Friday, 23 January, 2026 | N-132526
Friday, 23 January, 2026 | N-132526
We often think of a finish line as something far away, but in any long race, the secret is the pace you keep every day. Whether you are navigating the quiet focus of mock exams or the energy of Sports Day, your pace is what determines your finish. This season is the perfect time to remember that every prayer for focus and every act of sportsmanship is a "mini" finish line—a daily habit of excellence that builds your character.
Instead of just rushing to get to the end, let’s focus on pacing ourselves with intention. By drawing near to God in the small moments, we find that we aren't just running toward a goal; we are growing stronger with every step. Let’s accept the challenge to honor Him not just at the final whistle, but in the steady rhythm of how we show up each day.
The school year began with a successful Low Tech Week, an initiative designed to foster a healthy digital balance within our community. While certain classes required device usage, most Secondary students embraced a more traditional learning model in their subjects.
Grade 9 student Alexandria Colon found the experience incredibly rewarding. “Low-Tech Week was one of the most productive things I’ve ever done at HOPE,” she shared. One of her highlights was that this setting allowed collaboration feel different, “Collaborating as a class was the best part—hearing everyone’s creative ideas led to remarkable discussions.” Similarly, Aubrey Whitaker, a Grade 8 student, appreciated the physical and mental relief of the week, noting that it was a break from carrying a heavy laptop and that the homework felt simpler and more focused.
Continuing this theme of intentionality, students in Grades 6–9 gathered in the hall for a creative workshop on Academic Integrity and the use of Artificial Intelligence. Guided by Secondary Principal Mrs. Taara Portela, students explored the commitment to honest and moral behavior, learning that academic success is built on trust, integrity, and personal responsibility. We encourage our families to familiarize themselves with this policy, as it plays a vital role in shaping students' academic journeys and their development as principled learners.
Following the excitement of Sports Day, we invite our entire community to transition into a time of spiritual reflection and renewal. Our annual Prayer and Fasting Week is approaching, providing us with a dedicated space to center ourselves around God’s heart and align our work as students and staff with His calling.
This year, we are grounding our week in the promise of James 4:8: “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you”.
Fasting is a biblical practice that helps us focus on God's calling rather than trying to earn His favor. By putting away distractions, we make room to grow closer to Him, rely on His strength, and align our hearts with His will.
What to Expect
HOPE has prepared a practical daily guide to lead us through five themes:
Day 1: Deepening our personal relationship with God.
Day 2: Praying for our families and school community.
Day 3: Interceding for the people of Cambodia.
Day 4: Praying for our home nations.
Day 5: Supporting the global church and persecuted believers.
Every day in the Hall there will be a prayer space available for corporate prayer. If you have any prayer requests to share, please submit it here anonymously or feel free to add your name.
We encourage you to use this guide to rid yourself of distractions and seek God with all your heart.
- Community Prayer -
Monday to Friday (Feb 2-6)
The Hall | 12:00 - 12:50 pm
Lunchtime Live is going from strength to strength in Semester 2!
If you've been working on a musical item, a dance, or something else, apply to Lunchtime Live to get your talent up on the stage!
This is a performance opportunity for students who have prepared and practised a performance piece, whether they are beginners or more advanced. It is a chance to build confidence, develop stage presence, and share your creativity with a supportive audience. We welcome groups or solo performances.
This is not an open mic or karaoke event but a celebration of students' effort and dedication to their craft. We look forward to enjoying many great performances together!
Rehearsal spaces: every lunchtime, supervised rehearsal spaces are available in S11, S12, and the Hall.
We are so excited to see our community in colors for a day of energy, teamwork, and fun. Here is everything you need to know:
Attendance: Please note that Sports Day is a regular school day, and attendance is expected for all students.
Show Your Spirit: Dress up creatively in your team colors! Let’s see who has the most team spirit.
Food & Timing: Lunch is NOT available on-site. Please note that we have an early dismissal at 1:00 PM.
Parent Participation: Thanks to the Parent Council initiative, parents are invited to come along and join the fundraiser to get new bikes for our students.
See the schedule and get excited!
Following the release of reports at the end of last semester, we would value your feedback on our end-of-semester reports. Preparing reports is a significant investment of time for our teachers, and we want to ensure that they are clear, meaningful, and efficient. Your input will help us to support student growth and communication as we aim to refine and develop our reporting and feedback processes throughout the academic year. Thank you for taking a few moments to share your perspective.
Preparation is underway for the next school year! While the full 2026–2027 calendar is still being finalized, we want to share a starting date to help our families plan for travels and summer break.
First Day of School: Thursday, August 6, 2026.
Creating the school calendar is a detailed effort. We work closely across all sections of the school and coordinate with other institutions to lock key dates and holidays. We appreciate your patience as we complete this process; we generally aim for a March release, but are glad to provide this update on your planning today.
Please join us for our upcoming Parent University on Thursday, February 12, 2026 at 1:30 pm in the Hall.
This month, we are hosting a special session on the Mission of HOPE International School, led by our Board members. It is a wonderful chance to get to know the individuals on our Board and gain insight into their work. They will be sharing:
What it means to be a "Member Mission."
The specific responsibilities of the Board (and what they don’t do).
How our board protects the school’s core values.
We encourage all parents to attend to better understand how our school operates and how each of us can play a role in the mission of HOPE.
Sahakom would like to remind all parents that the February Monthly Meal Pass is now available for purchase until Friday, January 30th.
The monthly pass is our most convenient lunch option, allowing your child to skip the punch card system entirely. We have already built a discount into the price, making it the most affordable way to enjoy school meals. Sign up now for February!
At HOPE, we know that our mission wouldn’t be possible without the incredible people serving behind the scenes. To make sure their hard work never goes unnoticed, we are thrilled to launch our new Volunteer Appreciation Initiative!
This month, we are shining a spotlight on Liz Logan and Matt Kassing. Both Liz and Matt have poured their time, heart, and energy into our community, and we are so grateful for their commitment.
We invite all parents to join us for our weekly prayer meeting every Wednesday at 8:00 AM in the Board Room. We look forward to coming together in prayer with you!
The Parent Council invites you to come meet and hang out with other parents and kids in the same Primary classes after school at the main playground.
The time has come! Our annual Formal is back this February, and all High School students are invited to join us for a dinner with the theme of ‘Red Carpet.’ A glamorous night awaits at the JD Polman hotel! Get your tickets soon for $30 USD at the Front Office and get ready for a night to remember.
Help us spread the word and invite qualified Christian friends and family to consider joining our ministry.
In preparation for our upcoming Sports Day, House shirts have been restocked and are now available for purchase. If you haven't secured yours yet, get one for $12 USD. We look forward to seeing our community in their team colors to celebrate our school tradition, Sports Day!
You can also purchase beautiful, reusable Sahakom tumblers—perfect for your favorite Sahakom drinks! Get one for $9 USD at the Sahakom Community Cafe, and you will also receive a FREE DRINK with your purchase.
Mock exams for G10/G12
Sports Day
New Families and students
New Grade 4 teacher Jade Davison
That's it!
Have a good weekend!