All School News

Many thanks to the parents who bought Red House books this term. The school gained 20% free books. The value of the free books was £300.
We chose books for the library for secondary students, some junior books for classroom use and some beautiful Early childhood story books. The children will enjoy the books. Thanks again for making your order!

A selection of the new books

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

9th June 2008.

  Dear Parents and Guardians,

PTA FUND-RAISING DRIVE

SHADE SAILS FOR THE PLAYGROUNDS!!The PTA is writing to ask parents and guardians to support a fund-raising drive to purchase 12 shade sails to provide shade for both the early Childhood and the main Junior/Secondary playgrounds. The shade sails, which are 7 x 7 or 7 x 9 metres each, are made in a variety of colours from high quality polyethylene netting blocking 96% UV rays.

We hope to purchase these custom-made for the spaces which we wish to cover, from ‘Shade Plus’, a South African company. Their sales department has given us a rough and preliminary price guide for the purchase and delivery (Cape Town to Johannesburg). Converted into Seychelles Rupees the product costs total SR 70,000. This figure will include fixtures and fittings, but not installation costs, which we estimate at a further SR15,000. The PTA therefore pledges to raise SR85,000 for this project, which will make a huge and positive difference to the quality of the recreational areas for the children in all sections of the school.HOW WE INTEND TO RAISE THIS SUM

Good evening ladies and gentlemen,

May I add my welcome to that of the respective Chairpersons of Board and PTA. My job this evening is primarily to thank those responsible for the generation of the healthy bank balance you have seen on the account sheets.

During the year much of the result of the hard work of the PTA is invisible. Equipment is purchased, school events supported, trips sponsored, but it is only at this time, once a year, that we can take stock and fully appreciate the huge difference that the PTA makes to our school. The evidence is all around us, from better IT equipment to DVD players and television monitors. These items are expensive and, in the present difficult financial times, money certainly doesn’t grow on trees. PTA funds are accrued through the hard work and dedication of a relatively small group of parents and teachers, supported by a much larger group of parents and friends who are, thankfully, happy to support initiatives through their attendance and their spending.

The manner in which funds have been raised this year has changed, indeed some PTA events such as the curriculum open days, raise no money at all. I am sure that you will agree with me that this new direction, where PTA works with school to make the learning process more accessible and better understood by parents, is a welcome one. The committee has organised new events, for example the painting workshop and exhibition, alongside traditional favourites such as the fete and quiz night. The Privilege Club Card scheme continues to operate and if you are not yet a member please do sign up later to take advantage of the benefits.

The energy for all of this comes from the PTA committee and I would like to thank all members for all of their hard work during the course of the year. I am delighted that so many have elected to stand again as committee members. The association officers have been led by Mrs Berlouis, association Chair, and we owe thanks to Mrs Bloss for her work as secretary and Mr Pandya for serving as treasurer.
Remaining members, both teachers and parents, have given up a great deal of time to the planning and mounting of events and bringing ideas to fruition. Special mention should be made of Mr Gold, whose traumatic experiences at the fete barbeque may have left him emotionally scarred, but which contributed to SR1500 of revenue.

It simply remains for me to encourage any of you who are considering standing for the PTA committee to do so. It is a worthwhile and, at times highly enjoyable way of supporting the students at the school. Even when it gets a little stressful it is good to know that you can rely on fellow committee members to share the work load. The PTA converts energy and ideas into funds that are for the sole benefit of the children at the school. I urge you, regardless of whether you become a committee member or not, to continue to support the work of the association in whatever way that you can.

Thank you.

Martin Kennedy

(Head Teacher)

11^th February 2008

Dear Parents and Guardians,

I would like to invite you to the forthcoming Parent Teacher Association’s Annual General Meeting to be held in the school hall on Wednesday 20^th February 2008 at 5.45pm.

It is now time to elect a new committee to continue the good work of fundraising for the school. It is a very rewarding job and anyone who is interested in joining can contact me through the school office, or come along to the meeting, which we expect to last about 30 minutes.

The audited accounts for 2006/2007 are available in the school office for you to inspect ahead of the meeting.  Copies will also be available on the 20^th February.

Please note that this meeting will be followed by the International School Association Annual General Meeting, which you have already been informed about through a separate letter.

I do hope you will be able to join us on the evening of the 20^th February as your support will be greatly appreciated.

An agenda for the PTA meeting follows.

Yours faithfully,

Mariaan Bloss

PTA Secretary

——————————————————————————————————————————–

AGENDA

1. Welcome remarks from Mrs. Fabiola Horner, Chairperson of the Board of Governors

2. Treasurer’s report (Mr.  Pandya)

3. Head teacher’s comments

4. Election of officers and committee members for the forthcoming year

5.  AOB

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