New Head of School Welcome Address

In college, I spent a semester studying oceanographic research, nautical science, and maritime studies, including six weeks on a 125’ schooner, four of which were entirely at sea before reaching our first port. Three days into our

voyage, we had no choice but to sail through a hurricane. For each watch, we would pull on our still-damp foul weather gear, clip our safety harnesses onto various parts of the ship to avoid being washed overboard, and put what we had learned in classrooms to use in real life. We navigated, researched, and managed ship life lurching up, down, back, and forth in tumultuous seas. I have never been so sick, and wrote in my journal that if land had been even a few miles away, I would have tried to swim to shore. Days later, the seas calmed, the sun appeared, and we had “Field Day” - a very cheery name for a deep-cleaning of the entire ship. My group was assigned the “fridge” - a somewhat cold walkMRS. KATE CONWAY / NEW HEAD OF SCHOOLI in compartment in the depths of the ship. As I put my weak elbow grease to work, scrubbing the walls, floors, and everything not food, I began to feel my strength return. ALOHA From the literal bottom, we worked our way out into the sunlight, where we had a celebration of fair weather on our ISLAND SCHOOL ‘OHANA, sparkling ship. We had weathered the storm through hard work, dedication, and caring for one another, and come out the other side more skilled, confident, and a stronger team. From the moment I discovered Island School, I knew I I firmly believe that Island School and Kaua‘i as a whole wanted to be a part of “Educating the mind, inspiring will weather this pandemic as well, coming together to find the heart. Preparing Kaua‘i’s youth to lead lives of strength through connection and action. significance.” Becoming a Voyager resonates deeply with my educational philosophy, in which we are all on a For any school at any time, the arrival of a new Head is a journey of engagement, inquiry, action, connection, and great opportunity to review, reflect, and determine the reflection in a community of learning that includes realnext stage of the voyage. This is even more important at a world connections, meaningful relationships, sustainable time when the entire world is realizing that we may need to structures, and opportunities for joy. I see this in action at reevaluate our lives and systems on all levels from personal Island School-working as a cohesive team, upholding the to global. We are perfectly poised to review our strengths values of Mālama and Kuleana as we chart our course and and goals, renew our commitment to the direction of navigate our growth into unique individuals who make up a our voyage, and work together to balance tradition and strong Island School ‘ohana. innovation for excellence in education. So many traditions and initiatives are key to the Island School experience, This spring has brought world events with an impact and we can build upon these strengths. I look forward to only imagined in works of fiction and film. We will have meeting each and every person in the Island School ‘ohana, some choppy waters to navigate as both a local and global and listening to your thoughts about Island School. community, and because of this, opportunities to find our greatest strengths and reaffirm our sense of community and My family and I are thrilled to join Island School and make commitment to action. I am sure that our school’s focus on a life together on Kaua‘i. When I visited in March, I felt nurturing awareness, civic responsibility and connection, an immediate connection and look forward to further creativity, and curiosity will allow us to grow stronger developing relationships with everyone and becoming a part through these challenges. of the ‘ohana.

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Sincerely,

VOYAGERFund

A warm aloha and mahalo to everyone who has made a gift to the VOYAGER Fund so far this year. Now we’re on a mission to connect with as many alumni, parents, grandparents, and friends as possible to invite you to participate before the fund closes on June 30. Because there is power in numbers.

When you make a gift to the VOYAGER Fund, you help create a level of education beyond the common education. Think hands-on learning trips, interactive and innovative programs, enriching curricular materials, and upgrading and beautifying indoor and outdoor spaces. We are all important to our mission.

Many of us on Kaua‘i and around the world love Island School. Every great school needs passionate supporters who share the responsibility for its care and vitality. Please join in with a gift. Together for Island School. Mahalo!

TO MAKE A GIFT, GO ONLINE AT WWW.ISCHOOL.ORG/GIVING. If you have already made your gift, please accept our gratitude.

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