ISR Summer School 2019
ISR Summer School 2019
Monday, 29 July 2019
Our four weeks full of fun and action have come to an end: As in every year, the ISR Summer School took place during the past few weeks with lots of fun and joy. The mornings were developed with educational material and deepening the kids’ knowledge through exciting experiments. The afternoons focused on fun and games, like going to the trampoline hall or playing lasertag.
An unforgettable time, with a lot of fun and activities ends for the kids. We are already looking forward to next year and hope to see some of you again.
A few impressions:
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Airi
Spotlight On Our Student Airi
Airi, Grade 6, is not just an outstanding student and a great friend but also very talented when it comes to sports and music. Airi plays basketball in a club in Düsseldorf and has proven to be a huge surprise when it comes to her track and field talents. Earlier this year at the Athletics Festival in Neuss in May, just shortly after joining the team, she jumped almost 4 meters (3.93 m) and finished the 75 meter sprint in 11.81 seconds.
In the relay, Airi compete with her good friends Pamela, Mei and Luciana, where the girls finished first! Her coaches are very excited to see what Airi will accomplish when she gains more competitive experience and regular practice.
When it comes to music she is a brilliant dancer and regularly performs at events such as the Cherry Blossom Festival in Meerbusch together with her friends. Airi is also a gifted piano player who enjoys performing in school concerts for her family and friends.
We are proud to spotlight Airi, one of many of ISR’s outstanding students!
Our “Student Spotlight” project aims to highlight every Friday one of our outstanding students who is, appropriate to this year’s theme, “Staying Ahead”. No matter if academic achievements, special commitment, or outstanding character traits – we look forward to sharing each of these success stories.
Our Student Spotlights
PSV Football Camp 2019
PSV Football Camp 2019
Friday, 26 July 2019
A great debut for the PSV football camp! A total of 29 students participated in the first football camp of PSV Neuss in cooperation with ISR last week. For four days the football enthusiasts completed two training sessions per day. Sessions included training, coordination, speed and goalkeeping. In the afternoon various forms of games and tournaments were on the program.
A highlight of the week was the barbecue on Wednesday, where the young athletes shared their experiences with their coaches and supervisors. All participants were allowed to keep their jerseys, trousers, socks and drink bottles. In addition, they were handed a medal in recognition of their great achievements!
We look forward to the camp next year!
University Visits from our Upper School in America
University Visits from our Upper School in America
Wednesday, 24 July 2019
ISR prides itself on preparing students for life beyond ISR. Two full-time staff members are available to meet with students and their parents to make sure the appropriate course selections are made as Upper School students begin the path to university. In addition to in-school counseling, our University and Career Counselling (UCC) team also visits universities around the world with our students to help them get an on-the-spot impression of various universities.
For this reason, Dr. Dickers, our University and Career Councellor, and four ISR students from grades 9, 10 and 11 spent a week visiting universities and colleges in the US during their summer vacation. The students visited 10 institutions, including Harvard University, Yale University, Columbia University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the University of Pennsylvania, and New York University (NYU).
Each visit included a campus tour, guided by a current student or recent graduate who gave our students an insight into their experiences studying in the US. The students also attended presentations by university admissions staff who discussed the various academic courses offered, extracurricular life, and the application process. The tours and presentations helped the students learn about the unique features of each university and how to choose a university with the right ‘fit’. The ISR group also had the opportunity to stay for a night in a student residence at Boston University and to spend some free time in New York’s Times Square.
As the students were part of a larger tour group, they also had a chance to meet and share experiences with students from other countries including the US, Singapore, Thailand, Japan, the Philippines and the UK. The tour guides, Ray and Ben, who are both college counsellor, led several workshops about the college admission process. They covered topics including: how to research and choose universities (finding the right ‘fit’), using in the US Common Application, and brainstorming and writing the all-important application essay.
All in all, after a week visiting all different types of university, the trip provide our ISR students insight into college life in the US and practical advice for writing successful applications and choosing the right school.
新年快乐! Happy Chinese New Year 2019!
新年快乐! Happy Chinese New Year 2019!
Tuesday, 05 February 2019
豬年是充满幸福的一年, 表示机会, 勇气, 信心。 希望今年这些积极的特征陪您。
Today we welcome the Lunar New Year of the Pig. The Year of the Pig is a year of happiness and stands for opportunities, courage, and optimism. We hope that these positive characteristics will also accompany you throughout the year.
We wish all ISR families a Happy New Year of the Pig!
Join Us! On Sunday, February 10, ISR will celebrate, the Chinese New Year together with the Chinese School Mingde in Krefeld and our Chinese community.
A delicious buffet with traditional food, colorful performances, and much more await you!
The event will take place in our cafeteria beginning at 11:30 am and the stage program will start at 2:00 pm. We look forward to see you and your family there!
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Rena
Spotlight On Our Student Rena
Rena, who finished Grade 9 this year, has been a student at ISR since Grade 7th. As a bright and enthusiastic student, Rena serves as a role model to her peers as she is always a shining and positive force in the classroom. Beyond the classroom, Rena is involved in her school community.
