VIS Annual Report 2021-2022 - Report - Page 8
Director's Report
As a society we are facing unprecedented
need to abandon the notion that resources are
by accelerating globalisation and a faster rate of
common prosperity, sustainability and well-being.
challenges – social, ecomic and environmental – driven
limitless and there to be exploited; they value
technological developments. At the same time,
They are championing an agenda in support of the
those forces are providing us with a myriad of new
need to be responsible and empowered, placing
opportunities for human advancement. The future is
collaboration above division, and sustainability above
uncertain and we cannot predict it; but we need to
short-term gain.
be open and ready for it. The students entering VIS in
2019 will be young adults in 2031. If we are to be true
In the face of an increasingly volatile, uncertain,
potential in this rapidly changing world we need to
the difference as to whether people embrace the
to our mission of helping young people achieve their
complex and ambiguous world, schools can make
recognise that we are preparing them for jobs that
challenges they are confronted with or whether they
have not yet been created, for technologies that have
are defeated by them. And in an era characterised
not yet been invented, to solve problems that have
by a new explosion of scientific knowledge and a
not yet been anticipated. This reality provides a shared
growing array of complex societal problems, it is
responsibility to seize opportunities and find solutions.
appropriate that curricula and learning environments
should continue to evolve, perhaps in radical ways.
To navigate through such uncertainty, students will
At the end of this school year I will leave VIS having
need to develop curiosity, imagination, resilience
spent the past 10 years as Director. Over the decade I
and self-regulation; they will need to respect and
Peter Murphy
Director
have observed many developments and changes that
appreciate the ideas, perspectives and values of
the community can be proud of. We are now a three
others; and they will need to cope with failure and
programme (international Baccalaureate continuum
rejection, and be confident to move forward in the
school); we have navigated some very challenging
face of adversity. Their motivation will be more than
negotiations with the Republic of Austria to secure
getting a good job and a high income; they will also
a long term future as the ‘School of Choice’ for the
need to care about the w being of their friends and
international community in Vienna; we have gained
families, their communities and the planet.
significant recognition for our work in developing
the ECO school agenda; we have built financial
At VIS we have five strategic intents that are
models that will allow us think and plan for a
designed to equip learners with agency and a sense of
sustainable
purpose, and the competencies they need, to shape
we
have
assembled
a
fantastic team of highly professional staff committed
their own lives and contribute to the lives of others.
to providing our students an education that is
We are committed to helping every learner develop as
inspiring, inquiring and involved in a truly inclusive
a whole person, fulfil his or her potential and help
environment. I leave having learned a great deal from
shape a shared future built on the well-being of
our students and community and with a great sense
individuals, communities and the planet. Our
of pride in our achievements. This really has become a
youngest learners are already very clear about the
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future;
‘home away from home’.
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