isa prospectus and annual report 2014-15

2005 2015

10 years learning the ISA way

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL AUGSBURG

SCHOOL PROSPECTUS & ANNUAL HIGHLIGHTS

2014 –2015

OUR mISSION ANd PHILOSOPHy

It is our mission to create a welcoming school environment where open-mindedness and respect are fostered. Here learners are challenged and supported to achieve their unique potential and to become confident, caring citizens of the world.

International School Augsburg is committed to creating and maintai-ning a collaborative community in which learners can discover and develop their talents and fulfil their individual potential. We provide a balanced, intellectually challenging programme which fosters in students the skills, knowledge and attitudes that enable them to be successful in school and in life. We value the diversity of cultures within our school and our links to the local and global community. We recognise and accept our responsibility to promote intercultural understanding and to contribute to a sustainable, peaceful world.

Welcome to ISA!We are convinced that international schools, no matter how small, can actively contribute to making the world a better place. We believe that our students will be wiser and more compassionate people as a result of having attended our school. We are very proud of the excellent education being offered at ISA. our affiliations with the International Baccalaureate organization and our accrediting bodies, council of International Schools and the New england Association of Schools and colleges confirm the quality of our school.

We believe ISA to be a very special place characterized by a commitment to ex-cellence in international education and a strong sense of community. Visitors often comment on the friendly and professional manner in which they are received.

our international staff members are highly engaged and students value the positive relationships with their teachers and their teachers’ commitment to their success. the very favourable student teacher ratio enhances this. As a result, our IB Diploma scores are consistently above the world average.

At ISA, the arts and sports are valued and celebrated and a balanced, healthy lifestyle is actively promoted. outdoor education and service learning experiences ensure that students at ISA receive a rich and balanced education which encourages them to understand the rights and responsibilities associated with being a commu-nity member.

As we celebrate our first ten years of achievement, we look forward to future successes; the growth and development of our school and the strengthening of our community spirit.

fRIENdLy & PROfESSIONAL

cathie mullen Director Education

marcus WagnerDirector Business & Finance

International School Augsburg provides education for students between the ages of 3 and 18. Instruction is in english and we offer several graduation certificates including the IGcSes and IB Diploma. the school day extends from 8:50 until 15:30 (until 14:00 on Fridays). the school is divided into three sections: lower School (including the early learning centre), middle School and High School.

our commitment to international-mindedness is embodied in our educational programmes. our lower School (elc to Grade 5) curricu-lum is the IB Primary Years Programme. From Grades 6 to 8 the course of study builds on the learning within the PYP and lays the foundation for the IGcSe course in Grades 9 and 10. In Grades 11 and 12 students follow the IB Diploma course resulting in an internationally recognized qualification.

We aim to prepare the minds and hearts of our students for life in a diverse, constantly changing and interdependent world. At ISA young people can develop the courage to take risks and learn from their mistakes. Supportive and skillful teaching allows them to acquire the skills and confidence needed to continue learning beyond school. Well-established traditions in outdoor education and sports, the arts and service learning ensure a balanced education and significantly contribute to the development of positive character traits.

qUICk fACTS

CELEBRATING A SUCCESSfUL yEAR!

CELEBRATING A SUCCESSfUL yEAR!

The school year 2014–2015 was another remarkable one in which there were many positive developments. The year was also marked by a number of memorable visits and special visitors! Each one of them enriched our community in a special way.

In October we greeted the Bishop of Augsburg, the Reverend Bishop Konrad Zdarsa. He visibly enjoyed the time he spent with students and staff, visiting classrooms, and soaking up the colour and excite-ment of our annual Book Week. He was impressed by everything he saw as well as by student answers to some critical questions.

every day when I climb the stairs I think to myself how lucky

I am to be at this school. Grade 7 student

In November, the U.S. Consul General Bill Moeller spent almost a full school day at ISA. During his visit, Mr Moeller took the time to make a presentation to our Upper School students about the role and history of the US Embassy in Germany.

In February, the Staatssekretär for Education (Bildung und Kultus), Georg Eisenreich made time to come to ISA. This very positive visit provided an important basis for future constructive conversations with the Ministerium for Bildung and Kultus.

Later in the year we welcomed another representative of the Bavarian government, Staatssekretär Johannes Hintersberger (Ministerium der Finanzen, für Landes-entwicklung und Heimat), who enjoyed an informative tour by upper school students before meeting with ISA management and Board members. Like Mr. Eisen-reich, he was very interested to learn about both the pedagogical and the business operations at ISA and he expressed his support for the role of international schools in Bavaria.

this is a very international environment that feels safe and peaceful. I love that.

Grade 8 student

Each school year has its own particular feeling or mood, shaped by the events of the year and the busy interactions of our community members. We are sincerely grateful to the staff, parents and students who have contributed to making ISA both a friendly and a professional place. Our school is bursting with positive energy, generosity and initiative.

In March, the Upper School Careers Day provided excellent opportunities for our senior students to interact with a range of professionals from both the locality and our own alumni. After an inspiring key- note speech by former world champion triathlete, Katja Mayer, the students visited a wide range of information stands representing diverse fields includ-ing media, medicine, psychology, IT, finances and architecture. These meetings provided inspiration and direction for many students.

