ISF - Monthly Newsletter Issue January 2025

ISF organized its annual GISST Swim Meet on January 30-31. Seven GISST schools participated in the competition: Bavarian International School, Berlin International School, St. George’s British International School, Berlin Brandenburg International School, International School Stuttgart, Franconian International School, and ISF.

ISF entered the competition with the largest squad of swimmers—29 athletes from both Middle School and High School. Once again, our school demonstrated that swimming is a key sport at ISF. Our varsity girls finished fifth, our U14 girls and varsity boys placed third, and our U14 boys secured second place.

This outstanding performance is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our swimmers and coaches throughout the year. A special thanks goes to the entire ISF team for organizing such a fantastic tournament.

Several individual and team achievements deserve recognition:

U14 Girls

• 2^nd – Breaststroke relay

• 3^rd – Freestyle relay

• 4^th – Medley relay

Individual Results:

• Francesca Brand: 1^st in 50m breaststroke; 4^th in 100m breaststroke; 5^th in 100m freestyle

• Mai Hayakawa: 2^nd in 100m breaststroke; 3^rd in 50m breaststroke

• Seula Kim: 2^nd in 200m freestyle

• Sihyun Lee: 3^rd in 200m freestyle

• Helena Bumm: 4^th in 100m backstroke

• Leyuan Wang: 5^th in 50m breaststroke

U14 Boys

• 2^nd – Breaststroke relay

• 2^nd – Freestyle relay

• 2^nd – Medley relay

Individual Results:

• Vincent Schell: 2^nd in 50m backstroke; 4^th in 100m breaststroke; 4^th in 50m breaststroke

• Aaryen Arminius: 2^nd in 200m freestyle; 3^rd in 50m butterfly; 5^th in 100m freestyle

• Yuuma Haut: 2^nd in 100m IM; 3^rd in 50m breaststroke

• Tymoteusz Kacper: 4^th in 200m freestyle; 4^th in 100m backstroke

• Yun Na: 4^th in 100m breaststroke; 5^th in 50m breaststroke

• Beack Seonwoo: 5^th in 100m IM

Varsity Girls

• 2^nd – Breaststroke relay

• 4^th – Freestyle relay

• 4^th – Medley relay

Individual Results:

• Lara-Sophie Stahl: 1^st in 200m freestyle; 3^rd in 100m freestyle; 3^rd in 50m butterfly; 4^th in 100m IM

• Emmeline Hannon: 5^th in 100m breaststroke

• Seungeun Chang: 5^th in 50m breaststroke

Varsity Boys

• 2^nd – Breaststroke relay

• 2^nd – Freestyle relay

• 2^nd – Medley relay

Individual Results:

• Shaurya Baliga: 2^nd in 100m backstroke; 3^rd in 50m backstroke

• Haoyang Xu: 4^th in 100m freestyle

• Emil Gödeker: 3^rd in 100m backstroke; 4^th in 50m backstroke

• Jaehyuk Sun: 4^th in 100m IM; 5^th in 50m butterfly; 5^th in 200m freestyle

• Atharv Bhat: 5^th in 50m breaststroke; 5^th in 100m breaststroke

We are very proud and excited for two of our Grade 12 students who have been offered places at Cambridge University, UK to read Engineering from Michaelmas 2025. Both Sehon Lee (Offer at Trinity College) and Ding-Yun Yeh (Offer at Homerton College) in G12 undertook the arduous admissions process for Engineering with the ESAT test earlier in the year and a nerve-wracking interview during December. We were fortunate to have the support of some ISF alumni in the interview process and guide our students. There are over 20,000 students that apply to Cambridge University, UK per year and it is very pleasing to see the interest and potential of our students. Good Luck in the next part. Hinc lucem et pocula sacra (The Cambridge motto)

Michael Gibney

University Counseling Coordinator

On January 31, CAS student group in collaboration with parents hosted a vibrant Lunar New Year Festival, celebrating the Year of the Snake and promoting cultural appreciation within the school community. Students, teachers, and families gathered to enjoy a day filled with performances, activities, and traditional treats.

The event opened with a spectacular dragon dance, symbolizing good luck and prosperity, followed by performances from students and family representatives emphasizing cultural inclusivity.

Beyond the performances, interactive booths offered hands-on experiences, including calligraphy, pitch-pot, quizzes, and traditional costume try-ons. Classic Chinese snacks added a nostalgic touch to the festivities.

The Lunar New Year Festival was a huge success, bringing the ISF community together in a meaningful celebration of culture and tradition, setting a positive tone for the Year of the Snake.

The school ice skating trip, organized by the SLO activities department, was a highly anticipated and enjoyable experience for all who participated. Over 75 Students traveled to the rink together by bus, where they were welcomed by a group of enthusiastic high school helpers and four amazing chaperones, who played an essential role in ensuring everything went smoothly throughout the day. Upon arrival, students were given the freedom to venture out onto the ice on their own, allowing them to enjoy the rink at their own pace, whether they were beginners or advanced skaters. The ice quickly became a hub of laughter and excitement, as students skated with friends, helped each other up after a fall, and even engaged in friendly races and competitions.

