Back in September when the school was only a few weeks old our CEO Mr. Fyles and I took a long walk around our building. It was a beautiful sunny day and Västhagen was definitely at its best. I mentioned that my job as principal required me to make thousands of small decisions, with many of them sometimes feeling unimportant. How many benches should we have outside? Where should they face? Should the garbage can be close or far from them? The list was never ending. We laughed a little about it and then he mentioned that these small decisions that I constantly make will end up defining the school. As the time passed I slowly realized that he was very much right. As the principal of the school I am effectively asked to make tons of decisions every day. Before making a decision I have to consider in some cases the economics behind it, the laws and regulations that dictate how a school works, how it might affect the workplace of my colleagues etc. But the most important factors are always the following; is it good for the students and is it in line with our ethos? I promised the staff, students and parents of IESS that I would never stray from our ethos and that I would make sure that we are always guided by our vision of being academic and offering a calm environment. Do we open the gym hall during lunch time? Mr. Hall our School Coordinator made this recommendation based on the fact that our students were asking for more in-house activities during lunch and that according to him this would better the climate in the hallways. We opened the gym during lunch and quickly saw a major improvement in the corridors and students came to us and thanked us for doing so. It was the right decision. A small one you might think but one that brought us closer to the product that we promised a long time ago. So what about the benches? Well Matilda a grade-8 student said south. She wanted to be able to enjoy the Sun as she relaxed outside, so south it was. A small decision but one that Matilda loves.

All Canadians through the world celebrated the gold winning match. The game was intensive, quick and provided for exciting television. What else could the Canadian principal ask for? The key, according to me, to winning the game was teamwork. But why do athletes excel at working together? What makes the sport world so special? The answer according to me is very simple; a common goal and a very accurate way of measuring it. The goal was winning the gold medal and the way of measuring was the simple fact of having or not a medal around the neck at the end of the evening. Simple enough, a concrete and easy to understand goal. This is what I am trying to build at IESS; to have common easy to understand goals for the whole organisation. This is why I introduced Target 96. We are aiming to get 96% of the staff to recommend IESS as a work place, 96% of the parents and students to recommend it as a school. Our Target 96 also extends to academics; 96% of our students should get a passing grades in mathematics, English, Swedish and sciences. We also want 96% of our students to say that IESS is a calm and safe school. These goals are on a whiteboard in my office with a space next to them called "actions". This is the game. What are we doing to achieve these goals? How can I support more the efforts of the Student Care Team, the Academic coordinator, the teachers etc. to achieve these goals? This whiteboard is my score board, a constant reminder of where the school is heading. We measure this by surveys, by studying grade patterns, number of Action Plans etc. The Canadian coach got hungry young men to focus on one easy goal: the gold medal. My job is to get a diverse group of well educated people to also focus on one easy goal; Target 96.

I often get the following question: Do I need as a parent to speak perfect English to send my children to your school? I’ve realized through the months and weeks of being an IESS principal that sometimes parents worry more about the English then our students do. I see this worry as positive as for me it shows that parents are interested in the school, want to support their children at home and see the communication with our school as important. All values that we also share. The answer to this question is no not at all. We communicate with home in both Swedish and English. Many of our staff are Swedish speaking and our international staff are learning Swedish with some of them nearly mastering the language of King Gustav. If you have a mentor for example that is English speaking and doesn’t yet understand totally Swedish we then provide you with a translator if needed. We also have a parent association and the same thing applies there; parents use the language that is most convenient for them. All of our management team, including myself, speak fluent Swedish (I’m not sure if I would yet describe my Swedish as fluent). Many of our parents have said that because of their children’s new love of the Shakespeare language have also bettered their own English. How about students? Should they be totally fluent to study at our school? No. But they should want to learn English. They should be interested of speaking English and developing their multi-cultural skills. This is the beauty of IESS; everybody is learning – the principal is bettering his Swedish everyday and the students their English. Actually I should add that students become extremely good in Swedish as well as we invest so many extra hours in the subject plus that our Social Science teachers and others who teach in Swedish demand a lot from our students. Our goal is that our students master both languages. But parents need not worry – we adapt to your needs.

This is the time of the year when grade-9 students feel the pressure of the National Tests. In the coming months they will be writing tests in sciences, mathematics, Swedish and English. This will be a real test of their knowledge and competence. Although they've only been with us for approximately 6 months their progress has been incredible. For example we currently have 4 students whom are doing Math A for gymnasium, an incredible achievement. The founder of Engelska Skolan was with us last week and told our students in grade-9 that the power of studying would enable them to make choices in life. "Do you want other people to make choices for you?" -she asked them. Students answered a resounding no. We have been pushing extremely hard our students and expect the best from them. You see for us success is not only measured by the grades but by how a person's will to succeed. This is what Ms. Bergström meant; study hard, work hard and you get to control your life. We wish our students success in their National Tests.

