Back to School 2017 2018

The challenges were huge at the beginning of the new academic year 2017/2018. The intermediate section of the academic department was temporarily closed for one year. Students of Grades 7 to 9 were accepted in the boarding department, but they had to follow their education during the day in the nearby government school of Kifrayya.
Daily transportation to Kifrayya school and back had to be arranged for them. Our partners in the UK, Embrace the Middle East kindly accepted to sponsor this additional cost for one year.
The weekend in Kifrayya school is Fridays and Sundays when it is Saturdays and Sundays in JLSS. This was an additional practical but also financial burden. We needed to arrange for two educators to look after the boys and girls from Fridays to Saturdays. The holidays are also different, and this is yet another complication.

In spite of the enormous financial challenges of the new salary scale and its consequences on our academic program and staff, through the grace of God, the wisdom of board members, the kind support of our partners mainly EVS/EMS, and the dedication of our teachers, trainers, and members of staff, JLSS survived the most difficult challenge since its founding in 1952. It immerged resilient with good financial standing ready to continue its sacred mission to needy children into the future.

Boarding students returned to JLSS after the long summer holiday on Sunday 17 September 2017. Classes in both the academic and vocational departments started on Monday September 18.

The total number of students this year is 235. The number of boarding students was not affected by the change in the academic department. It remained like last year with 93 boarding students. The number of vocational students is 84.

The schedule of classes in the vocational department was revised to address the needs of students and to comply with the changes in the curriculum as stipulated by the Department of Vocational Training in the Ministry of Education. This was well received by students, teachers, and trainers.

Students, trainers, teachers, and members of staff are always happy to return to school to see the benefits of all the summer projects that we were able to implement thanks to the wonderful support of our partners. This year was no exception. The newly renovated basketball court and the pipe organ in St. Michael's Church were the two main attraction.
Boarding students enjoyed singing to the new pipe organ every evening during chapel services. Everyone was looking forward to the inauguration concerts planned on 3 December 2017 and 7 January 2018.
The girls boarding homes and Stammeier Library are better heated this year at a much cheaper cost thanks to the completion of the 4th stage of the energy project. Kitchen and laundry staff finally have central heating. The main kitchen is much safer for our cooks now with its floor and plumbing completely renovated. 
We praise God for this new beginning in spite of the enormous difficulties that preceded it. "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear." (Psalm 46.1)