10 May 08 (02:46 EAT)

Letter from the CEO - 24 January 2008

24 January 2008 Dear Parents: We were happy to welcome everyone back to term two at ISM and work is now well underway after what I hope was a relaxing and restful break. I know that our D2 and S5 students will have spent some time with their books in preparation for their mock exams which are now in progress. We welcomed our entire teaching staff back to school on the first Monday with a whole day in-service programme focussed on the IB PYP and MYP programmes. Feedback from the teachers was that the day was very productive and allowed them to work closely with their colleagues. In December we received a letter from the Council of International Schools responding to the 1-year progress report we sent them last August. We sent a 50-page report to CIS which responded to every recommendation they made for school improvement in their Visiting Team report back in August 2006, when ISM was fully re-accredited. The letter was very positive about the recent progress at ISM: "I am pleased to inform you that the school's obvious commitment to school improvement processes is recognised, and the report has been accepted. ISM therefore continues in good standing within the CIS accreditation process until the next stage of the process. CIS was impressed by the school's positive approach to the recommendations contained in the August 2006 CIS/MSA Visiting Team Report. Indeed, 98% of these recommendations are said to be 'completed' or 'in progress'". Of course, CIS also made a series of further recommendations, including the following: The Board should take immediate steps to reorganise its design, schedules and practices, including policing inappropriate member behaviour, to enable it to meet the growing complexities, needs and demands of its community. The Board should continue to pursue a comprehensive three-year Strategic Plan for the school that would become a living document. I have written to CIS to show them there has been significant progress on both these recommendations since August 2007. If you would like to read their letter in its entirety, you will find it in the parent documents section on our website: www.ismoshi.org/pardocs (You will need to enter the username and password that you have been given.) On both campuses, you will meet some student teachers this term: Jonathan Humstead, Moshi Campus, D1 Chemistry and M1-4 Science Adrienne Campbell , Arusha Campus, Health & PE Sarah Damiani, Arusha Campus, Early Childhood Laura Walker, Arusha Campus, P1/2 Jonathan is living on the Moshi Campus and I want to thank Richard and Janice Beatty for providing rental accommodation for the Arusha Campus student teachers so near to the school. I am also pleased to let you know that we have welcomed more children to the school this term. The results of our new marketing strategies are encouraging, but the best marketing is always word of mouth and I know we can count on our ISM community to be positive about our school to help it continue to grow. Best Regards, Barry Sutherland Chief Executive Officer

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