Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Emma

Spotlight On Our Student Emma

This week, we are proud to spotlight our third-grader, Emma.

Emma joined ISR this past August and has quickly impressed her teachers with her positive attitude and determination to learn and grow as a student. She is focused and consistently works hard to improve herself.

Emma was nominated for the ISR Student Spotlight by her Homeroom teacher, Ms. Springstubbe. She says, “Emma is just an amazing student, who works hard, tries her best, shows resilience, patience and integrity when it comes to learning new things. On top of that, she is a wonderful friend, she is kind, caring, incredibly polite and responsible. We love having her in our class!”

Emma’s English teacher, Ms. Freise, has high praise for her student as well: “In the heart of every classroom, there is always a student who exemplifies the true essence of hard work, determination, and grit. That student is Emma! From the very first day, Emma stood out for her unwavering commitment to learning and growth. She faced challenges that would have caused many others to falter, yet Emma demonstrated that success isn’t always about how quickly you reach your goals, but about the strength you show on the journey. She has a great attitude. In the face of frustration, she doesn’t complain or make excuses. Instead, she asks questions, seeks help when needed, and puts in the extra hours to ensure understanding and improvement. This perseverance is a testament to her character, one who values hard work and understands that growth often comes from the most challenging experiences. She has also been a shining example of kindness and support to her peers.”

Ms. Ghica, the Academic Head of Grade 3 adds, “Shoutout to Emma, an enthusiastic superstar in grade 3! Keep shining with your curiosity, creativity, and love for learning. You’re doing amazing things, and the best is yet to come! Keep up the fantastic work, Emma!”

We are very proud to spotlight Emma, 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!


Kö-Meile 2024 – Outstanding Participation by Our ISR Students

Kö-Meile 2024 – Outstanding Participation by Our ISR Students

Sunday, September 1st

This past Sunday, ISR was thrilled to participate in the annual Kö Meile running event on the renowned Düsseldorf Königsallee. Over 70 ISR students, along with several staff members, joined in the excitement!

The day kicked off with our Kindergarten Children completing a 300-meter run along the Kö, followed by our Elementary School Students running a half mile, and our Secondary School Students tackling a full mile. Everyone finished strong and received a special medal to commemorate their achievements – true to our motto: It’s cool to be good!

A big thank you goes to our sports teacher, Mr. Nous, for his invaluable assistance in organizing the event and supporting our students. We also extend our gratitude to the members of ISR’s Student Leadership Council (SLC), who attended the event to support our families and cheer on their fellow students. Special thanks to our SLC Coordinator, Ms. Bennet, for organizing the SLC student volunteers!

We are incredibly proud of everyone who came together for this event and represented ISR in such a fantastic manner. We hope everyone had fun and went home feeling proud of their accomplishments!


Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Carl

Spotlight On Our Student Carl

This week, we are proud to spotlight our tenth-grader, Carl.

Carl joined ISR in 2015 and has consistently impressed his teachers with his enthusiasm, positive attitude, and eagerness to learn and create memorable experiences.

His history teacher, Mr. McGee, remarks, “Carl is a standout student in a very accomplished grade 10 class. Having had the pleasure of teaching him for the second year now, I am impressed by his knowledge of the subject, his enthusiasm, and his consistent participation in class. Furthermore, he is one of the leading experts on all things related to Neuss, making him a go-to source for local knowledge and trivia!”

Carl has also been an active member of ISR’s Student Leadership Council (SLC). Last year’s SLC Coordinator, Ms. Bowien, expressed her delight in having Carl on the team, highlighting his willingness to help and eagerness to participate.

Ms. Bennet, Carl’s Theatre teacher and SLC Coordinator, also praises Carl, saying, “Carl is a remarkable young man with exceptional manners and charm. In the short time I have had the pleasure of teaching him, he quickly distinguished himself in theatre, rising to every challenge presented to him. As a member of the Student Leadership Council, Carl consistently demonstrates dedication and a helpful spirit, no matter the task. Recently, he volunteered his time to don the Spirit costume, ISR’s beloved mascot. Each morning, he enthusiastically greeted students returning to school. Carl’s commitment to both the SLC and ISR is incredibly refreshing. As the interim advisor of the SLC, I am reassured knowing that whenever a task needs to be handled, I can always count on Carl. He truly deserves to be recognized this week—congratulations, Carl!”

We are very proud to spotlight Carl, 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!


ISR Alumni BBQ - A Joyous Reunion

ISR Alumni BBQ – A Joyous Reunion!

Friday, August 23rd

Last Friday, we had the distinct pleasure of welcoming approximately 90 ISR Alumni to our ISR Alumni Summer Barbecue. Our faculty and staff were equally delighted to reconnect with former students, some dating back to the graduating class of 2013, and they turned out in impressive numbers. The ISR Alumni BBQ consistently proves to be a remarkable gathering, underscoring the strong sense of community at ISR. We were thrilled to see alumni representing all graduation years in attendance, sharing fascinating stories of their diverse career paths from around the globe.

