Elementary News

• Creating Memories

“This is the best trip – EVER!”

I’ve been fortunate to be able to join all of the trips off the school campus from kindergarten through fifth grade in the last few weeks. Watching the children away from the physical classroom has been so uplifting. (I so wish parents could have joined us!) I compare it to a bottle of pop being shaken up and then the cap being unscrewed. The overflowing enthusiasm and spontaneous bursts of joy and playfulness was visible in the continuous smiles of the children. Thank you to all of the teachers for working so hard to provide these wonderful opportunities.

This is the last Thistle article before the summer holiday. The trips and other end of the year activities, such as the fifth grade leaving assembly next Monday, will leave a satisfying and hopefully rewarding sense of accomplishment from a very challenging year. I’ve begun my annual job of putting a slide show together to reflect memories of this unique school year. This will be available to parents to view on Wednesday, June 16. Despite another period of lockdown, I was delighted to look over so many precious moments; it’s easy to appreciate how happy ISA students have remained and what amazing opportunities they still have had all year.

This June, we have our usual turnover of students. Transitions away from a familiar and comfortable home can be challenging, especially in this period of uncertainty related to travel. It is my hope, however, that all of our families, both returning and leaving, will look back on the 2020-21 school year with many fond memories. As always, it’s a pleasure to serve as the Elementary Principal at an ambitious school with happy kids, supportive parents and dedicated teachers. I know from reading each report card that this has been a successful year for student learning. I also sense that for our students it’s been a year of strong personal growth, with confidence ‘growing’, and the capacity for hard work and independent study strengthening.

All of the teachers will be looking forward to a summer break. They have worked so hard for your children and deserve a superb holiday. I want to take this opportunity to thank them for all of their efforts to help make this a successful year. I also wish all of our school families a wonderful summer break. I’ve appreciated your support all year. Your children have earned all of those special days of holiday ahead of them!

• A Few Staff Departures:

16th June symbolises the start of summer fun, but it is also a time to say goodbye to many friends who will be leaving Aberdeen. At the end of each school year we say goodbye to families, all of whom have meant so much to the life of the School. For those of you who are moving from Aberdeen, we wish you all of the best and hope you take with you many cherished memories of your time in Scotland. Who knows, one day you might be back!

This year in the Elementary School, we also say goodbye to a few staff members. Each of these teachers has made significant contributions to the education of our students and enriched the lives of everyone who worked with them.

Adrienn Molnarne has been a part of ISA since 2015. During her six years, she has been a key member of our PE staff and a wonderful partner for Ms Hodder. In addition, Adrienn served as a key instructor for swimming lessons and frequently assisted teachers with learning activities in the classroom. Adrienn brought a wonderful spirit to her teaching and made a difference with the students she worked with. We thank Adrienn for her time at ISA and, while we will miss her, wish her all the best on her move to Austria.

Jenny Butcher has been the art teacher for one year. She managed to create art with the children despite all of the challenges Covid rules imposed on the use of materials. We thank Jenny for her dedication to ISA and wish her all the best in her new teaching role in China. 

Finally, there is one more member of staff I’d like to honour. Catherine Lee left ISA at the end of the 2019-20 school year to assist her family. In December 2020 she made the decision to retire. For many of us who have had the pleasure to work with Catherine during the more than 20 years she has served our school, it’s important to formally acknowledge her incredible contributions as the elementary art teacher. (She also served for many years within the pre-school.) During her time at the school Catherine was usually the first to come in the morning and the last to leave. During the day, including lunch, recess and after school students would always make their way to the art room to work with Catherine. She created projects and art shows that pushed students to develop their art skills. It didn’t matter what skill level students had when they started her art class, by the end of the year the same children would have improved their skills and developed an appreciation for art and the confidence to have a go at their own creations. Her passion for teaching has left a wonderful legacy through the students and staff she has inspired. Catherine, you are a legend, and we hope you are enjoying your retirement. 

.All of our teaching staff has worked with great commitment to meet the needs of every child. I recently asked some children who are leaving what they will miss most about ISA. The response, for some was “EVERYTHING”, but also included, “The teachers, they give us so many activities and choice, so learning is fun.” I was also delighted by the observation, “Everyone is so kind to each other, my class is like one big family.” Another parent reflected that the experience for his two children was, “motivating, magical and joyful.” 

Whether your family is returning next year or moving on to other adventures, I want to thank you for your support to the ISA family this year and wish you a summer filled with family fun and hopefully much need reunions. 

Don Newbury

Elementary Principal