The Secondary Section Stories – 15/12/2023

To our valued parents and ISBe community members,

As we approach the end of another enriching term at ISBe, we wanted to take a moment to express our gratitude and share the highlights of the incredible journey we’ve had together. It has been a term filled with growth, learning, and unforgettable experiences for your children. 

Our students’ dedication and hard work have resulted in remarkable academic achievements, and we take immense pride in their progress and commitment to excellence.I am pleased to share that our devoted teachers have worked diligently to compile comprehensive reports for this term. Reviewing each report across the entire secondary section has been a rewarding experience, providing a valuable snapshot of every student’s development and accomplishments. Our exceptional teaching team deserves special acknowledgment, as their unwavering dedication, passion for education, and tireless efforts have been the driving force behind our collective success. I extend my deepest gratitude to our teachers for their invaluable contributions to the growth and development of our students.

Insightful interviews and conversations were conducted with our Class 10 students, providing a platform for them to explore and discuss their career choices, ensuring informed decision-making for their academic future. We also hosted a successful session for Class 8 parents, offering valuable insights into the IGCSE curriculum. This briefing highlighted the benefits and our commitment to supporting a seamless transition for academic success.

None of our achievements would have been possible without your unwavering support at home. Your active involvement in parent-teacher conferences and meetings with our educators has been invaluable. Thank you for investing time and effort into your child’s education.

Additionally, this term, we’ve nurtured a well-rounded education through diverse extracurricular activities through our CCP programme—sports, art, drama, and music. These experiences foster creativity, teamwork, and contribute to holistic development. Also learning extended beyond the classroom with educational trips and outings. Exploring historical sites, engaging with nature, and going into museum tours added a dynamic dimension to their education.I was fortunate to accompany the Class 7 students on their trip to the Plantin-Moretus Museum, where they delved into the fascinating history of printing. They also enjoyed a guided tour of the Antwerp historical center, adding an extra layer of cultural exploration to their educational journey. Nevertheless, class 11 and 12 went on a visit to the Brussels School of Governance on the 1st of December. During the visit, students had the opportunity to attend a focused talk centered around the EU Green Deal. In preparation, they listened to a relevant podcast. Additionally, the visit included an informative campus tour, providing students with a closer look at the school’s facilities.

Moreover, I am also delighted to highlight the outstanding initiatives driven by our Student Council, showcasing the true spirit of student agency. From the fun PJ Day to the unique “Bring Anything But a Backpack” Day, the establishment of a support group, and the festive Winter Wonderland Dance, our students have taken the lead in creating a vibrant and inclusive school culture in the past two weeks. We commend their creativity, leadership, and commitment to making ISBe a place where every student feels valued.

As we embark on a well-deserved break, we appreciate the partnership we share and eagerly anticipate the continued success and growth of our students in the upcoming term.

Wishing you a joyful Christmas and a prosperous New Year!

Warm regards,

Tala Issa
Head of Secondary
secondaryhead@isbedu.be
+32 (0)3 271 09 43 

www.isbedu.be

Words from the Student Council:

This year has been a productive one for the student council. 

Wanting to have a greater student input in the school’s social media, we created a ‘real’ Media Team which consists of 8 students from different age groups. They  created a Tik Tok account, which is completely student-led and video ideas come from students as well. In Term 1, we had the student council not only make Tik Toks but create content for any big events that took place and even content small events that had taken place in school, for example, house events, student council events etc.

Furthermore, the Media Team is not the only subgroup we have formed within the Student Council this term. We prioritised creating a group dedicated solely to supporting students, and that’s precisely what we’ve done. The Student Support Group! Within this group, we have designated representatives who are available for students who need support. During this term, the Support Group organised a chat and listen session on November 14th and 15th, providing students with the opportunity to have a one-on-one discussion with one of our representatives. Additionally, a support group assembly was held on December 5th to discuss matters that arose within the school community. Lastly, we introduced a Support Group Box, allowing students to write notes anonymously on any topic they wish.

During these chilly winter days of December, there’s nothing better than slipping into your warm, comfortable pyjamas. On Monday, December 4th, our school embraced the cosiness of Pyjama Day. Students, from primary to secondary, came to school dressed in, well, their pyjamas. The whole school having participated made it a delightful and snug day for everyone.

Wanting to see the creative side of students, the student council held a ‘bring anything but a backpack’ day to school.  Students came to school with trash cans, laundry baskets, garbage bags, suitcases and more. The main goal was to allow students to show off their unique ideas. With students bringing in wacky ways to carry their school essentials, laughter was created in the hallways of our school.

With term one coming to a close, it is only fitting that we ended with an enthusiastic school dance, with the theme of ‘Winter Wonderland’. With an array of colourful decorations, adrenaline inducing music and delicious snacks, the whole of secondary, classes 6 to 12, exhausted themselves dancing the afternoon away.