Chairman of the Board’s Letter

INTRODUCTION

Board of Governors Chairman’s Letter

2020 was undoubtedly one of the most challenging years St. Andrew’s Scots School had to confront in its 184 years-long history.

We were preparing to enjoy a full year at the New Campus; the first year that Kindergarten and Primary would enjoy joint coeducation there. We were ready to deepen the competencybased school project in Secondary School. And moving Intermediate School to the Nogoyá building where the students could enjoy special dedicated learning spaces and bigger social areas. Then, in a matter of days everything changed.

We had to learn new words and concepts, such as virtual lessons, semi presential or a-synchronic class. The gigantic effort the Teachers, Support Staff, Heads, Students and Parents had to make by adapting to the new reality was indeed outstanding. Everything we knew about education was challenged and transformed. Where we once thought the presence of the teacher in the classroom was the pillar of education, we had to adapt and generate a new way of teaching.

Thanks to the enormous commitment of our staff and the technology that was previously in use, in just a couple of days St. Andrew’s

was already giving virtual lessons and sharing homework. This year the school was an open window into the families’ homes. Students were learning how to study and teachers how to educate in this new environment.

This is not the first time our community has had to deal with a pandemic. Back in 1867 and 1871 our community suffered cholera and yellow fever. Just as we did this time by embracing our community values, on both occasions our School and Church helped giving support to families and neighbours.

On this occasion CASA - Comunidad Ampliada San Andrés, and REDSA were very active by understanding that teamwork and networking make us all greater. Their synergy enriches their potential and multiplies their work focus through the joining of efforts in supporting families with economic difficulties, medical staff, policemen, firefighters, and Municipal agencies by assisting them with food, facemasks and face shields that were printed out with 3D printers by students and teachers. We collaborated with beds and furniture to build Emergency Hospitals to receive Covid patients in Vicente Lopez.

As always, we had special awareness for and gave support to families who had financial constraints and thanks to the collaboration and fund-raising activities, we could help them in this time of need.

With great personal effort from our staff, we went online with San Andrés Live, to keep the feeling of togetherness in the community, because we know it is also important to hold the perception of being part of St. Andrew’s way of life. During 2020 our teams also worked on the Secondary project, and we finally got the approval for the Nogoyá Project, which allows us to make real the longing for the One Campus One School project.

For sure this will be a pivotal year for our society. A past Chairman once wrote ACEESA continues to be a young and dynamic association, with a renewed commitment to working for the education of future leaders engaged with the country and its equitable social development moving towards a cultural change. Never more real, we hold to this commitment.

Alejandro Golfari

Chairman - Board of Governors