Eyes on Early Years Volume 17 | Page 2

As another academic year finishes, it is time to reflect on what a busy year we have all had and how much we have achieved, both individually and as a team. When I started EYES over 10 years ago, with the vision of delivering high quality training to early years educators, I never expected that it would grow into such a large organisation, and that we would deliver the Cache qualifications and the CPD training sessions to so many passionate, caring and dedicated people working in early years settings and in primary schools. I am so proud of all the students who commit to undertake a qualification that takes hard work, dedication and effort to complete and that, I am told time and time again, transforms their life both professionally and personally. We held our 28th Dubai graduation at the end of June and our 21st Abu Dhabi graduation the week before to celebrate all our learners’ achievements in completing their Cache courses and achieving an internationally recognised qualification, with over 130 students attending to celebrate all their hard work and no more homework! Enjoy looking at the photos of the events later in the magazine. It was a time for me to remember earlier graduations when we had smaller numbers and how in the early days in Abu Dhabi I used to take finishing students out for afternoon tea as there were less options for a night time celebration! No matter the number of students who are celebrating completing their course at the end of each term, each one is special and has a story of why they are there and what a difference the course has made to them. I was delighted on Thursday night to be able to listen to some of their journeys and to see how proud they were. I know that these students will continue to be a great advert for being life-long learners and will be fantastic role models for others they meet who are considering studying.