Ode to Springboard - by Helen Smith, mother

Please listen now I’d like to share
A tale of love and hope and care
Of how our Springboard came to be
And hopes for its longevity.

My story goes back nearly 15 years
To a group of mothers with great fears
Their children ranged from five to eight
It was time for these kids to educate.

The trouble was there were no schools
Equipped or willing to give the tools
Through education with their peers
Tailored to their needs and fears.

But a mother’s love it knows no bounds
A school must and would be found.
They knocked on doors and called the phone
They used every contact they could own.

Our children need a chance they cried
Education should not be denied
Although our children have more needs
They want a chance to succeed.

The Korean International School came through
They had the vision for the new
A brand new school they took the chance
Our children’s lives to enhance.

It was back in 1994
That KIS opened their door
In fourteen years out school has grown
We now have 3 classes to call our own.

Our children range from 20 down to 5
Education is what helps our kids to thrive
For them to face the world is our aim
As adults we must take their claims.

Our program is the best bar none
Our children learn whilst having fun
Individualization is the key
But this can a funding nightmare be.

Our teachers require attributes threefold
First and foremost is a heart of gold.
Secondly, they need the patience of a saint
Our children require a heart not faint.

Thirdly, commitment to stand the ground
Teachers like this do not abound
Our teachers really are the best
To help our children they stand the test.

Now fourteen years have come and gone
Our Springboard family must live on.
Though many children helped so far
Small numbers compared to those there are