Issue 11 2023
ISF 2023 External Exam Results
Congratulations to our May 2023 External Exam Candidates on your excellent results!
We are elated to share the outstanding achievements of our students in the recently concluded external exams – IB, AP®, and IGCSE. It's a moment of pride and celebration for our entire school community. We are thrilled to announce an average IB points score of 33 in the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, surpassing the world average of 30.24. All 100% of the students who completed their IB exams in May were awarded their IB Diplomas, surpassing the global pass rate of 79.3%. This incredible feat demonstrates the efficacy of our students' preparation and the dedication of our educators.
A Testament to Dedication: The journey leading up to these results has been marked by dedication, hard work, and the unwavering support of our educators, parents, and the entire school community. Each student's achievement is a reflection of their commitment to excellence.
Celebrating Every Achievement: Whether it's a top scorer or a student who achieved a personal best, every accomplishment is worth celebrating. These results are not just a reflection of academic success, but also a testament to individual effort, personal growth, and development.
As we revel in the success of our students, we are reminded that every individual's journey is unique, and each accomplishment contributes to the collective success of our school. Congratulations to our students on their remarkable achievements and a heartfelt thank you to all who have contributed to their success.
August 25th, was a heartwarming day as we came together to welcome both our new and returning members back to our school community. Seeing familiar faces and meeting new ones filled the air with excitement and positivity.
Here’s to a year of learning, laughter, and unforgettable moments! Let’s make this academic year the best one yet!
A Sparkling Start
With hearts full of excitement and minds brimming with curiosity, our young learners step into the world of Einschulung - a milestone that marks the beginning of their elementary education adventure. The corridors echo with laughter, the classrooms come alive with vibrant colors, and the energy is palpable as our first graders embark on this enchanting journey.
Unleash Your Brilliance
To our newest additions, we say: Get ready to shine like the stars you are! The first grade is where your incredible journey of accomplishments begins. From mastering the magic of reading to unraveling the mysteries of mathematics, each day will be a step toward unlocking a whole universe of achievements.
A Team of Supporters
Parents and guardians, you are an integral part of this journey. Your support, encouragement, and involvement play a vital role in nurturing these young minds. Together, we create an environment where curiosity is celebrated, questions are embraced, and dreams are nurtured.
Let the Learning Adventures Begin
So, let the adventure begin! As the school bells ring and the pencils hit the paper, let's embark on a journey of fun and learning. The path ahead is illuminated with the light of knowledge, and we can't wait to see each and every one of our first graders flourish and thrive.
Here's to an unbelievably fun first week of school, filled with laughter, friendship, and the joy of discovering new horizons!
Coming Together: Our youngest learners had the wonderful opportunity to meet one another, fostering new friendships that will undoubtedly grow as they navigate this academic year together.
Exploring the Environment: The early days also provided a chance for our students to familiarize themselves with their surroundings. From the cozy corners to the vibrant play areas, every nook and cranny is a source of curiosity and exploration.
Valuable Lessons: During these foundational moments, our little ones have been engaged in meaningful learning experiences. They've been introduced to the concept of choices, understanding the outcomes of both good and not-so-good decisions. These lessons, taught in an age-appropriate manner, lay the groundwork for positive behavior and personal growth.
As we continue this journey, we're excited to see their growth, curiosity, and enthusiasm unfold. Stay tuned for more updates as our young learners navigate their early learning adventures!
Primary School Coordinator
I am thrilled to be joining ISF as the new Primary School Coordinator.
As a psychologist with a passion for child development and education, I believe that every child's journey is unique. I'm excited to bring my expertise to our school community, ensuring a positive and supportive learning environment for our students.
Beyond my professional role, I am also a proud mother of two wonderful daughters. This personal experience provides me with valuable insights into the hopes and dreams that parents entrust us with.
I will always be available to listen and work together to provide the best for your children.
I look forward to a year filled with growth and shared achievements.
Henriette Debs
Primary School Coordinator
High School Coordinator G9 to G10
Dear ISF Students and Parents,
I am delighted to have the opportunity to introduce myself as the new High School Coordinator G9-10 at the International School Frankfurt (ISF). My name is Dr. Mary Mrad-Hage. I joined the ISF community in August 2021. I have a Ph.D. in Chemistry; I am the High-School Head of Chemistry Department and Chemistry teacher. It is with great enthusiasm and dedication that I take on this role, and I am eager to collaborate with each of you to ensure the success of our students and the advancement of our institution.
With a passion for education that spans several years of teaching experience in both schools and universities, I bring a deep appreciation for the transformative power of learning. My journey in education has taught me that each student's potential is unique and deserves to be nurtured within an environment that fosters curiosity, critical thinking, and personal growth.
My commitment to ISF goes beyond the classroom. I am fully dedicated to the academic, personal, and holistic development of our students. Together, we will work towards maintaining the highest standards of education and contributing to the ongoing success of ISF.
I firmly believe that open communication and collaboration are key to achieving our shared goals. Your perspectives are invaluable, and together, we can create an environment that empowers every student to excel. I am excited to work with each of you to ensure that ISF continues to be a place of excellence, growth, and success.
Wishing you all a fantastic academic year ahead!
