Dear Parents,
Into April now and warmer weather, with, we hope, a decline in the spike of virus cases over these next weeks. It has been a long run with Google Classroom for everyone, but well done to the Students, Teachers, and Parents who have stuck to the On-line Journey through these months.
Our plans for 2021-2022 were launched last week with details of Tuition Fees for the coming year. We are working on designs for the second half of the Floor 4 extension: a large space which will house the Richardson Theatre due to be ready for opening in the Autumn. We also are seeking to create a third Sports Hall, much needed now in view of the large numbers on roll at ESM.
Many of the Public Exams for this year will be assessed internally with external validation of Grades; we anticipate the Mongolian State Exams will proceed as planned. Next week we will have our “virtual” consultation visit, an important part of the PYP Authorisation process, which should, in turn, lead to the authorisation itself, with PYP at the centre of Junior School teaching for next Term.
In view of the disruptions to School life since the pandemic took hold, our determination is to utilise the latter half of the Summer Break for a very early return to School for all Grades, as soon as possible after the Naadam celebrations. Once the revised dates for the Autumn Term 1 are finalised, we will of course let you know.
Our Grade 12 Students will be coming together next month to celebrate Graduation, inevitably like last year a scaled-down occasion, but marking a crucial rite of passage for them. We are in the process of finalising arrangements. And linked with this, we are looking at some post Grade 12 options for Students- to run over the next Academic year as a Foundation or Pre-University course.
So, as always and in many varied respects, ESM is determined to emerge from the pandemic in strong and creative shape. We remain very grateful to the whole ESM community for its care and spirit over the last eighteen months and our confidence is high for a special Academic Year of 2021-2022.
Regards,
Graham Hill
The English School of Mongolia