Dear CDS Families!
This past week, CDS founding family member, Patrick Brown, and I took part in the annual Nord Anglia Global Senior Leadership Conference. The event was held in Villars, Switzerland, home of Collège Alpin Beau Soleil one of NAE’s boarding schools. The conference featured presentations from NAE CEO Andrew Fitzmaurice on the overall state of the organization, NAE Education Director, Dr. Elise Ecoff on the NAE Education Strategy, Academy Award winner, Lord David Puttnam on NAE being the world’s most trusted and influential international school group, Social Impact Lead, Dr. Leslie Williams on empowering, engaging and equipping through social impact, and a provocative session from CHRD Scott Kelly on “Our People.” The event also engaged all SLT members in breakout groups on a global and regional level, discussing DNA (Digital Nord Anglia), Global Connectedness and Wellbeing, Resilience and Purpose.
It was a very busy few days but to see other heads of school from the 81 NAE schools in one place created a strong sense of unity and comradery. Personally, I became more energized as a member of the Nord Anglia Family and saw the shared philosophy of taking care of our people, our students, and our teachers, as a priority amongst the highest levels of the organization. It was a fantastic experience but there is no experience better, for me than returning home to Costa Rica and our amazing learning community here at CDS.
One of the Nord Anglia philosophies that resonate throughout the organization is promoting from within and supporting our staff members in becoming their very best. I would like to point out and publicly congratulate CDS music teacher Angel Rodriguez, who today, found out that he earned his Master's degree in International Education from King’s College in the UK. Mr. Rodriguez applied for this amazing opportunity through Nord Anglia's collaboration with King’s College and was sponsored 100% by NAE. His commitment to the program, even through the pandemic, is noteworthy and his dissertation on the lack of diversity in international education was found to be exceptional by his professors. Please join me in congratulating Mr. Angel Rodriguez on this well-deserved accomplishment.
I wish you all a restful weekend and look forward to seeing you again bright and early Monday morning!
Highest Regards,
Jack Young
General Director
