The International School of Brussels
COMMUNITY UPDATE ISSUE 1 – 4 SEPTEMBER 2026
DIRECTOR’S UPDATE
Dear Community, Welcome to the first Community Update of the school year and my first Director’s Update. The beginning of a school year is always an exciting time for our students, as they settle into new routines, make new friends, meet new teachers and classmates, and discover new areas of learning. This week and in the coming weeks, each of our sections are hosting Open Houses for parents, providing an opportunity to meet teachers, learn more about the curriculum and learning objectives for the year ahead, and ask any remaining questions. During these evenings, parents have the opportunity to follow students’ schedules and become acquainted with the learning experiences and objectives that will shape their year at ISB, so I encourage all of you to attend these helpful sessions.
We are also looking forward to bringing our families together more informally at our Welcome Back BBQ on Sunday, 6 September. This special afternoon, organised by the Family Association, is an opportunity to welcome our new families, reconnect with old friends, make new connections, and celebrate the community that makes ISB such a special place. We hope to see as many of you as possible as we mark the beginning of the school year. As you may already know, this is a milestone year for ISB as we celebrate 75 years as Belgium's leading international school. Since our founding in 1951, ISB has grown from a small school of 27 students into the vibrant international community we are today, united by a commitment to world-class educational opportunities for our students. Across our sections, there is great excitement about this milestone. I had the pleasure of attending a 75th Anniversary logo design lesson with our Grade 5 students on Wednesday, where I saw first-hand how they are turning their excitement about this special year into creativity. This year, we also welcome the largest graduating class in our history, the Class of 2027. To the Class of 2027, we wish you all the very best for your final year, from all of us in the ISB community. I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible at our upcoming events.
Best regards, Dr. Allan Weston ISB Director
LOWER SCHOOL SCIENCE SPECIALISATION LAUNCHES! We’re excited to officially launch our Lower School Science Specialisation classes for Grades 2 through 6. Students will enjoy a dedicated one-hour Science class each week throughout the school year, making full use of our new Science Lab and refreshed STEM space. Across the year, students will explore all strands of our Science curriculum, aligned with the Australian Curriculum: Science, including Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science and Physics, alongside developing essential scientific thinking, inquiry and investigation skills. This is an exciting step forward for Science and STEM learning in our Lower School, providing students with more opportunities to wonder, question, experiment and discover. A huge thank you to our Family Association for their generous donation and support in helping us equip the new Science Lab. We’re thrilled to see the space come to life with our young scientists!
A NEW SPACE FOR DISCOVERY What excites you most about having this new Science Lab in the Lower School? All students love learning about science – from space to animals to electricity – and now they have an opportunity to focus on inquiry and engaging experiments weekly. They get to be young scientists who are learning to problem-solve and experiment. They will also be able to focus on the parts of experiments such as asking questions, recording data, analysing data, making conclusions, creating new inquiries, and sharing their ideas. What will this new space make possible for students that wasn’t possible before? Inquiry science means students really engage with the science topics, meaning they are doing hands-on experiments and activities, learning how to use science tools and sharing their ideas with each other. Having a separate science class and teacher allows for experiments that can be completed in a lab or outside, with materials, and in a safe environment. That is not always possible in a homeroom classroom. Why is hands-on science so important for children at this age? Students want to get messy, learn how to use new science tools (such as microscopes, lasers, and scales) and answer their questions with proof. Curiosity is strong in young students and we want them to learn to problem-solve and understand that mistakes are part of the design cycle and scientific method. When students can actively engage in their learning, they increase their level of understanding and connections to our global communities beyond ISB. Children like to “do”, and this science class will be all about using our hands, moving, and learning by doing. What do you hope students will feel or discover when they learn here? Asking questions and making mistakes are part of science learning! Also the world of “science” is ENORMOUS and there is so much to explore, research, record data, and learn. Science learning should be F-U-N! Lastly, I want students to feel empowered and connected to global issues outside of school. What do you hope students feel when they walk into this lab? Enthusiasm! Curiosity! Safe to ask questions! Eager to understand global science issues and how scientists are addressing these issues, especially with our 5th grade Science Fair projects and grades 2-6 “You are the Scientist” projects. Finish this sentence: I hope this lab becomes... a space where students feel their different ideas are accepted and listened to, they are free to ask questions, they can be engaged in many different ways, and they understand that future success depends on their ability to problem-solve.
