Dear parents,
I regret that I must inform the ABIS community of Michelle Simpson’s plans to leave ABIS and go home. Michelle has worked at the school since April 2014 and has had an enormous influence across all areas. She has been an innovative teacher, an outstanding primary team leader and excellent Interim Head of School. Michelle is leaving us in December to return to New Zealand to be with her children and family.
The ABIS school board said the following:
On behalf of the ABIS Board we want to thank Michelle Simpson for her great contribution. For many years Michelle has influenced the school as a teacher, administrator and most recently as Interim Head of ABIS. In the role as Interim Head she was essential in assisting ABIS’ transition to a new Head of School, prepare and start the new 2020/2021 school year, and help lead ABIS during the COVID pandemic. We will miss Michelle and wish her all the best with her family and her future.
Michelle came first to ABIS as a teacher of grade 3, and after a year was promoted to Primary Team Leader under the guidance of Neil Tomalin. During that time, she led the primary years programme to new heights of academic achievement while always ensuring that ABIS students received a student centred holistic education. She developed strong ties with our parents, supporting everyone so that they all felt welcomed as members of the ABIS community.
During her time, she also saw great physical changes in the campus and played a key role in assisting in the design of the learning spaces. Her enthusiasm for teaching and learning led to innovative ways in which education took place throughout the school.
We wish Michelle all the best as she travels back to the land of the long white cloud, New Zealand! Ka Kite Ano (see you again) Michelle!
Dominic Robeau