The end of Block 1

We made it! On this last day of the first five-week block, we ended with a wonderful whole-school assembly where each year group shared their Roses, Thorns, and Seeds. We are immensely proud of our students for standing up in front of the community and reflecting so thoughtfully. It is clear that the mission of these first weeks has been accomplished: we have established strong routines and built connections that will have a lasting impact on both learning and relationships.

This block also brought many firsts – some new for this year, and some for VIA as a whole. Our clubs programme is thriving, with Model United Nations, Physics Club, and Drama Club now joining the list of activities (Coding, Languages, Chess).

We are especially proud of our Year 13 students, who are navigating their most demanding term of the IB Diploma Programme while also working on university applications. One application has already been submitted (to Italy), and more will follow soon – we eagerly await the results.

Looking ahead, we are preparing for an important milestone. In the second week of the next block (14–16 October), we will host two IB educators who will lead our school’s five-year IB Evaluation. This process will help us grow stronger as a community and further enhance the education we provide.

As we close this block, we want to thank our dedicated teachers for their caring approach to teaching, and all of you, our parents, for your continued support.

We wish everyone a restful and enjoyable break, and we look forward to welcoming students back on Monday, 6 October.