Going Down Memory Lane-Mrs.Shaheen Shafi

Inventuring at Gerry's farm

Old George Mackenzie used to dance
With boxes on his feet,
He danced outside the playground wall,
He danced along the street

He danced for statues in the park,
For gulls beside the sea,
He danced for scarecrows in the fields,
At night he danced for me.
I’d lie awake until I heard him
Thumping through the town, His lullabying boxes calling,
Sleep now, settle down.

Till one dark day a car found George
And followed him about
And when he turned to dance for it
A grey haired man got out.

Complaints had been received he said-
A letter in his hand-
And George could either stop by choice
Or have his dancing banned.

George didn’t speak when asked if he
Had anything to say,
Just kicked his boxes off and shuffled
Silently away.

And now at night I lie awake
And listen to the rain,
And cry for sleep and dreams and George
Who never danced again.
Richard Edwards


For many years I worked with teachers and schools helping open windows of the mind and heart. It was sometime then, that I participated in the visioning workshop for Inventure Academy. As we drafted the core purpose and promised to instill in each student the conviction and ability to realize their true potential and excel anywhere in the world …I wondered ….was it possible that this school would be different?

And sure enough it was! From the very first month of school, Inventure has been unique in its ability to translate its promise tangibly into its curriculum and the culture. Though it took a few months for us to settle in and get a fully functional building, not once did the spirits flag. In the eyes of each team member one could see the passion and the commitment shining through and in the students, excitement, confidence and the joy which comes with discovering the true meaning of learning.
Four years on, we continue to build on our dream and each day bears witness to this amazing cumulative effort.

I believe in Inventure’s vision and that is the reason why I am here. The strength of my conviction comes from the faces of our children. I see in them dreams and an ever growing belief that they have what it takes to make their dreams a reality. The conviction equally comes from the team members who constantly strive to find ways of connecting with their students, refusing to give up on any one of them, or those who with their quiet strength form the backbone of the school keeping it functioning smoothly.

George Mackenzie gave up the boxes on his feet because no one accepted his uniqueness nor celebrated his special gifts.
At Inventure people are encouraged to exult in the joy of self realization. Here empathy and competition, exploration and excellence, discipline and a free spirit are part of a harmonious weave, not competing but complementing each other.

And as we dance, the boxes on our feet continue their magic… of hope, trust and possibility.

Shaheen Shafi
Head (Primary and Kindergarten)