Principal's Newsletter - Kodaikanal International School

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Principal's Message

I hope that all staff and students have returned rested and ready for the start of another busy year ahead and that all parents have enjoyed and made the most of the valuable time spent with your children during the holidays. There are a number of challenges that we will face this year and I know that together we will make sure that this year is a successful one. We heartily welcome all of our new staff and students as they become members of the KIS community.

With regard to the new Principal job search, I had a meeting in Chennai with the Search Committee in early July and the committee has shortlisted four good candidates. I will provide more details of their interview process early in the semester. At this point I would like to thank Anita who gave up much of her holiday to manage the administration of the applications. Also this semester we have the move of grades 7 & 8 to Ganga Campus, the review of our process for MYP and the introduction of the PYP in the Elementary School all on the agenda. In addition, we hope to get permission to start building on Ganga Campus soon.

This summer has been a very busy time on all our campuses and I can only extend to our Vice Principal Kaisar, Finance Director Ganga, Dean Sam, Human Resources Aruna and Maintenance Manager Mr Bheeman and the maintenance department, our sincere thanks and appreciation for the Herculean task that was undertaken in moving grades 7 and 8 down to Ganga Campus, building the classrooms and the extended dining room there that the additional students necessitated and preparing Swedish House, our newly purchased dorm, for our grades 4 to 7 boys. All this, along with the regular repairs and maintenance that occur every summer.

It was with deep sadness that we learnt of the passing away of the mother of Mr Godwin (Finance office) and Mr Selwyn (Travel office) on 8 June. Some of you would have also heard that Mr S Peter’s (Food Services assistant) 16 year old son met with a tragic accident early in June and battled for his life at the Apollo Hospital in Madurai. Sadly Wieben died on 3 July 2009. Our heartfelt condolences go to Godwin, Selwyn and Peter and their families on their loss.

Congratulations to Bryan Plymale and Isabel Fernandez whose baby girl, Daniela Keith Plymale Fernandes, arrived on Saturday, 11 July 2009. Both Isabel and Daniella are doing well (and Bryan too of course!).

Geoffrey Fisher
Principal
principal@kis.in

Survey Response

When parents, students, alumni and staff were requested to respond to the new format of the Principal's newsletter there were a total of 150 responses of which 93 (62%) were positive. 17 (11%) preferred the old format, 36 (24%) said they would get used to the new format and 5 said they hated it. The respondents included, 56 (40%) parents, 48 (35%) students, 29 (21%) staff members, 8 (%%) alumni and 2 (1%) friends of KIS. Thanks to everyone who responded and for the moment then, we'll be keeping the blog!

August calendar dates

31 July - 2 August - Grade 12A camp
1 August - Hiking season begins
3 - 7 August - CARE week
7 - 8 August - Writers workshop
7 - 9 August - Grade 12B camp
14 - 15 August - Book fair
20 - 22 August - Boys' soccer in Ooty
21 - 23 August - Grade 11A camp
27 - 30 August - TOK presentations
28 August - Staff recital
28 - 29 August - Girls' volleyball in Ooty
28 - 31 August - Grade 11B camp

New Staff in KIS

KIS welcomes new staff to the KIS community as follows:

• Beth Dagitses is from Michigan and joins the PE department. Her son, Aaron will be entering grade 9. Beth’s interests include community service, drama, school year book, soccer, student government and band.

• Sonny Deenadayalan is a KIS alumnus (Class of ’81) and joins us as KISCO Coordinator. Sonny and his wife Nandini are joined by their two daughters Neha and Sruti who will be entering grade 5 and 9 respectively.

• Alika Khosla joins KISCO as Development Officer. Alika enjoys camping, choir, drama, hiking, nature study, school magazine, school year book, debating and choir. She is living in her own home in Kodaikanal. • Samanthea Laitflang, alumna from the class of ’97, joins the Learning Support department. Her interests include community service, drama, Sunday school, reading, writing, poetry and music. Sam comes with her husband, Gian Sealy (Class of ’96).
• Sandhya Paul will be teaching Middle School Science. Her interests include community service, school magazine, sketching and cartooning.
• Akila Rajagopalan joins the Mathematics department. Akila enjoys drama and Sunday school.

