The twelve performers, six of whom also played all the music live during the show (keyboards, percussion, cello, violin, clarinet, saxophone, guitar and more), took their final bow to the enthusiastic applause of the crowd. At that moment, one Grade 3 turned to her friends with a look of pure amazement on her face. “Now THAT,” she shouted, “was a performance!”
During the past week, the Kindergarten, Grade 2 and Grade 3 students all had the opportunity to travel to see theatre performances. Today, all the elementary children had the chance to be performers on stage. The Grade 4 & 5 students will have further opportunities to perform in the coming week (see below), as will the preschool children. Getting on stage to perform in front of an audience takes courage and preparation. It is an important life skill that cuts across subject areas and professions. Having repeated opportunities during their formative years to be “under the spotlights” will help all our children to develop their confidence and some will, no doubt, catch the “performance bug” and will even begin to seek out future opportunities to take to the stage - whether that’s as a musician, actor, dancer or even a teacher or lecturer. In fact, a number of our Spanish-speaking Language and Culture Advocates took the initiative to teach our Kindergarten students how to make a fruit salad from their countries of origin. They did this all in Spanish to an audience of children and their teachers. It is safe to say that the children at ISA can expect to have every opportunity to stand up in front of their peers (and others) to share their learning and understanding, or demonstrate their skills and passions - and often in languages other than English.
Here is a list of some of the performances (and other events of note) to look forward to in the coming week:
Sunday, December 11 - Grade 4 & 5 Choir performance (14:00; Evening Express Christmas Concert, P&J Live @ TECA) - link for tickets
Monday, December 12 - Grade 4 & 5 Band & Choir Winter Concert (8:30; QET). This is the Monday morning assembly for the final week of 2022. If your child has a birthday between 12 December and 8 January, s/he will be recognised at this assembly. As usual, parents and families are welcome to attend.
Monday, December 12 - Flu immunisations for Elementary students
Wednesday, December 14 - World Cup Football dress-up day. Children are encouraged to wear national colours or football jerseys/kits as part of our World Cup events.
Thursday, December 15 - Preschool Winter Concert (13:30, Black Box Theatre). We hope to see as many parents and family members as possible.
Friday, December 16 - Early dismissal (11:00). Please note that there will be no after school activities on the final Friday of 2022 because of this.
Holidays and family time
Unfortunately, I was not able to see the performance of “Seasons”, our Winter Assembly that took place this afternoon. I am in London with my wife and three children to see Isabella, our eldest daughter, graduate from her university course. Although she had completed her coursework and earned a first in international relations three years ago (!), this was the first chance for the university to offer her year their formal face-to-face graduation ceremony. I was reminded of the importance of spending time with family and felt truly privileged to be able to celebrate her accomplishments in a large, public gathering (something we had taken for granted for so long before the past few years). I sincerely hope that you all have the chance to spend some quality time with your families this holiday. Cherish the opportunity to get together and please make the most of the next few weeks before we all come together again in January 2023.
Please note: While middle/high school students will receive end of semester report cards in December, the end of the second quarter in the elementary doesn’t take place until Friday January 20, 2023. Therefore, elementary school children’s second reports will be available through PowerSchool on Friday, January 27, 2023. Preschool children will have their formal reports at the end of the school year, which is in addition to the individual reports that are prepared and shared during the course of the year by each child’s key worker and Andrea Taylor. If you have any questions about this, please direct them to me.
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