This past school year Rena served as the Deputy Head of Activities in ISR’s Student Life Organization®. As a Deputy Head, Rena was a critical team member of ISR student run society that encourages students to develop strong leadership, organizational, emotional, and social skills. Rena successfully led her team and planned fun school events such as the Lock In and Middle School Spring Dance.
Next school year, Rena will be the Deputy Head of Academics where she will focus her team on helping her follow students improve their academic performance through peer tutoring sessions and extra study time with teachers. We are sure that more great leadership moments are in store for Rena this coming school year!
We are proud to spotlight Rena, one of many of ISR’s outstanding students!
Our “Student Spotlight” project aims to highlight every Friday one of our outstanding students who is, appropriate to this year’s theme, “Staying Ahead”. No matter if academic achievements, special commitment, or outstanding character traits – we look forward to sharing each of these success stories.
Our Student Spotlights
Die 39 Absolventen der ISR Neuss übertreffen auch 2019 deutlich den weltweiten Notenschnitt beim International Baccalaureate (IB)
Die 39 Absolventen der ISR Neuss übertreffen auch 2019 deutlich den weltweiten Notenschnitt beim International Baccalaureate (IB)
Tuesday, 16 July 2019
In den IB-Abschlusszeugnissen erreichen die ISR-Schüler durchschnittlich 35 Punkte, 5 Punkte mehr als der weltweite Mittelwert / Jeder 6-te Schüler der ISR Neuss gehörte zur internationalen Top 3 %-Bestenliste / 75 % aller ISR Schüler sind besser als der weltweite Mittelwert / Pro Absolvent bereits ca. vier Studienplatzangebote renommierter Auslands-Universitäten
Erneut haben die Absolventen der International School on the Rhine in Neuss (ISR) in diesem Jahr einen klar überdurchschnittlichen Notendurchschnitt erreicht. Beim International Baccalaureate erreichten die 39 Schüler im Durchschnitt 35 Punkte, bei einem weltweiten Mittelwert von 30 Punkten. „Diese exzellenten Ergebnisse der Schülerinnen und Schüler bestätigen nicht nur deren großen Einsatz. Ohne die hervorragende Unterstützung der Lehrer und der gesamten Mitarbeiterschaft wäre das ebenfalls nicht möglich gewesen“, sagt Emil Cete, Oberstufenleiter und verantwortlich für die IB-Vorbereitung: „Wichtig für uns ist auch, dass wir mit diesem Ergebnis unseren Status als führende Privatschule in der Region bestätigt haben.“
Rund jeder 6-te der IB-Absolventen erhielt 40 und mehr von 45 möglichen Punkten. Das entspricht einer deutschen Abiturnote von 1,3 oder besser. Damit gehört diese Gruppe international zu den Top-Prüflingen. 2018 erreichten weltweit nur rund 3% der IB-Absolventen diese Punktzahl. Die internationalen 2019er Ergebnisse werden erst in einigen Monaten feststehen.
Der notenbeste Absolvent der ISR Neuss erreichte in diesem Jahr sogar 42 Punkte und verfehlte damit die IB-Bestleistung in der Geschichte der ISR (43 Punkte im Jahr 2018, entspricht der deutschen Abiturnote von 1,0) nur ganz knapp. Doch nicht nur in der Spitze war das Resultat hervorragend. „Nur mit ein paar herausragenden Ergebnissen erreicht man dieses hervorragende Schul-Ergebnis nicht. Dazu gehören gute Abschlüsse auf breiter Front“, betont Peter Soliman, geschäftsführender Gesellschafter der ISR. Beispielsweise erreichen 75 Prozent aller ISR-Absolventen mindestens den weltweiten Mittelwert. Soliman: „Um möglichst allen Schülern das optimale Abschneiden zu ermöglichen, fördern wir diese individuell nach den jeweiligen Fähigkeiten und Neigungen. Sehr häufig auch durch Einzel- und Intensiv-Unterricht.“
„Mit diesen herausragenden Ergebnissen haben die jungen Leute beste Aussichten auf Plätzen an den besten Hochschulen weltweit“, ergänzt Emil Cete. Voraussichtlich 25 der 39 Absolventen werden auch im Ausland studieren. „Mehr als 100 Studienplatzangebote haben diese jungen Leute bereits jetzt von renommierten Unis erhalten, durchschnittlich für jeden also etwa vier“, betont Eileen Lyons, Schuldirektorin der ISR seit 2007: „Da fällt die Auswahl angesichts der tollen Universitäten, die teilweise zu den besten der Welt gehören, wirklich schwer.“ Angebote gab es unter anderem von dem Imperial College London (GB), dem University College London (GB), dem Kings College London (GB), der Durham University (GB), der Wharton Business School at the University of Pennsylvania (USA), der University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) (USA), der Duke University (USA), der Rotterdam School of Management at Erasmus University Rotterdam, der University of Leiden (NL), der University of Utrecht, der Technical University of Eindhoven (NL) oder der University of Toronto (CAN). Weitere Studien-Angebote gab es aus Japan, Irland, Polen, Österreich, Schweiz und Litauen „Die enge Betreuung bei der Auswahl der Hochschulen und der Karriereplanung ist ein zentrales Angebot der ISR“, erläutert Peter Soliman: „Schon frühzeitig beginnen etwa unsere University and Career Counsellors Ulricke Wacker und Kirsten Dickers mit den Schülern und Schülerinnen über ihre Stärken, Schwächen und Berufsvorstellungen zu sprechen und begleiten diese ganz eng im gesamten Bewerbungsprozess. Das gilt auch noch in den kommenden Monaten, wenn die die jungen Leute schon längst ihre Abschlusszeugnisse in den Händen halten.“
