‘AIS’ now goes up front in identifying the name and brand of the school.

The interesting and exciting news is the image makeover for AIS. Around the school and wider community, we all call ourselves AIS informally. Today we are moving to incorporating the AIS brand (moniker) into our formal name.

We are identified as, AIS The International School.
This works for the school on a number of different fronts:

• Our short name (AIS) is now upfront in our formal name offering identity and formality as well as the familiar ‘moniker’

• AIS is shorter to use, a bit more progressive and upbeat, so people will find it easier to repeat and identify with us

• AIS still retains our linkage to the American International Schools

• AIS The International School promotes our international applicability to all nationalities

• AIS The International School highlights our International Curriculum, International Accreditation and the International Baccalaureate program

• AIS The International School promotes AIS as The International School of choice in Sydney, Australia

• AIS The International School has a wider appeal to the Australian community – where in the past they may have been confused as to its suitability for their families

The changes will be subtle in nature and only modify our existing logos. We will incorporate AIS The International School into the logo for the website, email address and letterheads; with a change in font on the website and stationery.

Everything else you like about the school remains the same:

• International Curriculum – International Baccalaureate and US High School Diploma and SATs giving entry into universities worldwide including Australia

• International Calendar – offering seamless transition to/from overseas

• Small Class sizes – giving individual attention to your students

• Co- education from Pre-K to 12 - for all children in the family at school together

Above all, at AIS The International School, we believe that International Education is for everyone, and if not a right, is surely an aspiration.

Regards,
Charles Nolan
Director
AIS The International School
216 Pennant Hills Road
Carlingford NSW 2118
Australia

Web: www.amschool.com
Linked In URL: http://www.linkedin.com/in/charlesnolan

Week 2 - Open for Business, Open Communication, and Open House

Hi, it’s Charles Nolan here after Week 2 at your American International School.

Thanks to all the Parent Volunteers last week, it seems that we will have the Canteen open for business, a minimum 4 days/week this year. Now all we need is another 4 volunteers and we can make the 5 day mark. And I promise to donate my cappuccino machine to PVG once we make the 5 day canteen success level. The PVG makes such a difference to the life of students (and staff). It’s such a great part of the family atmosphere that makes American International School such a personal and individual place for all our community. We will receive the new “AIS Café” banner for the outside wall on Saturday. Give it that French patisserie look perhaps – at minimum giving the entrance a professional lift that mirrors the commitment of our PVG volunteers.

New banners and signs are going up around the school, with “Little House” Pre-School getting the first – because it was the easiest to install. Tom and I spent Saturday registering the School vehicle, plus picking up and installing the banner at pre-School. What a brilliant weekend for enjoying the “Little House - Among the Trees” – it was such a pleasure to be outside and enjoying the Indian Summer ourselves. We have a further 3 banners and signs to put up on the Lincoln (Elementary), Jefferson and Washington buildings. Going to take a few ladders and a “little” more effort to get them up onto those buildings….It’s all part of the maintenance program aimed at imparting a unified look to the school, whilst sensibly integrating the heritage aspects with the modern components.

The search for a new Principal continues with no successful candidates from the first round. Plenty of talent and potential however, in the end they did not meet our selection criteria for one reason or another. Some good candidates pulled out because of family illness which we can fully understand, being expatriates ourselves. We are very happy to be supported in this process by the extensive Human Resources expertise from within our own Board of Governors, Chairman Mr Nalin Miglani. We have defined criteria, and it is most important to get the right person for the job, rather than just the nearest applicant.

Our Council of International School (CIS) advisers have indicated that the latter part of the calendar year is the best time to advertise, during the period when most Principal candidates are looking for positions. Currently most potential candidates are on vacation with firm commitments to positions for this year. CIS advises that our accreditation (CIS and NEASC) process can continue whilst we undertake the replacement – in fact they said that 30% of schools change Principals during accreditation – it’s just part of the international and expatriate life cycle. Our own internal candidate, Dr. Joe Grube, showed tenacity, commitment and strength in his application for the position. Although Dr Joe Grube was unsuccessful in the final round, he was commended for his commitment to the school, and shows much potential for further development beyond his new role as Head of Middle School. Thank you Joe for your personal courage, commitment and support. The future still awaits.

