For the ZIS community – at home in Zurich and around the world
• How to perfect the art of gathering
• The ZIS authors with the write stuff
• The future of multilingual learning
• Controlled chaos, Prank Day style
• A ZIS connection with a family feel
The future of ZIS is in strong hands, as shown by the recent work on the strategic direction of the school across a series of different initiatives.
School Director Elsa Hernández-Donohue has been working with the Board Strategy Committee, led by ZIS parent Lola Kinder, to develop a new strategic plan to help drive the school forward.
Meanwhile, as part of that strategic planning process, the school has been taking advantage of one of its key strengths – an engaged and diverse community – to gather perspectives on its future mission. We’re grateful to all students, parents, alumni, faculty and staff who have offered their insights to help shape the school’s direction for the years ahead.
Finally, the Parent-School Partnership Agreement has been updated to ensure it remains relevant and meaningful, reflecting ZIS’s shared values and commitment to nurturing a collaborative environment for all our learners.
“This strategic planning process is about more than just documents,” says Elsa. “It’s about listening deeply to our community and aligning our aspirations for the future. I’m grateful to everyone who has contributed their voice to this shared effort. The new plan we’ll unveil this autumn is rooted in our values and shaped by the people who make ZIS what it is. It’s a vision for our school that is bold, inclusive and deeply human.”
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With a total number of 109 students in the past five years.
We were thrilled to welcome author and adviser Homa Tavangar to school recently. Homa engaged in a series of discussions with students, parents and teachers on navigating a polarised world – and what it means to educate and parent in these times.
Reflecting on the World Economic Forum Global Risks Report 2025, she said: “This is an unusually important time to be aware of the skills and mindsets our children need to navigate uncertainty and the global future.”
The course of true love never did run smooth, but the Upper School’s five-night sell-out run of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream certainly did!
The spectacular production gave Auberon, Lysander and crew the Eighties treatment, creating an electric atmosphere in the magical forest that went down a storm with audiences.
Massive congratulations go to the talented cast, crew, teachers and volunteers involved, and also those on the Middle School’s recent production of Roald Dahl’s beloved Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Parents and friends lucky enough to secure their own golden ticket were treated to some stunning performances, and our thanks go to everyone involved.
This summer, ZIS bids a heartfelt farewell to David Wood, our Middle School Principal of 15 years. David’s leadership has been defined by quiet strength, deep integrity and an unwavering commitment to the humans he serves. He has been the kind of leader who makes space for others to shine – who listens deeply, empowers generously and models humility and care in all that he does.
David’s support for faculty has been foundational to the culture of the Middle School. He has nurtured a true spirit of collaboration, encouraged professional growth and always reminded us that teaching is both a craft and a calling.
Reflecting on his time at ZIS, David says: “It has been a privilege and honour to have served ZIS as Middle School Principal, and I am immensely proud of what my team has achieved. I leave with a heart full of gratitude for all I have learned and for the opportunity to have contributed to the ZIS mission and community.”
Also, after two decades of dedicated service, we say farewell and a sincere thank you to Rachel Ditchfield, who has been ZIS’s Communications Coordinator since 2004. In that time, Rachel has been the voice behind so many of the stories that have connected and celebrated our community.
“It’s been rewarding to showcase ZIS in various ways, including on social media, through our award-winning magazine Voices and the 50th anniversary book,” says Rachel. “I’m proud to have helped generations of families stay connected with the school.”
And we are proud, too – of Rachel’s thoughtful work, her close attention to detail and her deep commitment to sharing the ZIS story. From her early days crafting school newsletters to the digital storytelling of today, Rachel has helped shape the way we see ourselves and how others see us. We wish you all the very best for the road ahead.
Thanks to members of the ZIS community who took part in our survey and meetings recently, vital parts of our accreditation process with the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).
As the longest-accredited international school in Switzerland – we have been accredited by the NEASC since 1981 – ZIS is proud of the praise the accreditation team offered as a result of their recent visit: “The NEASC Commission on International Education asks schools to reach a high standard of excellence, which is clearly evident at ZIS.”
I have been reading... ... 10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People. It offers truly inspiring insights from the developmental psychologist David Yeager, discussing how we can engage, teach and support the young people in our lives. Yale’s Professor of Psychology Laurie Santos calls it “life-changing” and I can see why!
I have been spending time... ... in the garden. I love this time of year, when everything has, or is about to, come into full bloom, so I’m enjoying the benefit of all the prep work I’ve been doing in our little garden at home.
I have been cooking... ... black beans, the savoury breakfast dish perico, and arepas, a type of maize-dough flatbread, every Sunday morning. It’s a way to keep a part of my Venezuelan cultural identity alive.
It all starts with a spark – a moment of genuine curiosity. That’s what’s at the heart of ZIS learning, preparing students to shape what’s next.
What drives a young person to ask questions that have no easy answers? What makes them not only dream of change but step into the sometimes uncomfortable work of actually making it happen?
At ZIS, we believe it starts with a spark – a moment of genuine curiosity. That curiosity can be a fragile thing, easily dulled by rote learning or by environments that value certainty over exploration. But when nurtured, it becomes the foundation for something powerful: a mind that thinks critically, a heart that aspires, and a person who understands that learning is not only for themselves but for something greater.
In our learning spaces, across all divisions, we see students wrestling with complex ideas, daring to challenge assumptions, and, perhaps most importantly, connecting what they learn to the world beyond our campuses. We expect them to think hard, to question deeply, to stretch their abilities. Not because the grade demands it, but because real learning – meaningful learning – requires us to meet ourselves at the edge of our comfort zones.
