DIRECTOR’SUPDATE
DearCommunity,
MayandJunearetimesfullofcelebrationonourcampus,witharguablythemost belovedISBeventstakingplace!Startingnextweekwhenwe’llallbecheeringonour Special Olympics Team as part of their community send-off ahead of the Belgian NationalGamesnextweekend,continuingtheweekendafterthatwiththeawardsand graduation ceremonies for our successful Class of 2025, and followed by the InternationalFestivalonSunday,8June,wehavesomepackedweeksdedicatedto what makes our community truly special and a place where everyone is included, challenged,andsuccessful.
With the end of the year closely approaching, we are all thinking about our senior studentsandtheirachievementsthisyearTherearemanygraduationpathwaysatISB, including the US High School Diploma, International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme, the BTEC and Advanced Placement (AP) programmes, and the IndividualisedDiplomaforstudentsinIntensiveLearningSupportprogrammes,each qualificationrecognisingourstudents'uniquestrengths,abilities,andpassions.Weare veryproudtoseeanothergenerationofseniorspursuetheiruniquefuturepaths,and areveryeagertoseewhattheywilldonext
Lookingbackatthemanyeventsandinitiativesthisyear,fromHomecomingtoarts exhibitions,athleticseventsandmusicandtheatreperformances,it’sclearthatnoneof themwouldhavebeenpossiblewithoutthehelpofourincredibleparentvolunteers, whocontributetoschoollifemeaningfullyeveryyearthroughtheirinvolvementinthe Family Association, chaperoning students in community-based service learning activities, offering learning opportunities, and helping out at the Raiders Cafe and during student arts performances, amongst many more activities. To celebrate everything that you have done in support of our school this school year, I would personallyliketoinviteyoutothisyear’sVolunteerAppreciationEvent,takingplaceon Tuesday,10Junefrom13:30to15:00 Wekindlyaskyoutoconfirmyourattendancevia thisform,andwelookforwardtomarkingthisoccasiontogether!
thisform
Iwisheveryoneagreatweekendahead,andalotofenergyandinspirationforthe remaining4weeksoftheschoolyear!
Bestregards,
JamesMacDonald ISBDirector
ISB’sSpecialOlympicsCelebrations
It’s that exciting time of the year again at ISB! From 28 to 31 May, the ISB Special Olympics Team will be competing in the Belgian National Games located in Kortrijk. Ourathletesandpeercoacheshavebeenworkingincrediblyhardthisyeartoprepare forthiscompetition.BelowaresomekeydatesforourSpecialOlympians:
Monday, 26 May: Special Olympics Mock Trial @ ISB from 16:00 to 17:00 on the UpperSchooltrack Thiseventisdesignedtoprovideourathleteswithanauthentic competitive environment to help prepare them for the national games The mock trialswilltakeplaceontheUpperFieldat16:00.Teachers,students,andfacultyare invitedtocheeronourathletesfortheirfinalpractice.
Tuesday, 27 May: Special Olympics Send-Off Assembly @ ISB from 15:00 - 15:35. RED OUT DAY This whole school assembly will recognise our athletes before they set out to compete in the national games Students are encouraged to make postersandsignsforourSpecialOlympicAthletes Hereyoucanfindthenamesof ourathletesforthe2024/2025season.
Wednesday, 28 May: Opening Ceremony @ Kortrijk, SC Lange Munt (Address here) from 17:30 - 20:15. The pre-show will be from 17:30 - 19:00 and the official ceremony which consists of the torch run will last from 19:00 - 20:15. This event is optional for athletes. For the coaches who are planning on spending the weekend attheNationalgames,wewillleavefromISBat14:30.
Thursday 29 to Saturday 31 May: Competition Days @ Kortrijk, SC Wembley (Address here) ISB will congregate on the exterior of the track to cheer on our athletes.
Schedule of Events & National Games Handbook: Take a look at the National GamesHandbook&EventScheduleformoredetails.
PURPOSEFULFOUNDATIONSATTHEECC
ISB’sECCistheplacewherelittlelearnerstakebig steps!
Our Preschool and Prekindergarten programmes combine purposeful play with expert teaching to sparkcuriosity,buildconfidence,andnurtureevery aspect of your child’s growth From literacy and numeracy to creativity and collaboration, we lay the foundation for a future of joyful learning and success
Readeverythingabouthowourdedicatedteachers implementourearlyyearsphilosophyintheECC.
ISBARTS
UpcomingconcertsandperformancesatISB
TheVoiceWorks,Band,andStringsensembleswillbeperformingsomeexcitingconcertsover thenextcoupleofweekstocelebratetheirlearningthisyearatISB.Bookyourticketshere.
26May–UpperSchoolBandconcert
The Upper School Band ensemble will be celebrating a year of incredible musical growth, taking place in the ISB Theatre at 19:00.
27May–AllStringsconcert
This exciting event will take place in two parts: G5 and Intermediate Strings will perform their concert at 18:30, followed by Grade 6 and Advanced Strings at 19:30, both in the ISB Theatre The concert will celebrate the remarkable progress our students have made throughout the year as they showcase theirmusicalprogress
3June–LowerSchoolBandConcert
Our talented Lower School Band musicians will perform an uplifting concert that highlights their hard work and talent this year,intheISBTheatreat19:00.
