Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Philian

Spotlight On Our Student Philian
This week, we are proud to spotlight our fourth-grader, Philian.
Philian joined ISR in 2016 and has grown greatly since starting his journey in our ISR Kindergarten. After the summer, Philian will start his educational journey in our ISR Middle School, and some of his Primary School Teachers wish to reflect on their experiences with this bright student and wish him the best on his exciting Middle School journey at ISR.
Ms. Ghica writes to Philian, “Congratulations on reaching this remarkable milestone in your academic journey! As you transition to Middle School and enter Grade 5, know that your hard work has prepared you well for this exciting new adventure. Your ability to overcome difficulties with such grace is a testament to your character and potential. Middle School will bring new opportunities for growth, learning, and discovery, and I have no doubt that you will continue to shine brightly.” She continues, “Embrace this next chapter with the same courage that has brought you this far. Remember, every challenge is just another chance to showcase your abilities. We are all so proud of you and cannot wait to see all the amazing things you will achieve in the future!”
Ms. Bucher, Philian’s music teacher, says, “Philian has grown so much this school year. He is showing a joy in learning, pride in his accomplishments, and a generally positive attitude towards life. It’s great to see this clever boy blossom into a confident student. He also periodically surprises me with his sophisticated and good taste in music, I must say.”
In addition, Ms. Donoghue, another of Philian’s Primary School Teachers, says, “I was Philian’s English Teacher in Grade 3 and have also sometimes worked with him in Grade 4. Philian is a friendly and engaged student. He likes to participate in class discussions and has a unique and creative way of looking at the world. He is an avid reader and likes to share what he has learned with others. Most of the time, you can catch Philian with a friendly smile on his face.”
We are looking forward to watching him grow as an Middle School student at ISR!
We are very proud to spotlight Philian, one of ISR’s many outstanding students!
The ISR Student Spotlight Project aims to highlight one of our students from the ISR-Community every Friday, who embodies our guiding principle “We Enable Great Minds and Strong Characters” by consistently surpassing themselves. Whether through outstanding academic achievements, exceptional dedication, or remarkable character traits – we take pride in having already showcased hundreds of students – and there is more to look forward to every week!
Our Student Spotlights
February 28, 2025
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Arjun
February 21, 2025
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Joan
February 14, 2025
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Zach
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Pelu

Spotlight On Our Student Pelu
This week, we are proud to spotlight our eighth grader Pelu.
Pelu joined ISR in 2021 and has made an excellent impression on his teachers since then. He is a well-rounded student who demonstrates poise in his approach to his studies. His mathematics instructor, Mr. Nisic, nominated Pelu and says, “Pelu has been in my class for the past two years, and I have seen him make constant progress, especially in his math scores. Pelu not only excels academically but also demonstrates great character. He is dedicated to both his football training and his studies, managing to balance his extracurricular activities and academic responsibilities admirably. Pelu is a good friend to his classmates and contributes positively to the class environment. I believe he truly deserves this recognition.”
Pelu’s sports teacher, Mr. Hoste, adds, “Pelu is very mature, polite, and always offering to help when needed. He is driven and enthusiastic about sports in general. Although his main sport is football, he is one of those students who is just good at any sport. It is truly a pleasure to see him grow and get better because of his work ethic and dedication. Whenever he makes it into the top league of football, I can only hope he will think of me and arrange a ticket for the VIP lounge to watch him play someday.”
Mr. Nous, also from the Sports department, has gotten to know Pelu over the past year and adds that he is “a friendly and helpful student with a good sense of humour.”
We are proud to spotlight Pelu, one of ISR’s many outstanding students!
The ISR Student Spotlight Project aims to highlight one of our students from the ISR-Community every Friday, who embodies our guiding principle “We Enable Great Minds and Strong Characters” by consistently surpassing themselves. Whether through outstanding academic achievements, exceptional dedication, or remarkable character traits – we take pride in having already showcased hundreds of students – and there is more to look forward to every week!