KATY WILLIAMS
ISB LOWER SCHOOL SCIENCE & STEM TEACHER
ATHLETICS Greetings, Pack! Loup here. I am SO excited to be back and get this Fall season started – my tail hasn't stopped wagging since tryouts began! Speaking of which... tryouts have been absolutely amazing, with a whopping 410 sign-ups for Fall season sports! That's one seriously big pack. We've got an exciting few months ahead of us, and before we sink our teeth into the season, we want to make sure you have everything you need to feel right at home in the Red Machine. Raiders101 is the best way to do just that! Mark your calendars – Raiders101 will take place on Wednesday, 9 September. You can check out the full schedule here. We'll be waiting for you (and howling with excitement) at the High School Atrium!
The Den - Your Home for ISB Athletics! Stay connected with everything ISB Raiders Athletics – because a pack that follows together, grows together! Sniff out team info, hunt down season schedules, track tryout details, and howl over our latest results, highlights, and stories. You can even watch our Raiders in action through live streams, right from the comfort of your own lair. Check out the Den at raiders.isb.be. So don't be a lone wolf – join the pack and let's make this season one to howl about! Stay fierce, stay loyal, stay Raiders. Loup
The ISB Plus fall schedules are now published on the Community Portal. Registration will open on 9 September at 12:00 and run until 13 September at 23:59. Details on how to register can be found here. The Fall Season runs from 21 September to 27 November. After-school supervision for Lower School students is also available from Monday to Thursday. Please register for regular supervision sessions in the ISB plus registration process, or for ad hoc supervision sessions, please register here.
One of our Community Engagement projects involves providing support to our local commune, Bosvoorde, to help clean-up after the Sunday market. Groups of students do this once a month, but we also organise a whole Grade 10 clean-up of Bosvoorde to kick start the Community Engagement programme and to help new students become familiar with the area. This year’s programme started on Wednesday, 2 September, when the Mayor of Bosvoorde visited us in the Atrium to say a few words to the G10's before they started the clean-up.
ISB ARTS Calling all High School actors, adventurers, dreamers, and theatre lovers! Do you have the courage to battle monsters, face the unexpected, and take the stage? Then your quest begins here! She Kills Monsters: When Agnes discovers a Dungeons & Dragons campaign created by her late younger sister, she is transported into an outrageous fantasy world filled with dragons, demons, warriors, magic, and epic battles. But beneath the chaos and comedy lies a heartfelt journey of sisterhood, identity, grief, and discovering who you really are. Funny. Fierce. Fantastical. And totally unforgettable. Auditions: Whether you’re a seasoned performer or have never auditioned before, we want you! Bring your energy, imagination, courage, and willingness to play. Audition Dates: 7 & 8 September 2026, 16:00 - 18:00 Location: ISB Theatre Performance Dates: 19 & 20 November, 19:00, ISB Theatre
Check out ISB Arts' various activities and events here:
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HEALTH OFFICE Vaccinations in Belgium Vaccinations are an important part of keeping our school community healthy, safe, and ready to learn. By ensuring your child is up-to-date with their vaccinations, you help create a safer environment for everyone. We have provided a table with the Belgian Vaccination Schedule below. Please take a look and speak with your provider if you think your child may be missing doses. The ISB Health Office does not offer vaccinations for students, but we are happy to provide resources such as recommendations for General Practitioners or Pediatricians or to answer any questions you may have. Give us a shout at health@isb.be.
