Westwood International School

= Overview =

Westwood International School is an English medium international school in Gaborone, Botswana. It was founded in 1988 with sponsorship from the American and British governments and in collaboration with the [http://www.moe.gov.bw Botswana Ministry of Education] . US, British and South African teaching materials are employed.

In 2008-9 there were 550 students and 55 faculty members. The school has a 46,000 square metre campus with 37 classrooms. Westwood is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and the European Council of International Schools.

The Director, Mr. Michael Francis is Australian and the Principal Mrs Phyllis Hildebrandt is Canadian.

See also the [http://www.westwoodis.com Westwood International School website]

Mission Statement

Westwood International School provides students with a quality international education that enables them to confidently meet future challenges as socially-responsible, life-long learners.

tatement of Beliefs

To achieve this Mission we must provide:
*a learning community of students, teachers and parents
*a learning programme which draws on both global and local perspectives and emphasizes the need for a sustainable world
*a learning programme which builds in students a strong moral and ethical foundation within the spirit of the UN Declaration of Human Rights
*a learning programme which fosters student ownership of their learning and increasingly promotes the development of leadership and the taking of responsibility
*an active, supportive and creative intellectual, social, physical and emotional learning environment
*rich, holistic international educational opportunities that draw on the full range of disciplines
*a learning programme which fully integrates the use of information and communication technology
*access to internationally recognised academic programmes which reflect the Mission and Statement of Beliefs

History

Westwood International School was founded in May 1988 under the sponsorship of the British and American governments and several local companies in collaboration with the [http://www.moe.gov.bw Botswana Ministry of Education] .

Educational Program

Its educational program extends from kindergarten through grade 13. The school year, beginning in January and ending in December, currently comprises 3 trimesters: mid-January to mid-April, mid-May to early August, and mid-September to early December.

Curriculum and Accreditation

The curriculum is designed to meet the needs of students transferring to or from U.S., British, or international schools abroad. The elementary school was authorized to teach the [http://www.ibo.org/pyp/ IB Primary Years programme] in 2005 following the authorization for the [http://www.ibo.org/diploma/ IB Diploma] in 2002. In the Middle Years the school currently offers the IGCSE however this is being phased out in favour of the [http://www.ibo.org/myp/ IB Middle Years] program. U.S. textbooks are used as are texts from Britain and South Africa. Standardized tests in reading are used throughout elementary and an ESL and a special needs program are offered. The School was accredited by the [http://www.neasc.org/ New England Association of Schools and Colleges] and the [http://www.cois.org/ Council of International Schools] in 2003 (Kdg.-grade 7). Grade 8-12 will proceed for accreditation in November 2008.

Faculty

In the 2008-2009 school year, there are 55 faculty members.

Enrollment

At the beginning of the 2008-2009 school year enrollment was 550 from over 40 countries.

Facilities

Westwood is located in a custom-designed 4.6-hectare campus with 37 classrooms, a library, 2 computer centers, and a modern office building. A school auditorium with sound and lighting completes the buildings. A fully equipped competitive swimming pool is available along with basketball and tennis courts and a climbing wall. The classrooms at the site are modern in design, well equipped, and air-conditioned. A significant building program is set to commence in 2009 with a new Library and Physical Education facility, secondary Science, Arts, and Design and Technology. There is an active after-school program offering a wide range of sports, clubs, and interest groups.

Fees and Finances

During the 2008-2009 school year over 95% of the School's income derives from tuition fees.

Annual tuition rates, in US Dollars, are as follows: (Accurate as of August 30, 2008)

For new students, there is a one-time, non-refundable fee equivalent to one term (1/3) of the appropriate grade tuition fee. There is also a testing fee.

School Calendar

see the [http://www.westwoodis.com/school_calendar.html school calendar at www.westwoodis.com]

Contact Information

:Westwood International School:P.O. Box 2446:Gaborone, Botswana

* Telephone: [phone]
* Fax: [phone]
* Email Addresses
**General inquiries: [mailto:[e-mail] | [e-mail]]
**Admissions: [mailto:[e-mail] | [e-mail]]
*Official website: [http://www.westwoodis.com | www.westwoodis.com]

Westwood International School Council

Authority of the School Council and articles of association

The Westwood International School Council acts as the overall legal and corporate authority of the School. All activities, programmes and groups within the Westwood International School community fall under the legal authority of the School Council. Decisions regarding the direction of the school programme as well as all decisions of a general policy nature are taken at the level of the School Council.

Election and appointment process

The Westwood International School Council consists of twelve members (Councillors). Four members are elected from the body of parents in the community, four members are elected from the corporate community in Westwood and one member each is appointed from: The Ministry of Education, The British High Commission, and The U.S. Embassy. The twelfth position is by Council invitation.

Westwood Community Association (WCA)

All members of staff, pupils and parents/guardians are members of the Westwood Community Association (WCA). The purpose of the WCA is to create the best possible community environment for Westwood International School.

The WCA committee consists of a Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, New Parent Coordinator, Publicity Coordinator, Class Parent Coordinator, Primary School, Representative and Secondary School Representative. That being said the WCA is open to all members.

The role of the WCA is to facilitate a limited number of enjoyable events during the year. The aim of these events is to promote a sense of community identity at Westwood.

Meetings are held once a month during term times at 5.00pm in the school staff room.

Any enquiries with WCA can be emailed to [mailto:[e-mail] [e-mail]]

External links

* [http://www.westwoodis.com/ Westwood International School official website]
* [http://www.state.gov/m/a/os/1285.htm US State Department report]