Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Ray
Spotlight On Our Student Ray
This week, we are excited to shine the spotlight on our sixth-grader, Ray. Ray joined ISR in 2023. Since his arrival, Ray has consistently impressed his teachers and peers with his exceptional academic achievements and vibrant personality, quickly becoming a cherished member of our school community.
Ray was nominated for the Student Spotlight by his homeroom teacher, Ms. Palmieri, who says, “Ray is an all-around outstanding student, and it is such a privilege to have him in our class. While still learning English with his English teacher, Ray has worked extremely hard to earn top marks in both Science and Social Studies this term. His Mathematics skills and knowledge are exceptional, and he is looked up to by his peers. In addition to excelling in academics, Ray has a special artistic talent in the art of origami. He is able to make exquisite pieces simply from his imagination. Lastly, Ray is a respectful student, always showing manners and keeping his area tidy. He is well-liked by his classmates as he is funny, friendly, and always smiling!”
Mr. Nous, Ray’s sports teacher, also has positive things to say about his student: “Ray had a top performance at the shuttle run test and excelled in his basketball lessons. He is a pleasant student who is willing to improve himself and help others to do so, too.”
Ray’s English teacher, Ms. Donoghue, also has great things to say: “Ray is an enthusiastic student and loves to participate in class. He is eager to improve his English and has shown improvement in all areas (writing, reading, speaking, and listening) this term. He always smiles when he enters the room and shows interest in various topics. He is not afraid to make mistakes, which is such an important part of the language learning process. It’s wonderful having a student with such a positive attitude and genuine love of learning in my class.”
Ray’s journey at ISR illustrates what it means to be a dedicated and versatile student. His ability to excel academically while embracing new challenges speaks to his strong character and determination, making him a notable example of our motto: We Enable Great Minds and Strong Characters.
We are so proud to spotlight Ray as 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
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Madeleine
Spotlight On Our Student Madeleine
This week, we are excited to shine the spotlight on our second-grader, Madeleine, who joined ISR’s Kindergarten in 2020 and has since flourished in our Elementary School.
Madeleine was nominated for the Student Spotlight by her homeroom teacher, Ms. Hartmann, who shared glowing praise: “Madeleine is a delightful student who brings a lot of energy and pure sunshine to the classroom. I look forward to seeing her bright smile every morning. Madeleine is an excellent student who shines with smart ideas in class discussions and is never shy about giving an answer or participating in lessons. She is polite, supportive, and friendly to all her classmates. I am so grateful to be Madeleine’s teacher this year and to experience this pure ray of sunshine every day! Madeleine truly deserves the Student Spotlight for representing all of ISR’s core values.”
Mr. Baumann, Madeleine’s sports teacher, also had wonderful things to share: “Madeleine is very motivated in PE lessons. She always does her best and is not afraid to try new sports. Madeleine always has a smile on her face and motivates her classmates with her positive nature”.
Madeleine’s first-grade teacher, Ms. Vosters, remembers her fondly and even wrote a heartfelt poem in her honor:
“Madeleine was in grade 1d.
How lucky I was to have her with me.
She’s calm, helpful, and kind.
A nicer friend you won’t find.
She appreciates all that we do.
Keep shining and we thank you!”
Ms. Morris, who taught Madeleine in Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) last year, added: “Madeleine is an excellent student who marches to the beat of her own drum. She always offers a fresh perspective, and I greatly appreciate her input in class. Madeleine is confident, considerate, and friendly to everyone at school. She is an absolute pleasure to teach!”
Madeleine’s former kindergarten teacher, Ms. Fatscher, fondly recalled her time with Madeleine: “I had Madeleine in KG2C. She is a kind, easy-going student who loves playing with her friends and has a strong moral compass. It’s been such a pleasure to watch her grow and develop her soft yet strong character. She is an excellent choice for the Student Spotlight!”
Madeleine has consistently demonstrated kindness, enthusiasm, and a love for learning. We are incredibly proud to highlight the wonderful impact she has on our school community. Keep up the amazing work, Madeleine!
