"How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard." - A.A. Milne

Dear WIS Community,

This will be my last contribution to the Oryx Newsletter and I do so with mixed emotions! As I write this, I'm reflecting on our recent candle lighting ceremony - our school tradition that captures the essence of transition and continuity.

Watching our Grade 5 students pass the symbolic candle to our Grade 4 students reminded me of the connections we build in education. That simple flame represents responsibility of leadership, the spirit of learning, and the commitment to supporting one another that defines our school. As each Grade 5 student passed their candle, they were sharing the growth, curiosity, kindness, and responsibility they've developed throughout the year.

The ceremony also reminded me that transitions, while bittersweet, are fundamental to growth. Our Grade 4 students receiving that light were accepting the opportunity to lead by example, to be the ones our younger students look up to, to help create the welcoming environment that makes our school special. This exchange reflects the continuous cycle of learning and leadership that makes our community so strong.

The flame connects all of us - past students who have carried this responsibility, current students who embrace it, and future students who will receive it. This continuity reminds us that learning never stops, and leadership is something we share. Each student has the power to make our school community stronger, just as each educator carries forward the wisdom and passion of those who came before.

As I prepare to transition to Keystone Academy in Beijing, I carry with me countless moments like these - moments of connection, growth, and shared purpose. The privilege of serving in international education lies not just in what we can teach but in what we learn from each other every day.

I am confident that WIS Primary will continue to thrive under Ms. Jenna's capable leadership. Her expertise and vision give me complete confidence that the Primary will flourish in the coming years, carrying forward the flame of excellence, innovation, and care that defines our community.

Thank you to our dedicated teaching team who bring learning to life each day. Thank you to our coordinators who provide vision and support. Thank you to our parents who partner with us in educating your children. And most importantly, thank you to our students who inspire us with their curiosity, creativity, and character - and who reminded me through that simple candle ceremony that some lights never go out, they simply pass from hand to hand.

WIS has been a special community for me, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have served as your Primary Principal these past four years. I take with me the WIS spirit that will continue to guide my educational journey.

Warmly,

Marcelle van Leenen | Primary School Principal

Dear WIS Community,

As I step into the role of Primary Principal, I do so with gratitude and a full heart. Following Marcelle’s message above, I want to take a moment to reflect on what her leadership has meant—not only to this community, but to me personally.

Working alongside Marcelle has been a very meaningful professional experience in my career. Her steady presence, understanding of children, and unwavering commitment to excellence have shaped so much of what makes the Primary at WIS truly special. I have learned from her wisdom, her ability to lead with both head and heart, and her tireless belief in the potential of every child and teacher.

Marcelle's legacy is visible in every corner of our school—from the joyful learning happening in classrooms, to the collaborative spirit among staff, to the warm, inclusive culture that our families and students feel every day. She has lit a flame that will continue to guide us long after her departure, and though she will be dearly missed, her impact will remain.

“The show must go on,” as the saying goes—and it will, not because we are closing a chapter, but because Marcelle has prepared us so well for the next one. Her mentorship has helped shape my confidence as a leader. I feel equipped, supported, and inspired to continue the journey we began together.

My commitment to you is to carry forward the values we share—of curiosity, care, and community—and to continue building a school where every learner feels known, challenged, and celebrated. I am excited to lead WIS Primary into its next chapter, grounded in the belief that when we work together, there is no limit to what our children can achieve.

To Marcelle—thank you for your guidance, your friendship, and the incredible foundation you have built. You leave behind not just a legacy, but a team that is ready to shine because of your light.

Warmly,

Jenna Brown | Incoming Primary School Principal