DIRECTOR’SUPDATE
international schools across 18 countries, for a 3-day conference that included a full day of training and many engaging interactive sessions There were sessions on websitedevelopment,newsletterbuilding,anddigitalmarketingstrategies,aswellas roundtable discussions focused on innovative topics such as the use of artificial intelligenceinadmissionsprocessesandteaching.Ourparticipatingteamfounditto be a wonderful professional development opportunity, and it was great to be able to showcaseourcampustosomanypeoplewhocamefromaroundtheworld
Schoolholidaysarealsoourtimetofocusoncampusimprovements,andFallbreakis noexception.Ifyouareoncampusthisweek,Iamsureyounoticedtherepaintingof our parking lots. Besides looking better, these help ensure an even safer pick-up and drop-off.Ourteamwasbusyandwearegrateful!
Our activities were not limited to our campus either On the other side of the world (literally) we kick-started this year’s alumni events with the Tokyo Alumni Reunion Over 200 alumni came to the Embassy of Belgium in Japan last Friday evening to reconnect and reminisce about their ISB experiences. Seeing where their post-ISB pathstakeourstudentsisalwaysinspiring,andwitnessingtheconnectionouralumni still feel to ISB shows that we are creating a truly unique and formative environment thatremainsimportanttoourstudentsastheynavigatetheirfutures.
This weekend the ISST Championships are taking place, and many of our teams are heading out to competitions all over Europe On our campus, yesterday we had the Varsity Girls Field Hockey Championship on the Lower Field, and today and tomorrow willseetheISSTCrossCountryChampionshipracesstartingandendingontheUpper Field.
We hope that you all came back refreshed and ready for exciting learning opportunitiesinthesecondpartofthesemester!
Kindregards,
James MacDonald ISB Director
PARENTVOICES
DOROTA&IOANNISKROUSTALIS MIDDLESCHOOLPARENTS
Could you provide a short bio about yourself?
We are a Polish-Greek family and we’ve been based in Brussels for more than 19 years We both believe in and work for Europe,andenjoydiversityanddialogue. We love connecting with nature and exploringtheworldaroundus.
Howwouldyousummariseyouroverall experienceatISBinafewsentences?
AlthoughwearerecenttoISB,wehavefelt athomeandapartoftheISBCommunity from the very beginning. We love seeing oursongoingtoschoolinthemorningwith ahugesmileonhisfaceandcomingback home happy, after a rich and interesting schoolday
ISBistousaplacethatoffersexcellentconditions,whereourchildlearnsandgrowsas a confident human being. To us, ISB is more than a great school. It is a place where highly trained, motivated, and committed adults support children on their personalisedlearninganddevelopmentalpathways
What were your expectations of ISB before joining us? Have we met these expectations(and,ifyes,how)?
We wanted to find a school that would appreciate our child, help him grow, and enablehimtouseanddevelopfurtherhisuniquepotential Wewantedaplacewhere oursonwouldhavethebestopportunitiestoprepareandshapehisfuture,explorehis interests, and play an active role in the community We were looking for a truly inclusiveandpersonalisedsystemthatrespectsourownconvictions,andwehave founditallinISB.
ISBplacesastrongfocusonpersonalisation.InwhatwaysdoyouthinkISBprovides thesupportandresourcesneededforeverychild'ssuccess?
Everyhumanbeinghasauniquepotential,andthusdeservestobeencouragedand helped to use it and to develop it further. A learner who is happy, confident, and challenged in a positive way, progresses towards their full potential. ISB’s modern child-centrededucationalmodelcombinesacademicexcellenceandinclusivenessIt useshigh-qualityandtailored-maderesourcesinamultidisciplinaryandcoordinated way Flexibility,partnership,andtheconstantefforttosupportandreassurechildren bringsimpressiveeducationalresults.
WhatadvicewouldyougivetoprospectiveparentsconsideringISB?
Yourchilddeservesthebestpossibleconditionsandopportunitiestogrow,learn,and findtheirownplaceintheworld.Don'tmissthechanceandcomevisitISB.
Interestedinsharingyourparentstory?Pleasecontactus!
