Visit of Ms. Dagmar Wandt, Head of the Office for Schools and Education in Düsseldorf
Visit of Ms. Dagmar Wandt, Head of the Office for Schools and Education in Düsseldorf
Monday, 11 September 2023
Last Friday, we were honored to welcome Ms. Dagmar Wandt, Head of the Office for Schools and Education in Düsseldorf, to ISR.
Ms. Wandt was warmly welcomed by our kindergarten children, who greeted her with a home-made welcome sign, as well as by our ISR Management Team and Head of ISR Parent Network, Caroline Williams. Following her welcome, she was given a tour of the school by our Head of Marketing, Ms. Poestges.
During the kindergarten and school tour, Ms. Wandt was invited to visit two classes in our ISR Primary and Upper School. Accompanied by representatives of the press and radio, our visitors first went to Dr. Mitchell’s 11th-grade class, where the visitors were given an insight into a chemistry lesson. The main focus was on Dr. Mitchell’s modern teaching methods, including the use of the 3D program “Labster” and various simulations. Rosa and Alessandro warmly welcomed Ms. Wandt to their class and explained to her what the class was working on at the moment.
Afterwards, Ms. Wandt visited a class at our ISR Primary School, where our students were engaged in various group projects. Ms. Wandt had the opportunity to observe how AI and VR goggles are used in the classroom to encourage and enable individual learning experiences. Our students Filippos, Felicia, and Noé were happy to explain to Ms. Wandt and our visitors what digital learning at ISR means to them. She was visibly impressed by the state of digitization at ISR, which she reflected on during the exchange with our Academic Heads afterwards.
In the following discussion with School Director Ms. Lyons, Deputy School Director Mr. Cete, Proprietor Mr. Soliman, Head of Marketing Ms. Poestges, our ISR Parent Network Representative Ms. Williams, and our Academic Heads views were exchanged on trends in education, digitalization in the classroom, and the importance of support programs for the well-being of students.
We sincerely thank Ms. Wandt for the visit, her commitment to education, especially in the implementation of technology in the classroom, and her dedicated efforts to positively influence educational programs in the region. We look forward to further deepening the bond with the city of Düsseldorf.
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Sophie
Spotlight On Our Student Sophie
This week, we spotlight our third-grader Sophie, who joined ISR in Kindergarten. Since then, she has made significant progress during her time at ISR through hard work and dedication. Her teacher Ms. Vittin says about her “Sophie is a bright and cheerful young learner, who is always eager to learn. She works well with others and has her own funny sense of humor. Sophie also plays tennis, loves horses, and enjoys drawing – she is a great addition to our class.”
In addition, Sophie has a helpful nature and enjoys her time at ISR, especially with her friends. According to supervisor Mr. Mo, “She is often seen with her friends in the school playground, picnicking together and enjoying those moments.” Sophie always has a smile on her face and shines positivity. Especially, her friends appreciate her funny character and the fact, that she is always there for them.
We are very proud to spotlight Sophie, one of ISR’s many outstanding students!
Every Friday, our Student Spotlight Project aims to highlight one of our outstanding students who, in line with this year’s theme, is striving for “extraordinary achievements” on a daily basis. No matter if it is academic success, special commitment or outstanding character traits – we look forward to sharing each of these success stories.
Our Student Spotlights
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Berhan
Spotlight On Our Student Berhan
This week, we spotlight our eleventh-grader Berhan, who joined ISR in grade 6. He has a great sense of humor and stands out for his friendly and helpful character. In addition, he is academically talented and recently received great results on his IGCSE exams. In his role as a big brother, he reflects a role model figure and is very successful in academics overall. “Berhan is a passionate student of physics. He dedicates his time both in and outside of the classroom to furthering his understanding of the subject with a particular interest in quantum physics. A pleasure to teach.” as Mr. O´Brian adds.
His former teacher, Mr. Gottlin, says about him “Berhan was in the 7B homeroom in middle school, and of course was the typical middle school kid! Always full of energy, smiling, and an active member of our homeroom. Since then, it has been a positive trajectory for Berhan, as I appreciate seeing him be involved in the school, still smiling, and one of my former homeroom students who always says “Hello” when we pass in the halls! To me, that is the sign of a young man who has a bright future ahead of him.”
We are very proud to spotlight Berhan, one of ISR’s many outstanding students!
Every Friday, our Student Spotlight Project aims to highlight one of our outstanding students who, in line with this year’s theme, is striving for “extraordinary achievements” on a daily basis. No matter if it is academic success, special commitment or outstanding character traits – we look forward to sharing each of these success stories.
Our Student Spotlights
ISR Family Fun & Sports Days
ISR Family Fun & Sports Day
Monday, 28 August 2023
Last Saturday, we once again hosted our sports and family event, the ISR Family Fun & Sports Day, in bright sunshine – the first one since 2019! Hundreds of guests, including families from all three branches in Neuss, Düsseldorf, and Meerbusch as well as faculty and staff, gathered to celebrate the first ISR Community Event of the academic year.
Our dedicated Student Leadership Council (SLC), Sports Department, and all staff members did an amazing job organizing a Saturday full of sports, games, and fun! Across ten sports stations, students showcased their athletic skills and diligently collected stamps in their FFSD passports for a chance to win exciting prizes in our raffle. Alongside these stations, there was an exciting stuntman track, a bouncy castle in our kindergarten area, and three different friendly matches where students, parents, and teachers gathered to compete in Basketball, Beach Volleyball, and Soccer – and everyone showed the amazing team spirit that ISR is all about!
Three food trucks were available for participants, offering delicious meals, along with a bake sale organized by our SLC students, which contributed a variety of sweets. In addition, our amazing Catering Team was on site to offer our families delicious drinks and snacks to enjoy.
Inside and outside the building, we had various stands representing our dedicated partners for sports such as the DHC, Fencing, and the PSV. Attendees could, moreover, enjoy face painting and the children were invited to play some music with our in-house music school, Musicbox Oxana. In addition, we were thrilled to welcome the Lions Club to ISR again, that sold delicious coffee for a good cause!
This year’s Family Fun & Sports Day was a great success, and we take pride in kicking off the new school year with such an exciting and enjoyable event for our ISR Family as well as for interested families, which our community welcomed to our campus.
We extend our gratitude to all student helpers, partners, teachers, and staff for making this day extraordinary! We’re already looking forward to our next ISR Family Fun & Sports Day and all the fun events that are coming up soon!
A big thank you to our talented photographer, Melanie Osterried.
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Lukas
Spotlight On Our Student Lukas
This week, we spotlight our eleventh-grader Lukas, who joined ISR in Kindergarten. Lukas is an engaged student with a great attitude and is always eager to learn. We highlighted Lukas three years ago and are pleased to report on his successful development at ISR. Recently, Lukas achieved outstanding results in his IGCSE exams, achieving the top grade with additional distinction in Chemistry, IT, Economics, English, Mathematics, and Physics. Lukas proved to everyone that it is “cool to be good” at ISR, and the entire ISR Community is truly impressed with his accomplishments. “Lukas is a top-performing student in Computer Science. He has shown exceptional skills and achievements in both academic and extracurricular activities. Lukas is always eager to learn new things and has impressed both teachers and peers with his creativity and innovation. He is quick to take on responsibility and leadership roles in various projects and clubs. Lukas is a role model for all students, and we are proud to have him in our community. Congratulations, Lukas! You deserve this recognition.”, his teacher Mr. Ellis adds.