• Stephen Smoot & Youngju Lee have come from South Korea. Stephen will be teaching English and Youngju joins the Second Language department. Stephen’s interests are camping, philosophy and chess. Youngju enjoys camping, hiking and painting. Stephen and Youngju have a daughter Hannah who will join grade 5.

• Anita Solomon joins us to teach English in the Middle School. Anita enjoys community service, drama, school magazine year book, Sunday school, cooking and baking, worship leading and counseling. She is joined by her husband Daniel and sons, Joshua (grade 11), and Benjamin (grade 9).

• Sadie Strange will be one of the dorm parents in Swedish House. Sadie enjoys cooking, baking, camping, choir, drama, community service, hiking, gardening and interior decoration. Sadie and her husband, Peter, who is already on staff as an English teacher, came to us from Sherwood College, Nainital.

• Uma Sundarajan will teach Tamil and also Indian Dance. Her interests include community
service, drama, dance, music, yoga and badminton. Uma lives in her own home in Kodaikanal with her husband Vasudevan and children, Samyukta (grade 10) and Swati (grade 6).

· Zai Whitaker is back! She will resume her responsibilities as HoD, ESL department.

• Travis Fondow comes to KIS as a volunteer for this academic year. Travis is from St Paul Minnesota. He will help in the Second Language department teaching Spanish. His interests include camping, community service, tennis, track & field, hiking and scuba diving.

• Akansha Gupta (Class of 2000) is volunteering for this academic year and will provide administrative support in KISCO and the Alumni office. She enjoys camping, community service, drama, school magazine, year book, racquet sports and track and field.

• Jonas Hauke comes from Hildesheim, Germany and will assist in the Social Experience department as a volunteer. He will also help with camping and activities.

• Denton Josey is from Florida and will volunteer for this academic year. He will assist in the ESL department and also provide dorm support in Loch End dorm.

• Coco Lammers is from the Netherlands and has come to KIS through Princeton in Asia. She will help in the ESL, Art and Music departments. Coco enjoys band, camping, community service, hiking, nature study, photography, school magazine, arts and yoga.

• Mousumi Sinha Babu, Soumen’s wife, will be volunteering in the Social Studies department. Mousumi enjoys camping, choir community service and hiking. Mousumi and Soumen have two children, Ayaneel (grade 2) and Archit (PS).

• Laure Stevens-Lubin is from the US and she joins the English department as a volunteer for this academic year. Laure will help with Journalism, Creative Writing and Art. She is here with her husband Timothy and their children, Jacob (grade 10) and Leo (grade 11). Laure’s interests are photography, school year book & magazine, community service, drama, nature study, hiking and equitation.

• Archana Trivedi has joined us as a volunteer and will be teaching Hindi in the Elementary School. Archana and her husband Pramod, (Hindi teacher and HoD Second Languages department) have two sons, Ashish (PL) and Pravar (PS).

Congratulations

Congratulations to Shanti Vedanayakam who has been awarded a PhD in Educational Administration from Lorenz University, USA.

Bettina Rieck (Class of 2006), a German exchange student to KIS, was touched profoundly by the SoEx program at KIS and as a result founded Nampu, a nonprofit organization in Germany. Nampu means "hope" or "believe" in Tamil. Bettina has gathered interested people to serve as members of this organization to raise funds for Shenbaganur Orphanage here in Kodaikanal. Partnering with the KIS SoEx department they have so far succeeded in building a cow shed, have worked to build toilets and supply other provisions for the children at the orphanage. If you would like to join Nampu or get more information, contact Bettina at: bettina_rieck@googlemail.com

Way to go Bettina!

Congratulations also to Atul Deshpande whose recent article on Amertya Sen's new book published in mid July, "The idea of Justice", will be published under the title "Justice - Amertya Sen's Alternative Approach" in a Marathi newspaper "Sakal" and a Marathi research journal "Arthasamvad".

Its all happening in the SoEx department

Social Experience & ToK teacher, Bryan Plymale and Isabel Fernandez, Spanish teacher, who tied the knot of marriage earlier in the year welcomed Daniele on 11 July 2009. Both baby and mother are doing well and father is doing REALLY REALLY good!