A T H L E T I C S
RaidersWinterSeasonTryoutsstarttheweekof18November,withpracticesstarting thefollowingweek FormoreinformationreadtheWinterSeasonTryoutSchedule–thePracticeScheduleisonpage2.Youcansignupontheinterestformhere.
ForourWinterSeasonTeams,theWinter Raiders 101 will be on the evening of Tuesday, 26 November. This is a mandatory preseason orientation for student-athletesandtheirparents.This meeting will provide student-athletes andtheirparentswithvitalinformation about the Athletics Department, their team,andtheirseason.
Please see the Community Portal for relevant documents on the Winter SeasonaswellastheRaidersAthletics Programme.
TheFallseasonendson22November.Supervisionisavailableduringthegapweek betweenseasons(from25to28November).Tosignuppleaseusetheadhocform.
TheWinterscheduleswillbeavailableontheCommunityPortalfrom15November SignupwilltakeplaceviaSchoolsbuddy,fromWednesday,20Novemberatnoonto theendofthedayonSunday,24November.It’snotfirstcomefirstserved,sononeed torush!Informationonhowtosignupisalsoavailableontheportalpage.
Watch out for new fun activities like ES podcasts, volleyball, modern dance, ECC boardgames,science&engineering,crochetfortheUpperSchool,andofcoursethe returnofclassicssuchasclimbingandswimming TheWinterseasondatesarefrom 2Decemberto12March.
ISBARTS
Urinetown:TheMusical
The Performing Arts Department is looking forwardtotheupcomingHighSchoolTheatre Production of Urinetown:TheMusical. In the not-so-distantfuture,aterriblewatershortage and20-yeardroughthasledtoagovernment ban on private toilets and a proliferation of paidpublictoilets,ownedandoperatedbya single megalomaniac company: the Urine GoodCompany.
Ifthepoordon’tobeythestrictlawsprohibiting free urination, they’ll be sent to the dreaded and mysterious “Urinetown” A brilliant satire, modelledontheplaysofKurtWeillandBertolt Brecht, 'Urinetown' is a wickedly funny, fastpaced, and surprisingly intelligent comedic romp.
Parental guidance for audience members under the age of 13. Ticket sales open on 8 Novemberatwww.isb.be/tickets.
AMISEuropeanJuniorHonorChoir
From20to24November,twelvetalentedElementarySchoolsingerswillattendthe AMISEuropeanJuniorHonorChoirattheAmericanSchoolofMadrid.Theeventisa challengeprogrammeprovidingstudentswhoarelookingforextraopportunitiesto develop their skills with a context for further growth Out of the students who auditioned,12werechosentotraveltoMadridtorehearsewithsingersfrom11other internationalschools.
HOMELANGUAGEPROGRAMME
OurextendedHomeLanguageProgrammewas launchedthisschoolyear,andwearehappyto announce that five new in-school Home Languagecoursesstartedtodayforstudentsin grades1to6
Ahugethankyoutoallwhohaveplayedarolein bringingthisprogrammetolife!
Should you want to know more about Home Languages at ISB, please consult the Home LanguageProgrammebrochure
VIRTUALVISITOFA CONTEMPORARYWITNESS
InthecontextoftheIBGrade12EnglishLiteratureclasscurrently studying Midnight's Children, a novel by the acclaimed AngloBritishwriterSalmanRushdie,theHSG12EnglishLiteratureclass had the honour of hosting a live Q&A session with a contemporary witness of India's partition, Mr Khalid Umar Farooqui, the grandfather of an ISB graduating class of 2024 alumna,MaleehaUmarFarooqui
Bornin1938inMeerut,atowninthestateofUttarPradesh,MrUmarFarooquitalkedabouthis experiencesduringthepartitionofIndiaasa9-yearoldwitnessingthedisplacement,the religioustensionsandviolence,aswellastheexhilarationfeltbyeveryoneuponthearrivalin thenewlyfoundedstateofPakistan
Duetotheageofthewitness,questionshadbeenpreparedinadvanceandwerecentred aroundhisexperiences,howeasyitwastoadapttonewsurroundings,economics,and returningtohisancestralcityBeforehisaccountofhisownhistory,hegavetheclassabrief historylessonontheIndianmutinyin1857andhisownfamily'sinvolvementintheuprising againstBritishcolonialoccupation.
