Farewell ISL

Dear Parents

‘My story’ with ISL began in 1993, and I often wonder what stories I would hear if the walls of this school could speak:) 

Since its inception, ISL has remained one of the most reputable educational institutions in Lusaka - despite several trials and tribulations through the years. Even during the current pandemic, we endeavoured together to ensure ISL rose above the difficult situation everyone faced. Our success is attributed to the commitment, support, and dedication of all ISL stakeholders- staff, students, and parents. 

Positive feedback from the IB for our recent authorization, growing student numbers, excellent  IBDP and IGCSE  results from students who have been with us since Primary school, most sought-after online programme during the pandemic - are but a few of the success stories we have recently achieved.

I hold my head high with pride to be part of such a prestigious institution.

After 28 years here, I now write to bid adieu at the end of this academic year (so you have not seen the last of me just yet ;)).

I move from my “Home” in Zambia to begin life in my country which I will need to make my “Home”.

PTA Executive Committee - 2021 to 2023

At the Annual General Meeting of the Parent Teachers' Association held on Tuesday, 2nd November, parents formed a new PTA Executive Committee, who met on Friday 5th November for an organizational meeting. In the said meeting, they elected a Chairperson and filled other key positions. The members of the new PTA Executive are:

1. Gloria Mussa (Chairperson)
2. Victor Owoko (Vice-Chairperson)
3. Yamini Patel (Secretary)
4. Gilbert Chishala Chama (Vice-Secretary)
5. Julie Doherty (Treasurer)
6. Yogita Ahuja Massand (Events Coordinator)
7. Tonia Lachotzki (Welfare Coordinator)
8. Jasmine Liu
9. Lisa Lei
10. Jacqueline Chilela
11. Luwizya Mwamulima
12. Mulenga Bwalya - Chivuno

Braai-back-better!!!

On 3rd December 2021, the PTA will host a family barbecue from 16:00 hours to 19:00 hours at the Amphitheater area. All members of the ISL community are welcome to attend. It should prove delightful for ISL families to get together after a long spell of no school social gatherings, to get to see and meet with familiar faces, and also to get acquainted with unfamiliar faces. There will be music, good food and beverages (a cash bar will be available), and in-person conversations with families you maybe haven't seen in a while because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Please come in numbers for the ''braai-back-better'' barbecue! It is guaranteed to be a pleasant experience.

On an additional note, The PTA is calling for food vendors to set up stalls with stacks of delicious barbecue fare for attendees. If this is something you can do, Jacky and Yogita want to hear from you! You can either reach Jacky on 0955876740 or Yogita on 0974823712

Health

Covid-19 cases are reducing in Zambia and as ISL we are gradually making an effort to get back to normal but will continue to observe all Covid-19 precautions, for some medical conditions the 48 hour rule has been eased. The school was inspected on 28th October 2021 and we were allowed to re-arrange sitting arrangements where each pupil will have their own desk facing the other pupil and maintaining a distance of one metre.

Beacon Scholarship for High School students and graduating class 2022

ISL is proud to partner with the prestigious Beacon Scholarship programme for students with strong leadership qualities. The Beacon Scholarship is a changemaker programme that provides financial assistance to ISL High School students and to ISL graduates, enabling them to access undergraduate programmes of study at world class universities in the UK. 

House Captains and Class Representatives 2021-2022

Here are our House Captains and Class Representatives this year, 2021-2022. Thanks to all the students who ran for these positions.  Congratulations to captains and class reps. We look forward to your enthusiastic support of the school this year.

Meet Helen Banda - ISL Board Member 2021

Helen is Deputy General Counsel in the Bank Secretariat Department of the Bank of Zambia. She holds an LL.B degree from the University of Zambia, obtained in 2000, qualified to practice law in June 2001 from ZIALE and further holds a Master in Laws (LL.M) degree in Corporate Governance, Financial Regulation and Economic Law obtained from the University of London in the year 2009 as a Graça Machel Scholar. Helen is also a Chartered Secretary, registered under the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSA), of the United Kingdom. Helen has a daughter in Year 4. In addition to being a Board member, she is the Board's Human Resources & Staff Relations Committee Vice-Chair.

