All School News

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

AN ARCHIVE ENTRY DOCUMENTING THE COMMENCEMENT OF A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE ISS MAHE AND VIJAY CONSTRUCTION. WHILST RELATIVELY MODEST COMPARED WITH THE VIJAY/PRASLIN SCHOOL AGREEMENT THIS PARTNERSHIP WAS, AND REMAINS, SIGNIFICANT FOR THE SCHOOL.

The International School is pleased to announce that the institution is entering into a wide-ranging sponsorship agreement with Vijay Construction.

The agreement will involve both the existing Mahe school, which has been in operation since 1969, and the new International School currently being constructed on Praslin and due to open in September of this year.

Mr Vijay Patel has, for many years, supported education in Seychelles as well as sponsoring a number of other important initiatives primarily designed to promote sport and culture in the country. This new agreement with the International School represents both a consolidation and extension of Mr Patel’s commitment to ‘putting something back’ into the community within which his core businesses continue to flourish.

‘This agreement will have a positive impact on every student attending both International School campuses’ Mr Patel stated, also confirming that the support will include construction and donation, initially for a period of three years. Vijay Construction will continue to fund the annual Vijay Scholarship Scheme, and, to complete a strong portfolio of altruistic support for education, the company is also involved in negotiations with the Seychelles University Foundation to explore ways in which Vijay Construction can assist in the realisation of this key national project.

Mrs Horner and Mr Patel and pictured signing the sponsorship agreement which comes into immediate effect

Head teacher of the International School, Martin Kennedy, praised Mr Patel for what he described as his ‘typically visionary and generous approach to supporting a wide range of educational and social projects.’ He went on to say ‘Vijay Construction’s involvement with the International School goes back many years but this new and substantial sponsorship agreement will help us to continue to offer a high quality and well-resourced education without compromise at a time of increasing pressure on existing financial resources.’

Mrs Fabiola Horner, the Chair of the school’s governing body, announced that the new Praslin school would carry Mr Patel’s name and would be called The Vijay International School Praslin. She stated that it is important to note that Mr Patel’s involvement remains that of a sponsor and that Vijay Construction will donate rather than invest. There will be no return for the company in any way, and the school will remain, on both sites, a not-for-profit institution owned by the parents’ association.

The new Praslin school will offer a British-style curriculum for children aged three years to ten years. It has been designed by Joanne Pragassen, and will feature first rate accommodation and resources, including fully air-conditioned classrooms, electronic library, landscaped grounds with a swimming pool and an innovative food court. Mrs Sarah Morgan, formerly Head of the Junior Section at the International School Mahe will return to Seychelles later this year to take on the role of Head of the school and oversee final preparations for the opening. Mr Neil Morgan will manage the Early Years section of the school.

Mr Kennedy confirmed that the intention is to match the quality of the curriculum delivery in both schools and also to maintain a common fee structure, something which Mr Patel is keen to realise in order to avoid Praslin parents being charged higher fees than their Mahe counterparts.

AN ARCHIVE ENTRY SHOWING THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE EARLY CHILDHOOD BUILDING IN LATE 2008. THE BUILDING OPENED THE FOLLOWING JANUARY AND FACILITATED THE EXPANSION OF THE SCHOOL TO A FULL TWO FORM ENTRY INSTITUTION.

A behind-the-scenes look at what actually went into constructing the new Early Childhood Building…