COMMUNITY UPDATE
DIRECTOR’SUPDATE
DearCommunity,
It’s hard to believe this is already the final Community Update of 2024 Reflecting on the past four months, it’s inspiring to see our teachers’ passion, our students’ curiosity, and our community’s commitment to creating such a special school environment From cheering on the Raiders teams and celebrating student artists’ and performers’ successes to advancing STEM across our sections and launching the extended Home Language Programme in the LowerSchool,thissemesterhasbeenrichwithopportunities
Yesterday’s opening of Chrysalis – our whole-school art exhibition – was another highlight for me Featuring student artworks from Preschool to Grade 12, the exhibit reflects our students' creativityanddedication.Specialthankstoallparticipatingstudents,teachers,andMSstudent curators for making it a reality. Chrysalis will remain open at the Château until January 2025, andIencourageeveryonetovisitinthenewyear
A major milestone this semester was launching our Strategy Playbook, outlining ISB’s vision to lead in personalisedlearningandprovidingaroadmaptoour future success. Building on this work, today we published the AnnualReportfor2023-24, showcasing our community’s progress and achievements in advancing personalised opportunities for every student
As the year ends, it’s a perfect time to reflect on these accomplishments and to look ahead I warmly invite everyonetoreadthereport,celebrateourjourney,and envisionhowwecancontinuetogrowtogether.
FromallofusatISB,wewishyouwarmandhappyholidaysfilledwithjoyandqualitytimewith loved ones. May we return happy and recharged in 2025 for another year of exciting learning opportunitiesatISB!
Kindregards,
James MacDonald ISB Director
PARENTVOICES
Parent
oaboutyourself?
I am a proud ISB
, ISBPlus Technology
S FA representative with ISB for 3 years y hah,andhisversatile work,thejourneyfromTexas,USA(for20+years)to Brussels, Belgium has been phenomenal, and ISB plays a huge role in making this experience worthwhile
HowwouldyousummariseyouroverallexperienceatISBinafewsentences?
ISBtousislikeDisney’sMagicalExperience,offeringeveryfamilymembertheirgrippingshare of experience, learning, and place to grow For my kids (Jenami, Grade 7 and Nirek, Grade 5) the incredible journey included making new friends, learning to be independent thinkers while progressing academically, understanding their needs during field trips (especially to different countries),havingtheirownMacBookdevices,andmanymore Forusparents,ISB’sopenand receptive culture helped us launch new STEM programmes, build a stronger parent network, and foster an environment to express one’s thoughts and ideas for every child’s successful growth
What were your expectations of ISB before joining us? Have we met these expectations(and,ifyes,how)?
Our expectations as a parent were very clear Firstly, we wanted an American academic learning style, and secondly a safe, receptive, and progressive learning environment. Both of these, and many other hidden expectations, were fulfilled at ISB Our kids' learning style continued in the same way despite the continent change The emphasis on the BIG 4 and the reinforcementofExecutiveFunctioningatatenderagemakesISBstandout.
ISBplacesastrongfocusonpersonalisation.InwhatwaysdoyouthinkISBprovides thesupportandresourcesneededforeverychild'ssuccess?
The academic learning at ISB is designed, adapted, and challenged based on every child’s need Our kids have different strengths and interests and both are given their own space for growthatISB.Whileoneischallengedonentrepreneurialgrounds,theotherisgiventheteam environmenttogetthepracticalexperienceofteamdynamics.Theexperiencedteacherstake personalownershipincultivatingandstimulatingtheirgrowth,whichagainstandsISBapart
WhatadvicewouldyougivetoprospectiveparentsconsideringISB?
To all prospective parents – ISB truly lives up to the saying that “It’s more than a school” Your childdoesnotonlygrowacademically,butwillalsobuildastrongcharacterandlearnhowto give back to the community through their service and learning. It’s a place not just for your child’s growth (both emotional and academic), but also provides an equally engaging environment for parents through various academic, athletic, and community-wide engagementopportunities.
Isthereanythingelseyouwouldliketoadd,whichwasnotcoveredbythequestions above?
OnceanISBian,alwaysanISBian!Throughitsvarietyofprogrammesfromacademiclearning, to field trips, to after-school programmes, to international sports participation, ISB instills important values, encouraging children to put their points across confidently, but with grace and respect. The transient nature of the ISB culture, with expats moving across the globe, fostersstudents'adaptabilityandappreciationforthequalitytimespentwiththeirclassmates, teachersandstaff,andgetsthemreadyforanytypeofsituationinthefuture.