Meet Oluwaseun (Seun) Aladesanmi - ISL Board Member 2021

Dr Oluwaseun Aladesanmi is a public health specialist with about two decades of experience designing, implementing and coordinating complex public health programs across multiple countries in Africa. Seun has a Master’s Degree in Public Health from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, University of London, and a PhD in Public Health. Seun has worked and consulted for a number of international organizations including Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), the International Centre for AIDS Care and Treat Programs (ICAP) - Columbia University, Axios Foundation, UNICEF, UN Women and the African Union amongst others. He also served as Assistant Professor of Public Health at Texila American University Zambia. He currently works as a Global Associate Program Director, Maternal Newborn Health for Clinton Health Access Initiative; supporting the implementation of a Sexual Reproductive Maternal and Newborn Health (SRMNH) program with focus in Southern and Eastern Africa. Seun is currently the Chair of the COVID -19 Task Force at ISL. Seun has lived in Zambia since 2017 and has two children enrolled at ISL, in Years 1 and 7, respectively.

Meet Camille Wauters - ISL Board Member 2021

Camille Wauters is a human rights activist who worked for 15 years for women's rights and gender equality all over the world. She worked 10 years as programme manager for the United Nations on different programmes to empower women and girls. In her former position, she was specializing in planning and monitoring. She enthusiastically took on the role of Board member to bring her expertise to good use in the school. She has three (pre-)teen daughters who are all enrolled in ISL. She is currently not professionally employed and fully enjoys her new life as a full-time mother. Camille also serves as the Chair of the Board Policy & Planning Committee.

Meet Umar Anwer - ISL Board Member 2021

Umar is Team Leader and part of the Senior Leadership Team at the British High Commission, Lusaka. He is a professionally experienced and internationally qualified Chartered Management Accountant with over 20 years of global managerial experience in finance and programme management in the UK and Overseas, He holds an internationally recognised accounting qualification (CIMA); a degree in BA (Hons) Business Administration with Finance and a Masters (MSc) in International Development.  Umar has a significant amount of overseas exposure and experience of working autonomously and leading finance and programme teams in challenging environments within Africa, the Middle East and South Asia as well as experience of working with the UN, World Bank, NATO and other multilateral and bilateral organisations in different environments. Umar and his family moved to Zambia in 2019 with 3 children aged 15, 6 and 4 attending ISL. In addition to serving on the Board of Governors, Umar is a member of the Board Estates & Projects Committee. 

Meet Haggai Simpungwe - ISL Board Member 2021

Haggai is a Chartered Accountant with over 20 years extensive experience in financial reporting, strategy formulation, risk management and compliance. He holds a BSc in Accounting, a Masters in Business Administration and is a fellow of both ACCA and ZICA. Haggai has served in various roles including heading the internal audit department and the finance department of Seed Co Zambia Limited. Haggai has work experience working with multi-sectorial cultures in Nigeria, Zimbabwe, and Malawi, training finance staff and setting up accounting systems and accounting control environments for different businesses. Haggai is currently working as a partner at Mark Daniels Chartered Accountants. Haggai Simpungwe: Board member, member of the Board Tender Committee and Chair of the Board Finance & Revenue Committee at ISL.

Getting to know Thomson Phiri - ISL Board Chairperson 2021

Thomson is a senior finance executive with over sixteen years of experience in leading finance functions at different stages in a company’s life cycle. He has a background in corporate governance, risk management, strategic and business planning, and financial-related fields including taxation. He has proven competencies at both strategic and operational levels. Thomson combines clarity of strategic vision with exceptional focus to set and achieve results. He currently works as a Chief Financial Officer. Thomson has been a member of the Board for 3 years now, serving 1 year as the Finance and Revenue Committee Chair, and currently as Board Chair and Vice-Chair of the Finance & Revenue Committee. He has two children enrolled at ISL, a daughter and a son in Years 6 and 5, respectively.

