COMMUNITYUPDATE
Issue2-19September2025
DIRECTOR’SUPDATE
DearCommunity,
We’ve had a great start to the school year, and it’s wonderful to see our campus in full swing Over the past few weeks, as students have settled into their classes, it has been greattoseesomanyparentsatourvariousOpenHousesandothercommunityevents
We have also been busy behind the scenes, and last week our Communications Team launched a brand new website which, I think, captures the essence of our vibrant community and learning programmes even better than before. Beyond a visual upgrade,thenewwebsiteaimstoconveykeyideasonwhatpersonalisationmeansto us at ISB, how it is practically implemented from ECC to HS, and how it fits into our StrategyfortheFuture.Ifyouhavenotdonesoalready,Iinviteyoualltoexploreit.
The spirit of our community is truly one of the most special things about ISB, and what better way to celebrate it than through our long-standing legacy event: Our Annual Homecoming As it is the case every year in October, we are expecting around 2000 attendees,composedofISBfamilies,employees,andalumnifromallovertheworld,to be joining us on campus to cheer on the Raiders sports teams, along with music, food trucks, and other activities. Please bring your family on Friday, 10 October for what promisestobeanothermemorableeveningcelebratingeverythingISB!
Finally, as a leading international school, we know that being challenged is not just for students. We need to ensure that we continue to challenge ourselves to improve as a school, and one way we do is through our partners. Today we are proud to be hosting on campus the Directors from our ISST8 peers (Frankfurt International School, Munich International school, The American School in London, American International School Vienna, American School of Paris, American School of The Hague, and Zurich InternationalSchool),tosharebestpracticesbetweenourschools,andtoexploremore waysinwhichwecansupporteachothertoprovideevenbetterlearningopportunities forallofourstudents.
Wishingyouallarestfulweekend! JamesMacDonald
JV/VarsitySoccerandVolleyballHostTheFrankfurtWarriors! AmericanFootballWinBigAgainstROTA!
FromCoachGentile,VarsityBoysSoccer: “After a narrow 2–1 defeat on Friday, the team showedgreatresilienceandcamebackSaturdaywitha1–0,sealedbyaconfidentpenalty from Arnar, one of our captains We appreciate all of the student and parent support throughouttheweekendNextup ASH”
FromCoachJanelle,VarsityGirlsSoccer:“Wehadourgoalies,ElenaandLuana,stepupfor theteam Laurenshowedsomegreatleadershiptoournewerplayers Manonhad3goalsthis weekend! Elsie had many shout outs at the end of both games for her smart and strong defenseinthecentre Overall,greatfirstgameswithgoals,strongtackles,learningabouteach other,andusingourspeedagainstFrankfurt”ThegirlswouldtakethewinonSaturday,3-1
JVGirlsSoccertally13goalsintwogamesenroutetotwobigwinsagainstTheWarriors! FromCoachGabbie:“Theteamhadgreatsynergyacrosstheentirefieldafteronly2practices together.Theyfoughthardandhustledforeachother.SpecialshoutouttoourkeeperVala withastellarPKsaveonSaturday”
FromCoachRosky,AmericanFootball:“Aperfectwaytostarttheseasonwithall26dressed playersgettingtimeonthefield Alotoflearninghappeningwithnewplayersintheirfirstever games Tremendous effort by many players, but Max Ball had a solid night at QB, Alex ChapmanhadagoodgameatRBandTerryKoowasalloverthefieldmakingtackles.Ezra ClaybornewasastandoutplayerondefensebutalsosteppedinwhenneededatRBand createdafewhighlightreelruns ItwasagreatnighttobeaRaider”Finalscore:47-8forthe hometeam.
FollowtheweeklyhighlightsonInstagram!@isb_raiders Forupcominggames,pleasehavealookattheISBRaidersWeeklySchedule.(Livestream links:ISB-ASH)
TheFallseasonstartsonMonday,22September!WearehappytorunnewactivitiesforUpper School students like Business 101, Web Design, or Watercolour painting We still have a few placesavailable,sodonothesitatetogetintouchatisbplus@isb.be!
The season dates are 22 September - 28 November Get active, get creative, there is somethingforeveryone!
