Welcome!  Bien Venue!

This is a Segway – the word taken from “segue – which means a continuous movement or flow in one direction – like a transition in music from one part to another.

I see this Segway as a symbol of the education provided to you here at International School St. Lucia.

It is about having fun while getting somewhere;

It is about balance – Balance to remain upright  –  lean forward, you get ahead, lean right, you turn, you must keep a balance.  There are no brakes.  Your whole body is involved .Here you are encouraged to keep a balanced lifestyle – continuous learning and assessment; thinking and applying what you are learning.

It is about the future:  we are preparing students for jobs that are not yet invented;  ISSL  gives students the skills they will need to have flexibility and choice in the workplace and in further education.

At ISSL we value our environment – as you know we recycle plastics and cans here and won the Award of Excellence from the Governor General,  the Segway symbolizes how the concept of a gyroscope became an environmentally- friendly people- mover allowing  quiet and peaceful  travel with a minimum amount of energy usage. 

Knowledge, inquiry and research skills, communication skills, and application to the real world are the four areas of education provided at ISSL.  Mr. Michael Brigham tells me that he when he started this venture, he did a lot of research about the Segway, and tourism response.  He learned a lot about the machine, its care, use and models;  he communicated personally and in writing with government, and financial backers, owners of land – many people;  and he has applied  that knowledge, research and communication to build an addition to the tourist industry here in St. Lucia. 

That is why I chose to ride a Segway into the assembly hall today – it is symbolic of your future here at International School St. Lucia.  You will need to be flexible; be problem solvers,  - the challenges of the future are great – you will need to respect and use technology as a means of travel, communication and survival.  You must have humane values to live peacefully and productively in a global society.

I now wish to introduce you to your teachers who will be propelling you all forward in your studies:

Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Bruce – will be teaching the primary students of Kindergarten to grade 3

Mrs. Michel – will have grade 4 and grade 6

Ms. Buckingham – will be teaching music and phys. Ed to our elementary students, and grade 7/8 science, history and geography.  She is also taking on the Band/Music Credit for instrumental music and has already met with Mr. Finn to build the band bigger and better.  If you would like to begin the program – you can!

Mr. Holder – Math for grades 7 - 10

Mrs. Graves – will be teaching English to grades 7, 8, 9 and working with our staff as Vice Principal and curriculum development

Mr. Curtiss O’Rorke – Stedman -  will be assisting as a visiting international teacher

Mrs. Monplaisir – will be teaching French to those classes as well

Mr. Hull – Social Sciences

Mrs. Harrietha – Guidance and P.E.  (those interested in the sailing program need to see me today)

Mrs. McKeown , Mrs. Fearon – English

Mrs. Brown – English – a new ESL teacher for our many new students needing some help with the language.

Mr. Bloodworth – Art

Ms. Pike – Sciences and liaison to N.B.

Mr. Smith – mathematics

Mr. Burns – History and Theatre Arts

In a moment, our home room teachers will take you to your first class of the day.  Your teachers will review some of the rules and let you ask questions.  You will be given your timetable.  Remember that you must be flexible – there may be some changes coming due to numbers enrolled, and new courses available. 

Primary – K – 3 –

Junior -  4 and 6

Intermediate 7/8 – Mrs. Graves, Ms Buckingham, Mr. Curtiss

Mrs. Brown - 11A English

Mrs. Harrietha  IT 110

*Mr. Holder  Grade 9 Math

Mr. Smith,  Geometry 112

Ms. Pike Chem. 112

*Mr. Burns  Grade 10 History