by the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Nikos Christodoulides
The inauguration of the new block of The International School of Paphos (ISOP) took place with great success on Friday, 31st of May, in the presence of the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Nikos Christodoulides. The event was honoured by the attendance of many distinguished guests. Among them were the Government Spokesman, Mr Konstantinos Letymbiotis; the Chief Education Officer-Head of the Department of Private Education, Dr Giorgos Koutsides; representatives of the Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth; religious leaders, MPs, mayors, members of the Paphos Municipal Council, members of the school’s Board of Directors and shareholders; representatives of universities and private schools; former ministers, representatives of the police and the army; school staff, parents, and students.
The event commenced with a welcome address from the Head of School, Mr Kyriakos Kashoulis, who highlighted the school’s remarkable growth since its founding in 1987, with 100 students and 20 staff members. Today, the school boasts over 1100 students and 170 staff members. Mr Kashoulis emphasised the school’s educational philosophy, which prioritises the holistic development of students and an unwavering commitment to innovation and excellence. He also took the opportunity to express heartfelt gratitude to everyone who had contributed to the school’s progress, with a special acknowledgment to the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Mr. Theodoros Aristodemou, for his enduring support of the school and the broader community.
Next, Mr Theodoros Aristodemou spoke about the inspiration behind the creation of ISOP, sharing the principles of his family that emphasise the value of education and motivated him to establish the school. He outlined the remarkable growth of ISOP, which has become a model educational institution encompassing all levels of education, serving students from 2.5 to 18 years old, and noted the achievement of maintaining affordable tuition fees. He also highlighted the various challenges the school has encountered over the years, the dedication of the Board of Directors and staff, the strong cooperation with parents and the Parent Teacher Association, and the necessity of expanding the school due to increasing demand. Finally, he expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the President of the Republic for attending this important event and to everyone who contributed to the creation of the new block, emphasising the importance of sustainability and energy efficiency in the facilities.
In his speech, the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Nikos Christodoulides, congratulated Mr Aristodemou for his significant contributions to education and the local community, highlighting the crucial role of infrastructure and the innovative programmes implemented by the school. Mr Christodoulides acknowledged the widespread recognition that ISOP enjoys and underscored the importance of the continuous evolution of the educational sector to effectively meet future challenges. He also urged parents to support their children in their educational endeavours and encouraged the students to seize every opportunity, remaining determined in achieving their goals.
The event concluded with the ribbon-cutting by the President, followed by a reception with live music in the school’s main courtyard. The guests had the opportunity to learn about the school’s programmes and explore its new facilities. Thank you to everyone for being part of such a momentous occasion!