RegistrationforBSABasketballwillopenon20October! Opentoallboys&girls,ages6-13.ThecalendarcanbefoundHERE. Questions?Pleaseemailbasketball@bsasports.org
ISBARTS
The Performing Arts Department has some exciting events coming up in the next couple of weeks.MiddleSchoolstudentsinterestedintheatrecannowenrolforthestudioproduction‘5 Days’,animmersiveweek-longtheatreexperienceopentoallMiddleSchoolstudents. Participants will be working throughout the week to create their own play, culminating in a performance entitled‘5Days’onthefinalday Ifyouareanactor, technician, dancer, musician, or an all-around artist, jointhisexcitingexperiencetocreateaplayinonlyfive days!
Dates: 29/09 - 3/10, from 16:00 - 18:00, in the Drama Studio
Performances:3/10,at18:30&19:15,intheDramaStudio
Studentscansign-upviathisform
Attheendofthemonth,nineBandandChoirstudents willparticipateintheAMISHonorJazzFestivalandJazz Skills Workshop 2025 in Hong Kong. Our talented student artists successfully auditioned to take part in thisexcitingopportunity ThisHighSchooleventbrings togethertwoexceptionalauditionedensembles–aBig Band, celebrating the iconic sound of traditional jazz, andaVocalJazzEnsemble,highlightingtheartistryand creativityofvocaljazz.
Through our Community Engagement Programme (CAS), students build meaningful connections with both local and global communities, thus learning to lead with empathy, respect,andacommitmenttoservice
During the 2024-25 school year, 480 of our students supported environmental projects, collaborated with refugee initiatives, and assisted individuals with additional needs. Each project challenged them to listen, understand, and respond with compassion, thus strengtheningtheirawarenessofoursharedresponsibilitytooneanother.
Weareproudofthewaysourstudentscontinuetogrowasempatheticglobalcitizenswhile honouringtheenvironment,people,andtraditionsofthecommunitywearepartof
HEALTHOFFICE
Withthecoldermonthsahead,wewouldliketoremindourcommunityaboutourgeneral health-relatedabsenceguidelines.
Asaruleofthumb,ifyourchildisdisplayingsymptomsandisunwell,theyshouldremainat home Ifsymptomsworsenordonotimprovewithin48-72hours,weencourageyoutoseeka doctor’sopinion.
Symptomsinclude: Frequentcoughing
Aseverecoldwithacontinuallyrunnynose
Vomitingordiarrheawithinthepast24hours
Afeverabove380°Cwithinthepast24hours
Anyconditionthatcouldbecommunicable
Pleasealsoseehereacommunicationfromourheadnurse,withfurtherguidancetohelp maintainahealthyenvironmentforourchildren,faculty,andstaff.
NewISBWebsite
ISBBrusselsApp
TheISBBrusselsappiscurrentlyundergoingamajorupdateanditiscausingsomeissuesfor someusers
Parentswillbeinformedassoonasthenewappisreadytodownload(withinthenextfew weeks).Inthemeantime,alltheresourcesparentswouldaccessviatheappareavailablein theCommunityPortal,includingallschoolcommunicationssuchastheCommunityUpdate, schoolwideresourcesanddocuments,andlinkstoallotherISBplatforms.
AlumniMentoringBoard
PleaseseebelowalistofISBAlumniwhoarereadytosharetheirskillsandexperiencetoguide current ISB students. Should you want to get in touch with any of the mentors, please get in touchwithusandwewillputyouincontact!
MENTORSREADYTOHELP
HandHahne(Classof1970):RetiredMcDonald’sfranchiseewith45yearsof businessexperienceintherestaurantandhospitalityindustry.Strongfocuson goodbusinesspractices.Offersguidanceonhospitalitycareers,techniques, businessinsights,andindustryopportunities.
RogerWachtel(Classof1980):BS andMSinEducation Highschool Englishteacherandcoachfor42 years,authoroffournon-fiction historybooksforyoungpeople,and long-timeteacher-mentor Offers careeradviceandguidancefor aspiringeducatorsorin-service teachersseekingmentorship
GiuliaKobia(Classof2019):Politicsgraduate (Netherlands)andHECParisMaster’sin EconomicsandFinance Internship experienceatTotalEnergiesandin consulting;currentlyworksatA&Minsports consulting Bringsinsightintonavigating indecision,industrychanges,applications, andCVs Happytoadviseonpathways, opportunities,andcareerplanning
Arthur-Adrian Nagels (Class of 2020): Pace University graduate (BA in Art + 3 minors) Former MET intern, Best Buy top salesman, and Sony representative Experience in video production (Super Bowl projects, Abu Dhabi billionaire client) Part-ownerofBultBlockchain,currentlyBrandAmbassadoratDavidoffofGeneva Offers guidance on fast-tracking academics, networking, sales, and turning adaptabilityandconfidenceintoopportunitieswithglobalbrands
Makoto Fukui (Class of 1992): Real estate investment and finance specialist withnearly30years’experience,includingrolesatMitsuiFudosan(Japan)and Schroders (UK). Offers career advice for those interested in global real estate, particularlyinJapanandtheUK.