Mr Umar Farooqui provided a lens into the fictional text, lifting it from a mere work of literary merit to something real and palpable, allowing students a glimpse into history and experiences far removed from them The sessions was joined by two former alumni Maleeha and Krummi Hjaltarson Morthens, as well as ISB Math teacher Kulsoom Adeel. Towardstheendofthesession,studentsasked questions, and Maleeha at times needed to clarify for her grandfather switching to Urdu, highlighting how translanguaging is so importantintoday'sworld
ISBSTEM
We are very excited to be hosting the greenlight for girls event in Brussels on Saturday, 30 November from 9:30 to 16:00
G4g is an international non-profit organisation that organises interactive events and workshops in many locations around the world, inspiring girls to pursue STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering andMathematics)subjectsandcareers.
The Brussels event will welcome 200 girls aged 10-16 for a day of immersive STEM workshops,inspiration,andhands-onlearningonourcampus.
The free event will be conducted in English, French, and Dutch and will feature engaging workshops covering topics like DNA extraction and creative engineering challenges,talksfrominspiringindustrymentors,andaspecial“ParentAdventuresin Tech” session with Google, where parents can learn coding skills and receive a CertificateofAttendance.
Findoutmoreandregisterhere.
HighSchoolStudentsreflecteachmonthontheirvolunteeringexperiences.Belowisa reflection from a student on a project that feeds the homeless and vulnerable in Brussels
VolunteeringwithStreetKindness
ThismonthIvolunteeredfortheStreetKindnessproject Wepreparedlunch,lunch bags, and hygiene kits, then distributed them to 80 homeless people around the centreofBrussels Ifoundthisprojectamazinganddifferenttotheothersforafew reasons.Ifoundthateveryonetherehadgreatrespectforeachotherandforthe homelessbeingserved,andIreallygottoknowalltheothervolunteersintheproject.I alsowashappytoseethecomraderybetweenthevolunteers;therewasnoacute hierarchy or leadership, we simply worked through problems together to find a solutionwithacommongoalinmind:servicetothoseinneed.
However,mostimportantly,Ifeltthattheatmosphereoftheprojectallowedforand encouraged important, positive interactions with the people we were serving. We engagedinconversationswiththehomeless,askingthemtheirnamesandhowtheir daywasgoingandjustgenerallytalkingaboutwhateverwasontheirminds.This aspect,Ifind,isextremelyvaluablebecausethehomelessaresooftendehumanised andignoredbysociety,andIthinkthattheseinteractions,howeverinnocenttheymay seem,makeabigdifferenceintheirlivesbymakingthemfeelvaluedandcaredfor.
Callingoutforhostcompanies/organisations–OurstudentsneedYOU!
We are pleased to announce that, during the Summer of 2025, ISB will be providing again an exciting opportunity for Grade 9, 10, and 11 students, to gathermeaningfulworkexperiencethroughtheWorldofWorkProgramme.
Wearelookingfortwo-week(consecutive)unpaidandfull-timeplacements between23Juneand22August,wherestudentscancontributetoreal-world projectswhilelearningfromprofessionalsinthefield.
Shouldyourorganisationbeinterestedinofferingsuchanopportunitytoour student(s), please fill out this form We appreciate your help, as this programmecannotrunwithouthostcompaniesandorganisations.
ForgeneralinformationaboutWorldofWork,pleaseclickhere.
Our School Director, James MacDonald, recently sat down with The Brussels Times to share insights into ISB’s unique approach to personalised learning. In his interview, James spoke about our belief that “no two students arethesame,”andabouthowourcurriculumis designed to ensure every student finds a pathwaytosuccess.
Readthefullarticlehere
DidyouKnow?
The Lower and Upper Schools have Family Association Representatives supporting parentsanddivisioncommunication.Beonthelookoutformoreinformationabout yourFARepinnextweek’sCommunityCompass GettoknowyourFAReps
ECCRepresentative-eccreps@isbfa.be JillBrightling
ESRepresentatives-esreps@isbfa.be
AshleyAnderson,AlenArikan,DagrunWold, AdrienneBory,LisaHåkansonNorén,KarikaShah
MarkYourCalendar
MSRepresentatives-msreps@isbfa.be ValentinaFiore,RolaSalloum.