We are so proud to spotlight Madeleine as 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
Der Lions Club Novaesia zeichnet Schülerinnen und Schüler der ISR in Neuss für Plakat-Kompositionen zum Thema Frieden aus und nominiert drei Werke für die nächste Runde auf internationaler Ebene
Der Lions Club Novaesia zeichnet Schülerinnen und Schüler der ISR in Neuss für Plakat-Kompositionen zum Thema Frieden aus und nominiert drei Werke für die nächste Runde auf internationaler Ebene
An dem diesjährigen Peace-Poster-Wettbewerb des Lions Club International zu dem Thema „grenzenloser Frieden“ nahmen 24 Schülerinnen und Schüler der ISR International School on the Rhine in Neuss teil. Das Thema sollte bei dem internationalen Kunstwettbewerb in den Altersklassen 11, 12 und 13 Jahre über künstlerisch gestaltete Plakate dargestellt und von den Kindern und Jugendlichen interpretiert werden. Die Prämierung der Neusser Arbeiten erfolgte über den Lions Club Novaesia. Ausgezeichnet wurden dabei die besonders eindrucksvollen Sieger-Entwürfe der ISR-Schüler:innen Arjun (11 Jahre), Mian (12 Jahre) sowie Anna-Maria (13 Jahre). Diese nehmen noch in diesem Jahr am internationalen Lions Club Wettbewerb teil, dessen Ergebnis im Frühjahr 2025 feststehen wird. „Auch dort dürften die Arbeiten der ISR richtig gute Chancen haben“, ist Bettina Schulenberg überzeugt, amtierende Präsidentin des Lions Clubs Neuss Novaesia: „Es gab wirklich viele kreative und spannende künstlerische Umsetzungen. Uns fiel die Auswahl extrem schwer.“ Eine der Siegerinnen, Anna-Maria, erläuterte im Rahmen der Plakat-Präsentation ihr Friedens-Verständnis: „Frieden ist ein Ausgleich zwischen zwei verschiedenen Meinungen.“ Für Lions Club-Präsidentin Schulenberg ist dieser Ansatz ein Zeichen, wie die Auseinandersetzung mit dem Thema auch das soziale Verständnis der Kinder und Jugendlichen prägt.
Seit über drei Jahrzehnten veranstalten die Lions Clubs weltweit diesen besonderen Kunstwettbewerb. In Neuss wurden neben den Sieger- auch die Zweit- und Drittplatzierten der jeweiligen Alterskategorien ausgezeichnet. Alle weiteren Teilnehmerinnen und Teilnehmer erhielten für ihre großartigen Arbeiten eine Anerkennungsurkunde des Lions Club Novaesia, für den die ISR Neuss / Düsseldorf / Meerbusch eine Kooperationsschule ist. „Das hatten alle Arbeiten verdient“, betont Bettina Schulenberg.
Simona Schultz, Kunstlehrerin an der ISR und Leiterin des ISR Art Clubs, in dessen Rahmen der Wettbewerb stattfand, lobte vor allem die große Motivation der Schülerinnen und Schüler: „Die Bedeutung dieses wichtigen Themas war den Schülerinnen und Schülern sofort bewusst, auch wenn die Interpretationen künstlerisch auseinandergingen. Eine solche Auseinandersetzung mit verschiedenen Sichtweisen ist ja aber eine wichtige Eigenart der Kunst.“ Interessant sei auch gewesen, wie die Kinder und Jugendlichen aus unterschiedlichen Kulturkreisen ihre Entwürfe miteinander diskutiert haben. „So sind in jedem der Werke quasi auch gute Ideen der anderen Schülerinnen und Schüler enthalten“, lobt Lehrerin Schultz die Zusammenarbeit und den Zusammenhalt. Der internationale Blick war dabei gewährleistet: Insgesamt lernen an der ISR an den Standorten Neuss, Düsseldorf und Meerbusch 1.200 Kinder und Jugendliche aus 60 Nationen.
Für Peter Soliman, Geschäftsführender Gesellschafter der ISR, ist das ein gutes Beispiel, wie auch Kunsttalente unter den Schülerinnen und Schülern weiter gefördert werden. „Die Kinder sollen nicht nur in den klassischen Fächern, sondern in allen Bereichen ihre besonderen Talente weiter ausbauen. Wie eindrucksvoll das im Bereich Kunst gelingen kann, zeigt dieser Wettbewerb.“
Disclaimer
Die ISR International School on the Rhine GmbH mit Sitz in Neuss ist eine privat geführte internationale Ganztagsschule. Über 1.200 Schülerinnen und Schüler aus der Region und aus aller Welt bereiten sich gemeinsam auf international anerkannte Schulabschlüsse vor. Akademische Exzellenz und Charakterbildung stehen im Zentrum der Ausbildung und qualifizieren für ein Studium an führenden Universitäten in Deutschland und weltweit. Für jüngere Kinder bietet die ISR einen internationalen Kindergarten auf dem ISR-Campus in Neuss, in Düsseldorf-Niederkassel sowie eine deutschsprachige Dependance in Meerbusch-Büderich. Anfragen zu Kindergarten, Grundschule und weiterführender Schule werden ganzjährig entgegengenommen: admissions@isr-school.de.
ISR Students Shine in Local Basketball Events
ISR Students Shine in Local Basketball Events
Wednesday, November 20th
Last week, our ISR students had the great opportunity to participate in two fantastic basketball events!
