of young learners and currently we have a proud number of more than 5 officially appointed Green Leaders and Green Coordinators in each of the three parts of the school (Primary, Secondary Girls, and Secondary Boys & Sixth Form) who meticulously plan and implement green activities across the school, from FS1 to Year 13. The green family has not only grown in number but also has made a prominent place in the curriculum and students’ heart. It is indeed an overwhelming feeling to see our young and enthusiastic climate changers taking the lead in bringing about a positive change in the thinking process of others and motivating them to believe that it is not just one person’s responsibility to think wisely, but the need of the hour for everyone to act wisely and use resources effectively.
TWS ECO TEAM 2022 - 2024
Ms. Marshanil
Sinha Roy
Ms. Ashwini
Deshpande
Ms. Jyoti
Parradi
TWS ECO TEAM 2025
Ms. Marshanil
Sinha Roy
Ms. Ashwini
Deshpande
Ms. Jyoti
Paraddi
Ms. Florence
Anthony
Ms. Maria
EduCCate Global is a Not-For Profit Organisation that is a joint partner of UNITAR, which was launched in the United Kingdom. The school achieved Bronze Award in February, 2020. This was quickly followed by the Silver Award (June 2020) and they are now in a position to complete the Gold Award. Through its climate change work the school estimates that it has already saved over 200 trees and over 40,000 AED a year by reducing paper usage alone. The work has been led by the Head of School, Ms Vijayakumari Sathyan who is a long-standing member of the school and of GEMS Education.
An eduCCate Global Silver Award Centre of Excellence in Sustainability & Climate Change Learning
An eduCCate Global Bronze Award Centre of Excellence in Sustainability & Climate Change Learning
Appreciation certificate for TWS
Recycling award - 3rd Place
A certificate to glorify our school's contribution towards E-waste
The year of sustainability team (KHDA) recognized the schools outstanding efforts and valuable contributions in the field of sustainability.
TWS ECO-SCHOOL PLAN
Sustainability is preached everywhere, but only sometimes seen practiced. Here at TWS, we aim to promote and build eco-consciousness about paper, plastics and textile throughout all stakeholders. To additionally, pursue a more sustainable and self-sufficient path throughout all school procedures and processes. TWS works towards ensuring the staff and students, within school and outside, be educated on climate change causes and impacts. The eco school plan was developed by the school's Green Ambassadors' who also played an active role in the implementation.
Climate Change Action Plan Agendas
High Impact action plan- Promoting paperless operations in TWS
Awareness impact action plan- Promotion of Sustainable Fashion
Moderate Impact- Eradication of plastic
COLOUR CODE WASTE TREATMENT
Colour Code is an approved recycling company by the Dubai Municipality, UAE that aims to recycle various types of waste. We are proud to say that TWS has been certified by Colour Code two times in the span of a year.
February 2022
June 2021
GEMS GLOBAL AMBASSADOR INVESTITURE CEREMONY
EDITORIAL TEAM 2023-2024
Zahra Ali Jaffer
Lead Editor
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Sarvagya Gurnani
Lead Editor
Sarvagya Gurnani
Lead Editor
EDITORIAL TEAM 2024 - 2025
EDITORIAL TEAM 2025-2026