“Once we believe in ourselves, we can risk curiosity, wonder, spontaneous delight, or any experience that reveals the human spirit”

- E. E. Cummings

As educators, parents, and students, we all recognize that education is about more than just gaining knowledge. At AISM, there is a question that we ask ourselves all of the time, a question I ask of new parents, staff and students whenever I get the opportunity: "What type of person do we want our students to become in consequence of the time they spend with us?" The answers to this question are numerous, and they include fostering curiosity, creativity, healthy scepticism, open-mindedness, and independence. However, one of our primary considerations at AISM is to nurture our students’ sense of self-confidence.

This is evident every lesson of every day in our classrooms and learning spaces. Gone are the days of students sitting silently, passively absorbing information. Instead, we encourage our students to ask questions, share their ideas, and express their opinions freely. We believe that active participation is key to igniting a love for learning and to developing critical thinking skills.

Our classrooms are not merely places of instruction; they are hubs of intellectual debate and exploration. We value the diversity of thought and encourage students to challenge ideas, probe perspectives, and respectfully engage in discussions with their peers and teachers. In doing so, our students develop the confidence to express themselves articulately and contribute meaningfully to the shared learning experience.

But it doesn't stop there. Confidence extends beyond the classroom, of course. Last night, I was delighted to attend the opening night of our MSS musical, 'The Addams Family Musical’. Wow! What an experience this was. Our students' ability to get on stage, sing, dance, and take on different and divergent personas is a great testament to themselves, their families, their teachers, and the confidence they have cultivated during their time at AISM. The stage is a metaphor for life, and stepping onto it requires courage and self-assurance. The confidence our students display during such events is a reflection of the growth they have undergone throughout their educational journey.

E. E. Cummings once said, "Once we believe in ourselves, we can risk curiosity, wonder, spontaneous delight, or any experience that reveals the human spirit." We firmly believe in this philosophy, and we know that confidence doesn't appear by chance; it is developed through action. At AISM, we provide numerous opportunities for our students to step out of their comfort zones, try new things, and embrace challenges. By taking these opportunities, our students learn that failure is a stepping stone to success and that mistakes are valuable learning experiences.

So, students, I urge you - have a go! - "fake it until you make it." Try something new, even if it feels intimidating at first. Take that risk. Gradually, the confidence we try on for size becomes an integral part of our identity. What's the worst thing that could happen?