Today we kick off the 2016-2017 school year, Cedar’s 27th! Whether you are the parent of a Pre-K student preparing for your child’s first year of school or a Grade 12 student positioning him/herself for success at the next level, the year ahead promises to be a fulfilling one. Indeed, Cedar looks to build on the successes of last year, which saw growth and learning across the grade levels, capped off by strong academic results on external exams, such as the IB Diploma Programme and the International Schools Assessment, and excellent university offers for its graduates.
STUDENT ENROLMENT AND FACULTY
With more than 250 students enrolled this year (up from 242 last year, and 230 the year before that), Cedar students will find an expanded peer group as they return to school. This translates to a more robust experience for all, with more activities, more friendships, and more academic challenge in the classroom.
To welcome this group of students, Cedar boasts a strong team of returning teachers joined by a talented cohort of new staff, including a fabulous new Head of Primary in Mrs. Kari Boazman. Last week, all Cedar teachers engaged in professional development aimed at better integration of technology into classroom learning, so that we can take advantage of the significant resources at our disposal to better engage all learners. This continues an important theme at Cedar: continually improving our ability to support and challenge every student in every classroom.
CAMPUS PROJECTS
Campus has been a busy place this summer, with projects to appeal to all the senses. The addition of climate-controlled instrument storage adjoined to the music room means students of all ages will have readier access to instruments from violins to saxophones to drum kits, which should be music to our ears. Thanks to the PTA, AC has been installed in the secondary shower rooms, meaning students will feel extra refreshed after Coach Reilly’s PE class. Meanwhile, a comprehensive cleaning of all AC ducts means improved air quality throughout the school that will have students breathing easy so they can focus on learning.
Perhaps most exciting of all, a custom built kitchen has been ordered and will arrive soon, which means students and teachers alike will soon enjoy the smells and tastes of healthy homemade food, freshly prepared on campus. As the kitchen will not be up and running on day one, we ask that all parents please send packed lunches and snacks with their children until it is ready. But very soon, we look forward to unveiling a lunch programme that reflects Cedar’s ethos of healthy and sustainable living.
ACADEMIC PROGRAMMES
Like those of all good schools, Cedar’s programmes are in a continuous state of review and evolution, as we look to enhance the learning experience for our students. Two such enhancements this year will include: 1) An expansion of our MYP Arts programme to include Drama, taught by Mrs. Mary Ormond, alongside our already strong Music and Visual Arts programmes. This will be the first step to having a vertically aligned drama programme, enabling us to offer DP Theatre as an arts choice for the IB Diploma Programme in years ahead. 2) An evolution of our secondary elective programme into a formalised Sports and Arts Programme at Cedar, offering all secondary students the option of taking an expanded slate of Sports and Arts courses, from Mixed Media to Track and Field, with tangible deliverables (performances, competitions, etc.) at the end of each course. Students already dedicated to individual pursuits, such as Sailing, Squash or Tennis, will continue to be able to pursue these opportunities during elective time through Cedar’s Centres of Excellence partnerships with the RBVI Yacht Club and Tortola Sports Club. More information will be sent to secondary parents about the exciting changes to the elective programme in the days ahead but I wanted to quickly note it for everyone here.
UNIFORMS
We are also excited to see students looking sharp in their new uniforms when they arrive. Parents who placed orders at the end of last school year can pick their uniforms up at school, as many of you already have. Some extra stock is available for those who did not order ahead. (Please inquire at the Front Office.) Remember also that old uniforms in good condition can still be worn for another year, as we phase the old uniforms out and the new uniforms in. To learn more about the uniform, please visit the uniform page on the Cedar website.
ACCREDITATION
Finally, I would remind everyone that 2016-17 marks the renewal of our 10-year accreditation cycle. It will be a busy year for our whole campus community, as we complete our self-study (already well-underway) in advance of the team visit in April 2017. The visit will be a joint visit of all our accrediting and authorising bodies, so it is quite a big deal, indeed, and will ensure that the quality and integrity for which Cedar is known–and the international recognition a Cedar qualification receives–continues for years to come.
Wishing everyone an excellent school year ahead!