Lucy M. Gowdie, Head of School
27 September 2024
Spotlight on our Stories
Story telling is as old as time itself, the spoken word, that which we pass down through the generations, being one of the most powerful symbols of community.
There is a famous scene in Peter Weir’s Dead Poets Society, where Mr. Keating leans into the wall, surrounded by his students, and whispers, ‘Carpe Diem, seize the day boys, make your lives extraordinary.’ As he does this, the camera pans out to the story of the school, the hallowed hallway in which they stand now, symbolic of the legacy left by those who walked before them.
There was such a moment on the grounds of our school this past Saturday, as former students, staff, and parents gathered to walk the path of their past, and share in the stories that have shaped who they are today.
Our story matters to us, the people have contributed to each chapter, matter to us, and it is important for us to continue to hear them, to learn from them, and to use them as we grow into our future.
What made Saturday so remarkable is the stories told spanned some 35 years and demonstrated a strong commitment to the culture of our school and the community that it is.
There were stories of those who had travelled from as far afield as Japan to join us on our campus and regale us with insight into how their journey at ICS inspired their journey into adulthood.
It was wonderful to see our students, now parents themselves, sharing memories with their children, showing them their school, and telling their story. The Danielssons of the class of 2004 were one such family, sharing in the moment to strengthen their connection to the past and ultimately to our school.
A remarkable journey is that of Alice, a 2002 ICS graduate, who embodies the diverse paths our alumni take. Of French and Filipino descent, she pursued her passion for art, building a career that blends art and business. Alice has worked in auction houses, co-founded an EdTech company, and now excels as both a practicing artist and art collection manager in Zurich. During the reunion, she shared a heartfelt moment reconnecting with a teacher she hadn’t seen in 22 years, both reflecting on the lasting impact ICS has had on her journey.
Building connections to our past, to shape our future is an important part of our strategic direction, as we commit to building a community united by a common purpose – learning.
We very much look forward to continuing to profile the stories of our Alumni, staff, students, and parents in our upcoming publications. How we tell our stories matters and who we tell them to is to very important to us in giving voice to the uniqueness of our community. Step back in time by watching the Alumni Through the Decades video shown during our Reunion and visit our Alumni Page for more stories that continue to unfold.
We look forward to many more moments to share in the coming months, and to a continued celebration of our unique identity.
Kind regards,
Lucy M. Gowdie
Head of School