“We start as a team, we work as a team, we finish as a team.”

This mantra is one that our sixty-two Summer Term 2025 students have heard regularly over the past week. Three times a day, this chant echoes through the Dining Hall when students and faculty join our beloved Ozzie for Dish Crew to clean up after meals. And it embodies what it means to be a part of The Island School.

Since touching down at the Rock Sound Airport last Tuesday, our students have jumped (both figuratively and literally) into the learning journey. It has been a week of firsts: first introductions, first hugs, first circles, first swims, and even first breaths underwater. Their joy, bonds, encouraging words, and laughter have been infectious and campus is buzzing with positive energy.

Getting Settled Into A New Place and Routine

The students started their first day bright and early at 6:30AM by sticking their head in the sand and telling it their secrets… How else would they start their first day at The Island School? Students were joined by our founder and Head of School, Chris Maxey, as he led them in their first morning exercise (more commonly known as AMX) and found some fun friends in the water to show the students.

Later that afternoon, students made their way over to Christopher’s Cove for some swimming, dancing, and sunshine. This was the first time the students embodied the dish crew anthem without even realizing it. Whether it was cheering when students jumped into the water, asking others to join in on lawn games, or even just walking back to campus all together, they had officially become a team.

Taking the Leap from High Rock

High Rock is an Island School tradition and a very important experience for our students. High Rock is located two miles from campus on the western side of the Cape. It is a chance for students to take a leap of faith. To jump into the unknown and understand that stepping outside of your comfort zone can bring you some of your best experiences. Our students started as a team by circling around the flagpole before breaking off into running and biking groups, worked as a team by hyping each other up along the way, and finished as a team by cheering for each other when they reached High Rock. 

Jumping off of High Rock is no easy task. But the feeling of pride in yourself and in others once you experience it cannot be beat. All students who were able to jump off did so, and each leap was met with applause and shouts from their peers. The jump can be intimidating, but the community is there to support, and once they jump they feel like they can accomplish anything. This is a huge milestone and just the beginning of the students’ experience.

Students Complete First Run Swims and Scuba Week

After a whirlwind of excitement during the first few days, our students split in half for the week to complete many things including first run swims, bike tours of the Inner Loop, going on a South Eleuthera Road Trip, and earning their PADI Open Water Scuba Certification! Teamwork was on full display, whether it was helping each other up the wall, exploring new places together, or giving pre-dive pep talks to those who were nervous. 

Although the wake up was early, the students were bright eyed and bushy tailed for their first run swim. Sophie Bekins, a teacher for sustainable systems, helped lead the group through the experience.

“They were enthusiastic and surprisingly had a lot of fun. It has been a blast to work with these kids, they have gotten so into it that they have even started planking with me for fun and attending optional things.”

Our students also conquered fears by completing their scuba certification. They got to know different people through their different scuba groups and their dive instructors. It was amazing to watch each of them help each other with everything from gear set up to varying emotions. They crushed it and are eager to improve their new scuba skills during the rest of their term!

Academic Rotations Begin

The students have shown true kindness, strength, and enthusiasm throughout their first week. They constantly volunteer for Dish Crew when help is needed, unload kitchen deliveries, join optional workouts, and are always there to help each other. We are so impressed by this exceptional group of young people and are delighted to watch them grow. 

Over the course of the next three weeks, students will dive into academics to dive into marine ecology, investigate sustainable systems, and explore the geography, history, and culture of The Bahamas.

Keep up with Summer Term and other Island School programs with our Flickr!