Dear Colleagues
"I am often asked what can people do to become a good global citizen? I reply that it begins in your own community." — Kofi Annan
As I walked through our campus this week, I was struck by a profound sense of pride in our community. In an increasingly interconnected world, our mission goes far beyond academic excellence; we are dedicated to fostering true global citizenship. But what does it mean to be a global citizen? It means recognizing that we are all connected, that our actions have a ripple effect, and that we possess the agency to make the world a more peaceful, sustainable, and kind place.
This philosophy is beautifully woven into the three educational pillars that define our school:
This grand vision is not just a theoretical concept; it is something our students live and breathe every single day. We see it when our children step into our amazing Forest School or wonderful garden, developing a lifelong love and stewardship for the Earth. We see it in our hands-on Service Projects, where students turn empathy into action to support local and global communities. We feel it during our Montessori Peace Days and our school-wide Kindness Weeks, which remind us that global harmony begins with small, daily acts of compassion. As an international school with students and team members coming from all parts of the world, speaking different languages and representing different faiths and cultures, we strive to emphasise the importance of respect for diversity, listening to each other and ensuring we are inclusive.
This week, our commitment to global citizenship took center stage as the entire school engaged in powerful activities centered around the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It was a masterclass in student agency, collaboration, and passion.
On Monday, our Secondary students took on the roles of global changemakers. In collaborative groups, they designed their own non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from scratch. They selected a specific SDG, thoroughly researched the root causes of the issue, and engineered comprehensive, actionable plans to solve these real-world problems. The sophistication, strategic thinking, and empathy displayed in their proposals were truly inspiring.
Meanwhile on Wednesday, our Primary and Pre-primary students transformed their classrooms into a vibrant hub of global education. Each classroom adopted a specific SDG or school value to champion. The students researched their chosen goal and created interactive exhibitions complete with insightful information, creative solutions, and educational games. Throughout the day, classes visited one another’s rooms. It was a joy to watch our younger students teaching and learning from each other, discovering the challenges our planet faces, and—most importantly—celebrating the solutions we can achieve together.
PYP 5 students went a step further as they led a thoughtful and inspiring primary assembly exploring what it means to be a global citizen. They introduced the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and encouraged students to consider how small everyday actions such as reducing food waste, making healthy choices, saving energy, recycling, and caring for nature can help create a fairer, healthier, and more sustainable world. Through engaging reflections and practical ideas, the students reminded us all that even small actions, repeated every day, can make a big difference for people and the planet.
Many thanks to our international day team for all their hard work and planning and for all colleagues for the execution of these inspiring and important events.
In the secondary assembly I explored our global citizenship policy with students and asked them how to consider how we can grow international mindedness and global awareness even further next academic year. The Island School Global Citizenship Policy
Last week, a team of students from both the Primary and Secondary schools, representing the Waldorf, Montessori, and IB programmes, collaborated on a project to beautify the toilet block at the Forest School. Led by Fedor and Alexey (MYP), the team painted the building in warm earth tones and added a cheerful frog mural to remind us to care for our friends in nature. Well done to everyone involved for this wonderful initiative. This was a real life example of global citizenship in action. Many thanks to Jenny and Alyssia for coordinating this project.
By looking at the world through the lens of the SDGs, our students are not just learning about history or science; they are learning how to shape the future. They are discovering that they don't have to wait until they grow up to make a difference—they are global citizens right now.
This week our Grade 3 students enjoyed a visit to the cinema and watched Zootopia II . It was connected to the Unit of Storytelling and how important collaboration is to bring a story/movie to life! It was also connected with English Reading / Writing about features of fairy tales, students reflected on the feature "moral lesson". Many thanks to Tassos, Vicki , Vicky and Myriam. Meanwhile Waldorf Class 8 presented their end of year play on the theme of the Wizard of Oz. It was a creative and talented production and I would like to congratulate the students for their hard work and performances. A big thanks to Andree, Andros, Vasia, Caillin and Mirella for all their hard work to support the students.
Today our Waldorf community celebrated Whitsun which is the festival of Pentecost. In pre-primary parents joined children and teachers for dances, games and to share food. In primary and secondary the Whitson celebration took place with readings in several languages and reminded us to strive for peace and harmony in our lives, also respecting and cherishing those who are different to us which also aligned with our theme of global citizenship. Thank you to the whole Waldorf community for your hard work and especially to Jacqueline for coordinating the ceremony.
In Montessori pre-primary this morning parents were invited to come and see the art exhibition prepared by their children and join in some artistic activities. In primary, parents came to join their children in a “Come Work With Me" morning and I hoped they enjoyed taking part in the working cycle with their children. Thanks to the Montessori team for such successful events.
This week some of our community celebrated the Muslim festival of Eid. Eid Mubarak to all of those who were celebrated and blessings for a peaceful week!
Have a peaceful and enjoyable long weekend ( Monday 1st June is a school holiday for Kataklysmos or Pentecost!)
Best Regards,
Deborah Economou
Head of School
"I am often asked what can people do to become a good global citizen? I reply that it begins in your own community." — Kofi Annan
As I walked through our campus this week, I was struck by a profound sense of pride in our community. In an increasingly interconnected world, our mission goes far beyond academic excellence; we are dedicated to fostering true global citizenship. But what does it mean to be a global citizen? It means recognizing that we are all connected, that our actions have a ripple effect, and that we possess the agency to make the world a more peaceful, sustainable, and kind place.
