Dear all,

When I joined the Overseas School of Colombo (OSC), I didn’t realize how much it would impact my life. Over the years, I’ve grown as a teacher and built strong connections with my students and colleagues.

I’m excited to share my story as part of the 2023/24 Annual Report, celebrating the amazing people who make OSC special. It’s an honor to be part of this journey and this community.

Mr. Elves Tembe – PHE-MYP Teacher & Learning Leader, Secondary School

“As Teachers we must not be afraid of change, to be creative, to ensure every lesson is memorable so that it will have a lasting impact.”

In 2022, Elves Tembe left behind the familiar landscapes of Mozambique, driven by a relentless dream to join the international teaching community. It wasn’t an easy path – on some days he applied to up to five schools a day, having to endure through countless rejections until The Overseas School of Colombo (OSC) offered him a job, and also a life-changing opportunity.

The journey began on December 8th 2022 with a single interview. By December 11th, the dream became a reality as Elves accepted his place in the OSC family. The moment he landed in Sri Lanka, he was met with warmth and professionalism – welcomed at the airport, guided through the induction process, and given the time to settle into his new life. He felt, for the first time, that he belonged to a community committed to learning, growth, and mutual care.

Adjusting to a new culture, a progressive curriculum, and an English-speaking environment came with its challenges. Yet, with resilience and an open heart, Elves embraced the hurdles. “Innovation is my name!” he says, passionately describing his drive to create dynamic, meaningful experiences for his students.

One of his most powerful projects, “Expression of Self,” is a testament to his creativity. Combining aerobics with poetry, this unique unit explored movement, emotion, and individuality, leaving students inspired and deeply engaged. Each year, Elves challenges himself to introduce fresh ideas, always asking, “What will benefit my students the most?”

But teaching isn’t just about innovation – it’s about humanity. A moment of heartbreak shaped Elves’s journey profoundly when he first started teaching. Due to a personal oversight, he witnessed firsthand the emotional weight of his actions even if it was an accident. Coming from a cultural background where identity and inclusivity conversations were rare, he used this moment to adapt and transform himself.

Elves reflected deeply, apologised with sincerity, and used the experience to rebuild trust and understanding. He even wrote an article aimed at African educators, urging them to embrace empathy and inclusivity in their classrooms. “That moment changed how I connect with my students. It taught me the power of listening, of respect, of compassion.”

Elves’s journey isn’t only professional; it’s deeply personal. He has overcome unimaginable strife, incomprehensible circumstances, and immense plight to achieve the impossible.

Born into extreme poverty, his tale is truly an embodiment of ‘rags to riches’. Everything he has achieved in life; Elves has had to fight against insurmountable odds to build himself a life of purpose. Elves is a three-time world jump rope champion, a respected author, a fitness aficionado, sports instructor and teacher. With the support of the OSC community, he wrote and launched his debut book, sharing his extraordinary story of resilience. His words have inspired students and colleagues alike, proving that even the most impossible dreams can come true.

Working within the International Baccalaureate (IB) World Curriculum, Elves has discovered that education extends far beyond the classroom. “It’s about life itself,” he says. At OSC, he has found a place that values courage, compassion, and creativity – qualities he exemplifies every day.

Through his teaching, innovative physical education programmes, global championships, his writing, and unyielding belief in the transformative power of education, Elves Tembe is more than just a teacher. He is a changemaker, a guide, an innovator, and a living testament to the strength of the human spirit.