Introducing Thomas Oldham, IMYC, IGCSE & IBDP History Teacher

 

Tom Oldham is joining the International School of Lusaka team to teach History from IMYC up to the IGCSE and Diploma programs. Tom has a BA in History and an MA in African Studies, both from the School of Oriental and African Studies (London). 

After a career in international development that encompassed civil society strengthening, elections and democracy support, based in Bangladesh, Myanmar and the UK, he trained as a CELTA English teacher, then as a dual-qualified teacher of History and Politics at the University of Strathclyde (Glasgow). He has since taught in Scotland for two years, before running a British nursery school in Kinshasa, DRC.

He is a keen cook, racquet sports, football, and backgammon player, and is looking forward to getting involved with the extracurricular activities at ISL.  But most of all, he is excited to once again be teaching his favourite subject!

Welcome to our community, Tom!

Adjusted Administration Operational Office Hours During June and July 2024

We wish to remind you of the adjusted administration operations office hours during the June and July school holidays. During the holidays, the administration office will be open from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Please note that the school will be closed on public holidays.

We recommend using the administration car park if you need to visit the school. Below are some helpful school contacts for your reference:

Introducing Craig Patterson - Service Learning Coordinator

Craig is delighted to be appointed to the position of Service Learning Coordinator (SLC) at ISL. The SLC will design and manage a programme which integrates community service with academic learning, fostering student engagement and civic responsibility. This is done through collaboration with teachers to incorporate service projects into the curriculum, build partnerships with local and global organisations, and support students throughout their service experiences. 

Over his career in international education as a teacher, Coordinator, Athletic Director and Principal, Craig has accumulated a wealth of experience and a passion for fostering community engagement, making him the perfect fit for this pivotal role, connecting the curriculum to experiences outside of the classroom. Having spent the past 9 years here at ISL, Craig looks forward to inspiring students to become compassionate, active citizens dedicated to making a positive impact within our Zambian communities and beyond.

Apart from life at school, Craig enjoys being outdoors, gardening, camping and hiking, playing sports and the blues harp…not at the same time.

Re-introducing Grace Kambeu - Primary Teacher

Mrs Grace Kambeu is excited to join the ISL community once again as a Year 5 Teacher and looks forward to collaborating with the Upper Primary team and other members of the learning community.  

She holds a Bachelor of Education Degree from the University of Wales, United Kingdom. She brings a wealth of experience emanating from teaching different year levels as well as having held positions of Upper Primary HOD and  IBPYP Coordinator at ISL. 

Grace embraces the programme's philosophy of promoting intercultural understanding and global citizenship. She recognizes the importance of equipping students with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world, and she actively incorporates international-mindedness into her classroom practices.

In her spare time, Grace enjoys travelling the world, reading and engaging in creative pursuits. She believes in the importance of maintaining a balanced lifestyle and seeks to inspire her students to pursue their interests and passions both inside and outside the classroom.

Hello from Jeanne - New IT teacher

Hi Team,

I hope you're all doing great! My name is Jeanne van Heerden, and I'm thrilled to be joining ISL as your new IT teacher. I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself and share a bit about my background.

Before coming to ISL, I worked at an international school in the Middle East, teaching IT and IB Design Technology. Besides teaching, I'm passionate about clever design and conceptual photography. I hold a degree in Fashion Design, and I have also specialized in sustainability, which is a personal passion of mine. I'm currently working towards an Honours degree in Inclusive Education, which has really shaped my approach to teaching.

I'm from beautiful Cape Town and have the most adorable two-year-old daughter who keeps me on my toes. I love animals and nature, which inspire a lot of my creative work. Additionally, my husband works here at ISL too, so we're both excited to be part of this wonderful community. I’m especially grateful for this opportunity after taking a maternity break, and I am excited to get back into the classroom.

Introducing Larissa Banda - Personal Assistant to the Head of School

Thrilled to join ISL as the personal assistant to the Head of School, Larissa is the latest addition to the ISL family.

Larissa's career began with her pursuit of higher education, laying a strong foundation. She graduated from the University of Zambia, earning a Bachelor's degree in Education with a focus on literacy and languages. This educational experience granted her a deep understanding and knowledge in the field of education. Consequently, she gained a passion for continual learning.

Expanding her horizons beyond academia, Larissa has amassed 5 years of professional experience in a variety of positions. These include teaching, conducting research, and providing administrative support. This diverse background has sharpened her skills, making her a vital asset to the ISL community. Notably, her ability to adapt and thrive in various environments showcases her versatility and resourcefulness.

