Career Talk with Alumna Emma Keune, Class of 2022
Career Talk with Alumna Emma Keune, Class of 2022
This week, we were delighted to welcome back ISR Alumna Emma Keune (Class of 2022) for a special Career Talk with our secondary school students. Emma returned to ISR to share her inspiring journey in the field of Humanities and to encourage our students to explore the diverse opportunities that this field of study can offer.
The talk was warmly opened by Dr. McGee, who expressed his deep gratitude to Emma for volunteering her time and for sharing her inspiring passion for the Humanities. Speaking to our Grade 11 students, Emma offered valuable insights into her academic journey, the importance of pursuing one’s passions, and the transferable skills developed through studying the Humanities. Following her main talk, Emma engaged a selected group of Grade 11 and Grade 12 students in a focused workshop on Greek Tragedy, directly drawing on elements from her current studies and giving our students a hands-on glimpse into the richness of the subject.
At ISR, we are always grateful to our alumni who generously volunteer their time and return to inspire the next generation of students by sharing their knowledge, experiences, and enthusiasm for their fields.
Emma reflected on her visit with the following words: “I am very grateful for the warm welcome back to ISR, and the opportunity to speak to Grade 11 students and offer them some advice on their university journey, from the perspective of someone who was in their position once. I am also grateful to be able to share my passion for my subject and to showcase the less-obvious skills students can develop, which are still very relevant and applicable in many developing fields, all in addition to elaborating on the breadth of knowledge the Humanities offer!”
We thank Emma wholeheartedly for her contribution, her passion, and her continued connection to our ISR Family!
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Rihito
Spotlight On Our Student Rihito
This week, we are proud to spotlight our third-grader, Rihito, who joined ISR in 2023. He was enthusiastically nominated for the Student Spotlight by his second-grade teacher, Ms. Hartmann. She writes, “Rihito is a dedicated and hard-working student. He strives to do his best work and truly embodies our ISR Guiding Principle – We Enable Great Minds and Strong Characters. It was a pleasure to teach Rihito in Grade 2. He brightened the classroom with his wit, curiosity, and inquisitive questions, as well as his strong understanding of justice. His cheerful nature and big smile are infectious, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for him”.
Rihito has also made a strong impression on Ms. Ghica, the Academic Head of Grades 2 and 3. She says,
“I’d like to give a very special shoutout to Rihito. When he first joined our school in Grade 1, he didn’t speak any English at all. That can be a big challenge, but Rihito worked hard, stayed positive, and never gave up. Mr. Edwards, his former Grade 1 teacher, and Ms. Hartmann, his Grade 2 teacher, can be proud! Now, just two years later in Grade 3, he has grown into a confident student who not only excels in his learning but also supports others. Rihito, your journey shows us the power of resilience, and we are so glad you are part of our school community!”
Now in his new Grade 3 class, Rihito’s homeroom teacher, Ms. Vittin, writes,
“Rihito has just joined my third-grade class, and he is a very joyful and enthusiastic learner. He is always willing to lend a helping hand and work well with others. Although I have not known him for very long, he has already been a wonderful addition to our class.”
We are proud to spotlight Rihito 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
AmCham Summer Barbecue in Meerbusch: ISR Students Impress the Guests
AmCham Summer Barbecue in Meerbusch: ISR Students Impress the Guests
As proud partners of the American Chamber of Commerce, we are delighted to have attended yesterday’s Summer Barbecue in Meerbusch. Representing ISR were Eileen Lyons, School Director; Annika Poestges, Head of Marketing; Colm Rowan, Head of Elementary School; Emil Cete, Business Development Director; Peter Soliman, Proprietor of ISR; and three of our talented students — Yuki, Kevin, and Soji — who wowed the audience with two fantastic jazz performances!
The event, hosted at the beautiful Golfpark Meerbusch and opened by Regional Chapter Chair Christin Schack, celebrated the strong transatlantic partnership between North Rhine-Westphalia and the United States.
A special thanks goes to everyone who made the evening so memorable, including U.S. Consul General Preeti Shah, who will visit ISR again in December for another inspiring Career Talk, as well as to the event organizers for their excellent work!
(Photos by Michael Lübke)
ISR First Grade Ceremony 2025
ISR First Grade Ceremony 2025
This Wednesday, we celebrated a very special milestone – our ISR First Grade Ceremony 2025!
Around 250 guests gathered to witness the official start of our youngest students’ journey into our ISR Elementary School. The event opened with a warm welcome from Mr. Colm Rowan, Head of Elementary School, who highlighted what makes ISR so special:
“At ISR, we believe that it’s cool to be good. It’s cool to be kind, to work hard, to help others, to be a good friend, and to always try your best. Every good choice you make helps make our school an amazing place to learn and grow.”
He was followed by Ms. Eileen Lyons, ISR School Director, who emphasized the importance of this day for the children and their families.
