Newsletter of International School Suva
Volume 4
September 2021
Principal’s Report September 2021 Greetings ISS Family, We have had quite a journey this year that began in March of last year. I am happy that we have survived until now in fairly good condition, and that many signs look positive for the coming months. We have a short break to catch our breath now before beginning Term Four, and I think we should accept some credit for what we have achieved. First, in spite a major global catastrophe, one that will probably be remembered with the same reverence as our two world wars, our school community has remained mostly healthy and safe, and our students have gained a successful year -and-a-half of vital education and learning.
Second, we now have concrete signs that the Covid pandemic is receding. Vaccination levels in Fiji are among the best in the world, and, not surprisingly, case numbers are declining. Not too long ago we saw more than a thousand new cases each day and active case numbers growing steadily. Now our active cases are half of what they were just three weeks ago, and our recovered cases are triple that number! The number of adults fully vaccinated is approaching 70%! Furthermore, our teenage students are starting to get vaccinated at the moment, and that should help bring an end to this disease. I think we should all have some reasonable hope and look forward toward better times! In line with that, we are working on plans for returning to face-to-face school activities as soon as that is possible. During Term Four we will share what that might look like. In short, you should expect some gradual phased-in group activities to the extent allowed by the government. You will also see a concerted effort to maintain safety protocols as we are allowed to resume campus activities so that we do not have a relapse. You will also see selective activities based on levels of risk. Regardless, I believe all our staff and students will be eager to see each other face-to-face and to restore the benefits of human interaction. As for timelines for this “return to normal” or “mostly-normal,” I cannot know exactly whether this will happen quickly or slowly. I expect there to be some caution from the Ministry of Health, and so I encourage everyone to be patient a little while longer. My hope is that we will see each other in person sometime during Term Four and occupy classrooms once more in January. I am sometimes a good guesser, but sadly, I am not clairvoyant! We will have to wait and see! One thing I can promise is a grand gathering, once allowed, in our new auditorium! With restrictions finally relaxed, we are now putting the finishing touches on that facility to make it ready for you to enjoy. I think you will appreciate that improvement and how it helps us showcase our students! We are also working to finish the new office study space for our Year 12 students to help them finish with great style and success. You will see that new facility just outside the library, and I think you will be impressed. For you who will be in Year 12 next year, we look forward to your testing the new space and giving us your feedback! I also hope that we will be working on our new early childhood building the next time you are on campus. Because of that work being done in Primary, we have plans for expanding and creating some new play areas to make up for the temporary building zone. I will share more later about that as it develops. I hope you are enjoying your term break one way or another. We will be back to the hard work of learning soon enough. Our teachers will be the learners Monday the 4th of October when we have professional development. Then school starts on Tuesday, the 5th. Next term, we have two long weekends: Monday the 18 th of October is the Prophet Mohammed’s birthday, and then we will have Thursday and Friday, the 4th and 5th of November off for Diwali.
We hope to see all our students on Tuesday, the 5th of October, fresh and ready to do great things! Best wishes, Stephen Cathers Head of International School Suva
Inside this issue:
Year 6 Language & Literature
Primary Update
Year 6 Self Portraits
ECH Online
Year 6 Drama
Primary Art & Design
Middle Years Program (MYP)
Year 7 Language Literature
Year 9 Drama
Year 8 Art
Year 10 Art
Year 8 Language & Literature
Year 8 Drama
Alumni Story: Navi Fong
Science Fair
Term Dates
New Teachers Profile