Social Experience HoD Mathew Joseph has just announced his engagement to Cath Butler, RE HoD. Mathew and Cath plan to marry this October. All members of the KIS community are thrilled at the news and wish them the very best as they embark on this new journey together.
Congratulations Cath and Matthew and Bryan and Isabel!

From the Vice Principal's office

Highlights of KIS Diploma May 2009

Highest number of students since 2003 doing KIS Diploma (105)
All students were awarded the KIS Diploma
Amy Kim, the valedictorian for 2009, had a cumulative GPA of 3.887 and her cumulative credit was 333.5
50.48% of students were in the category ranging from excellent to good
In 2009 the 7 students in the excellent category did the full IB Diploma
In the very good category 10 out of the 11 students did the full IB Diploma (the remaining student took IB certificates in 4 subjects

Cumulative Credit requirement analysis (grades 9-12) for the Class of 2009

Minimum credit requirement for the KIS Diploma is 235 (from next year it will be 250) which in itself reflects a holistic approach to education
All students got more than the minimum of 235 credits
The bulk of students have secured cumulative credit requirement between the 261-340 range (54/105 students)
This reflects our students’ desire to go beyond the minimum credit requirement for the KIS Diploma
The highest credits gained by any student was 380 cumulative credits
Those who are part of the KIS Diploma program from grade 9 tend to earn more credits while those students who join in grade 11 (due to the stipulated minimum transfer credit of 60 for grades 9 and 10) secure less

Admissions Update

On the 21 July, the first day of classes for the 2009-2010 academic year, this is how the enrolment statistics look:

Total enrolment: 579
Grades 11 & 12: 245
Grades 6-10 (MYP): 279
Grades PL-5 (PYP): 55
New enrolment: 163
56% male / 44% female
53% Indian / 47% non-India (representing some 28 nationalities)

We have 3 SAGE students, 6 German exchange, 2 Carey Baptist exchange and 3 visiting students – one the son of an alumnus, one from Germany and the other from France. Just today we have accepted a further German student and a three girls (siblings) who will all arrive next week.

We welcome 38 new staff children which means that housing is well accommodated and that we have a full faculty.

Highclerc has had a face lift with walls white-washed and floors polished. Classrooms have had some reconfiguration – especially in the Middle School Building which is now known as the Arts Block. Grounds have been well tidied and are looking trim and green.

Ganga Campus has undergone a major renovation with the addition of four new classrooms and an extended kitchen and dining hall. This campus now accommodates grades K-8 which number 173 students. I visited this morning and am pleased to report that teachers are smiling and kids active!

In terms of dorms, Swedish House is now abuzz with boys grades 4-7, Westover has been taken over by girls, grades 4-8 and Loch End is back to boys grades 10-12. Phelps has become our grade 9 girls’ dorm, Mayvilla grade 9 boys and Crescent Park grade 8 boys. Eight dorm parents have changed places. Whew!

Our three day orientation program went smoothly despite some last minute venue changes. Parents have now returned home and although we shared some tears with a few, they left satisfied that KIS was the right choice for their children! Kodai kids are not only being offered a solid education that will see them accepted into some of the best colleges worldwide, but an adventure through and beyond the core subjects – drama, music, PE … hiking will start next weekend, as will SoEx … first canteen on Saturday and Bendy Field will be full of “fly babas” this Sunday as ultimate frizbee fever takes hold … field trip week is not too far away. And so the semester will go – schedules formed up, activities discovered and friendships formed.

The Admissions office is pretty much back to routine procedures – cabinets emptying out as the new students’ files are taken up to the academic offices, and desks a little less clogged with pieces of paper! We know that this quiet time won’t last long and already have a number of appointments in the diary regarding July 2010 applications. The information receptions held in Nairobi in June were a success with one student firmly enrolled for this July and a prospective family visiting in August.

We look forward to the coming months during which time we anticipate as much interest in KIS as we had last year.

New classrooms for Ganga campus

Opening Scripture by Raja Krisnamoorthy
“Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain.” – Psalms 127:1

The dedication and opening of the new 7/8 classroom block on Ganga (K-8) campus was the perfect start to the first day of classes at KIS. Before grade 7 and 8 students entered the classroom for the very first time, Chaplain Raja Krishnamoorthy led staff, students, parents and maintenance contractors in the above scripture reading (Psalm 127:1) and prayer dedicating the building to God. This opening was the culmination of strenuous planning on the part of administrators, teachers, maintenance staff and contractors. Throughout numerous days and nights of planning and building, this team exemplified one of KIS foundational scriptures from Psalm 133 found in our diary, ”How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life evermore.”

