This summer, while most teachers and students were still enjoying their summer holiday, 36 incoming elementary, middle and high school students decided to spend the first two weeks of August honing their skills on the basketball court. From August 1st through the 12th, the Cougar Sports Center was filled with the sounds of squeaking shoes, pounding dribbles, swishes, and cheers. The basketball atmosphere was palpable and many students grew tremendously in their ability to play the game.

Did you hear about the 3rd graders making robots that battled each other? Did you know middle school girls were preparing for the upcoming volleyball season in June? Did you catch those new 1st graders eating in the Cougar Café - and with such good manners? Did you see those kids at Peverley Place killing it in their first experience playing field hockey?

The IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education) examinations for the tenth graders are held in two sessions every year: October/November and May/June. Last academic year, in spite of the disruptions caused by the COVID-19, all students at Saint Maur were able to complete all their IGCSE examinations. The results of which were released on 18th August 2022.

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IB DP) examinations are held every May over a three week period. Following the cancellation of the May 2020 examinations, in line with other assessment programs, and in consultation with universities and governments, the IB restarted examinations in May 2021.

On Friday June 3, we celebrated Mass and gave thanks to God for our wonderful 2022 graduating cohort. Father Raju Antony stepped in during Fr Darryl's absence and he prepared a meaningful service where he chose readings and wrote prayers of the faithful that would be significant for young men and women about to embark on their adult journeys. We thank Father Raju for his dedication as a priest and a teacher and his kind words about the importance of education.

On Friday April 29, the Saint Maur Robosumo Challenge returned after a four year hiatus. Robosumo is played on a plywood arena - 77 cm in diameter. The arena mimics a real sumo ring ('dohyo' in Japanese) on top of which human sumo wrestling occurs.

Can you believe that last Friday was our last Elementary School Aikido Club session of the year? To celebrate the end of our first year running the club, we held the awarding ceremony for their very first Aikido promotion to eleventh kyu

This year on April 29th, instead of our traditional Food Fair, we hosted a special 150th Anniversary Celebration Day for our students!

Our Montessori students had a fun-filled Sports Day last Friday, May 20th, and we were excited that we were able to invite parents again not just as spectators but also to take part in two final activities!

On Friday, May 13th, we opened our doors to the Saint Maur parent community for our very first in-person Elementary concert in 3 years! The different performances featured music learnt in Music class throughout the academic year.

We recently reported on the visit to our labs by Dr Aki Minoda, a group leader at RIKEN research institute, mentioning that Dr Minoda was a very active supporter of the Science Department. Today we are delighted to report that thanks to her help, the Biology lab is on its way to conduct a new and very exciting range of experiments.

This past week, Saint Maur International School held its annual Middle School Science Fair. The 6th and 7th Grade students presented their scientific research to staff, parents, and other students from Grades 5 to 11. It was the culmination of two months of research and testing and while many of the students were nervous, they did brilliantly presenting to such a broad audience.