Asian International School Staff, Students and Parents prepare to celebrate 25 Years of moulding a Successful New Generation

Mr. Ranjitha and Pradeepa Jayasekera have witnessed both their sons become success stories at Asian International School. Mr. and Mrs. Jayasekera had the following to say “From the humble beginnings at Ward place, AIS has developed into a beacon of educational standards, catering to a spectrum of multi– ethnic, multi- religious and multicultural students. We have been fortunate enough to have both our sons, Dinal and Sawin Jayasekera attend this esteemed institution from their kindergarten years, and watch them grow into smart, competent, successful young men. Of course, we must thank AIS for the tremendous role she has played in spearheading their achievements, both academically (to produce a world prize winner) and in extracurricular activities, mainly in the field of sports”. Speaking on the sense of unity through diversity at AIS, as well as the discipline maintained by the school they said, “Being enveloped in the AIS mini society consisting of different religions, races, creeds and culture, has certainly helped our sons to learn to embrace and respect diversity in all its forms. With regard to moulding individuals AIS HAS MOULDED ITS STUDENTS TO BE PILLARS OF MODERN SOCIETY, exhibiting self control and discipline. We raise our hats off to the Principal, Mrs. Priyanthi Seneviratne and the staff of the school for these strict measures of control and the firm disciplinary tactics, adverse as they may seem at times”. A school teaches children to move easily in society and recognise the needs of others while at the same time identifying their own skills and limitations: Mr. and Mrs. Jayasekera further elaborated, “Our own children have learned the importance of individualism, recognized their own potential and found the ability to correct their weaknesses and maximize their strengths. Mostly via the hard way, they have been compelled to deal with the consequences of their actions”. In conclusion Mr. and Mrs. Jayasekera said “As professional parents we sincerely recommend AIS as a sphere of excellent academic and social growth, moulding its students to face the challenges ahead of them. We are safely able to say AIS is one of the best schools in the region. We wish the management and the staff a very happy 25th anniversary and may you go from strength to strength”.

Mr. Susantha Pinto has been a part of AIS for the past twelve years. His elder son completed school this year and is heading overseas to pursue his higher education in the field of medicine. “We are witnesses to the vast improvements AIS has made over the last twelve years. In terms, of infrastructure the school moved to Thalakotuwa gardens where students have access to excellent facilities such as a swimming pool. Academically, the school consistently improves the yearly examination results and over the last few years these results have been exceedingly good”. Speaking further on the school environment, Mr. Pinto said “All those who are involved with the school, from the security guard, to the tuck shop staff to the teachers; they all work with great dedication to ensure that the children are in a secure and comfortable environment. When, I, as a parent drop my kids off at school, I know they are safe and secure. Right from the morning greeting at the gate the students are welcomed in to a safe haven. The teachers, and especially the Principal, Mrs. Priyanthi Seneviratne and Vice Principal, Mrs. Marie Mendis have a genuine love for their students, and we as parents feel very fortunate that we chose AIS as the school for our children. The students are well disciplined and they develop a good attitude towards society, the less fortunate etc. This is evident in the vast number of projects carried out through the Interact Club of the school”. In a message to all parents he said, “Congratulations to all parents whose children attend AIS! We have all made the right choice and are fortunate to send our children to such a school”.

Mrs.Sharmini Reddy has two children at AIS, who have just entered senior school; hence, Mrs. Reddy mainly speaks with regard to the junior school, where her children have had the most exposure. “I can say very openly that my children did not need any tuition to support them through school, even if children take time to pick up what is taught. The teachers are patient and ensure the child does not miss out on the lesson. I can rest assured that the school will do their utmost to make sure children reach their individual potential. The teachers understand the capabilities of children as individuals and hence students are not given unnecessary pressure to achieve unrealistic goals” said Mrs. Reddy, “this helps them to learn at their own pace and to enjoy the studies as well. This is something that parents too need to understand and support”. She further added the following regarding academics, “Primary school students are exposed to the Edexcel teaching system from grade 3 and their grade 5 examination papers are set and marked by Edexcel as well. So we are sure that good standards of education are maintained”. In conclusion, Mrs. Reddy added, “The school has many extra- curricular activities that develop a healthy school spirit within students so that they are well- rounded individuals who are not limited to books, but also develop good social skills. We expect that these trends will continue in the future as well”.