God blessed on all involved in the building project with the strength, wisdom and enduring faith to complete what seemed impossible. Before the MIDCO members led the students into the building, they were challenged to lead their classes with the same strength and enduring faith to make this year a transformational year of learning at KIS for all students.

Most importantly, we thank God for his blessing on this grade 7/8 project. Next, we want to show gratitude to Mr Bheeman for his fearless leadership of the building team including maintenance crews and contractors. Lastly, thank you to members of the SMT who worked together with Mr Bheeman over the summer holiday to make this dedication and opening possible on the first day of school.

Archives Update

The commencement of a new academic year means more alumni to the community; welcome class of 2009 to another world of KIS.

An archive is a place where history is carefully stored and primarily used by researchers and scholars. A school archive is considered to be a records room which has documents of importance to the school. The KIS Archives has a lot of interesting material which will prove how strongly assertive and influential KIS has been for decades. “The Highclerc Herald” was a monthly newsletter started in February 1930. It was an initiative taken by some students and the first edition was brought out in 1929. It was hand written and contained miscellaneous news that the students could discover. Miss Barber, a teacher, became keenly interested and gave the students help and encouragement in producing the next issue; and this time it was mimeographed. In 1930 the students voted that the paper should be called “The Highclerc Herald.” Papers were put out once a month. Reading some of these earlier editions, proves very interesting. Articles about happenings, possible events, occasions, about new books, alumni news, riddles and jokes are featured. From 1932 the newspaper included advertisements from local shopkeepers. The amount collected from each advertisement must have been sufficient for its printing. Here are a few excerpts from 1932:

Q. “What is the difference between a locomotive engineer and a school master?”
A. “One minds the trains and other trains the mind.”
[The Highclerc Herald; February 1932]

Q. “If seven days make one week, how many will make strong?”
[The Highclerc Herald; April 1932
]
I also came across an advertisement for a shop called “The Reptile House.” Can anyone guess what it might have sold? Footwear, of all things!

The Highclerc Herald slowly disappeared in the early 1990s.

Thanks to Erik Speck-Rosenbaum (Class of 1970) and Venla Leskinen (Class of 1983) for showing immense interest and supplying information on the old Swedish book mentioned in the last newsletter. Though we have not reached any conclusions as to how and when the book came to Kodai, we now know a little more about its content. As we get more information, it will be published.

Tulsi Kamath, Archivist
archives@kis.in

News from the Alumni office

We’ve just concluded our summer holidays. School has resumed..... another school year, another beginning, another calendar filled with the various activities and events that make KIS so special! I had a wonderful vacation … right here in Kodai! Our two big trips included a drive up Cloudland's Peak to spend the evening there under the stars at the side of the cliff, and an explore drive down the Addukum Ghat, stopping for lunch at Sapeeti and then driving back up Laws Ghat! It was a very restful vacation. Kodai was emptied of tourists, the cloud cover didn’t produce much rain (though, now we’re paying a high price for that), the weather was cool and we were able to avoid the hustle and bustle, crowds and heat of the plains where the temperatures soared to unbelievable levels! A few alumni visited and it was wonderful to see them … some after quite a few years.

Prior to the start of any semester, especially a new school year, a lot of preparation must be done and this summer was no exception. The Human Resources department was busily preparing staff housing for the incoming staff, as well as getting many staff homes ready for the numerous shifts that took place since school closed in May! Aruna was one step ahead of each move and has done a great job. The staff of the Maintenance department were never in the office - they were running from pillar to post and back again! The tasks on their “to do” list were never ending and the finishing touches are still going on at the Ganga campus in the dining hall area. So, although the campus was deserted for the most part, quiet and spacious, there were signs of activity. As the start date approached, working hours stretched longer for not only the managers, but also the operational staff. Their hard work is greatly appreciated.