Outside of work, Larissa leads a fruitful and satisfying life. An enthusiastic reader, she finds solace and inspiration in exploring a wide range of books. Moreover, she indulges in baking and creating new recipes, expressing her creativity through culinary pursuits. Beyond her personal interests, Larissa is deeply dedicated to promoting child literacy, spending her spare time teaching children in her community to read.

Introducing Mwambi Lubozhya - IT Manager

Mwambi Lubozhya has transitioned from IT Technician to IT Manager within ISL, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise. Mwambi holds a bachelor's degree in computing and mathematical sciences from the University of Greenwich and is pursuing an MSc in information security and digital forensics at the University of East London. With nine years of diverse experience in the IT field, Mwambi has demonstrated an exceptional ability to support and lead technical teams, ensuring seamless and secure operations.

Mwambi's journey with ISL has been marked by a consistent drive for excellence and professional growth. In his previous role as an IT Technician, he showcased his technical acumen, problem-solving skills, and dedication to maintaining high standards. As he steps into the IT Manager position, Mwambi is eager to leverage his extensive knowledge and passion for technology to further enhance ISL's IT infrastructure and security.

Outside of work, Mwambi is a dedicated chess player and coach, tennis enthusiast, basketball player, and swimmer, reflecting his strategic thinking and teamwork skills. His involvement in coaching highlights his passion for mentoring and developing talent in the community.

Thokozile Wonani - Human Resource Officer

Thokozile is a familiar face in the ISL community; she has been a member for five years. In her dual role as Personal Assistant to the Head of School and Board Secretary, she has administratively supported school leadership and governance. Now, she's embarking on a new chapter in the school as a human resource officer while continuing her role as Board Secretary for the 2024-25 school year.

Thokozile's educational journey is marked by a diploma in Management Studies from the University of Zambia and a bachelor's degree in Development Studies from the University of Lusaka. Her deep-rooted interests in environmental sustainability have led her to pursue postgraduate studies in environmental law and a bachelor's degree in law. These academic endeavours aim to strengthen her advocacy for the planet's well-being, a cause she supports.

Thokozile's career path has been diverse. Before joining the ISL community, she spent ten years in operational support roles across private sector firms, multilateral aid programmes, and the banking sector. These experiences have exposed her to different experiences and cultures and equipped her with a versatile skill set that she anticipates will be valuable for the probable challenges and learning opportunities as a human resource officer at ISL.

Kindness Week

We are excited to announce the upcoming Random Acts of Kindness Week, taking place from February 19th to 23rd. This special week is dedicated to promoting kindness and backing a meaningful initiative.

This year's main aim is to raise funds for the UTH Children's Hospital, focusing on providing clean water and sanitisers in line with the UN's Sustainable Development Goal 6.

There will be bake sales at big break on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday held by specific secondary year groups, as was sent out in the communication earlier this week. The donation bottles will also be available at lunchtime by the old tuckshop. Please encourage your child to bring baked goods on their assigned days and give them any spare notes/coins for donations throughout the week. Please read the attached letter.

Please encourage your child to support this valuable cause by giving them some money to participate in the activities organized by the Student Council.

Draft Updated Guiding Statements & Five-Year Strategic Plan

Dear Parents, Guardians, and Community,

We are excited to share the latest developments in our strategic planning process. We have slightly revised our school’s guiding statements as part of this ongoing effort. These revisions have been carefully crafted in alignment with the Council of International Schools (CIS) expectations. 

Your input is invaluable to us as we strive to ensure that our guiding statements accurately reflect the values and aspirations of our school community. We welcome your comments, suggestions, and feedback on these revised statements and our draft Strategic Plan.

SAISA Basketball

Our U19 Boys’ Basketball team embarked on a journey to Cape Town, South Africa, on Wednesday to partake in the SAISA Basketball Tournament hosted at The American School of Cape Town (AISCT). 

On Thursday morning, they were fortunate enough to explore Table Mountain, capturing breathtaking views of the Cape Town panorama. Later in the day, they attended the impressive opening ceremony at AISCT. Accessible via this link.

Following this, our team secured victories against both the American School of Johannesburg (AISJ) and the host AISCT, showcasing remarkable performances guided by our dedicated coaches, Mr. Banda and Mr. Patterson. To watch the game against AISCT, click on this link:

Charity Drive for People Afflicted by Cholera

Thank you so much for all the generous donations of clothes and goods for the people recovering from cholera at the National Stadium. ISL made a large donation of goods this week but will continue to collect goods via boxes in the MPC or front office. 

Monthly Parent Coffee Mornings & HoS Updates Calendar

We want to share the annual calendar for our Monthly Parent Coffee Mornings (PCM) and HoS Updates meetings. These gatherings allow us to share essential school updates and developments and engage in meaningful conversations with you.