Raiders Athletics is entering a relationship with the profes Basketball,andwewouldliketoinviteourcommunitytoattendthenexthomegameon15 December.Thedetailsandtheregistrationformareprovidedbelow.
Game:BrusselsBasketballvsBasketballAcademieLimburg
Date:Sunday,15December
Time:15:00
Venue:Neder-Over-HeembeekSportsCenter
Registration:Studentscansignupindividuallyusingthisnewform:GameRegistration Form.
ThisnewrelationshipwiththeBrusselsBasketballteamalsomeansthattheywillbetrainingat ISBon17December Thisisagreatopportunityformembersofourcommunitytoexperiencea professionaltrainingsessionupclose TheopenpracticewilltakeplaceintheRedGymfrom 16:30until18:00.Thereisnochargeforattendingthesessionsandtherewillbeanopportunity tomeettheplayersandcoachesfollowingthepractice
The winter season is up and running It’s time for cosy activities like crochet, creative photography,orjewellerymaking
TherewillbenoactivitiesonMonday6andTuesday7January(PDDays).Ifyouneedfull-day supervision, please fill in the adhocform The cost is 70 EUR for the day, from 08:30 to 17:00 ThedeadlinetosignupisThursday,19December.
Wewishyouawonderfulholidayseason!
Someteamsarenowfull,butyouarewelcometoaddyourchild’snametothewaitlist Formoreinformation,pleaseemailoffice@bsasports.orgorvisit www.bsasports.org/register
SPerforming Arts Department is g forward to the continuation of interconcertseason Ticketsforall ertsareavailablehere
15Decemberat15:00-ISBTheatre Jazz@ISBJazzBandconcert
16 December 19:30 - Onze-LieveVrouwekerk Huldenberg HS Choir ensemble (no tickets necessary for thisconcert)
17 December 18:30 - ISB Theatre Grade5and6StringsInformance.
ThewholeschoolartexhibitionChrysalisopenedyesterday,12Decemberwithavernissageat the ISB Château The exhibition features student artworks from ECC to HS, curated by our wonderfulMSArtCurators
Come visit this inspiring art project and support our student artists in sharing their vision! The exhibitionwillrununtiltheendofJanuary2025,offeringtheperfectopportunityforavisittothe ISBChâteauinthenewyear.
ISBSTEM
G4gBrusselsDay@ISB
We were delighted to welcome 140 girls, aged 10 to 16, from Saturday, 30 November for the g4g day in Brussels, which in Circuits,Probability,Chemistry,Engineering,Physics,Technolog
75 parents attended the Parents Adventure in Tech workshop ISB, on the importance of building computer science and STE foryounggirlsinterestedinscience
By supporting girls in STEM at ISB, we ensure that all students have the opportunity to engage with,explore,andultimatelymaketheirownimpactontheworld
OurHSstudentshavevolunteeredatPoverelloformanyyears,belowisastudentreflection fromtheirfirsttimevolunteeringatthesoupkitchen.
“To begin my first CAS volunteering activity, I decided to volunteer at the soup kitchen that many ISB students have previously helped out at I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I ended up having a really great time The staff/volunteers were all really kind towards me despite not speakingEnglishastheirfirstlanguage ThetasksIwasaskedtoperformincludedservingthe people soup, lasagna, bread, and some roast veggies, depending on what they wanted The servicelastedaboutanhour,andthenIhadsomefoodformyselfbeforehelpingwithwashing dishes,moppingthedininghall,andcleaningthetables.Onceeverythingwasdone,Isatand had coffee with the other volunteers and they told me a bit about the history of Poverello. Overall, I felt like I was able to learn a lot about the people and their diversity. They had come from places as far apart as Poland and Mexico and were able to learn multiple languages by volunteeringinthisenvironment”
WSATISB
ubbie
ewsensoryhub–Cubbie ulation pod designed to wellbeing Cubbie offers a safe and calming environment where students can regulate their emotions, focus their energy, and return to learning with renewed confidence The pod is suitable for one person at a time and features a comfortable digitally immersive space using sound, light, and video stimuli. Cubbie is currently located in theESbuildinganditisopentoallstudents,ECCtoHS, andallISBfacultyandstaff
We are committed to creating a nurturing space for every student to thrive, and we are excited to be the firstschoolinBelgiumtoutilisethistoolforourstudents and teachers! This innovation is just one of the ways we’re prioritising personalised and inclusive learning environments
HS Guest Speaker – Holocaust SurvivorMs.ReginaSluszny
WewerehonouredtowelcomeMs.ReginaSluszny, a Holocaust survivor, as our guest speaker this week.Reginasharedherpersonalstoryofsurvival, resilience, and the profound experience she endured during one of history’s darkest times Through her powerful testimony, she not only reminded us of the importance of remembering the past but also spoke to the larger themes of humanity, compassion, and standing up against injustice.