In addition to his academic involvement, Lukas is also exceptionally involved in our student-led organization, the Student Leadership Council. He is the new Team Leader for the Department of Press and Media. “Despite his short tenure, he is already an integral part of the team. In addition to achieving top marks in his exams, he stands out amongst his peers for his excellent communication skills, his ability to lead and connect with others, as well as for his creative thinking. We look forward to seeing Lukas and his team shine this year through their work on ISR Radio and other media involvement!”, as Ms. McGee and Ms. Bowien (Student Leadership Advisors) add. His teacher Mr. McGee says “Lukas has never met a stranger. It’s not through a desire to be liked or appreciated as the talented student that he is, but rather he seems to make it a special mission to make sure he finds a personal connection to both his teachers and his classmates. He always makes an effort to say hi to everyone he interacts with throughout the day, and a polite check-in about well-being.” Lukas’ passions are Math, IT, and Engineering, and he plans to study in these areas after his graduation at ISR. Like his teacher, Ms. Mitchell, says “we are looking forward to seeing what his bright future brings to him”.
We are very proud to spotlight Lukas, one of ISR’s many outstanding students!
Every Friday, our Student Spotlight Project aims to highlight one of our outstanding students who, in line with this year’s theme, is striving for “extraordinary achievements” on a daily basis. No matter if it is academic success, special commitment or outstanding character traits – we look forward to sharing each of these success stories.
Our Student Spotlights
ISR First Grade Ceremony 2023
ISR First Grade Ceremony 2023
Wednesday, 23 August 2023
Yesterday, we celebrated a significant milestone in the lives of our first-grade girls and boys – their First Grade Ceremony and thus their first official school day at ISR!
A multitude of parents, family members, and friends of the children were present to witness this special ceremony. Our Head of Primary School, Ms. Bodner, kicked off the ceremony with a speech in which she warmly welcomed the children and all attendees. She emphasized particularly how at ISR, we aim to individually nurture our students and through our structured curriculum, ignite their enthusiasm for lifelong learning. Subsequently, Ms. Bodner handed over the floor to our School Director, Ms. Lyons. She not only warmly welcomed the students but also underscored the special significance of this day. She expressed her joy about the expansion of our ISR Family and wished all the children success on their continued school journey.
After the festive opening speeches, Ms. Bodner moderated the ceremony and invited our seventh-grader, Hannan, onto the stage. Hannan proudly performed our ISR school song for all participants and children. Following her performance, all first-graders took to the stage to receive their traditional school cones for their first day. In this special moment, grandparents, parents, and siblings observed with pride and applauded together for each class. Following this memorable ceremony under bright sunshine, families gathered for a reception to conclude the morning over a cup of coffee.
We extend our gratitude to all participants for the successful ceremony and wish our students the very best on their educational journey at ISR – in line with our motto: “It’s good to be cool!”
A big thank you to our talented photographer, Melanie Osterried.
ISR Cooking Camp 2023
Looking back: ISR Cooking Camp 2023
Monday, 10 July 2023
Last Friday marked the exciting conclusion of an eventful week for nine children who shared a passion for cooking at our ISR Cooking Camp. The camp, organized and conducted by our in-house catering company and cooperative partner, Broich Catering, began with a get-to-know-you session and an introduction to basic rules of conduct in a commercial kitchen.
Throughout the week, the children eagerly prepared a variety of delicious meals using fresh ingredients, savoring their culinary creations afterward. Each day, the participants crafted homemade dishes such as Maultaschen, Gnocchi, Muesli, and more. Emphasizing the use of regional and fresh products, the camp aimed to teach the children how to cook healthy and tasty food.
The camp participants also had the opportunity to make an excursion and visit farmer Heinz’s farm in Meerbusch. There, they had a chance to feed chickens and beef cattle and gain insights into farm operations. Afterwards, all participants enjoyed a delicious picnic in his garden with their homemade lunch boxes, which they had prepared in advance.
The highlight of the week was the dinner on Friday, where the children invited their parents and prepared a three-course meal. Early in the morning, they diligently crafted menu cards and name tags, while also decorating the tables to create a welcoming atmosphere for their guests. The parents and camp leaders were thrilled with the final outcome. The participating children invested a lot of time and passion into the dinner preparations, culminating in a delicious meal that served as an excellent finale to the eventful week.
We express our gratitude to the Broich Team for another fantastic ISR Cooking Camp and look forward to next year’s camp.
