Have you ever wondered what goes on after the school day at ICSA is over, and all the students and staff have left campus?
While everyone heads home and the campus goes quiet, a special group of people step in—The Security Team. This group remains alert while they patrol and protect our campus. Their presence is easy to overlook during the day, yet their role is essential to the safety of every student and staff member. It is important to acknowledge the experiences, challenges and responsibilities of the people who keep us safe: our security guards.
When asked about their main responsibilities, one guard explained that the job goes far beyond simply “watching the gates.” In reality, they are responsible for controlling access into the school, ensuring only authorized individuals enter, checking the security of the facilities, and patrolling the campus to identify anything that is out of place. This often means walking through empty corridors, checking the classrooms, and making sure entrances are locked after hours. Their jobs involve active monitoring, regular patrols, and responding to any situation that could threaten the school environment.
“Our priority is to protect the entire campus, students, and properties. We monitor the entrances, patrol the campus regularly, and make sure everything is secure at all times.”
Rather than waiting for things to happen, security guards actively work to prevent them. Because of this responsibility, their duties require constant awareness—even something as simple as a student leaving with an unfamiliar guardian could signal a potential issue.
Without the presence of students and staff, the campus becomes quieter, which makes unusual sounds stand out more. Hallways that are normally filled with noise become silent and even small sounds like footsteps or doors creaking draws attention. Every movement and detail matters, especially in the darkness of the night. This level of alertness is difficult to maintain. And nighttime brings its own challenges—like limited visibility and uncertainty, adding difficulty to the role.
One guard stated, “At night, every sound is important. You have to pay attention to small details because anything unusual could be a problem.”
Security guards stay alert for long periods of time, often in conditions where there is little activity, making mental focus a priority. This can be challenging, as they must be prepared to respond at any moment despite the calm surroundings.
Despite these challenges, ICSA’s security guards are trained to handle emergencies with professionalism and control. Their work is more than observation, it is being ready to take action. This includes responding to fire alarms, managing potential trespassing, and coordinating with others to ensure that the safety procedures are followed correctly, using radios or walkie talkies. Their preparation allows them to stay composed under pressure and readiness makes sure that even unpredictable situations are handled effectively.
As one guard said, “We follow strict procedures. We are trained to respond to emergencies such as fire drills or break-ins. Communication is very important so we stay in contact and act quickly when needed.” With this preparation, guards do not work alone but rely on clear communication and established protocols to respond efficiently while staying calm under pressure .
However, beyond responsibilities, preparation, and training, there is also a human side to their work. When asked what they wish students understood about their work, the answer was simple yet powerful: We want students to know that we are here for them. Even when they do not notice us, we are always working to keep them safe. A little appreciation for our work is always held dear.
Their role often goes unnoticed because their success means nothing goes wrong. Still, their presence is constant, ensuring that the school remains safe even when no one is watching.
As students, we experience ICSA during its most lively hours filled with laughter, learning, and connection. But after dark, another world awakens. One of consistent effort, vigilance, responsibility, and discipline. The next time you walk through the school gates in the morning, take a moment to remember: while you were asleep, someone was awake, making sure everything was just as it should be.