Her message emphasised the significance of speaking out against hate and intolerance, and how each of us plays a part in shaping a more empathetic and just world We are deeply grateful for her courage in sharing her story and for the lasting impact her words have had on our community.
ECCWinterMarketFundraiser
TodayourGrade2studentshostedtheirannualWinterMarketF proceedsfromthisyear’smarketwillbedonatedtotheComm theISBgoaltoraise6,000EURtofundallmealspreparedforh duringtheholidayseason HugecongratulationstoourG2stud thehardworkinpreparationforthisevent!
HEALTHOFFICE
We are in the midst of the winter seasonal viruses that present with cold and flu-like symptomssuchasheadache,sorethroat,blocked(orrunny)nose,andmalaise.
Toprotectyourselfandothersduringthistimeit’sgoodtorevisittheeasyandpracticalways tostopthespreadofinfection:
Washhandswithsoapandwaterregularlyasvirusescanspreadthroughcontactwith infectedsurfaces. 1
Coughandsneezeintotissuesortheelbowbendtominimisetransferofinfectionthrough virusparticlesthattravelthroughtheair. 2
Keepadistanceof2metresfromothersifyouareexperiencingsymptoms.3.
If your child is unwell with a fever greater than 37.5 or symptoms that are making them miserable,theyshouldrestathomeanddrinklotsoffluids Iftheyareunwellformorethan3 daysandsymptomsarenotimprovingthenconsultyourdoctor.
TheHealthOfficewishesyouallahealthyendofyear!
g ourfamilies
We wish everyone a campusin2025!TheF below.
ve had! From workshops on chocolate and expat life to tours of toourhugelypopularlanguageandcookingclasses,therehas hisyear Mostimportantly,wehavecometogethertolearnfrom cesasISBparents,andcreatenewandlastingfriendships.
hout our AMAZING group of parent volunteers. The time spent
FALanguageClasses
Ourpopularadultlanguageclasseswillreturnin2025,andwillrestarttheweekof20January Current students are welcome to continue, and a few spots are still open for new students To findoutmore,contactlanguagelearn@isbfa.be Weoffer:Frenchlanguageclasses(beginners & beginners plus), French intermediate conversation sessions, and English conversation sessions.
FAFitness&Wellness
Help make your New Year's resolutions a reality with our health and wellness classes in 2025 Lookoutforthesign-upsinJanuaryforouryogaclasses,health&mindfulnessworkshops,and eveningadulttennis,football&basketball
FACookingClasses
Cooking classes return in January. Hosted in the chef’s home, these intimate classes offer a chancetolearnanewcuisine.Tofindoutmore,contactcookingclasses@isbfa.be. 10January-Frenchcookingclass 13February-Japanesecookingclass
DateTBD-Taiwanesecookingclass
FASpecialEventsin2025
Beonthelookoutforsomefantasticspecialeventsin2025,fromtourstoworkshops,thereare somegreatthingsplannedlikemuseumandshoppingoutings,localtours,FAcoffees,lunches, anddivisionget-togethers!
AndmarkyourcalendarsfortheInternationalFestivalonSunday,8June2025!
IMPORTANT Seeyoubackoncampusin2025!
ISBwillbeclosedfortheend-of-yearbreakfrom21Dece ClasseswillcommenceagainonWednesday,8January
FromallofusatISB,wewishyouwonderfulholidaysand
Wehaveresourcesandsupportinplacethatcanhelp.
Here are some articles and presentations from the Counselling Team to guide your familythroughMoving,Transitions,andDealingwithChange
Andlastly,don'tforgetthatitisveryimportanttoinformourAdmissionsTeamthatyou areleaving,bycompletingthisform.
