Preparations for 2017-18

Dear BIS Community,

We have been actively preparing for the 2017-18 school year for several months.  As part of that preparation, Mr. Lorenzini, Mr. Walsh and I have been interviewing teachers who would like to come and work with us.  This process will continue through mid-January, at least, therefore I will update you on our incoming teachers at that point.

This is also the time of year when we are certain which teachers will be leaving us at the end of this academic year.  These teachers are:

Ms. Jessica Bates

Mr. Anders Hjelm

Ms. Monica Coburn

Ms. Sakina Brik

Mr. Sam Sareen

Ms. Gerda Buijsman

Ms. Preeti Singh

All of these teachers have greatly contributed to BIS over their tenure.  The time for acknowledgement and thanks will come in June – we still have several months of excellent teamwork ahead!  However, I would like to wish them all well as they seek their next professional adventure.

As you are aware, teacher turnover is a normal part of life in an international school.  This year, our turnover is a bit higher than usual (last year only saw 3 departures), but the majority of these teachers have contributed to our community over a long period of tenure.  Please be assured that the school has transition procedures in place to make the turnover as seamless as possible.

As part of this process, we have made an internal appointment for the Diploma Coordinator position.  Mr. Matt Wood will be taking on this position starting in the next academic year.  Mr. Walsh and Mr. Hjelm are working with Mr. Wood to ensure a smooth handover of these responsibilities.

If you have any questions about this process, please feel free to approach Mr. Lorenzini, Mr. Walsh or myself.

Best regards,

Denise Walsh

Head of School