Where Confidence Grows

NEWSLETTER #7

MARCH 2024

“When we established ISP, we knew we wanted to do things differently. We knew that there was a better way for students to learn, and we are delighted to have brought so many schools and students on that journey with us so far. We are always innovating at ISP, and I’m excited for what the future holds.” Steve Brown - CEO at ISP

ISP Schools, Celebrating 10 Years of International Education in Spain.

10 years ago, a group of five passionate international educators pooled their expertise and started the International Schools Partnership. They had a bold ambition – to change the way children learn.

Instead of passive lessons and tests that prioritised memorisation, our founders set out to put learners and their learning first. By supporting students to take ownership of their learning, ISP pioneered a student-centered approach that is focused on continuous improvement of knowledge and skills by evidencing learning in real-time every day.

Read the full article here!

WE EXIST TO GROW THE WORLD'S MOST CURIOUS, CONFIDENT MINDS

WHAT’S NEXT?

As we celebrate our first 10 years, we have an opportunity to reflect on what the next 10 years will hold. Our education system is dedicated to cultivating the world's most curious, confident minds. We believe that confidence is not only a precursor to success but a fundamental trait necessary for navigating life's challenges and opportunities. Through a carefully crafted educational approach, we aim to instill unwavering self-belief in our learners, empowering them to pursue their passions and fulfill their potential.

"No matter where you want to go in life, or the path you travel down, you need confidence to take the first step."

GET TO KNOW SOME OF OUR CONFIDENT LEADERS: ''Skill and confidence are an unconquered army'' - George Herbert

Watch the video here!

In this video, Sarah Brown, Group Head of Learning First tells us about the methods ISP uses to boost the confidence and curiosity of our students through the Learning First methodology.

Listen to the full interview on Spotify!

Natasha Kremer, Iberia Deputy Director of Learning at ISP Schools, shares insights on the changes in education with the rise of technology and artificial intelligence.

🎧 - ONLY IN SPANISH

ISP 5 KEY LIFE COMPETENCIES

Through comparison and analysis of a range of international competencies frameworks, ISP has identified 5 broad categories of skills that will equip and empower our students to succeed now and in the future.

''It has helped my child to grow up as a person and be more responsible. This is a huge experience.''- Parent ISP Schools

CURIOSITY

GLOBAL CITINZENSHIP

DIGITAL LITERACY

SELF-LEADERSHIP

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS

PROVIDING TRUSTED CONFIDENCE SPACES

ISP Talks Young Voices, especially in celebration of ISP's 10th Anniversary, is a new narrative framework launched in Spain, a platform where confidence takes various forms and where the most representative voices of our community, the YOUNG VOICES, come together to discuss important topics. In this specific case, we provide our students with the opportunity to embark on a three-day learning journey, practice public speaking, overcome stage nerves, and become a catalyst for both personal and collective growth, culminating in the TEDx event, Iberia's Regional ILOS.

This incredible experience for these young voices includes integrating our five key life competencies, not only gaining valuable skills for personal and academic success but also developing into empowered individuals capable of making meaningful contributions to their communities and the world.

Manny Montes - Group Head of Brand and Fiona Lee-Allan - Regional Head of Learning in Iberia presented this new and exciting initiative in Jerez.

Where Confidence Grows in an ever-changing World

El Altillo International School hosted the first TEDx Youth held in Jerez de la Frontera with the participation of the 12 ISP Schools in Spain. This is the third edition of TEDx in ISP Iberia schools.

TEDx Youth is a globally known event where young people take the lead. The event focuses on the power of ideas to change lives and ultimately the world. This philosophy is highly aligned with ISP Schools' transformative vision of learning and within the framework of the enriching International Learning Opportunities that ISP offers to all its students.

The 12 students have gone through a demanding selection, preparation, and rehearsal process, including external professional training, as well as the assignment of a Support Coordinator at all times and several reviews of their talks to receive feedback from the organising committee and validate that they comply with the rigorous rules of TEDx.