Die Absolventen der ISR, an der die Fächer in Englisch unterrichtet werden, feierten dieses Jahr ihre Graduation Ceremony im dritten Jahr in Folge im Plenarsaal des Düsseldorfer Rathauses, zusammen mit ihren Familien und dem vollständigen Kollegium der ISR. Düsseldorfs Oberbürgermeister Thomas Geisel betonte in seiner Commencement Speech die Internationalität einer Klasse in der 14 Nationalitäten vertreten sind. So seien die Absolventen der ISR ein wichtiger Baustein für den Zusammenhalt in der heutigen Gesellschaft. Dafür sei die hervorragende internationale Ausbildung das ideale Fundament und könne entscheidend zum guten Zusammenleben in einem offenen Weltbürgertum beitragen.
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Jan
Spotlight On Our Student Jan
Jan just completed Grade 5 in June and he is a kind and charismatic student. Originally from Poland, Jan joined our school in the beginning of the 2018-2019 school year. Jan is a smart and hardworking student who is always a friendly addition to the classroom.
Along with some classmates, Jan helped to create ISR’s environmental club, The Green Gods. For his contribution to the club, he made a video all about beekeeping and the important role bees play in helping our environment. Using his grandfather’s bee farm in Poland, Jan showcased why it is so important we do more to save bees as they are a critical asset in protecting the environment. Jan’s video was shown at our Spring Festival in May.
In addition to his green extracurricular activities, Jan participated in ISR’s Student Life Organization (SLO®) as a Junior Prefect this year. He was an enthusiastic team member that was always ready to lend a helping hand and was a true representative of what it means to be an active member of SLO®.
We are proud to spotlight Jan, one of many of ISR’s outstanding students!
Our “Student Spotlight” project aims to highlight every Friday one of our outstanding students who is, appropriate to this year’s theme, “Staying Ahead”. No matter if academic achievements, special commitment, or outstanding character traits – we look forward to sharing each of these success stories.
Our Student Spotlights
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Eric
Spotlight On Our Student Eric
Eric has only been a student at ISR since Grade 8 and is now moving into his final year. “He has always struck me as a super caring and talented individual. He works very hard to achieve good grades in school, but also to build friendships by being an honest and thoughtful member of our community”, says his teacher Samantha McGee.
His latest project is another proof of his excellent character traits and thoughtfulness. During his summer break Eric, together with his friend Max, will go on a bike trip to raise money for the foundation, Stiftung Burkhard Zülow. Under the motto “Think global, act local” the two students will bike approximately 261 kilometers through three countries while raising money for a good cause (www.gofundme.com/wheels-for-wheels-project).
“Every donation, with the support of the Tandem Stiftung Burkhard Zülow, will help improve the life of someone in our local community through sport, who can’t help themselves”, the students assure on their fundraising page. Eric is an outstanding example of a high achieving student with a strong character which makes him a role model for his peers and the entire ISR community.
We are proud to spotlight Eric, one of many of ISR’s outstanding students!
Our “Student Spotlight” project aims to highlight every Friday one of our outstanding students who is, appropriate to this year’s theme, “Staying Ahead”. No matter if academic achievements, special commitment, or outstanding character traits – we look forward to sharing each of these success stories.
Our Student Spotlights
Opening of the ISR Kindergarten in Düsseldorf draws closer
Opening of the ISR Kindergarten in Düsseldorf draws closer
Thursday, 04 July 2019
After two additions to the ISR Kindergarten in Neuss, the demand for Kindergarten places in our international and English-speaking community continues to grow. For this reason, ISR decided to open a new Kindergarten in Düsseldorf Niederkassel. This new Kindergarten branch will be an extension of the ISR Kindergarten in Neuss. As a result of this extension, we will be able to offer enrolment to around 100 boys and girls between the ages 3 – 6 years old.
The same successful learning system used in the Neuss Kindergarten will be offered at the Düsseldorf Niederkassel site as well. As the construction project steadily progresses, Jenna Davis, founder of the popular lifestyle blog “Life in Düsseldorf”, has taken a close look at our Kindergarten project in her new blog post: lifeinduesseldorf.com/isr-kindergarten.
See additionally here how a typical day in our Kindergarten runs:
