Page 7 - Brave New World

THE ENGLISH SCHOOL MA GA ZINE 2021 THE ENGLISH SCHOOL MA GA ZINE 2021

AMBITION

AND POTENTIAL

No student left behind

Interview by Maria Eirini Liodi 6Y

Mr Iosephides was appointed to The English School Board of Management in 2016 where
his first four years were as a Board Member and simultaneously serving as Chairman of its
Buildings Committee. Through the collective efforts of the all Board members, the Buildings
Committee focused on the urgently needed renovation of our sports centre, the construction
of the new Newham Building and the 6th form Centre. The Board also brought to completion
the projects for the new Futsal Pitches and Tennis Courts which students have had the
pleasure of enjoying these past few months. Along with new projects, and although
significant challenges were posed, upgrading and maintaining the school’s traditional
buildings and grounds were one of the Board’s priorities. The English School is a landmark in
the centre of Nicosia and tradition meeting modernity perfectly captures the essence of the
ES spirit!
Last year the Council of Ministers offered Mr Iosephides the post of Chairman of the Board
of Management. To Mr Iosephides the decision to accept the position was quite clear from
the outset and he comments on his reaction to the offer as follows: “Being a graduate, a
long-time active member of the ESOBGA, paired with my 4-year service in the Board, I felt that
this was an honour”. Mr Iosephides adds that the position, not solely as Chairman per se, but
participating on the Board as a whole, was a means of collaborating with the School’s
Management and working towards the common goal of maintaining, and where possible,
improving the reputation and achievements of The English School.
For Mr Iosephides, Chairing the Board of Management means being part of a hard-working
team which devotes many hours and much effort to contributing towards reaching the
shared vision of the Board and Management, which is ensuring that our students have the
best available of every aspect of education, which is what they expect and deserve.
The role of teamwork is highlighted and becomes especially pertinent during times of
crisis. Thus, focusing on the behind-the-scenes work of the past year in particular, all the
efforts of the Board were channelled towards addressing the covid pandemic. A period of
rapid change meant constant revision and re-prioritising of the Board’s goals. It has brought
pastoral care, student mental health and well-being even higher on the agenda for areas of
improvement that the Board is targetting. Mr Iosephides said that the Board’s goal is to
create an inclusive environment where each student feels safe, supported and no student is
left behind.
Simultaneously, the Board is working towards forming a strategy to “reinvigorate ECAs that
are the heart and soul of our school community”. The extra-curricular activities are how the
student body can allow their talents to unravel and paint the school in the unique colours that
it embodies. Hence, it is unquestionably one of the top priorities of the school, particularly
once we see covid restrictions eventually being lifted. The stress that our Founder Canon
Frank Darvall Newham placed on non-academic activities when he established our School in
1900, is legendary, with team-spirit and fair-play being top priorities. Not many know that our chairman’s message
Founder introduced football, cricket and hockey to Cyprus, and that our School introduced
the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme to Cyprus in 1968. Our tradition of extra-curricular
activities is one area that is indelible in the memories of all our graduates.
Mr Iosephides said that a particularly important area which now needs addressing is that of
Brexit. Now more than ever, the largely accepted rule of thumb of English School students
almost exclusively aiming for UK universities is changing. The once more linear approach to
tertiary education is meandering and students are broadening the scopes of their university
search to the USA, Netherlands, Spain – the opportunities are ceaseless! The need to feel
supported is of utmost importance to every student, most significantly when exploring the
beginning of the next big chapter of their lives. Mr Iosephides added that this is why at the
foreground of the Board’s objectives lies the need to create guidance and encouragement 05
for students’ tertiary education, taking into account where they aim to study and how to best
help them on their individual journey.
On a lighter note, being the father of two young children, Mr Iosephides enjoys spending
time with his family.
Mr Iosephides finished the interview by giving his personal assurance, and that of his
colleagues on the Board of Management, that the aim of this Board is to provide a safe
environment, both physical and pastoral, with the best possible infrastructure, so that students
can achieve their maximum potential and make their ambitions a reality. All graduates are
proud to belong to The English School family, and The English School is proud of its graduates,
with experience showing that friendships created here last a lifetime. The Board wishes all its
students, staff and their families a relaxing and healthy summer, with special wishes for
success and happiness to our students who will be leaving this year to embark on the next
step of their journey in life.