Bustling with a steady thrum of activity that was heartening to witness, 2024 saw The Overseas School of Colombo magnify the values embedded in our deeply rooted motto “Unity in Diversity”, marching ever forward in our evolving journey of making the School a safe and inclusive space for all. This year, more than ever, we reflect on the selfless contributions of our dedicated staff, determined administrators, and of course, passionate teachers who have helped build OSC into the beacon of education it is today.

It is thanks to their collective efforts that the School continues to develop positive relationships with, and between, our students and parents, resulting in a tight-knit community of Geckos whose camaraderie and care for each other extend beyond the realm of school. This atmosphere of mutual respect was fostered in many ways during the year, such as the School taking steps to comprehensively implement Positive Discipline by training and providing resources for teachers so that classrooms can progress further into places where children can expect to feel included, respected, and where they can develop a healthy mindset that teaches them how to solve problems through communication and community, learning how to advocate both for themselves and for others. The School continued to prioritise the development of systematic approaches to support student mental health and well-being, viewing our duty in this regard as a holistic approach to education that goes beyond the classroom. In line with this, DEIJB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, and Belonging) initiatives progressed, and in order to encourage student participation in shaping well-being initiatives, subcommittees were formed that allowed them to share their ideas. In addition, parents were also trained in understanding and applying Positive Discipline, and a new Parent Code of Conduct was shared with the OSC parent community to ensure that an open line of communication remained.

Our Mission of Compassion – Courage – Curiosity continues to determine our education practices, as evidenced by our emerging understanding of the relationship between belonging and readiness to learn, leading to our implementing a Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) and Universal Design for Learning across the School. Recognising that children learn in multiple ways, our desire is to use a wide range of teaching practices in order to equip our students with the tools required to cultivate their curiosity and apply their researching skills in an inquiry-based approach. With the “Pathways to Inclusive Education” professional development programme, and Behavioural and Well-being Policy development, our students’ diverse methods of learning are always foremost in our mind. Our teachers are hardworking and always looking for opportunities to enhance their own skills. To that end, we worked on our Teacher Growth and Improvement Framework. Our outlook on education is forward-based, and technology continues to play a role in augmenting student experiences and facilitating inclusive learning. Our Technology Plan thus outlines our approach to using technology to leverage learning.

Our connection to both local and external communities remains as strong as ever, driven by our commitment to fostering close relationships through a robust culture of service. This commitment is reflected in our achievement of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools’ Programme of Distinction in Sustainability and our efforts to integrate the UN Sustainable Development Goals into the MYP Individuals and Societies curriculum. Through these initiatives, students deepen their understanding of their roles within the community, recognising the power they hold to positively shape the world around them. The school has empowered students to amplify their voices and make their actions visible, contributing to initiatives that enhance sustainability within the school.

As our Geckos leave the School and take their duty as responsible citizens seriously in the wider world, we are dedicated to maintaining contact with our alumni, and are proud to include the Alumni News section in the Gecko Times. An Alumni Portal was also created in order to maintain connections with graduates, ensuring a lifelong connection that spans generations.

With our dedication to the well-being of our students, uplifting the contributions of our staff and teachers, and to bettering the community that surrounds us, we are determined to uphold our vision and continue to foster an environment centred on belonging and exceptional holistic education that truly reflects “Unity in Diversity.”

Dr Michelle Kleiss
Head of School