Our Student Spotlights
February 28, 2025
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Arjun
February 21, 2025
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Joan
February 14, 2025
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Zach
Chinese Consul General visit to ISR
Chinese Consul General Du visits ISR
Friday, May 17th, 2024
Last Friday, we were once again honored to welcome Chinese Consul General Du to ISR. On this visit, Mr. Du was joined by some of his colleagues including the Head of Division for Bilateral Relations, Mr. Kou, the Head of Division for Internal Affairs, Ms. Shang, the Coordinator for Bilateral Cooperation and Cultural Exchanges, Mr. Wu, and Protocol, Ms. Zhang.
The Diplomatic Team was warmly welcomed to ISR by a group of children from our kindergarten as well as our ISR Management Team. Consul General Du then gave an inspiring Career Talk to our Upper School Students, Staff and select Parents in which he outlined his career as a diplomat. He was then kind enough to answer questions from the interested audience regarding his experiences as a diplomat.
For the second part of the event, our Upper School Students broke off into two smaller groups for a more informal session with the visiting diplomats. Our students were able to ask further questions about possible careers in diplomacy and enjoyed the informative discussion.
We wish to thank our honored guests, Chinese General Consul Du, Ms. Shang, Mr. Kou, Mr. Wu, and Ms. Zhang for visiting us and taking the time to discuss careers in diplomacy with our students and guests. We would also like to thank our Chinese Community Representative, Ms. Hofmann, for publicizing and attending the event. It was a wonderful success with our students who are now excited about the possibility of a career in diplomacy!
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Viola

Spotlight On Our Student Viola
This week, we are proud to spotlight our ninth-grader Viola.
Viola joined ISR in 2021 and displays a positive attitude that endears her to both her teachers and fellow classmates. She is a hard-working student who challenges herself and works well with her peers.
Mr. Kubrick, Viola’s English teacher, says, “Viola deserves the spotlight for her tireless and consistent work ethic. In every lesson, she puts in tremendous effort to not only engage with the process, but also to challenge herself and those around her, earning top marks in the process. Another important trait Viola demonstrates is open-mindedness. English is a course in which self-expression and communication are key skills. In both, Viola performs exceptionally well, working well with her classmates despite differing perspectives and interpretations. She is – above all – a good person, and these character traits manifest in her relationships with those around her. It is for these reasons that I nominated her for the ISR Student Spotlight.”
Viola’s Physics teacher, Mr. Kirk, adds, “Viola is a curious and diligent student who actively participates in class, helps her classmates, and approaches experiments creatively. Her positive attitude, strong analytical skills, and collaborative spirit make her a valued and reliable member of our physics class”.
Ms. Adamczyk, Viola’s homeroom teacher, as well as her former German teacher adds, “Viola has an excellent work ethic as well as a polite and respectful demeanour. Whether she’s engaging with peers, teachers, or staff, she is a pleasure to interact with. Her combination of hard work and positive attitude makes her a role model for other students, inspiring them to adopt similar values.
We are proud to spotlight Viola, one of ISR’s many outstanding students!
The ISR Student Spotlight Project aims to highlight one of our students from the ISR-Community every Friday, who embodies our guiding principle “We Enable Great Minds and Strong Characters” by consistently surpassing themselves. Whether through outstanding academic achievements, exceptional dedication, or remarkable character traits – we take pride in having already showcased hundreds of students – and there is more to look forward to every week!
Our Student Spotlights
February 28, 2025
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Arjun
February 21, 2025
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Joan
February 14, 2025
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Zach
International Mathematics Competition: ISR students achieve outstanding results
International Mathematics Competition: ISR students achieve outstanding results
Tuesday, 14 May 2024
We are excited to share some wonderful news from our ISR Math Department!
We have just received the results from the American Math Competition (AMC), and there is much to celebrate! Approximately 65 of our students from Grades 7 and 8 took part in the event, and an impressive nine of our students placed in the top 10 in Germany! Evelyn and Hukehuai performed exceptionally well, landing in the top 1% of all participants worldwide, and earned Honor Roll Certificates!
Two of our Grade 5 students also had the chance to compete for the first time. Anton and Selina received Achievement Certificates for participating and performing excellently in a competition usually aimed at students in higher grade levels.
We celebrated this success with a Pizza Party during the Math Club this week!
And that is not all the good news. The Kangaroo Math competition was also a huge success. Our ISR Students earned an astonishing seven First Place finishes, seven Second Place finishes, and seven Third Place finishes!