Nowhere has this been more evident than in our recent ZIS Model United Nations conference. This entire event – from start to finish – was envisioned, organized and run by our MUN students. They tackled every detail, and it would have been easy to settle for ‘good enough’, but instead they held themselves to a remarkably high standard. Why? Because they understood that their learning mattered – not just in the abstract, but as a real platform to engage, influence and model thoughtful leadership. Witnessing our students speak and debate was a highlight of this, my first year at ZIS. And the reality is that we have countless examples of this sort of learning across many different facets of our school.
We design learning experiences that stretch students’ thinking, and create space for them to reflect, critique and wonder
We often talk about education in terms of outcomes: grades, diplomas, university placements. Those are milestones, of course. But what is far more enduring is a student who leaves ZIS with the ability – and the desire – to make thoughtful, positive contributions wherever life takes them.
In many ways, this is the most ambitious goal we can set: not to prepare students simply for what is next, but to help them become people who are prepared to shape what’s next.
As a school, we are intentional about this work. We design learning experiences that stretch students’ thinking. We challenge them to set high expectations for themselves – not because someone else is watching, but because they come to see the value in their own growth. We create space for them to reflect, critique and wonder. And we recognize that true aspiration doesn’t come from pressure – it comes from possibility.
It starts with curiosity; it becomes critical thinking, grounded in high expectations; and in the end, it moves outward – as action, making a positive impact in their communities, their world. Z
• Illustrations Carla McRae
We are thrilled that Eva Respini, Class of 1994 (1989-94), is this year’s Graduation speaker. Eva is Deputy Director and Director of Curatorial Programs at the Vancouver Art Gallery, having previously held senior positions at the Institute of Contemporary Art Boston and the Museum of Modern Art.
“I am honoured to be the alumni speaker at the Graduation ceremony for the Class of 2025,” says Eva. “I had the privilege of delivering the student address at my own graduation 25 years ago, and I return to the podium with equal parts trepidation and excitement!”
As a founding member of the regional Education Conference, we were proud to participate in this year’s inspiring conversations on sustainable learning and living.
As well as a session by Roman Guggisberg, Operations Director of the Villars Institute, on the importance of systems thinking and the role of education in driving meaningful change, students Anaïs Javelle (Grade 12) and Ishan Wadhwani (Grade 11) discussed how being Villars Fellows has influenced their academic paths and deepened their understanding of sustainability.
Events such as these reaffirm the importance of empowering students to think critically, act responsibly and engage globally.
• ZISMeets New York
Members of the alumni community kicked off the New Year at The Lavaux Wine Bar, New York, reconnecting with fellow alumni and celebrating our shared journey at AISZ/ ZIS. Hosted by Elsa Hernández-Donohue, Director, COO Stefan Mühlemann and Michaela Seeger, Director of Community Relations, this special event featured drinks and nostalgic Swiss cuisine.
• ZISMeets Zurich
The latest in a new series of events for Zurich-based alumni took place in February, at Barfly’z in the city. The series, which began last August, is organised by Julia Jeker, Class of 2018 (2010-18), and Paula Strubel, Class of 2018 (2007-18), for anyone in the Zurich area who wants to connect with our large alumni community there. Future events are planned for August and November. zis.ch/one-zis-community/alumni
• Reunion Weekend
On 21 June 2025, ZIS is hosting a single event for all classes with milestone reunions – 1965, 1975, 1985, 1995, 2005, 2015 (... and 2013!) – on the rooftop of the ZIS Middle School, set to be attended by alumni, students and special alumni faculty guests. To register, visit bit.ly/2025ReunionWeekend
• Heinrich Harrer Cup 2026
Alumni skiers from all classes should put 5 to 7 March 2026 in their diaries, the 50th anniversary of the Heinrich Harrer Cup. The event is hosted by Munich International School in honour of explorer Heinrich Harrer, author of Seven Years in Tibet. To register, visit bit.ly/HeinrichHarrer
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Our Grade 10 Career Forum featured 22 alums who, together with parents and other expert panellists, shared valuable career insights with students. The forum helps students explore career paths and plan their course selections for the final two years of school.
We are grateful to the panellists for their time and expertise, and to the volunteers who helped moderate discussions and ensure the event’s success. We also thank current parent Professor Beth Singler for being our keynote speaker to kick off the Career Forum, and sharing her insights on AI’s impact on the future working landscape.
For a full list of panellists, visit zis.ch/career-forum
The Upper School Science Club, in collaboration with Science teacher Dr Marie Perri, has launched an Alumni Science Speaker Series, featuring guest speakers from diverse sectors across the field. The sessions provide alumni with a platform to share their professional experience and expertise, while students in Grades 9 to 12 benefit from firsthand insights into a variety of career and university pathways.
So far, the series has featured: Dr Georgia Hogg, Class of 2018 (2004-18); Diederik J Van Vliet, Class of 2007 (2005-07); Riley Sullivan, Class of 2020 (2006-20); Nic Lee, Class of 2012 (2009-12); Paul Lundberg, Class of 2023 (2020-23); and Sylvie Spiesshofer, Class of 2019 (2011-19).
Keep using your own language
Read to children in it, play with them in it, do homework with them in it – these are all robust ways to help them to continue to develop their use and appreciation of the language.
Get creative and seek help
For parents who are not bilingual but who would like their child to be, actively seek ways to ensure a range of useful interactions outside school – for example, hiring a babysitter who speaks a different language.