The School continues under the Leadership team of our Heads of School – Ms. Sunday Ciastkowski (Elementary), Dr. Joe Grube (Middle School) and Ms. Mirka Taras (High School). Each week this year, you will see a school newsletter with an alternating message from the Heads, Upcoming Events listing, and a Classroom Update from one of your Grade Teachers. This triumvirate of Heads is doing an excellent job of staying on top of the issues as they occur, and displaying the real leadership direction and potential within your American International School Faculty team. Together with the Administration staff, we are seeing a unified approach across all the school aspects and activities, from top to bottom. It’s great to see the changes that this open and inclusive approach is bringing to daily life. This is in no short measure due to the personal efforts of the three Heads, and their involvement of the entire American International School faculty and administration team. Well done.

Open House gives you another opportunity this week on Thursday evening, to meet all the AIS team of faculty and Administration staff. It’s your chance to visit the classrooms, talk to the teachers, and ask any questions that you may have. This year we have streamlined the Open House to enable Parents to avail themselves of the opportunity without too much disruption to their own busy family schedules. Open House will begin at 6:30 PM and will complete by 8:00 PM to allow time for sensible return home on this mid-week night. Do take the opportunity to come together as a school community – all your American International School staff will be there to assist you with any enquiries that you may have. It’s a great start to the year, and child-minding will be available (plus we have installed the flood lights on the tennis court for the older children).

We look forward to the entire school year with an openness that we know will become another hallmark of your American International School. A school where you can “See the Difference” that an international education makes.

See you at “Open House” or around the community.

Regards,
Charles

Week 1 -Tasks, Teamwork and Titles

Hi, it’s Charles Nolan here as we are already into our second week of the new school year at your American International School.

Our first week at school was preceded by a teacher teamwork week, whereby all the teachers and administration got together to go through timetables, policies and other planning matters. It was a busy schedule that ran for four days, involving much collaborative work from all the Faculty team. Lunch was provided and work never stopped whilst we prepared for the New Year. I took the week off from my “day job” at the University of New South Wales, so as to be able to participate in the New Year launch activities.

Maintenance continued unabated, and asphalt was patched and new paths laid whilst the activities continued within the school buildings. Only one minor upset at the Pre-School. During Playground new path creation, a stormwater access pipe was broken. But, “every cloud has a silver lining”, and we turned disaster into drainage with some on the spot innovative thinking. Our break is now a drain inlet which will ensure that rainwater runoff is kept away from the rear of the building. Plus two new awnings for Pre-School play makes the whole experience more integrated and comfortable for our littlest students.

Still on the Pre-School, it’s official title is The Little House. However it’s other name should be “Cha-O-Ha” or “Among the Trees” in Ogalala Sioux language. The AIS buildings are named after the US Presidents represented on Mount Rushmore – Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln and Roosevelt. Further in the Dakotas is a monument to Crazy Horse, leader of the Sioux nation. His childhood name was “Cha-O-Ha” which meant “Among the trees” or “One with nature” in his native language. There’s a big old Oak tree in the front of Little House, and two large trees at the rear. So, I think its OK to have as many names as we think is apt to tell the story of developing students. From Pre-School to Graduates - through nature and nurture - from children to leaders of our different peoples.

