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THE ENGLISH SCHOOL MA GA ZINE 2020
Leda Thanassa 5B
THE ENGLISH SCHOOL MA GA ZINE 2020
However, as we are all well aware, the arrival of the Covid-19
virus and the global threat that this posed prevented us from
completing our undertakings in the manner planned by the School.
As with all of Cyprus’ society, our School had to adapt and come to
terms with this new way of living in order to restrict any damage,
both academic and health wise, to the minimum. The priority of the
Board of Management and the School’s management was to continue
the delivery of the scheduled academic programme with the least
disruption in order to meet our obligations to the students. To achieve
this, radical changes had to be made which would also be in line with
the safety measures put in place by the Government. The resulting
distance learning proved highly successful and I take this opportunity
to express the Board’s appreciation for the tremendous dedication
and efforts of students, staff and parents which ensured that the
children were able to continue to learn from home with the same
ethos as if they were in a physical classroom during this difficult period.
Fortitude and the ability to adapt to change are familiar qualities
to The English School community. Resilience is nothing new as the
ability of The English School to survive has been tried and tested in the
past, such as the invasion of 1974, the fire in 1992 and the financial
difficulties of 2013. The principal difference today, compared to the
many changes seen since our inception 120 years ago, is less the
nature of change, than the speed at which changes were obliged to
occur which this year were not just desirable but imperative.
The ability to rise to the occasion in the face of adversity was
proven by the speed and effectiveness with which our School
reorganised teaching systems, our Entrance Examination, the
coordination with Examining Boards and University Admissions for
our external examinations and university applications, to name a
few of the new measures adopted.
Prior to this year’s unexpected developments a number of
projects had been completed, or were under the planning phase,
to enhance the School’s infrastructure which included the Tennis
Courts, Futsal Pitches, improvements to the Sports Track, fencing,
and air-conditioning in more classrooms. The Board has also
commissioned a Landscape Masterplan to change the shape and
use of the whole School campus. The grounds will be landscaped in
such a way to make them environmentally friendly for the School’s
use, and also open its unique green areas to the community of
Nicosia by creating walkways and bicycle paths while at the same
time highlighting The English School’s ownership of the whole area.
This challenge is planned to be undertaken in phases over a number
of years and it is the sincere wish of the Board of Management that
both students and staff will embrace this important project.
A number of very generous donations from alumni this year had
allowed the construction of our Year 6 and 7 Students’ Centre and chairman’s message
classroom enhancements, for which we are all extremely grateful
and touched by these gestures from past students.
While it is appreciated that many plans have been overcome by
recent events, the Board wishes to assure all that the best interests
of its students, both current and future, continue to be the priority
and that its efforts will continue to be directed towards ensuring the
best infrastructure with a safe learning environment for years to come.
I take this opportunity to once again thank and congratulate all
our students, staff and parents for coming together during this much
troubled year and demonstrating their loyalty and confirming the 05
wisdom of our Founder Canon Frank Darvall Newham in creating the
School’s motto ‘Non Sibi Sed Scholae’ which this year has proved so true.
All our students who are leaving take with them our best wishes
for their future as well as lifetime friendships and happy memories
of the English School which provided them with the ammunition to be
worthy ambassadors of their country, their families, and their School.
To those who are staying, on behalf of the Board of Management,
I wish you and your families a restful summer holiday, and let us all
look forward to a positive and healthy year ahead.
Dr George Theocharides
Chairman of the Board of Management