Planting Seeds of Excellence: SIS Hosts Professional Development Seminar for the 2026/2027 Academic Year in Sousse

9 hours ago
2 min read

As Sousse International School prepares to welcome students for the 2026/2027 academic year, our primary, secondary, and upper secondary teaching staff gathered at our secondary campus in Sousse, Tunisia, for a dynamic three-day professional growth seminar on August 26th, 27th, and 28th. Guided by our founders and headmasters, the event was designed to elevate our Cambridge international instructional practices and ensure an inspiring academic year for our learners.

A Vision Built on Purpose and Dedication

The seminar kicked off with a heartfelt address by Mr. Mahfoudh Elarem, inspired by Jean Giono’s classic novella, The Man Who Planted Trees. Drawing parallels to the establishment of SIS as a leading private international school in Sousse, the speech emphasized that meaningful education, much like cultivating a forest, requires patience, consistency, and long-term commitment. Educators were reminded that their core purpose extends far beyond simply delivering lessons; it is about planting seeds of character, resilience, and lifelong curiosity in every student.

Reinforcing this vision, Mr. Henrik Andersson and Mr. Njaal Haugland addressed the team to realign everyone with the core values, ethics, and warm community standards that SIS has cherished since day one. Beyond the interactive sessions, the opening day offered a wonderful networking environment, bringing together returning educators and new international teaching staff to build meaningful connections.

Cambridge Pedagogy and Classroom Connection

To keep our teaching methodologies aligned with world-class British educational benchmarks, SIS welcomed top-tier educational experts to lead practical, engaging workshops across the three days:

● The 6 Teaching Skills Roadmap to Excellency: Expert trainer Mrs. Camilia Dhafallah led a comprehensive look into Cambridge international standards. Every core pillar was explored through lively group projects, pair work, and creative simulations that gave teachers the chance to step into their students' shoes.

● Building the Whole Student: Mr. Stephen Whitaker from the English Language Consulting (ELC) Group expanded on key elements of exceptional teaching. His sessions highlighted the balance between academic instruction and nurturing positive, supportive relationships between teachers and students. The sessions continued into Day 2, concluding with a supportive evaluation and reflection process.

● Primary Teacher Orientation: Mrs. Elise Fletcher led a practical Teacher Orientation session specifically tailored for our primary school teachers, establishing clear goals and strategies for the upcoming year.

Operational Readiness for the New Year

To close out the three-day seminar, Mr. Hamza Seddik, Lower Secondary School Principal at SIS, led an interactive technical walkthrough. Educators were guided through the school’s digital platforms and Cambridge resource hubs, ensuring every teacher feels confident, supported, and fully prepared for a smooth start to the term.

Equipped with fresh inspiration, refined techniques, and a shared dedication to student growth, our entire teaching team is eager to welcome our students back for a wonderful 2026/2027 school year!