MSA

So as we had stated in our previous blog this past week KISC was visited by an inspection team from the USA. They were from an organisation known as MSA (Full name: Middle States Association Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools – so you see why we just say MSA) and were looking at all aspects of the school to ensure we were living out our values and providing good education.

The KISC mission statement is “To be living witnesses of Christ’s love through excellent education” and it was agreed that this is what KISC is doing and so we passed! This was a process that was started way back in January as we formed a team to guide the school through the whole process, firstly reviewing every aspect of the school and writing a report on it and secondly setting ourselves objectives and action plans for improving the school over the next seven years.

The inspection team spent 4 days at the school and concluded in their ‘oral’ report that was read to the staff on Thursday that KISC “lives its mission and values though an identifiable integration of faith life and culture”. They also said the school was “vibrant with activity and learning” and that students were achieving or exceeding their academic potential.

After so much work that had been put in by so many staff, students and parents, it was great to be able to hear such positive news on Thursday. Even at 5,000 miles away we were feeling the excitement and joy of the KISC community.

Election and Inspection

Counting underway

So the election passed off fairly peacefully last Tuesday, although there was quite a bit of disruption in the build up. The counting is now well under way as you can see from this photo.

This article from the BBC gives more details on how the results are going.

In other news, KISC is all geared up for a week long inspection that beings tomorrow (Monday 25). The inspection is the key part of it's re-accreditation process, having spent much of the past year preparing, completing a thorough self-evaluation and producing loads of evidence to show off to the inspection team. Please do remember the school this week.

Finally we thought you might like to see this piece of artwork that has been produced by staff and students at the school, under the guidance of two of the Art teachers. It looks fantastic and has been set up in the hall. I'm hoping it's still there when we go back as I would love to see it up close. This is what the teacher who lead the process wrote about it: "144 individual canvases created by KISC students and staff. Each piece is beautifully unique -representing everyone's individual God given character... together they create a harmonious colourful mosaic celebrating the KISC community."

Election Day

Public information poster
about the election

Nepal goes to the polls tomorrow (Tuesday 19th November). There has been quite a lot of unrest over the past few days. A National Strike has been in effect for most of the past week which has been violently enforced in places. Buses have been attacked, some while the passengers were still on them which is unusual. It is common in strikes that protesters force the passengers off and then damage the bus as punishment for breaking the strike.

We have also heard rumours today that a curfew is now in place in Kathmandu which we think is due to continue tomorrow making it rather difficult for people to vote.

People need to return to their home towns to vote which is obviously difficult when there is a strike in place for most of the past week, preventing people from moving around the country.

There have been reports of several bombs going off in Kathmandu.

So the elections are meant to go ahead tomorrow and yet many people will not be able to get to the polls or are too scared to try.

Please pray that there will be no more violence tomorrow, that people will be able to vote and that those elected will work for the best interests of Nepal.

Election Fever

In 10 days’ time Nepal is scheduled to go to the polls for the first time since 2008. As in 2008 the task is to elect a Constitutional Assembly whose job it will be to finalise a constitution for Nepal.

Ballot boxes being carried to a rural
polling station in 2008

The previous assembly was disbanded in May 2012 having taken 4 years instead of the originally planned 2. Despite the extensions they still didn't produce a constitution. So Nepal now has a second chance. Some parties are refusing to take part in the poll. One group have called a 10 day “Bandh” or general strike. This is due to start on Monday and lead up to the day of the election the aim being to stop all transport and close all business across the country. Whether this actually holds is a big question, but you can imagine the potential disruption to all if it does go ahead. Particularly to those who live day to day and need to work in order to eat.

The election even got a mention in the New York Times this week, Although not (in our opinion) a completely balanced piece it does give a good overview.

We will be posting more information on the blog around the time of the election. But do remember Nepal in the coming 10 days or so.

On Tour

We have now been back in the UK for just over two months and are a month into our new “normal” life. Sam is enjoying school and making some friends and Dan is getting back into the swing of studying. Mim and I are figuring out what toddler groups there are in Didcot; there are lots to choose from, we just don’t know anyone! I have also been applying for jobs, but nothing to report yet.

We have done a couple of home assignment talks locally, but the travelling starts this weekend. Our dates for the next two months are as follows:

12^th  October: Fish and chip supper at Friar Lane and Braunstone, Leicester

13^th October: AM - tour of Buckminster Road, Robert Hall and Friar Lane and Braunstone, Leicester during their morning services.
PM – Speaking at Celebration Praise at Stoneygate Baptist Church, Leicester.

27^th October: Littleover Baptist Church, Derby

3^rd November: Toxteth Tabernacle Baptist Church, Liverpool

10^th November: South Ossett Baptist Church, Wakefield

23^rd-24^th November: Earls Colne Baptist Church, Suffolk

Come along if you are in the area and can make it to any. Be great to see as many of you as possible.