The high school helpers, along with the teachers, were there to offer guidance and assistance, making sure everyone felt safe and comfortable on the ice. It was clear that the collaborative efforts of both students and staff made the day run seamlessly, creating a positive atmosphere where everyone could unwind and enjoy themselves. After a fun-filled skating session, students regrouped and left to go home. The trip proved to be not only a fantastic opportunity to build stronger connections among peers but also a great way to step outside the typical school routine and experience something new. It was an event that highlighted the spirit of community and fun that the SLO works hard to foster throughout the year.

- Ayan Varma

The 3v3 Tournament was an amazing experience where students and staff of all ages competed against one another in fierce games of basketball. We had students in the U14 group who showcased their tremendous skills as upcoming athletes. The Varsity group was tightly packed with teams full of talent including a Staff team. Each game went to the last point, and we got to see some amazing talent. An 11^th-grade Varsity Girls player, Miko, displayed her immense talent by winning both the 3pt contest and the skills contest by large margins. Overall, the entire event was a thrilling experience in which we got to see some magnificent displays of skill and talent as well as having a fun time.

-Tejashavi Raj

On Friday, January 24, 2025, we, the Korean students, successfully hosted the 15^th United Korean Concert. Since its establishment in 2008, this concert has been a longstanding tradition in Frankfurt, organized and prepared entirely by Korean students as a talent-donation event.

During this concert, we passionately showcased our talents on stage, with all proceeds donated to charitable organizations. In the past, we have supported UNICEF, Habitat for Humanity, aid projects for children in Ukraine and Nepal, and initiatives for underprivileged communities in Kenya. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, we have continued to support ISF’s Kenya Project and plan to contribute again this year.

This year’s concert was inspired by the movie Inside Out and featured a diverse range of performances, including contemporary dance, vocal performances, rap, and classical music. Multiple MCs hosted the event, making it even more engaging, and the fusion of traditional Korean dance and music left a lasting impression on the audience. The concert began at 5:00 PM and concluded around 9:30 PM, with approximately 350 attendees joining us for the evening. While the final donation amount is still being calculated, we anticipate raising over 5,000 euros.

We extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who contributed to the success of this event. We sincerely appreciate all the audience members who attended despite their busy schedules, as well as ISF, the Korean parent community, the ISF Parent Association, and our faculty for their unwavering support. In particular, we would like to express our heartfelt appreciation to the G11 student group and all participants for their dedication and hard work in making this concert possible.

Through this project, we not only had the opportunity to prepare a performance but also developed valuable skills in crisis management, communication, and conflict resolution. Additionally, we gained a deeper sense of personal responsibility within a community and a greater understanding of the significance of giving. We hope our efforts will make a meaningful impact on those in need.

Moving forward, we are committed to continuing the tradition of the United Korean Concert and striving to create even better performances. In 2026, we look forward to collaborating with the UK Project to expand our reach and impact. We sincerely appreciate your ongoing interest and support.

EUNHO LEE

United Korean Head of Marketing

On Friday, January 31, the ISF debate team delivered an outstanding performance during rounds 3 & 4 of the DSG Senior League Debate Competition, held at Heinrich von Gagern Gymnasium in Frankfurt. Competing against some of the best teams in the league, our debaters demonstrated sharp reasoning, eloquence, and teamwork.

In the impromptu debate, we went up against Phorms. We were on the side of the opposition and debated the motion: TBHT athletes and sports organizations should be banned from betting and accepting betting sponsorships. We secured a unanimous victory. Later, in the prepared round, our team faced the host school, Heinrich von Gagern Gymnasium, and once again claimed a unanimous win. We were on the proposition side and debated the motion: TH is in favor of raising a European army. These back-to-back successes highlight the dedication and skill of our debaters.

A huge congratulations to Ayan Varma, Tejashavi Raj, Haru Yano, Advait Nambiar, and Vicente Ausmann for their incredible performances! Their hard work and passion for debate continue to make ISF proud.

-Vicente Ausmann, Captain Senior League Debate

All of the music classes are refocusing their efforts after the winter concerts and moving forward toward the summer concerts. We take concepts introduced in the first half of the year and work to build on them as we start to prepare new music.

With the changing of the year, it is also a changing and adjusting of our musical cultures. This is an interesting time as there are a number of new families that move into music and also some that are returning to their homelands. We share our musical values with our new students and accept influences from their musical experiences. The New Year brings new ideas and themes.

This past month has been a deeply emotional time for our school community as we mourn the loss of one of our students. In remembrance, we have set up a memorial at school where students, teachers, and families have come together to offer their condolences and support to the family. The outpouring of kindness and solidarity has been a testament to the strength of our community.

During times like these, we are reminded of the importance of caring for one another and prioritizing mental well-being. As a school, we remain committed to providing ongoing mental health support for our students and ensuring they have a safe space to express their emotions. Thank you to everyone who has offered their support, kindness, and understanding.