What a great team we have for this year, and it’s not just the Teachers and maintenance staff. Parents have been helping us also, with particular mention going to Karen Ispahani and Tina Killeen. Karen has been assisting Tom in Administration to sort out the Reception area, and introduce a new level of organisation to the front area. Tina has been organising the PVG launch for 2007-8, and is seeking further help for the canteen launch. Our Canteen has always been a focal point of our school life and Parent involvement. It’s a way of participating in School, (some say they “spy” on their own children), but it’s also a way of enriching school life and adding international cuisine to our international culture. So, please consider whether you could share that recipe once a fortnight to ensure that your kids have a healthy canteen option for this school year. Tina will be calling for volunteers, so please consider this opportunity for service to all our school families. The playground, that the children so enjoy, was donated from canteen profits by our Parent Volunteer Group. Remember, when Tina calls – “Your PVG needs YOU”.

We spent the past weekend at the school refurbishing the staff kitchenette in the Washington building. A two hour task that turned into a two day job - involving plumbers and the entire AIS “maintenance team”. However, we wanted to do this small job for the Staff team, as a token of the respect more than anything else. The water won’t flow any faster, or the tea taste any sweeter. Rather we wish to show that we care for our team, and not just with platitudes. The new Pre-School fridge has turned up today, so that should also enhance the student/teacher experience down at “The Little House - Among the Trees”.

So, enjoy the “Indian Summer”, (of this warm weather during winter), enjoy each others company, and enjoy your American International School. A School where, through teamwork, you can “See the Difference” that a truly international education makes to all our lives – students, families, community and supporters.

See you at school or around the community.

Regards,

Charles

Vacation - Sojourn, Solstice and Sultry weather

Hi, it’s Charles Nolan here as we prepare for the New School Year at your American International School.

Yes everything is still “on the go” back here in Sydney. We have completed the first round of interviews for Principal, and are now down to a shortlist for next week, when we will involve the governors and teacher representatives. The replacement teachers have been hired, and we have aimed to attain high standards at the same time as we fill the gaps in our teaching team. All are fully qualified and trained for their roles, with American and/or IB experience on their resumes. The teacher/principal transition has also turned into a great opportunity to raise the overall levels, mature the culture and get some additional strength into the school. Very much hard work, but we are really happy with the opportunity provided, now that we can see the benefits.

No holiday for us, but Patrick and Tom travel to NZ next weekend for a ski holiday, staying at my parents place overlooking Lake Taupo, and the mountains behind. We will think of them as we continue the work here in the rain and winter drear that has become our past few weeks’ weather. I think my thoughts tend more towards our families holidaying in the northern hemisphere summer. The drought really does seem to have broken for Sydney, so I should not be too unkind about our current meteorological mix. (But I do so envy the warmer weather).

We've also been busy with the maintenance at school, putting up another sign, attending a Relocation conference, presentations at the Consulate, purchasing carpet for Elementary, road repairs, tree removal and more wallboards up in the Jefferson building. Enrolments are increasing with Mary signing six students on one day (3 expected and 3 new). We now have six on the IB program for next year, with 4 newcomers specifically joining for IB. Teachers also attend refresh training on IB subjects this week in Canberra.

So you can see, it's all "Easy Street" back here on vacation in a rather damp and wintry Sydney. The winter solstice has passed, but not so our damp and insipid weather. But it’s not sunshine that we miss, rather we do so look forward to the sound of students again in the school grounds. It’s just so much a property without the teachers and students that make it the special place that is your American International School.

All part of that annual cycle of renewal that we see as the start, the finish and the continuum that a school provides and an education brings to all our families, teachers, and friends that make up this small but vibrant community. A community where “International Education is for everyone” and, “International Education - if not a right is surely an inspiration”.

See you at school or around the community.

Regards,

Charles

Signs of Graduation Week

Hi, it’s Charles Nolan here as we enter into Graduation week at your American International School.

It’s very much concentration not consternation as students sit exams, and everyone readies themselves for the big day on Thursday. The day begins at School with moving up celebrations on Thursday morning, and concludes with the formal Graduation ceremony and dinner at 7PM, at The American Club. It looks like a great day for all the American International School community, whereby we all get to celebrate the successes of the year together, both at school and the Graduation. I personally will be there all day and half the night – it’s a great sense of pride in the achievements of all our community. From the pre-schoolers entering into Elementary, Elementary to Middle School formative years, and High Schoolers moving towards and into Graduation, it’s all there to see on one day at your American International School.

