Principal’s Message
Dear Parents,
I have just attended the 2016 Chairman’s Awards to cheer ESF students who were nominated for their personal and academic success achieved last year. It was a pleasure to see so many West Island students represented and I would like to pay tribute to those who received awards.
The largest success is that so many of our learners have achieved their goal in securing places at Universities where they want to continue their studies. I know that preparations for the September start will be well under way and I wish last year’s Year 13 the best in their exciting new adventures. Many students have already returned to thank their teachers and support staff, and I would like you all to know that you are welcome to write and visit to share your adventures. If we can be of assistance to you in the future, please do not hesitate to contact us.
The week was also marked by our Year 12 students collecting their iGCSE results on Thursday afternoon. Again, ESF schools have enjoyed huge success with 92% of grades at A*- C overall. The high proportion of students gaining the top grades has continued with over half of all grades being awarded at A*- A (54%). Congratulations to you too!
As we settle into this new term, it is important for teachers and tutors to understand the individual needs of your children. You will have received a letter about 1-2-1 conversations which begin on Monday afterschool that will allow the beginning of this year’s learning conversations. Our role as educators is to prepare young people for future careers and ways of working that don’t yet exist. At West Island School, these conversations encourage students to practice articulating their goals and more importantly, to value how they are learning as much as what they are learning. By the time our children have reached their final year, they will have acquired the skills to be fearless learners regardless of any new situation they may be facing.
Students are also busy signing up for this year’s CAS commitments. Creativity, Activity, Service are central to the curriculum and ensure our learners are thinking about the influence they can have in the wider school teams, the local community and wider global community in which they live. There are innumerable opportunities led by staff and student leaders, and I would encourage learners to move beyond their comfort zones in seizing one of the many opportunities available.
Finally, I would like to praise the efforts of our Communications Officer, Roshni Mulchandani, who ensures daily news is widely shared with our community (and who skillfully coordinated our two days of school photographs this week). If you value how we do things here, I would be grateful if you could ‘Like’ our Facebook page when you next connect and feel free to send us any feedback on particular aspects that you find helpful.
Best wishes for the weekend,
Christopher Sammons
Principal
