ISR International Children’s Festival: A Day Dedicated to Children!
ISR International Children’s Festival: A Day Dedicated to Children!
Tuesday, April 29, 2025
Yesterday, under bright sunshine, the International Children’s Festival took place at ISR.
Known in Turkey as 23 Nisan Ulusal Egemenlik ve Çocuk Bayramı (National Sovereignty and Children’s Day), this festival has been celebrated since the 1920s and has since evolved into a significant occasion to honor children worldwide. The day’s motto is: “Our children are our future.” All children – regardless of nationality, culture, ethnicity, or religion – are invited to celebrate together, thereby sending a strong message of international solidarity and intercultural understanding.
Once again this year, numerous guests gathered at ISR for the celebrations, including Consul General Ali İhsan İzbul, Education Attaché Mrs. Gamze Bozgöz, our Turkish families, many children, teachers, and staff members. After the festive opening by Mr. Soliman, Mr. Cete – who welcomed the guests in Turkish – as well as Mrs. Vrem and Mrs. McLeod, the Consul General and the Education Attaché addressed the audience with ceremonial greetings, especially directed at the children.
The festive opening was followed by a varied stage program featuring poetry, musical performances, dance, and singing, all enthusiastically planned and rehearsed by our teachers, Mrs. Agdas and Mrs. Orhan, together with our Turkish students and supported by Mrs. Bucher, our wonderful Music Teacher at ISR. The children captivated the audience with their performances!
Afterwards, all guests enjoyed healthy snacks and drinks prepared by our SLC students. In addition, there was traditional Maraş Dondurma ice cream, organized by our Turkish Community, as well as a wide range of sporting activities supervised by our dedicated sports team – a great pleasure for all children!
We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone involved for this wonderful afternoon and for making it possible to celebrate this special festival, dedicated to children, once again at ISR. Special thanks go to the Turkish Consulate General, which has maintained a close partnership with ISR for many years and supports the Children’s Festival celebrations, as well as to our Turkish Community – all students, teachers, and families who make this festival special every year and share this tradition, rooted in Turkey, with our international families from 60 nations at ISR!
ISR Elementary School Spring Concerts 2025
ISR Elementary School Spring Concerts 2025
Tuesday, April 8, 2025
Last week, our ISR Elementary School Spring Concerts transformed our entrance hall into a celebration of spring! Each day featured performances by different class sections from Grade 1 to Grade 4, showcasing their musical and poetic talents under the guidance of former opera singer, Mrs. Bucher, and Mrs. Ewing. The concerts embraced themes of resilience, hope, growth, and rebirth. The concerts included a variety of songs about the spring, about Easter and bunnies, as well as engaging story and poem readings.
Grade 11 student Annica added a special touch by choreographing an original piece for the Grade 4 students on Friday, demonstrating creativity and dedication that enriched the event.
We sincerely thank Ms. Bucher and Ms. Ewing for their dedication to music education and for organizing these impressive concerts. Their efforts ensured success and created lasting memories for all involved, including the hundreds of guests who attended throughout the week! We look forward to more concerts in the future!
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Wilhelmina
Spotlight On Our Student Wilhelmina
This week, we are excited to shine the spotlight on our first-grader, Wilhelmina, who joined ISR in 2024. Affectionately known as ‘Mina’ by her friends and teachers, she has already made a remarkable impression on our school community.
Wilhelmina was nominated for the ISR Student Spotlight by her homeroom teacher, Mr. Noomen. He shares, “Mina is a positive, young learner who understands that learning often requires dedication and effort. Each day, she gives it her all. Mina always tries her best, and when she finds something difficult, she asks the right questions to better understand new concepts. Once she has overcome these challenges, Mina is happy to share her knowledge with her peers.
Furthermore, Mina is a kind-hearted classmate who cares about the feelings of others. She values a positive classroom atmosphere, and that is evident in everything she does. Simply put, it is a joy to work together with Mina in class!”
Mr. Baumann, Mina’s Sports teacher adds, “Mina is athletic and enjoys exercise. She is eager to learn and isn’t afraid to try new sports.”
Mina’s German Booster teacher, Ms. Schumann, praises her enthusiasm and dedication: “Mina is a bright student who participates in the German Booster program with great enthusiasm and dedication. She brings not only her curiosity and joy for learning but also a big heart—always ready to support her classmates. With a smile on her face, she tackles every new task, demonstrating that learning can be fun. Her commitment and positive energy make her a true role model for everyone in the group”.
Finally, Ms. Killian, head of the Reading Rainbow Club where Mina actively participates, shares: “Wilhelmina is a pleasure to have in the Reading Rainbow Club. She is always willing to learn and ready to tackle any activity. Her dedication and perseverance during our lesson is outstanding and this is something she can be very proud of!”
We are proud to spotlight Wilhelmina 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
ISR Student Gian Shines at Jugend forscht NRW: Special Prize for Energy Transition and Climate Protection
ISR Student Gian Shines at Jugend forscht NRW: Special Prize for Energy Transition and Climate Protection
Saturday, April 5, 2025
We are incredibly proud to share our student Gian’s outstanding accomplishments at the Jugend forscht NRW State Competition on April 5th in Essen. As the first ISR student ever to advance from the regional finals to the state level, Gian represented ISR with distinction in the Physics category.
