Dear Parents,

As I said to the volunteer parents yesterday at the coffee morning, I cannot believe that it is now the final week. The funny thing about time is that in hindsight it seems to go so fast. Just a moment ago it was 2nd January and I was just commencing this post, and in the blink of an eye I have travelled 11 months to the destination we call today. And let me tell you what a journey it has been. Before I continue with this final newsletter for the year, let me take the opportunity now to thank you all parents for your support, cooperation and positive attitude. Even when there were concerns and issues, I have been taken aback by your warmth and your generosity and I have been most indebted to you. It is by working together that we can make this school even better and now with the PTF in place we are ready to tackle many of the issues and challenges of 2020. I thank you all and please know that my door is always open to express a concern or to simply say hello and have a cup of coffee with me which I also enjoy when I have the chance. Thank you to those of you who have come by to see me, it is greatly appreciated.

Well, what a couple of weeks it has been! A lot of celebrations have taken place and it has been a whirlwind. Last Friday I was deeply honoured to lead the school in its third graduation. I thought it was one of the best I have attended and praise must go to all the people involved for making this happen so smoothly. The students looked fabulous in their robes and I felt that it was very successful: as a spectacle, it was smooth and professional and as a celebration, it had the right amount of solemnity and levity and was moving as a ceremony of this calibre ought to be.

On nearly equal footing, I also attended the Primary and Secondary Sports Awards. I thought these were excellent. Little vignettes like the players' voices were a lovely touch. Just the fact that you can have so many students on stage whether they received a trophy or not is recognising their efforts and the various categories of awards are also an attempt to spread the celebration.

Yesterday it was the turn of Year 6 and it was no less meaningful in that these students have finished one stage of their lives and are now moving on to the next. It will be an exciting year for them in Secondary. On top of this I have attended a variety of exit points and have said goodbye to a few of the teachers leaving. We will be sad to say goodbye to all teachers and students who are leaving but I wish them the very best in their next chapter and please know that you all have a part in the TIS Puchong story.

Finally, I would like to say thank you once again for a wonderful year. Thank you to all the staff who have worked endlessly and tirelessly to improve teaching and learning at TIS Puchong and to try and produce excellence as much as we can. This is our goal and we are slowly but surely getting there.

Have a restful holiday and I look forward to seeing you all again next year.

Kind regards
Stefano Piumatti
Principal of Taylor’s International School Puchong