Head of School End of Year Letter

Volume 57 | July 11th, 2018

Dear Somersfield Families,

Happy July! I sincerely hope your summer holiday has gotten off to a great start and this note finds you enjoying a relaxing and fun-filled summer!

As we come to the end of another memorable year, it is apt that we briefly reflect upon what we have achieved, update you on the exciting improvements that lie on the horizon, and project forward to what we anticipate will be an even more successful year!

I would first like to thank you for the critical and consistent role you play in supporting your child’s educational experience. Walking together in partnership with you and your family enhances the journey, and I look forward to us making 2018-2019 another remarkable year of growth and development for your child.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the school Board for all their hard work, and especially thank and acknowledge our outgoing Board Chair, Ms. Cynthia Thomas, for her steadfast support and her tireless championing of our school. Over the past two years, with Cynthia at the helm, we have made significant progress both in campus improvements and with the impending plans to expand the curriculum. Her wise counsel, encouragement and sincere feedback have been invaluable and have significantly contributed to the steadiness of this ship. Thank you, Cynthia!

Of course, this is the time of year when we say goodbye to departing faculty. This year, two long-standing members of the school – Mr. Jason Hammer and his wife Tamara Hammer-Furbert bid Somersfield and Bermuda farewell, as their family moved back home to Florida.

Irene Pimentel, (the Upper Primary and Secondary P.E. teacher) is also leaving the school to support her family. Sadly, Mrs. Catherine Chequer, (Lower Secondary Math Teacher), is returning home to the U.S. with her family.

Lower-primary teacher, Hayley DeGregorio, is departing on maternity leave, while Nadia Khan is off on a year’s study leave. We anticipate Nadia’s return for the 2019-20 academic year.

Also parting are Ms. Wanay Bartley (Children’s House Assistant Teacher), as well as Ms. Kimberly Hogg (Secondary Design), Roger McLaughlin (Secondary Math) and Ms. Sue Eby (Secondary Math) who joined us as long-term substitutes this year. We will miss them all and thank them for their dedication to the development of our students and their respective contributions to the school.

At the 2018 Graduation celebration at the Southampton Princess’ Mid-Ocean Room, we bade farewell to our 19 graduates. Of these, 10 are pursuing further studies abroad with 9 remaining to pursue their studies at the Bermuda College, Bermuda High School and Warwick Academy. We wish them all well, as they continue their individual journeys beyond our school.

As our students’ success is our teachers’ and the school’s success, it would be remiss of me not to take this opportunity to applaud the efforts of our entire team of faculty and support staff for their continuous contributions towards ensuring we provide an inviting and stimulating school environment in which our students can dream unencumbered, and achieve their unbridled potentials and personal successes!

Parent partnership in this mission is critically important. As a result of your generous financial support and that of our community partners to our “5-Star Appeal”, the following improvements to our program and physical plant were made possible this year:

New sound and lighting equipment for the auditorium
New technology – 3D printer; laser cutter; new desktop computers for the library as well as the Design and Tech. room; Littlebits technology; DJI drone;
Virtual reality headset
Makerspace tools and equipment; musical instruments
New Children’s House natural playground
Renovation of the field cottage to provide tutorial spaces
Electronic screens for the upper porch

This year’s essential capital projects included:

Replacing failing air conditioning systems in both the secondary and main buildings
Improved security camera systems and external lighting
Upgrading of the computing network and servers
Improving the wireless systems and increasing internet bandwidth
Paving of the gym driveway to improve traffic flow
Tenting/fumigation of main and ancillary buildings for termites
Room renovations to lower-primary and upper primary classrooms
Clearing invasive foliage on the north cliff

The year has seen our “Stars” actively display their talents and passions, distinguishing themselves in a diverse range of interest areas including academics, sports, robotics, visual and performing arts, as well as an exceptional array of community and service pursuits. Consistent with our mission to develop well-rounded, socially conscious independent thinkers, our students have demonstrated that they are not only engaged in achieving their personal bests, but are also passionately committed to causes greater than themselves.

As the new academic year approaches, I am excited by our campus expansion and curriculum extension plans that will see us offer the complete pre-university educational continuum with the addition of the I.B. Diploma Program. No longer will students have to leave the school they love to complete the journey.

As shared, the expansion and improvement plan is comprehensive and will benefit all levels of the school:

With respect to the construction project, I am pleased to share that we have received initial planning permission for the new building. We have also completed the final detailed drawings for the building permit submission. Once the building permit is in hand, and the contractor selected, we will break ground on the new SHIIELD Center (Somersfield’s Hub for Innovation & International Education, Leadership & Diversity.) Please note that room changes (Somersfield Shuffle) related to the campus improvement plan will not occur until the new building is completed.

Further to the building and development project, you may also anticipate the following program improvements in the new academic year:

1. S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) initiatives

2. Learning Support (Remediation and Enrichment) initiatives

3. Character Education Initiatives

4. Eco Initiatives

5. Instrumental Music

6. Increased Health and Fitness Activities

For the past two weeks, the leadership team has been actively preparing and planning for a successful 2018-2019 school year. Our facilities and custodial team are diligently engaged in the myriad maintenance tasks necessary to ensure that the buildings and grounds are refreshed and ready for a September start.

In closing, I would like to thank you for your continuous support of the school, wish you a wonderful summer, and I look forward to welcoming our “Stars” and families back to school on Wednesday, 5th September.

Very best regards,

Carlos Symonds

Head of School

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Somersfield Academy | T: 441.236.9797 | F: 441.236.9789 | www.somersfield.bm