On Wednesday, November 13th, and Thursday, November 14th, ISR hosted a special Basketball Elementary School Week in partnership with the German Basketball Federation. Students in Grades 3 to 6 engaged in skill-building activities focused on coordination, teamwork, shooting, dribbling, and other essential basketball techniques. They completed a series of stations and earned certificates for passing all levels. A big thank you to the German Basketball Federation for selecting ISR to host this exciting event, and to all the students who participated and contributed to its success!
In addition to this, our students also took part in the School Area Basketball Championship in Meerbusch. Our U16 Girls and U16 Boys teams competed successfully, both securing 2nd place in their age groups! The participating students included Anna-Maria, Saanvi, Amina, Zoe, Noemie, Sara, Meryem, Nanaka, and Yike on the U16 Girls Team; and Brent, Felix, Tianlin, Elyar, Faris, and Sam on the U16 Boys team.
We are incredibly proud of our students for their hard work and dedication on the court. Keep up the great effort – and thank you to our amazing PE team for organizing these competitions at ISR – and beyond!
St. Martin's Celebration at ISR
St. Martin’s Celebration at ISR
Friday, November 15th
ISR was filled on Friday with glowing lanterns, joyful children, and the delightful aroma of freshly baked St. Martin’s pastries!
The day began with a delightful Kindergarten St. Martin’s Parade in the morning. The children proudly carried their carefully crafted lanterns high as they paraded around the playground to the front of the kindergarten, where they were happily greeted by their awaiting families. Two children performed the traditional St. Martin story, while others stood proudly in a large circle around them, singing traditional St. Martin’s Songs with their families and educators. It was wonderful to have so many families join us for this cherished tradition!
Later, during the morning break, the ISR Parent Network continued the festivities by distributing pieces of large Weckmänner, the traditional St. Martin’s sweet bread, to students and staff. This thoughtful gesture brought smiles to everyone’s faces and added a sweet touch to the day’s festivities. Moreover, this gesture reinforced the core message of St. Martin’s story: the importance of sharing with one another!
In the afternoon, ISR families and staff were then invited to gather for a beautiful St. Martin’s Celebration, featuring an inspiring musical program organized by our talented ISR Music Department. The choir and band performances truly captured the spirit of St. Martin, and we are incredibly proud of our students and teachers for their hard work and dedication. A special thank you to Ms. Ewing for inviting her band to accompany the singing of traditional St. Martin’s songs. Following the musical performances and parade, led by St. Martin on horseback, guests were treated to a special reading and reenactment of the St. Martin story by our very own Mr. May, who was supported by ISR Secondary School Student, Nicholas, playing the poor beggar. Their performance was enjoyed by all and highlighted the meaning of the event. With over 60 nationalities represented at ISR, it is essential for us to celebrate traditions from around the globe, thereby introducing our community to the rich and diverse cultures of others.
To conclude the evening, guests gathered around a cozy fire to enjoy hot chocolate, mulled wine, and snacks provided by our dedicated ISR Parent Network. It was a warm and inviting end to a memorable day!
A special thank-you goes to all our amazing ISR Parent Network Members, without whom all these events wouldn’t be possible. A special thanks to the PN St. Martin Events Coordinators – Mrs. Kaya, Mrs. Tsumura, Mrs. Spyridopoulou, Mrs. Pico Stæhr, Mrs. Schaurte-Küppers, and Mrs. Caldwell – as well as to the ISR Parent Network Leadership Team, Mrs. Fehlberg, Mrs. Gall, and Mrs. Williams. Your efforts ensured that our community could celebrate this meaningful tradition! In addition, we wish to extend our heartfelt thanks to all the families who joined us in celebrating St. Martin’s Day at ISR this year. Your participation made the day truly special, and we are grateful for the strong sense of community that filled every moment of our celebrations.
We look forward to celebrating St. Martin at ISR next year – and we can’t wait to see all families at our upcoming ISR Winter Wonderland!
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Max
Spotlight On Our Student Max
This week, we are excited to spotlight our sixth-grader, Max, who joined ISR in August. Since Max joined the ISR Family, he has quickly become a valued member of our school community, impressing both his teachers and peers with his positive attitude and dedication to learning.
Max’s homeroom teacher, Mr. Cloke, has been particularly impressed with how well Max has adjusted to life at ISR. “Max has settled in exceptionally well,” Mr. Cloke shares. “He is confident in sharing his ideas during lessons and consistently demonstrates perseverance in improving his subject knowledge. Beyond academics, Max is outgoing and friendly, making him a wonderful addition to our class.”
Ms. McLeod, the Head of ISR’s Elementary School and Academic Coordinator for Grade 6, echoes these sentiments. “I am incredibly proud of how quickly Max has integrated into the ISR community,” she says. “He embodies our school motto, ‘It’s cool to be good,’ through his kindness, observant nature, and dedication to doing his best. It’s clear that Max is not only a strong student but also a positive influence on those around him”.
