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| 10 May 08 (02:39 EAT) |
| February 2007 Dear Parents, It’s hard to believe, but we are more than halfway through Term II. Though a much shorter term than the first, it has been a busy and demanding time for boarders. In early February, IB2 & S5 boarders completed their mock examinations. Students have received their marks and secondary progress meetings have followed. Boarding parents have attended these meetings and in certain cases offered praise and shared concerns with boarders. Our over-arching goal in boarding is to promote the best study environment possible. Communicating academic advice, clarifying scholarly expectations, and celebrating successes is an important part of this process. If you have queries regarding your son daughters study environment and/or performance during study hall, please contact their boarding parents. Other academic concerns should be directed to the IB Coordinator or the Head of Secondary. Classes end for IB2 students on April 20th. IB exams begin on May 2nd. The period between April 23rd and April 30th is a study period for IB2 students and all their teachers will be available in school to assist them in exam preparation. IB2 boarders are welcome to remain at school during this time, or return home. If your son/daughter will be taking study leave at home, please inform their boarding parent as soon as possible, or at least several days (3-4 days) in advance. If you would like help making transportation arrangements, please contact Jana Eaton. All boarding/exam policies will be in effect for students who remain at school. Arrangements for S5 exam students will be addressed in my March letter. In other news, I have begun interviewing all boarders new to ISM in 2006/7. As always this is a rewarding process, as I have an opportunity to speak openly with students and reflect on the perceived strengths and weaknesses of our programme. In April I will be revising boarding staff and student policy handbooks. Obtaining student feedback is an essential part of this process. Students will also have the opportunity to evaluate the performance of their Residential Boarding Parents this term, and my performance – and that of their Relief Boarding Parents – in Term III. Putting students at the centre of our developmental processes remains an on-going area of focus, and will likely become an even large theme in the future. We have also begun to assess staff and student housing assignments for 2007/8. CEO Barry Sutherland will soon be sharing information about staff departures and the hiring process, which will affect boarding. Nevertheless, we are confident that we will be able to put the right people in place to assure the highest academic and pastoral standards. In the next several months I hope to be able to share more information about where your son/daughter will be residing next year, and who their boarding parent will be. As always, there are a number of issues we have to address stemming from student and parent suggestions, and our understanding of best practice. We will endeavour to do so. On the activity front, the boarding team hosted a very successful community Quiz Night on February 16th. I would like to thank John Hopkins and Trevor Newman for their support as MCs. The following day, ISM was the site of a local basketball tournament, in which a team IB & S4/5 boarders and day students took home first place. The second-half of the boarding intramural sport season is in full swing as well, with indoor-football the game of the moment. Matches are being played every Wednesday after study hall. Furthermore, boarding parent Christofer Johansson will be hosting a music seminar this weekend, and Physics teacher Chris Folland will support us with an activity in March where students will engage in siege catapult design and firing. An active community is a healthy one! I would like to thank Pauline Martin, the PCM representative responsible for boarding for her recent support and patience. Pauline is developing her understanding of our programme and the needs of a residential community. I am confident she will become an important bridge between the boarding team and the parent community. We are grateful to have her on board and are looking forward to productive interaction as the year progresses. This month I would, lastly, like to offer my appreciation to Madhu Cribber and Sunita Somaiya for their hard work in the ISM Dining Hall. Students have been more positive about our food selection and offerings since the start of the year. This is in part due to student input solicited through our newly established Food Council, but largely the result of Madhu and Sunita’s willingness to listen and subsequently strive to satisfy student tastes. We will continue to improve. Term II ends on Friday, March 23rd. Please remember to contact Jana if you need support with travel arrangements. We strongly encourage all boarders to remain at school until the end of term. Yours faithfully, Richard Eaton Head of Boarding International School Moshi | |
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