When I was invited to write a little bit about myself for the BISR community, I turned to my seven year old daughter for inspiration. She said, ‘just tell them you are bald!’ Although true, her contribution was less than helpful, so cast my mind back over the past 30 years or so in education and selected the highlights. I started my career in a comprehensive school in Essex in the UK as a teacher of geography. As I mentioned to the staff during my visit last month, it was a tough place to begin a career as a teacher, but I learnt a lot, and after three years moved to a new school in Staffordshire, where I undertook a number of roles including head of department, year leader, head of faculty and senior teacher. During this period I was lucky enough to win a Fulbright scholarship to study and teach at New York University for a year. In 1993 I made the decision to move into the international field and took up a post in Kenya as Head of Sixth form and Deputy Head in a new British curriculum school. Two years later, I moved to The Bavarian International School, Munich, as I B coordinator, before moving back to Kenya in 1997 as Head of an international boarding school. I left after seven years to take up the post of Head of School at the British School Manila, where I have been until this year.
I feel excited and privileged to be joining the BISR community, and I look forward to working with highly motivated students, a very committed board, enthusiastic and passionate teachers, and supportive parents to build on previous successes that the school has enjoyed, and to maintain its position as a leading British international school. As an avid football supporter, (though not of Manchester United) I was interested to read Sir Alex Ferguson’s comments recently about the success of his team. He said simply that it is down to hard work at every level of the organisation. That struck a chord with me, and I think that with the excellent teachers of BISR we will be able to continue the drive for excellence in every area of school life.
I believe strongly in a holistic education and that the extra-curricular and co-curricular activities are as important as the formal curriculum. Our boys and girls must develop their natural curiosity and acquire the skills necessary to conduct inquiry and research. They must be able to explore concepts, ideas and issues that have global significance, and exercise initiative in applying thinking skills effectively, and to make reasoned, ethical decisions. They must be able to understand and address ideas and information effectively, and act with honesty and integrity, with a strong sense of justice and fairness. They must take responsibility for their own actions. Students of international schools must also try to understand and appreciate their own cultures and be open to the perspectives, values and traditions of others. They should show empathy, compassion and respect towards the needs and feelings of others, and have the independence of spirit to explore new roles, ideas and strategies. They should also give thoughtful consideration to their own learning and experience. If we are able to provide an environment which offers all these, our children will thrive.
I will arrive in Riyadh in early August, so do drop by the school if you are still in the city. I will be joined by my wife, Louise, and two young daughters, aged four and seven, hopefully by the time the school opens, all ready for a busy and exciting school year. I look forward to meeting you and working with you.
Chris Mantz
June 2011
In business partnership with BISR
Copyright 2009 @ British International School, Riyadh.