Read all about it
Get down to your local library and find books in different languages – maybe you could find a text that they’re studying in school in Finnish, for example! If they are comfortable with the content, they will be more likely to explore.
Eowyn Crisfield, multilingualism specialist and consultant to the ZIS Bilingual Pathway, says it’s never too early to start encouraging the multilingual citizens of the future.
Contrary to popular opinion, it’s a big challenge for children to learn an entirely new language – or retain the one they were born into. But it’s so worth it. Language begins at such an early age and is about so much more than just words: and that’s why ZIS’s Bilingual Pathway is creating multilingual citizens of the future.
If your aim is to make your child learn another language from scratch, received wisdom states that schools should just do one day on and one day off in each language. But research has shown us that bilingual education is much more complex and very context driven. And when I was asked to input into the development of the Bilingual Pathway, introduced in 2021, that’s exactly what we focused on.
For example, at ZIS, English is the majority language, and German the minority language. So you have to give students more of the minority language when they are young, because the majority language is everywhere – in the playground, the lunchroom, after-school activities. The ZIS programme now includes a lot more German from Early Childhood into Grade 2. It’s what we call a steep transitional programme, which starts off with lots of German and then tapers, becoming equal with English.
It’s now recognised that the languages children have from birth form a foundational part of their cognitive development. This matters academically: if schools nurture and develop those languages alongside the development of English, a student’s results in both English and other subjects will be stronger. In the USA, for example, years of research have shown that children from Spanish-speaking homes who go to bilingual primary schools do better academically than if they’d gone to English-only schools.
Enabling children to access different languages boosts their linguistic flexibility and communication skills all the way into adulthood
Enabling children to access different languages boosts their linguistic flexibility and communication skills into adulthood. So it’s vital that schools support and nurture bilingualism or multilingualism – ZIS offers opportunities through its ATAC activities, for example – and should be asking: what learning does a child already have? What can they do with their parents that could support that learning? How can their classmates make comparisons across their languages to make everyone better language learners? What’s the best way to keep languages alive?
Just using English and Google Translate and expecting everyone to understand you won’t result in effective global citizens. International schools like ZIS focus on developing international mindedness – and that happens when we’re learning the languages of our host communities, our friends and our peers. Z
• Words Megan Welford Erika Hansen and Melanie Zeidlhack (Taube) say their lifelong friendship began as the result of a 90-minute train journey to school.
Afull 90 minutes. That’s how long it took Melanie Zeidlhack (Taube) to travel to school each day – and it might easily have prevented her from fully taking part in school life. But then she met Erika Hansen – and there was no going back.
“I think the first time I knew we were going to be friends was when we went to see the band Good Charlotte, and she invited me to stay,” says Melanie. “It was so kind, and I was thrilled to be included.”
Erika and Melanie (both Class of 2008, Erika 2003-06 and Melanie 2002-08) joined ZIS in Grade 7 within a few months of each other. Mad about sport, they were soon taking part in after-school training, and travelling to basketball games, spending “endless hours” together, often at Erika’s house near school.
“Melanie was more calm and laid back than me,” recalls Erika. “I could be very tightly wound. But it was always really easy just to be together. We would cook meals, experimenting with things like hamburgers or pasta. Or we’d watch TV –24 and Alias were favourites – and chat. Or just not chat! We didn’t have to be doing anything. It felt like family.” Melanie even had her own room to sleep
in at Erika’s, but both girls remember where they’d spend most of their time: “On the ‘butter’ sofa!” shouts Melanie joyfully. “It was so soft.”
“I felt very at home at Erika’s house,” she adds. “And even when I was staying at my house I’d call her when I got off the train, even though we’d been at school together all day. We’d talk about our day, crushes, weekend plans, anything really. I thought Erika was super-smart and I admired her independence – she had the confidence to be alone.”
The two began going on holiday with each other’s families, and there were many days spent down at the Badi (Strandbad) on the lake, swimming and playing volleyball with other ZIS friends, or eating sandwiches in the Piadina Bar. “I still go there every time I’m in town,” says Melanie, who now works for a hospitality software startup in Philadelphia.
Erika’s parents relocated to Detroit during Grade 11. “Still, Erika and I would talk on Messenger every day,” Melanie says. “When it was my bedtime, Erika would be finishing school, so we’d talk then.” Nineteen years on, they may not talk every day, but they are still very much in each other’s lives.
“It was always really easy just to be together. We would cook meals, experimenting with hamburgers or pasta, or we’d watch TV and chat. Or just not chat! It felt like family”
They visited each other at university (Erika at Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania; Melanie at the American University, Washington DC) and lived near each other in Washington for two years. “With us, it just stuck,” says Melanie. “She is still my oldest and one of my best friends.” Erika, who works in renewables and lives in Florida, is quick to agree. “We text on an ad hoc basis, but when we visit each other we do some serious catching up,” says Erika. “We always have fun together and we’re always there if one of us needs support.” Z
Think you know Dubai? Think again, says Geneva Insurance Group Sales Manager Sam Zuckerbraun, Class of 2014 (2006-14).
07.00
Get on your bike
Before the summer heat kicks in, start the day with an early-morning cycle at the Nad Al Sheba Cycle Park – a 10K trail with juice bars and cafés for breakfast, and cool views of Dubai’s skyscrapers.
10.00
Life’s a beach
Buy a day pass to chill out at one of Dubai’s many beach clubs: I like the Jumeirah Marine Beach Club as it’s less touristy, and you can hire their boats or go wakesurfing in a sheltered bay.