A musical highlight of the ceremony was a beautiful performance of our school song, “Ode to ISR”, presented by Grade 7 student Eliza. Afterwards, Ms. Alexandra Vrem-Ydstie, Head of Kindergarten and Academic Head for Grade 1, introduced all of the Grade 1 teachers, who will play an integral role in guiding and supporting our newest students throughout this important first school year.
The most anticipated moment came with the presentation of the traditional “Schultüten”, lovingly handed to the children by their Grade 1 teachers. This symbolic gesture marked the beginning of their first school year and was met with excitement and many happy smiles.
Following the ceremony, families were warmly invited to a Welcome Get-Together. Over refreshments, parents and staff had the opportunity to connect, share stories, and celebrate this joyful new beginning together.
We are delighted to welcome our new first graders into our ISR Family and look forward to an exciting academic year ahead!
ISR Robotics Camp 2025 – A Week of Innovation, Team Spirit, and Future Technologies
ISR Robotics Camp 2025 – A Week of Innovation, Team Spirit, and Future Technologies
The ISR Robotics Camp 2025 brought together 11 ambitious participants for a week of high-tech exploration and hands-on learning at ISR. Under the guidance of our Head of IT, Mohammed Aloof, Artificial Intelligence Expert and ISR Alumnus Hugo, who is currently studying Artificial Intelligence in Italy, and Camp Assistant Adrian, all participants were immersed in a future-facing curriculum designed to spark curiosity and technical mastery.
The program included several hands-on workshops and learning modules. In Artificial Intelligence, campers learned the principles of AI, how it influences modern technology, and its potential impact on society. A highlight of the camp was our humanoid Robot Nao, which played an integral part in the AI learning experience. Nao demonstrated how robots can interact with their environment and process information using AI, giving students an engaging, hands-on look at robotics in action.
The students furthermore experienced 3D printing by turning digital models into physical objects layer by layer. In Virtual Reality sessions, they explored immersive worlds and learned about applications in education, gaming, and professional training. In Excel Drawing using Pixels, participants created digital art by treating Excel cells as individual pixels, which encouraged logical thinking and creativity!
We are fortunate that all of these cutting-edge technologies — from AI and VR to 3D printing and robotics — are part of the regular school equipment and curriculum at ISR, meaning our students can explore them throughout their academic journey at ISR!
Guided by our three passionate camp leaders, the ISR Robotics Camp 2025 was a fun and educational experience for all students involved! The participants not only built practical skills but also developed a deeper understanding of technology’s foundational elements and future trends.
We thank all participants for their curiosity and look forward to another ISR Robotics Camp soon!
ISR Cooking Camp 2025
ISR Cooking Camp 2025
During the second week of our ISR Summer Break, our annual ISR Cooking Camp took place at our ISR Campus in Neuss, organized by our partner and school caterer, Broich Catering. This year again, the camp offered a wide range of hands-on culinary experiences and exciting discoveries related to food and nutrition.
Throughout the week, the children enthusiastically prepared a variety of delicious dishes – including traditional Flammkuchen, Swedish Köttbullar, as well as fresh sushi and summer rolls. The children also baked their own bread, roasted granola, and even made butter from cream. In doing so, they learned valuable cooking skills as well as developed a greater appreciation for homemade food.
In addition to the practical culinary tasks, nutrition education played an important role in this year’s camp. On Tuesday, the focus was on the topic “All About Milk”, exploring where milk comes from, what alternatives exist, and what products can be made from it.
A special highlight was Thursday’s excursion to the Frenkenhof farm in Meerbusch. There, the children learned about different grain varieties, visited a wheat field, and ground wheat grains into flour, which they then turned into homemade bread rolls. They also had the opportunity to feed and gently pet the farm’s chickens – a truly memorable experience!
To conclude the week, a Family Dinner took place on Friday. The children prepared a delicious three-course meal, created personalized menu cards and name tags, and beautifully decorated the dining tables. The parents were delighted and impressed by the creativity, effort, and culinary talent their children had shown throughout the week.
We wish to thank the entire Broich Catering Team for the professional organization and heartfelt dedication that made this year’s ISR Cooking Camp another great success. We are already looking forward to next year!
A Year of Excellence: Celebrating Excellent IB Results and Global University Offers at ISR
A Year of Excellence: Celebrating Excellent IB Results and Global University Offers at ISR
With great joy and pride, we look back on an exceptionally successful year at ISR!
Academic excellence – along with the successful and fulfilling future it enables – lies at the very core of our mission as a leading college preparatory school.
We are especially thrilled that this year’s graduating class – the largest in ISR’s history – completed the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program with an outstanding average score of 35 points and a remarkable 100% pass rate!
- Particularly impressive is that 70% of our graduates exceeded the current worldwide IB average of 30.6 points
- In addition, half of the class earned the rigorous bilingual IB Diploma – achieving native-level proficiency in two languages
- Thanks to these exceptional accomplishments, our graduates have received offers from some of the world’s most prestigious universities, highlighting the academic excellence and international recognition of ISR. Among the notable institutions are the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), King’s College London, University College London (UCL), and The University of Edinburgh in the United Kingdom; New York University (NYU) in the United States; Erasmus University Rotterdam and Maastricht University in the Netherlands; as well as Waseda University in Japan
We congratulate all graduates, our faculty and staff, families, and supporters on this outstanding success!