This event not only celebrates our alumni’s achievements but also reinforces the enduring bonds formed at ISR. The exchange of experiences and insights among different generations of graduates creates a vibrant atmosphere of mutual learning and inspiration.

As we reflect on the success of this reunion, we eagerly anticipate future alumni events at ISR and the continued strengthening of our global ISR Family.


ISR First Grade Ceremony

ISR First Grade Ceremony

Wednesday, August 21st

Under beautiful sunshine last Wednesday, we celebrated a truly special milestone  – the ISR First Grade Ceremony 2024. Around 400 guests gathered to honor the official start of our youngest students’ journey into the ISR Elementary School.

The event began with a series of festive speeches. Ms. McLeod, Head of the Elementary School, opened with warm and welcoming remarks, followed by a speech from our School Director, Ms. Lyons, who emphasized the significance of this day in the children’s educational journey. The five first-grade teachers were then introduced, each of whom will play a crucial role in nurturing the academic and personal growth of our new first graders.

The highlight of the ceremony was undoubtedly the traditional presentation of the “Schultüten”- a cherished tradition at ISR that marks the transition from kindergarten to our ISR Elementary School. Each child received a brightly decorated “Schultüte” from their respective class teacher, a moment filled with visible pride and joyful anticipation. After the official outdoor ceremony, the children, now officially first graders, proceeded to their classrooms to experience their first day of school.

Adding a special touch to the event was the presence of the ISR Parent Network leaders. Ms. Williams, the Head of the Parent Network, along with Ms. Gall, responsible for the Elementary School, and Ms. Fehlberg, overseeing the Secondary School, took the opportunity to introduce themselves to the families, highlighting the strong connection between the school and ISR parents.

Following the ceremony, all families were invited to a Welcome Get-together. Over coffee and cold drinks, everyone had the chance to get to know each other better and exchange.

The ISR First Grade Ceremony 2024 was not only a festive start to the new school year but also a testament to the values that define our educational institution: excellence, community, and the nurturing of each individual child. We are delighted to welcome both familiar and new faces to our ever-growing ISR Family and look forward to the upcoming academic year with confidence and enthusiasm!


Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Yara

Spotlight On Our Student Yara

This week, we are proud to spotlight our exceptional eleventh-grader, Yara, who has been standing out at ISR since joining in 2018. Yara’s journey at ISR has been marked by continuous growth and impressive achievements, culminating in her recent appointment as the SLC Head Prefect for this school year. Her SLC Coordinators, Ms. Bennet and Ms. McGee have great things to say about Yara.

“The Student Leadership Council is excited to honor the new Head Prefect for this year, Yara of Grade 11, for the ISR Student Spotlight.  Since she was eligible, Yara has always committed time to being a prefect for the SLC.  Her energy and commitment led her to be elected as the Deputy Team Leader of the Discipline Department in Grade 9 and the Team Leader of School Spirit in Grade 10.

Last year, her engagement outside of the classroom, helped her direct her team in organizing the monthly ISR School Spirit Days, but also in collaborating with other departments to help the team successfully run campaigns and events.  Our Co-Head Prefects from 2023-2024, Ema and Victoria of Grade 12, add, “We are delighted for Yara to be the Head Prefect this year. Last year, we had the pleasure of working with Yara, where she contributed unwavering devotion and creativity to the SLC community, as well as demonstrate her ability to work with a team and delegate tasks. Yara is a dedicated and diligent leader of SLC, and we are confident in her role as a Head Prefect. We are eager to see her meaningful changes make an impact!”

Yara is also an excellent student inside of the classroom and has always made time for her academic commitments a priority.  Her Academic Coordinators are pleased that she has been elected to this role, so she can continue to lead by example in balancing her schoolwork with extracurricular activities.

As SLC Advisors, we know that this will be a year of innovation and impact with Yara guiding our team, and we can’t wait to share the coming events each department has planned.  Keep your eye on the SLC!”

As Yara embarks on her role as Head Prefect, the ISR community eagerly anticipates the innovative ideas she will bring to the school. Her ability to balance academic excellence with leadership responsibilities serves as an inspiration to her peers and younger students alike. We are very proud to spotlight Yara, 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!


ISR End of Grade 4 Celebration

ISR End of Grade 4 Celebration

Last Thursday, the families of our grade four students gathered to celebrate the last day of ISR Primary School for about 100 of our students. Ms. Bodner, Head of Primary School, and Academic Coordinator for grades two to four, opened the ceremony with a speech and welcomed the students, families, siblings, and teachers.

Following this, a touching farewell video was presented to everyone in attendance. In the video, numerous ISR teachers, staff, and our ISR Class Representatives for grade four said goodbye to the children and wished them all the best for their future. This special video was created by Mrs. Tsumura, the dedicated mother of a fourth-grade student, as well an ISR Class Representatives.

Afterwards, selected students and teachers from each fourth-grade class took turns on stage to share with our guests the beautiful memories of their time together in primary school. Following this, our students, accompanied by our ISR Music Teacher and Coordinator, Ms. Bucher, performed two songs as a choir – a special highlight for all participants!

After the ceremony, all guests gathered for coffee, tea, and other beverages along with small treats, and enjoyed a relaxed atmosphere for the last day of school.