13.00
A little bit of history
The Al Fahidi historical site shows a very different side of Dubai: more than 50 traditional Emirati houses have been turned into a museum. There’s also great food there, and a nearby gold souk.
19.00
Dinner with a difference
For something different, try Middle Eastern/ South American fusion at Soul Kitchen, or sushi at Kokoro. The Bab al Shams desert hotel has a great buffet with camel riding afterwards!
21.00
Big night or quiet night?
You can find the world’s best DJs in Dubai every weekend, playing iconic venues such as Soho Garden. Or for something more relaxed, visit the restaurants and bars of West Beach.
↑ Melanie and Erika enjoy a break on the slopes in 2004.
Be the best you can at what you do, then be ready to talk about it
Writing is one part discipline to several parts passion –get it right, and the results could create a business revolution. Which is exactly what these ZIS alumni authors have done.
• Words Abi Millar • Illustration Barry Falls
You’re expert, experienced and passionate. You know your field inside out, and have the battle scars – and tributes – to prove it. What’s next? The really tough challenge –write a book about it. But not just any book: a book that the next generation actually wants.
“The books I write say something I don’t see anybody else saying – and that, I hope, has a lasting impact,” says Harry Korine, Class of 1980 (1977-80), business professor, consultant and the author of seven books, most recently Leading the Family Business Through Succession: How Different Generations Create Value Together. “Are you willing to open up and share who you really are and what you experience? Most business books, I find, are not personal, and therefore they don’t really add much. But if you can be
personal with what you’re doing, then it can be very, very interesting.”
Like most academics in his field, Harry has periods where he teaches intensively, and other blocks of time when he can devote himself to writing. But unlike most of his peers, he finds writing academic papers too restrictive. For him, there is far more freedom to be found in books, and he believes the element of urgency is a prerequisite for success.
“You need to have a strong motivation for saying something, and a conviction that you’re the one to say it,” he suggests. And in a genre that can tend towards the very dry, he thinks writers should not be afraid to experiment. (His latest book incorporates nine short stories, triggers for analysis and discussion.)
Harry combines expertise in strategy and governance to offer a unique perspective on business. He specialises in corporate governance, global strategy and strategic alliances.
Richard C Morais
Class of 1977 (1973–77)
Richard is an award-winning financial journalist and novelist, best known for the bestseller The Hundred-Foot Journey, about an Indian chef who conquers the world of French haute cuisine.
Any businessperson worth their salt will have stories of roadblocks surmounted, curveballs dodged and adversity overcome. And the same is true of writing a book. Every book you hold in your hands was once no more than a spark of inspiration – and the road from A to B doesn’t always run smoothly, or follow the path that you might have expected. Take Richard C Morais, Class of 1977 (1973-77). A celebrated author and journalist, whose novels have made international bestseller lists, Richard does not come from a business background. But as someone with an affinity for compelling characters, he jumped at the chance to work with ZIS parent Mark Haefele, the “brilliant” CIO of UBS Global.
“We first thought we were going to write a biography, because Mark has a very interesting story,” says Richard. “But we realised that an investment book could have more impact. My challenge was, how do you make a book about investments a page-turner? I think we got close to that, because Mark very generously shared
a lot of very personal stories that really bring the book to life.” The result was The New Rules of Investing: Essential Wealth Strategies for Turbulent Times, which reveals Mark’s philosophy for protecting and growing your wealth.
On paper, a wealth management playbook may be a long way removed from a novel. But Richard discovered some interesting parallels.
“In all my fiction, I take on identities completely unlike myself – I try to put on their skin and channel their voice,” he explains. “With Mark, it was similar – it was just that I was sitting at the feet of one of the greatest investors living today.”
Clearly the path to becoming a business author isn’t exactly set in stone. Indeed, Warren Tuttle, Class of 1973 (1968-72), began his career as a retailer in New York City, before an inventor walked into his store one day with a product that became Misto, the best-selling olive oil sprayer. Warren helped take the product to market – and in the process realised he had quite the knack for inventor advocacy.
Warren’s co-written book, Inventor Confidential, is the inside story of how the inventor advocate has helped hundreds of businesses successfully monetise their great idea or invention.
I was planting a seed in the ground, letting it grow, watering it every day – and not being quite sure what it was going to grow into
Since then, he has worked with tens of thousands of inventors – clearing a path to commercialisation or simply managing expectations. “I can count more than a dozen times where I’ve helped make an inventor a millionaire,” he says. But there have been plenty of near misses too, and he points out it’s important to be realistic. “It’s like wannabe rock and roll bands – how many can actually play the guitar?”
Warren is the author of Inventor Confidential: The Honest Guide to Profitable Inventing, a book for anyone who wants to monetise a great idea, but isn’t sure where to start. And despite describing himself as “not a writer”, he spent two years arranging, developing and refining his thoughts, before starting work with his friend and co-writer Jeffrey A Mangus. “I was planting a seed in the ground, letting it grow, watering it every day and not being quite sure what it was going to grow into,” says Warren. “But it became a best-selling how-to book, and it’s gotten great acclaim.”
Richard and Warren agree that writing is one part discipline to several parts passion. Both carved out regular time to work on their books, making incremental progress day by day. At the same time, both were driven by a deep intrinsic motivation.
For Warren, that came down to making a difference in the world. For Richard, it was more about the joy of creativity. “There are long stretches of boredom and frustration, but if you work through it, you will get to a sublime place,” he says.
