At Vientiane International School (VIS) in Laos, the past year has been one of steady progress and renewed focus. Under the leadership of Head of School Andy Ferguson, the community has been continuing to strengthen its direction while building on the resilience that has long characterised the school.
Recently, Pauline O’Brien, Director of Global Recruitment Strategy and Leadership at International Schools Services (ISS), reconnected with Andy and Beth Overby, Primary School Principal, to hear how the school year has unfolded and what priorities are shaping the work ahead.
One of the most encouraging developments for the school has been Beth’s transition into the Primary School leadership role. Beth joined VIS following a search supported by International Schools Services, and is now well into her first year at the school.
“I felt a strong sense of alignment during the interview process,” she said. “Andy was very open about the school’s context and the work ahead, and that transparency helped me see that our values around learning and community were closely aligned.”
Beth arrived in Vientiane as the only new international hire for the year, joining a faculty with deep knowledge of the school and its history. She credits that team with helping her quickly understand both the culture of the school and the priorities for the future.
“The staff have been incredibly supportive,” she explained. “They shared the story of the school with great honesty, which helped me understand where VIS has been and what we’re building together.”
Her early focus has been on strengthening literacy across the Primary School, including introducing a phonics approach that complements the PYP framework while improving clarity and consistency across grade levels.
At the same time, Beth and her team have been embedding restorative practices into daily school life, helping teachers support student well being while strengthening relationships across the community.
For Andy, Beth’s arrival has been an important step forward for the school.
“Beth has brought tremendous energy and expertise,” he said. “Her understanding of the PYP and her ability to connect with teachers, parents and students has been a real asset to the community.”
Alongside these developments in the Primary School, VIS has been continuing to implement its strategic priorities for the years ahead. The school’s strategic framework centres on three guiding “dreams:”: innovation and excellence, sustainability, and inclusive community, and a continued commitment to wellbeing and belonging
To support this work, the school is partnering with experienced educational leaders who are helping translate these ambitions into clear commitments and measurable goals.
“The strategic work gives us a shared direction,” Andy explained. “It helps ensure that the decisions we make across the school continue to support our long term vision.”
Despite the challenges schools across the world have faced in recent years, Andy speaks with confidence about the VIS community and the spirit that continues to define it.
“It’s a resilient community,” he said. “People care deeply about the school and about one another.”
For Pauline and her colleagues, conversations like these provide valuable insight into how school communities continue to evolve after leadership appointments.
“Staying connected with schools and leaders over time gives us a deeper understanding of how leadership teams grow and how schools continue to develop,” she reflected.
As VIS continues implementing its strategic priorities and building on the progress of the past year, the focus remains clear: supporting students, strengthening the community and ensuring the school continues to grow with purpose.
You can also read Andy Ferguson and Beth Overby’s original Leadership spotlights, reflections from when they accepted their positions at International School of Stavanger.
- Andy Ferguson‘s ISS feature, from May 2022