Going the extra mile. These are a few words that are commonly used at Engelska Skolan. Teachers and staff are not afraid to stay after school and spend a few hours with the students doing sports, choir or other activities. We have, for example, students who stay after school to bake with our Canadian Home Economic teacher. Other students stay and jam together with our music teacher. Others play computer games with Mr. Burlin and Ms. Challis. Teaching for many of us is much more than simply being in the classroom. It's spending the extra minutes with our students that make it special. Many of us spend lots of time in the gym either coaching or playing football with our students. Our local basketball star Ms. Daly (she plays for the Saints) usually stays on Mondays with our German-French teacher Ms. Ludovici and plays football or basketball. We also have other activities like a leadership group that organises dances and competitions. There's always something happening at Engelska Skolan - that's the way we like it.

Once a year all 14 IES schools meet in Stockholm, this is a tradition that dates back to 14 years ago. This year we had the pleasure to listen to a university professor from Indiana, USA. He discussed student care and classroom management; it was inspiring to listen to him and everybody left the meeting with new ideas and new ways of approaching difficult situations. As the principal of the school it felt really good to have the opportunity to bring my crew to Stockholm and give them the opportunity to listen to a world known public speaker, but this wasn't the best part of the day. The best part was seeing the people of Sundsvall smiling, having fun together and being positive. They had to wake up at 4:00am to travel to Stockholm and only got back at 21:00.  Despite this they were still laughing and enjoying each other's company. They represented our school very well. Professional, well dressed and taking an active part in the discussions - I was very proud. It has been a difficult six months for all of us but I can honestly say that we have succeeded in creating a very warm and caring work environment and this I'm sure is felt by our students. We love being at school and we have fun together. "This was a good day" said one of my music teachers last night and this as our train was more than one hour late. I didn't say anything but I smiled on the inside. Students deserve a happy and enjoyable workplace. Looking at these people I can honestly say that we are indeed providing them this much needed love.

A good lunch is key to our students' success. Our founder and owner Ms. Bergström has always stressed the importance of offering a good and healthy lunch. Students need to have access to a wide variety of salads and vegetables, good healthy breads and at least two healthy and tasty dishes to choose from. This was a promise that was made before we opened in August and a promise that unfortunately we did not live up to. The food that we offered our students was okay and much like the other schools in Sundsvall. Students and parents complained and we listened. Through a recent survey many of our students expressed a feeling of disappointment as we had broken a promise that we had made. And so we went back to the negotiation table and re-started the discussion with one of Sundsvall's best food suppliers. A few weeks ago Brandstation and we agreed on a long term partnership. Ulf S., the owner of Brandstation, has also been pushing for better school food. His goal is to change the perception that school food needs to be pre-made, that it cannot be fresh and that variety is expensive. His vision matches ours. From January 25^th Brandstation will be providing Engelska Skolan with healthy and tasty lunches. A good portion of the food will now be prepared at the school thus making it fresher and healthier. We will offer our students two dishes (if not three) every day with one being fish. Our goal is still to offer our students healthy food but to make sure that they have a real say in what they eat, at the same time we will continue educating them on how to eat healthy. Five to six types of salads will be offered and whole wheat bread will always be found at school. We will continue to offer our staff the opportunity to eat with the students thus contributing to a nicer climate in the cafeteria. Students will still be asked to behave nicely and follow proper etiquette as IES ethos demand it. But the food will be better. Our students and parents spoke and we listened.

Find and recruit the best teachers - this is the directive that I have been given by Head Quarters. I will have the pleasure next week to travel to Canada with another IES Principal to participate in two international job fairs at two of the best Canadian Universities. Why Canada? Time and time again international studies have shown that the Canadian education system is one of the best in the world and this because of the quality of its teachers. To get into the education program at Queens and London University is very difficult and of those who succeed bring with them motivation, dedication, good organizational skills, a passion for the subject and teaching. Canadian teachers are also known to go the extra mile in providing a complete educational experience to the students. It's in our culture to stay after school and run projects, do activities or coach. Canadian teachers speak English and bring an international flavor to the school. The trip will not be easy. We have to interview prospects for more than 12 hours a day but the simple possibility of finding the gem is worth the effort.

