COMMUNITY UPDATE
DIRECTOR’SUPDATE
DearCommunity,
Every five years, ISB goes through a reaccreditation process and we are very happy to share that following a week-long campus visit in October, we have received our reaccreditation from the Council of International Schools and MiddleStatesAssociation
We now have a written report from the evaluating team, providing us with a combination of commendationsandrecommendationsonanumber of school improvement projects, focusing on our school-wide digital platform, our teacher evaluation system, the Pathways to Excellence Programme, and our integrated school-wide STEM curriculum. Having been involved with many accreditation processes overthecourseofmycareer,Ifoundthisreporttobe a particularly positive one. To give you a sense of whattheexternalevaluatorssaidaboutourschool, Ithoughtwecouldshareafewquotes:
“Wefoundtheschool tobeahappyand affirmingplacefor learning,onethatis fullyalignedtothe school'smissionand itscommitmentto inclusivity,innovation, andthe personalisationof studentlearning.”
“The[PathwaystoExcellence]projectaligns stronglywiththeschool'smission, emphasisingpersonalisededucation throughrelationship-building,flexible learningpathways,creatinglearning systems,anddifferentiatedpedagogy.[Itis recommendedthat]theprojectteam continuestodevelopastructuredaction planwithacleartimelinetostreamlinethe development,scalability,and implementationprocessoftheprogramme.”
“[AtISB]STEMisseenasakeytoolfor differentiationandpersonalisation, aligningwiththeschool'sstrategic objectivesandprovidingadditional opportunityforthewiderangeof studentability [ISB’s]leadershipwill playavitalroleindevelopingcore standardstoensureequitablebenefits forallstudents,andeffectivelyand efficientlyaligningSTEMexperiences.”
Wearecommittedtotheideaofcontinuousimprovement–forourselvesand for our students – and such a report offers a chance for both celebrating progressandplanningforfutureimprovements.
Speaking of accomplishments, I also want to offer my congratulations to many of our students. Our Raiders came back from the ISST Championships in mid-November with 3 Gold and 4 Silver medals in volleyball, soccer, and cross country. Our studentartists have been equally successful in the last weeks, with the premiere of the HS Theatre ProductionofUrinetown:TheMusicalhavingenjoyed a huge success, and our talented ES singers having travelledtotheAMISEuropeanJuniorHonorChoirat TheAmericanSchoolofMadrid,toperforminagala concert with choir singers from 11 other international schools. Congratulations to all these students on representingISBsowell!
“ISBcontinuestobein averystrongposition totrulychampionall studentstobe included,challenged, andsuccessful”
Lastly, I would like to take this opportunity to celebrate all my colleagues for their consistent efforts towards the advancement of these programmes. Through all the work and dedication happening here, we foster a forwardthinkingandexcitingenvironmentforourstudents
Kindregards,
James MacDonald ISB Director
ISBSTEM
G4gDayinBrusselsHostedatISB
It’s tomorrow! We are happy to welcome approximately 200 girls aged 10-16 on our campus for a day of immersive STEM workshops, inspiration, mentorship, and handsonlearning.
Greenlight for girls is an international non-profit organisation that organises interactive workshops in many locations around the world, inspiring girls to pursue STEM(Science,Technology,Engineering,andMathematics)subjectsandcareers
G4gDayinBrusselsisafreeevent,conductedinEnglishandwithaccommodationsin French and Dutch. The activities will feature engaging workshops covering topics like DNA t ti d ti i i challenges, talks from inspiring industry res i T h” i ith G l h e aC
Inpreparationforthisevent,ISBSTEM-enthusiastHSstudent,ourISBSTEMCoordinator, and our Head of High School were invited to attend the Women in STEM Recognition Ceremony at the US Embassy in Belgium, recognising the “STEM Exploratoria: Invent yourFuture”project,developedbyg4g
We are very excited to be sponsoring this inspiring event and to contribute to more equitableopportunitiesforwomenandgirlsinSTEMfields.
