3rd July 2008

Dear Parents/Guardians:

As the 2007/2008 academic year comes to an end, change is inevitable.  At this time we would like to say 'kwaheri' to our Headmaster, Mr.Norman, who will be leaving us after four years.  We wish him all the best in his future endeavours.  He has left an indelible mark at Imani and we know that he will not be soon forgotten.

Mrs. Wangia, has been appointed Acting Headmistress.  She has been a member of the Imani family for many years and we are sure that she will undertake the position with experience gained over the years. Mrs. Wangia will continue to teach in the High School and will be assisted by Mr. Gabriel N'gang'a who will take over some of the Business Studies and will be a member of the Mathematics Department.

In September, we are introducing House Parents in the Boarding facilities.  Mr. & Mrs. Abranches will be overall responsible for the well being of your child. Boarding teachers will still be there to assist.  We will provide contact telephone numbers in due course.

A few points which need to be addressed:

1. Each student should return with three recent passport sized photographes. This is to facilitate the issuance of an Imani Identification card as well as Kenya Wildlife entrance cards.
2. Please complete the Medical /Emergency Information form which is enclosed.  We want to update our files concerning Guardians and medical history.
3. Prize Giving/Speech Day is scheduled for 19th September.  Please make a note in your diaries to attend this function.  Your children are very happy when their parents attend school functions.
4. Please do not allow your child/children to return to school with expensive telephones, ipods and mp3s.  In case it is lost or misplaced, the school will not be responsible for these items. In the event that your child returns to school with his own laptop computer, please insure the computer before they come to school.  The Year 10's and 11's will be undertaking coursework which may entail bringing their personal computers to school so that they can work in the evenings.  It is not mandatory as there are ample computers available in school. From September, 2008 we would like to reduce the paperwork'.  In order to do this we require to receive from you, the email address where school information can be sent.  Please ensure your child returns with this address so that we can transmit information through this facility, or email us direct on: admin@imanischool.sc.ke indicating your child's name and class.
5. Day students who have been taking break and lunch at school, will see an increase in the costs to Ksh 150/= per day.
6. We would like to reintroduce to the Year 10 students only Membership in the Pheonix Theatre.  The yearly fee is Ksh 3,000/= which would allow them to take in a possible 15 plays/performances throughout the school year. The students would attend the Saturday afternoon matinee in order to avoid having to travel at night.

School resumes on 1st September and Boarders are expected back before 5 p.m. on Sunday, 31st August.  Half term will be from 17th October through to 26th October. Please make the necessary travel arrangements and leave them in the office when the students return in September.

Pre Prep Section – Mrs. Harries

Year 2

The end of term is upon us and all have been very busy and mighty successful.  The children of Year 2 performed very well in the Key Stage 1 SATs – they fully deserve much praise and hope they remember their final days with us as they remember their whole time here!

Sport

Our Taekwondo children had great success in the Banda Tournament last month and will be receiving their certificates next term.  Our Sports Day was brilliant and very competitive – the children had great fun.  Thank you to all the parents that joined us, Mr. Kariuki and Miss Stella.  Mr. Ajode and Shiru’s Dad took lots of photos which will be put on the Imani website: www.imanischool.sc.ke

Trips

This term the children have been on a Safari Walk and to Blue Post to see the crocodiles, etc.  The children have such fun; they love it and this was also brought up in the recent Parents’ Forum by a Mother but we struggle for any new places to take the children – we would welcome any new ideas.

Wish List

At the beginning of next term by the Noticeboard we are going to have a ‘suggestion box’ and we would be grateful for any suggestions/ideas on how you feel we can improve not only concerning the PrePrep but the whole school.  One Mum has already asked ‘Why don’t we have annual Class Photos – this will be looked into – watch this space!

Finally, have a great holiday with your children from us all here in Pre Prep.

Prep Section – Mrs. Mutonga

I wish to take this opportunity to thank you for your support over the whole academic year. I congratulate the Year 6 group for successfully completing Key Stage 2 and indeed all managed to attain the required levels 3-5 in Numeracy, Literacy and Science. I wish them all the best in high school.