After the dread of the first meeting, the change of timings and expectations, the rewards of starting up again were evident: meeting new people, reuniting with old friends, school provided lunches, colleagues on the job and also the stimulation of new projects and upcoming events. It is good to be underway again. Already routines have been established. The adding and dropping of subjects is coming to a close for returning students and this will lend to less disruption as individual schedules are changed. Spaces are being filled on the Ganga campus in the new classrooms. The Highclerc campus seems so much more spacious now it houses only grades 9 to 12. The Quad was outfitted with new grey colored lockers - project areas were cleaned, swept, painted and readied for the new student orientation.

The “Middle School” is no longer referred to as MS (except when an old timer slips) - it is now the Arts Block where English, RE, ESL, Home Economics, Journalism, Digital Photography and Art art classes are held. The “Elementary School” can no longer be termed ES as it now includes grades 7 and 8. The impact of shifting grades 7 and 8 to the Ganga campus has affected lots of areas, right down to the intercom list! It will take us all some time to get used to the changes. Some spots, people and routines have remained the same, others have had to change.

Already this semester (not yet ten days old), we have held another successful New Student Orientation for 163 students and their individual entourages, opening day with music played by a staff band enticed us to the covered courts for the opening assembly, staff volleyball has resumed, hike signups are posted in the staff lounge and in Ms Devi’s office, textbooks have been checked out, groups like the Ultimate Frisbee club are forming, formerly bewildered new students look very much at ease in the dining hall and around campus and the students got their first homework assignments on the very first day of classes!

On top of all of these “normal” start up activities, one of the candidates for the new KIS Principal position visited KIS last weekend. Three more candidates will be visiting Kodai next week, followed by formal interviews with the KIS Council of Directors in Chennai. As you can imagine, the KIS community is eager to learn who the new principal will be. Our prayers and thoughts are with those making the decision.

As I look to the year ahead, I’m excited about the great potential amongst our alumni, eager to start new initiatives and new chapters, hoping to hear from you with your thoughts and advice on how best to proceed, speculating whether visits by KIS staff accomplish the goals of the school while updating alumni on initiatives happening in Kodai and whether more visits are welcome, wondering who the next visitor might be rejoicing that I have the best job in the world! I hope our paths cross in the near future … in person, by email, via a telephone call … but preferably not by Facebook - I’m still scared to death of it!

Till next time,
Julie Nichol Stengele (Class of 1980), Alumni Officer
alumni@kis.in
KISAA website / directory: http://alumni.kis.in

KIS Giving

Update from Judy Redder, Foundation Officer

After the summer holiday in the US, returning to Kodai feels like coming home more than ever. I now understand more fully, the smiles that come across faces and the twinkles in eyes when an alumni or friend of KIS reminisces about Kodai. In coming “home”, I am also very enthused about the projects that lie ahead for the Foundation office. I now have a very dynamic colleague, Alika Khosla, collaborating with me who is full of many great ideas for KIS. In the coming months, we are organizing a parent and alumni event in Mumbai, launching the 2009 - 2010 (2010…already!) Annual Fund campaign, and setting up a Family and Friends directory much like the Alumni Directory.

“Every house where love abides and friendship is a guest, is surely a home, and home sweet home, for there the heart can rest.” -Henry Van Dyke

Appreciation and Accomplishments

KIS 2008 – 2009 Annual Fund

To all the alumni and friends of KIS who gave to the 2008 – 2009 Annual Fund, we THANK YOU! After one last reminder in May, alumni and friends contributed an additional $8,600 to the Annual Fund before we wrapped up this year’s campaign on 30 June. Next month’s newsletter will include a final report on the Annual Fund, acknowledge all of our generous supporters and update you on how your gifts are being used to benefit KIS.

During last semester, funds for the 2008 – 2009 Annual Fund has contributed to:
• Making major IT improvements which include new computers for the Study Hall, projectors for the new “Smartboards”, projector upgrade for the Media Room and upgrades for the Elementary School server room.
• Royalty fees for the All School Musical “BIG”
• Loch End Fitness Center additional equipment

KIS Profiles

Annual Giving Supports KIS People

The Annual Fund gives KIS the means to develop and continue programs that make this school a truly outstanding place. The Fund creates opportunities for KIS students to achieve all kinds of excellence and has a direct impact on KIS ability to attract exceptional teachers and tomorrow’s leaders. In this month’s profile, new and returning staff.

