Dear Parents and Guardians,
It gives me immense pleasure to welcome you and your lovely children back to MIA for the new academic year of 2022-2023. This year beckons with huge promises not least because hopefully we are beyond the back of the pandemic which has caused so much havoc worldwide.
The staff have all been back one week. We have been busy with meetings, preparation, and organisation of the new year. Classrooms are looking enticing for teaching and learning and lesson preparation well underway. I know the teachers are looking forward to the start of teaching and seeing the students back in their classes.
We have already welcomed new Boarding students with orientation exercises and activities on Thursday and Friday last, culminating in a very enjoyable trip to Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve on Saturday.
As I write this, I can now see the Boarders bushy tailed and bright eyed, arriving one by one this fine Sunday afternoon. Most tell me that after the long holiday, they are more than ready and happy to be back at school.
Whole School
One of the major changes has been the addition of ten extra days to the school calendar. The year just gone had 173 teaching days and this year it has increased to 183 contact days. Both sections continue to make strides and in doing so improve. We as a school have seriously looked at communication and reports for example and I am hoping that you also will see an improvement. As always, my doors are open so if there are concerns no matter what size, then please, do not be a stranger and come in to see me.
Now that Covid is on the wane another change I hope to see is the reinvigoration of the PTA. The PTA have informed me that they will be organising a ‘meet and greet’ shortly. Please stay tuned.
A new initiative is a whole school approach to Core Values. We are starting in the month of September with something called “Speak with Good Purpose.” This is about getting the community to think before they speak and act and to determine whether what they are saying is kind or unkind. I will be at a later date be giving you more information about this programme.
Primary
Mathematics and Literacy will continue to be a focus this year. We have purchased new assessment material which will make prognosis much more dependable. This will allow us then to put support plans to improve this with students who may not be attaining a level commensurate with their age.
Clubs are scheduled to commence on September 7th
Mr Glyn will be sending out a more detailed view of events and activities in Primary.
Secondary
One of the biggest changes in Secondary is that you will be receiving monthly email update and communication from your child’s Form Tutor. We have introduced Year Leaders who will work closely with Form Tutors to focus on your child in terms of Academic, pastoral, behaviour, and Wellbeing, both physical and mental. I am thus, encouraging open channels of communication from us to you and vice-versa. In this way we are going to focus on the student more than beforehand.
Another major change is that weekly assemblies no longer will take place. This has now been taken by lessons. Instead, we have slightly increased the Form Tutor time where if necessary then assemblies will take place there. We will continue with positive certificates to encourage challenging work and recognition of good core values and behaviour.
Covid Protocols
In name of safety and precaution we are still going to do Temperature Checks and be very vigilant for any possible symptoms amongst our school children. I have instructed the Boarding Masters not to let up their guard. Masks are voluntary though I know that some teachers also will elect to wear them. I have also instructed that doors and windows remain open during lessons. Now that the warmer weather is coming this should not be a problem.
However, the biggest help is from yourselves, dear parent. Please continue to monitor any possible symptom and if unsure keep your children at home for observation for a day at least. We do not want an outbreak just now when we can go back to almost normal.
Lastly, I am excited about this year. The last six months have been very good and your welcome and the communities welcome have been heartfelt. My team and I are implementing changes that will seek to see the school grow and develop further.
Kindest regards,
Stefano Piumatti
Principal
Mzuzu International Academy
