SHREWSBURY INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
PRINCIPAL ’ S HIGHLIGHTS PRINCIPAL ’ S END-OF-TERM LETTER - TERM 3
We ended the Academic Year in sadness . Khun Chatri Sophonpanich , a founding governor and key supporter of the school passed away on the penultimate weekend of the term . However , in remembering him and his service , we should turn our attention to the incredible legacy of the founding governors . When they started Shrewsbury International School fifteen years ago , they could scarcely have believed that by now the school would be in such good shape , with academic standards so high , the arts so revered and the co-curriculum burgeoning . The class of 2018 are truly fortunate to have been at the school through this growth period , but we also salute them and their part in that story . Indeed , fourteen of that class were here at the start with Khun Chatri . Fitting perhaps that he can lay to rest in the knowledge that his legacy here is an impressive one .
The class of 2018 are a truly impressive group , as teams and as individuals . The university offers and destinations are a wondrous expression of the dedication they and staff at Shrewsbury exhibit on a daily basis . With 206 offers to the top 100 global universities , 26 of which are the top 10 institutions , and seven Ivy League placements to go alongside the eight Oxbridge offers , this is a very special year . This group is also special in other areas , sport , the arts , charity and their all round contribution to the community has been something to behold . They really are great role models for us all , and will join an already impressive alumni community supported by the ever more impressive SISBAA organisation .
At Speech Day I spoke about the world they are about to populate . A world that is changing quickly and presents an interesting challenge to educators all over the world . How do you prepare young people for jobs that have yet to be invented ? Shrewsbury has been working with this problem and in the coming years Strategic and Operational Plans will address how we ensure young people continue to leave us with world-leading soft skills as well as first class subject knowledge .
Collaboration is one of those skills that we continue to foster through sport , the Duke of Edinburgh International Award , our superbly run residential trips , events such as the Year 7 Big Campaign , music ensembles , and performances such as Fusion , and Si-Wi-Lai . This year we celebrated the arts in a new way and one that we will grow and develop over time . The Music , Art , Design and Drama Awards offered a great insight into the brilliance and total commitment of students and staff in this area , an area that offers regular opportunities to fail . This was the subject of Miss Anna Peak ’ s humorous contribution to the Junior Speech Day , where she encouraged all to embrace failure as a learning opportunity through her retelling of the story of her own experiences and those of her daughter when playing a camel in a school play .
Funny and heartfelt , Miss Peak hit a theme that was so evident in the movement towards the extraordinary finals of the Y5 Balloon Debate and Y6 Fairbairn Award . The numbers of applications for both processes tells us that students in our school aren ’ t afraid to try and fail , it is the best way to learn . Well done to all of you , this experience will make you stronger and better for it . The finalists on those days were worthy , and selecting winners was incredibly tough . Testament to a wealth of talent in our Junior School and reflective again of the support offered by parents and staff coming together to produce real excellence .
Excellence has been more common in our sporting endeavours than ever before in the school ’ s history . Higher participation rates , higher win rates , best ever results in the pool , FOBISIA and BISAC champions in varied sports . With renewed focus on our philosophy of establishing a ‘ culture of physical activity ’ we feel this is just the beginning and look forward to working with the community to continue to develop an area that is proven to support cognitive function and actually improve academic outcomes .
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