October 2, 2026 - Secondary School Principal Blog
Mr. Ronnie Caldwell
Hello Parents
The energy around campus here at ISY is always positive and growth-oriented, and we want you to be a part of it. In secondary school, things move very quickly, but many of the best moments you can witness happen after the final bell rings. Whether our athletic teams are competing or our students are coming alive through After School Activities (ASAs), we would love to invite you to campus to come out and support our students.
When adolescents see their parents at events, it builds a powerful sense of belonging and school pride—you might not realize just how important you are to that process. Please keep an eye on our school calendar and stay aware of what’s happening around campus. We would love to have you join us and be a part of that energy.
On another note, many parents mention that when they ask their teenagers, "How was school today?" they often receive a one-word answer: "Fine," "Good," or just a simple grunt. The reality is that by the end of the day, secondary students are usually pretty tapped out. They are mentally drained by the sheer volume of questions they’ve had to answer throughout the day.
These kinds of targeted questions lower the barrier to entry, giving students a clearer starting point so a natural story and conversation can follow.
Finally, a quick reminder about how long the adolescent brain can sustain focus. Many of our students talk about how much homework they have or how much tutoring they are involved in. However, cognitive research shows us that intense focus naturally degrades after 30 to 45 minutes, especially for adolescents. Pushing past that threshold without a pause rarely yields the results you hope for.
At home, we recommend encouraging structured 30- to 45-minute study blocks followed by a 10-minute break. An important caveat: scrolling social media or playing video games during that pause does not count as a true break. That kind of screen stimulation keeps the brain stressed and flooded with dopamine. Instead, encourage your children to step away, stretch, move their body, grab a snack, or step outside—whatever lets their brain truly rest between study blocks.
As always, the advice is free, and you don’t have to take it. Thank you for your continued support.
Be Good,
Mr. C
Secondary School Principal
Final Chinthe Expedition Destination Announced!
This week, our Seniors found out that they are going to….. Sri Lanka!
As was the case with last year’s trip to India, the Senior Chinthe Expedition will be a chance to reconnect with each other after exams, reflect on their time together at ISY, and look forward to life after graduation - not to mention surfing, hiking, safaris, etc.
Our Chinthe Expeditions are designed to nurture our Chinthe Way through the different grade levels, promote service, and make real-world connections to the curriculum. 
We are proud to share the first edition of Chinthe Voices, featuring amazing stories, perspectives, and creativity from our Student Media & Communications Team. Through writing, photography, interviews, and digital media, our students are sharing the experiences, achievements, and stories that bring our ISY community together.
Click here to explore the first edition of Chinthe Voices and hear from our student storytellers!
| 📅 What's On: |