Max’s enthusiasm for learning extends beyond his homeroom. His French teacher, Ms. Stephan, notes how much joy he brings to her class. “Max is always positive and motivated,” she says. “He enjoys singing and learning new French vocabulary words, and his enthusiasm is contagious. I can see it in the way he approaches each lesson with a smile.”
Max’s commitment to learning, kindness towards others, and cheerful spirit make him a role model for his classmates and a true embodiment of what it means to be part of the ISR community.
Keep up the great work, Max! We look forward to seeing all the amazing things you will continue to achieve at ISR!
We are very proud to spotlight Max, 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
Motivational Speaker and Coach, Luke Staton, visits ISR
Motivational Speaker and Coach, Luke Staton, visits ISR
Tuesday, November 12th
The past Tuesday, we welcomed a very special guest to our ISR Campus in Neuss – motivational Speaker and coach, Luke Staton! Luke delivered a series of inspiring lectures to our students from Grades 5 – 11, sharing his remarkable life story and leaving a lasting impression on our students.
Hailing from England, Luke travels the world visiting schools, leading workshops, and speaking at conferences. We were very excited that ISR had the honor of being his first school visit in Germany!
From the moment he began speaking, Luke captivated our students with his engaging and interactive approach. He encouraged them to actively participate, sharing their own dreams and aspirations throughout the sessions. Luke recounted his humble beginnings in England, where financial struggles were part of his daily life – his father once used black tape to repair his football boots. A great opportunity came when his head teacher, Mr. Spencer, invited him on a class trip to Wembley Stadium in London. Though money was tight, Luke’s parents managed to gather enough for the ticket. It wasn’t until years later that Luke learned Mr. Spencer had quietly paid for his ticket himself, believing it would be a life-changing opportunity for him.
Standing in Wembley Stadium for the first time, Luke was awestruck by the sheer magnitude of the venue. It was there that Mr. Spencer spoke six simple but life-altering words: “That could be you one day.” Those words ignited a fire in Luke, propelling him toward a career in football that eventually led him to the Champions League. When his professional career came to an end, Luke found a new calling—motivating others just as Mr. Spencer had once inspired him.
During his lectures, our students asked thoughtful questions and shared stories about their own dreams. One of our Grade 11 students summed up his experience: “Listening to Luke share his journey and the valuable life lessons he’s learned throughout his career was both inspiring and eye-opening. His words motivated me to pursue my goals with more dedication and to keep pushing forward, no matter the obstacles I might face.”
After each session, Luke generously took time to sign books and football gloves, pose for photos, and answer questions from our students.
At ISR, we are committed not only to academic excellence but also to fostering our students’ wellbeing. Luke’s visit perfectly aligned with this philosophy, providing our students with invaluable lessons on resilience and motivation for reaching their goals – no matter the circumstances.
The day concluded with an equally inspiring session at the International English Library, led by Melanie Schuth.
We are immensely proud to have provided our students with such a memorable and motivating experience. Luke’s motto, “Inspiring The Next Generation,” truly came to life at ISR, leaving our students ready to chase their dreams.
We wish to extend our heartfelt thanks to Luke for his time and valuable insights during his visit!
International Peace Poster Contest by Lions Club
International Peace Poster Contest by the Lions Club: ISR Participates as the Only School from Neuss
Thursday, November 14th
A special recognition ceremony took place at ISR today. Twenty-four artistically inclined students participated in the Lions Club Peace Poster Contest. This globally recognized competition, supported by the Lions Club for over three decades, invites schools and youth groups to explore the theme of peace through art, offering children the opportunity to express their visions of peace through art and inspire the world.
Bettina Schulenberg, President of the Lions Club Neuss Novaesia, introduced the project to ISR, making ISR the only school from Neuss to participate in this international competition. Under the guidance of ISR Art Teacher, Ms. Schulz, the students diligently worked on their interpretations of this year’s theme: Boundless Peace. Yesterday, all artworks were presented, and ISR faculty and staff had the chance to select their favorites among posters created by 11, 12, and 13-year-old students. This proved to be a challenging task, as all posters were thoughtfully conceived and artistically valuable.
Ultimately, three exceptional posters stood out: Arjun (11 years old), Mian (12 years old), and Anna-Maria (13 years old) prevailed in the jury’s evaluation. Their works will now advance to the next stage of the competition, where they will be reviewed by the District Governor and the Council Chairperson of the Lions Club Novaesia before being submitted to the international competition. The second and third-place winners in each age category also received recognition awards from the Lions Club, while all participants will be presented with certificates of appreciation for their outstanding contributions.
