The Overseas School of Colombo (OSC) clinched Gold at the International ARC Awards for its 2022/23 Annual Report themed ‘1957 – 2022: Our Progressive Spirit Continues’.
This recognition places OSC on the map alongside the world’s distinguished institutions, which are celebrated for their unwavering commitment to transparency, excellence, and world-class standards.
Organized by MerComm, Inc. in New York and now in its 38th year, the ARC Awards are known as the ‘Academy Awards of Annual Reports’, attracting over 1,000 entries annually from more than 30 countries worldwide. They represent the pinnacle of achievement in corporate communication, honouring those who set the bar for innovative, effective, and creative reporting.
MerComm is an independent awarding body dedicated to recognizing outstanding contributions in the field, ensuring a transparent and unbiased judging process. A panel of over 200 communication professionals worldwide evaluates entries, with only the top 30% of submissions receiving honours.
This milestone victory is monumental for both school and country as OSC is now the first educational institution in Sri Lanka and the first IB World School globally to secure a Gold at the ARC Awards, underscoring the school’s pursuit of excellence in governance, sustainability, communication, holistic education, and community engagement.
Receiving this award places OSC among a cohort of global giants, including BMW, Puma, McDonald’s Corporation, Walmart, Alibaba Group, Abbott, Carlsberg, Samsung, International Finance Corporation (IFC), and Save the Children, all of whom took home awards this year. The Gold win reinforces OSC’s competitive edge in international education, showcasing its commitment to innovation and excellence in governance, sustainability, and communication.
Jehan de Silva, who leads the school’s branding, marketing, and communication efforts and was the driving force behind this project, said, “Winning Gold at the ARC Awards is a bona fide testament to OSC’s unwavering dedication, epitomizing the institution’s collective effort, creative vision, and dynamic spirit.”
OSC’s 2022/23 Annual Report is more than just an award-winner; it embodies the school’s progressive philosophy, celebrating its rich legacy as Sri Lanka’s oldest internationally accredited educational institution while showcasing its commitment to growth, evolution, and adaptability.
As a future-centric experiential centre for learning, OSC continues to excel in delivering the globally recognized IB curriculum, embodying its commitment to relevance, creativity, and innovation – teaching what is timely, holistic, and impactful.
This accolade also honours the visionary leadership of Dr Michelle Kleiss, who has skilfully navigated OSC through a series of formidable challenges, including the aftermath of the Easter Sunday attacks, the global upheaval caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the recent economic crisis in Sri Lanka. Under her guidance, the school has laid a solid foundation for the next decade and beyond, championing best practices in key areas ranging from child safeguarding to sustainability.
As OSC celebrates this achievement, the school remains unwavering in its dedication to continuous improvement, consistently setting the ‘gold standard’ for holistic, experiential education. This accolade serves as a powerful motivator, driving OSC to push the boundaries of innovation and quality in every facet of its operations. It reinforces the school’s commitment to inspiring educational institutions across Sri Lanka, and the world, to pursue excellence in teaching, governance, and community engagement.
The Overseas School of Colombo continues to make its mark on the global stage, earning distinguished accolades that underscore its leadership in both education and sustainability. In 2022, OSC became the first school in Sri Lanka to receive the prestigious Eco-Schools Green Flag Award from the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), a testament to its commitment to environmental stewardship. Earlier this year, the school further cemented its eco-conscious legacy by becoming the only school worldwide to receive the Middle States Association’s (MSA) Programme of Distinction in Sustainability. These honours reflect OSC’s holistic approach to integrating sustainable practices across every facet of its operations and curriculum, engaging students, faculty, and the community in meaningful, impactful initiatives. With its recent Gold win at the 2024 International ARC Awards, OSC’s global reputation as a pioneer in both education and sustainability continues to shine.
With a focus on nurturing creativity, adaptability, and forward-thinking approaches, OSC continues to lead by example, proving that excellence is a journey and not a destination. “As Sri Lanka’s premier international school, we pride ourselves not just on being the first, but on continually setting the benchmark for excellence,” said Jehan de Silva. “This Gold award is a reflection of our relentless pursuit of progress and innovation, which has firmly positioned us among the world’s best.”