A Promising Start: Highlights from Pharo School Kigali's First half of the term

Pharo School Kigali officially opened its doors on 4th September 2023, and since then it has bustled with various activities and an enthusiastic student body. As we return from our midterm break, it is worth reflecting on the school's progress and the outstanding activities that defined its early days. We aim to provide an overview of the school's progress. This includes the number of students and teachers, outstanding activities, and a glimpse into what is expected after the midterm. Since its inauguration, the school has thrived, with a multitude of activities engaging and inspiring both students and teachers alike, including a summer camp and summer extravaganza. Here we look back on these events and examine how they have embodied Pharo Schools’ vision and mission, as well as our values.

Enrolment:

Pharo School Kigali has experienced remarkable growth since its inception, enrolling 80 students in Pre-nursery, Nursery and Primary levels. This shows the community's trust and confidence in the school's ability to provide quality education in Rwanda. We have had a diverse student body that brings together individuals from various backgrounds, creating a rich and inclusive learning environment. Since September 2023, Pharo School Kigali prides itself on maintaining a favourable student-to-teacher ratio, ensuring personalized attention in all classes. The school acquired a dedicated team of 15 experienced teachers across classes. This ratio has allowed teachers to nurture students' individual strengths, address their unique challenges, and create a supportive learning environment. We have also offered scholarship opportunities to students in the community, in line with our ambition to offer quality education access to the disadvantaged.

Pre-opening activities:

Throughout the first half of the term, Pharo School Kigali has successfully organized a range of activities that have attracted, captivated, and fostered a sense of belonging for students and the community. We started with Family Fun-day ?held at the school on July 9th, 2023. This was the first time we introduced our school to the public and showcased our facilities. Over 100 potential parents and children attended this event full of fun and creative activities.

?We had a Summer Camp on July 31st-11th August which registered 30 children in the school. Between the two activities we had teachers recruited and set up for the semester. They underwent teacher training, which was meant to enrich their learning experience and bring them to the forefront of our pedagogical innovations.? Another noteworthy event was when teachers and Pharo Foundation staff took part in a community development activity referred to as "Umuganda". This enabled staff to interact with the community and take part in cleaning on July 29th, 2023, and introduce the school to the neighbouring environment. Finally, Pharo Foundation together with the school organized a Summer Extravaganza activity on 19th August 2023 that marked the end of summer camp and summer holidays. This gave enrolled students and parents an opportunity to bond, connect and inquire about the school. This was the last event as we waited for the first day of school.

The School Opening

Then it finally happened! On 4th September 2023 we had 65 students come in on our first day and this number has gradually increased to 80 students.? Pharo School Kigali's official launch was in September 2023. This event was officiated by the CEO of Pharo Foundation, Gulden Kazandag, along with the Director General for Education Policy and Analysis, Mrs Rose Baguma from the Ministry of Education, Rwanda. Among those who attended were Pharo Foundation staff, teachers, parents and students from the school.

Plans after the midterm

As the school year progresses, there are several exciting developments to anticipate. We plan to introduce additional extracurricular activities including swimming and robotics. Pharo School Kigali will continue to prioritize holistic development, ensuring well-rounded growth and success. We will also continue to work toward creating a technologically advanced learning environment by ensuring consistent use of our computer lab. During the term, two key dates will be celebrated, including English Day on 10th November 2023 and a Christmas party on 13th December 2023.

Conclusion

With a solid foundation established during the initial months, the school aims to build upon its strengths and introduce further enhancements. Today Pharo School Kigali boasts several key strengths that have contributed to its success. Firstly, the dedicated and passionate teaching staff led by the school principal Mrs. Peris Kagabo have so far played a crucial role in fostering a positive learning environment. Their expertise, commitment, and innovative teaching methods have inspired students to reach their full potential. Secondly, the school's emphasis on extracurricular activities like sports, music, art and crafts have promoted a well-rounded education, nurturing students' talents beyond academics. Today we can gladly say that student, teacher, and parent collaboration at Pharo School Kigali has fostered a sense of belonging.

Ultimately, Pharo School Kigali embodies Pharo Foundation's education mission, which is to ensure that all students can access high-quality and affordable education and become productive citizens in a rapidly changing world. With our schools in Somaliland, Ethiopia, Kenya and Rwanda we create innovative, sustainable solutions to education that will be effective in the long term. Our goal is to leave a lasting impact on the communities we serve. Across Africa, low enrolment rates have been observed in education, and we seek solutions that will assist in addressing this issue. Finally, besides investing in educational resources and teacher training, we also offer scholarships and partner with local organizations to spread the word about educational opportunities.