A vivid testament to our motto at ISR: It’s cool to be good!
Looking Back: ISR Art Camp 2025
Looking Back: ISR Art Camp 2025
Once again, during the first week of our ISR Summer Break, our ISR Art Camp took place – this year under radiant sunshine! The camp was led with dedication and passion by Ms. Schulenberg, a former ISR Parent and long-standing partner of ISR.
A total of 14 students participated in this year’s camp, enjoying an exciting week full of opportunities for creative expression. The week began with an introduction round and an icebreaker game, helping all the children get to know each other and creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
Throughout the week, participants had the chance to experiment with a variety of materials: wood, canvases, cardboard, and acrylic paint, as well as different collage techniques and sculpting figures. The children learned numerous painting techniques and were encouraged to bring their own ideas to life.
Fun and the joy of artistic creation were always at the forefront. The young artists were able to showcase and further develop their talents, supported by Ms. Schulenberg’s inspiring guidance.
A special highlight was the traditional art exhibition at the end of the week. Parents, families, friends, teachers, and staff were invited to admire the children’s artworks and mingle over snacks and self-made smoothies. Participants from the ISR Sports Camp also visited the exhibition, adding to the cheerful and lively atmosphere!
We wish to extend our heartfelt thanks to Ms. Schulenberg for organizing and running another successful ISR Art Camp. We are already looking forward to next year’s camp and can not wait to see the new creative ideas our students will bring!
Looking Back: ISR Sports Camp 2025
Looking Back: ISR Sports Camp 2025
This year, our ISR Summer Break started with another successful ISR Sports Camp on our ISR Campus in Neuss with more than 100 participating children.
Our ISR Sports Camp offered a wide variety of activities organized in age-appropriate groups. The children played soccer and badminton, along with many different various ball and parachute games. They were also able to showcase their tennis skills on the courts opposite the campus, which have been part of our ISR Campus since last year. Additionally, the children took part in gymnastics, Capoeira, athletics, dance, and relaxing “Mindful Time” sessions including yoga. On the warmest days, our participants had the opportunity to splash around in swimming pools, enjoying lots of fun, and refreshing breaks.
Exciting excursions enriched the camp experience: the children visited an outdoor swimming pool to cool off, explored BEROs Children’s World, and went to the Alpenpark in Neuss.
We wish to extend our heartfelt thanks to our entire ISR Sports Team, ISR Supervisors, and supporting teachers who made the camp week an unforgettable experience for the children!
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Don
Spotlight On Our Student Don
This week, we are delighted to shine the spotlight on Don, an exceptional fifth grader who joined ISR in 2024.
Don was nominated for the ISR Student Spotlight by Ms. Morris, Academic Coordinator for Grade 5. She shares:
“Since joining ISR this school year, Don has been a dynamic presence. His quick wit and sense of humor are appreciated by both students and teachers. Don is an incredibly helpful student, always willing to lend a hand. Though new to ISR, he was selected as a member of the ESLC team this year and has done an outstanding job supporting the team’s initiatives. We are proud to have Don at ISR!”
Ms. Codina, Don’s Homeroom Teacher, adds:
“Don is like the LeBron James of our classroom – working with him inspires those around him to improve and strive to be their best. His positivity is infectious and sets the tone for how students engage with content and with each other. He makes learning fun and proves that being cool and smart are not mutually exclusive.”
Don’s Music Teacher, Ms. Bucher, says:
“Don is a very intelligent and funny child who is extremely conscientious in everything he does. He is also an excellent musician with a fantastic singing voice and is always kind to others. I think I speak for all his teachers when I say that we feel we hit the jackpot when Don joined ISR!”
Ms. Chanal, Don’s French Teacher, adds:
“Don excelled in French lessons, and his behavior was always impeccable. He successfully passed the DELF A1 test this year.”
Ms. Schmitz, Don’s German Teacher, notes:
“Don brings so much positive energy to our classroom! With his open and joyful personality, he brings laughter and fun to our lessons every day. He always tries his best, makes great connections, and shares his ideas thoughtfully. What makes Don stand out is his willingness to support his classmates”.
Finally, Ms. McGee, Student Leadership Council Advisor, shares:
“I am pleased to have had the opportunity to work with Don this school year through the Elementary Student Leadership Council. His positive attitude alone makes him more than deserving of the ISR Student Spotlight. Don arrives at our weekly SEA meetings with a polished look and a bright smile. Throughout our time together, he has shown himself to be a kind, thoughtful young man who is always ready to lend a helping hand. He has already made a meaningful impact at ISR, and I sincerely hope he continues his leadership journey next school year with the same heart, spirit, and dedication”.
We are proud to spotlight Don 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
