St. Martin’s Celebration at ISR

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!