Greetings parents. 

Following my return on Monday from the Association of International Schools in Africa (AISA) board meeting in Nairobi, it has been an extremely busy four day week. Capping our Board year with the Annual General Meeting and Elections last night (Thursday), and ending World Culture Month today, we’ve had a very full week.

Board Elections and the AGM both went smoothly, and we thank all eight candidates who ran, while congratulating the six elected Trustees. They have a big year ahead of them, and orientation will start soon; I wish them much luck and success in 2012-13. One thing I have learned from my five years in Dakar is that every day can bring a big surprise, and often those surprises come in rapid succession. Holding responsibility for a community like ISD is never boring!

I would also like to thank the Board for their generous and very much appreciated gift to me of a return flight to Dakar from Cairo to take part in the new building’s opening ceremony. I do hope that my schedule at my new school allows me to attend--it would be special and very meaningful for me to be here for the Opening of the building that so many have worked so hard to bring into existence.

Exciting developments on the building site this week, as the contractor (finally) began installation of windows, laying the walkway surface (an attractive coquillage) and has nearly finished the roof scree, a big step towards waterproofing the building. Pictures should be loaded soon on the website.

Thanks also to Mr. Gaucher and all members of the World Culture Month planning team. Special thanks to the parents from 16 countries who shared their culture at the booths today. Colorful images, fabrics, and other artifacts, as well as wonderful smells and delicious samples of many countries enriched the children’s day today. Today, we celebrated the richness of our school community--one of our greatest assets. Thank you, parents and organizers.

As I said at the AGM last night and would like to reiterate here for a larger audience, it has been an honor to serve the ISD community for the past five years. My family has learned and grown so much as a result of our time here. So, too, as the ISD community grown and--I hope--been enriched by those brave souls who believed in me and came to Dakar to contribute their expertise, energy, and vision to the development of ISD as a leading international school in Africa.  Thanks to all.

Wayne Rutherford