Alika Khosla, Development Officer

Hometown: New Delhi

Years at KIS: 1st year working for KIS, but during the past 2 years she has visited Kodai to conduct climate change seminars for the SoEx department

Organizations: The Climate Project (India Chapter of Al Gore’s Inconvenient Truth campaign)
Also independently spearheads various global environmental campaigns and human rights film festivals.

Sports: Tennis, cycling, swimming

Hobbies: Trekking, music, reading, photography

Music: Guitar and singing with church choir

Languages: Hindi, English, Punjabi, Malayalam, German

Family: Daughter, Diviya and son, George

“I would like to see a global KIS community with its footprint in every nation of the world.” - Alika Khosla

Zai Whitaker, ESL Head of Department

Hometown: Mumbai, Chennai, Kodai and Bangalore are all homes.

Years at KIS: Worked at KIS 1987 – 2000 as Dorm parent, Student Activities, SoEx, Career Counselor, English teacher and ESL. Returned to KIS ESL department 2006, took one year off in 2008 - 2009, and has now returned as ESL Head of Department.

Organizations: Crocodile Bank, Chennai and Irula Women’s Society, Chennai

Sports: Badminton

Hobbies: Walking, bird watching, writing, swimming

Music: Sitar

Languages: Urdu, Hindi, English, Tamil

Family: Husband, Peter Moore and two sons, Nikhil and Samir both KIS alumni

“I would like to see KIS go back to the pattern of small dorms”
- Zai Whitaker

Sam Laitflang, Learning Resources, ESL, Piano
Class of ‘97

“KIS gave me the skills and values I’ve needed to get through life.”

Hometown: Bangalore

Years at KIS: Attended KIS 2.5 years - graduating Class of ’97, worked at KIS 2004 in the Preschool and Learning Resource departments. Has returned to KIS this year to work in Learning Resources, ESL Department and as piano teacher.

Favorite teacher while a student at KIS: Bob Granner, English

Hobbies: Reading, eating, music

Music: Piano, clarinet

Languages: English, Hindi, German, Khasi, Oriya, Nepali, is learning Tamil

Family: Husband, Gian Sealy Class of ’96, and 3 dogs

“I would like to see KIS continue to do so well and be the school we all love.”
-Sam Laitflang

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Principal's Message

As I write, the semester is drawing to a close. The awards ceremony has just been completed, the last exams are being done and we are busy preparing for the Baccalaureate and Graduation. Such a time is always one of celebration and reflection.

As I look back over the whole year, it is with a sense of satisfaction. This year has seen our largest intake in history and our largest number of IB candidates, both doing the Diploma and Certificates. We have continued to work within our community in relation to enrollments and have just closed admissions for the next academic year. I would like to thank all members of the community for talking about KIS in such a positive light, as a vast majority of our students come to us as a result of a referral of a current or past parent. In addition, the school has invested in infrastructure, our staff, and wonderfully, managed to purchase Swedish House. So, it is a year of achievement and satisfaction that the whole community can take pride in.

At the Awards Assembly, it was my honor to present the first Ashok Kamte Memorial Award. There are a number of criteria supporting this award, but in summary, the award is given for the sense of selfless leadership within the community, which the first winner, Krishnapriya Balanarayanan, is very worthy of.

I am looking forward to Graduation and bidding au revoir to the Class of 2009. They are, as all graduating classes from KIS, a wonderful group of individuals who I know will face the trials and tribulations and the joys of the life to come with a mixture of fortitude and laughter. We wish them well and look forward to them trekking up the mountain to visit us.

May I take this opportunity to wish you all a happy holiday and to thank all staff, students and parents who have helped in making this such a productive year.

Geoff Fisher
Principal

Vacancy for new Principal

KODAIKANAL INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
KODAIKANAL, TAMILNADU, INDIA
seeks a
PRINCIPAL
effective January of 2009/10 school year or earlier if available

INTRODUCTION
Kodaikanal International School is one of the oldest and most distinguished international schools in India, with an educational history going back to its foundation in 1901 as a school for the children of missionaries. It remained predominately a mission school until the 1970s when, as a result of changing demographics in India and within the mission communities, it changed its focus and became an independent, co-educational international residential school. The Christian heritage of the school defined the ethos of the new school, as did its location in India, even as it broadened its focus to recruit an intentionally international, multi-cultural and diverse staff and student body. The curriculum was also redesigned to prepare students from India and other countries for further studies in colleges and universities around the world. The vision and mission of the international school was defined in the “Project Design” of 1974, which was further refined twenty years later in “Design ‘94” and stands today as the statement of the mission, philosophy, goals and objectives of KIS. In addition to having a well-established reputation in India, KIS has a worldwide alumni body that continues to be interested in and supportive of the school.

THE SCHOOL
KIS was the first school in India to introduce the International Baccalaureate and is also accredited by the Association of Indian Universities and the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools in North America. Seventy five percent of KIS graduates go on to colleges and universities around the world.

Education is offered from KG to grade 12 for approximately 625 students. While the majority of students come from the sub-continent and south Asia, they represent a wide diversity of economic, religious and national origins, normally between 30-35 nationalities are represented in the student body. There are 130-140 professional staff that come from countries around the world including Canada, England, Germany, India, Spain, Sweden, Bhutan, Netherlands, Ireland, Korea, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Tibet and the USA. The student / teacher ratio in the high school is 8 to 1. The majority of teaching staff hold advanced degrees. Even more than the international curriculum, it is the richness of the cultural mix of students and staff that gives KIS its international dimension.

KIS prepares students for college and for life. The School offers a wide range of regular IB and college preparatory courses as well as courses relevant to its distinctive location in India and in response to the interests of its multi-cultural student body. A wide variety of extra curricular activities provide a cultural and social environment where students learn respect for each other and develop a greater appreciation for cultural traditions of their own and others. All KIS graduates go on to college, normally 80-90% continue their higher education in universities outside of India.

For more information on the School, visit the website http://www.kis.in/

MISSION STATEMENT
Kodaikanal International School is an autonomous residential school with a broad college-oriented curriculum, serving young people from a wide diversity of cultures. The School's academic program is intentionally set within a community life based on the life and teaching of Jesus Christ and devoted to service in India and the whole human community. (Design ’94, p2)

THE WIDER CONTEXT
KIS is located in the town of Kodaikanal at 7,000 ft. in the Palni Hills of South India. It is served by two major airports - Coimbatore (four hours by car) and Madurai (three hours by car). The School has two main campuses - the centrally located campus of 13 acres for the high school and the 30-acre campus for elementary and middle school. Dormitories and staff residences are also located within easy walking distance. There are extensive facilities to enrich the academic and residential programs including dormitories, more than 75 classrooms, well-equipped science and computer laboratories, playing fields, tennis courts, auditoriums, art studies, 2 libraries, a modern health centre, a gymnasium and a 100-acre outdoor education and camping facility forty kilometers from the school.

The first semester of the school year runs from July-November and, after a six-week break; the second semester runs from January-May.

The School is a not-for-profit organisation and is registered as an Association under the Companies Act of the Government of India. It is governed by an independent Council of Directors responsible for overall policy, financial matters and strategic planning.

The broader educational context is that of continuing change in private and international education in south India. With globalization and economic growth, more Indian parents are seeking high-quality education and new schools are being built, a number of which are offering international programmes. These schools are often commercial ventures supported by Indian business houses. At this time, therefore, Kodaikanal International School exists in an environment of growing competition in which it both faces challenges but also has significant advantages. The school is well-established, but needs leadership in clearly securing its position in the changing educational market place, in setting up and institutionalizing a strategic planning culture and in building a strong development programme.

In 2004 the Council decided to increase the upper limit of the student body to 600 as part of a strategy to survive in the competitive environment of International School education in India. Over the last four years the school has worked toward achieving this objective and the student numbers have now stabilized at between 600 and 625. There is a high demand for admission to the school from both national and international families. During the same period the financial stability of the school improved significantly.

Staff turnover is at levels that would normally be associated with a school which has a significant number of international staff. The school has a large investment in infrastructure and continues to improve and add to this. In addition, dorm space is planned for on the Ganga Campus and we are awaiting planning approvals. A Master Plan for improving existing facilities is also being prepared.