His project, presented with exceptional depth and clarity, impressed the judges during rigorous evaluations. Gian confidently articulated his research methodology and findings, demonstrating mastery of his subject. In recognition of his scientific rigor and the project’s relevance to global challenges, he was awarded the Special Prize for Energy Transformation and Climate Protection (Sonderpreis Energiewende und Klimaschutz).
Special recognition goes to our Head of Science, Mr. Killian O’ Brien, whose unwavering mentorship and dedication – from preparation through the entire competition day – were instrumental in Gian’s success.
This milestone reflects ISR’s commitment to fostering academic excellence, critical thinking, and real-world problem-solving – and is further proof of our motto: It’s cool to be good!
Congratulations, Gian! Your achievement inspires our entire ISR Family!
Colorful Holi Celebration at our ISR Kindergarten
Colorful Holi Celebration at our ISR Kindergarten
Friday, 4. April 2025
Last Friday, our Indian Community organized a colorful Holi celebration at our ISR Kindergarten, creating an afternoon filled with fun and activities to teach our KG and Grade 1 children about their traditions. This celebration of color, traditionally marking the arrival of spring, was made even more special by the bright sunshine that accompanied it!
The event began with a story and some edible treats to familiarize the children with the holiday. In preparation, we had asked parents to dress their children in white t-shirts, which later became colorful keepsakes of the day. After the story, all KG children and Grade 1 students gathered on the KG playground, where parents had prepared skin-friendly colors. Each child had the opportunity to decorate their faces and t-shirts, fully experiencing the festive and fun spirit of Holi!
To add to the festive atmosphere, our parents prepared an assortment of traditional Indian dishes that were shared with our children, teachers, and staff. These delicious sweet and savory treats showcased the rich culinary heritage of India.
We wish to thank our Indian Community for sharing their cultural celebration and organizing this fun and traditional Holi Festival for our international ISR Community!
Eid al-Fitr/Ramazan Bayramı Celebration at our ISR Campus in Neuss
Eid al-Fitr/Ramazan Bayramı Celebration at our ISR Campus in Neuss
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
Last Tuesday, our ISR Community came together to celebrate Eid al-Fitr/Ramazan Bayramı in a joyous and memorable gathering. The event, held in our foyer, was a beautiful showcase of cultural exchange and community spirit that truly embodied what ISR stands for.
Our Muslim Community, along with other families from international communities at ISR, outdid themselves by presenting an impressive array of traditional and international delicacies. Another highlight of the celebration was an unexpected surprise that left everyone in awe. A group of traditional musicians graced the event with their presence, filling the foyer with enchanting melodies that perfectly captured the festive spirit of Eid.
The event was a true reflection of ISR’s commitment to fostering cultural understanding and building a strong sense of community. Families from diverse backgrounds came together to share rich cultural traditions, and it was heartwarming to see the genuine interest and engagement from non-Muslim members of our community. They eagerly learned about Eid traditions and customs from their Muslim friends, colleagues, and other families. The shared experience of food, music, and cultural exchange left everyone with a deeper appreciation for the rich traditions of Eid al-Fitr and strengthened the unity within our diverse ISR family.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to our Muslim Community for organizing such a wonderful celebration and to all who attended, making it a truly memorable event at ISR!
Events like these remind us of the strength we find in coming together as one ISR Family.
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Johanna
Spotlight On Our Student Johanna
This week, we are excited to shine the spotlight on our eleventh-grader, Johanna, who joined ISR in 2016.
Johanna was nominated for the ISR Student Spotlight by Ms. McGee, the Student Leadership Council Advisor. She shares, “As the SLC Advisor, I am grateful for the impact Johanna has made on the School Spirit Team through her commitment and dedication to service leadership. Sometimes our experiences can leave us feeling cynical about the change we can make in the world, but Johanna’s attitude and actions serve as a reminder that those feelings of doubt are misplaced. She is the kind of leader who shows us that through quiet kindness and steadfast effort, change is possible.”
Ms. Racheva, Johanna’s former Sports teacher, echoes this sentiment: “I had the privilege of teaching Johanna and was fortunate to have her in my sports lessons. She is a remarkable young person, beautiful both inside and out. Always punctual, focused, enthusiastic, and motivated, Johanna stood out as a hardworking and gifted athlete who played with fairness and integrity. I am excited to see the path she chooses in the future, and I’m confident she will achieve great success.”
Johanna’s English teacher, Dr. McGee, adds, “As Johanna’s English teacher, I witness on a weekly basis the way she strives for perfection. She is constantly challenging herself to be better and improve her writing and thinking. What is especially great, however, is that within that challenge to herself she also consistently challenges me as her teacher to be better. It’s this trait that makes Johanna a great student for her teachers and a peer for her fellow classmates.”
Ms. Franssen, ISR Activities Coordinator, highlights Johanna’s initiative: “Johanna initiated the Baking Club as part of her CAS projects under the SEA (Service, Engagement, and Action) framework. She brought forward creative ideas such as recipe exchanges, baking competitions, and bake sales to support charitable causes. Her excellent organizational skills and enthusiasm made the club a success, showcasing how deeply students can engage in SEA activities.”
Johanna’s dedication and leadership continue to inspire those around her at ISR.
We are proud to spotlight Johanna 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
