Head of School Message – 18 December 2025

Marco Longmore
Dec 18, 2025
2 min read

Dear ISHCMC Families,

As we come to the close of the calendar year, and my own first full year as Head of School, I find myself reflecting with deep gratitude on the strength, care, and spirit that define our ISHCMC community.

This year has been one of growth, learning, and connection. Across our classrooms, studios, playing fields, and community spaces, our students have continued to show curiosity, courage, and a genuine commitment to one another. Features that were so evident across our Grade 6 to Grade 11 camps last week. We have seen learning brought to life through inquiry, creativity, and service, and we have watched our young people grow not only academically, but also as compassionate and thoughtful global citizens.

It has also been a year that has reminded us of the importance of community in its truest sense. The recent sudden loss of our colleague, Mr. Aaron Rodrigues, was a moment of profound sadness for us all. Aaron’s kindness, dedication to his students, and the care he brought to his teaching left a lasting imprint on our school. We have included a memorial video below as a way for our community to pause, remember, and honor Aaron’s life and contribution.

Remembering Mr. Aaron Rodrigues

In recent weeks, we have also sadly mourned the passing of our long-standing temporary cover teacher, Ms. Emily Huckson, who was most recently seen in lessons at the Primary School and a familiar face over many years at ISHCMC.

Collectively, in the way our staff, students, and families came together to support one another, we were reminded that ISHCMC is more than a school. It is a community that holds one another with empathy, respect, and humanity, especially in difficult moments.

I would like to thank our staff for their professionalism, care, and unwavering commitment to our students. Your work, often unseen, shapes lives in powerful ways. To our families, thank you for your trust, partnership, and support throughout the year. And to our students, thank you for the energy, honesty, and hope you bring to our community each day.

As we move into the holiday period, I wish you time to rest, reconnect, and reflect. I look forward to welcoming you back as we begin 2026 together, with optimism, care, and a continued commitment to learning and belonging.

With care and compassion,