On Tuesday evening of this week, NIST launched its Annual Giving Fund with a cocktail party for the school’s major donors. Guests did not recognize the lower cafeteria as it was transformed into the “Breezeway,” complete with fairy lights and exquisite food. The purpose of the evening was to thank our donors for their generous financial support to date, while also encouraging more support and passing on that message to others in our community. NIST welcomes all parents, in fact encourages them to join in this, our latest endeavor to provide even more opportunities to our children.
During the evening, Simon Leslie welcomed guests and introduced the new fund. The Annual Giving Fund allows parents to take an active role in their children’s education. Tuition fees provide an enormous amount –they allow NIST to seek the best teachers from around the globe; they allow NIST to provide the best curriculum available; and they allow NIST to provide the resources necessary to support that curriculum. And as you have seen in recent years, NIST is constantly improving the learning environment with new buildings and refurbishment programmes.
However, school fees only go so far. Like any great institution of learning, we can always do more. As Mr. Leslie said, “We have dreams about quality and of better provisions for our students.” He gave some examples from the school’s “wish list” which was put together by teachers and administrators. These examples included shade covering at sporting events, flood lights for the pitch, more trees and landscaping, more play areas for our children, and other, smaller items.
Last week brochures were sent to our parent community explaining how the Annual Giving Fund works. NIST is asking people to make donations to the school – every little bit helps. Donors can even pick the areas where they want their gifts to go, whether to the Creative Arts, Sports, Science, or the Endowment fund. As you donate, you also join circles of recognition which will appear on the website and in an annual giving report. The gifts are accumulative, so smaller gifts continue to build over time, so donors join new, higher circles. Please go to the school website, Annual Giving Fund, for more information or contact the Office of Development.
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