If you are on campus or passing nearby and hear the roar of the crowd, it can only mean one thing – the 2023 IASAS Swimming Championships are on! From the moment the swim teams arrived, the atmosphere has been electric. It is such a delight to see our Panther Spirit in action – from the PTA’s warm welcome for visiting teams and families, to parents in cheer gear and students waving handmade posters. The event truly speaks to our inclusive and dynamic community that is such an essential component of our Mission. Whether competing on campus or like our basketball, touch rugby and rugby, and tennis teams at member IASAS schools ISM, JIS, and SAS respectively, IASAS is also a wonderful example for our younger students of the amazing opportunities that await them in High School.

The roar of an appreciative audience was also heard last Saturday (January 28), when our incredibly talented students performed for Jazz & Pops Night. It was a wonderful evening and as a fellow musician, I was deeply impressed by their talent and performance skills. This was echoed in the feedback of a very enthusiastic sell-out crowd. A very heartfelt congratulations to the ISKL Singers, Wind Ensemble, and ISKL Jazz Combo and the Grade 11 students, Maya, Charlotte, and Ole who helped organize the remarkable event as part of their IB CAS project.

In addition to the fun and excitement brought to us by our athletes and musicians, we also enjoyed Lunar New Year celebrations today (February 3) when our whole school gathered in the Jungle to watch our traditional Lion Dance. It is always breathtaking to see the performers leaping from one pillar to the next and experience this colorful tradition. Students, faculty, and staff came dressed in traditional LNY/CNY clothing or colors associated with LNY/CNY and again it was great to see our community so connected and celebrating as one.

Earlier in the week (January 31), we held our third Open Board Meeting. My thanks to all those who attended and to Board Chair Toshi Saito, Finance, Risk, & Audit Committee Chair Mark Van Cott, and Governance Committee Vice Chair Charles Horton for updating us in their respective areas.

Open Board meetings are a wonderful opportunity to better understand the work of the Board and to learn more about our school. In addition to providing an overview of all the great learning that takes place at ISKL, it was with great pleasure that I presented a summary of the results from the climate survey we conducted last semester. As shared, the results were truly outstanding and I am looking forward to sharing the results in greater detail at the Head of School & Parents In Partnership session next Wednesday (February 8).

With the Thaipusam celebration on Sunday (February 5), I wish everyone celebrating a very happy Thaipusam filled with joy and happiness. A gentle reminder that Monday, February 6, is a school day.

In partnership,

Rami Madani
Head of School