Introduction
Dear readers, In the nineteenth century, the English author William Makepeace Thackeray compared the world to a looking-glass that “gives back to every man the reflection of his own face.” Along these lines, SIS World once a year provides an overview of all SIS schools whereby each school is given the opportunity to describe an event or activity of the past twelve months that illustrates its individual character within the larger SIS cosmos; and it is a large cosmos indeed, filled with a plethora of languages and a rich variety of cultures. SIS has schools in Switzerland, Germany and Brazil, but geographical distance does not imply three unconnected worlds. On the contrary, common core values, coherent structures and quality standards as well as a homogeneous school profile guarantee a viable network of stability and continuity across the numerous SIS schools. However, similar to different languages that may share the same linguistic origin, but have developed individual features over time, our various schools in different locations nurture their individuality and develop their identity and unique school profile in close relation to the community and culture they are situated in. Identification happens locally, which is why the unified SIS structures and processes implemented by all of our schools are enriched by a characteristic, local touch, whether this be inspired by a German, Brazilian or Swiss background. In all three countries, the SIS world is evolving fast: when the first issue of our yearbook was published in 2011, twelve schools with a total of about 1.450 students offered us a glimpse of their everyday lives at SIS. In 2015, almost twice as many students learn and excel at the sixteen existing SIS schools. This successful development bears witness to the great popularity our high quality, bilingual school concept enjoys with parents and children across different cultures. Building on our experience, we will continue to do our best to prepare the students entrusted to our care for their future as independent, responsible and committed citizens of the world. Our aim is to offer them an open and respectful environment in which learning is experienced as meaningful and filled with joy – just like the following pages of this sixth issue of SIS World. With this in mind: may education make a better world go round! Best regards, Ambros Hollenstein Delegate of the Board of Directors
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Andrea Furgler, CEO SIS Brazil Dr. Ursula Gehbauer Tichler, CEO SIS Switzerland Ann-Christin Werner, CEO SIS Germany Ambros Hollenstein, Delegate of the Board of Directors (f.l.t.r.)