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 ………….