Dear WIS Community,
Saying goodbye is never easy, especially when we bid farewell to someone as remarkable as Ms. Avril, our Primary Years Curriculum Coordinator. During this morning's assembly, we gathered together to honour her contributions and celebrate the incredible work she has done at WIS. It was a testament to our strong community that teachers and students alike presented her with heartfelt words, acknowledging the profound impact she has had on our school.
As a colleague, Ms. Avril has been an unwavering source of support for students, parents, and the leadership team. Her selfless dedication to making learning happen at WIS has left a mark on our community.
We would be remiss not to recognise the pivotal role she played in shaping the history of our school and the importance of the Primary Years Programme (PYP), especially in the context of Namibia. When Ms. Avril joined WIS in October 2006, WIS was already intentional in its approach to learning, which was progressive, reflecting the changing landscape of education in Namibia at that time. Local parents were seeking an educational philosophy that would look to the future and educate the whole child in a collaborative spirit of inquiry, which the PYP provided. It was Ms. Avril who worked tirelessly with teachers to develop and implement the PYP in our school, providing a solid foundation for our students' growth and success. It was Ms Avril who worked with parents to build up a learning community characteristic of the PYP, which included and encouraged them to be part of their child’s learning journey. Under her leadership, WIS has gone through the process of reflection and IB evaluation studies, and achieved four accreditations. Ms. Avril's steadfast determination has helped shape our school.
As we say goodbye to Ms. Avril, we extend our heartfelt gratitude for all that she has done at WIS. We wish her the very best in her new ventures and know that she will bring the same passion and dedication to her future endeavours as she did here at WIS. May your new journey be filled with continued success and fulfilment!
Warm regards,
Marcelle van Leenen
Primary School Principal