David, please tell us about your role at ISL and how long you have been working at ISL.

I am the Deputy Lower School Principal and this is my thirteenth year at ISL

What did you do prior to working at ISL?

Before I came to ISL I was the LS Principal at Antwerp British School for six years

What does your typical day look like?

I arrive at ISL at 07:30. I do a lot of walking about 3 to 4 kilometers at school per day. My day starts with me checking my email  in the office and then usually going out to the front of the LS building at 07:50 to greet students and parents as they arrive at school. From 08:40 I am then back inside for a meeting, undertake some of my work or visit a classroom or grade. At 10 am I am usually then in the CM playground with G2 and then to the soccer pitch and timber playground at 10:15 and finally with G1 at 10:35. I take this opportunity to check in with students and see how they are doing. My goals this year are positive behavior and positive parenting and data collection. After recess I am inside for a meeting, undertake some of my work or visit a classroom or grade.  At 12:00 I go to the MPR to help with G1 lunch and then the LS cafeteria with Grades 5, 4 and 3. I rotate between the playgrounds, soccer pitch and lunch rooms. At 13:05 I help G1 and 2AM clean up the CM playground and then it is time for my lunch. I then continue with meetings, undertake some of my work or visit a classroom or grade. This depends upon the day. At 15:15 it is the end of the day and I go down to the atrium to supervise the end of the day as students are collected and go home. I supervise students getting on the school buses and then check that there are no students uncollect under the atrium. After this I return to my office and check my emails and undertake my desk work before leaving school at 17:15. 

What do you love most about your work? 

I really enjoy working with the students at ISL. It is what makes coming to work every day worthwhile. I enjoy working on my goals each week.

What do you think is unique about ISL?

We have a strong sense of community and we have grown into a great school over the last 20 to 25 years. Many of our students and staff stay at ISL for 10 to 20 years plus.

On a daily basis, how do you contribute to making ISL the school of choice?

I work really hard at making students feel welcome, connected and feel that they belong at ISL and that their parents see ISL as the school of choice by also feeling that connection. I want to help parents to be the best they can to help their children and collaborate fully with ISL for the benefit of all. I also support our faculty in doing their work with individual students by looking at data, talking about how to help different students and as required meeting with their parents.

What do you think are the most important skills a student should acquire today?

I think that social and behavior skills are very important including emotional intelligence along with academic skills, knowledge and understanding. 

How do you define the success of a student?

I think about the student being able to do and be successful at whatever they choose to do in life.

Describe ISL in 5 words

Collaborative, passionate, motivational, broad, individual