Update Term 2-Week 7 - American International School - Lightly towards Christmas

Hi, it’s Charles Nolan here as our American International School community heads towards Christmas, and the New Year.

We celebrated together last weekend, with Christmas Lights, food, company and lots of Christmas cheer. Although the day started inauspiciously, with humidity and then torrential rain, the evening was kind to us with fine but not clear weather all through our festivities together. We had a great turnout with a number of families, teachers and staff braving the weather forecast. Some may have cancelled because they thought we might defer to the weather. But they must have not known us well, for I would still be there for this school community whatever the weather, whatever the challenge. It is satisfaction enough for me to provide an opportunity, and up to others satisfaction to attend and enjoy themselves.

But the New Year is fast approaching and pressures mounting on families and friends. It is also time to be thankful for what we have achieved together in our American International School. Last weekend was one small indication of that, the school concert was another. It was great to see the numbers at the concert, a full house in our own Lincoln Hall, suitably entertained and supporting another great production. All part of the sharing that sees parents, teachers, students and community doing their bit to build and add their piece to that international puzzle – to make a difference, for the families and friends that make up our American International School.

I say community, as we do have supporters outside our immediate student body. Thanks to Eric Pozorski and the people from Compro and Array Technologies who spent last Tuesday evening at school, preparing the next version of remote computing access. I took the time to walk Eric around the school, filling the vacant night time spaces with my hands where laughing and smiling students would be during the day. I take the opportunity to tell everyone of what we are doing at this American International School – that’s not just American, not just International, and more than just a School.

It’s so much shell at night, compared to the bustle of the day, even though it’s like the walls have memories of all those students through the past years. Mary met a former student from the “old days” when the school was an orphanage in the thirties and forties. I talked to some old people on the bus about the school, and a young lady approached me for our card and information on the school. We welcome all with connection and compassion for our school. We feel like caretakers, and are careful to preserve the history as well as prepare the future. We now have more Australian enquiries turning into enrolments as the message gets out. The message that there is a place in Sydney where International Education is for Everyone, and where you can see the difference it makes in the lives of all those involved.

This Saturday will see a number of parents and staff attending cocktails at the Double Bay residence of the American Consul General, Steven Smith and his wife Monica McKnight. Many of us won’t be American, but we will be enjoying ourselves, and promoting community and school. We are about to undertake a tripartite marketing campaign with American Club, Society and School providing support to expatriate families in business networking, social events and education. Let me know how we can get involved and support your communities, for we aim to be The International School, for everyone.

I would like to take the opportunity to meet some more of you before Christmas, so I will be out at School for all the last day of term, Friday-15-December. I will be there to listen and take on board your ideas for the new Calendar year. See you there, call me or just pop in over the holidays. Patrick will be with school friends in China, but Tom, Mary and I will be there to share the holiday spirit with our friends and community from American International School.

Remember: American International School – not just American - not just International - not just a School.

Help others to see the difference, where international education is for everyone, and although not a right, is surely an inspiration.

Regards,

Charles