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NEW KIDS (WELL, LEADERS) ON THE BLOCK The UAE’s Newest Principals for 2025
JAMES MONAGHAN Founding Principal & CEO, GEMS School of Research and Innovation, Dubai
AMY FALHI Founding Principal, Dubai British School Mira
MICHAEL BLOY Principal, Repton School, Dubai
Appointed for the 2025–26 academic year, Amy Falhi brings a passion for creating vibrant and nurturing school environments. A graduate of the University of Leeds with a Master’s in Educational Leadership and a PGCE, Amy has led in both the UK and UAE, most recently serving as Vice Principal at DBS Jumeirah Park, where she played a key role in achieving an Outstanding rating. Amy is dedicated to fostering community and connectedness at DBS Mira as it embarks on its journey to excellence.
Appointed for the 2025–26 academic year, Michael Bloy brings over 20 years of educational leadership across the UK, Middle East, and Asia, including heading Outstanding-rated schools in the UAE. A UAE alumnus with a Master’s in Educational Leadership and NPQH, Bloy is known for his inclusive leadership style grounded in values like belonging, belief, and big aspirations.
With over 30 years of international leadership experience across the UAE, UK, USA, and South Korea, James Monaghan has been appointed as the CEO and Founding Principal of GEMS School of Research and Innovation (SRI), opening in August 2025. Formerly Principal of North London Collegiate School (Dubai and South Korea), Monaghan is known for his pioneering approach to values- driven, personalised learning and student empowerment. Under his leadership, SRI is set to become a global benchmark in educational innovation, described by GEMS as the “finest school in the world.”
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