For 3 days, the students enjoyed activities in the Fab Lab at El Altillo International School, took a sightseeing tour where they learned about the history and culture of Jerez, and practiced their talks with the help of a team of ISP experts. A full programme of learning was rounded off on Thursday 15th February with their participation in TEDxEl Altillo International School Youth representing their school.

Meet some of our TEDxEl Altillo International School Youth Confident Participants

Laura TEDx Speaker from Newton College and Pablo TEDx Speaker from Internacional Aravaca

Jessica Werdenberg TEDx Coordinator from Palacio de Granda

Nicola Dickens TEDx Coordinator from Lady Elizabeth School

"Overall, it was a fascinating experience for me as a teacher, but also I am sure, a very enriching experience for Myroslava. She learnt not only to develop her confidence in public speaking, and her resilience, to tame and curb her nerves before the speech, but also had the experience of meeting students from other ISP schools, making firm friends, and has come away a TEDx candidate which is an outstanding achievement to add to her personal statement for when she comes to apply for University and a much-lauded achievement to add to her CV in the future.

It was a really great trip, I really enjoyed it, I also made friends with other teachers, and I learnt a lot myself from viewing a different school and looking at how they did displays, I looked at their library as an English teacher, I was fascinated how they structure their reading, as the LES Secondary Literacy Coordinator, that was particularly interesting to me."

Fred TEDx Speaker from Laude San Pedro International College

"A few months ago, I was selected by the school to participate in an ISP TEDx event, which involved me giving a speech to a large audience. The given topic was “Where confidence grows'', so I decided to talk about how leaving your comfort zone can build confidence. After a long preparation phase with the help of Mr. Barnett, Mr. Banks, and Ms. Leesley, and rehearsals in front of Year 7, Year 8, Bach 1 and Year 12, I had finalised the speech.

On the 13th of February, I arrived at El Altillo, the ISP school hosting the event. I met my fellow speakers and participated in various fun team-building activities. The following day, my group and I explored the city and experienced the local culture. On the last day, I had to give my speech. It was a great experience. I was able to meet many fabulous people and even made a few new friends. Overall, I am grateful for the opportunity and many thanks to Laude and ISP for enabling me to enjoy this adventure."

Valle Ramos TEDx Coordinator from

Internacional Aravaca

"What made this edition of TEDx so powerful was the diversity of perspectives presented. Each speaker brought a unique and authentic voice, enriching the conversation with their cultural background and personal experiences. From stories of self-improvement to practical advice for cultivating confidence, each word resonated with sincerity and empathy.

As the event progressed, there was a sense of connection and solidarity between the speakers and the audience. Through their stories, they demonstrated that self-confidence transcends language and age barriers and that it is something universal that we can all cultivate and strengthen.

After the event, the audience erupted in unanimous applause. We were not only celebrating the courage and wisdom of these young speakers but also recognising the power of diversity to inspire and transform. It was an inspiring reminder that, together, we can overcome any obstacle and reach our full potential when we trust ourselves and each other."

WHEN RECOGNITION PROVIDES US WITH CONFIDENCE IN WHAT WE DO

Congratulations to all our schools for their recognition in the most prestigious Top School Rankings in our country!

It is an absolute honour for us that National and International media such as Forbes, El Mundo, El Español, ABC, or the online search website MiCole select our schools among the Best Schools in Spain.

These lists and rankings are compiled by education experts who, following a series of criteria, evaluate the candidacies submitted by the schools. It is an external recognition that endorses our commitment to education and continuous improvement.

We extend our sincere congratulations to Newton College for achieving recognition as one of the top 100 schools in Spain by El Mundo!

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Where Confidence Grows Guiding Principles

"We see the confidence building in our kids."

