Dear Community,
We have come to the end of the third term of our 2023-24 school year. Our students’ passion for learning and making a difference in the world was on full display at our Primary Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences this week, the many Learning Celebrations, and the Student-led Assemblies and Initiatives. We have seen remarkable student growth and achievement over these past ten weeks.
If it feels like your body is exhausted and you need a break, then that makes sense! These past ten weeks have been full to the brim with challenges, learning, and growth! There is much to celebrate in our individual and collective accomplishments this term. The WIS students and staff (and parents!) have been working very hard indeed, and I wish you a restful and relaxing March Holiday as we celebrate Namibia’s independence.
This past term saw the launch of many new initiatives at WIS.
MYP Authorisation:
We made it to the point of conclusion of the consultation period for our MYP Authorisation progression. In his concluding report, the school’s MYP consultant from the International Baccalaureate Organisation has given the highest possible marks to WIS, and our authorisation visit is set to be ahead of schedule and early next school year.
Outdoor Education:
My thanks to everyone and especially Ms. Seodhna Keown who led our many Outdoor Education expeditions over this past term, and my best wishes to Mr Forrest Donoho and his accompanying outdoor educators who are leading our older students on a 2-week adventure and guide training programme through the Okavango Delta! We are already seeing the impact this programme has on building up leadership, independence, and team-building skills in our students.
Global Alliance Student Exchange:
And to the parents and Ms. Swapna Sharma for the successful launch of our Global Alliance student exchange programme. We presently have WIS students attending the International School of Western Australia in Perth, the International School of Paris in France, and the Annie Wright Schools in Tacoma Washington - and we will be welcoming students from these partner schools next month!
Awareness and Fundraising
As I write this, I’m wearing blue for Anti-Human Trafficking Awareness and Crazy Socks for our Neuro-Diversity and Autism Awareness Day. There is a mobile planetarium set up as part of an initiative to promote science, astronomy tourism, and indigenous knowledge of the sky. We had a remarkable Primary Assembly this morning where the students celebrated the great diversity of Namibia.
There are always more things happening than space to recognise it. We set a high bar for our learning community, and our mission “To develop the full potential of each student in a stimulating environment of academic excellence, cultural diversity and active social responsibility to become internationally-minded independent thinkers” is more alive than ever.
If you’re a Secondary Parent, please remember to sign up for the conferences set to happen after break. And please remember to thank our teachers for their good and hard work!
Have a lovely holiday,
Ethan Van Drunen
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