Dear Parents,

It has been my privilege to serve Hillel Academy as its Director over the past five years. As someone with a love of mathematics, one of my favourite expressions has always been, 'Triangles are strong shapes!'. I have often used this analogy to describe the strength that can be garnered when parents and educators work together, forming the base of a supportive triangle with the shared goal of providing the very best of everything for our children who, naturally, form the apex. The Hillel Family is strong, with a clear vision of excellence, and the talent and determination to succeed. Together, we have worked over the past five years to make a good school even better. In 2003, when we came together as shared stakeholders in our children's welfare, our ambition was to make Hillel Academy the best school in the world by 2013! I do not believe that it has taken us that long! Hillel Academy is certainly the best school in any country that I have worked in, and we can be justifiably proud of our newly acquired International Baccalaureate World School status.

Hillel Academy is governed by a dedicated Board, many of whom are parents and grandparents of our students. I have been fortunate to work with two Chairmen, Mr. David Henriques who appointed me and Mr. Joseph Matalon who succeeded him, and I thank them both for their vision, drive and willingness to give most generously of their time, enthusiasm and considerable talent in service to the School. With their leadership and the whole-hearted support of an outstanding Board, parents of Hillel Academy can rest assured that the School will always be in very safe hands.

I have been most fortunate to have worked with a wonderful Senior Management Team: Mr. Alfredo Bennett our High School Principal; Mrs. Carolyn Lee our Prep School Principal; Mrs. Tracy Melhado-Matalon our Business Manager who has responsibility for Admissions and Marketing; and Ms. Cecile Webster our Financial Controller. Together, we have worked tirelessly to ensure that our teachers and students have the best of everything within our ability to provide and that their talents and successes are always fully celebrated. Each member of this team is a dedicated professional, possessing a lively interest in, and total loyalty to, all members of the Hillel Family.

As you know, the teachers here are second to none. They always put the interests of the children first. They are enthusiastic about their subjects and are always willing to face new challenges such as reaching out to others through community service and environmental awareness; giving of their own extra-curricular talents to foster individual excellence in the children; training for new curriculum initiatives; or introducing exciting technological advances such as the interactive whiteboards. From Kindergarten to the Sixth Form, Hillel Academy teachers are 'Simply the Best!'.

I have also felt privileged to come to work each day in this well-organized and beautifully maintained campus. I offer my personal thanks to all those who take such good care of us: the office staff, our nurses, our technicians, the grounds men, the canteen staff and the cleaners.

I am sure that all the adults in our community will agree that I have left the best to last. Our students are the heart and soul of the School. They are wonderful young people; talented, friendly, well-mannered, caring about others and, best of all, fun to work with. They have made my five years here simply amazing and I am going to miss them all very much.

Thank you all for five wonderful years.
With very best wishes to you all,
Sincerely,

Mrs. Sheila A.M. Purdom.