Visits from local teachers and university students and professors have become a regular part of our annual schedule and this year was no exception. In addition, we had a number of return visits from former families and alumni. It is lovely to know that those who have moved away from ISA are still keen to stay in touch. Relationships at ISA are special and, it seems endur-ing.

We were very pleased with our excellent academic results (IB Diploma scores have been consistently above the world average) and of equal importance, there is ample evidence that we are raising thought-ful, caring and principled young people.

Cathie Mullen, Director Education

wE ARE INTERNATIO NAL

wE ARE INTERNATIO NALISA is a truly international community. our teachers come from 27 different countries and speak many languages. they are all qualified to teach in their country of origin and have been approved by the local department of education. Several have advanced degrees and many are qualified as IB examiners.

currently, our families represent 31 different countries. Just over half of our students are local German children whose families opted for an alternative to the state education system. ISA is increasingly attended by the children of internationally-mobile Germans who have attended international schools in other countries, or intend to move abroad in the future.

our parents are enthusiastic and supportive and make a crucial contribution to the positive spirit. they support ISA in many ways on many days throughout each year. our Room Parent Representatives generously devote extra time to organising special events and activities which promote school spirit and enhance the students’ education.

german62%

french6%

american4%

japanese3%

italian3%

british3%

australian2%

all other17%

NATIONALITIESall other17 %australian

2 %british3 %

italian3 %

japanese3 %

american4 %

french6 %

german62 %

NAtIoNAlItIeS

ISA GRAdUATES – CLASS Of 2015

ISA GRAdUATES – CLASS Of 2015

Although ISA is a relatively young school, it is already evident that former students have benefitted tremendously from their ISA experience. ISA graduates are now attending reputable universities in Germany and abroad, studying in a range of disciplines including the Arts and media, medicine, engineering, law, International Business and Science. others are pursuing a range of professions, so that we will also count teachers, bankers, helicopter pilots, paratroopers, translators and nurses among our alumni.

Directly after the IB Diploma exams, parents arranged a delicious breakfast and a wonderfully moving send-off for the departing students. We were delighted that the grad-uating class chose to have their official ceremony at the school, followed by a fantastic meal at the Drei Mohren Hotel in Augsburg. As usual (this was our fourth graduation) parents, teachers and students were suitably emotional and happy. Our Class of 2015 graduated with a staggering 100 % pass rate and an average score above the world average.

Riccardo Italiano, IB Diploma Coordinator

ISA gave me the skills and confidence to enjoy learning and be successful at university.

ISA Graduate, class of 2012

UNIVeRSItIeS AtteNDeD BY ISA GRADUAteSUnited Kingdom & Ireland

University college london

University of Bath

National University of Ireland, Galway

University of Dundee

University of edinburgh

University of Kent

Falmouth University

Germany, Austria and Switzerland

University of Augsburg

University of Würzburg

University of Regensburg

Paracelsus Private medical University of Salzburg

ludwig maximilian University of munich

Vienna University of economics and Business

Webster University, Vienna

Europe

the Hague University

University of Amsterdam

University of Rotterdam

I.e., madrid

LEARNING TOGETHER

LEARNING TOGETHER

the IB philosophy and pedagogy has its roots in the philosophy of the visionary German educator Kurt Hahn who founded the renowned Salem School. Hahn’s vision for education was one of promoting peace, service and leadership and experiential education.

At the heart of the IB programmes is a commitment to promoting international-mindedness. this is defined through the ten attributes of the IB learner Profile: caring, knowledgeable, principled, balanced, thinker, risk-taker, reflective, communicator and open-minded. this learner Profile provides for the development of character, capability and responsibility.

Students have regular opportunities to experience leadership and take action. Some examples are Student councils, model United Nations, Interact club, make a Difference Day, Zambia Partnership, SeRVe training and first aid.

there is a friendly relationship with the teachers. they all support us.Grade 8 student

our early learning centre (elc) is attended by children between the ages of 3 and 6. each class group is directed by a teacher and supported by assistants resulting in an exceptionally low student teacher ratio.

the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) perfectly supports the child’s natural desire to find out about the world. the development of social skills and com-munication skills is a priority. our youngest students take their first steps towards reading, writing and numeracy in an authentic and supportive environ-ment. Sports, Dance and Drama have an important place in the elc programme.

Although the school day goes from 9:00 until 15:30, in the case of the very young or new students, a flexible schedule or reduced day may be agreed on. there is supervision before school.

EARLy LEARNING CENTRE

BeGINNING tHe JoURNeY

It‘s fun to learn so many things with friends from everywhere!

elc student

LOwER SCHOOL

loVING leARNING

our lower School is attended by children aged 6 to 11 in Grades 1 to 5. class size generally does not exceed 16, and students are often taught in smaller groups for languages and mathematics. the IB Primary Years Programme gives students opportuni-ties for meaningful inquiry into age-appropriate concepts. Students are encouraged to share their learning at school assemblies and to reflect on how they grow and change through their learning.

the subjects included in the curriculum are english, German, mathematics, Social Studies, Science, Art, music, Drama and Sports. learning in these subjects often takes place in the context of ‘Units of Inquiry’. Additional language instruction in english is provided for all students new to english. All students learn the host country language, German.A range of after school activities is also offered, allowing child-ren to further explore the arts, languages and movement.