It’s a sentiment echoed by Ken Davenport, Class of 1981 (1976-77), a San Diego-based entrepreneur. After a long stint in the tech world, Ken found himself seeking something more meaningful. He began working with veterans as they transitioned out of the military, eventually compiling his wisdom in a book called The Stoic Transition: A Guide: How Veterans Can Thrive in their Next Adventure.
Realising that these principles might have broader application, he published another book called The Stoic Edge: How to Overcome Resistance, Build Resilience and Live Your Best Life. “Stoicism has a lot of principles that I was trying to deploy
in my own life, and I thought this is really worth another guidebook for folks who are not veterans,” he explains.
Describing himself as a “streaky writer”, who works best when an idea captures his imagination, he thinks it’s important to know when something isn’t working. “When I get an idea, it tends to go really quickly for me –I want to write whenever I possibly can,” he says. “But writer’s block is real, and I have a hard time pushing through it. If something doesn’t flow, and I start thinking it’s too hard, I take that as a sign that maybe I’m on the wrong track.”
Business authors, almost by definition, are people whose careers have gone beyond the usual boundaries. They’re people with broad skill sets and they’re people whose hard-won life experience informs their expertise. “I think success is having a vague idea of where you want to go in life, but also being open to what life brings you,” says Richard. “And it’s in the melding of those two that the magic happens.”
So is there a secret? “Whatever it is you do pursue,” says Warren, “be the best you can at it. Then you’ll be ready to talk to others about it –you’ll be ready to write a book.” Z
Ken Davenport Class of 1981 (1976–77)
Having built multiple businesses, Ken is an entrepreneur and writer based in San Diego, California, and now spends much of his free time helping military veterans transition to the civilian world.
School’s almost out for summer. But first the departing senior class will fill the corridors, the sports field and the classrooms with... well, actually, we’d better not say. Welcome to Prank Day – a long-standing ZIS tradition.
• Words Lucy Jolin
• Photography Kate Peters
Fighting your way through balloons and a hay maze you suddenly see it: school reception is festooned with… bras. Outside, the Principal is walking back to his office… which is located in the middle of the sports field. And he’s being closely followed by a mariachi band… and a bunch of cowboys and cowgirls. Is this a fever dream? A surrealist art installation? No, it’s Senior Prank Day.
Where did Prank Day originate? As with so many traditions, nobody is quite sure when or why it started. But Grade 12 students celebrating their last days in school with pranks and a touch of mayhem was already a thing when Peter C Mott, who would go on to be ZIS Director between 2001 and 2012, joined AISZ in 1987. “We have so many rules at school that I think it’s important to have a day where norms can be stretched, where things are turned upside down,” he says. “And it gives the graduating class an identity, and a chance to celebrate their departure.”
And the results can be spectacular. “Probably the most memorable one was in 2011, when I arrived in the morning, came out of the garage, and realised that there were hundreds of little paper cups filled with water all over the stairs,” remembers Peter. “I couldn’t get out of the garage via the steps, so I had to walk round – and there were all these kids, laughing their heads off, because all the stairs in the building had these cups on them. There must have been a thousand or more!” How had the students done it? Peter asked one of the suspected culprits – his son Stefan, Class of 2011 (2004-11) – but his lips were sealed.
Cup-winners
H-two-oh! The Class of 2011 filled thousands of paper cups with water and diligently placed them on all the main stairs throughout the school, rendering them impassable for teachers and students alike.
That same year, Amy Greene, Upper School Assistant Principal at ZIS from 2002 to 2017, made it through the water cup obstacle course – only to find her entire office wrapped in newspaper. “I had never seen anything like it in my life,” she says. “They wrapped everything, even down to the paperweight I had on my desk, my pencils, my pencil stand. I imagine they had a whole team dedicated to just my office. I can’t imagine how many hours that took. We were about to have an assembly, and one of my fellow teachers handed me a bunch of newspapers. I pushed my arms through them and covered my head with them, and walked in to a huge round of applause! And I should point out that the seniors cleaned everything up.”
2015 and another highlight: students moved then Principal John Switzer’s entire office to the centre of the football pitch – complete with working computer. “I helped with that one!” confesses Amy. “Of course, we made sure that any confidential material was removed.” But another surprise was in store for Principal Switzer. “The kids had told me that along with the office prank, something else was going to happen – but they wouldn’t tell me what it was. I got to school early only to see a mariachi band following him out to the field. They followed him everywhere for the whole morning. It was one of the best pranks I’ve ever seen.”
And in 2017, seniors harnessed the power of Prank Day to help a charity. That wasn’t apparent at first glance, says Amy. “The students created – almost like a work of art – an enormous installation of hundreds of bras, strung together like garlands, from one end of the building to another, with a huge sign that read “Thanks For Your Support”. It was very funny – but then, they donated all these bras to a charitable organisation in Zurich, which was great.”
These days, the rules are simple. Nothing destructive is allowed, and students simply deciding not to turn up to classes one day is not encouraged. “I’d encourage them to think about how they wanted their Prank Day to be remembered: as a great laugh or as a real nuisance?” says Amy, now Assistant Superintendent at the American Community School of Abu Dhabi. While Senior Prank Day has no designated date (though doing it during exams is not allowed), staff are aware. “The idea is to put the school leadership on notice and create a bit of chaos,” says Peter. While prank ideas used to be run past a sympathetic teacher just to check they were acceptable, these days a team liaises with the Assistant Principal to ensure everything is kept above board.
So what’s it like to actually organise Prank Day? Renata Garibay Velasco (2011-12, 2020-24) and Eve Holzmann (2009-24) were grade reps for the Class of 2024. “It’s hard coming up with ideas, because there are a lot of restrictions – we couldn’t do anything with water, for example, so a beach party was out,” says Eve. “We knew we didn’t want to do anything aggressive and mean but we did want to go with the fun and get everyone involved.”
