ISR at the Sunflower Festival in Meerbusch

Sunday, September 29th

Hundreds of yellow sunflowers, joyful visitors, and an exuberant atmosphere – this year’s Sunflower Festival in Meerbusch was once again a resounding success!

Our booth was represented by enthusiastic staff members from all three of our branches—Neuss, Düsseldorf, and Meerbusch—who warmly welcomed families. Our dedicated SLC students managed the children’s program. They offered face painting, crafting of small sunflower pots and demonstrating how we utilize virtual reality headsets in ISR classrooms to the curious young visitors. Our in-house music school, Musicbox Oxana, provided entertainment with excellent music performances, bringing much joy to the visitors.

A major highlight of the event was the performance by our talented ISR Band. The children took the stage in front of several hundred guests, who cheered enthusiastically. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Hannan, Brent, and Gian for their incredible representation of ISR! Equally, we are deeply grateful to Oxana and her Musicbox Oxana team for supporting and preparing the children for this highly commendable performance, as well as to Daniel, who skillfully accompanied our ISR students on the drums.

The event not only showcased our students’ talents but also strengthened community bonds. Visitors had the opportunity to learn about our innovative educational approaches, including how we integrate technology into learning. The event exemplified ISR’s commitment to holistic education, blending academic excellence with great musical talents and community engagement. We are already looking forward to celebrating next year’s Sonnenblumenfest!

China-Europe Fine Arts Dialogue Vernissage

Wednesday, September 18th

Last night, we had the great honor of welcoming a distinguished delegation of artists from China to ISR. Forty renowned artists made the journey from China to exhibit their artworks as part of a vernissage at our school. This exceptional event was organized by the Chinese Consulate General in Düsseldorf and the German-Chinese Society for Education and Culture NRW e.V.

The exhibition offered fascinating insights into the diversity of Chinese art. From traditional calligraphy and painting to impressive sculptures and ceramics, and even exquisite Zisha teapots from the Yixing region, there was something to captivate every art enthusiast. Among the most prominent participants were Ning Qinzhen, an internationally acclaimed ceramic artist, and Wei Guoyin, an award-winning oil painter, whose works mesmerized the guests.

A special highlight of the vernissage was the live performance by several artists who created new works during the event. These unique creations were presented as gifts to the guests at the end of the evening. Additionally, seven artists ceremoniously gifted their artworks to ISR as a lasting memento of this memorable occasion.

Consul General Du opened the vernissage with inspiring words, emphasizing the event’s significance for cultural exchange between Germany and China. Ursula Platen, Deputy Mayor of Neuss for Youth, Education, and Culture, echoed the Consul’s sentiments, praising the extraordinary exhibition and the artists’ commitment. Mr. Hu, Chairman of the German-Chinese Society for Education and Culture NRW e.V., also expressed his gratitude and highlighted the importance of such events. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all involved: the participating families, the Consulate General, the German-Chinese Society for Education and Culture NRW e.V., and of course, the artists who made this special evening possible. Special appreciation goes to our dedicated SLC students who served canapés and beverages to our guests, ensuring a pleasant atmosphere throughout the event.

Thank you also to our ISR our students, Maxim and Selina, who performed inspiring musical pieces by Chinese composers.

Overall, it was a thoroughly successful evening that will undoubtedly remain a cherished memory for all participants for years to come. The exhibition will remain on display at ISR until Friday evening, and external visitors are warmly welcome to attend.

ISR Family Fun & Sports Day 2024

Saturday, September 7th

Last Saturday, we proudly hosted the ISR Family Fun & Sports Day under bright sunshine, welcoming hundreds of guests, including families from our Neuss, Düsseldorf, and Meerbusch branches, along with faculty and staff.

Our dedicated Student Leadership Council (SLC), Sports Department, and staff worked tirelessly to organize a day filled with sports, games, and enjoyment.

Students participated in seven sports stations, where they showcased their athletic abilities and collected stamps in their FFSD passports for a chance to win exciting raffle prizes. Additionally, there was a thrilling stuntman track, a bouncy castle in the kindergarten area, and friendly matches in Basketball, Beach Volleyball, and Soccer, all highlighting the incredible team spirit that defines ISR.

Delicious food was provided by our exceptional Broich Catering Team, complemented by an ice pop stand managed by our SLC students, a coffee bike, and an ice cream truck.

Throughout the venue, various stands represented our dedicated sports partners, including HTC, Capoeira, NTC Stadtwald, and Rochusclub. Children enjoyed face painting and had the opportunity to make music with our in-house music school, Musicbox Oxana.

This year’s ISR Family Fun & Sports Day was a resounding success, and we are proud to start the new academic year with such an exciting event for our ISR Family and interested families who joined us on campus.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all student helpers, partners, teachers, and staff for making this day extraordinary! In addition, we sincerely thank our dedicated ISR Parent Network, which was represented by many families on that day to welcome new and existing families to our Campus!

We eagerly anticipate our next Community Events at ISR!

A special thank you to our talented photographer, Melanie Osterried.

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!

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

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!

Looking Back: ISR Sports Camp 2024

Thursday, 4 July 2024

This year, our summer break started with another successful ISR Sports Camp on our ISR Campus in Neuss.

Around 100 children experienced a variety of sports activities throughout the week, organized into age-appropriate groups. In addition to participating in popular sports like soccer, basketball, floorball, badminton, volleyball, and tennis; the children went on exciting excursions to a climbing park in Viersen, the Climbing Church in Mönchengladbach, the BEROs Children’s World in Neuss, and Cosmo Sport – a sports and leisure center in Düsseldorf. Everyone used these outings to joyfully showcase their athletic talents in various areas. In addition, during our ISR Sports Camp, the children had the opportunity to practice gymnastics, Capoeira, dance, and yoga as part of “Mindful Time”. The week saw the weather playing along and some cooling off in our spacious schoolyard was a must, creating fun for all the children!

A very successful and sporty week is behind the participants. We wish to extend our heartfelt thanks to our entire ISR Sports Team, supervisors, and supporting teachers who made the camp week an unforgettable experience for the children!

Looking Back: ISR Art Camp 2024

Tuesday, 2 July 2024

This year, the first week of our summer break once again saw the popular ISR Art Camp take place under bright sunshine. The camp was led, as in previous years, by Ms. Schulenberg, a former ISR Parent and long-time partner of ISR. A total of 13 students participated in the camp and enjoyed an exciting week where creativity knew no bounds!

The week started with an introduction and an icebreaker game to help all the children get to know each other. During the camp, the children experimented with various materials such as wood, canvases and cardboard and using acrylic paints. They also created collages, sculpted different figures, and explored using many different painting techniques.

The entire week was a lot of fun for all the children, allowing them to showcase and further develop their artistic talents. The highlight of the week was the annual art exhibition, which served as a wonderful conclusion. It was attended by parents, family, friends and ISR Teachers. At the exhibition, the children presented their created artworks, and the guests could admire their impressive works from the camp while enjoying delicious snacks and drinks. The visit by participants from the ISR Sports Camp added another special touch to the day.

We wish to extend our sincere thanks to Ms. Schulenberg for organizing another successful ISR Art Camp and are already looking forward to its continuation next year!

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.”