THE POSITION
The position is a very demanding and challenging one that will suit an experienced educator who is able to embrace the distinctive character of this unique institution and give effective leadership. The successful candidate will be able to work with the Council to articulate a clear vision and plan for the future, within the context of Design ’94, communicate it effectively in the school and the wider community, and have the leadership and implementation skills to put plans into action over the coming years. The candidate will have the full support of the Council and the alumni body in this endeavor.

The Principal of the School is the chief executive officer and, under the Council, is responsible for all aspects of the management of the school, including students, programs, staffing, student services, finance and facilities. The Principal serves as Secretary to the Association and Council and is responsible for advising the Council and implementing Council policy. The Principal is assisted by the members of a senior management team of senior administrators consisting of the Dean of Student Services, Academic Vice-Principal, Director – Finance and Administration, and Chaplain.

The Principal will:
- Be responsible for the attainment of excellence in all aspects of the School’s work
- Serve as the educational and administrative leader for the School
- Ensure the smooth and efficient functioning and management of all aspects of the School
- Support and promote the Design’94
- Accept the School’s mission as defined in Design ’94 and successfully communicate it to Council members, parents, staff, students, alumni and the community and based on the strategic plans as approved by the Council of Management.
- Recruit and lead an international and diverse staff in delivering excellent educational, residential and financial programs.
- Be responsible overall for staff recruitment, development and evaluation
- Oversee student recruitment
- Oversee all property matters and legal issues
- Be responsible to the Council of Management for the conduct of his/her work and maintain a strong working relationship with the Council, characterized by open communication, respect, and trust
- Promote, establish and maintain positive relationships with the many groups (parents, alumni, government officials, and community) that are involved in the work of the school.

The successful candidate will possess:
- An advanced degree and experience at a senior level in the educational field
- Excellent proven leadership, administrative and management skills in leading a successful school in an international or cross-cultural environment
- Experience in a residential high school with diverse student body/faculty
- Knowledge and experience of the IB/MYP/PYP programs

Personal Attributes Sought:
- Energy, integrity, creativity, vision, sound judgment
- An effective, accessible and supportive leadership style that serves as a catalyst to discern and capitalize on the strengths of others
- Ability to understand and respect people of various religious and ethnic backgrounds
- Upholding of Christian faith and values
- Respect for children and a commitment to affirm them

TERMS AND CONDITIONS
The salary, benefits and terms of contract will be commensurate with the qualifications and experience of the successful candidate.

THE SEARCH
The Search Committee of the KIS Council of Directors has decided to conduct the search. All candidates wishing to apply should send a full letter of application, detailed curriculum vitae, a statement of philosophy and the contact details of three professional referees one of which should be the current direct supervisor. Additionally, open testimonials should be included in the documentation submitted, where possible.

Professional dossiers may also be submitted by the candidate but the school reserves the right to apply directly to the writers of open testimonials for confidential statements.

All enquiries and applications should be addressed to the address given below. Please note that faxed and e-mailed applications can only be considered in the initial stages of processing. A hard copy MUST be mailed by the swiftest possible means.

Secretary to the Principal
Kodaikanal International School
PB # 25, 7-Roads Junction
Kodaikanal, TN 624101
India

email: prinsec@kis.in
tel: (91) 4542 247 201

Deadline for receipt of full applications: Tuesday, 30 June 2009

Congratulations

Congratulations to Tara Menon Class of 2005 who has been nominated for membership in Phi Beta Kappa by Colorado College. Phi beta Kappa is the oldest and most distinguished honorary society in the United States and election to its membership is an acknowledgment of outstanding academic and intellectual achievement.

Tara has also received a full scholarship to pursue her postgraduate studies at Yale University.

Congratulations also to Maela Ohana Class of 2007 who has been selected to exhibit art work at the 53rd Biennale of Venice, a major contemporary art exhibition which takes place every 2 years and also includes the Film Festival and is recognized as one of the most prestigious cultural institutions in the world. The exhibition dates back to 1895 and this year's event will be organized by the Swedish curator Daniel Bimbaum.

The formal Biennale is based at the Giardini park that houses 30 permanent national pavilions. The Aperto began as a fringe event for younger artists and artists of a national origin not represented by the permanent national pavilions. This is usually staged in the Arsenale and has become part of the formal biennale program.

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