Head of School Message – 29 January 2026

Marco Longmore
Jan 29
2 min read

Dear ISHCMC Community,

After some extended travel for staff recruitment for the next academic year, it is good to be back home at ISHCMC.

As we gather to celebrate Tet and welcome the Year of the Horse, I extend my sincere gratitude to our Vietnamese families and colleagues for sharing their traditions, culture, and stories with us. Whether by nationality or by the privilege of living and learning in this beautiful country, this season invites us to reflect on what connects us. We now look ahead with optimism, purpose, and anticipation for great things and learnings to come. We are truly ‘Grounded in Vietnam, grown to thrive across the world’.

At the same time, our community has experienced a profound loss. We are deeply saddened by the passing of our former Primary Vice Principal, Ms. Lianne Kalapaca, who began this academic year with us before returning to Canada for health reasons. Ms. Lianne was a compassionate leader, a devoted educator, and a cherished member of our ISHCMC family for 12 years. Her care for students, her support for colleagues, and her commitment to our values were evident in her work each day. Her presence enriched our community, and her legacy will continue to guide and inspire us.

In moments of both celebration and sorrow, the strength of our community is found in our shared spirit and mutual support. In this spirit, I am proud to recognize the many recent achievements of our students. Congratulations to our Junior Boys Football Team on their first-place finish at the ASAC Tournament in Phnom Penh and to our Girls Football Team on securing third place.

We also commend our ISHCMC Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) Chapter for emerging as city champions at the Student Entrepreneurship Innovation Association (SEIA) Business Competition, and our Model United Nations Club (ISHMUN) for hosting the ISHMUN 2026 Conference.

These accomplishments reflect perseverance and teamwork. Behind every success stands a dedicated network of teachers, coaches, staff, and families who nurture confidence, curiosity, and growth in our students.

As mentioned above, members of the leadership team and I met prospective educators at an international recruitment fair. This experience reinforced that teacher recruitment is a core leadership responsibility, grounded in research, due diligence, and alignment with our mission:

For families, the quality of our teachers builds trust.
For students, it shapes learning and character.
For our school, it sustains excellence in an ever-changing world.

With this in mind, we will continue our search for future educators who will bring ISHCMC’s mission and values to life.

As we enter this new year together, we do so with gratitude for one another, confidence in our shared purpose, and a continued commitment to learning, care, and community.

Best wishes,