The Head of School News comes to you this week from the Singapore American School (SAS), where I am meeting with the heads of IASAS schools for a leadership roundtable to discuss learning, well-being, programs, resources, and operations.
IASAS stands for the Interscholastic Association of Southeast Asia Schools, and along with ISKL and SAS, members represent leading schools in the region – International School Bangkok, Jakarta Intercultural School, International School Manila, and Taipei American School.
Today and over the weekend, we are engaging in benchmarking conversations and focusing on how we continue to make our schools even stronger as we emerge from the pandemic. While we connect regularly online, this is the first time all six heads of school have been able to meet in person for two years, and it is so invigorating to have this opportunity to discuss research and best practice and learn from each other. This helps us all constructively challenge our ways of thinking and how we do things to benefit our students and schools. The ongoing collaboration between our schools and shared learning ensures all IASAS schools remain leaders in education in their respective countries. I look forward to sharing my own learning with our leadership team when I return.
IASAS turns 40!
This year we are celebrating the 40th anniversary of IASAS. With three different athletic seasons, international sporting tournaments, and three Cultural Conventions featuring Model United Nations, Music, Art, Drama, Dance, Film, Debate, Forensics, and the newly added Service convention, IASAS provides High School students with amazing opportunities to travel and compete with peers across the region.
As highlighted in the many responses from alumni to our IASAS 40 for 40 social media campaign, IASAS also enables students to experience the spirit of competition, camaraderie, and cultural cooperation. The comments by our alumni about the friendly rivalry, team spirit, and happy memories of their IASAS days tell of an experience that lasts a lifetime and lives on long after match scores are (mostly!) forgotten. I speak on behalf of all IASAS heads of school when I say that we are extremely excited about the very real possibility that IASAS athletic and cultural conventions will take place again in person next school year.
Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri
As we approach the end of Ramadan, I wish families celebrating Aidilfitri, Selamat Hari Raya, Maaf Zahir dan Batin. It is a very special time of year, and I hope everyone enjoys the mini-break that also encompasses the Labor Day holiday. We look forward to welcoming students back to school next Thursday!
In partnership
Rami Madani
Head of School
Hijri Calendar: 1443H / 1444H 🌙
Islamic calendar, also known as the Hijri calendar dating system is used in the Islamic world for religious purposes. Each month begins approximately at the time of the new moon. The months are alternately 30 and 29 days long. Years are reckoned from the Hijrah, the date of Prophet Muhammad’s migration (622 CE) from Mecca to Yathrib (Medina). Source: Britannica
