Dear High School Community,

As we begin a new school year, I want to share not only what we are changing, but why. As Christian educators, we believe education is more than preparation for examinations or careers. It is the formation of young people who know truth, love goodness, pursue beauty, and use their gifts faithfully in service to God and others.

Jesus teaches that the greatest commandments are to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind, and to love our neighbor as ourselves (Matthew 22:37–39). Augustine described the virtuous life as having rightly “ordered loves,” loving the right things, in the right ways, and in the right measure (Augustine, 2003, Book XV, chap. 22). Education therefore shapes not only what students know, but also what they notice, desire, and ultimately love.

This conviction informs two changes this year. First, students will use Yondr pouches during the school day. Phones are powerful tools, but their constant presence fragments attention and disrupts the community. By creating a phone-free environment, we hope students will be more fully present to their teachers, classmates, and learning.

Second, we are adjusting our timetable to increase instructional time through the year. Cognitive science confirms that durable learning requires focused attention, rich content, regular practice, and thoughtful review. More purposeful time with excellent teachers will help students build the knowledge and habits necessary for wisdom.

Paul urges us to dwell on whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and commendable (Philippians 4:8). Together, may we cultivate a school culture in which students learn to attend carefully, think deeply, love rightly, and grow in wisdom and virtue.

The High School team is excited to welcome the following internal transfers and new faces.

• Ms. Hillary Law will be joining our school as an Educational Assistant in our Secondary Music classes.

• Mrs. Jessy Po will be moving from an Educational Assistant to a full-time Choir teacher across divisions.

• Mrs. Claire Lukito will be moving from Middle School to High School Science.

• Mr. Brad Wedderburn is now a full time Health and Physical Education teacher in the High School.

• Mr. Simon McFaul will be joining us teaching High School Science (Physics).

• Mr. Sadok Raju will be joining us teaching High School Science (Physics and Chemistry).

• Mrs. Justine Fowler will be joining us teaching across Middle and High School in our Math department.

• Mr. Noah Ward is returning to ICS and will be teaching High School Math.

• Ms. Ji Eun Chung will be joining us teaching High School English Language Arts.

• Mr. Peter Jung will be teaching in our Health and Physical Education department while leading as our new Athletics Director. 

• Mrs. Melodee White will be joining us teaching High School Social Science.