From Head of School
Dear FIS community,
In the coming months, I will be using this space to update you periodically on our actions and progress in support of the objectives of our strategic plan adopted last spring.
Today, I will focus on our strategic objective of recruiting and retaining world-class faculty, a cornerstone in the continuous pursuit of excellence at FIS.
In our commitment to providing an exceptional learning environment, we recognize that the calibre of our faculty is instrumental. We have embarked on a comprehensive review of our compensation, benefits, and performance evaluation systems to ensure that they align with the high standards we set for our educators.
To facilitate this process, the school has enlisted the expertise of an external consultant with a distinguished track record of collaborating with a large number of international schools, in Hong Kong and worldwide, including schools within the AEFE network. Their wealth of experience and global perspective has proven invaluable in shaping strategies that attract and retain top-tier talent. The consultants had conducted dozens of interviews in September and delivered an internal report to be used by the committees described below.
The consultation process will last all year and involve a collaborative effort from 45 individuals. This includes members of our Board of Directors, senior leaders, and representatives from our esteemed faculty, organised in three subcommittees focused on each of the areas of the project: compensation, benefits, and performance evaluation. The diverse perspectives of participants will contribute to a holistic understanding of the needs and expectations of our academic community. I am grateful to all of them who will dedicate long hours to the project and model the culture of collaboration at the heart of the strategy.
Compensation is a critical component of attracting and retaining world-class educators. Through the review process, we aim to ensure that our compensation packages are not only competitive on an international scale but also reflective of the dedication and expertise our faculty brings to the classrooms every day. We want to make sure they are perceived as fair, equitable, and competitive. This commitment extends beyond monetary considerations; we strive to provide benefits that support the overall well-being of our faculty.
Performance evaluation is another key aspect of the review. Our strategy mentions developing a culture of growth and accountability, and an effective evaluation system is pivotal in achieving this goal. The external consultant is working closely with our committees to refine and enhance our evaluation processes. This includes incorporating best practices from successful international schools to create a framework that recognises and rewards excellence while providing constructive feedback for professional growth.
In closing, recruiting and retaining world-class faculty is not just a strategic goal for FIS; it is a commitment to delivering the highest quality education to our students. By investing in our educators, we invest in the future success of our students, and ultimately, in the continued excellence of our school.
Thank you for your ongoing support, and I look forward to sharing more updates as we progress on the important journey of fulfilling the objectives of our Strategic Plan.