I welcome the current year 2s into Year 3 and I have no doubt they are well prepared to join Key Stage 2.  I thank all the parents who made it for the induction into Prep School on Monday, 30th July 2008 and we will take into consideration the suggestions put forward. Just a reminder, all their items should be clearly marked. Kindly let them also have the following things:

• Pencils, erasers, a ruler, sharpener, colours and a right-angle measurer ( a set square will do)- they do not need a full geometrical set and some instruments can actually be dangerous.
• 2 padlocks with extra keys: one to be kept by the teacher in case it is forgotten at home
• At least 3 spring files

 

Years 4-6 must have full geometrical sets and all writing materials including pens.

Years 5 & 6 need simple calculators which will be used only under the teacher’s supervision. Please note that students should not do their Numeracy work using calculators. I will in fact be happy to keep the calculators and give them only when necessary.

As I mentioned after our trip to The David Sheldrick Elephant Sanctuary, Prep School wishes to foster one of the orphaned elephants at an annual fee of Kshs 4000. Kindly give your child/ children Ksh 150 each at the beginning of the Michaelmas term. Thank you for all your support in teaching the children about caring for animals.

We wish to introduce cookery/baking as an activity for next term. The details of how this will be run will be released at the beginning of the term.

Next Term we hope to go for a 3-day camping trip with all of Prep School. We have not finalised on the booking and cost and so all details will be given at a later date. The ride on the Steam  Engine did not take off as the two companies involved ie. Rift Valley Railways and Kenya Railways were not responsive to our requests.  We still hope to do it next term. They were ready to organise for us to go on a weekday and we will still follow it up.

 I wish you all a happy summer holiday and hope to see you in September. We wish Shanmuk Kondapally (Year 5) all the best in his future schooling as he leaves for Kampala, Uganda. I would like to thank him very much for his active participation in school fixtures especially in hockey, cricket and football.  
 
High School – Mrs. Wangia

Years 8, 9 and 10 visited the Alliance Francaise to watch and were incorporated in a play performed in French.  They totally enjoyed the learning experience.

Elsamere Conservation Centre was visited by Years 7, 8, 9 and 10 in fulfilling requirements of the Geography syllabi.  They visited the Rift Valley, Geothermal facilities, Lake Naivasha National Park, a horticultural facility and the gorge.
They climbed Mount Longonot as well and most of the students reached the top! All the teachers succeeded.

The year 11-13 had a successful trip to Mombasa.  The students were accompanied by Mrs. Machatha and Mr. Ajode.  They enjoyed themselves while maintaining good conduct.

The Year 7 and 8’s participated in the Nairobi Academy Maths Challenge for the second year and in the Group Work they achieved position eight.  Individually they scored within the top 30%.

Year 9 undertook the Key Stage 3 SAT examinations and performed admirably.  They all reached if not surpassed the Levels expected of them at this stage in their education.

Sports and Games - Mr. Kipkoech

This final term of the year was a busy one in the Sports Department.  In May, Prep and High School staged a very competitive Inter-Set/Inter-House Athletics Competition. Students actively took part in sprints and middle distance events.  The teachers were also challenged running against the students.

The Under 15 Boys’ Soccer team took part in a Soccer League of eight schools.  They reached the top in their pool in the preliminary matches.  They unfortunately lost in the semi-finals through post match penalties to Aga Khan Academy.  They also participated in the Braeburn Tournament.  They were ranked fourth out of the sixteen teams represented

The Under 13 Boys’ Soccer Team also registered impressive results although still young and there is room for improvement.

The Under 13 Girls Netball Team were first runners up in the Premier Academy Tournament. Well done.  They lost to Premier in the finals by two goals.  The Under 15 Girls Netball Team participated in the Nairobi Academy Tournament.

Within the swimming team there were some victories in a number of swimming galas that we attended.

As we wind down and close for the summer holidays, we wish to thank you parents for your support during this past year.  Have a good holiday with your children.

Sincerely yours,

 

G. M. WANGIA (Mrs.)
Acting Headmistress