This year was a lively and successful one for Lower School. The IB Learner Profile has continued to be very much at the heart of who we are and we actively supported all of our students in becoming inquirers, thinkers, communicators, risk-takers, knowledgeable, principled, caring, open-minded, balanced and reflective.

Our weekly assemblies were an oppor-tunity to celebrate all of the wonderful learning in Lower School and to develop student leadership skills. With each class leading several assemblies, our students showed what accomplished communi-cators they are, whether it was through music, dance, drama, art, stories or Po-werPoint presentations. Special themed assemblies such as the wonderful Mother Tongue assembly in April, were a true celebration of all the different cultures and languages at ISA.

Other occasions for celebrating learning were the fabulous Lower School Christ-mas musicals, ‘Silent Night’ and ‘Ralph the Reindeer’, which involved all students and truly surpassed expectations. Arts Alive in March was another celebrati-on of the arts. It showcased the Lower

School students’ artistic and creative talents and resulted in competitive auction to raise funds for our charities.

A wide range of field trips allowed students to make connections beyond the classroom: Grade 5 visited Berlin for four days, Grade 4 went to the Allgäu for three days to learn about water and Grade 3 attended a ‘Music and Art Camp’. In addition, our students went on a variety of local trips, such as the local woods, the zoo, Augsburg city centre, a synagogue, water works, a building site, the fire station and even the local sewage treatment plant.

This year saw the start of ‘Friday Fun-time’, mini-courses run on an elective basis by classroom teachers. These mini courses which included sewing, arts, drama, Spanish and drumming, allowed our students to discover new interests and talents, and to work together with students of other classes. Not only were they highly popular, but they also foster-ed a stronger sense of community and will definitely become a permanent fixture in our schedule.

Sarah Garland-Zach, Lower School Principal

THIS yEAR‘S HIGHLIGHTS

our middle School caters for students from Grade 6 to 8. the programme builds on the learning of the PYP and prepares students for the rigour of IGcSe examinations (International General certificate of Secondary education) and the International Baccalaureate Diploma. teachers are attentive to the very special social and emotional needs of young people between the ages of 12 and 15 and provide a range of opportunities for them to develop confidence and independence.

the annual events of the middle School calendar encourage authentic studentlearning and the development of the attributes of the IB learner Profile. through the Grade 6 musical, the Grade 7 medieval Fair, the Grade 8 Science talks and outdoor camps, students across all three Grades have a balanced range of opportunities to develop their knowledge, express their ideas with confidence and to approach unfamiliar situations with courage and indepen-dence. middle School assemblies celebrate student learning and achievement and cultivate a sense of belonging and middle School identity.

Grit has been a learning focus across our Upper School this year. A poster hangingin the new building declares, “Grit is doing what you don’t want to do, to be whatyou want to be.” Many learning experiences in the Upper School build grit and support life-long learning, a goal of an IB education. Our excellent examination results this year reflect this determination, with a 94 % pass rate at IGCSE level (40 % achieving A or A*) and a 100 % pass rate in DP (with an average of 34 points).We continue to explore ways to facilitate learning, student leadership and inter-

national-mindedness. Our students participated in outdoor camps, musical performances, and school trips to Spain, London, Iceland and Zambia. While these events all had different purposes, we are confident this exposure has broadened their intercultural understanding and awareness of other perspectives. The members of the Student Council were active advocating for their fellow students and taking action to help others. During Raising and Giving Week (RAG week) they collected over 4,000 Euros for St Bakihta’s, our partner community in Zambia.

mIddLE SCHOOL


leARNING FoR lIFe

our High School offers the IGcSe (cambridge examinations centre) and Inter-national Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma examinations. Both qualifications are in-ternationally recognised. Successful IB Diploma graduates are eligible to study at universities both in Germany and abroad. the IB Diploma is highly regarded by universities worldwide.

High School students also have many opportunities to discover and develop their talents beyond the classroom. outdoor education and the International Award as well as participating in model United Nations provide opportunities for adventure and leadership. our fitness room provides a space for personal fitness and training on a daily basis.

We firmly believe that excellent teachers are the key to successful learning. this is why we provide our teachers with regular high-quality professional development. this ensures that they remain abreast of current developments in pedagogy. Several of our teachers have been appointed as examiners for the IB organisation.

HIGH SCHOOL

Senior students completed work placements and attended our ISA Career Day, which was launched by former international triathlete, Katja Mayer who spoke about the relationship between goal setting, grit and success.Our growing knowledge about best practice in education through consultation with educational experts and professional conversations with other international educators has enabled us to fine-tune the delivery of mathematics at ISA and enhance the learning of students. Research repeatedly shows that significant

improvements in student learning results primarily from differentiation in the class-room, catering for the needs of individual students, and collaborative teaching. It takes time for students to adjust to change, but now we believe students are happy with our heterogeneous, hybrid model of differentiation and collaboration. It fosters in students an independent, responsible desire to grow in their learning through perseverance and grit.

Margaret Ward, Upper School Prinicpal

Students are challenged because they can actively take part and discuss matters; they are taken seriously.

Grade 12 student

StRIVING FoR SUcceSS

VISUAL ARTS

the arts are important to us. We actively promote music, theatre and visual arts. We aim to foster in our students an appreciation for all the arts and to encourage them to find at least one preferred artistic mode of self-expression. In recent years, art exhibitions and installations, both on campus and at external venues have enriched the already existing traditions of musical and dramatic performance. they have provided a new dimension of challenge and celebration.