Mrs. Aruni Rajakarier, who has four children enrolled at Asian International School, is extremely pleased with the level of involvement of teachers as well as the Principal in the development of the students. “My two older children, aged 13 and 9, have been a part of the Asian International School family for the last two years, while my younger two children have just been in school for a few weeks. Enrolling my children at AIS assures me that I have been able to give my children the one thing that every parent should give their children – a happy childhood. I say this because my children are able to maintain good grades without going for a single tuition class, and this gives them time to take part in a variety of sports activities. So they really enjoy their time during and after school hours. As a parent, I need not worry about additional costs for sports practices as school sessions are free of cost”. Mrs. Rajakarier further went on to explain the positive role played by teachers, “I have noticed that the teachers are very encouraging and they have a very positive attitude, which the children quickly pick up on. These factors enabled my children to transition in to AIS with no problem at all. The regular assessments have taught my kids that they need to keep up with their studies. As a result, studying is now a habit for them”. She further went on to explain the high academic standards maintained at AIS: “an especially unique factor at AIS is that students are taught the Edexcel syllabus even in junior classes, so by the time they get in to the ordinary level class they are aware of the types of questions, standards expected etc. Teachers use their resources very effectively and teach beyond the textbook, so children learn something extra and they do not just learn for the sake of exams. These factors assure me that the school is not lagging behind in knowledge and that our children get the best”. Parents and teachers need to work very closely to ensure the students get the maximum benefit, thus communication between the two parties is absolutely vital. Mrs. Rajakarier added, “parents are well informed on the progress their children are making at school. Parents are notified of the assessment grades, teachers provide feedback and direct us on the best ways we can help our children as well. In addition, the teachers and Principal, Mrs. Priyanthi Seneviratne are very approachable and for me, the best part is, that we can talk on the same level and have a fruitful dialogue with them. I am very happy that I chose AIS for my children, and I will not hesitate to recommend the school to other parents”.

Mr. Afzal Sattar and his children have been a part of the AIS family for the past 12 years. His two older children have completed their advanced levels at AIS. “In my experience of having my children at AIS, I can say that my children have received the best from all the teachers – both my older children were able to pass their advanced levels with very good results and this is a testament to the dedication of the teachers at AIS. I know that at home, we did not have to push our children to study and to achieve good grades – they learnt to do that on their own, and I have no hesitation in saying that it was the school that encouraged this attitude in my children and now they are successful because of that”. Elaborating further on the expertise of the teachers, Mr. Sattar said, “my son was very naughty in school, but the Principal and the teachers have always had a very positive attitude towards him. Though they punished him when needed, they were also very caring towards him. It is this support and positivity of the Principal, Mrs. Priyanthi Seneviratne and the teachers that finally enabled my son to gain very good results at the ordinary level examinations”. The interview concluded with Mr. Sattar saying, “I have no hesitation, whatsoever, in recommending AIS to other parents”.

Mrs. P. Kandasamy was happy to congratulate AIS on reaching the milestone of her 25th year. She said, “as a parent I have witnessed the growth of AIS for the past 18 years. My eldest daughter Kalaichelvi was at Ward Place and my second daughter Umeswari was at Thalakotuwa Gardens; and they had different experiences and atmosphere which they enjoyed thoroughly”. She added, “in my opinion AIS has grown into a great institution with multi facilities and here I would like to mention that it is because of the effort of Mrs. Goolbai Gunasekera and the Board of Directors. Mrs. Gunasekera was a great inspiration to students and parents from the inception. She was a smart, elegant, strict lady who had an ear for everyone. To bring a school to such great heights, it must have taken a great effort and consistent work by the staff of AIS on the whole”. “As a parent I have attended and witnessed almost every function and every parent teacher meeting and I am proud to say that teachers and students have worked hard in all aspects of school life to achieve the prestige AIS enjoys” she said enthusiastically. “Valuing the achievements of my children I strongly believe AIS has moulded them into well rounded adults”. Reflecting on the past she expressed, “the only thing I missed at AIS was a good auditorium and a good playground”. “However,” she continued,” I am sure it will soon become a reality with the goals set last year towards this”. “I, along with my family members, wish AIS all the very best and we are sure our Principal, Mrs. Priya n t h i Seneviratne, an efficient lady, will take AIS to greater heights”, she concluded.

(JTK)