Eventually, they decided on a Wild West theme. They decorated the school in the style of the Wild West, wore cowboy hats and bandannas –and rented an enormous mechanical bull for would-be rodeo champions. Traditional Prank Day pursuits – such as putting teachers in the stocks and throwing whipped cream pies at them – fitted perfectly with the cowboy atmosphere. Classes were given free rein to find a prank that suited their room and their teacher: one room was filled with balloons, while another teacher found their room completely papered with old pictures of himself which the students had found online.
It was a lot of work to organise, they both agree. “It taught us a lot about leading and managing people!” says Eve. “For example, all ideas had to be approved, and there were some students who wanted to go their own way. We had to make it very clear what was allowed and what wasn’t.” But the Wild West day was a great success. “A lot of the teachers said it was the best they’d seen in years,” says Renata. “And the students liked it as well. It felt interactive and it was fun for everyone. I think Prank Day is a fun way to foster the sense of community at ZIS.
Rolling along
A perennial favourite of students everywhere, Prank Day has had its fair share of toilet roll escapades, where everything – and we mean everything – gets covered until it’s barely recognisable.
Anna Lobjanidze (Grade 12) →
We have so many rules at school that I think it’s important to have a day where norms can be stretched and things turned upside down
I had never seen anything like it. They wrapped everything, even down to the pencils I had on my desk
All wrapped up
Former Upper School Assistant
Principal Amy Greene was amazed to find her entire office – and all its contents – wrapped carefully in newspaper. “I can’t imagine how many hours that took,” says Amy.
Everyone has very different schedules, so it’s great to get different groups working together and creating a positive atmosphere. Even the teachers participate, and it’s a break from the everyday stresses of school. Plus, it gives the Lower School students something to look for when they are in the Secondary Campus.”
So whatever lies in store for unsuspecting staff and students this year, one thing’s for certain: Prank Day will continue to be an essential part of ZIS tradition – and a priceless memory for all involved. “I must admit, every spring we’d start to worry a little bit about what might happen –because you never knew what to expect,” says Amy. “And I’d be lying if I said I’d never had a few heart palpitations! But I look back on Prank Day so fondly now. It’s an incredible way for the kids to laugh and come together – and say goodbye to a place that is special to them.” Z
Most of us have been to more bad networking events than good ones. But is it really possible to create connection by design?
• Words Pamela Evans • Illustration Amelia Flower
Warm fizz. Illegible name badges. Awkward conversation. Can’t face another networking event? We don’t blame you. But we’re here to tell you: there is another way. One which results in genuine connections and useful conversation. From bringing friends together to creating a global events series such as ZISMeets, gathering well is an art in itself. And luckily, it’s one which anyone can learn.
“The way we gather matters,” writes Priya Parker in her best-selling book The Art Of Gathering. “Gathering – the conscious bringing together of people for a reason – shapes the way we think, feel and make sense of our world.” Whether it’s meetings, weddings, birthday parties, town halls, conferences, board meetings, class reunions, dinner parties or trade fairs, if these events aren’t created with care, they can feel like a waste of time, she points out. “They’re just uninspiring, underwhelming moments that fail to capture us, change us in any way, or connect us to one another.”
Priya believes that we all have the potential to gather well: we simply need to put thought, purpose and structure into our gatherings, rather than just following what’s been done before. “Gatherings crackle and flourish when real thought goes into them, when – often invisible – structure is baked into them, and when a host has the curiosity, willingness and generosity of spirit to try,” she says.
This art of gathering is more important than ever in the business environment too. As Senior Vice President, Events at Sparks, a global brand experience agency, Elena Nicolaidis, Class of 1999 (1994-99), is always seeking new ways to create memorable ‘surprise and delight’ moments at the high-profile events the company designs and produces – from an activation ata major sports tournament for Anheuser-Busch or a conference for Google to a pop-up holiday market for Eater.
Unsurprisingly, since the pandemic she’s seen demand rocket for these in-person gatherings. “Many brands have renewed their efforts to bring people together in a meaningful community setting. Younger generations, in particular, crave purposeful, personal experiences with brands and with each other. They want that sense of belonging and trust you get when you interact in person.”
Elena manages a team of around 200 people to bring these events to life. But, she says, anyone can make a gathering more meaningful if they understand who the audience is and what they
need from the event. “We’ll often communicate with guests before the event, so we can shape their experience before they even get there – we call it the attendee journey. How are we engaging with them before, during and after the event, so they can capture what they learned or follow up with the connections they made, and do something meaningful with that?”
Designing environments is also key – which, again, comes from engaging deeply in who and what the event is for, says Elena. “We think a lot about the best way our audience is going to learn
Many brands have renewed their efforts to bring people together in a meaningful community setting. Younger generations in particular crave personal experiences with brands and with each other
and engage, and many of our events have multiple different ways to do that, from interacting with a product physically, sitting one to one with an expert or listening to an inspiring speaker on stage.”
Google’s annual thought leadership event, Zeitgeist, which Elena’s team supports, is a good example of this. A curated group of trailblazers from across industries are brought together to interact with world-class speakers – and each other. “We create an intimate, retreat-like setting where they’re off their devices – listening, engaging and learning about how entrepreneurs, CEOs, storytellers, artists and scientists are shaping our world,” she says. “This fuels unexpected conversations and connections, during the pickleball tournament or at the surprise after-dinner private concert, for example, that are organised as part of the three-day event.”