VISUAL ARTSthe Visual Arts are embedded into the curriculum from elc to Grade 12. In lower School, art is taught by the classroom teacher. Student learning is supported through many artistic activities including crafting, modelling, drawing, painting and building. the annual Arts Alive exhibition is always an eagerly awaited project which culminates in an exhibition and auction.

throughout middle School we offer a comprehensive range of experiences in the visual arts and students explore many areas of visual expression. they practice working with different media and learn how to find their own particular voice through art. our Visual Arts programme also supports students in developing intellectual, creative, expressive and practical skills which will be essential to them in later life.

In the IB Diploma Visual Arts program students explore a full range of techniques and learn about art through the examination of artistic production from different periods of history as well as contemporary art. the students visit (and create) ex-hibitions, talk to curators, meet artists and experience sculpting, painting, drawing, designing and working with digital media. our IB Diploma Visual Arts students have produced exceptional work that has been exhibited both at school and within the local community. our graduating art students have been successful applicants at renowned art and design universities worldwide.

I loved our express Yourself unit and making art with my friends.

Grade 1 student

This year we can look back at a series of successful art activities at ISA. Here are some of the local competitions in which our students were successful:

Augsburg Planetarium Kunstwettbewerb: Die Erde und Ihre NaturCategory 1 (class competition): 1st Place: ISA ́s Grade 12 studentsCategory 2 (individual students): 1st Place: Rebecca Graefe’s “Spider ́s Web of Steel”; 2nd Place: Felix Erhardt’s “Philosophy of Technology”.

The Neue Stadtbücherei Comic-Wettbewerb1st prize: Grade 6K with their excellent comic about a “Trans-Antarctic Expedition”. They won a one-day workshop with the comic artist and illustrator Yvonne Tauss.

Landkreis Augsburg Jugendkunstpreis 2015Winners. Lisa Deurer, Felix Erhardt, Hanna Pufe, Kaan Aslan, Lisa Franz and Nico Schwarz.

Our art students were also offered a wonderful opportunity to exhibit outside of ISA in a public space; the commission came from the Sheridan Business Quarter in Pfersee. Over a period of six months, the Diploma Visual Arts students developed ideas related to the theme “Generation Y”. In complex light, shadow and silhouette works, the Grade 11 students produced a range of impressive art pieces and installations. Their work was a very interesting and confidence-inspiring insight into how they see their future.

the best thing about Arts Alive is you get to see other people’s artwork.

Grade 4 student


This year’s Arts Alive Celebration in February was another memorable event. The Lower School students opened the exhibition with a bouncy performance of Martha and the Vandella’s “Dancing in the Street” setting the scene for a bright, colourful and creative evening. The indivi-dual student art pieces were, as always impressive, and the pride with which our young artists presented them was moving. Family and friends were impressed and it was once again agreed that Arts Alive is a top favourite community event.This year, all Lower School classes collaborated to create a large Learner Profile-inspired canvas for auction. Each one was unique and was in great demand when it came to the auction. Almost €1000 was raised towards this year’s Grade 11 Zambia trip.Arts Alive was also the venue for the IB Diploma art students to exhibit their work of two years. The students produced a very impressive exhibition which engaged the visitors with its variety, high standard and complex, relevant messages about life.In the springtime, all Lower School students also helped paint a large art mural that was on per-manent display in the school yard over the summer. The theme, „ISA is a Wonderland“ resulted in three large wooden boards on which the children drew a colourful and whimsical land where learning is fun and children travel to school on dragons, in submarines and on elephants!The children felt that the word “wonderland” could be interpreted to mean either a magical place where anything is possible and everyone is happy or a place where children are encour-aged to wonder, to be curious and ask questions. In our opinion ISA is both these places, and this was the inspiration behind our artwork.

Lucie Wiedemann, Upper School Art Teacher

the art room is a place where I can be myself and find calm.

Grade 11 student

mUSIC & PERfORmING ARTS

orchestra camp is my favourite event. I love making music with my friends from other classes.

Grade 5 student

mUSIC & PERfORmING ARTS

ISA has maintained a commitment to music and performance since its very first year of existence. Both music and drama are taught by specialist teachers. Drama is taught within the Primary Years Programme, and music is taught as a separate subject. Both are obligatory from Grades 6 to 8. Students are supported in becoming confident performers and appreciative audience members. the highlight of the Grade 6 year is the annual musical, performed at a local theatre. Past performances have included ‘the Wizard of oz’ and ‘charlotte’s Web‘. Regular guest performances enrich the programme. our music and drama department is well-resourced. In addition to the music classroom and drama studio, there are three practice rooms, and a computer laboratory is adjacent to the music suite, facilitating the integration of technology.

the instrumental programme offers students of all ages oppor-tunities to learn almost any instrument with a team of excellent specialist teachers. these students are encouraged to take the graded exams of the internationally recognised ABRSm to support and guide their study and develop their musicianship. All students in Grade 2 learn the recorder and the Grade 3 music lessons are devoted to a string class in which all students learn the violin, cello or bass for the year. Students who continue with their instrument can join the ISA orchestra, attend orchestra camps and take part in school concerts. the orchestra involves students from Grade 4 to Grade 12. Apart from weekly music lessons in which music theory, choral singing, music history and appreciation are taught, the con-cert calendar gives students of all ages the chance to perform at both school and community concerts throughout the school year.

