2021 in review – Wishes for a brighter future

Dear Parents

We are about to leave another year behind us. It was marked by the impact of the pandemic on daily life and the school’s normal functioning. Big ideas for educational progress have been constrained. COVID-19 challenged our individual and collective resilience. “Survival instincts” focusing on the next day took precedence over medium-term objectives and long-term plans.

The taste of reality which we all received was, however, not that bitter. During the second half of the year the school community got largely back to normal by adopting best practices and implementing the lessons learned during previous time. On-site schooling was the norm and the pandemic did not stall progress on several fronts. Well-being in our school enters onto the stage for the first time, European added value is in the core of several projects and we are leading on the sustainability agenda among all European Schools, while our Secondary students thrive in national scientific and innovation contests.   

First and above all, we pay tribute to our teachers for their tremendous effort to overcome all challenges (digital, educational, psychological or just in terms of health), to keep up teaching at the highest level and to support children and families in difficulty. We owe acknowledgement to our school management’s conscious priority of maintaining educational continuity and safety under all circumstances. 

Secondly, for APEEE, 2021 was another demanding and complex year. Management and staff were, so to speak, aboard a ship in turbulent waters. We all managed to maintain our services throughout the year and as long as the school was open. This was not an easy or self-evident achievement. We were the only ones targeting the impossible by serving food at the peak of the pandemic cycles and ensuring the highest safety standards in all our services. Our notification protocols for positive cases were followed on a 365/24/7 basis. At the same time, we followed scrupulously our financial situation seeking to ensure its long-term sustainability due also to the diligent and thoughtful management of resources in preceding prosperous times. Last but not least, we accomplished a major statutory review, we developed further our digital strategy and we stepped up our internal compliance with GDPR, prevention and safety requirements. 

Our motto was “Do one thing without neglecting the other”. With this spirit in mind, in 2021, we involved the European Parliament in a joint reflection about the future of European Schools, we took an active part in the external study about overcrowding, we pushed proactively for another temporary site in Evere before 2028, we raised internal, systemic educational and financial issues in school bodies and finally at the level of the European Commission, we initiated the dialogue concerning the school’s Multi-Annual Plan 2022-2024. We may not have always found like-minded stakeholders in the on-line meeting rooms but we were quite convincing about our clear vision and were respected for the ideas and initiatives which allowed the school community as a whole to move forward. Finally, we supported by all means personal sensitive cases, when parents shared their concerns with us, as “each person is the measure of all things”.

 While 2021 in retrospect was never an “Ode to the Joy”, we cross into 2022 with a common sense of purpose and confidence that that there will be a better future. Our community spirit is ready to thrive again. We wish you and your families a restful festive season and a brighter New Year in health and prosperity.

Tassos PAPADOPOULOS

APEEE President