TES Annual Report

CEO INTRODUCTION

Welcome to the Taipei European School Annual Report for the academic year 2024-25. This past year seems to have flown by so quickly and looking through the pages of this report, it is clear that a lot has happened at our school and much has been achieved by our students, both within and outside of the classroom. Upon reflection of the student experience beyond the classroom at TES, certainly school life is rich and varied with many opportunities for involvement in activities, trips and competitions. It is also encouraging to see how many school wide events take place for our entire community thereby truly showcasing TES as “a piece of Europe in Taiwan.” Following on from quite an intense period of inspections and accreditation visits over the previous two years, the school has been able to work towards some of the targets and goals highlighted in the various reports. Working groups of teachers have met to discuss and develop strategies for such themes and aspirations as: High Quality Learning and Teaching (HQLT); Continuous Professional Development (CPD); Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) and Digital Citizenship. It is encouraging to see staff from all school Sections participating in this work and supporting “One School with Common Aims.” Additionally, many student activities at both Primary (EPC) and Secondary (ESC) campuses have been combined events incorporating all Sections. Following a period of re-design and tendering for the Middle School Building project, it was very satisfying to finally break ground at the EPC in June 2024. Since then, construction over this past year has focused on foundations and basement construction. This coming year should see the successive rise of the seven levels of the building as the contractor reaches completion of the building work in February 2027. The school will then fit out the various rooms and facilities ready for opening the building in August 2027 for around 400 students from the ages of 11 to 14 years of age. A task group is currently working on the plans and logistics for scheduling the Middle School classes and activities on the Primary campus site, as well as considering the running of the High School classes at ESC. Throughout 2024-25, I have had the privilege of visiting over 90 classes in the Secondary Sections, having focused on Primary classes during the previous year. It was both fascinating and encouraging to see effective pedagogical approaches across all Sections and how focused and engaged the students are in their learning. It was also interesting to note how technology, such as laptops, is authentically used to support and supplement learning rather than dominating the work and activities in the classroom.

Please enjoy reading the pages of this year’s Annual Report - a record of another successful year at TES.

John Nixon MBE CEO – Taipei European School

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