mUSIC

Drama lessons take place weekly from Grades 6 to 8 and opportunities for dramatic performance are part of theme weeks and assemblies. In Grade 6, students explore storytelling, characterisation and improvisation and begin working with scripts. In Grade 7 and Grade 8 the goal is that Drama less-ons enrich the curriculum, allowing the students to experiment with drama, poetry and prose.

dRAmA

the weekend rehearsals for charlie and the chocolate Factory were awesome.Grade 6 student

2015 was another exciting year for the young musicians and music lovers at ISA. The year featured two orchestra camps, at Schullandheim Stoffenried and at Schullandheim Bliensbach. Our students rose marvellously to the challen-ges of two more excellent musical performances at the Abraxas Theatre: the Grade 7 students in ‘Seussical’ and the Grade 6 students in ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’. A special highlight was the performance of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ by students from The Bavarian International School. Musical events provided colour throughout the year. Students demonstrated their choral and performance talent at the Arts Alive Exhibition and the Summer Party. They also took their musical talents into the community with another successful Charity Concert at Heilig-Kreuz-Church and an Advent concert in an old people’s home in Gersthofen. Many students could play a role in the beautiful Christmas concerts. Other highlights included the ISA Spring Concert, string and band recitals and the Wiederhofen string-class camp. It is delightful to see music and drama en-riching the lives of so many of our students.

Geoffrey Abbott, Music Coordinator

dRAmA THIS yEAR‘S HIGHLIGHTS

REAdING & RESEARCHING

REAdING & RESEARCHING

our library and media centre is an inspirational place that promotes the joy of reading and researching. the large collection of fiction and non-fiction (currently over 14,500 titles), ten computer stations and an interactive whiteboard effectively support ISA’s commitment to reading and inquiry. Here learners from elc to Grade 12 will find the resources and guidance they need to develop research skills as well as effective and critical thinking. the library staff include a teacher-librarian, a library administrator and the consistent support of a team of parent volunteers.

every year reading is promoted through special events such as the ‘World Book Day’, ‘World Poetry Day’ and the ISA annual Book Week in Autumn which is organised by an en-thusiastic team of teachers, librarians and parents.

Students are actively engaged in reading and discussing literature. Initiatives such as the Hänsel & Gretel Readers’ choice Award and participation in the annual local Vor-lesewettbewerb for Grade 6 support this. there are regular opportunities for students to recommend favourite books and authors to their classmates and to suggest new titles for the library. In this way the students are able to contribute actively to the development of our collection.

It was very exciting to see the library develop into a central learning hub at ISA and to see the library’s impact beyond the library space. Over 7,500 books were borrowed this school year, ranging from non-fiction to English picture books, German fiction, magazines and foreign language texts. The library team invested a lot of thought and energy this year into engaging the students as learners and promoting learning throughout the school. It paid off. The library is increasingly becoming an extension of the classrooms, a place where students come to find answers to their questions and to work independently or collaboratively. This year, the number of students using the library regularly for research increased considerably. In October we ran another successful Book Week, this time the theme was ‘fairy tales’. The school foyer was transformed into a delightful fairytale land, complete with (hanging) trees, an inviting tent filled with soft cushions, miniature chairs and heaps of books available to read in a free moment and soak up the magical world of fairy tales. Every so often, little white mice appeared to keep everyone on their toes. As a special Book Week project, many students of all ages chose to knit an owl cushion cover, upholding the old tradition of simultaneously storytelling and knitting or stitching. It was a delight to see them gathered around the campfire focused on their knitting and happily sharing stories.

The Library Team


SPORT & PHySICAL EdUCATION

Sport at ISA enables me to challenge myself while

developing my ability to work with others in a team.

Grade 9 student

SPORT & PHySICAL EdUCATIONAt ISA, we are convinced that academic and personal success and happiness are enhanced by regular movement and physical activity. We therefore promote healthy attitudes and habits for all students.Students from elc to High School attend weekly Physical education lessons with specialist teachers and participate in a range of physical activities outside of lessons. these lessons cover team sports, gymnastics, fitness and athletics. the school’s excellent onsite resources include a modern fitness suite, a well-equipped gymnasium and a multipurpose sports court. In addition, ISA utilises a range of facilities within the local community to provide opportunities for swimming, climbing, football and golf. the extra-currricular activity programme provides further opportunities for students to explore aspects of sports and movement.team sports foster sportsmanship and help our school to develop links with local and other international schools. In particular, the football and basketball teams have been competing successfully against other schools. the sports on offer at ISA currently include athletics, basketball, badminton, climbing, crossfit, football, hiking, Frisbee, running, street hockey, tennis and volleyball. the outdoor education programme allows students from Grades 6 to 9 to ex-perience the challenge and thrill of camping in all weathers, orienteering, water-rafting, skiing and a range of team-building activities in the open air.

This has been a truly outstanding year for sport at ISA. We have been able to significantly increase the variety of sports activities on offer and there has been a considerable increase in the number of people involved. The remarkable enthusiasm of the ISA community has made the many sporting events and achieve-ments possible. Our students have demonstrated great commitment and character, not only by participating in sporting activities but by competing, supporting one another, coaching and fundraising.