We extend our gratitude to the Lions Club Novaesia for bringing this remarkable project to ISR, to Ms. Schulz for her excellent implementation, and to all students for their interpretation of Boundless Peace – a theme that resonates deeply in today’s world. The creativity and passion displayed in these posters truly embody our motto at ISR: It’s cool to be good!
All artworks will be displayed at next year’s ISR Art Evening and the ISR International Spring Festival
Quotes from our winning participants:
There are infinite ways to find peace. For example, respecting one another irrespective of gender, color, race, etc. Using the available resources with care. Hence, my peace dove is carrying a ribbon that looks like infinity. – Arjun, Age 11
Peace means love, freedom, and the candles never go off, as the candles stand for people and all countries in the world. – Mian, Age 12
Frieden ist ein Ausgleich zwischen zwei verschiedenen Meinungen. – Anna-Maria, Age 13
ISR Artificial Intelligence Spotlight
ISR Artificial Intelligence Monthly Spotlight
Our ISR Artificial Intelligence Monthly Spotlight is an exciting initiative that showcases innovative AI projects led by our esteemed teachers and staff members at ISR. Each month, we highlight a different project that demonstrates how our students are engaging with cutting-edge artificial intelligence technologies and exploring their impact on education and beyond. Through these spotlights, we not only celebrate our students’ achievements, but also provide insights into how AI is shaping the future of learning and innovation at ISR.
AI Spotlight February 2026
This month, our ISR AI Spotlight features an inspiring initiative from the Social Involvement Department of our student organization, SLC. At ISR, we are incredibly proud of our students’ engagement and creativity as they tackle real-world challenges through this project.
Our student, Diba, the Head of the Social Involvement Department, is the driving force behind this project. Her leadership has been instrumental in bringing this initiative to life.
Our Social Involvement Team plans monthly themed projects, and this month they have focused on how artificial intelligence will shape future jobs – a timely and widely discussed topic. The poster our Social Involvement Team created illustrates how rapid technological change is transforming industries. While AI and automation are replacing repetitive tasks, they also enable businesses to operate faster, cut costs, and minimize errors – making companies more productive and competitive.
At the same time, AI creates exciting new opportunities in fields like AI maintenance, data analysis, and collaboration with intelligent machines. This makes lifelong learning and the development of digital skills more essential than ever.
The project also thoughtfully addresses AI’s challenges, including job inequality, displacement risks, and the danger of some countries falling behind in technology adoption. Ultimately, whether AI becomes a threat or an ally depends on our perspective – whether we see it as replacing humans or empowering them to work together.
We thank Diba and her team for their thoughtful ideas, dedication, and work on this project. At ISR, we are proud to have students like Diba across different areas who engage so thoughtfully with AI topics, exploring its impact on our world.
AI Spotlight January 2026
At ISR, we embrace artificial intelligence as a powerful tool to enhance learning outcomes for our students. Equally important, however, is that students adhere to clear guidelines to ensure ethical use and uphold academic integrity. To that end, two members of our IT Department – our Head of IT, Mr. Aloof, and IT Administrator, Mr. Kallosh – present these policies as part of this month’s ISR Artificial Intelligence Spotlight.
Following the introduction, two of our students, Louis from Grade 10 and Carl from Grade 11, reflect on how AI can support more effective studying. Louis illustrates how artificial intelligence can assist with challenging topics, for example in Mathematics and Science, while Carl emphasizes the importance of verifying AI-generated information to ensure its reliability. Both students also highlight the necessity of maintaining academic integrity when using AI. They discuss what constitutes inappropriate use – such as submitting AI-generated work as one’s own – and explain why this undermines the ISR honor pledge.
We sincerely thank Mr. Aloof, Mr. Kallosh, Louis, and Carl for sharing their valuable insights and perspectives. ISR takes pride in leading with cutting-edge technology, fostering responsible AI use, and delivering the best possible learning experience for our students. Enjoy watching the interview!
AI Spotlight December 2025
In this month’s AI Spotlight, our ISR Mathematics Teacher, Mr. Nišić, shares insights into the diverse learning platforms used by our students at ISR. He introduces Google for Education, a comprehensive suite of tools designed to support teaching and learning – which will soon be implemented at ISR. This platform allows teachers to upload all ISR materials in one centralized place, fully controlled by our school with no data collection or ads, while encouraging creativity, reflection, and deeper learning through features such as automatically generating flashcards for students, creating interactive quizzes, and providing detailed explanations of why answers are correct or incorrect – among many other tools that enhance personalized and efficient learning. These functions help students review independently, receive instant feedback, and better understand their mistakes, making their study time more focused and effective.
