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Farewell to Stacey McMorran
At this week’s assembly, we had the opportunity to thank and celebrate Stacey McMorran, who will be leaving ISA after more than 3 years of dedicated service as our Music and Performing Arts (MPA) teacher. During her time at ISA, Stacey made a wonderful contribution to the artistic life of our school. She taught MPA across Preschool and Elementary School (and beyond), and her work brought joy, confidence and creativity to hundreds of children. Stacey has been behind countless musical moments (including the weekly Community Singing slot during assemblies), performances and showcases, offering our students meaningful opportunities to sing, act, dance and share their developing talents with the community. Her full-scale productions of The Lion King Kids and Seussical Kids were highlights of recent years. Through these productions (ambitious and brilliantly brought to life), Stacey provided children with unforgettable experiences on stage, helping them discover the power of performance and nurturing passions that many will carry with them for years to come. Stacey was also the vision and energy behind the hugely successful Lunchtime Concert series, a programme that quickly became a cherished fixture in the ISA calendar. By creating a platform for solo and small-group instrumental and vocal performances, she gave children the confidence to share their music in a supportive recital setting. The impact of this opportunity (especially for young musicians) cannot be overstated. Stacey leaves behind a legacy of music-making, performance and joyful expression. She will be deeply missed by children, families and colleagues alike, and we wish her every success as she begins the next chapter in her career and life.
Screens Off, Creativity On: Holiday Adventures Await
As we approach the holiday period, many of our families will soon be embarking on three weeks of rest, family fun, and reunions (sometimes with loved ones who live many miles away). On behalf of the Preschool and Elementary School team, and the entire ISA community, I wish you a season filled with joy, laughter, good health and, if you are travelling, safe and uncomplicated journeys.
These past months have been an enriching and engaging first half of the school year, full of learning, challenges and accomplishments. Although we are nearing a natural pause, our second quarter continues into January, with two more weeks of learning before teachers complete progress reports. These will be posted on PowerSchool on Friday, January 23, 2026.
During the holiday weeks, many children will naturally find themselves searching for things to do. When I was young, saying “I’m bored” was strictly off-limits; this is a rule I now understand through the lens of both parenting and educational research. Moments of boredom, or unstructured time, can spark creativity, strengthen problem-solving skills, and support the kind of independent thinking that underpins attributes of the IB Learner Profile such as being thinkers, inquirers, and balanced learners.
Today’s children, however, face the challenge of constant access to screens and instant entertainment (with platforms designed for sustained passive consumption rather than active engagement). As an antidote, even a temporary one, families may wish to encourage activities that invite imagination, agency and hands-on exploration: reading, drawing or writing, building with Lego, designing, cooking or baking or simply spending plenty of time outdoors. These activities not only nurture creativity but also help develop self-management and resilience (key dispositions recognised in research on child development).
Board games and card games are another wonderful option. They provide rich opportunities for connection, laughter and collaboration, while also supporting turn-taking, strategic thinking, communication and learning to win or lose with grace. In these moments, children practise being communicators and principled learners within a clear set of rules.
That said, digital tools need not be avoided entirely. Some offer meaningful creative potential. Minecraft, for example, allows for open-ended design and problem-solving, while students in some grades have begun exploring coding through Scratch or Code.org and may wish to continue their investigations at home. For families looking for guidance on which media options best support their child’s development, Common Sense Media remains a valuable resource, offering thoughtful reviews of films, TV shows/content creators, apps, games, websites and more.
Stay safe, stay well and enjoy a wonderful holiday break. We look forward to welcoming you back (and continuing our learning journey together) in 2026.
A message from our school nurse, Fran Sibbett
Basic Principles for stopping the spread of infection in schools and nurseries:
- Do not attend nursery or school if unwell or have developed new, undiagnosed symptoms (this applies to both children and staff);
- Practice regular and thorough handwashing using running water and liquid soap;
- Maintain a clean environment;
- Follow cough/sneeze etiquette – cough/sneeze into tissue (or crook of elbow), bin thetissues and wash hands (Catch it – Bin it – Kill it).
Click here for some NHS advice around seasonal respiratory illness in children.
Also, if your child missed their flu immunisation in school, please phone: 01224 555 333
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