King School International: Parent and Teacher Meeting Recap

Date: August 27, 2024

Dear Parents, Teachers, and Staff,

We are pleased to provide you with a summary of our parent and teacher meeting held on August 26, 2024. It was indeed a lovely day, marked by the opportunity to meet our new principal, Mr. Andrew Edgar Stephen, and his wife, Peris, who recently joined the King School International/ Uvira community.

Introduction of the New Principal: Mr. Andrew Edgar Stephen, who hails from England, has over a decade of experience in managing international high-standard schools. Despite being based in Bujumbura, Mr. Stephen reassured everyone that his leadership would bring fresh perspectives to our school. He will be working closely with an appointed assistant who will keep him informed about the school's day-to-day activities. Mr. Edgar emphasized his commitment to fully take on the management of our school, ensuring that our children receive the highest quality education.

His wife, Peris, expressed her excitement about joining our community and supporting the school. Both were warmly welcomed by everyone present, and we are thrilled to have them with us.

Key Discussion Points:

1. Admissions and English Language Improvement: We discussed our ongoing admissions process for the 2024-2025 school year and our plans to enhance the English language skills of our students. The focus will be on ensuring that our children can communicate effectively in both English and French. This is particularly important as we aim to prepare them for a globalized world while respecting our Congolese roots.

2. School Fees and Children's Meals: A critical point raised during the meeting was the timely payment of school fees. We kindly request that parents ensure the first month's fees are paid at the beginning of the month. This is crucial because, on the very first day of school, we will be providing meals for the children, and the fees will cover these costs. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in this matter.

   

3. Bilingual Education: Parents expressed concerns about maintaining both English and French proficiency among the students, given that our new principal is English-speaking. Mr. Stephen assured everyone that bilingualism will remain a priority, with ongoing conversations about how best to achieve this balance.

4. Principal's Role and Presence: There were questions about Mr. Edgar's ability to effect change while residing in Bujumbura. He responded by highlighting the value of having an external perspective, which can often lead to innovative solutions. With his extensive experience and educational background, Mr. Edgar is confident in his ability to lead our school to greater heights.

Looking Ahead:

On the following day, August 27, 2024, Mr. Stephen and our staff held a meeting to finalize the plans and strategies for the upcoming school year. We will keep you informed about any new developments and the changes we intend to implement.

We are excited to welcome our new students and start the school year under Mr. Stephen's leadership. Together, we look forward to a successful and enriching 2024-2025 academic year.

Announcements:

We have placed an order for new school uniforms for this year. Although they are not ready yet, we will keep you updated through future blogs and announcements once they are available.

Thank you for your continued support and understanding.

Kind regards,
King School International, Uvira

Written by Alpha Alembe