Mr. Nišić emphasizes the importance of using AI responsibly as a study aid. He highlights that AI can never replace a teacher’s role or a student’s own effort, underscoring its role as a supportive tool rather than a substitute.
We thank Mr. Nišić for introducing Google for Education alongside our other AI tools at ISR! We are proud to offer our students such great opportunities to study better, learn smarter, and prepare for their futures with the support of advanced technologies.
AI Spotlight November 2025
For our latest #AI Spotlight, we are excited to announce that #ISR has begun integrating a new AI Pilot Program in collaboration with Google for #Education, featuring Gemini for Education, Google Classroom, and Notebook LM. This pilot is currently being tested by our Grade 7 and Grade 8 students, along with several ISR staff members, who are helping us explore how these innovative tools can best support teaching and learning across our school.
The platform offers a range of powerful, education-focused features: students can generate photos, audio overviews, video lessons, quizzes, and flashcards, all tailored to their individual learning needs. They can even turn a book chapter into an interactive audio lesson, create personalized video lessons on specific topics, and generate adaptive quizzes that explain why an answer is incorrect and guide them toward the correct solution.
Gemini for Learning is designed exclusively for educational environments and can only be licensed through schools, ensuring strong data protection and safeguarding both students and the organization. All activity remains within a secure, school-managed environment, supporting safe and responsible use of AI in education.
We look forward to gathering feedback from students and staff as we continue exploring how AI can enhance #learning at ISR, marking another step forward in preparing our students with the digital skills they need for the future.
A special thank-you to Mr. Nisic for organizing this pilot! We are proud to be one of the first schools in Germany to receive this test license and excited to see our students gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge AI tools that help them learn more efficiently and make the most of their academic journey.
AI Spotlight October 2025
Our new AI Spotlight shines on an exciting project from our dedicated German teacher, Mr. Kroenke, and his Grade 9 Regular class, where our students embarked on an exciting journey with Franz Kafka’s short parable “Kleine Fabel.” They brought the story to life by turning the parable into a comic strip, first by sketching their own visual interpretations and then using ChatGPT to elevate their artwork – sharpening lines and adding vibrant colors while keeping the essence of their original ideas and layout intact.
This project invited our students to dive deeper into Kafka’s parable, encouraging thoughtful reflection on its meaning, tone, and symbolism. Through translating words into images with the help of AI, learning became a dynamic blend of creativity and critical thinking.
We thank Mr. Kroenke for inspiring this innovative project, and we are proud of such initiatives at ISR that nurture creativity and empower our students to engage thoughtfully with literature and technology!
AI Spotlight July 2025
This week’s ISR AI Spotlight highlights an inspiring collaboration with Vodafone, as two IT specialists visited our Grade 3 students to introduce an exciting new way to present projects for Science and Social Studies by using a virtual cube.
This innovative tool allowed our students to switch between ready-made educational templates, designed by experts, and their own imaginative creations. Whether students chose to present their work as a vibrant poster or an interactive 3D experience, they were able to showcase what they had learned in class, through independent or group research, and even explore insights generated by AI-enhanced reality. Our students were incredibly excited to work with the virtual cube, eagerly exploring its features and embracing the opportunity to present their ideas in such a creative and interactive way.
We sincerely thank Vodafone for their visit and for bringing this exciting technology to our students!
AI Spotlight June 2025
In this month’s ISR AI Spotlight video, our students share their positive experiences using Khan Academy, especially in Mathematics. They explain how the platform helps them study for exams and deepen their understanding of challenging topics. Our Mathematics Teacher, Mr. Nišić, not only demonstrates how Khan Academy uses artificial intelligence to assign personalized tasks and support each student’s learning journey but also showcases the many different features and tools the platform offers. We implemented Khan Academy at ISR last year, and it has quickly become an integral part of our learning environment. The video also features a practical example of a student working directly with Khan Academy, giving viewers an inside look at how the platform is integrated into our classrooms.
Khan Academy is a free, world-class online learning platform that empowers learners of all ages to study at their own pace, both in and out of the classroom. With practice exercises, instructional videos, and a personalized learning dashboard, Khan Academy focuses on skill mastery and individualized support. By utilizing artificial intelligence—such as with its AI-powered tutor, Khanmigo—the platform delivers tailored guidance, feedback, and assignments that adapt to each student’s needs, making learning more effective and engaging.
We are proud to offer our students such great opportunities to study better, learn smarter, and prepare for their futures with the support of advanced technologies.
AI Spotlight May 2025
In this AI Spotlight, we are thrilled to introduce you to a very special member of our team – Nao, our humanoid robot! Working closely with our IT Department, Nao brings technology to life and makes learning an exciting adventure for our students at ISR!