Further sign of the New Year is our new sign outside on Pennant Hills Road. With a bit of late night activity, we erected the new sign at 7PM on Sunday evening, ready for both the last week and the New Year. Various local “artists” had “appended” our sign previously, but now it is up with our new Globe” logo. A further changing banner is to be added to the bottom, which will promote various opportunities and activities from time-to-time. The style and theme will be reflected throughout the school grounds, buildings and rooms in the New Year for a universal look-and-feel across the Carlingford campus. Just one visible sign to “ See the difference, that is your American International School”.

And an international graduation it is for the class of 2007 – coming from five countries, including Australia, and our first scholarship pupil graduates towards a College (and onwards) basketball career in the US. Jessica Payne, one of our “graduating parents” put together a Press Release for the school on graduation – just one of the many unheralded activities that our parents provide to their school, each and every day. Thanks to Jessica, I have attached it here; and thanks to all those other parents, students and community members that perform extra-curricula activities enriching all our lives here at school.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Students Graduate Thursday 31 May
Thursday 31 May marks the end of High School and the beginning of adult life for six international students at the American International School, Sydney. Graduates from Brazil, China, Egypt, Sudan and Australia celebrate this week which is the end of the Northern Hemisphere School Calendar.

- Gordon resident, Daniel Emsermann is the only graduate born in Australia. At 12, his family moved to Sweden then to Japan where he studied at International Schools teaching International and American Curricula. Upon returning to Sydney mid-2006, Daniel continued his international studies completing his American Diploma this week. Daniel expects to continue his studies at university next year with his sights on ANU in Canberra or UNSW here in Sydney.

- Castle Cove resident, Julia Oliveira moved to Sydney with her family from Brazil in 2006. Julia hopes to continue her studies at TAFE before moving on to Macquarie University.

- Carlingford resident, Alexi Wolff, formerly a citizen of Tonga has recently become an Australian Citizen. Alexi has attended the AIS since 2003, the longest of the graduates.

- Blacktown resident, Ater Majok is originally from the Sudan. He has been earning his American Diploma while training for a U.S. basketball scholarship. A promising athlete, Ater is part of the IPASS (International Postgraduate Academic Sport Scholarship System) which currently helps future basketball stars earn the educational requirements needed to attain scholarships to American and International Universities. Ater heads to America in July to play basketball at university in Fairfield, Connecticut.

- Kellyville resident, Omar Zaher came to Sydney from Egypt. Omar is earning his Diploma with plans to apply for local and International University acceptance.

- Ryde resident, Angran Cui originally from China completed his graduation requirements in December 2006 and is currently working in Real Estate. Angran returns Thursday to receive formal recognition for his academic accomplishments at AIS.

The formal Graduation Ceremony and Dinner Thursday at the American Club at Circular Quay is preceded by a moving up celebration on Thursday morning at the American International School in Carlingford.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Still plenty of opportunity to reschedule that workday to make the school ceremonies, and space still available for the Graduation Ceremony and Dinner (around 90 booked already). Spoil yourself, take pride in your own and the community’s achievements and celebrate with your community this Thursday.

And in the words of the Irish farewell:
"May the road rise to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the sun shine warm upon your face
The rains fall soft upon your fields
And until we meet again
May God hold you in the palm of his hand."

See you on Thursday to celebrate “International education – though not a right, is surely an inspiration”.

Regards,
Charles

Penultimate Procession

Hi, it’s Charles Nolan here as we enter into the penultimate week of this American International School year.

At your American International School, the autumn leaves have nearly all dropped and met their fate in the maws of the new outdoor vacuum cleaner. (Strange - it seems that only I get to enjoy the dusty pleasures of self-propelled outdoor domesticity, courtesy of International Mothers day…).