The increasing popularity of street hockey this year enabled the introduc-tion of a second coaching session run by CAS students. The bouldering and climbing group established last year was again a feature of this year’s sport programme. Our climbers spent numerous afternoons at Bloc Hütte challenging themselves to solve increasingly difficult routes before applying their skills in the outdoors during a trip to Konstein.

This year, we fielded six football teams. These included a 1st XI, a boys’ Grade 9 and 10 junior varsity team, a girls’ team, a middle school boys’

team, an 8-a-side ‘Schule WM’ team as well as a Lower School boys’ indoor football team. The 1st XI maintained their unbeaten run until the last game of the season where they were out-classed by a particularly outstanding opposition in London. The London football trip was a great addition to the ISA sporting programme. It marked the first time the International School Augsburg had competed in sport abroad and gave our top foot-ball players the opportunity to test themselves on the international stage.

The momentum also continued with a range of other sports, including badminton, crossfit training, athletics, basketball, and running. Having intro-duced volleyball last year, 2014–15 saw ISA’s first competitive volleyball team. We had our first cross-country runners represent ISA in a multi-school event at the Bavarian Inter-national School.

We were very pleased to see more than thirty participants from ISA at the Augsburg Stadtlauf. This year laid the foundation for an outstanding future of sporting performances.

Ben Jones, Sports Coordinator


wE REALLy CARE ABOUT ONE ANOTHER

wE REALLy CARE ABOUT ONE ANOTHER

each year our school community grows stronger, with ISA staff, students and parents working together on new and existing projects that reinforce our school’s mission and philosophy. Room parents enrich the lives of our students by organising a wide range of outings and activities including ski trips, class outings, an annual graduation breakfast, a bi-annual career’s Day and a dance course for seniors. they work magic to produce impressive stage sets for concerts and performances and to decorate the school for seasonal events.our Student councils take their role seriously and meet on a weekly basis to discuss ways to develop and improve our school. they have taken the initiative to raise money and an awareness of social issues, to promote school spirit and to provide a voice for the student body. they are often present at evening and weekend events, acting as ambassadors and helpers.

the best thing about ISA is the strong sense of being a community where everyone helps. We are there for each other.

Grade 11 student

ExTRA- CURRICULAR PROGRAmmE & OUTdOOR EdUCATION

ExTRA- CURRICULAR PROGRAmmE & OUTdOOR EdUCATION

A broad range of extra-curricular activities is offered at ISA, each designed to complement the challenging academic programme and to allow students to develop their talents outside of the classroom. courses currently include taekwondo, tennis, Girls’ choir, 3D Design, tiny Scientists, Gaelic Football, Jewellery Design and making, Arts and crafts, early Ballet, creative Dance, Sewing club, comic Drawing, Kids cooking and Aikido.

The Outdoor Education programme was extended this year beyond Middle School to include Grade 9. Students took part in four very successful camps with our Outdoor Education partner, Naturbegeistert, led by Hans Wenning. They were involved in a range of activities including rafting, mountain biking, climbing, hiking, canyoning, orienteering, as well as team-building activities and leadership experiences. The feedback from students in all grades was very positive. Not only did they have a lot of fun, but they also felt that they had developed as individuals and as a team. Our Outdoor Education programme also helps students prepare for the demands of the expedition section of the Duke of Edinburgh Award.


Winter camp was challenging in so many ways. I learnt about my own strengths and how to face my fears.Grade 7 student


mAkING A dIffERENCE

mAkING A dIffERENCEAs a school with a firm commitment to caring, we feel it is important to forge links with the local and global communities. creativity, Action, and Service (cAS), a key component of the IB Diploma Programme involves students in a range of non-academic pursuits, alongside their academic studies. these could be a performance or another creative endeavour, a phy-sical activity or a reciprocal engagement with the community in response to an authentic need. cAS provides students with opportunities to explore their passions, develop their person-alities and encounter new perspectives.

our school partnership with St Bakhita Association in Zambia is facilitated by the Irish charity SeRVe. St. Bakhita’s Association works to improve the lives of orphans and vulnerable children in mazabuka, Zambia. the Association runs a school, a farm and two community houses for homeless boys.

each year students, staff and parents invest a huge amount of time and energy into fundraising for the projects that we support in Zambia. every second year a group of students and teachers spend two weeks living in the St Bakhita’s community. they consistently return to Augsburg glowing with satisfaction and brimming with stories to share. other community initia-tives at ISA include the Interact club, and the bi-annual make a Difference Day, a whole school service event involving co-operation with over 30 local organisations.

Throughout 2014–2015, the ISA community rallied together, demonstrating creativity and generosity to raise money through activities such as Flip Flop Friday, bake sales, the Arts Alive exhibition, the ISA calendar sale, RAG Week, a CAS concert, Pi Day, the Grade 10 Business project and Cycle to Zambia. In May, eight Grade 11 volunteers, Grade 2 teacher Jessica McArdle and I departed for Zambia. The Immersion Programme there included practical work, such as painting classrooms or feeding the pigs on the farm, living with the orphan boys in the com-munity house in Mazabuka, and spending time both learning and teaching at the Luyobolola School. Our student volunteers taught a lesson about “home” and “water” to Luyobolola students. Overall, the trip was a wonderful experience and a huge success. It was an emotionally challenging one too; so much was new, different and sometimes disturbing. The student volunteers approached every individual they met with open-mindedness and compassion, and each new situation with curiosity and respect.