In this engaging interview, Nao shares what it loves about being part of an international school community and how it supports students with their projects. From breaking down complex tasks into manageable steps to sparking creativity, Nao combines a sharp mind with a great sense of humor to keep the classroom atmosphere light and inspiring.
Don’t miss this captivating and fun conversation with Nao – we are sure you will enjoy watching it as much as we enjoyed making it!
AI Spotlight April 2025
This month’s AI Spotlight highlights the creative project in our SEA Robotics Class, led by our teacher Mr. Nisic, where students worked collaboratively to design the back cover for this year’s ISR Yearbook. Using ChatGPT, the students explored innovative ways to generate images, showcasing their creativity and technical skills while engaging in a structured, step-by-step process.
The students worked individually on their computers, crafting back cover concepts by using prompts in ChatGPT. This approach emphasized the importance of prompt optimization, allowing them to experiment with AI-generated visuals and progressively build their designs layer by layer. Each step involved critical thinking and problem-solving, enabling students to better understand how AI tools can be used for creative projects.
While you can see the initial designs, the final cover has not yet been revealed. Over the next few weeks, the students will continue refining their work in collaboration with ChatGPT, ensuring that the final design represents ISR’s values and creativity. This ongoing process demonstrates how AI can be used not only to create stunning visuals but also to foster teamwork and innovation among students.
This initiative underscores how artificial intelligence is transforming traditional tasks into dynamic learning experiences. We eagerly await the unveiling of the final back cover design and commend Mr. Nisic for his dedication and guidance throughout this project!
AI Spotlight March 2025
This month’s ISR AI Spotlight highlights an exciting fusion of art and artificial intelligence in our Grade 11 Art classes. The project is part of a Printmaking Block. Our students have been exploring AI-driven image generation to generate and refine imagery to help create imagery for linocut printmaking projects, seamlessly merging traditional artistic techniques with cutting-edge technology.
Linocut printing is a relief printmaking technique where an image is carefully carved into a sheet of linoleum using specialized tools. The raised, uncarved areas of the block are then coated with ink and pressed onto paper or fabric to create a print. This method allows for striking contrasts, intricate details, and bold artistic expression, making it a unique and highly creative medium.
Through hands-on experimentation, our students delved into AI-powered tools like Microsoft Co-Pilot, ChatGPT, Canva, Aiease.ai, Bing Co-Pilot, and Craiyon to generate and refine artistic prompts. Our students began by brainstorming metaphors for their personal characteristics- a different kind of self-portrait. They experimented with the same prompt using different ai generation tools to see which worked best for their needs. With these ideas in mind, they applied fundamental artistic principles, focusing on composition, symbolic color use, and light sources.
Once they had their AI-generated designs, our students carefully refined them to ensure they were well-suited for linocut printing. To deepen their understanding, they explored the work of renowned linocut artists such as Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, and M.C. Escher, using their techniques as inspiration for their own creative processes.
This project not only enhanced their critical thinking, creativity, and digital literacy, but also encouraged them to reflect on how AI can be a tool for artistic expression while preserving a personal, human touch.
Congratulations to our Grade 11 students on their outstanding work, and a heartfelt thank you to our Arts teacher, Ms. Henebry, for her dedication in bringing this innovative project to life!
AI Spotlight January 2025
This month, we are excited to share insights from three of our students, who participated in our popular ISR Summer Robotics Camps – led by our Head of IT at ISR, Mr. Aloof.
Our interviewees reflected on their time during the summer camp over the years, describing how it enhanced their understanding of robotics and its real-world applications. They discussed the impact the camp had on their academic journey and highlighted specific skills and knowledge they gained that remain valuable to this day. The students also shared their views on how AI and robotics are shaping the future of education, work, and daily life. They emphasized the importance of young people learning about these technologies and offered advice to those considering joining an ISR Robotics Camp.
A key theme that emerged from the interviews was the profound influence the Robotics Camp had on the students’ perception of AI and its potential. They expressed enthusiasm about the rapid advancements in the field and the opportunities it presents for future innovations. As you may have noticed – ISR’s Robot Nao also joined the interview in the background!
At ISR, we’re proud to offer this unique learning experience to our students. The ISR Robotics Camp not only provides hands-on experience with cutting-edge technology but also encourages critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity – skills that are essential in our increasingly AI-driven world.
We’re excited to announce that information about this year’s ISR Robotics Camp will be shared soon. Please feel free to pre-register your child/children for our ISR Robotics Camp during the summer break if they are interested in participating by following this link: https://www.isr-school.de/isr-summer-program-overview/.
December 2024
Another month, another ISR Artificial Intelligence Spotlight!
We are excited to share another AI project at ISR with you today. Twelve students from our German Class in Grade seven came together and focused on enhancing their argumentation skills in a fun and interactive way. As argumentation competence is a crucial component of oral communication, this project aimed to develop students’ abilities to defend their own viewpoints, empathize with different perspectives, understand others’ motivations, and anticipate counter-arguments.
