From the Preschool/Elementary School Principal

The Start of a New Year

The wait and anticipation are over! The new school year has begun, and the children are back in the building to learn, to grow and to experience all the ISA has to offer. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with everyone in our school community as the new Elementary School Principal (a role which also includes the Preschool, despite the wording of the title). If we have not yet had the chance to meet in person, please do not hesitate to introduce yourself so that I can begin the process of putting the names and faces together for all of our families.

As of today, there are over 60 new students in the Preschool and Elementary School alone. Many of them were able to join us for the New Family Orientation last Tuesday, where they had the chance to meet the teachers, see the classrooms and hear a few things about the values and educational philosophy of the school. I thought it would be a good idea to restate a few of the main points here so that we begin the year on the same page.

Firstly, at ISA, we do everything we can to ensure that the classrooms, corridors and outdoor spaces are as safe and inclusive as possible. Safety is more than just protection from physical harm; safety also refers to social, emotional and psychological safety. As part of the learning process, people need to make mistakes; therefore, children need to feel safe enough in this setting to make mistakes. After all, as noted educational researcher, theorist and practitioner Alistair Smith once wrote, “The enemy of learning is stress.” We know that sustained, deep learning and conceptual understanding is impeded when children feel threatened. For this reason, safety is at the heart of all we do. 

Secondly, we know that people learn by doing. This is what author and teacher John Holt once meant when he wrote:

“Not many years ago I began to play the cello. Most people would say that what I am doing is “learning to play” the cello. But these words carry into our minds the strange idea that there exists two very different processes: (1) learning to play the cello; and (2) playing the cello. They imply that I will do the first until I have completed it, at which point I will stop the first process and begin the second. In short, I will go on “learning to play” until I have “learned to play” and then I will begin to play. Of course, this is nonsense. There are not two processes, but one. We learn to do something by doing it. There is no other way.”

For this reason, our classrooms are characterised by activity, experimentation, inquiry and engagement. We are learning because we are doing.

We must also remember that we learn by doing and not giving up. Perseverance and determination are necessary ingredients to achieve a new skill, a breakthrough understanding or a workable solution.

Last, but certainly not least, we know that we learn by working together. Other people (and their ideas, insights and alternative perspectives and experiences) are key to making the most of our learning experiences. Yes, the teacher is a very important person in a child’s learning experiences. But, then again, so are his/her peers, the students in other grades, as well as parents and other family members.

I love the fact that teachers and parents at ISA are so comfortable sharing information and coming together as partners in the learning adventure for the children. It really makes a huge difference in our pursuit of ambitious progress and prevents the surfacing of unexpected surprises, which can hinder a great education. If there is anything you feel we need to know about your child and their experience at ISA, please don’t hesitate in contacting us. 

When it comes to day-to-day communication (including, but not limited to, things like absences, arriving late, changes in pick-up routines or questions about PowerSchool), please get in touch with our wonderful Elementary Assistant, Diane McBain (dmcbain@isa.aberdeen.sch.uk). 

And, finally, a few last minute notes:

• The first assembly of the year will be Monday at 8:30am in the Queen Elizabeth Theatre (QET). Please use the far door to the QET (the one nearest the cafeteria), which will be open from 8:20am onwards. Please note that assemblies take place each Monday and that parents are welcome to attend, even if their child/ren aren’t specifically performing on that day.
• After school activities for students in the Elementary School will begin on Monday, August 29. A list of choices will be published soon. A PowerSchool form will be ready shortly after that. Use this form to select which activities your children are interested in. Signing up is not the same thing as a confirmation that your child has a place. If an activity is oversubscribed, some children will be placed on a wait list. Please don’t send your child to an activity unless you have received confirmation (on PowerSchool) that they have a place. 
• Many families like to gather informally after school hours at the playground in front of the school. This is a wonderful opportunity for parents and children to relax together - especially if the weather cooperates. I would like to ask for your help, however, to make sure the playground expectations we have during school continue to be followed by the children. This includes proper use of the slide, not climbing on the roof of the shelter and (of course) treating each other with the type of care and respect that we would expect at recess time.
• Lastly, I hope that you will all be able to attend the 50th Anniversary Golden Gala Family Day on Saturday, August 27, from 1:00-4:00pm. 

Morio Kajiwara