To many people Art is important and to others it is nothing. To most it is described as needed and nice, but fades when compared to more "serious" subjects such as Languages, Science and Math. Art appeals to our spiritual side and there, for me, lies the answer to its importance - are we simple blood and meat machines or are we spiritual, creative beings? Spirituality for me doesn't have to be linked to religious beliefs; for me it is a way of life, beliefs that define you and drive your decision making processes. Art is a way for many to express this spirituality and open the door to their inner soul. A young lady singing her favorite song is an invitation from her to us to discover a secret part of herself that defines her. Something in the song appealed to her; the rhythm or lyrics touched her in a special way. This song means something to her today but maybe not tomorrow - she could be using Art to tell us something about herself that only applies for today. For a few minutes she is opening the door to her soul and letting us peak through the darkness of the unknown to what really means something for her. Art is important. Art is needed. Without Art human beings would lose a special part of what makes us spiritual beings and not simply machines. It adds another dimension to our lives. It gives us a perfect tool to express deep core beliefs that we might have and feel important to share with others. Art connects us together as human beings; this young lady's song appeals and touches some of us and allows us to connect with her and to all others who might also be peaking through the door she has just opened. Students need to be offered the possibility through Art to invite others to their spiritual sides. Through this door they will quickly discover understanding, and respect - and this in today's society is very much needed.

Only a few days left before the Christmas break is here. Students and staff are feeling the Christmas spirit across the school - we've decorated our beautiful school and we even have a 4 meter Christmas tree in the entrance of our school. The New Year will bring with it a whole new schedule and new Student Choice courses. Our students will, for example, be able to study Chinese, Robot Technology, Dance, Creative Writing, Sculpture, Skateboarding, Cooking, Drama, Music, Math etc. The Student Choice courses are there to provide our students with a choice and a way for them to specialize and study a specific subject of interest. For example, many girls in year 8 asked for a Girl Group where they could discuss certain issues, such as self esteem and identity. So we decided to offer this as a Student Choice for the girls in year 8 and 9. Student Choice is also a way for us to let our students do something fun and creative. Some of our students wanted more sports - they now get the chance to spend 90 minutes with Ms. Daly, a Swedish League National Basketball player, and spend lots of energy while having fun.

The last few weeks before Christmas are very intense at any school but especially at IESS. We're planning our Talent Show in December, St-Lucia in the church, a LAN party at the school, a few appearances at local Christmas markets and not to forget that we are working on the term grades which will be done right before the break. Lots to do and many balls in the air. One could say that this is the way we love it at IESS but I can promise you that many of us are looking forward to the Christmas break. With many teachers going back home for the holidays this will be a time to relax, re-group and come back with even more energy. But before we all get to meet Santa we must first focus on grades and criteria.

Students and parents will be given a clear explanation as to how our students are graded and which criteria apply for each course for this term. Guardians will also receive information regarding the LQs and how their child is doing in relation with them. What are LQs? They are leadership qualities that we think are important for them to master in order to do well in our lessons and once they leave us for high school. For example, one LQ is being on time, and another one is cooperation. Each grade report will give information on how the student is doing in relation to the LQs thus helping them to focus on certain skills that might be important. Through this we hope that they will develop certain skills and qualities that will help them later in life. Zappers! I almost forgot our now famous Zappers. Students that exhibit corridor LQs are zapped, the more zappers your class gets the better your chances of winning the school competition. Again the purpose of this is to get them to focus on certain qualities like respect and cooperation.

So we all hope to see you on Dec. 2^nd for our Open House or at the town square this Sunday -our amazing Home Economics teacher has been baking thousands of cookies and her students will be selling them downtown.

At our last meeting at Head Quarters all the principals were presented with a worldwide comprehensive study that basically examined what high-performing school systems have in common and what tools they use to improve student outcome. The study suggested three things matter most:

• 1) Having the right people as teachers
• 2) Investing and training these teachers
• 3) Ensuring that the school provides its students with the right environment.

There is a Japanese saying that says that one "cannot give what he/she doesn't have". The quality of the school, according to the study, can never exceed the quality of its teachers. I agree and IES as an organization also believes this. Find the best teachers, invest in them and then make sure that they are provided with the best possible classroom environment. This is exactly what IES has been doing for the last 15 years and it is what we are now doing in Sundsvall.

I've interviewed more than 300 teachers for the 23 positions that we now have at the school. Alberta, Canada ranks as the top place in the world for its education -we have 4 teachers from that province. Oxford University is one of the top universities in the world -our head of English department is a proud graduate of this university. Many of our Swedish teachers are also "over-qualified" for teaching our year group and yet possess many years of experience in precisely those same year groups -well educated and experienced!

But getting them on board is not enough; a good school needs to invest in them. IESS invests more than 3000:-/teacher/year in further education, we have them doing peer observation, have our heads of subjects and years observing lessons and giving them feedback and then have them travel to our sister schools to learn from other top teachers. They are encouraged to share material and strategies so that the best practices spread quickly throughout the school.

The right environment to succeed? This is what we do best at IESS. Teachers should be able to teach in the classroom. I can honestly say that we have succeeded in doing this; students are able to listen and concentrate in class which means that teacher's can concentrate on doing what they do best; inspire, teach and motivate.