Brian Kelleher, Geography teacher

Probably the most important thing I learnt when I went to Zambia is that through giving you gain a lot more in return.

It makes you happy.

Grade 11 student


fOSTERING LEAdERSHIP

fOSTERING LEAdERSHIP

ISA students have many opportunities to develop leadership skills; within the classroom, through Student council and involvement in the cAS programme, as well as through initiatives such as the Duke of edinburgh International Award and model United Nations. ISA has offered the Duke of edinburgh’s International Award since 2011. this award recognises young peop-les’ achievements in the areas of service, physical recreation, skills and on expedition. model United Nations has been running at ISA since 2013 and each year we attend two conferences: mUNAU (maria-Ward Gymnasium, Ausburg) and heImun (englisches Institut Heidelberg). Understanding how the United Nations functions and developing country position papers and resolutions on key world issues provide real learning opportunities for students and allows them to make authentic connections to their academic learning.

This year ten students were involved in the silver level and fifteen in the bronze level of the Inter- national Award. We were very pleased with the amount of interest our students displayed in this voluntary programme and were impressed by their ‘grit’ and motivation. These attributes were particularly evident during the expedition in which students needed to hike 12 kilometres per day, with all of their equipment, on the hottest weekend of the year! Meanwhile, twelve student delegates took part in Model United Nations, developing re-solutions on topics such as ‘threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts’ and ‘the safety of journalists and the issue of impunity’. Our students represented their nations well, debated confidently and generally held their own.


the first expedition was exhausting but we all

supported one another and learnt a lot about

teamwork. I felt fantastic when it was finally over.

Grade 11 student


BUSINESS & fINANCES

ReVeNUe: €4.98 million totAl coStS: €4.91 million

Since it was founded, International School Augsburg has had a very solid business model, and success-ful financial management. It has benefited from having a stable set of shareholders and supervisory board members. the school has also benefited from stable finances. It has developed very positively. It is now time to look to the future and to consider the long-term growth plans and the resources that may be needed to further develop ISA. It is our goal to ensure that income received is effectively allocated to support student learning, bearing in mind the importance of sustainability.

subsidies

sponsoring

school fees

miscellaneous

personnel

interest accrued

It/admin

catering

depreciation

building

professional development/educational resources

BUSINESS & fINANCES

each year, an external independent audit is carried out. the results must be approved and authorized by both the supervisory board and the independent auditor. the final result and the audited balance sheet are posted in the community section of the school’s website (www.isa-augsburg.com), so that community members remain informed.

the annual economic plan includes a plan for revenue and costs, a finance plan, an investment plan and a personnel plan. the economic plan is approved by the supervisory board and the shareholders. Financial developments are closely monitored, so that there are no surprises and spending can be adjusted if necessary.

the school experienced rapid growth in the years up until the first graduation. Since then enrolment has been relatively stable. the enrolment of international families has steadily increased since 2005. Now 40 % of students are children of internationally-mobile parents. Students may be enrolled at any point during the school year. Interested families are encouraged to use our online admissions system, https://isa-augsburg.openapply.com.

From a business perspective, this has been a solid and satisfying year. Although new enrolment was slightly under average at the start of the year (due to the departure of our largest ever IB Diploma class) we still managed to reach our highest enrolment ever: 321 students.

The school year 2014–2015 generated an income of €4.98 million. Due to a school fee increase of 2 per cent and slightly increased student numbers, the financial year ended with both a positive operational result and a small profit. The organisation endeavours to keep tuition increases as low as possible and to optimally direct the allocation of funds to the core purpose: teaching and learning. The diagrams on the left state the distribution of revenue and expenses.

Our online marketing has given us very high visibility on the web (the Sistrix visibility index). Planning for the school’s tenth anniversary year was intensive and resulted in a busy marketing calendar for the school year 2015-2016. There will be a marketing event each month and increased presence in the press and media. We have also taken the first steps towards re-designing our website.

A particularly exciting development, indeed a historic one, was the decision to change the school’s legal structure from a not-for-profit private owned limited liability company to a not-for profit public company. After extensive research, it was agreed with the Supervisory Board, that this would result in greater possibilities for increasing the financial base. From 2016, ISA will be in a position to issue up to 14,625 new registered no-par-value shares. We will be inviting companies and individuals to become shareholders. ISA graduates will receive a single share as a unique parting gift from their school. This will establish a long-term relationship between alumni and ISA.

Marcus Wagner, Director Business & Finance


wHAT ELSE wOULd yOU LIkE TO kNOw?

wHAT ELSE wOULd yOU LIkE TO kNOw?

How will my child manage with no English?Young children learn languages very quickly, especially if they are surroun-ded by the target language. the rate at which children learn varies; for some, understanding comes quickly, but they take time to develop the confidence to speak. We provide intensive, small group support for our english language learners. An important basis for success in english is a firm foundation in the first language.

How is German taught?German is taught both as a mother tongue and as an additional language. All students are expected to learn the host country language. In lower School and middle School, the programme is aligned with the local curriculum, and all key areas of language are addressed.

What other languages are taught?From Grade 7 students learn Spanish which they may decide to pursue through to IB Diploma. For speakers of other languages, mother tongue support is available during the lower School years.