A huge thank you to our ISR Teachers Mr. Nisic, Ms. Chroni, Ms. Schmidt, Mr. Bernard, and Mr. Freise! Your dedication is truly the driving force behind our students’ successes, inspiring and pushing them to excel – true to our motto that “It’s cool to be good!”
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Vaibhav

Spotlight On Our Student Vaibhav
This week, we are proud to spotlight our sixth-grader Vaibhav.
Vaibhav joined ISR in 2023 and is described by our Middle School Academic Coordinator, Ms. Brand, as a “vibrant newcomer who has quickly become an integral part of ISR’s Grade 6 Community! He has seamlessly integrated into our school, leaving a notable impact on both peers and teachers alike. Vaibhav’s journey is marked by enthusiasm, persistence and an unwavering positivity that is contagious!”
Ms. Brand goes on to say, “He is an eager student who has a lot to give, approaching his lessons with vigour. His infectious energy and genuine warmth truly make him stand out and it is no surprise that Vaibhav has quickly become a beloved figure within our school community. His friendly nature and approachable demeanour have endeared him to classmates and teachers alike, forming many friendships along the way. Whether collaborating on group projects or simply lending a listening ear, Vaibhav’s kindness and spirit knows no bounds.”
Ms. Chroni, Vaibhav’s homeroom teacher, adds, “I can’t help but admire his exceptional manners. He is incredibly polite and always willing to lend a hand. His kindness extends to his classmates, where not only does he find something positive to say about each of them but also offers his assistance willingly.”
Vaibhav was originally nominated by his Sports teacher, Mr. Nous, who states, “Vaibhav is always really polite and friendly. He tries to improve himself and tries to see the bright side of things. He also offers help when needed.”
Mr. Perez, Vaibhab’s Music teacher, adds, “Vaibhav is an extremely polite, respectful, and attentive student. He is always trying hard to improve, following instructions and working towards achieving what is expected. It is a joy to be his teacher!”
Mr. Makovoy and Mr. Freise agree with these sentiments and add, “Vaibhav’s behaviour is respectful, and he keeps on persisting and trying to complete his work as per the instructions given.” “His effort is commendable. He displays a quiet maturity in groups, and is such a respectful, helpful, and pleasant student. He has the best, genuine smile! Vaibhab always has a positive demeanor and is a pleasure to be around!”
Ms. Stephan continues, “I would like to say that Vaibhav is very polite, always on time, approaches me to greet with his positive attitude and smile. He likes to learn and has the will to always do better and improve.”
While Ms. Adamczyk adds, “It is such a pleasure to be Vaibhav’s first German teacher and to teach him a new language. He is extremely eager to speak German. Almost every lesson he will come with a new word or a new expression that he has learnt on his own. He also encourages other students to speak more. I admire this exceptional interest and desire in learning and experiencing a new language. He also does not hesitate to ask questions if he faces challenges to understand the concepts. He is extremely helpful, polite, respectful to teachers and to his peers and has an open -minded, positive personality.”
As we shine the spotlight on Vaibhav, celebrating his achievements and the delight he brings to our school community, we eagerly anticipate the contributions he will make in the years to come.
We are proud to spotlight Vaibhav, one of ISR’s many outstanding students!
The ISR Student Spotlight Project aims to highlight one of our students from the ISR-Community every Friday, who embodies our guiding principle “We Enable Great Minds and Strong Characters” by consistently surpassing themselves. Whether through outstanding academic achievements, exceptional dedication, or remarkable character traits – we take pride in having already showcased hundreds of students – and there is more to look forward to every week!
Our Student Spotlights
February 28, 2025
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Arjun
February 21, 2025
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Joan
February 14, 2025
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Zach
ISR International Spring Festival
ISR International Spring Festival 2024
Saturday, 4 May 2024
Vibrant and traditional attire, country-specific dishes from around the world, and hundreds of joyful guests, families, and especially children filled our ISR Campus on Saturday for this year’s ISR International Spring Festival.
Numerous partners, families, teachers, and staff came together on Saturday to celebrate a lively outdoor Spring Festival. Alongside numerous student projects – ranging from AI to Science to Environmental Projects – and a special art exhibition, our ISR High Tech Team presented our vision for the future of learning by introducing two special guests in the entrance hall: the robots Nao and Pepper! These robots, controlled by ChatGPT, brought great joy to our visitors and impressively demonstrated how groundbreaking technology can be utilized in education. Additionally, 3D printers and our virtual reality goggles were showcased.
