Half Way Through

Een van mijn collega’s schreef een blog voor onze intranet site aan boord. Dit is alleen toegankelijk voor alle Mercy Ships vrijwilligers. Omdat het zo’n goede samenvatting is van het afgelopen half jaar en het een goed beeld geeft van wat de leerkachten allemaal doen heb ik gevraagd of ik het mocht delen met jullie.

The Academy is almost officially half way through our 2015-2016 school year. It’s hard to believe, but we have completed one semester, 5 months or 90 days worth of instruction! In this time, much has happened and things were never dull! The Academy on the Africa Mercy is a great place to be-it’s full of fun and excitement, as well as stability in the midst of change. It’s this stability and constant that we offer to the parents on board.

This year so far-we have had school in 2 locations-a guest house and on board. We have had school in 3 regions of the world-South Africa, the Indian Ocean and Madagascar. We have had field trips including biking the waterfront in South Africa, playing on the beach and eating in Madagascar, visiting the Hope Centre and OBF clinics, and practicing etiquette at the Tea House in Tamatave. We have played sports like cricket, ultimate, softball and football (soccer). We have enjoyed worshipping together and learning more about God. The students have had you all, the crew members of the AFM from all different departments, come as guest readers to their classrooms-over 20 of you have joined us this year so far to share a story with some students! We’ve participated in Christmas music with Academy classes or clubs performing. We’ve had a Science Evening, an Open House, 2 Parent’s Meetings, 2 Jabulani Days, an ACSI Accreditation visit, Midterm testing and almost-a JHHS Retreat! Not to mention the daily teaching and learning in the areas of Math, Science, Social Studies, English, French, Bible, Art, Drama, Music, Computers and PE. And, we are only halfway through the year!
I would like to say thank you (and I encourage you to do so as well) to the 15 teachers that are here, offering an amazing academic education to our students. But not only that, meeting them where they are spiritually, helping them adapt socially and making our school as good as (and I believe better!) any other school, all with only 15 people to run it!

THANK YOU TEACHERS for going above and beyond and doing what’s necessary to truly Be People of Excellence and offer our students the chance to Love God, Love and Serve Others and Be People of Integrity!

Wat een geweldig eerste semester! Ik ben een dankbaar mens! Geniet hieronder van nog een paar snapshots.

Jabulani (dress up) Day: Book Characters

Devotions in een garage 🙂

Once a Dutchie, always a Dutchie!

Een van de vaders leest Dr. Seuss voor aan mijn kids.

Een groepsfoto met onze Thanksgiving Tree op de achtergrond.

Alles is beter na een High Five 🙂

Mede door jullie was het afgelopen half jaar succesvol. Jullie zorgen dat de leerkrachten de families aan boord kunnen ondersteunen in het werk dat zij doen. Dank jullie wel daarvoor!

Dikke knuffel vanuit Madagaskar!