We wish our students much success in their new phase of life and their further academic journey in our ISR Middle School! We are confident that they will continue to excel at ISR, true to our motto “It’s cool to be good.”


ISR End of Middle School Celebration

ISR End of Middle School Celebration

Last Wednesday, around 140 guests gathered on our ISR campus in Neuss to celebrate the impressive achievements of our grade eight students and the completion of their Middle School journey at ISR. A very special event for our students who, after the summer holidays, will begin a new chapter in their educational journey at ISR and prepare for their International Baccalaureate in the Upper School.

Ms. McLeod, Head of Middle School, and Academic Coordinator for grades seven and eight, opened the ceremony with a solemn speech, warmly welcoming all attendees – including teachers and staff members of ISR. Following this, 21 students were awarded various honors for outstanding achievements in subjects; including, for example, in the subject areas of Mathematics, English, German, Spanish, Japanese, and Sports – a special highlight for the families and the students, who were particularly proud of their achievements!

During the ceremony, three musical performances were delivered by our talented students: Amanda played “Für Elise,” Vyom presented “Praeludium in C Minor,” and Zhengnui performed “Sonata D.” These pieces enriched the celebration and showcased the impressive musical talents of our students.

Before the 65 students than received their certificates, Ms. Fehlberg, the mother of an eighth-grade student, and a Parent Network class representative, gave an emotional speech, wishing all the students the very best for their future educational journey. Finally, Ms. McLeod handed out the well-deserved certificates to our students.

After the formal ceremony, all guests had the opportunity to chat over light refreshments and beverages. Our 65 students enjoyed the gathering, celebrating their achievements and the shared experiences they had during their middle school years at ISR. Afterwards, all students came together for a celebration organized by our ISR Parent Network and ended the evening together. A memory that will surely stay with them for many years to come!

We wholeheartedly congratulate the grade eight students and wish them continued success in the Upper School at ISR. Their outstanding accomplishments and personal development further affirm our guiding principle: “We Enable Great Minds and Strong Characters”!


Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Yingzhi

Spotlight On Our Student Yingzhi

This week, we are proud to spotlight our third-grader, Yingzhi.

Yingzhi joined ISR in 2020 and has endeared herself to her teachers and fellow classmates with her drive and positive attitude. She was nominated by her teacher, Ms. Palmieri, who has been impressed by Yingzhi’s performance in her classroom.

“Yingzhi has been such a positive influence in 3D this school year! She starts each morning with a smile and a friendly ‘Good morning!’ to her teacher and classmates.  Her organizational skills are outstanding, and her cubby and school materials are always meticulously kept.  Yingzhi is friendly, kind and thoughtful.  She always makes sure everyone feels included and gets a turn.  Additionally, Yingzhi is an excellent inquisitive student.  She is never afraid to ask questions and extend her learning.  Yingzhi loves to read! Her love for reading is evident in her writing which is filled with enriched vocabulary and the most imaginative ideas.  She is a skilled mathematician and a great problem solver.  Yingzhi is an all-around wonderful student and classmate.  Funny, smart, clever, curious, unique and considerate, all rolled into one! I am excited to see her continued success in Grade 4 next school year!”

Yingzhi’s music teacher, Ms. Bucher, has great things to say about her as well, “Yingzhi has drive!  She enjoys working to improve and to excel.  But she also has a wonderful sense of humour and is clever with word play.  As her Music teacher for three years, I’ve long known what a good musician she is; but I’ve recently learned something else about Yingzhi. She has a knack for engineering, too.  The class has been working on creating board games about musical instruments, and Yingzhi’s group decided to create a complex, 3-D board.  I have observed her contributing thoughtful input on how to design it and build it so that it stands properly.  Yingzhi is an all-around joy!”

We are very proud to spotlight Yingzhi, 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!


ISR Kindergarten Graduation and BBQ

ISR Kindergarten Graduation and BBQ

Last Tuesday, we celebrated the end of the kindergarten year with a successful ISR Kindergarten Graduation for our KG2 children at the ISR Campus in Neuss. Many parents attended this special occasion to watch their children bid an honourable farewell to the kindergarten. And after the summer holidays, our youngest graduates will start their schooling in the first grade at ISR!

Following the Graduation Ceremony, our kindergarten children performed two cheerful songs for their families and teachers in the foyer before opening our 2024 Kindergarten Summer BBQ! Although the BBQ had to be moved indoors due to the weather, the wonderful atmosphere was not affected, and the children and their families enjoyed a delicious selection of food as well as an ice cream surprise provided by the Parent Network. Everyone gathered in a cozy setting in the various kindergarten rooms, where our teachers had prepared numerous fun activities for the children.

We extend our thanks to all parents, teachers, staff, Broich Catering, and our dedicated ISR Parent Network. Thanks to all of them, the ISR Kindergarten Graduation and the subsequent BBQ became an unforgettable event, bringing our kindergarten community even closer together and closing the kindergarten year in a fitting manner! We are already looking forward to welcoming our families to our ISR Elementary School after the summer holidays!