Dear Parents,

I hope that you are well.

I would like to start by commenting on the KHDA Inspection this week and thanking all parents involved. There were several meetings with parents, and your input was hugely valued. Our inspectors talked of your passion, support and loyalty towards the school and very much enjoyed meeting you. 

My thanks also to the whole school community. There is always a large build-up in preparation for an audit or inspection, and our teams rose to the challenge, providing comprehensive documentation and the right mindset for the week itself. I asked all teachers and leaders to be ready to showcase strengths, while at the same time being transparent on areas to improve. They did this and I can share that the KHDA team spoke highly of the school on its journey. Mr James, our lead inspector, reiterated several times his delight that with regard to the leadership teams, ‘You know your school so well.’ It is so important to have an accurate self-evaluation and we have proved this. 

In due course, I shall be able to share the full report with you and reveal all the parameters in which the school has improved, which are multiple. When you receive this, please do read the contextual written feedback too, as this is in-depth and supports the ratings. I would like to thank Mr James and his team of eight inspectors for the collegial way in which they approached this visit, and to my assistant Ms Rania, for her hard work in producing such excellent schedules, with an attention to detail. 

In a strong and dynamic school, life goes on despite audits and inspections, and I am pleased to say that this is the case for GIS. GISPA has continued its coffee mornings and I thank the organisers for these events. We have also had some large assemblies this week and an informative meeting on the Career-related Programme for parents of Grade 10 students, led by Ms Mariona. For those unaware, the CP is an alternative to the DP for our Grade 11/12 students and we introduced this as an alternative pathway, which has led to a KHDA commendation in this area.