AlessaCandon(Classof2025):RecentISBgraduate(IBscore39),currentlyona gapyear Activeintheatre,sports,andclubswhileatISB,nowofferingtutoringin ESS, French B, Theatre, and English Helps current students balance academics withextracurricularsanduseISBresourceseffectively.
MENTORSREADYTOHELP
SueGedrych(ISBMathsTeacher2009-2011): Experienced senior manager and technical project manager in manufacturing, with expertise in team leadership, resource management, and project finances. Also a former ISB maths teacher. Helps young people organise career goals and discover opportunities in manufacturing.
Stuart Chalin (Class of 1982): Therapist for over 20 years, with a background in clinical social work Began his career in his late 30s after varied jobs and life experiences Offers support and career advice in therapy, clinic work, private practice,andnavigatingpersonalandprofessionalchange
Chris Strimbu (Class of 1993): UX leader at Google with 9+ years in one of the world’slargestdesignorganisations Experiencedinmanagingcareersinbigtech, exploringAI’simpactondesign,andweighingtheprosandconsoftechcareersin arapidlyevolvingindustry
Jessica Mellor (Class of 1991): Biotech professional specialising in drug development across all phases, with expertise in Program and Alliance Management and licensing agreements with large pharma Mentors those interestedinbiotechcareersortransitioningintoprogrammanagement
NekaneMedranoCuetos(Classof2018):Biochemistrygraduatewithamaster’sin human assisted reproduction Passionate about reproductive medicine and eager to share insights into embryology, fertility treatments, and career opportunities in this growing field Offers guidance to students curious about biomedical sciences andlesser-knownstudypaths
NEWTHISYEAR–FAFALLFAMILYFLEAMARKET
Gotstuff?SellitatourfirstFAFleaMarket!
Goodtoknow:
OpentoALLISBFamilies
Eachspotisthesizeofoneparkingspace
Allsecond-handitemscanbesold,including sportequipment,clothes,accessories,fitness gear,smallfurniture,appliances,etc
Donationtosecureaspaceisonly15€
Schedule:Setup09:00-10:00&Cleanup17:0019:00
Signuptoday,spotsaregoingfast!
GIVINGBACK
Community Engagement is a key component of each student’s experience at ISB. Through partnerships with local organisations, the school supports projects while aiming to create a lifelongcommitmenttohelpingothersinourlearners
Eachyear,theFAworkscloselywiththeschool's Creativity,Activity,Service(CAS)programmeto supportISB’scommunitypartners.Theserange from helping the homeless, refugees, disadvantaged children, individuals with additional needs, low-income families, animal welfare,andenvironmentalprojects
In addition, each term our adult language programmes donate to the Ecole Maximilien charity thanks to the fees paid for the classes. This charity, based in Brussels, offers free language classes to refugees to assist them in settlinginBelgium
Lastly,throughtheRaider’sCafe,anditsmanywonderfulvolunteers,theFAprovidesadditional support for ISB’s Sports and Arts programmes to create even more opportunities for our students.
LookformoreinformationineachCommunityCompassonhowtheFAisgivingback,and opportunitiesforfamiliestogetinvolved
Health&ConsentForm
REMINDER
It is very important to provide us with up-to-date health informationaboutyourchild(ren) Wearealsorequired,under theGDPRstatutes,toaskparentsofstudentsundertheageof13 forconsenttousecertaintypesofimages(photographs,videos)
Shouldyounothavedonesoalready,wekindlyrequestthatyou completetheHealthandConsentFormassoonaspossible.The HealthandConsentFormisamandatorylegalrequirementfor yourchild(ren)’senrolmentatISB Adoctor’svisitisnotrequired tocompletetheform Pleasenotethatyouwillneedtocomplete theformforeachofyourchildrenenrolledatISB.
AccesstheHealthandConsentFormviaPowerSchool,withyour ISBparentemailaddressandpassword.
Kattenberg19,B-1170Brussels,Belgium +3226614211 reception@isbbe wwwisbbe
