Dear ICS Community,

After the fire, Hong Kong feels hushed. Jesus told of seeds that withered on rocky ground and of houses that fell when built on sand. Roots and foundations matter—especially when the heat rises and the rains come. Our calling now is to deepen the roots of learning and community so that together we stand, steady and fruitful.

At ICS, strong roots begin with relationships: every child seen, known, and valued each day, with student voice shaping learning, assessment, and improvement so knowledge and truth grow together. Excellence rises when high expectations are paired with timely support, clear success criteria, and feedback that helps students understand what they know and what comes next.

The soil we cultivate is communal. From the security guards at the front gate to the Chair of the Board of Trustees, we strengthen the whole community and each other through two-way communication and genuine engagement that builds participation and accountability. This means listening first—through regular one-on-ones, department conversations, and classroom walkthroughs, we can set clear and shared priorities on which we can actually deliver, together. It also means keeping our promises, choosing evidence-based actions, and communicating plainly about student learning so trust grows with clarity.

Learning also reaches outward, connecting work in our classrooms to the needs of our city and the wider world, so students become courageous, compassionate contributors who serve with wisdom and care. We practice disciplined effort balanced by shared successes and honest reflection; we look at evidence together, try small improvements, and iterate—linking hard work to wellbeing in ways that endure.