AN ARCHIVE ENTRY CONCERNING THE LAYING OF THE FOUNDATION STONE FOR THE VIJAY INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PRASLIN. A SMALL PIECE OF INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL HISTORY. TODAY THE SCHOOL IS UP AND RUNNING WITH 150+ STUUDENTS IN YEARS RECEPTION 1 TO 8.
During a brief ceremony at the Baie St Anne site on Praslin held last Wednesday, January 30th, five foundation blocks were cemented into position, symbolising the start of construction of the new Vijay International School Praslin.
The event was attended by Mr Vijay Patel, whose company Vijay Construction recently entered into an important sponsorship agreement with the International School Seychelles. Mr Patel set the first block into cement with the assistance of Martin Kennedy, head teacher of the International School Mahe.

Mr Martin Kennedy and Mr Vijay Patel lay the first block of the new International School
This was followed by the cementing of four more blocks, with many of those present taking part. Mrs Fabiola Horner, the Chair of the Board of Governors of the Mahe school was present, as were distinguished guests Mitzy Larue and Marc Volcere, the two Praslin MNAs. Many potential school parents were also present, including several of those who have supported the development of the Praslin school during the last two years of planning and negotiation.

As above, watched by Chair of Governors Mrs Fabiola Horner
Mr Kennedy praised the Praslin parents for their vision and commitment to the project, remembering that the genesis of the school was the arrival of a letter from Mrs Vidot and Mrs Gill more than two years ago, requesting that the International School consider opening a second campus on Praslin in order to extend the availability of educational choice, a principle enshrined in the 2005 education act.

Mrs Vidot and Mrs Gill laying the fourth block
Mr Kennedy then referred to the many meetings and developments which collectively led to the project proceeding; he mentioned three key partnerships. The first is with the Catholic Church authority, the land owners, which has, under the auspices of Bishop Weihe, supported the development of a new international school on the Baie St Anne site. The second is with the parents of the Mahe school, who voted to build the second school. The third is with Vijay Construction, whose support for both International Schools is extensive and invaluable. ‘Quite simply’ Mr Kennedy remarked, ‘it would be hard to imagine this school going ahead without the support of Vijay Construction.’

Mrs Larue and Mr Volcere lay the fifth block
The new school, which is being constructed with the full support of government, will offer a British-style curriculum to almost 200 children aged 3 years to 10 years of age. The curriculum will mirror that currently offered at the Mahe school. The school will be built to an innovative ‘chevron’ design, making best use of a site of great beauty. All areas will be fully air-conditioned and will include an electronic library, conventional library, excellent ICT facilities, a swimming pool and a food court. Teaching staff will be a mixture of Seychellois and expatriate staff, as is the case on Mahe. Mrs Sarah Morgan, formerly Head of the Junior section at the ISS Mahe, will be Head of the school and will return to Seychelles mid-year to oversee the completion of the school and the ‘kitting out’ of the premises. She will be accompanied by her husband, Mr. Neil Morgan, who will manage the Early Years section of the school.

Mr Vijay Patel breaks a coconut over the foundation blocks; a ceremonial action to bring success and good fortune to the new school




