Striving school gets royal blessing

Nov 15, 2001
Devyani Banerjee

"The international school, which imparts education in English, is a great tribute to my native tongue," the prince announced. "The school, with students from many different nationalities, symbolizes international unity and togetherness, which is very encouraging."

Prince Michael is the cousin of Queen Elizabeth II. His grandmother, Grand Duchess Helen of Russia, was the cousin of the last Russian czar, Nicholas II.

The school building belongs to the Ministry of Education. It has been leased to the International School of Estonia for 50 years on a token 1 kroon ($0.06) per year. But the school is trying to find funds for renovation expenses.

The school moved to its present building on Juhkentali Street in the center of Tallinn from its previous location in the suburb of Kadriorg in September 2000.

Martin R. Dungy, a founder member of the school and chairman of the board, while thanking Prince Michael for coming, recounted the school' s troubled history.

From 1995 to 1997 the school was housed in a kindergarten building. Nothing seemed to work in the first few years, he said. With 23 students, a pernicious landlady, an autocratic school director and temporary teachers, the school lacked meaning and substance.

Finally the European Council of International Schools came to the rescue, sending a competent school director, Leighton Brunt, who managed to get his hands on better facilities and staff.

Today the school has 96 students of 21 nationalities and a team of teachers who are now at work on the international certification program.

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