Welcome to the final Thistle Talk article before the summer holidays. I’ve begun the annual job of putting a slideshow together to capture the memories of another special school year. It will be shown in grade level classrooms next Friday, the last day of the 2023-2024 school year. As I look over so many precious moments, it’s easy to appreciate how happy ISA students are and what amazing opportunities they have had over the course of the year. Please note that the final assembly of the year will take place on June 10, beginning at 8:30am in the QET. At this assembly, we will recognise all of the “summer birthdays” (i.e., June 10 to August 18). You are, of course, welcome to attend. (Note: there will also be a “Moving On” assembly on Thursday, June 13, at 2:00pm, to recognise the Grade 5 students before they make the move to Grade 6 and Middle School.)
This June, we have our annual turnover of students. Transitions away from a familiar and comfortable home can be challenging, especially when the next assignment is unknown, or there are concerns over the changes in school and friendships. It is my hope, however, that all of our families, both returning and leaving, will look back on the 2023-2024 school year with many fond memories.
Attendance at ISA is something we all look forward to each day. It has been a pleasure to serve this year as the Preschool and Elementary School Principal at such an ambitious school with thriving 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 ‘blooming’ and the capacity for the focus and dedication necessary for deep understanding 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 such 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!
Staff departures
June 14th symbolises the start of summer fun, but it is also a time to say farewell to many friends and colleagues 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 unfortunately have to say goodbye to three staff members who have made significant contributions to the education of our students and who have enriched the lives of everyone who worked with them. These three hugely impactful teachers are: Mandy Goynes, Dr. Susan McWhirr and Marcus Pereira.
Mandy has been a truly exceptional art teacher (as well as set designer/constructor and make-up artist for a number of productions) and will be dearly missed by students and colleagues alike as she heads off to a new teaching adventure in Buenos Aires. Her art room was a hugely popular destination during lunch recess times and her after school clubs (including oil painting and sign language) were always oversubscribed.
Susan is an attentive, creative and highly-informed teacher, always on the lookout to develop her practice (and that of her colleagues) through research - indeed, she is a prime example of what we mean when we talk about “lifelong learners”. Through her efforts, Susan introduced the school to the Zones of Regulation approach to help children identify, communicate and regulate their emotions. She also devoted an enormous amount of time and expertise to the 50th Anniversary Garden, including the recent creation of the Growing Gardeners Club, which trains children of many ages to plan and care for the garden.
Marcus is a gifted educator whose infectious enthusiasm and positivity ensure that the children view learning as an act of joy. Generous with his time and spirit, Marcus threw himself into a number of schoolwide initiatives (from the Destination Imagination club to leading the Staff Wellbeing group). In addition, he could be found successfully coaching teams in the Middle and High Schools.
All three teachers have left an indelible mark on the Elementary School and the lives and aspirations of the many children that have been lucky enough to be in their classes, clubs and teams. We wish them all the very best in their new adventures.
Whether your family is returning next year or moving on to other adventures, I want to thank you for your contributions to the ISA family this year.
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