Infants 8wks/ 2mos
12 wks/ 3mos
16wks/ 4mos
Children and Teenagers 12mos
15mos (1)
5-6yrs
7-8yrs
13-14 yrs
15-16 yrs
Adults Pregnant Women
Every 10 yrs
65 yrs
Polio Diphtheria
(4)
Tetanus
(4)
Pertussis
(4)
Haemophilus Influenza Typ B Hepatitis B Measles Rubella Mumps Meningococcus ACWY Pneumococcus Rotavirus (oral) Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Influenza
(1) (2)
(3)
(5)
Belgium Vaccination Schedule 2026 Adapted from www.vaccination-info.be
1.For babies born before 37 weeks of gestation, an additional dose of pneumococcal vaccine is recommended at 3 months, and the vaccines scheduled for 15 months will be administered at 13 months. 2.In 2 or 3 doses depending on the vaccine administered. 3.Vaccination in 2 doses 6 months apart (minimum 5 months apart) 4.From 24 weeks and ideally before 32 weeks of pregnancy 5.During flu season, regardless of the stage of pregnancy
The Family Association has some exciting new ways to help you stay connected, find out what’s happening, and get involved! Follow our new Instagram account and check out our website for all the latest FA news, upcoming events, and classes. Think of them as your one-stop shop for all things FA! Follow along for quick updates, reminders, and a peek at what’s happening around our community @isb_familyassociation
Visit anytime to discover upcoming events and classes, catch up on FA news, and find useful information. www.isbfa.online Password: GoRaiders!
ISB
m o c l e e W
K C A B Don’t miss BBQ
THE SCHOOL'S FIRST BIG EVENT OF THE YEAR FOR RETURNING AND NEW FAMILIES DATE
6 SEPTEMBER 2026 TIME
12:00 - 16:00 LOCATION
ISB LS PLAYGROUND ACTIVITIES
FOOD, GAMES, FUN AND FLEA MARKET
FLEA MARKET
BMOBILUS SERVICE ITY SECURITY
Late Bus – Fall Season Update The Fall season is approaching. To use the late bus, pre-register through the designated form before the season begins. Please ensure absences are recorded via the BatOnRoute safe app when not taking the late bus, so seats remain available for other riders. Late-bus service is restricted to students in Grades 5 and above. Late buses serve only existing hub stops; home-stop drop-offs are not available during late-bus runs. Service operates Monday through Thursday. Two daily departures are offered at 17:20 and 18:15. All information about the late bus service is available here.
IT NEWS Schoology Update The Schoology Parent Accounts for parents of students in Grades 5 and above are now active. Schoology is ISB’s digital learning platform, providing insight into your child’s learning and access to course materials, assignments, calendars, and school and class announcements. Teachers also use Schoology to facilitate discussions, collaboration, and the sharing of learning and homework. Access Schoology through the link in PowerSchool or visit isb.schoology.com directly, and consult this how-to document for more information about accessing your Schoology account.
IMPORTANT Reminder to Complete or Update the Health and Consent Form Important reminder that all parents are required to provide up-to-date health information about their student(s) via the form in PowerSchool. We are also required, under the GDPR statutes, to ask parents of students under the age of 13 for consent to use certain types of images (photographs, videos). The Health and Image Consent Form is a mandatory requirement for all ISB parents. A doctor’s visit is not required to complete the form.
This fall ISB is organising tailored Open Day Events to show parents who are new to Brussels or interested in changing schools what our programmes and community have to offer. In-Person Open Day | Wednesday, 16 September (13.00-16.00) Virtual Open Day | Wednesday, 30 September (14.30-16.00) Should you have any family members or friends who are curious about ISB, invite them to come learn more about personalised learning and to meet our team! Registrations via the form here.
Kattenberg 19, B-1170 Brussels, Belgium +32 2 661 42 11 reception@isb.be www.isb.be