Announcing the TAS Legacy Initiative in Preparation for Our 80th Anniversary

At Taipei American School, our legacy, built on the hard work and accomplishments of previous generations of Tigers, is about what lies ahead. As we look toward the future, we have the opportunity and responsibility to document, uplift, and share the core of our community's shared work, not only so that future generations can access our history, but also feel it, learn from it, and add their own chapters.

With a wonderful 75th anniversary celebration behind us, we look toward our 80th anniversary year in SY29–30. The years ahead give us a unique opportunity to be intentional: to preserve our heritage, to activate it in ways that strengthen belonging, and to connect our past to the long-term vision of a school that continues to innovate, lead, and serve. Honoring where we come from is a vital part of building the school of the future.

Today, we are pleased to share the beginning of a multi-year initiative that will document, preserve, and celebrate TAS’s living history. This work will be led by the Advancement Office, in close collaboration with students, faculty and staff past and present, alumni around the world, and our broader community. Rooted in oral histories, archival storytelling, experiential learning, and community engagement, this initiative will culminate in our 80th anniversary celebration and, we hope, the next iteration of "Ties That Bind," while laying the foundation for a permanent TAS Heritage Program.

Richard Arnold Appointed TAS Historian and Legacy Advisor

Given the depth of this effort, it was essential to identify who not only understands TAS’s history, but embodies it. Someone who has lived its evolution, supported its traditions, and served its generations of students and families with unwavering care.

For this reason, we are honored to share that Mr. Richard Arnold will serve as TAS Historian and Legacy Advisor beginning in the 2026-2027 school year.

With more than fifty years of direct involvement in our school’s story, Mr. Arnold possesses an unparalleled understanding of TAS. His relationships extend across continents and generations, and his knowledge of TAS’s culture, people, and traditions is matched only by the respect he holds for them. Mr. Arnold was, without question, the natural choice for this work, and it is our honor to have him step up.

In this role, Mr. Arnold will lead the documentation of TAS’s history from 1999 onward, guide archival preservation, collect oral histories, curate signature legacy events, collaborate with our Communications and Alumni teams, and help ensure that our story is preserved with care, accuracy, and heart.

A New Learning Experience for Students  

Central to this initiative is the belief that history is not only to be recorded, but also to be experienced.

Beginning in 2026-2027, Mr. Arnold will also teach a new Upper School elective developed together with Upper School Principal, Becky Read, and Interim Deputy Head of School, Dr. Tara Simeonidis. This course will invite students to explore “the world through TAS eyes”, connecting Taiwan’s culture, history, global contexts, and TAS’s own evolution.

Students will practice storytelling, conduct oral histories, engage with archival materials, and contribute directly to the preservation of the school’s heritage. Their work will become a part of our collective record, an authentic expression of how the next generation shapes what comes next.

This initiative directly supports several priorities of TAS’s Strategic Plan, including:

• Strengthening belonging and identity through shared stories
• Integrating meaningful experiential learning into the curriculum
• Deepening connections to Taiwan and its culture
• Reinforcing partnerships with parents and alumni
• Ensuring our mission remains the foundation of both academic and co-curricular life

As TAS continues to evolve, this work ensures our past is not lost or static, but alive. Guiding us, grounding us, and illuminating the values that define us.

Looking Ahead

In the coming months, we will share more details about how the TAS community, including students, families, faculty and staff, and alumni, can participate in this work. We look forward to inviting you into the telling of our shared story.