5June–VoiceWorksOpenMicNightatCaféTeatro
Our MS VoiceWorks students explore their creative side by writing their own original songs and exploring different approaches to songwriting Students will perform a variety of genres, notably pop and soul, inspired by real life experiences (due to limited seating, please note that seats are reserved exclusivelyforVoiceWorksfamilies)
Supervision
TheSpringseasonisslowlycomingtoanend,withthelastdaybeingFriday,13June Afterthis date,supervisionwillbeavailableuntilthelastdayofschool–justbookitthroughtheadhoc form.
ThereisalsoaPDdayonWednesday,28May,andsupervisiononthisdateisbookableviathe sameform
Thecostis70EURforthefullday(8:30-17:00).
InternationalAwardsGoldandSilver
Over the last few weeks our students have tested their mountaineering abilities and sense of explorationintwoengagingandwell-establishedcompetitions
From30Aprilto3May,18Grade11studentscompletedtheirInternationalAwardGoldpractice expeditionintheVosgesmountains,France Theyworkedindependentlyandnavigatedvaried terrainandelevationchanges TheirnextstepisthefinalevaluationexpeditionintheCévennes regionattheendofJune,coveringover80kmwithsignificantelevationgain
Last week, 22 Grade 10 students participated in their International Award Silver practice in Vergol, France, where they completed a two-day hike and a canyoning trip, practicing camping,navigation,andteamworkskills
Jointheguestlisthere
Asourprojectscometoanendthisyear,withstudentsgettingreadyfor theirexams,wewouldliketosharefeedbackfromoneofourcommunity engagementpartners.
RedCrossSoupKitchen
On behalf of the Red Cross, we want to express our sincere gratitude for yourstudents'activeparticipationinoursoupkitcheninitiative.
Theircommitmenttoservinghotmealstothehomelessandthoseinneed is deeply appreciated. Their help has made a significant positive impact, andweareincrediblygratefulforthetimeandefforttheydedicatedtothis importantcause.
Thank you to you and all your students for your invaluable help and contributions.
Sincerely,
SabrinaAnnoun TheRedCrossTeamSoupKitchen
STEM
ThinkYoungSTEMSchool:AFreeSummerSTEMProgrammeforCuriousYoungMinds
Organised in partnership with Boeing, the programme offers a free, hands-on week in coding, AI&robotics
When:30June-4July2025
Venue:TreeSquareBuilding(SquaredeMeeûs5-6,1000,Brussels)
Audience:60studentsagedbetween11-17yearsold Fee:theclassesarefreeofcharge,butregistrationismandatory→Registerhere!
ThinkYoung’s aim is to equip young people with critical 21st-century STEM-related skills, addressingboththeiraspirationsandtheevolvingdemandsofthelabourmarket Thestudents willlearnthebasicsofcoding,AI,roboticsandessentialskillswhicharerequiredtogetajobin theSTEM-sector.
Overthepasttenyears,ThinkYoungandBoeinghavetrainedmorethan1600teenagersacross Europe, West Asia, and Africa, with over 60% of participants being girls, a significant stride in addressinggenderdisparityinSTEM.
Watchtheshortvideofromlastyear’sSTEMSchooleditioninBrusselsbelow
InternationalFestival
TheInternationalFestivalisjustafewweeksaway,and we hope you are as excited as we are to join us on campus to celebrate ISB's community through our traditions, cuisines, and student performances! As we are preparing to make this day one of the most memorabledaysoftheyear,wewanttosharewithyou someimportantupdates
Tokens and Raffle Tickets
Tokens and Raffle Tickets can now be pre-ordered online While Tokens & Tickets will also be on sale at the event, pre-orders are appreciated and will save you waiting time during registration Find out all information and order your tokens via the form below The form will remain open until 1 June 2025.
ORDER HERE
Merchandise Catalog 2025
For the first time, some of our country booths are offering the option to pre-order beautiful traditional items and food, which can be paid for and picked up from the booth(s) on the day Browse through and pick your favourites via the form below by 30 May 2025.
MERCHANDISE CATALOG
Volunteer on the Day
Do you want to help on the day? Without our amazing volunteers, this event would not be possible! We have several volunteer opportunities in need of filling for this year ' s International Festival. Please consider signing up below for one or more slots
SIGN UP HERE
Parking Update
On Sunday 8 June, a rugby tournament will take place at the Boitsfort Rugby Club (Avenue de la Foresterie), down the road from ISB Parking spots along the Avenue de la Foresterie will be reserved for their buses, and additional traffic is expected as cars will also attempt to park along the street.
To spend more time at the festival and less time looking for parking, we strongly recommend using the Auderghem Shopping Car Park and the free shuttle bus service offered by ISB
Check the bus schedule and stay up to date with all festival details on our webpage below.
READ MORE
OTHERNEWS
LibraryNews
Today our ISB libraries hosted the 3rd annual International School Librarians’ Workshop in theECCESlibrary.
23 librarians from international schools throughoutEuropeattendedtobeinspiredby 2 keynote presentations on storytelling and empathy, and exchanged ideas about best practicesintheindustry
ISYOURFAMIL
If your child won’t be returning next year, please inform us as soon as possible. Your timely responsehelpsuswithplanningandensuringasmoothtransition.Wewillmissyou,butwe’re gratefultohavebeenpartofyourchild’sjourney!
Wehaveresourcesandsupportinplacethatcanhelp.
Here are some articles and presentations from the Counselling Team to guide your family throughMoving,Transitions,andDealingwithChange
And lastly, don't forget that it is very important to inform our Admissions Team that you are leaving,bycompletingthisform