HSRepresentatives-hsreps@isbfa.be DanyaIdriss,LuizaPalhano,LalehBauerAkbarian,PreetiDhawan
Thursdays,from7November7to12December
MindfulMeditationWorkshop(sixweeks)
Emailelena.ligresti@libero.it
Tuesday,12November
FAMonthlyMeeting
JoinusforourmonthlyISBparentmeetings,whichareopentoallISBParents 12to15November
ISBMakingaDifferenceWeek
Awhole-schoolfooddrivefordriedfoodproducts(eg rice,pasta,dried chickpeas,orzo,etc) Startsavingyourdriedgoodsandlookformoredetailsin thenextCommunityCompass.
Thursday,14November
Workshop:TheExpatTrailingSpouse
Joinusforaworkshopabouttheexpatlife,runbyanaccreditedexecutive coach.
Emailstephanie.gheysen@ssens.be
Formoreinformation,gototheFACommunityCompass.
StayConnected
Therearemanywaystodiscoverallthegreatevents,classes,andactivitiestheFAisdoing Wehopetoseeyouatonesoon!
BiweeklyFACommunityCompass LookoutfortheFAnewslettereveryotherWednesdayinyourinboxtodiscoveralltheFAhas toofferfortheISBCommunity.
WhatsAppGroup ISBFamilyAssoc.NEWS-StayinformedaboutimportantnewsandupdatesfromtheFA.
ISBApp
FindusontheISBPortalandontheAppforcontacts,events,andinformationabouttheFA
UPCOMINGEVENTS
On13November,ourdoorswillopenforfamilieswishingtoseewhatpersonalisedlearning lookslikeandhowitisimplementedfromourEarlyChildhoodCentretoourHighSchool. AdmissionsareopenthroughouttheyearatISB,andweloveshowingparentswhoarenew toBrusselsorinterestedinchangingschoolswhatourprogrammesandcommunityhaveto offer.
ShouldyouhaveanyfamilymembersorfriendswhoarecuriousaboutISB,invitethemto comelearnmoreaboutpersonalisedlearningandtomeetourteam!Registrationsviathis form.
HEALTHOFFICE
Autumn is a great time to focus on certain vitamins that support your health as the weatherchanges.Herearesomekeyvitaminstoconsider:
VitaminC
Helps boost the immune system, especiallyimportantduringthecoldand flu season. Sources include citrus fruits, bellpeppers,andbroccoli.
VitaminA
Supports eye health and immune function. Found in sweet potatoes, carrots,anddarkleafygreens
BVitamins(especiallyB6&B12)
Important for energy production and brain health. Found in whole grains, meat,eggs,anddairyproducts.
VitaminD
As sunlight decreases, getting enough vitamin D in Belgium becomes crucial Vitamin D supports bone health and immunefunction.Sourcesincludefattyfish, fortifiedfoods,andsupplements.
VitaminE
Acts as an antioxidant and helps maintain healthy skin Sources include nuts, seeds, andspinach.
Folate(VitaminB9)
Supports cell division and is important for overall health. Sources include leafy greens,legumes,andfortifiedgrains.
LATEBUSES LATEBUSES
LOCATION LOCATION
Asof12NOVEMBERlatebuseswilldepartfromthe CHÂTEAU
TIMING TIMING
As of12NOVEMBERbuseswilldepartat17:20&18:15
Asof18NOVEMBERpre-registrationismandatoryforthe latebus.
Occasionallatebus?SignupviaBatOnRouteSafe Wholeseasonlatebus?SignupviaTHISFORM
IfyouarenewtoBatOnRouteSafe,youwillneedto downloadtheappandcreateyouraccount.
Ifyouhavequestionsregardingthechanges tothelatebus,donothesitatetoreachoutto thebusofficeviabuses@isb.be
Wehaveresourcesandsupportinplacethatcanhelp.
HerearesomearticlesandpresentationsfromtheCounsellingTeam to guide your family through Moving, Transitions, and Dealing with Change.
And lastly, don't forget that it is very important to inform our AdmissionsTeamthatyouareleaving,bycompletingthisform.
