ISS rewards staff for their dedication to the school |20 July 2023

House Cup awarded to Fregate

International School Seychelles celebrated their employees’ dedication to the school with a ceremony for Staff Appreciation Awards.

The event, held on Saturday July 8, 2023, was led by the school’s principal, Elodie Vallantine, and awards were presented by Priscille Chetty, chairperson of the Board of Governors, and Frank Ally, member of the Board of Governors.

The school recognised its long-serving employees, firstly employees with 5 years of service – congratulations to Prabath Hininduma (maintenance team), Mirella Morel (teaching assistant), Betty Larose (teaching assistant), Munjia Rizvi (teaching assistant), Theophile Mousbe (security officer), Bertram Senaratne (Maths teacher), and Carole Jacques (Science teacher).

With 10 years of service, Yolande Smit (Early Years phase leader) was celebrated.

Lorna Cedra (inclusion teacher), Joyla Appasamy (librarian), Sylvie Norah (teaching assistant), Denise Labrosse (teaching assistant) and Carol Palmyre (accounts team) were recognised for their remarkable 15 years of service.

Having worked at the school since 2003, Regis Esparon (maintenance team) and Marie-Rose Aglae (inclusion and English teacher) achieved an impressive 20 years of service.

Finally, Maureen Tirant (head of French) was celebrated for achieving an outstanding 30 years of service

On the night, the school also presented staff appreciation awards to show its gratitude to hardworking and conscientious staff.

Employee council representatives, being a link between the staff and the senior leadership of the school, were thanked for their efforts with a special award: Juliette Betsy, Chrizner Kalp, Mayford Lozaique and Anna-Belle Marguerite.

In recognition of ongoing contribution, dedication to the school, for embodying the school values and continued support and hard work, the following employees were also presented with appreciation awards: Karina Alligham (English teacher), Agnela Lucas-Fanchette (head of Travel and Tourism), Nisantha Thotagamuwage (teacher of Accounting), Joyla Appasamy (librarian), Marie France Laporte (primary teacher), Brigitte Lesic (primary French teacher), Praxidis Olutwati (primary teacher), Corinne Pouponneau (primary teacher), Millicent Songoro (UKS2 phase leader), Mary Uzice (LKS2 phase leader), Alex Muigai (swimming / PE teacher), Gift Muthami (Head of PE), Mevis Fock-Heng (inclusion teacher), Lydiah Onsare (nurse), Liza Mein (Admin support officer) and Carol Palmyre (Accounts team).

New awards linked were introduced to celebrate staff who had excellent attendance and punctuality during this academic year, as well as staff who embodied the school values of passion, determination, integrity, respect and tolerance, optimism and community; members of the school’s social committee were also recognised.

The recipients of all the awards were very happy in being appreciated for their devotion, resilience and passion in doing their jobs.

This year, the school introduced a staff inter house cup, awarded to Fregate House, for their victories in staff inter house competitions.

The school also introduced an Employee of the Year Award, accompanied by a framed certificate, a trophy, a rotating trophy and a cash prize. The winner of the award was Virginia Chiffonne (teaching assistant) who had impressed the senior leadership team and the Board of Governors with her work ethics, her embodiment of school values, her professionalism, her respect for her colleagues and her dedication to the ISS pupils.

Ms Chiffonne commented: ‘Winning the Employee of the Year Award came as a surprise to me. I am incredibly honoured to receive such an award. It humbles me so much to see that all the work I do does not go unrecognised. I also recognise the accomplishments of my colleagues, who contribute immensely to the growth of the school. My sincere appreciation for the management for recognising my devotion and hard work this year. A big thank you also goes to everyone who has in one way or the other help me to grow.”

The principal of ISS, Elodie Vallantine, also commented: “This year again, I am delighted to have been able to reward the staff with those well-deserved awards. ISS staff are committed to their job in maintaining the highest standards of education for the pupils in our care. I am very proud to lead a team of employees who always put our pupils first and live by our school values of passion, determination, integrity, respect and tolerance, optimism and community. Our school is going from strength to strength thanks to the dedication and hard work of our staff.”

Contributed