10th July 2008
Dear Parents and Guardians,
I am writing to you to up-date you with regard to developments at the school which will be implemented next academic year, commencing September 8th 2008.
Firstly may I thank you for your continued support for the school during the present academic year, which has seen the school expand through the opening of the new block. From September we will be a two form school. The Vijay International School Praslin will also open on September 15th 2008. These developments have come at a challenging time within the context of the Seychelles economy. The Board of Governors has taken great pains to ensure that fees at the school remain as affordable as possible. In most classes fees have only increased by SR200 per term since February 1998. In order to help us keep further increases to a minimum parents and guardians can ensure that fee payments are made promptly at the start of each term.
During the holiday minor works will be carried out at the school. Apart from the usual re-painting of exteriors and classrooms we intend to tarmac the play areas outside the new Early Years block, replace Science Lab windows, create a new secondary locker area, erect fencing, refurbish the tuck shop provision and complete some minor works connected to the new building. We should all benefit from these improvements once school resumes in September. Early Childhood will, unfortunately, have to continue with the present lunch arrangements, however, I am optimistic that the situation will improve with the construction of a new restaurant facility to open early in 2009. When completed this will serve a range of lunches to all students with the tuck shop continuing to serve snacks and drinks throughout the day. The PTA has also been extremely active in fund-raising to purchase shade sails for our school play areas and we hope that they will have reached the target of SR85,000 and that we can have the shade in place before December.
There will be changes in the Junior Section uniform next year. In response to requests from the Junior School Council we have decided to introduce a new uniform top for Junior students. From September students in years 3 – 6 will be able to wear light blue polo shirts, carrying the ISS logo. The new shirts will be optional for term 1 of next year and compulsory for all Juniors from January 2009. The shirts are available from the school office.
Sadly we have to say farewell to a number of colleagues. Mr Sargeant leaves us after two years as Head of the Junior section, which will be left in the capable hands of Mr Herron and Ms Marchetti from September. Ms Dale leaves us from Year 3 and Sue Woodbury will be joining the section to teach at this level from September. Mr Wirtz will also be joining the Junior section as a class teacher.
We say goodbye to Ms Francois and Ms Leon from the Early Childhood section where they have been supporting students as SEN support and Assistant Teacher respectively. Mrs Verma will take on a new role as floating teacher next term. A significant part of her time will be spent working in Foundation stage classes, where Mrs Paul will work with Mrs Scott at R2 level, and Ms Hoareau and Mrs Course will deliver the R1 curriculum. Mrs Moncherry will move up to Year 1, working with Mrs Barnes. Ms Ansell and Mrs Cedras will continue to deliver the Year 2 programme. Mrs Shah and Mrs D’Offay will join the section as Teaching Assistants.
Mr Fellows, Ms Tzovanis, Mrs Sharma and Mr McLaren are moving on, whilst Mrs Kennedy is taking a sabbatical year to carry out voluntary service overseas. Whilst she is away the sixth form will be managed by Mr Kennedy, assisted by Mr Stravens. In September we welcome Ms McCarthy (Biology), Mr Reeves (Physics), Mr Dooley (no relation to our Head of Secondary! He will teach Mathematics), Ms Fuentes (IT), Mrs Dogley (Drama and English), and Mrs Payet (Economics). Our SEN team will be strengthened by the arrival of Mrs Fock Heng, Mrs Chism and Mrs Sidambaram, who will also teach Year 7 Science. Mr Kelecsenyi will teach PE at both International School campuses.
I am sure that you would wish to join me in thanking all of our departing teachers for their hard work and commitment to our school.
I would also like to advise you regarding management changes at the school. From September the Board of Governors has decided to create a new post of Head of School Mahe (Sarah Morgan is already in post as Head of School Praslin). As a result we will welcome Mrs Jane Lincoln to the Mahe school in September. Mrs Lincoln will oversee Teaching and Learning at the school. She will also teach IT to Years 7 (part),8 and 9. I will take on a new overseeing role as Director of both International Schools, Mahe and Praslin.
Finally may I advise you that the school office will be closed during the week Monday July 28th until Friday August 1st. Otherwise the office will be open every weekday from 08.00 until 13.00.
I hope that this brings everyone fully into the picture with regard to developments at the school. Should you have any comments or queries please do not hesitate to contact me at the school.
May I close by wishing you and your family a peaceful and enjoyable holiday period.
Yours sincerely,
Martin Kennedy
Head teacher
