Letter from Headmaster
12/20/2011
Dear Parents, Guardians, Students and Colleagues,
A mere four months into the new academic year and already it feels as if the Primary school of Open Gate has been with us for four years. Such has been their positive, dynamic and explosive start that they have managed to make themselves noticed everywhere around the school, be it campus or surrounding environs. Congratulations to Mr Luka and his team for instilling in all and sundry the fresh wind of enthusiasm, light and laughter that has blown through the school leaving none untouched. Indeed, this shows no signs of abating and when the Primary school "fifth yearers" smash in to the Open Gate grammar school scene the staff are aware that they will have their hands full of children who will correctly demand the very best of them as teachers. This is as it should be, and we are all awaiting the challenge with relish. It is heartening to see that so many of these "fifth yearers" decided to continue with their education at Open Gate on into the gymnazium section. With the attitude that they have shown so far their future looks bright indeed.
Allow me to take this opportunity to thank those of you who have children in the Primary school for all of your unstinting and generous support of the Primary school staff. Together you have proved to be that best of examples of what can be achieved when teachers and parents work together with a common aim in mind. Believe me when I say that I know of countless schools that envy you this partnership.
With the school now fully committed to International Baccalaureate study the need for student/ teacher partnership is more important than ever. The teacher is there not just to deliver an academic package but must also be aware of their students' worries and concerns, the students, for their part, must feel secure enough to be able to voice these concerns. Without this trust and mutual teacher/learner empathy the student would soon fall prey to stress and the course of study would degenerate into a matter of simply surviving academic demands and deadlines. Our teachers pride themselves upon their efforts to ensure that the Open Gate student not only meets academic demands but also enjoys the experience. My thanks go out to staff and students for the visible evidence of this ongoing and still developing partnership.
Two of Open Gate's closest partner schools - Wymondham College, and Endicott College were represented by their principals on extended visits to us during this semester. Both of these eminent gentlemen offered our staff and students further opportunities to be involved in a wide range of activities designed to encourage professional and academic growth on an international stage. Examples of these include virtual school projects focused on the Humanities and Information technology through to long term staff and student exchanges. This high level of international partnership owes its strength and success to our students' exemplary attitude and behaviour when acting as ambassadors of Open Gate. The praiseworthy letters and mails which land on my desk extolling the virtues of Open Gate youngsters (whether they have been on study trips to Spain, France, England or points closer to home) are a delight to read. The teachers involved, and there are too many to name here, all merit our gratitude.
A school such as Open Gate, with its emphasis on student centred learning where individual research plays a central role, could not exist without a dynamic forward-looking library resource centre. It is apparent to all who have the good fortune to spend some time in the Open Gate library that here there is the true hub of academic life in the school. Every week sees fresh innovation and striving for national inter-library contact and partnership. Library staff - please accept my admiration for all your efforts for our students.
Open Gate boasts a brand new Magazine, "Open Gate Notes". I trust you have all been able to secure your own copy, and have enjoyed the articles presented there written by our students in French, Spanish and German. This journal is not intended as a competitor to the long established veteran "Open Gate Chronicle" rather it should be seen as a partner showcasing our students' abilities in languages other than English. Three very strong publications; "Klíčenka, Open Gate Notes, and the OG Chronicle" currently keep us informed on a regular basis on what is happening at Open Gate. Staff and students involved … congratulations and thanks to you all.
The New Year will see further partnerships evolving on both national and international fronts. These are permanently exciting times for Open Gate, and we as a body of people; campus ground staff, catering staff, security staff, drivers, administrators and teachers alike, working here intend this to continue. There is no room for complacency at Open Gate.
On behalf of the teaching staff please accept best wishes to you all for a magic, beautiful Christmas and New Year.
Yours,
Peter Nitsche, headmaster