This philosophy is beautifully woven into the three educational pillars that define our school:
- In our IB Programme, global citizenship is embedded in the very DNA of learning. Through inquiry and critical thinking, our students look beyond their immediate horizons to understand complex global systems, cultivating the open-mindedness required to navigate and lead in a diverse world. Many of their units of inquiry are linked to key global concepts and service in the community is a core feature of the IB philosophy.
- In our Waldorf Approach, we nurture the human spirit and foster a deep, empathetic connection to the world and its people. By celebrating cultural rhythms and encouraging a reverence for nature and humanity, students develop a soulful understanding of their place in the global family. They understand stewardship of the planet through their horticulture curriculum.
- In our Montessori Classrooms, the foundation of global citizenship is peace education. From the youngest years, children learn independence, self-management, mutual respect, and social responsibility, understanding that a peaceful world begins with a peaceful classroom community.
This grand vision is not just a theoretical concept; it is something our students live and breathe every single day. We see it when our children step into our amazing Forest School or wonderful garden, developing a lifelong love and stewardship for the Earth. We see it in our hands-on Service Projects, where students turn empathy into action to support local and global communities. We feel it during our Montessori Peace Days and our school-wide Kindness Weeks, which remind us that global harmony begins with small, daily acts of compassion. As an international school with students and team members coming from all parts of the world, speaking different languages and representing different faiths and cultures, we strive to emphasise the importance of respect for diversity, listening to each other and ensuring we are inclusive.
This week, our commitment to global citizenship took center stage as the entire school engaged in powerful activities centered around the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It was a masterclass in student agency, collaboration, and passion.
On Monday, our Secondary students took on the roles of global changemakers. In collaborative groups, they designed their own non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from scratch. They selected a specific SDG, thoroughly researched the root causes of the issue, and engineered comprehensive, actionable plans to solve these real-world problems. The sophistication, strategic thinking, and empathy displayed in their proposals were truly inspiring.
Meanwhile on Wednesday, our Primary and Pre-primary students transformed their classrooms into a vibrant hub of global education. Each classroom adopted a specific SDG or school value to champion. The students researched their chosen goal and created interactive exhibitions complete with insightful information, creative solutions, and educational games. Throughout the day, classes visited one another’s rooms. It was a joy to watch our younger students teaching and learning from each other, discovering the challenges our planet faces, and—most importantly—celebrating the solutions we can achieve together.
PYP 5 students went a step further as they led a thoughtful and inspiring primary assembly exploring what it means to be a global citizen. They introduced the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and encouraged students to consider how small everyday actions such as reducing food waste, making healthy choices, saving energy, recycling, and caring for nature can help create a fairer, healthier, and more sustainable world. Through engaging reflections and practical ideas, the students reminded us all that even small actions, repeated every day, can make a big difference for people and the planet.
Many thanks to our international day team for all their hard work and planning and for all colleagues for the execution of these inspiring and important events.
In the secondary assembly I explored our global citizenship policy with students and asked them how to consider how we can grow international mindedness and global awareness even further next academic year. The Island School Global Citizenship Policy
Last week, a team of students from both the Primary and Secondary schools, representing the Waldorf, Montessori, and IB programmes, collaborated on a project to beautify the toilet block at the Forest School. Led by Fedor and Alexey (MYP), the team painted the building in warm earth tones and added a cheerful frog mural to remind us to care for our friends in nature. Well done to everyone involved for this wonderful initiative. This was a real life example of global citizenship in action. Many thanks to Jenny and Alyssia for coordinating this project.
By looking at the world through the lens of the SDGs, our students are not just learning about history or science; they are learning how to shape the future. They are discovering that they don't have to wait until they grow up to make a difference—they are global citizens right now.
This week our Grade 3 students enjoyed a visit to the cinema and watched Zootopia II . It was connected to the Unit of Storytelling and how important collaboration is to bring a story/movie to life! It was also connected with English Reading / Writing about features of fairy tales, students reflected on the feature "moral lesson". Many thanks to Tassos, Vicki , Vicky and Myriam. Meanwhile Waldorf Class 8 presented their end of year play on the theme of the Wizard of Oz. It was a creative and talented production and I would like to congratulate the students for their hard work and performances. A big thanks to Andree, Andros, Vasia, Caillin and Mirella for all their hard work to support the students.
Today our Waldorf community celebrated Whitsun which is the festival of Pentecost. In pre-primary parents joined children and teachers for dances, games and to share food. In primary and secondary the Whitson celebration took place with readings in several languages and reminded us to strive for peace and harmony in our lives, also respecting and cherishing those who are different to us which also aligned with our theme of global citizenship. Thank you to the whole Waldorf community for your hard work and especially to Jacqueline for coordinating the ceremony.
In Montessori pre-primary this morning parents were invited to come and see the art exhibition prepared by their children and join in some artistic activities. In primary, parents came to join their children in a “Come Work With Me" morning and I hoped they enjoyed taking part in the working cycle with their children. Thanks to the Montessori team for such successful events.
This week some of our community celebrated the Muslim festival of Eid. Eid Mubarak to all of those who were celebrated and blessings for a peaceful week!
Have a peaceful and enjoyable long weekend ( Monday 1st June is a school holiday for Kataklysmos or Pentecost!)
Best Regards,
Deborah Economou
Head of School