December Newsletter

Dear Parents, Staff and Friends

As we start the last week of the school term, its incumbent on me to reflect on the last twelve months. The school is certainly moving positively towards reaching the goal of the strategic direction initiated earlier this year; to become a school of choice,  and we look forward to embracing the challenges of 2019 with optimism and excitement. There is a new energy and purpose around the school. Staff are focused and enthusiastic about the possibilities that await them in 2019 and in the next few days we will look in detail at the planning for 2019 to ensure that we can give your child or children an exceptional and memorable education.

Last week saw the last of our cultural activities with the learners who participated in the dance examinations achieving excellent results – They all passed their medals and exam levels. The most successful candidate was Emmah Siyabu with 89% for her grade 4 modern exam (level 8). Congratulations indeed!

Please note the following important information regarding the Foundation Phase. 

• We are going to be changing the children drop off approach next year so please be aware that this is happening. We will give you detail at the start of 2019 and make sure that all parents and transport drivers are aware of this. We are doing this for both safety and for efficiency reasons.
• Ms Sharon King is leaving us to take up a senior post at a neighbouring  school. On your behalf I would like to thank her for all she has done, for the hours she has given to the school and wish her all the very best for the future.
• Grade RR Class – We  will be offering a Grade RR class for learners who are weak in English and school readiness capabilities. We are seeing an increasing need to offer this service to our parents with children coming from less resourced schools. Please contact the school for more details.

Foundation Phase Grounds and Buildings
We have initiated a major renovation project to the grounds and buildings of the Foundation Phase which should be completed by the start of the new year. These developments include

• Adding a Jungle Gym and a sand pit play area
• Extensive permanent seating areas
• Installation of air-conditioning units in selected classrooms
• Shaded  play and seating areas to compliment the recent murals
• Covered concrete playing areas
• As mentioned we are reshaping and redesigning the drop off and collection designated areas

Last week also saw the very successful awards ceremonies for the Foundation Phase, Primary School and High School. I would like to thank all the parents who supported the evening and congratulate all the award winners, but also want to congratulate those whose achievements were exceptional l but did not necessarily produce a public recognition. We all need to acknowledge and thank all the teachers who spent many hours of their time to make sure that the evening was a success.

For those who were unable to attend the function I have included extracts below that speak to the success of the year and the need for reflection and the need to look to the future with hope and optimism.

As I mentioned in my address at the awards ceremony, is worth noting that my tenure here as a strategic director has revealed both the obvious and the not so obvious challenges that the school faces. But essentially, the direction that emerged from our initial strategic workshop has provided a robust and an accurate frame of reference, which needs to be built on rather than re-engineered.

To become a school of choice, we need to create and sustain a safe, secure, sustainable and supportive and inclusive environment for effective teaching and learning which will deliver a quality, fully rounded and relevant education. Certainly the school is well place to achieve this ambitious goal in the coming years.

We need to extend a special worth of thanks to the Board of directors who, firstly had the vison and will to ensure the establishment and the growth of the school and who still give tirelessly  of their time to ensure the sustainability and future of the school.

Lastly, the most critical elements of any school are a dedicated and committed staff. We are indeed fortunate to have teachers of an exceptionally high caliber and who continue to produce graduates who are academically, socially and emotionally equipped to be  proud and influential leaders of tomorrow. To this band of brothers and sisters, I extend massive thanks and implore you to commit to a united purpose and a secure future in the months and years to come.

So, to each and every one of you, it remains for me to wish you all a safe, peaceful and joyful holiday.
Brian