Warm regards,
Dr. Mary Mrad-Hage
High School Coordinator G9 to G10
Our first day started off with icebreakers to get the team up and moving. After being introduced to Ms. Trivedi, Ms. Hannon led a session on Leadership and setting goals. After an interactive yet engaging session, everyone split up into the 9 different departments to create goals for the new academic year. Shortly after, pizza was served and everyone had the chance to catch up with each other. In the afternoon, department heads led different sessions on Communication, Motivation, and Delegation. After cleaning up after a productive day 1, everyone was excited to see what was in store for the next day. On Tuesday, we were greeted by Ms. Shi and Dhairya Trivedi from ISF Marketing, who presented to us about Professionalism, Marketing, and the importance of Admissions. Soon after, we took a quick tour of the school and learned how to present our school to new families. Next on the agenda was the bonding trip. The leadership team went to Wiesbaden and took part in a scavenger hunt across the city. Provided with a bag full of various items and each other, the groups covered numerous kilometers competing for the most points, as well as each getting to explore the city and getting to know their teammates. A special thank you to Ms. Holt, Adeline Hannon, and Ishan Varma for coming along with us to Wiesbaden.
Wednesday is when we learned about the Database, all its tools, and also how the prefects can use Canva to make advertising posters. On the following day, we started off our day by presenting our goals and how we wish to achieve them to our teachers. Later, we also had meetings with the Parent Network on how we can help each other and also our first meeting with the new director, Mr. Cox.
Finally, our last day, Friday, was the Welcome Day. We worked hard all week in order to set up for this day. One by one, the new students, along with their parents, started to join us. It gave us great joy when they came by the SLO® Room and showed interest in our departments and what they do. It also gave us the chance to talk to them before school actually began and make them feel at home. After the new students left, we grabbed a couple of Hot Dogs, along with some drinks, and relaxed in the SLO® Room and reflected on all the work that had been done that week.
It was amazing to see the enthusiasm that the prefects came in with, not only for Leadership Week but also for this school year, every single day, even though it was technically still their summer holidays. Every day, the schedule was different; it was filled with various discussions, team-building activities and how can we forget, fun. I would like to thank each and every person who showed up for the week to be a part of it.
All in all, the three of us are grateful that we were given the opportunity to represent ISF at this year’s SLTC. We were able to make new friends from all around the world and understand their ideas and how they run things at their school. This trip definitely gave us the motivation to implement the ideas we learned through the presentations and by talking to others and we cannot wait to start rolling out the ideas.
Parent Network
Welcome Back from the Parent Network
As we settle into a new year, the ISF Parent Network welcomes both new and returning families! As a registered German Verein and the official parent organization of ISF, we strive to serve as a bridge between school and home.
What does the Parent Network do, and should I join?
The Parent Network coordinates activities for students, parents, families, and ISF faculty. Here are a handful of examples to give you an idea of why you should join the ISF Parent Network! For our students, the PN organizes holiday parties and treats, decorates campus for seasons and holidays, runs a school supplies shop and student recognition program, supports the preschool, grade 4, and grade 12 graduations, and sponsors cultural celebrations that delight and educate.
For parents, we host a monthly parent Morning Mingle and social events like workouts and day trips. Last year we held our first Flohmarkt (flea market) where parents set up booths and sold their unwanted items. For families, we offer weekend meet-ups and our annual international food festival called “Taste of the World.”
We hope you will join the Parent Network to see more of what we are about! Membership is free; just fill out and return our one-page application which can be found on the ISF Parent Page: https://www.isf.sabis.net/parents-page
Please Join our WhatsApp Community
This year, our Parent Network moderated WhatsApp groups have transitioned to a WhatsApp “Community.” There are some wonderful benefits of this change, as now you can see all of the available groups using just one join link. Our Community has an announcement group for information relevant to everyone, and continues to offer a chat group for each grade level. There are other groups to choose from as well, such as our Dance Group, PN Volunteers, Champions Club (parents supporting the Sports Academy) and more. We will continue to add groups based on your interests and recommendations.
Open your WhatsApp camera and capture the QR code here to begin. Next, review the groups listed and click the “Request to Join” button on any group you are interested in joining, such as the chat for your child’s class or grade level
August Activities
Before school was back in session, the Parent Network had a back-to-school appreciation gift for ISF faculty and staff. In the school lobby, parents set up a “filling station” with bottle keychains that could be filled with a choice of lotion or hand sanitizer. This small gesture was a chance for the PN to say “thank you and welcome back”! It was wonderful to see so many families stop by our table in the lobby at ISF’s Welcome Day!
From left to right: ISF PN Vice President Destiny Layne, ISF PN President Kim Dobson, ISF PN Secretary Kara Gensert.
September 2023
Do you have something special you could share with your fellow parents? Maybe drawing, painting, music, or another interest? If you would like to offer a class or excursion for parents, either as a one-time, weekly, or monthly offer, please let us know at ParentNetwork@isf.sabis.net.
We would love to add you to this year’s Parent Network activities calendar. While our calendar for September is not yet finalized, here is what we have planned so far. Please stay tuned to our PN Announcements WhatsApp group for new offers throughout the month.
Thank you for your trust in choosing ISF.
We value each and every one of our parents and are always trying to improve to bring our student the best experience possible.
If you’re comfortable with leaving a review for us, we would greatly appreciate it!
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