Will my child be expected to do home-work?In the lower School, homework will not exceed 30 minutes per day. Upper School students are expected to show independence and increased responsibility regarding learning. the homework load increases and becomes quite intensive in Grades 9 to 12.

How does ISA cater for ‘gifted‘ students?Highly able students feel at home at ISA because of the open-ended nature of teaching and learning, the challenging programme, the focus on differentiation and the positive atmosphere within the school. If your child is gifted, ISA staff will work closely with you to ensure that your child is challenged and satisfied.

How easily would my child make the transition back into their home country system? transition from one international school to another generally happens easily. there may be some initial gaps or overlaps in skills and knowledge but if your child has developed resilience, confidence and a love for learning, they will quickly overcome any initial

difficulties. ISA is an “ersatzschule”, therefore German children may be able to transfer successfully into the Bavarian school system in the early grades. ISA will always endeavour to provide support with transitions.

Where are the school’s diplomas recognised?the International General certificate of Secondary education (IGcSe) is recognised internationally. It is equivalent to the “mittlere Reife” in Bavaria. the International Baccaleaureate Diploma is highly regarded by colleges and universities worldwide. It provides students with an Allgemeine Hochschul-reife. All students receive a US recognis-ed High School Diploma.

What do former students say about ISA?our alumni speak very highly of their former school. In particular, they rate highly the personal attention provided by the teachers, the fostering of self-discipline and high standards. they report being excellently prepared for university.

OUR AdVISORS & SUPPORTERS

OUR AdVISORS & SUPPORTERS

I am delighted to have the privilege of writing the closing words in this publication. I very much like this new combined structure of brochure and annual report. I believe it represents our school in an informative and professional manner.

Whether you are a prospective parent, a keen ISA supporter or simply an interested reader, I trust that this brochure will provide you with the information you need, as well as a sense of what makes ISA special. Don’t forget to visit our lively Facebook page, to keep track of the latest news!

on behalf of the ISA Supervisory Board, I would like to thank our very committed staff members and our highly engaged parent community for all they do to make ISA a positive and exciting place to learn. most importantly, I would like to sincerely thank all of the ISA associates for their support and trust, and the ‘Friends of ISA’, for helping us to realise our vision for ISA as a centre of excellence in international education.

Karl moser ISA Supervisory Board chair

Karl moser ISA Supervisory Board Chair

SUPERVISORy BOARd

ISA would like to thank all members of the Friends of ISA Association for their continued and vital support:

Soon after its foundation, International School Augsburg had proven itself to be a welcome and necessary addition to the local infrastructure. It quickly became clear that in order to secure positive growth, the school would need reliable sponsors and supporters. A small number of committed local companies established a fundraising association, and in march 2006 the ‘Freunde der International School Augsburg ISA e.V.’ was founded.

currently, the ‘Friends of ISA’ boasts over 70 members whose contributions serve to supplement the running budget and enable the realisation of a broad range of additional educational projects. ‘International education needs Funding!’ is the motto that drives the ‘Friends’ association. New members are always welcome and there are several membership packages to choose from. All of our graduating students receive a lifetime free membership of the association.

fRIENdS Of ISA

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In diesen Schlagworten finden Sie sich wieder? Dann sind Sie bei ROMA richtig. Wir suchen auch in Zukunft motivierte Mitarbeiter und Mitarbeiterinnen, die Profis auf ihrem Gebiet werden wollen. Egal ob technisch versierte Kaufleute, kommunikative Mecha-troniker oder kreative Techniker. ROMA bildet aus, um mit Ihnen weiter zu wachsen und freut sich auf die Profis von morgen.

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TH_Anzeige_onlineshop_135x85.indd 1 29.01.2016 13:19:59

die besondere

genossensch

aftliche

BeratungSo in

dividuell wie du:

Jeder Mensch hat etwas, das ihn antreibt.

Eine starke Bank für eine Region

www.vrbank-hg.de Handels- und GewerbebankVR-Bank

Du hast deinen eigenen Kopf und willst deinen eigenen Weg gehen?Unsere Genossenschaftliche Beratung unterstützt dich dabei.Hier stehst du mit deinen Wünschen und Zielen im Mittelpunkt. Komm vorbei oder informiere dich online.

„Meinen eigenen Takt vorgeben.“

International School Augsburg-ISA-gAGWernher-von-Braun Straße 1 aD-86368 GersthofenGermany

Phone: +49 (0)821 455560-0Email: [email protected]

2005 2015

10 years learning the ISA way

www.isa-augsburg.comwww.facebook.com/ISAugsburg

BoARD oF DIRectoRScathie mullenDirector [education]

marcus WagnerDirector [Business & Finance]

wHO IS wHO

SUPeRVISoRY BoARDKarl moser, chairman

Dieter Weidner, Vice chairman

Heribert Göggerle

Dieter R. Kirchmair

Georg Schnelle

Ulrich Wagner

ASSocIAteSWirtschaftsregion Augsburg Förderverein

Regio Augsburg Wirtschaft GmbH

Regio Augsburg Wirtschaft GmbH Förderverein

Handwerkskammer Schwaben

Wirtschaftsjunioren Augsburg

New shareholders soon to come!

accredited by

isa prospectus and annual report 2014-15

Documents