Director’s Report

David G. Henry

Director

As I wrap up five happy years at ISK, I want to focus on the highlights of the 2020-21 school year!

The 2020-21 school year started off with a continuation of the global COVID-19 pandemic and students returning to learning in virtual mode. That said, the school’s focus and energy was steadfastly on learning as teachers and students tapped into their creativity to connect virtually in innovative and supportive ways. Students understood that ISK is a place where they are listened to and asked for input on school improvement and their learning. Both High School and Middle School students found their passions early on with the formation of a Student Equity Committee in High School and the Social Justice Club in Middle School. Here, they worked in collaboration with their teachers to advocate for issues globally and within our community, especially in support of student wellbeing, equity, and belonging. Elementary students also worked through their activity structure to continue promoting student wellbeing and a sense of belonging while learning from home. Even with the background of the pandemic and the challenges it brought, the 2020-21 year was one of achievement at ISK. I want to acknowledge the impact the COVID-19 pandemic had on the ISK community. Following the Government of Kenya directives, we started the school year through late October with our Dynamic Distance Learning program and transitioned to having Grade 5, 8, 11, and 12 on campus throughout December. Finally, when we returned in January, all students were allowed back on campus for in-person learning. The energy and excitement in the whole community was palatable, and it lasted through March. Unfortunately, the virus infections increased in March, and ISK was back to offering DDL. With vaccines introduced along with nightly curfews and domestic travel restrictions, the tide was stemmed, and the whole community celebrated the last month of the year in person, on campus. I again have been impressed by the resilience and adaptability of our students, teachers, staff, and the whole community as they embraced a continually fluctuating situation, remaining connected and supporting both each other and our community’s well-being. This year, ISK started the school year with its new strategic direction in the form of Strategic Focus Areas or SFAs, which were purposefully aligned with continuously improving aspects of student learning. ISK has three SFAs

focused on improving teaching and learning, a comprehensive approach to student wellbeing, implementing our approach to inclusion. This year, we came full circle; in April, the ISK Boards, current administration, and the incoming Director reviewed the progress of the 2020-21 End Results, or ‘expected outcomes’, for each of ISK’s three Strategic Focus Areas. Based on this progress, new End Results or the preferred future statements were developed for 2021-22 that clarify what it means to achieve a Strategic Focus Area. This is now ISK’s rolling strategic plan, and our End Results are the annual accomplishments that shift the habits within our organization, while achieving the SFA and contributing to the Mission and Vision of ISK.

There were many objectives met through our planned actions to achieve each SFA’s End Results. However, one major accomplishment was in the area of inclusion. We didn’t just develop a definition of inclusion and how we thoughtfully combine educational excellence with equitable practices. This year also saw the Board of Directors approve a policy for an alternative High School diploma to support the growth of the Life-Centered Education program into the Middle and High School next year. We celebrated the beginning of New Year with students’ return to campus and the completion of our new Middle School building and High School science labs. This 14,000 square meter purpose-built building was designed specifically to support and extend opportunities for students with special areas, including a large roof space for flexible learning opportunities, conference rooms, aquatic features for science, state of the art science laboratories, a teaching kitchen, black box, and multi-purpose rooms. When it comes to student achievements, the 2020-21 year highlighted again that student agency is embedded into the learning experience. ISK hosted the first virtual Round Square conference on the continent organized by our High School RS students. The conference theme, “Thriving in Africa”, was both timely and meaningful for the more than 300 Middle School participants from around the world exploring how students, schools, and communities can better support wellbeing and mental health issues.

There were plenty of activities when students were on campus while carefully following our safety protocols. This year, our Middle School celebrated the cultural richness of a virtual International Day with an exploration of identity. These e-student inspired workshops, entitled “Proud to Be Me”, supported increased awareness and understanding of our diverse student body, and the various aspects that make up identity. The Elementary School implementation of a “Day 8” or “Wonder Day” exploded into incredible student creativity, passion, and new learning with student ownership and voice. These students used various tools to align with their passions and projects, such as creating a newspaper while pursuing animal conservation topics.

The community continued to consolidate and strengthen its practices, including supporting learning around the concepts of diversity, equity and inclusion school-wide, and culturally relevant pedagogy for the whole community. After participating in virtual events like International Day, Friends of the Arts, and the School Board’s Values and Beliefs Generative sessions, I continue to be amazed at how creatively engaged and committed our parents, PTO, and the School Board are to the school. Even with the ups and downs of this pandemic year, I continually heard how caring and supportive our teachers and our staff are, and how this is what makes ISK the school of choice in Kenya and beyond. ISK also participated in pared-back virtual events in the arts, athletics, and academic activities. No one will forget the wonderful music during the virtual ISSEA Music Festival. This year, ISSEA, the International Schools of South and East Africa regional association with eight international school members, moved various events online. Through ISSEA, the ISK Robotics team won first place in this virtual event. At the same time, we must acknowledge the dedication of our athletes who continued to train, sometimes virtually, sometimes in person, in various sports we typically offer. Another innovation this year was how the Middle School redesigned their Intercultural Trips due to travel restrictions. The Ignite & Connect IC weekends were held on campus with much laughter, connection, joy, adventure, and simply being active - all necessary in a pandemic year. I even had the opportunity to join in on some of the adventures. You don’t often get to rappel off of a school building! 2020-21 is likely the most memorable year for my family and me in our five years here in Nairobi, Kenya. Despite the struggles of living during a pandemic, we continued to focus on ISK’s values, community spirit, and strategic direction. When I think back through the school year and about the events that stand out, they all point to the positive, caring community that ISK is. As an ISK parent of two graduates and its director, I can say this school year was one of exciting developments and achievements in many areas. In short, the ISK community continues to strive towards inspiring and nurturing passion, creativity, and ambition in pursuit of a better world. ISK is ready to expand its pride with a strong supporting foundation complimented by ISK’s Board, new Director, and leadership team who are courageously and strategically committed to keeping ISK on the cutting edge of continuous improvement of student learning.

Warm Regards,

David G. Henry

Director