Now we know Dan’s college schedule we have been able to sort out the dates that we are available in the spring. If you would like us to come and speak at your church then you need to fill in the speaker request form on the BMS website (http://www.bmsworldmission.org/partner-with-us/bms-speakers)

The dates we are available are:

7^th, 8^th, 9^th February

21^st, 22^nd, 23^rd February

7^th, 8^th, 9^th March

21^st, 22^nd, 23^rd March

Priority will be given to Church Partners and there maybe some flexibility for those churches if none of these dates are suitable. Just ask BMS.

New Teachers

This week teachers are going back to work across the country as schools begin back. Being teachers we know quite a few and we've been watching many comments on Facebook from them showing different feelings regarding the fresh start. Many teachers will of course be beginning new jobs. Just before we returned to the UK we spoke to some of the new teachers at KISC, who of course started back in August. We asked them why they decided to come teach at KISC.

Here’s what they said.

Debbie Gough

New Zealand - Head of Science Faculty, Biology IGCSE & AS teacher

I came to visit last year and felt at home straight away with the people here. It’s a really nice friendly, warm and inviting atmosphere. The environment is really nice, with the pot plants and the buildings and the way they are maintained is amazing and makes you want to be in this place. Also I like the fact the classes are small with 20 or so students which means you can actually get to know your students quite well during the year and get to build up relationships with them. I also like the fact that KISC has a real focus on actually developing people as individuals as well as the academic focus, which means it’s more holistic.

Suzie Parr

England - Design Technology Teacher and Primary Art, Year 10 Form teacher.

I decided to come to KISC because I heard about it a year ago from a friend who was here. I got excited about what KISC was trying to do both here and across the whole of Nepal. I’m very passionate about creative learning and so I thought it was an opportunity to come and share my knowledge and skills in another country and ultimately because I felt God called me to come here.

Tara Fairty

USA - Year 5 Teacher

The school is how I want to teach, their passion for education and how they want to do student centred learning. Everything is centred on Christ, it’s biblical, it’s not legalistic how they look at the bible, they look at it through grace, they want to love all their students. These are all the qualities that as I was learning to be a teacher, they were the things I wanted to be able to do in a school and I never found any schools [like that]. When I met people from KISC everything they mentioned, everything they talked about was everything I wanted to be in a teacher, so I said I don’t really care where you are, I want to go there.

Luke & Tonya Padgett

Australia - Luke: Maths teacher, Year 11 Form tutor - Tonya: Chemistry teacher, Year 12/13 Form tutor

Luke: I grew up in Nepal and always thought I wanted to come back and then I visited here 3 years ago and caught the vision basically, and decided I wanted to come teach here.

Tonya: I married Luke and it was part of the package!

Packing, Travelling, Starting anew, Finishing off, Travelling, Wedding, Moving

The packing begins

The title sums up the last 3 weeks in the Parnell family. 3 weeks ago we were in the midst of piles of suitcases, piles of clothes and toys and the rather complex jigsaw puzzle of fitting everything we hoped to take to England into our baggage allowance, and arranging everything we were leaving behind in a liveable manner for the couple taking on our flat.

Sam enjoying the travel

Then 2 ½ weeks ago, Becky, Sam & Mim headed out. Thank you so much for those who prayed for them that day, as the journey went incredibly smoothly and the kids did great. After “The Longest Day” of travelling they arrived at Becky's parents about 24 hours after they had awoken in Nepal. Although it was still technically the same day.

Becky & the kids then had 10 days in England to settle in, renew relationships with the Grandparents and learn about England and it's strange ways. For Mim this was her first time in England since she was 6 weeks old and for Sam England was more a concept than real memories. So it has been great to see how well they have adjusted and how much they are enjoying simple things like a garden, car seats and squash.

Becky & kids arrive home

Dan remained to finish off at KISC, but also start off. His ten days involved finishing off all his work ready to leave Nepal. But last week was also the first week of the new school year and so he was also helping get all that started, and helping new staff to settle into KISC.

Wedding Day

And then came Dan's turn to travel, finishing work at 6pm and flying at 11pm may not be the healthiest way to do it, but obviously it was a lot easier doing it alone. But then within 24 hours of touchdown we were off to a family wedding. This was a great day, and a great opportunity to catch up with one side of Becky's family in one fell swoop.

And then the move. Becky & the kids had been staying with her parents for the last 2 weeks and I joined them for the weekend. But yesterday we were able to move into the house we will be living in for the year. This is the same house we lived in when Sam was born and we are so blessed to have a house for ourselves for the year. It's looking a bit of a mess at the minute, but we are slowly getting unpacked and settling in. Into our house and into the UK.