Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Marie
Spotlight On Our Student Marie
This week, we are excited to shine the spotlight on our second-grader, Marie. Marie joined ISR in 2023 and has quickly become a standout member of our school community. Her positive energy, determination, and kind-hearted nature have made her a role model among her peers and a joy to her teachers.
Marie was nominated for the Student Spotlight by her teacher, Ms. Hartmann. She says, “Marie is an amazing student. Each day she comes to school in a bright and happy mood. She is always friendly, polite and willing to help or support her classmates. She is a hardworking student who doesn’t give up easily. Marie shines with a big smile and positive attitude. She is always up for funny and witty comments or ideas. I am truly grateful to be her teacher this year and to see her shine brighter each day.”
Ms. Morris, the Academic Head of Grades 4 and 5, says of Marie, “Marie is a kind student who is an enthusiastic learner. After joining ISR she quickly became a valued member of our school community, forming friendships easily and showing the utmost respect to her teachers. Marie’s determination is commendable, and we are happy to have her at our school!”
Ms. Ghica, the Academic Head of Grades 2 and 3, adds: “Today, I want to take a moment to celebrate a very special Grade 2 student who has shown us all what determination and hard work look like. Earlier last year, she faced some big challenges. But instead of giving up, she worked harder, asked for help when she needed it, and kept trying. And now, she’s absolutely shining! Her growth and courage remind us of all that we can achieve amazing things if we believe in ourselves and put in the effort. Let’s give a huge round of applause to Marie for being such an inspiration to all of us!”
We are so proud to spotlight Marie 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 Darshan
Spotlight On Our Student Darshan
This week, we are excited to shine the spotlight on our eighth-grader, Darshan. Darshan joined ISR in 2023 and has quickly become a standout member of our school community. He approaches his lessons with enthusiasm and a positive attitude, which has greatly contributed to his academic success.
Darshan was nominated for the Student Spotlight by his French teacher, Ms. Chanal, who says, “Darshan is really engaged in his learning. He actively listens to advice, which of course explains his progress in French. He is always helpful and has a positive attitude in class.”
Ms. McLeod, the Head of ISR’s Elementary School, worked with Darshan last year and also has positive things to say about him. “Darshan is a kind and polite young man who has really grown during his time at ISR. He will without a doubt greet me each day with a big smile and a ‘Good Morning! ’ and is always willing to help his peers and teachers.”
Darshan’s English teacher, Mr. Davis, enjoys having him in class, saying, “Darshan is a lovely lad and great fun to have in English. He works very hard and has good ideas to contribute, and a great sense of humour, which I appreciate.”
Mr. Nisic, Darshan’s Mathematics teacher, adds, “Darshan has shown great interest in math this year. I am very happy with how engaged he is, how he starts discussions, asks questions, and shares different ways of solving math problems.”
Darshan’s potential shines brightly at ISR, as evidenced by the praise from his teachers. Keep up the fantastic work, Darshan!
We are so proud to spotlight Darshan 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
Turkish Consul General in Düsseldorf, Mr. İzbul, visited ISR
Turkish Consul General in Düsseldorf, Mr. İzbul, visited ISR
Monday, December 2nd, 2024
On Monday, we welcomed the Turkish Consul General in Düsseldorf, Mr. Ali İhsan İzbul, to ISR once again for a special Turkish Breakfast prepared by our dedicated Turkish Community at ISR. The morning began with a warm greeting from our Turkish students, who presented a handmade sign to the Consul General. Our ISR Management Team also extended a heartfelt welcome to our esteemed guest.
The event was made even more special by the presence of around 40 families from our Turkish Community at ISR, who came together to organize a delightful Turkish Breakfast. Before the meal, Mr. Soliman, Proprietor of ISR, welcomed the Consul General and our Turkish Community, highlighting the strong cohesion and international spirit at ISR. Adding a personal touch to the event, our Turkish students prepared profiles about themselves in Turkish, sharing what they like the most about ISR. This heartwarming gesture showcased the strong connection our students feel to both their heritage and our ISR Community.
We extend our sincere gratitude to Consul General İzbul for taking the time to visit ISR and engage with our Turkish Community. Furthermore, we wish to thank our Turkish Community representative Ms. Kaya, as well as all families and teachers who supported this wonderful event.
A huge thank you also goes to our dedicated Turkish Community at ISR, who organized the delicious food for this special get-together for all to enjoy. We look forward to continued exchanges and partnerships that enhance the global perspective within our ISR Community!
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
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, in your job; sport has no borders; education, respecting one another irrespective of gender, color, race, etc. Using the available resources with care. Hence, 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