ISR Art Camp 2023
Looking back: ISR Art Camp 2023
Monday, 3 July 2023
This year, we once again held our annual ISR Summer Art Camp during the first week of our ISR Summer Break, led by Bettina Schulenberg, mother of an ISR Alumni and long-time partner of ISR. This year, a total of 13 students participated and showcased their artistic skills.
Ms. Schulenberg organized an engaging week, filled with a variety of creative tasks that allowed the children to explore new painting techniques and work with different art materials.
The week began with introductions and icebreakers, providing the students with an opportunity to get to know each other. The participants enthusiastically experimented with diverse painting techniques, using materials such as wood, canvas, and cardboard, all while working with acrylic paint. They also explored papermaché, discovered the art of collage, engaged in recycling projects, and much more.
A highlight of each day was the communal lunch, where all participants gathered to exchange ideas and took a creative break for brainstorming. The week proved to be enjoyable for everyone involved, resulting in the creation of unique and stunning artworks throughout the camp. To conclude the camp, the participants invited their families and friends to an exhibition on the last day, proudly showcasing their creations. This exhibition served as a delightful conclusion to a successful week, celebrating the students’ accomplishments. A very special surprise this year: all participants of the sports camps came to visit to admire the fantastic results of the art camp participants!
We wish to express our gratitude to Ms. Schulenberg for organizing another great ISR Summer Art Camp, and we eagerly look forward to the next camp in the upcoming year!
ISR Sports Camp 2023
Looking back: ISR Sports Camp 2023
Monday, 3 July 2023
The first week of the ISR Summer Holidays promises an exciting time for all participants of the ISR Summer Camps and the ISR Summer School!
Today, we kicked off the sunny week with the annual ISR Sports Camp, marking the beginning of a week filled with sports activities for over 100 enthusiastic children, ranging from kindergarten to grade 8. The engaging program offers a diverse range of sports activities, striking a perfect balance between fun and skill-building. Alongside the ISR Sports Camp, the ISR Summer Art Camp also began today, catering to students with a creative interest.
We are eagerly looking forward to an eventful and enriching week as part of our comprehensive summer program. The first photos already capture the excitement!
11 Students successfully took part in the DFB Junior Coach Program
11 Students successfully took part in the DFB Junior Coach Program at ISR
Monday, 3 July 2023
Last week, under the guidance of Mr. Baumann, ISR Head of Sports, 11 students successfully took part in the DFB Junior Coach Program at ISR.
This program, which has been offered by the DFB at ISR for several years, serves as a stepping stone for students aspiring to pursue coaching careers. We are particularly proud of the continued high representation of female participants, with five of eleven students being girls!
Throughout the intensive 40-hour training week, the students not only acquired theoretical knowledge of coaching but also gained practical experience through extensive hours on the sports field. This training provides a pathway for students to embark on coaching careers. In addition to coaching skills, the students also learned about first aid for sports injuries and the legal aspects of coaching work.
The highlight of the week was the training session held on Thursday with the E-Youth Team from our neighboring sports club, Polizeipsportverein Neuss. Our young coaches had the invaluable opportunity to apply their newly acquired knowledge in a real training session.
Upon completion of the program, all participants received certificates, which were presented by Ludwig Lippold, the Youth and School Football representative of the Fußballverband Niederrhein (FVN), Ulrike Engels-Dvorak, representative of the FVN Kreis Neuss/Grevenbroich, as well as parents, club representatives, and Mr. Cete, Deputy Director at ISR.
Mr. Baumann added: “This year, we had a very heterogeneous, very good group of students together, including 5 girls. Some students already had coaching experience and others played football in top leagues, so the students could complement each other well. I am very satisfied with the training and wish all participants a good start in their coaching careers!”
We extend our sincere appreciation to all the participants for their remarkable efforts during this successful week. Each individual demonstrated their utmost dedication and invested significant time and energy into the program, resulting in outstanding achievements – and successful coaches!
