We are very excited to welcome the new Academy Principal, Jeremy Pollard and his family!
Jeremy and Ruth, along with his four children, Lucas, Olivier, Campbell and Mia have recently arrived on the Africa Mercy. Their home country is New Zealand. They are excited to be serving as family with Mercy Ships.
Jeremy has over 20 years teaching and leadership experience. His most recent position has been Principal of a rural school for the last 7 years. He is familiar with small community-based schools and loves knowing all his students and families by name. He comes with significant experience in educational and instructional leadership, as well as a passion for living out his faith in community.
Ruth is a nurse, and Jeremy has loved being an active member of his local Volunteer Fire Brigade. Both Ruth and Jeremy love building community and sharing their love for Jesus. They first learnt about Mercy Ships as teenagers and longed to serve on one of the ships someday. God has made a way for their whole family to serve. Jeremy is looking forward to combining two of his passions, Jesus and teaching all in one place.
Over the last 6 months I have had the privilege of speaking with Jeremy on a weekly basis, and more recently conducting interviews with potential teachers for the new school year together. The more time I spend getting to know him, the more excited I am about what God is going to do in and through him in the Mercy Ships Academy.
Over the next 2 years we will be moving from one school to two, which will include applying for a system accreditation (school district model) and welcoming an almost entirely new team of teachers to start this new chapter. I am very grateful that God has called Jeremy and his family to serve with us. I know he is the right man for the job! Jeremy is looking forward to getting know all our families and students as soon as they have completed their two-week quarantine. Please help me make Jeremy and Ruth and their children feel welcome! Feel free to leave a comment for the family to read.
“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21.
Nikki Aldum, Academy Director