“WeneedmorewomeninSTEMbecausetheybringdiverseperspectivesthatdrive innovation,progress,andsocietalchange BysupportinggirlsinSTEMatISB,we ensurethatallstudentshavetheopportunitytoengagewith,explore,andultimately maketheirownimpactontheworld.”
MariaSimoes,ISBSTEMCoordinator
ISBARTS
Urinetown:TheMusical
The Performing Arts Department was delighted by the success of the High School Theatre Production of Urinetown: The Musical, which took place last weekend The students involved were received by a sold-out audience who offered a standing ovation. The musical focused on a not-so-distant future, where a terrible water shortageanda20-yeardroughtledtoagovernmentbanonprivatetoiletsanda proliferationofpaidpublictoilets,ownedandoperatedbyasinglemegalomaniac company–theUrineGoodCompany AbrilliantsatiremodelledontheplaysofKurt WeillandBertoltBrecht,Urinetownisawickedlyfunny,fast-paced,andsurprisingly intelligentcomedicromp.
Congratulationstoallofthecastandcrewinvolved,aswellastoalltheparenthelpers andtheproductionteam!
PhotocredittoMattCarrington
ConcertsatISB
ThePerformingArtsDepartmentisalsolookingforwardtoourexcitingWinterConcert Season!Ticketsavailablehere.
On4December,theUpperSchoolStringsensembleswillbeperformingtheir excitingMovieNightconcert.
On10DecembertheConcert&SymphonicBandWinterConcertwilltake placeintheISBTheatreat19:00.
On11DecemberHighSchoolArtsintheAtriumwilltakeplaceintheHSAtrium at12:15
On12DecemberMiddleSchoolArtsintheAtriumwilltakeplaceintheHS Atriumat12:15.
On12DecembertheGrade5BandInformancewilltakeplaceintheISB Theatreat18:30andtheGrade6BandConcertwilltakeplaceat19:30.
On15DecembertheJazz@ISBJazzBandconcertwilltakeplaceintheISB Theatreat15:00
TheHSChoirensemblewillbeperformingatthebeautifulchurch,Onze-LieveVrouwekerkinHuldenbergon16Decemberat19:30(noticketsnecessaryfor thisconcert).
On17DecembertheGrade5and6StringsInformancewilltakeplaceinthe ISBTheatreat18:30
Whole-SchoolVisualArtsExhibition
OurMSstudentcuratorsarethrilledtoseeyouat theopeningofthewhole-schoolartexhibition–Chrysalis.Theexhibitionwillfeatureawonderful selectionofstudentartwork,fromPreschoolall thewaytoGrade12,createdinawidevarietyof mediumsandmaterials.
Join us to congratulate our talented young artists at the Vernissage on Thursday, 12 Decemberfrom16:00to18:00attheChâteau. Aneventyouwon’twanttomiss! Freeentry
TheCommunityKitchen
Eachweekend,ourHSstudentsvolunteerattheCommunityKitchenwheretheyeither prepare,cook,orportionthefoodtobedistributedtothehomelessandvulnerablein Brussels.Belowisareflectionfromoneofthestudentvolunteers.
“AttheCommunityKitchen,Ihelpedtoportionthe80mealsthatwouldgotopeople livinginRueBelliardand400mealsthatwouldgotootherhomelessshelters.Myjob on the assembly line was distributing the couscous and the gravy, as well as weighingthemealstoensurethattherewas500gramsoffoodperboxtosufficiently feedeveryone.Itwasincrediblyrewardingseeinghowmuchthepeoplerunningthis programmecareabouthomelesspeople Theyareextremelythoroughandputloads ofloveintoeverygramoffoodtheyprovide.Therewerealsoothervolunteersfrom variousbackgroundsthatcametohelp,showingthatcaringforothersandhelping thecommunityisprevalentinallcultures.”
Ourstudentshavesetatargetofraising6000EUR,sothattheycanpayforallthefood thatisdistributedbytheCommunityKitchenovertheholidayperiod Sofartheyhave raised3500Eurotowardsthisgoal!
Tomakeadonationandcontributetowardsthisgoal,youcanscantheQRcode Any amounthelps!
