“Woodford International School was the spark that developed me to pursue a career in Education. Before Woodford, my learning was affected by several factors - public teachers going on strike, etc. This started my parents’ pursuit for a new school. As most likely is the case for all kids, the prospect of starting a new school, making new friends, and a new environment was something I pondered on nonstop. In fact, I didn’t want to start a new school. My father negotiated with me to at least meet the Head of School during that time, Mr. Greg Holis, who welcomed me with a question; ‘Why do you want to come to Woodford?’ Confused, I replied,  ‘my father actually wants me to come to Woodford.’ From there, Mr. Greg worked his magic. He took me around the school, showed me the computer lab, the air conditioned classrooms, sports facilities, science labs, and better yet, he answered my questions thoroughly. Soon after I was convinced to start my new journey at Woodford. 

My time at Woodford will never be forgotten. My class was the first cohort to begin IGCSE (International General Certificate in Secondary Education) and it was scary at the beginning, but with the introduction of new teachers from around the world, this allowed us students to excel and work harder. One of my favourite memories during Woodford was with Ms. Maui and Mr. Vince. Ms Maui was one of those teachers that everyone was afraid of. If there was homework or activities to be completed, it had to be done because you didn’t want to be on her bad side. Sadly, I learnt it the hard way. There was an activity I was meant to complete in which I didn't do, resulting in me getting in trouble. It was from that moment she taught me to be disciplined and focused to always complete work on time. 

Then you have Mr. Vince, who preferred students not mess with the air conditioning. It didn’t take long before we tested this. After a game of soccer on the field, all of us boys would be sweating and the first thing we would do when we enter his class after lunch was to turn on the air conditioning and point it selfishly towards us. We got an eye-opener when Mr. Vince entered class and we had deliberately disobeyed his expectations. Mr. Vince would also share his baking with the class and even his gadgets. In fact, after he supervised me teaching maths to students of Aruligo Primary School, he was the one that encouraged me that I would make a great teacher . 

A few years later, I found myself teaching here at Woodford International School. I am grateful for my teachers educating me well, instilling discipline in me, and ensuring I enjoyed my education. If it was not for them, I wouldn't be teaching back at Woodford and giving back to the Woodford community today.”