JEDDAH, 1 November — In celebration of its 20th year of colorful existence, the International Philippine School in Jeddah (IPSJ) will hold equally colorful festivities on Nov. 3-7 on its all-white campus at Mushrefah district of this city.
Dr. Reinita M. Respicio, the school principal, said Consul General Kadatuan Usop will lead an array of guests, parents and friends to lend pizzazz to the occasion.
The first and only Philippine school overseas fully owned and operated by Filipinos themselves, IPSJ through the years has gained prestige and fame for its unswerving dedication to uphold academic excellence.
On Nov. 3 a grand parade and an opening program will kick off the celebration that has for its theme “Together we move on in peace and unity for academic excellence and prosperity.”
Booths, bazaars, a food festival and an open house for all school compound villas are expected to lend local color to the occasion.
Enhancing the celebratory mood will be academic contests such as “Battle of the Brains” and Math Wizardry, calisthenics, field demonstrations and sports, as well as cheer-dance competitions involving pupils and students from nursery up to the high school level.
A “Little Master” and “Little Miss IPSJ 2001” will be selected from among nursery and kindergarten pupils. From a 16-pupil school with less than 10 teachers when it opened in 1981, IPSJ is now “second home” to over a thousand students under the care and guidance of nearly 100 faculty members.
IPSJ is currently being run and administered by a Board of Trustees chairmed by Efren Rodriguez.
Assistant Principal Fatima L. M. Natangcop helps the school principal in the day-to-day administration of the school.