Crickett Kasper is Director of Schools for the Council of Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), which brings professionals at schools and higher education institutions together to learn from each other and CASE’s own extensive research. She says that curating not just your event but also your attendees is key. “Priya Parker talks about being ‘exclusive’ – not for the sake of leaving people out, but making them feel included. If the right people are included, the right interactions happen.” And that goes back, once again, to knowing who your event is for, and what its purpose is. “If your purpose is to have big conversations, you need people in the room who are willing to take on those topics – and those who are willing to listen, because everyone in the room can’t speak at the same time.”
In fact, drilling down into exactly why you’re having an event and what you want to achieve can be the most difficult aspect of organising your gathering, she points out. “Because sometimes, even though it feels that your company or institution or group has a very clear direction and focus, getting everyone on the same page can be very hard. My first filter would always be: what are we trying to achieve? Then the invite list comes from that: do we want these people to be our champions? Or do we want them to improve our plan? Or both? Being clear about your intentions really matters.”
So how does creating a purposeful gathering work in practice? For the past few years, ZIS has been redefining how it brings together alumni and friends, inspired in part by Priya Parker’s book. “There is no point in us getting people together just to stand there with a glass of wine in their hand,” says Michaela Seeger, Director of Community Relations at ZIS. “Our community doesn’t need the school to do that for them. Instead, we thought hard about what would bring the greatest benefit to our community, what we can offer them that they aren’t getting elsewhere.”
That might mean bringing in an inspiring speaker connected to the ZIS community: people will come because they want to learn something, not just to see who else is there, says Michaela, and the format will also make it easier for participants to connect. “If you are the only one from your graduating class, you can mingle afterwards and talk about what you have just learned, rather than standing in the corner not knowing what to do.”
Or it could mean adding more structure to the evening – which proved very successful during a ZISMeets event in New York last year. “We asked a few questions of attendees beforehand, such as the area they worked in and what they enjoyed doing. And then we clustered them according to the answers. For example, if you put everyone who works in finance together, that gives them something to talk about and is also a great networking opportunity.”
The school’s Community Dinners for parents and alumni, which have been running for a number of years, are also built on this philosophy of purposeful gathering. Attendees are asked to prepare a short response to a chosen topic – for example, “Talk about something that you learned at school which helped you become who you are today” – which they share at the dinner, with only one person allowed to speak at a time. “We are a school that thinks together. And these events enable us to do that – to gather thoughts and ideas,” says Michaela. “Participants share stories that we can then use as a starting point to the next part of the conversation. It might turn out that most people found soft skills were a crucial part of their learning at school, so we can then ask: How do we foster soft skills going forward?’”
Online, one person gets to have the talking stick and everyone else reacts. But there’s something about face-to-face gathering that allows many things to happen at once
People want to meet each other – so harness that very human desire and make your gathering an event to remember, says Crickett. “When we’re connecting online, one person has the talking stick and others are reacting to that. But there’s something about face-to-face gathering that allows many things to happen at once. Having our own conversation, reacting to something we hear, crosstalk, a chorus of voices – there’s an energy to that, a different type of connection. I’m incredibly grateful that we have the technology to meet online. But in person, it’s so much more meaningful and impactful.” Z
Jovana Urosevic (Grade 12) wants to boldly go where no one has gone before – into both inner and outer space. “Right now, I’m fascinated by both neuroscience and cosmology,” she says. “I’ve been reading about printing 3D organs in space, quantum biology and wearables that could include lucid dreams! But my main fascination is brain-computer interfaces, which allow you to control something with your mind.”
Jovana has always been interested in consciousness and memory. But her interest in neuroscience began when she was selected to be a member of the ZIS contingent at a Knowledge Society presentation on emerging technologies at the Villars Institute, which included a video of a paralysed person controlling a robotic arm just by thinking. “I thought that was so incredible,” she says.
Indeed, it might sound like science fiction but, for Jovana, science is all about fact. She recently built her own braincomputer interface, using special headwear that transforms electrical data from the brain into numerical data, and which allows her to play a computer game without using the keyboard. “That’s the project I’m proudest of so far,” she says.
And she’s keen to explore beyond the classroom. Last summer, she completed an internship at the neurosurgery department at Universitätsspital Basel as part of the ZIS Internship Program. “It was a great experience, but tough, and it required a level of emotional maturity. You have to remind yourself that what’s interesting to you is something that the patient has to live with,” she says.
In our science laboratories, Grade 12’s Jovana Urosevic is exploring the future – today.
• Words Lucy Jolin • Photography Kate Peters
It could not have been more different to the programme she took part in at the European Space Operations Centre in Frankfurt. “This was such a contrast to the life sciences field where discoveries tend to be on a molecular basis,” she says. “I got to see really big engineering and computer science projects, such as the planetary defence programme. And my team worked with one of the lead engineers to create an interplanetary probe.”
Finding your way in science, she says, is all about trying new things and exploring – and her teachers at ZIS have been behind her all the way. For her International Baccalaureate Diploma extended essay, Jovana is investigating how farm animals influence the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant genes in the soil, and her teachers suggested that she carried out practical analyses. “I had to learn a lot of new practical lab skills and the entire science department was really helpful,” says Jovana. “I’m grateful for all that lab experience – I must have been in there for an extra 35 hours and they were so patient with me!” Her interests are as wide as the galaxy, so it’s hardly surprising that Jovana isn’t yet certain where her passion for science will take her – she’s applied to universities in the USA for neuroscience combined with physics, the UK for biomedical science and the Netherlands for biology and physics. But she’s loving the journey so far. “As a girl, it’s essential to not be discouraged from going into STEM just because it is male dominated,” she says. “It’s so important to be curious, to explore, and to not limit yourself.” Z
As President of the Swiss Vegan Society, Rafi Neuburger knows the Zurich vegetarian scene, with the pioneering Hiltl at its heart, is alive and kicking.