As part of our stage program, our guests enjoyed numerous musical performances by students, including an award-winning piano performance by Soji and Yukichiyo, traditional Chinese dance by Ella, enchanting ballet performances under the direction of Claudia Peltzer, and a creative presentation of Japanese culture by our Japanese Community! Teachers and students from our in-house music school, Musicbox Oxana, rounded out the program by showcasing their talents, encouraging everyone to join in singing and dancing!
We also welcomed Cirque du Solei Artist, Aliaksei Liubezny, who joined our festival and enriched it with an impressive trampoline performance before inviting our students to join him.
Our SLC Team skillfully guided our guests through our stage program, delighting children with a raffle at the end and engaging in various additional activities, including face painting, to bring joy to other children.
Culinary delights were provided by our ISR Parent Network, bringing great joy to all visitors! Nine communities participated, offering delicacies from around the world. Among them this year were the Chinese, Japanese, German, Turkish, Indian, Russian, South African, American, and “Mediterranean” Communities, without which this special ISR International Spring Festival would not have been possible.
Also integral to this day were our dedicated partners, who excited our guests with interactive activities for children and informative stands. We extend our gratitude to the Japanese Consulate, which allowed visitors to immerse themselves in Japanese culture and try their hand at origami and calligraphy. Additionally, we thank Musicbox Oxana, Broich Catering, Kumon, the Lions Club, PSV Neuss, Zweelo, Eckard-Adams Wohnungsbau, the American International Women’s Club, Kinderliebe e.V., Kunst am Platz, and Claudia Peltzer’s Ballet Groups for participating in this traditional festival, which was once again a resounding success! We would also like to thank our photographer, Ms. Osterried, for capturing the event so beautifully. Please visit her website if you are interested in viewing more of her work or booking a session. https://www.melanieosterried.de/
We look forward to our upcoming community events and are pleased that everyone had the opportunity to see what makes ISR so special: a unique international community representing over 60 nations, committed to lifelong learning and fostering a sense of community, no matter where you come from!
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Koga

Spotlight On Our Student Koga
This week, we are proud to spotlight our third-grader Koga.
Koga joined ISR in 2021 and has been working diligently to not only learn English and German, but to excel in his other subjects! He is tenacious and works well with his classmates. These are some of the reasons he is so well liked by his teachers and fellow students.
Ms. Palmieri, Koga’s third-grade teacher says, “It is so wonderful to have Koga in 3D! Koga is kind, polite and well-mannered. He is always willing to lend a helping hand and is very thoughtful of his classmates. Koga is also very smart! He excels in Math, especially with difficult multiplication and division facts. He is a great problem solver and never gives up when things are tough! Koga started learning English here at ISR and works diligently each day to improve. I am so proud of his perseverance. On the soccer field, Koga continues to shine. He is a great athlete and an even better teammate. Koga is a shining example for all his peers!”
Koga is also showing his commitment to learning in his German lessons. His teacher, Ms. Wang-Schütze, explains, “Koga is very responsible and helpful on the German lessons. He has been making huge improvements in German, especially in grammar. As German teacher I am very proud of his nomination.”
Koga also stands out in his music lessons. His teacher, Ms. Bucher, says, “In Music Koga is very quick at recognizing note values and note letter names. While I’m helping others, Koga works independently on his recorder finger positions. He zips right through the repertoire, and because he is so well-liked by his classmates, this impresses them and inspires them. He helps to hold the bar high for 3D!”
We are proud to spotlight Koga, one of ISR’s many outstanding students!
The ISR Student Spotlight Project aims to highlight one of our students from the ISR Community every Friday, who embodies our guiding principle “We Enable Great Minds and Strong Characters” by consistently surpassing themselves. Whether through outstanding academic achievements, exceptional dedication, or remarkable character traits – we take pride in having already showcased hundreds of students – and there is more to look forward to every week!
Our Student Spotlights
February 28, 2025
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Arjun
February 21, 2025
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Joan
February 14, 2025