A T H L E T I C S
ThankyoutoeveryonewhoattendedtheWinterRaiders101meetingonTuesday!
PleasechecktheRaidersWeeklyScheduletoseewhatISBishostingandwhereour studentathletesaretraveling.Asareminder,youcanfindtheWinterSeasonPractice ScheduleandotherrelevantdocumentsintheAthleticsResources.
Thewinterseasonisabouttobegin!
Thedatesare2Decemberto12March,andwestillhavespacesinthefollowing activities:
ECC–arts&crafts,boardgamesbuddies,swimming ES – modern dance, basketball (second hour), swimming, crochet, creative photography,juniorvoiceworks,arts&crafts UpperSchool–bodybar,esports,robotics,crochet,photography Comeandjointhefun!Pleaseemailisbplus@isb.betoregister.
TheWinterSoccerRegistrationisopenandfillingquickly!Registerhere!
Pleasejoinusatour3rdAnnualWinterHolidayPartyonSunday,15Decemberfrom 12:00–14:00.
Formoredetailsandtoaddyournametotheguestlist,pleaseclickhere
ISBSCHOOLCOUNSELLING PROGRAMME
AtISB,themissionofourSchoolCounsellingProgrammeistoguideandsupporteach student’s journey. Our team of dedicated school counsellors works across every section of our school, offering a comprehensive programme that empowers academic, personal, social, career, and global development. This is accomplished through classroom lessons, small groups, and individual counselling. Watch our counsellorsinactionandreadthefullinterviewhere.
WINTERMARKETFUNDRAISER
OurGrade2studentswillbehostingtheannualWinterMarketFundraiseronFriday,13 December, when they will be selling their crafted items between 9:00 - 10:30, 11:0012:30, and 13:30 - 14:30 This year the proceeds will be donated to the Community KitchenProject,aspartoftheISBgoaltoraise6000EURtofundallmealspreparedfor homelessandvulnerablepeopleduringtheholidayseason
To prepare for the event, the Grade 2 students held a crafting session on Friday, 15 November, and on Wednesday, 27 November the students met with Sasha Marshall, HeadofECC,topresenttheirwrittenrequesttohostthemarketdayintheECCLobby.
StaytunedformoreinformationfromourGrade2studentsabouttheirevent!
Callingoutforhostcompanies/organisations–OurstudentsneedYOU!
Wearepleasedtoannouncethat,duringtheSummerof2025,ISBwillbeproviding againanexcitingopportunityforGrade9,10,and11students,togathermeaningful workexperiencethroughtheWorldofWorkProgramme.
We are looking for two-week (consecutive) unpaid and full-time placements between23Juneand22August,wherestudentscancontributetoreal-worldprojects whilelearningfromprofessionalsinthefield.
Should your organisation be interested in offering such an opportunity to our student(s), please fill out this form. We appreciate your help, as this programme cannotrunwithouthostcompaniesandorganisations.
ForgeneralinformationaboutWorldofWork,pleaseclickhere.
HEALTHOFFICE
ReporttoParents–4TipstoPromoteWinterWellness
PrioritiseNutrition:
Try to incorporate a variety of food groups, offering essential nutrients to keepyourkidsenergisedandsatisfiedall day long, especially in-season foods like apples, brussels sprouts, carrots, and pears.
BundleUp:
While staying indoors when it's cold is enticing, it's important to get outside when you can Outdoor activities boost physical health and contribute to better sleepandmoodregulation.
RefreshYourDisinfectingRoutine:
Regularly disinfecting high-touch surfaces like kitchen tables and doorknobs with essentials like disinfecting wipes and spray can help cut down on the spread of illnesscausinggerms.
EncourageProperHandwashing:
When your kids get home from school, remind them to wash their hands before eating a snack or playing For younger kids,makeitanactivityyoudotogether
AsweneartheendofNovember,thingsarestartingtolookmuchmorelikewinterin Belgium.Asyoupreparefortheholidaysandfortheschoolbreak,weinviteyoutojoin usinDecemberforfestiveactivities,suchastheBSAWinterMarket.Youmayalsowish tohoneyourskillsinmeditationandrelaxation(anexcellentwaytoprepareforthe holidays)withourYogaandMeditationclasses,whichrunduringthefirsttwoweeksof December
Classesin2025
Each year, the FA offers various classes on everything from language learning to fitnessandwellnessandtodiscoveringnewcookingandcreativeskills Thissemester, wehavehadsomegreatlearningwiththeFA,andwearehappytooffernewclasses againstartinginJanuary Lookoutfortheclasssign-upsintheDecembernewsletter AllISBparentsarewelcometotakeadvantageofthesewonderfulopportunities.
MarkYourCalendar
2Decemberfrom09:00-11:00
ECCParentMeet-UpatFox-JoinotherECCparentsforfoodandconversationattheFox Market.
Wednesday,4Decemberfrom11:00-12:00
FAYogaLesson-ICCYogaStudio
Thursday,5December
MindfulMeditationWorkshop-Emailelena.ligresti@libero.it
Tuesday,10Decemberat09:30
FAMonthlyMeetings-JoinusforourmonthlyISBparentmeetings,whichareopentoall ISBParents
MarkyourcalendarsfortheFA2025Meetings:21January,11February,11March,8April,13 May,10Jun
Thursday,12December
MindfulMeditationWorkshop-Emailelena.ligresti@libero.it
Sunday,15Decemberfrom12:00-14:00
BrusselsSportsAssociationWinterHolidayParty-JointheBSAattheirthirdannual holidaygatheringforfood,drinks,craftsandpartygames
Wednesday,18Decemberfrom11:00-12:00
FAYogaLesson-ICCYogaStudio
Formoreinformation,gototheFACommunityCompass.
StayConnected
Therearemanywaystodiscoverallthegreatevents,classes,andactivitiestheFAis doing.Wehopetoseeyouatonesoon!
BiweeklyFACommunityCompass
LookoutfortheFAnewslettereveryotherWednesdayinyourinboxtodiscoverallthe FAhastoofferfortheISBCommunity
WhatsAppGroup
ISBFamilyAssoc.NEWS-Stayinformedaboutimportantnewsandupdatesfromthe FA.
ISBApp
FindusontheISBPortalandontheAppforcontacts,events,andinformationabout theFA.
SPORTSBUSINESSLINKSIN ISBCOMMUNITY
OurBTECSportteamislookingforparentsoralumniintheISBCommunitywhoare involvedinaSportsBusiness!
BTEC(BusinessandTechnologyEducationCouncil)isapractical-based,vocational qualification,andISBoffersBTECclassesintheHighSchool.OurInternationalBTEC Level3inSportteachersarelookingtoconnecttoparents,alumni,andcommunity partnerswhoarecurrentlyworkingorpursuingcareersintheSportBusinessfield,in ordertodevelopcloserlinkswithprofessionalsinthisareatosupportandinspireour students
Thepurposeistoprovidestudentswithreal-worldinsightsintosuccessfulsports businesses,especiallyinunderstandingtheimpactoftechnologicaladvancements, customerdataandanalysis,andcustomerengagementprogrammes.Learningfrom the experiences of our parents, alumni, and community members who have transitionedintotheindustrywillbeinvaluableinhelpingstudentsenvisionpossible careerpathsandgraspthecurrenttrendsshapingSportBusiness.
Ifyouareopentosharingyourjourneyandinsightsorcollaboratinginanyway,please usethisGoogleFormtogetintouchwiththeBTECSportteam.Thecollaborationcould involveanythingfromvirtualQ&Asessions,casestudies,orproject-basedlearning thathighlightstheintersectionofbusinessandsports
Thankyouforconsideringthisopportunitytogivebacktoourcurrentstudents.Your experienceandadvicewouldbegreatlyappreciated!
ISYOURFAMILYLEAVINGISB?
Wehaveresourcesandsupportinplacethatcanhelp.
Here are some articles and presentations from the Counselling Team to guide your familythroughMoving,Transitions,andDealingwithChange
Andlastly,don'tforgetthatitisveryimportanttoinformourAdmissionsTeamthatyou areleaving,bycompletingthisform.
