ISS celebrates Teachers' Day with a week of recognition and gratitude |06 October 2023
The International School Seychelles (ISS) marked a day of appreciation and celebration for its dedicated educators on Teachers' Day (October 5). The school's staff and students came together to honour educators and to recognise their lasting contributions to the pupils' lives.
Teachers' Week at ISS is an annual tradition that recognises the invaluable role educators play in shaping the future of the students.
This year, the week was filled with various activities and heartfelt gestures to show gratitude for the exceptional educators who have dedicated their lives to fostering academic excellence and personal growth. The following is a breakdown of what happened on each day:
Monday: Technology Upgrade
On the first day of Teacher's Week, the school administration arranged for an exciting upgrade in the form of a TV installation in each staffroom.
These TVs come equipped with subscriptions to 17 channels, providing educators with access to various forms of educational and recreational content.
The staff rooms serve as communal spaces where teachers can relax, share ideas, and spend quality time with their colleagues. The addition of the TVs enhances the environment and provides a space for leisure and collaboration.
Tuesday: Professional Development Announcement
On Tuesday, the school staff were informed about the school’s subscription to an online training platform.
This platform aims to provide professional development opportunities for staff, helping them stay updated with the latest teaching methods, curriculum changes, compliance, safeguarding or educational technologies.
It is a great way to invest in the professional growth of staff and empower them to continue their education.
The school also announced to staff that they will support 2 members of staff (from any department in the school) who want to develop their professional practice with a further qualification (e.g. Diploma, B.Ed, MA). Staff need to apply for a monetary contribution from the school.
Wednesday: Blood Drive
Wednesday was dedicated to a noble cause as staff members, parents and students came together for the termly blood drive.
This event encourages staff members, parents and students to donate blood, contributing to the local community's healthcare needs.
The act of donating blood is a selfless and life-saving gesture, demonstrating the caring and compassionate nature of educators.
Thursday: Principal's Appreciation
Thursday was a day of appreciation and recognition as the school principal, Elodie Vallantine, took the time to go round and personally thank each staff member.
The Principal presented a rose and a cupcake as tokens of appreciation, acknowledging the hard work and dedication of the teaching and non-teaching staff.
This gesture fostered a sense of belonging and shows that the school values and cherishes its educators.
The board of governors wished ISS staff a happy Teachers’ Day with a heartfelt message of gratitude for their hard work.
The school also presented to staff a number of corporate deals designed to enhance the benefits offered to ISS staff.
Non-teaching staff were delighted to be informed about a payrise to recognise their hard work.
Furthermore, the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) played an active role in making Teachers' Day extra special by decorating the staff rooms with colourful and creative decorations. The school was transformed into a vibrant and cheerful space, reflecting the love and respect the school community has for its educators.
Today (Friday): Teachers’ Dinner
On the final day of Teachers’ Week, today, the school administration will recognise the importance of allowing staff some extra time to prepare for a special event.
The school will close early, at 2:30pm, to give teachers the opportunity to get ready for the upcoming Teacher's Day dinner.
This gesture ensures that staff have time to relax and prepare for a well-deserved celebration in their honour.
The Teachers' Dinner is a time-honored tradition at ISS, where the school community comes together to express their gratitude and celebrate the dedication of the educators who tirelessly invest in the future of their students.
The Teachers' Dinner will provide an opportunity for teachers, staff and school leadership to connect in a relaxed and enjoyable setting. Teachers' Day at ISS is a time to reflect on the vital role teachers play in shaping the lives of their students and a reminder of the importance of recognising their dedication.
The school’s Principal, Elodie Vallantine, shared her thoughts on this special day: “Staff are the heart and soul of our educational institution. Their dedication and hard work are truly commendable. It was our pleasure to express our gratitude with small tokens of appreciation. As for previous Teachers’ Day, we celebrated all of our educators, not just teachers, but every member of staff working at ISS as I strongly believe that regardless of our position and duties, we all contribute in one way or another to the development of the pupils in our care and everyone's contribution and achievements should be recognised. We are thankful to our board of governors for their constant support and the PTA for their time in making our staffrooms look beautiful on Teachers’ Day. We would like to thank Jo’s Café for the amazing cupcakes as well as Padayachy for the roses.’’
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