The summer has certainly flown by, but I hope all of you have managed to have a well earned rest and are ready for the year ahead.

As is the case every year, school never stops and the maintenance crew have been working very hard to organized, improve, and renovate parts of the school, so that it serves us even more effectively. I would like to point out that the secretarial offices have changed with Gina Ayranci being located outside my office, the former photocopying room, while Ann Prowse remains in the existing high school office. In addition, the high school college counsellor’s office is located in B10, while the Academic Dean can be found in G15. A new design technology lab has been created in LW11 while the former transport office is our new Language Centre, which is the location for our request language teachers and their classes.

In addition to the change in aesthetics, there are some new members of staff whom I would like to introduce. New to the Science department is Ms. Gerda Buijsman who will be teaching Physics and, not so new to some of you, Mr. Ivo Daems, who will be teaching Environmental Systems. Dr. Sharma will now be heading up Biology.  In the English department, there have been several changes with Ms. Hedger continuing to teach her A1 class as well as being our high school counsellor, as well as Mr. Jim Sangster, who is our new Academic Dean with English teaching responsibilities. Ms. Sanchez will now juggle Design Technology and English. Mr. Jameel Saleh joins us to spearhead our Leaning Support department and Mr. Roger Breakfield will be leading the Music department. Finally, Mr. Chris Green is our new IB Coordinator and Assistant Principal. I warmly welcome these new members to our community and encourage you to build strong relationships with them in the same way you have with returning staff members.

Other very important changes that I need to mention include the implementation of the Middle Years Programme, MYP, in grades 9 and 10, the change in report card, and the eight day rotating schedule. This is a lot for anyone to handle; however, our experienced, well trained staff and the administrative team are here to guide you through the maze of challenges to ensure that this will be another enjoyable and successful year.