Meetings Details:

Frequency: Monthly

Time: 07:15 AM to 08:30 AM

Venue: Varies 

Day: Third week of the month, Monday to Friday

We understand that your schedules are different, so we've tried to rotate the weekday for each meeting to accommodate everyone's availability. 

Click here to view the calendar and mark the dates in your calendar. We hope you join us for our upcoming Parent Coffee Morning on Wednesday, 21st February. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or suggestions.

Happy New Year!

As we bid farewell to 2023 and step into the promising embrace of 2024, we can't help but take a moment to reflect on the incredible journey we've had at the International School of Lusaka.

This past year has been a testament to the resilience, creativity, and unity that define our ISL community. Despite the challenges that the world presented, our students, parents, and dedicated staff have demonstrated unwavering commitment to excellence in education.

🌟 Student Achievements: Our students continue to shine bright, excelling not only academically but also showcasing their talents in sports, arts, and various extracurricular activities. Their achievements are a testament to their hard work, passion, and the supportive environment fostered within our school walls.

Congratulations to the IB DP class of 2023.

We are very proud to announce that our Diploma class of 2023 have once again beaten the world average of 30.24 points by achieving a pass rate of 32 points. Our top scorer is Arnav Khanna, who achieved the highest diploma score of 43, followed by Klara Boltar, who achieved a score of 40. We are extremely proud of these two students for achieving these excellent results. The average grade obtained by students who passed the Diploma is 5.03.

This cohort of pupils faced significant challenges, with their middle school learning heavily disrupted by COVID-19 and showed great resilience and character as they worked hard towards their rigorous Diploma programme. Thanks to their hard work, they have secured places to study at top universities such as Cambridge, Toronto, Sydney, and Nottingham Trent, among many others. We wish them good luck in their further studies.

ISL 60th Anniversary Gala Dinner Tickets are Ready.

We’re pleased to inform you that the 60th Anniversary Gala Dinner tickets are now available for purchase.

Please visit our front desk to purchase your tickets. Individual tickets are going for K950 and  K10,000 for a table of 10.

Save the Date- ISL's 60th Birthday

ISL TURNS 60!

Come and celebrate with us!

ISL will hold a  Birthday Party on Friday, 29th September 2023, to celebrate 60 wonderful years of providing quality education to the leaders of today and tomorrow. 

The party will take place under the stars, within the school grounds.

Tickets will be available soon.

Save the Date!

Introducing Alex Woods - Geography Teacher

Alex Woods joins ISL from ESF Discovery College, Hong Kong, where he was the IB Geography and MYP Individuals & Societies teacher. He also held the appointment of Dean of the Year, supporting the pastoral needs of students. Previous to this, Alex worked in North-West London, UK, where he was a Progress Leader for A-Level Geography. 

Alex received his teacher training from University College London and holds an MA in Leadership from the same institution, as well as a BSc in Geography with International Studies from the University of Manchester. Alex has also recently completed his NPQSL, through which he undertook a 6-month secondment to SLT at Discovery College.

Alex is a keen traveller and reader, as well as an enthusiastic amateur photographer.

Introducing Annie Borchert - Counselor

Annie Borchert joins us from her most recent position at Varndean College in the UK, an IB world school college, where she has been a student counselor and well-being mentor. Annie is passionate about supporting children and young people from diverse and international backgrounds, promoting growth, confidence, social and emotional well-being, and achieving full potential. She is a humanistic integrative therapeutic counselor (Brighton CPTA, CPCAB, British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) and a registered social worker with a BA Honours in Social Work from Kingston University London, with long-standing experience in supporting children and families, as well as people with disabilities and promoting mental health.

Annie also has vast experience in giving specialist support to students who have special educational needs or disabilities, with a focus on autism awareness and neurodiversity awareness. Annie has worked in primary, secondary and further education in London and the southeast of England for many years.

Additionally, Annie has an arts background with a Bachelor of Arts Honours in Photography and uses creative approaches to support emotional and social well-being.

Introducing Dania El Iraqi - Mathematics Teacher

Dania El-Iraqi joins us from Leaders International College, Egypt, where she has been an MYP Mathematics Teacher for the past 5 years. Ms El-Iraqi holds an MSc in Operations Research from Cairo University.

For her innovative research in applying mathematics to cultural heritage management, Dania was awarded a Graduate Internship with the Getty Conservation Institute in LA, California. Dania is the first Arab and only Egyptian to receive the “OR for Development Prize” from IFORS.

Ms El-Iraqi has been teaching mathematics for over 15 years, to undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate students in various universities like the American University in Cairo, and to school students in different educational systems like the British (IGCSE), American (SAT) and IB systems.

Dania loves to read, travel, solve logical puzzles and fold origami with her two daughters.