Good morning, everyone. I want to tell you a story about a girl named Lalita.
Lalita lived in a small village in a country far away called India. When she was just 13 years old, she noticed a big problem. Many people in her community were getting sick because they were drinking dirty water from a nearby pond.
Lalita was a student, and she loved learning about science. She learned that germs in the water were making people sick, and she learned how to use science to solve problems. She thought, “What if I could find a way to make the water clean so my friends and family don’t get sick anymore?”
She was determined to find a solution. She decided to use things she could find in her village to build a water filter. She used something called corn cobs, which are leftover from when people eat corn. She also used sand and charcoal. It wasn’t easy. She had to try many times, and sometimes her filters didn’t work. But she was resilient and kept trying until she finally created a filter that made the water safe to drink.
Lalita didn’t just solve the problem for herself; she shared her invention with her community. She used what she learned at school to help her community, making a huge impact and showing everyone that even a young girl can do big things.
I am Antonello Barbaro, father of Sofia and Tommaso, husband of Cristina, and I am here serving all of you as the Director General of our schools.
I’m so excited to start this new year with all of you. Every day, you have a chance to be curious, just like Lalita was. You can learn everywhere, in your classroom, in the library, or even in our school garden. Your iPads aren’t just for games; they’re like magic tools that can help you discover amazing things. Our wonderful teachers are here to help you every step of the way.
This school is also a place to be joyful and have fun. I hope you’ll make new friends and play together every day. Remember to be kind and welcoming to everyone, especially new friends. You are all ambassadors for our humanity, which means you can be like diplomats, helping everyone feel welcome and understood. Our differences, how we look, what we believe, where our families come from, are not weaknesses. They are our greatest strengths. They help us see the world in new and wonderful ways.
And guess what? You are going to learn about the future! You will learn about space exploration and how humans are going back to the moon and even to other planets. You will learn about quantum computers that will help us discover amazing new things, and about science that will save lives. I know you’ll be as excited about the future as I am.
Sometimes, when you think about all these big and exciting things, you might also have some questions or worries. Maybe you are thinking:
- “Will I make new friends?”
- “What if I don’t understand something in class?”
- “Will my teachers like me?”
- “What if I make a mistake?”
- “Is it okay if I feel a little bit shy?”
These are all normal feelings, and this is exactly what H-FARM International School is for.
Our mission is to help you transform your curiosity into human progress for a better society. Just like Lalita, you can use what you learn here to make a difference in your own community, and maybe even the world. The challenges you face, whether it’s a difficult math problem or making a new friend, are just opportunities to be like Lalita and be resilient.
Your parents chose this school because they want you to become the best versions of yourselves. And we are here to help you do that. You are surrounded by top-notch educators, wonderful teachers, and experts in everything from physical and mental health to language, science, and art. We are all here to help you succeed.
I want to share a secret with you. In this school, you can get a superpower. It’s a superpower that lets you become better every single day than you were the day before. The secret is that this superpower is already inside of you, it’s your curiosity, your kindness, and your determination. With them, you can build a more just, joyful, and sustainable world.
Are you ready to use your superpower and have an amazing year?