Students have returned from camp, and we have met with teachers on a number of occasions in the planning lead up to the new school year. Curriculum, policies and resourcing are all under review for update in the New Year. We also met with Board of Governors last week in a joint preparation for the advertisement and selection process for the new Principal. A good collaborative process, that involves objective selection and involvement by the Parent and Teacher community. More updates will follow as we progress together.

Many people ask me about our northern hemisphere calendar and how it works in Sydney - and with the Southern hemisphere climate. Surprisingly well, is the answer that I reply. The American International School calendar is synchronised with NSW school holidays, and students share part of each break with their neighbours and Australian school friends. Vacation periods are obviously good for northern hemisphere travel, but also for travel within Australia. The June-July period is ideal for heading North in Australia, as the tropics are warm yet dry during this time of year. Great for sitting on the beach, trekking the rainforest, climbing Uluru, swimming with dolphins at Monkey Mia, or exploring the Kakadu wetlands. We still get to enjoy the Christmas vacation time, and can experience the rest of the world, or that part of the world that is right here in our Australian backyard. In addition, snow sports are available in the mountains, or a short flight away in New Zealand.

Exam revision, graduation preparation and holiday expectations are all part of that madcap mayhem that precedes the final school week. Its all part pressure, crescendo and peak as we close out all that is good about the last school year. Make sure that you reward yourself and applaud others by attending the Graduation night on Thursday-31-May at the American Club, 131 Macquarie Street in the city. Over 75 people have confirmed and we are able to share with more of you in this year’s celebration of our graduates. It will be a great night, so make the effort and reward yourselves and your family with a night out overlooking the harbour and city lights. A night amongst friends, family and community of your American International School. A school where international education does not just make the difference, it’s an inspiration for everyone.

See you there.

Regards,
Charles

International Mothers Day

Hi, it’s Charles Nolan here, as leaves fall (and are swept up) at your American International School.
Sunday was Mothers Day, whereby we all celebrated the effect on our lives of mothers everywhere, and heralded the care that is part of that maternal bond in all our families. Some shared it with a phone call, some embarked on a visit, and others celebrated with a small gift. I spent Saturday on a quest, driving "the truck" to the Central Coast for Mary’s gift – something that combined her love of the seasons, gardening and the school.
So, you could imagine the sheer surprise on her face when, on Sunday, I presented her with a self-propelled, 5-horsepower, 4-stroke outdoor vacuum cleaner. Just the thing for picking up those troublesome leaves; cleaning that tennis court; grooming the grass and tidying all the driveways and paths around the school. She was so taken back, (with delight I think), that she was speechless – for the whole day! I of course had that feeling of great pleasure that comes with giving. I can’t wait to see her trundling around the school, in her breaks, sucking up that dirt and detritus. Go girl, and Happy Mothers Day every weekend from now on! Power machinery is the gift that just keeps on giving. And to think that some men used to give their partners household appliances as gifts. How chauvinistic!
Joking aside, as we end this year we are already planning on the "vacation" period as part of our school property upgrade and maintenance cycle. New rubber flooring for the pre-school, outdoor lighting, and more painting and wall boards around the school are all on the agenda. A new school sign has been ordered, after the artistic depredations of the local feral nightlife (graffiti), amongst marketing activities to coincide with the start of the new school year.
Middle and High School is off to Camp on the Gold Coast this week, and our graduating parents are putting the final touches on preparations for Graduation Night, Thursday-31-May, at the American Club. It will be a great night where we herald our latest leading lights, farewell those other families that are moving onwards, and celebrate our community through another great year. It’s always a great finale to the year, where we can share with the entire school community, and soak up the moonlit view of the harbour, bridge, Opera house and city lights. I have attached the invitation again for those that are still wavering – join in, and you’ll be sure to enjoy yourself. Every year we all graduate a little bit, and soak up some pride in our latest ambassadors for your American International School - where international education is for everyone, and the entire community is an inspiration.
Now if anyone knows when Mary should get over the shock of her Mothers Day extravaganza, just let me know. She’s still not talking to me ………….