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Bill Frost, the charismatic director of the British School of Bahrain - who has led the school for eight years - is taking 'compassionate leave' to care for his cancer-stricken mother in the UK, writes Anasuya Kesavan.
He will be returning to the Wirral, near Liverpool, for an unspecified period of time but will be keeping in regular contact with the school in Hamala.
Deputy director Karen Moffat has been appointed acting director during this period and will oversee and manage operational developments of the school which recently expanded to one site covering all ages.
Mr Frost, 58, will continue to be fully involved in all strategic and development projects and will regularly liaise with the school board. He said: "Due to recent bereavements and my mother's illness my family circumstances in the UK are difficult at present. It has indeed been a difficult time and a difficult decision but one I know for the best.
"I will be looking after my mother who was diagnosed with cancer earlier in the year and it is critical that she gets the best of care. I do not know, at present, how long I will be away but will be returning on a regular basis from time to time.
"I have every confidence in Karen Moffat and I am positive that with her leadership and the support of our head teachers our school will continue to go from strength to strength.
"We have an ambitious facilities development programme this year and the capacity in our management structure to achieve our goals. Despite the current situation I am more confident than ever about the future of the British School and its role in the local educational community."
The school, with a student population of around 1,400, started with 172 students from a small campus at Adliya in 1995. It was bought by leading businessman Esam Janahi and the owners of Al Ruwad School in 2007 and now boasts a state-of-the-art building that opened in September 2008 with a range of sports and educational facilities.
Recently a new Infant Music and Dance Studio has been added and the school is in the process of improving its landscaping and playgrounds. Future development plans include a tennis and football academy, a state-of the-art library and an adult education resource centre.
Mrs Moffat, who took on her new role this week, said: "We are a good team. Although Bill is physically in the UK, it is not making a big difference in this age of electronic communication. We are constantly communicating and consulting with each other and are committed to continuing to provide quality education."
Mr Frost is also honorary secretary of the Bahrain British Business Forum (BBBF) and was until recently chairman of the British Club.