By Lacey, Mother of Rex and Axel at Laude San Pedro International College

There are many ways where I see School programmes building confidence in my children: from intra-class challenges in PE (creating confidence with classmates), to the guest handball, soccer, and other sports events (confidence in their school), to the talent show (confidence in themselves), the school community is creating amazing opportunities outside of academics for children to take risks and push themselves. These opportunities create confidence because - win or lose, succeed or fail - it is in the doing of the thing that they build their self-belief. These are the events they rush to tell me on the car ride home.

We believe that curiosity is the key to learning. By fostering a culture of curiosity, we create an environment where confidence can thrive. Our programmes are designed to spark curiosity, encouraging exploration and a passion for learning.

Secondary Students Spreading Language Learning

A group of Secondary students looking for a project to invest their time in as a part of their IBDP Community Action Service (CAS) decided to start giving Spanish lessons to small groups of younger students. Primary students, from years 2nd – 6th of primary, meet once a week for 30 minutes with a group of 1st Baccalaureate students to learn Spanish and make connections with the new culture they are living in.

Laude Secondary students have taken part in this year´s ILOS Filmmakers programme

The film, titled ´Breaking Boundaries´ follows a main character who is having trouble settling into a new school. In the end, one character dares to stand up against her friends and do what is right to support the main character, leading to the others following her example. Laude students wanted to display the message of how important it is to have an inclusive environment in school and to show how standing up for what is right is not always easy but is always the right choice.

Exploring the Exciting World of Computer Science

In the exciting field of Computer Science, students are in the final stages of their projects. These projects will be proudly presented during the next STEAM week exhibition, scheduled for 20 March. In this vibrant scenario, creativity and technology come together to bring to life innovative works ranging from educational games to robots and interactive projects.

Cultivating Curiosity through other Cultures

The reason why the Chinese New Year does not have a fixed date is that the Chinese New Year is determined by the “lunar calendar”. China is the only country in the world that still uses the lunar calendar. A cycle of one month usually lasts 29 or 30 days. The Chinese New Year begins on the first day of the first lunar month and is generally celebrated for 15 days. Speaking of the "Chinese Year", we must mention the "Twelve Signs of the Zodiac", it is said that a person's destiny can be determined by the "Zodiac Signs". According to the lunar calendar, the zodiac is based on a 12-year cycle and each new year is represented by a zodiac sign. Zodiac can be used to mark the year of birth of a person, for example, a baby born this year will be a dragon, which is also a "baby dragon".

BSVR, a school of reference among the Chinese Community

Our International School in Castellón and the Chinese Cultural Association in Castellón have signed a collaboration agreement this year to strengthen ties between the school and the association, to become the school of reference for Chinese citizens living in the region of Castellón.

The purpose of both entities is to carry out initiatives together to raise awareness of Chinese culture and customs among the BSVR educational community and the population of the Castellón region.

Newton College students have been celebrating Chinese New Year to better understand our place in a rich cultural environment

This year's celebration was about helping our students to further understand Chinese culture and our customs, especially those who have no idea about it. To achieve this, we have carried out several activities such as Dragon Dance, Origami, traditional Chinese food, Chinese red traditional clothing, making Chinese lanterns, cooking Wontons,

Chinese Decorations, and Chinese Calligraphy.

This year's Y7 students were born in the year of the Dragon, marking their 12th anniversary. To make this special day even more fun, we’ve decided to organise another challenge with chopsticks.

At Internacional Aravaca, we encourage curiosity about other cultures from an early age

The current IB unit of inquiry for our 4-year-old-students at Internacional Aravaca, whose central idea is "The different families and cultures of the world are defined by their traditions", is focused on the cultures and traditions of the world, specifically African, Chinese, Arab and Hindu culture. The students are involved in investigating the characteristics of these cultures, their celebrations, language, habits, housing, and food.

“ONCE UPON A TIME….”

FONTENEBRO INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

During February, Cultural Week was celebrated in all our stages: children’s, primary, and secondary, carrying out a transversal project where we embarked on a fascinating journey through the different stages of history. As in previous years, we have invited families to explore the past together, as our entire center has become a timeline!

