NEWSLETTERS

OLASHORE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL ILOKO-IJESHA

 

Principal’s Newsletter for July, 2011.

 

Another academic session draws to a close. All the external examinations have concluded. The Year 12 students have graduated and have left for pastures new. I would like to take this opportunity to wish them well; where-ever they may find themselves next year – University, Sixth Form College or on a Foundation Programme, I know a number of them are returning to complete the LUFP course as a route for entering a UK university of their choice. Irrespective of whether they are here in Nigeria, the US, the UK or scattered throughout the world, they will always have a special place in our prayers. They will always be our OIS students. I am sure their examination results will be good when they are published later this year - Good luck to them. Before I move on, I am delighted to be able to report that this year’s Year 12’s JAMB results have already been released and overall they are the best in the history of the School. The top two students, Miss Oluwakanyinsola AJAYI and Miss Morolake OMOYA scored 297 and 289 respectively and surpassed, by quite a considerable amount, the highest scores recorded last year; which up to that point were the best ever. Congratulations, I pray that this is the precursor of a good set of WAEC and iGCSE results.

 

Continuing on the theme of success, Miss Omolola OLAOSEBIKAN represented the School at the Science Teachers Association of Nigeria (STAN) Science Competition earlier this month where she emerged as the Osun State winner and will go on to represent the State in the grand national final in August. We congratulate her and wish her all the best in the final and hope she is equally successful in this competition.

 

Last month the School concluded the term’s Team competitions in Rounders, Softball and 7-a-side Football. These events were hotly contested and there were some very good matches. The “spoils went to the victors” but this was fairly evenly distributed amongst the Teams. The competitions were very well organised & supported and this helped to make it enjoyable for all.

The Public Speaking and Fastest & Best Competition results are yet to be concluded and the overall winners of the Team competition will be announced at the final assembly of the session, this Friday.

 

The School play “The Gods are not to Blame” was performed at the beginning of this month and was absolutely fantastic – certainly one of the best school productions I have ever seen and I have seen quite a few in my time. There were superb performances from the actors and excellent production from the whole team, very ably led by Mr. Funminiyi & Revd. Owoso. I am sure this will go from strength to strength and will continue to be supported by the School.

 

The Senior Boys’ Basketball team travelled to Ilesa to play a friendly match against the Osun State Champions – Bishop School. It was a hotly contested game throughout, played at a fast pace and saw some brilliant individual skills from both sides. The game was high scoring and decided only in the last two minutes. OIS just lost 94 – 87, but the team gave the opposition a “run for its money”.

The Seniors also participated in the inaugural High Chief Ogunsanya knockout football competition. The School won its first match 3 -1 against the favourites of the competition, Emmanuel School. A tough first round, with the eventual score not reflecting of how close the game actually was. The School progressed to the final where we met our sister school – Iloko Model College. This too was a hard fought match packed with action & excitement but OIS emerged victorious with a narrow 3 – 2 win. Just over a week later, the School played a friendly against IMC where we fielded a mainly second IX a match which was drawn.

The School has greatly enhanced the sports equipment facilities with the financial assistance from the PTA – which is greatly appreciated. The following items have been purchased to enhance our provision: soccer balls, flags & nets, handballs, training bibs, volleyballs, table tennis tables, gymnastic floor mats, weight training equipment, rounders’ bases, new goal posts and of course new basketball rings, backboards & nets. Only half the money has been spent and there is still a considerable sum of money to be spent in preparation for next term.

 

The Young Farmer’s Club visited IITA, Red House had all the Year 10 girls climb the mountains out at Idanre Hills, whilst the Senior House Boys planned an Endurance Trek to Ijebu-Jesha. I hope that Houses & Clubs will plan and undertake more trips & excursions next year.

 

Two lecturers, Dr. Perry & Ms. Barbara Hey, and 4 teacher trainees visited OIS at the beginning of June. The staff stayed for a week and worked with OIS & IMC staff to support the development of teaching & learning skills. The teacher trainees spent two weeks working in the Mathematics, Business Studies & Physical Sciences Departments alongside our teachers as well as delivering lesson themselves. The trainees contributed considerably to raising the standards at OIS as well as learning a lot to prepare themselves to enter the profession back in the UK. I hope that this will be repeated next year with the trainees working in different departments.

 

The Federal Government has introduced a new curriculum in both the Junior & Senior Schools (Year 10 only this year). The changes are immediate and are far reaching in terms of what we teach & the resources required to enable the School to do so. Subjects once compulsory are no longer so and new subjects have to be introduced, extended and/or made examinable. Consequently, there has been a restructuring of departments, a number of staff will be leaving at the end of the session and a number of new staff appointed for September. I would like to thank those staff who are leaving for their contribution in helping the School develop & grow. Their efforts are greatly appreciated and they will be sadly missed but we wish them all the best for the future, where-ever that may be.

 

The Lancaster University Foundation Programmes looks as if it will expand considerably next session. The number of students who have applied has exploded. The facilities have been enhanced and new independent accomodation has been built for them. This too will be expanded next year. Also ‘A’ Level provision is also being offered.

 

Early in the start of next session, the School’s e-learning initiative will be rolled out throughout the School. The infra-structure and supporting software will be in place but parents must ensure that their sons & daughters have a laptop with them so that all students can utilise the new provision.

 

I would like to wish parents and students alike a safe journey as they embark on the long vacation. I hope that you have a splendid holiday. For those who are returning in September, we look forward to your contribution to the next academic session, some of whom will be in new houses. Those of you who are leaving OIS, we wish you well for the future and we are confident that you will take a bit of OIS with you when you go and you will continue to be successful.

 

I hope you have a happy holiday and I am looking forward; as I am sure you are, to another successful year.

 

 

 

 

Mr. S. A. Valentine

(Principal)

 

Principal's Newsletter for Term 2, 2011