Chinese-Europe Fine Arts Dialogue Vernissage
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.
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Xixi
Spotlight On Our Student Xixi
This week, we are proud to spotlight our sixth-grader, Xixi.
Xixi joined ISR’s Elementary School last school year and quickly impressed his teachers with his intelligence and exceptional math skills. He is not only academically gifted but also friendly and exemplifies excellent behavior in class.
Xixi was nominated for the ISR Student Spotlight by his homeroom teacher, Ms. Palmieri. She praises him, saying, “Xixi is a remarkably smart and creative student who consistently brings exciting and new knowledge to class discussions. We learn new fun facts from him every day! His friendly demeanor creates a positive atmosphere, and his smile lights up the room when he walks in. Xixi’s incredible enthusiasm for learning enriches our lessons and inspires everyone around him. He is kind, polite, and respectful to both his peers and teachers. I am so lucky to have Xixi as a student in 6B!”
Xixi’s fifth-grade homeroom teacher, Mr. Bernard, adds, “Xixi is an incredibly intelligent and friendly student. It was a pleasure to have him in our class. Even though he has moved on to the 6th grade, he still takes the time to say hello!”
Xixi also has a passion for languages and has impressed his French teacher, Ms. Stephan. She remarks, “Xixi is a smart, quiet, and kind boy who enjoys working and participating in class activities. His beautiful smile is always present. He has a good grasp of French and likes to share his knowledge with the class.”
In addition to his linguistic talents, Xixi excels in technology. His Computing teacher, Mr. Grubelic, notes, “Xixi is very adept at writing code and translating his ideas onto the computer screen. In Grade 5, Xixi, along with other Code Club participants, wrote a code representing Earth’s flora and fauna in Python, which astronauts were able to run on the International Space Station as part of the Astro Pi Mission Zero challenge! I can always rely on Xixi to produce astounding work and innovation in Computing. Keep up the great work, Xixi!”
We are very proud to spotlight Xixi, 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 Family Fun & Sports Day
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.
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!
Our Student Spotlights
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!
Our Student Spotlights
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!
Our Student Spotlights
ISR Cooking Camp 2024
Looking back: ISR Cooking Camp 2024
Tuesday, 9 July 2024
Last week, our popular ISR Cooking Camp again took place on our campus, conducted by our renowned school caterer, Broich Catering.
The week began with an introduction where the participating children and the Broich team got to know each other. Additionally, essential safety and hygiene guidelines for working in a professional large-scale kitchen were conveyed.
With great enthusiasm, the children prepared diverse dishes daily using fresh, organically grown ingredients, which they subsequently enjoyed together. The menu for the week included potato casserole with vegetables, homemade pasta and pizza, freshly baked bread, healthy fruit ice cream, and much more. A special highlight was the excursion to Frenkenhof in Meerbusch. There, the children gained an in-depth insight into agricultural work processes and were able to actively participate in potato harvesting. The harvested potatoes were later processed into homemade chips, vividly demonstrating to the children the journey from cultivation to product.
The crowning finale was the Family Dinner on the last day of the camp. The children prepared a delicious three-course menu, crafted creative menu cards and name tags, and lovingly decorated the tables. The parents were delighted with the dinner and the delicious dishes, in which the children invested much time and effort during preparation.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the entire team from Broich Catering for the professional execution of another successful ISR Cooking Camp and are already looking forward to next year.