This is why that IES schools consistently place in the top percentage of the best schools in Sweden and this is why that going to work every morning is so inspiring -I know that I have all the right ingredients in place for our school to succeed.

So what's happening at IESS after school? Our choir is getting ready for Lucia and the Christmas show -they will also be singing in downtown Sundsvall for the Christmas bake sale on the main square on December 29^th.  What else is going on? We have students staying after school for the Leadership Club, other students are getting ready for our first LAN party and others are practicing with the school band. Let's not forget the students who are staying with the Math teachers to work and perfect their skills in Math. Sports? Of course we have students who will be representing the school at various tournaments in Sundsvall. So lots is happening both during and after school and of course many teachers are spending many extra hours after school supporting and organising these activities. A big thank you to all of them!

At the last PTA (Parent Teacher Association) meeting, a parent discussed an assignment that was given to students in Social Science.  "Amazing assignment which required my son to gather information, sort through it and analyze it" she said. "Skit bra" she added in Swedish!  But then she continued and said that the assignment was excellent but required her son to have certain skills that he hadn't developed at his previous school.  Excellent comment I thought, sometimes it is good to take a little break in our teaching and review certain study techniques.  I grew up on a farm in Canada and my dad use to tell us "Better to stop a few minutes to pump-up the tire on the wheel barrel then to lose time and energy fighting with it."

The first three weeks in August and September were used in part to focus on Study Techniques but we now see that students need to develop their study skills even more. How to search for information? How to sort through all the information? What is relevant and what is not? How should the information be presented? And then we have all the other skills needed to study and learn Math, for example. The problem is that we are requiring much more from our students than their previous schools, thus the need to better certain skills. A Math evening is planned for all year-6 and 7 parents to help them support their children's studies at home. We have also decided to take a break in Math to focus on these important skills and make sure that students have the basic skills needed to perform well.  The various Heads of Departments will also meet with our Academic Coordinator to discuss this situation and discuss how we can introduce another segment of study skills.

We continuously use study skills as a foundation for our teaching but sometimes it is best to take a few minutes to tie your shoes or pump the tire. The time lost is usually quickly gained. A major difference between us and other schools is how we have reacted to the mother's comment -instead of lowering our expectations and adapting we decided to maintain our expectations and provide extra support for the students.  My dad would have never let me remove rocks from the wheel barrel -"pump the tire and keep pushing son", that's what he would have said.  That's what we're doing dad!

Development talks have started, giving both parents and students an opportunity to meet with their mentor and talk about the first five weeks at Engelska Skolan.  This is an interesting meeting for all involved but especially for our students as they are the focus and they also get the chance to lead most of the meeting. How did they prepare?  Every class spent almost 90 minutes going through what these talks are about, how they should be run and then letting students practice leading them.  Students goals were also discussed. Goals? Yes indeed, every student was asked to decide a few goals to strive for over the coming months. "I will be on time to my lessons", "I want to be a better leader in the school and welcome new students".  These goals are important as they involve the students in their studies.

But tomorrow is the big day.... Halloween. We have many teachers from Canada and with them comes a tradition that all Canadians love -the day of the Dead. So tomorrow our 30 staff and 250 students will be dressed up as vampires, batman, princesses etc. and walk our corridors. What's next? We are preparing for Lucia, that's the beauty of our school -different traditions meet and sometimes collide but it's never boring and always enriching.

We have succeeded! Starting a school is not an easy task, starting an Engelska Skolan is even harder. Why? Because we are aiming for something that is much harder to create -a school where students feel safe.

I can honestly say that I am more than pleased with the product. We asked our year-6 students in an anonymous survey if they felt safe in the corridors and cafeteria -100% of our students answered a firm yes! We then asked them if they felt safe outside and again they answered yes. This was a primary goal for us -to create an environment where students felt safe. Why is it so important? Study after study shows that students do better in an environment that is safe and secure. Students dare to express themselves, they grow as individuals and learn to respect themselves and others. Can you imagine going to work every day to a workplace where you felt threaten or unsafe? We as adults would never accept this, it should be the same for students.

How did we achieve this? We are relentless and we focus on the small things as we believe that if you take care of the small things the big things can be prevented. Let the students sit with their feet on the bench and you then send the message that a behavior like this is appropriate and soon students find themselves running around the corridors, destroying school property etc. But it is hard work and we still have a long way to go. The next few months will be used to develop the school's culture where safety and respect are key components. An outside teacher came to our school last week and was amazed by the reception students gave her once she came in the school -she said that within a few minutes close to 20 students asked her if she needed help. She had been to many different schools because of her work and never had she felt this way. This is why I'm proud to say that we are slowly succeeding.