Getting to know Emily H Kasoma - ISL Board Vice-Chairperson 2021

Emily has been living in Zambia since 2010, with her husband and two children, Tessa (10) and Caleb (7), both of whom have been at ISL since Nursery.   She has been working with the UN in nutrition since 2014, and currently works remotely for the World Food Programme in Rome. Her focus is on working with business to reduce malnutrition, and she is passionate about food and making sure that all people have enough nutritious food to eat. Her previous experience focused within the public health space. Emily has Masters degrees in Business Administration and Public Health from the University of Michigan. Emily also serves as Co-Chair of the Board Tender Committee, in addition to her role as Board Vice-Chairperson. 

Getting to know Dr Abidemi Coker - ISL Board Member 2021

Abidemi Coker works for the World Bank at the Zambia Country Office. She mainly supports the Keeping Girls in School component, and with the Ministry of Gender and Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, works on systems strengthening. Abidemi previously worked with issues of democracy, governance and human rights with the Finnish Embassy. She holds a PhD in Social and Public Policy and an MA in Development Cooperation and has a background in urban social policy and community engagement. In her spare time, Abidemi enjoys the company of her vivacious kids and tries to improve her yogic experience.

Getting to know Maureen Mersmann - ISL Board Member 2021

Maureen Mersmann is the Partnerships Specialist at UNICEF Zambia. Her background is primarily in resource mobilization, international development and public health. Born and raised in the midwestern United States, she has lived and worked in southern Africa since 2010 and came to Zambia in 2016. Maureen holds an MA in International Public Administration from the Korbel School at the University of Denver in the USA. Maureen and her husband have two daughters at ISL, in years 7 and 9. Besides her role as a Board member, Maureen is the Vice-Chairperson for both the Board Marketing & Strategy Committee and the Board Policy & Planning Committee. 

Getting to know Basjan van As - ISL Board Member 2021

Basjan van As is a Project/Development Manager, who also does quantity surveying functions and has 15 years’ various industry-related experience due to all the projects and clients he has worked for. Experience gained includes but is not limited to: development/project management, running of construction projects, cost reporting, measuring of site works, management for the checking and recommendation of final accounts and variation orders, compiling closeout reports, contractual claims, procurement and management of Scope, Time & Cost. He is a proud parent of two children at ISL. His family has been at the school since 2015. He joined the Board because he is interested in redeveloping the school so that teachers and students enjoy the facilities that they deserve. Basjan serves as Chairperson of the Board's Estates & Projects Committee.

Getting to know Peter Cottan - ISL Board Member 2021

Peter Cottan has been the MD for various leading Agribusiness Institutions, such as Bata Farms and Lendor Limited. More recently, Mr Cottan was also at the helm of then Zambia’s leading Milling Company; National Milling, where he served as MD. 

Mr Cottan’s visionary guidance led National Milling to become the Market Leader in grain products in the Country. During his time at National Milling, he was the Chairman of the Millers Association of Zambia (MAZ) and Chairman of the Anti-Smuggling Committee under the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) through the ZNFU Agribusiness Chamber. 

Mr Cottan is currently the Treasurer of the Millers Association of Zambia and a Trustee of the Zambia Association of Manufacturers (ZAM). He joined Superior Milling as MD in October 2013. He has achieved great success in his career, having been instrumental in positioning the Zambian Economy in as far as Agro-Processing and Value Addition is concerned. His lobbying and assertiveness in promoting value addition and import substitution have been his forte through key policymakers in Government. 

IBDP CAS Cushion Making experience

One of our favorite memories from primary school was when we would sit on the carpet at the end of the day and our teacher would tell us a story. We used to make ourselves feel at home, on the different coloured cushions and beanbags; carefree, and happy. It was comforting to lounge with our friends and not have to worry about a thing! As we have been completing our IB (and our school lives) we have been reminiscing on the joys of primary school and it inspired us to create cushions for our younger peers! 

Fabulous Friday!

 Wonderful things to report today from Primary school!

Year 12 Duke of Edinburgh Gold practice expedition

It was fabulous to see twenty eight Year 12 students participate in the Silver DoE trip that commenced on Monday 8th November with an in school training on orienteering and trekking with Mwaba Mwila adventures personnel. The group then set off early morning the next day at around 6.30 am on a bus ride to reach their destination just outside Kafue town to begin their expedition.