For this project, one of ISR’s German teachers, Mr. Heller, utilized ArguMentor, an innovative AI tool, which he personalized for this project. This interactive platform simulates competitive debates, allowing students to practice their argumentation skills against AI on various topics. In this instance, our students engaged in a debate about microtransactions in in-game shops, with AI advocating for their benefits while the students had to argue against the program.
The lesson was the conclusion of a four-week teaching unit on the topic of argumentation. Those who performed best in the final exam qualified to participate in the project. Six students from each of the two regular German classes were selected. The project involved three groups of four students. The participants collaboratively developed their arguments and then presented them against the AI’s counterpoints. The AI tool responded to each argument and provided an evaluation, adding an extra layer of learning to the exercise.
At the conclusion of the debate, the AI tool provided a thorough evaluation for each group, including a point system and the selection of a winning team based on the strength of their arguments. Additionally, the AI offered improvement suggestions for each team’s arguments, providing immediate and valuable feedback for future debates. Throughout the process, Mr. Heller was always present to moderate the discussion, ensuring that the AI’s insights were integrated effectively and that the students received comprehensive guidance.
The students’ response to this project was overwhelmingly positive. They appreciated the interactive nature of the exercise and the immediate feedback provided by the AI. However, it’s crucial to note that while AI tools like ArguMentor enhance the learning process, they do not replace the role of teachers. The students themselves recognized this, emphasizing that AI complements rather than substitutes traditional teaching methods.
You can learn more about this exciting project by watching our video, which provides a closer look at the debate simulation and its outcomes!
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Mr. Heller for developing and guiding this innovative project at ISR, which has provided a significant and entertaining learning experience for our students. At ISR, we take pride in our ability to implement such innovative projects and tools that enrich our students’ learning experience and prepare them for the future.
November 2024
In our first ISR Artificial Intelligence Monthly Spotlight, we are proud to highlight a recently completed 4-week project that exemplified ISR’s commitment to integrating AI into our daily learning methods. Our Grade 9 students embarked on an exciting journey that combined creativity, technology, and critical thinking under the guidance of our German teacher, Mr. Heller.
In the course of this project, our students worked in expert groups to create presentations on various AI-related topics, including cybernetics, robotics, social media, avatars, the future of online shopping, medicine, the automotive industry and more.
Using the creative platform Canva, our students crafted creative and impressive presentations, flyers, and posters. The project extended beyond visual creation, as our students also utilized cutting-edge AI tools. They generated images with ChatGPT, utilized Canva’s AI for animations, and explored AI image generators to incorporate these images into their presentations and brochures.
We are incredibly proud of our Grade 9 students for embracing this innovative approach to learning in their German class. Their enthusiasm and creativity throughout this project set a high standard for future AI initiatives at ISR. As we continue our ISR AI Monthly Spotlight series, we look forward to sharing more exciting projects that demonstrate our commitment to preparing students for a future where Artificial Intelligence plays an increasingly significant role.
Vox - Safe Interaction with Dogs: An Educational Day for ISR Students
VOX – Safe Interaction with Dogs: An Educational Day for ISR Students
Monday, June 3rd, 2024
How does one learn to safely interact with dogs, pet them correctly, and behave when a dog approaches? These important questions were the focus of a special morning at ISR. Eleven students from grades 2 to 6 had the unique opportunity to participate in VOX’s “Hund, Katze, Maus” (Dog, Cat, Mouse) format, gaining valuable experience in dog interaction.
Five dogs and their three dedicated owners visited ISR to teach the children proper dog handling through practical exercises. The students learned how to approach a dog cautiously by observing its body language and asking the owner’s permission. They practiced petting dogs correctly, first allowing the dogs to sniff their hands. A key aspect of the training was learning appropriate behavior when a dog approaches. Children were taught to remain calm, not run away, and keep the dog in sight to assess its reaction.
The children visibly enjoyed the learning experience, exploring their natural curiosity in a safe environment. This hands-on approach helped them build confidence in interacting with dogs while respecting the animals’ needs and boundaries.
We extend our gratitude to the entire Fressnapf team and “Helfer auf vier Pfoten” (Helpers on Four Paws) for this special and educational day at ISR. Such experiences are invaluable for developing responsible and empathetic relationships with animals.
Our special thanks go to our enthusiastic participating students: Yves, Lori, Muya, Jasmin, Lena, Elias, Awdepp, Carl, Ludwig, Felicia, and Lizzy. Their enthusiasm and openness made this day a great success!
The video can be found here: https://www.vox.de/cms/sendungen/hundkatzemaus/hundkatzemaus-videos.html