• Words Peter Watts
Whenever Rafi Neuburger, Class of 1989 (1984-89), wants to introduce people to the possibilities of vegan cuisine, he takes them to Hiltl – the oldest vegetarian restaurant… in the world. “My go-to dish is Zürcher Geschnetzeltes,” says Rafi, President of Vegane Gesellschaft Schweiz (Vegan Society Switzerland). “This is an iconic Zurich dish of veal in a cream sauce that you can get in every restaurant in Zurich, but this is the vegan version. It’s delicious, and a great showcase to prove you don’t need meat for a fantastic traditional meal.”
Hiltl is a pioneer. For more than 125 years, the Sihlstrasse restaurant has offered vegetarian food to Zurich residents, including ZIS students and their families. It was founded in 1898 as Vegetarierheim & Abstinenzcafé, and at first the public weren’t convinced by its unusual approach.
The venue was nicknamed Wurzelbunker (‘root bunker’) and the guests, known as ‘grass-eaters’, often sneaked in through the back door to avoid being spotted. Transformation came with Ambrosius Hiltl, a tailor from
Germany, who moved to Zurich in 1901 seeking a cure for rheumatism. Excited at the possibilities of vegetarian food, he began managing the restaurant in 1903, before buying it outright in 1904. Hiltl soon became the place to be.
“It would have been a risk to open the restaurant in 1898,” says Rafi, “so I’m sure it was a real passion project. By the time I was at school, it was recognised as a quality restaurant alongside those in Zurich that served meat –it didn’t have that typical health food feel that you expect to find in veggie restaurants. For those who wanted to remove animals from their diet, you need these exemplary restaurants that show it can work as a business and as a place to get great food.”
Swiss food is traditionally very creamy and meaty, he points out, adding that one of the reasons he founded the Swiss Vegan Society was to propagate alternatives that would be less damaging to the environment and animal welfare. “Vegan and vegetarian diets don’t need to be about health – you can do burgers and fast food. I opened a vegan fast food restaurant in Zurich because that was my passion and I think we need to offer alternatives that are as tasty.”
Rafi had already been thinking about animal welfare during his time at AISZ. One school project was on animal vivisection, and he then led a campaign to change the school menu. “We didn’t have a canteen at ZIS, but sometimes a local burger restaurant would deliver hamburgers. I helped organise a petition and succeeded in pushing them out,” he laughs.
Hiltl remains a family restaurant, and has helped transform vegetarian cooking throughout Switzerland. “The options are endless; you can do so much with wheat and soy and spices,” he says. “It’s as delicious as any meat and you don’t have to harm any animals. But it takes flagship projects like the Vegan Society and Hiltl to show what’s possible.” Z
• Interview Isolde Walters
• Photography Kate Peters
When I proposed running a mental health campaign at a leading global financial services firm, I received cautious feedback about the project. The principle was to encourage employees to share their stories of mental health challenges and how they overcame them, but sceptics said I’d never be able to get people, especially people in Switzerland, to open up.
We finally ran the campaign, and a surprising number of volunteers signed up, people who wanted to tell their stories to help combat the stigma associated with mental health challenges and make others realise they were not alone. And their testimony sparked conversations and spread hope. People told me that hearing those stories changed their lives, as they finally had the courage to seek support. It’s the initiative I’m most proud of.
It’s still often considered taboo to discuss mental health and other wellbeing challenges in the corporate world – and in society in general – and I want to help change this. As I am responsible for designing and implementing global wellbeing strategies at companies, I’m grateful I have an official mandate to do so. But we can all make a positive difference by taking care of ourselves and each other, even if we seem too busy.
Early in my career, I showed some early symptoms of burnout during a tough consulting project. The experience affected my sleep, disrupted my eating habits, and left me doubting my performance. Luckily, I had an empathetic manager who spotted the warning signs and suggested I take a break. Taking that opportunity to recharge allowed me to prioritise my wellbeing and regain my energy.
I began to pay more attention to how widespread mental health challenges are. I wanted to help, and now my focus is on doing everything I can to improve wellbeing holistically at three levels: organisation, team and individual. First, I understand the trends and needs with quantitative and qualitative data, and then I work with senior leaders and champions throughout the organisation to drive cultural and behavioural change.
Working in a global role is important to me. It’s a seed that was sown during my ZIS days. I really enjoyed the international environment of the school, and it’s something I’ve actively sought in the companies I’ve worked for. That knowledge of both cultural differences and shared experiences helps me with our global wellbeing strategy. I also developed my writing skills at ZIS –I consider good communication an essential factor in my professional success, and I rely on it every single day.
Not that I do it alone. As Sheryl Sandberg said: “The biggest career decision you’ll make is who you marry.” I truly believe that marrying my husband Timarian was the best thing I ever did for my health and my career. But I think it’s generally about who we choose to spend our time with, and that includes colleagues and leaders who will bat for us. The fact that I can be myself at work and feel supported is so important to my wellbeing.
I try to practise what I preach and use various techniques to maintain my health, and I also believe in continuously improving myself. Remembering the good things in life keeps me grounded. I have been so lucky, and it’s important to recognise that. Z