Celebrating our Own Culture

Celebrating Andalusia Day, a learning and skills development project

The celebration of Andalusia Day has become a long-awaited tradition at International School Andalucía. A day of celebration, where students share with their families all their knowledge about the Comunidad Autónoma in which they live.

Under the title "A Museum with Art", ISA students have dazzled the educational community with a show that highlights not only their talent but also their deep knowledge and appreciation for the history, culture, and traditions of our Comunidad Autónoma. From hidden treasures to revered authors, from traditional costumes to emblematic celebrations, every aspect of Andalusia was explored with passion and dedication.

Through this exhibition, the pupils, from Nursery to Year 13, have demonstrated their ability to research, understand and analyse the history and culture of Andalusia. They have also surprised the audience with their communication skills, public speaking, creativity and teamwork. It is a project that involves the whole school, creates a community, and exemplifies the vision and values of ISA as a school.

This year to celebrate Día de Andalucía at The British School of Almería, we introduced two new activities into our activities programme which encouraged our pupils to step outside their comfort zone. In our Secondary department, our GCSE and A Level students got together to prepare their first performance as the BSA Rock band. The concert took place in our new outdoor patio area and all students and staff agreed that they sounded fantastic.

Following the performance, it was the turn of the rest of our secondary students and teachers to take part in a unique music workshop, organised by Mr. Martínez and his team of music teachers, where groups practised a range of instruments and vocals. As a grand finale, everyone joined together with the rock band for an enthusiastic rendition of the “Himno de Andalucía”.

Meanwhile, in our Primary department, we held the first edition of our “Talento Andaluz” talent show where our youngest pupils had the chance to demonstrate their singing, acting, dancing, and musical skills and share their knowledge of Andalusian culture. The overall winner was Salma, from Year 2. However, we were all highly impressed by the level of confidence and skill shown by our primary pupils.

BUILDING CONFIDENCE STEP BY STEP

Confidence is a skill that can be developed through gradual progress. Our approach emphasises small victories and milestones, helping students build confidence over time. Through challenges and experiences, they learn to trust their abilities and develop resilience.

Financial Education from Infancy

Boys and girls, since they are small, live with money, and when they grow up, most of the important decisions they will have to make are marked by the economy (student loans, buying a car or house, travel...), that is why the need to teach them financial education and talk to them correctly about money arises.

Charity Gala Dinner in Laude San Pedro

As part of Laude San Pedro’s Year 12 Extended Curriculum Project, designed to develop further life competencies beyond the A Level classroom, a group of nine sixth formers have formed an “events and outreach” group meeting weekly with their teacher. They have surprised themselves on how over the year the challenge has made them grow in confidence, having never worked as a small fundraising group.

Fostering Confidence Through Oracy: Empowering Lifelong Learners at St. George Madrid

At St. George Madrid, we firmly believe in the crucial role of oracy in fostering the success of our pupils as lifelong learners. We strive to develop learners who think critically, reason together and, have the vocabulary (and confidence) to express their knowledge and understanding. Our overarching goal is to empower students to elevate their oracy proficiency, equipping them to communicate with clarity and confidence in any setting.

In today's fast-paced world, adaptability and confidence are crucial. Our education equips students with the skills and mindset needed to thrive in a dynamic environment. By nurturing their confidence, we prepare them to embrace change, seize opportunities, and chart their path to success.

Building Digital Competencies through EdTech

This academic year El Altillo International School has teamed up with Arduino Jr. to trial a certification process in schools that allows our learners to test their individual skill set in all of these areas. We pitched this idea to students in 2nd -4th of Secondary in the form of an extra-curricular activity.

New Student Leadership Program at BSVR

At BSVR they have created the Ambassador Team, sometimes known as the prefect system, which is very common in the UK. It is made up of a number of Year 12 students who represent the school as role models, promoting outstanding behaviour and attitudes. This programme has a specific focus on developing the life skills demanded by the best universities and employers in the world.

FAMUN Trip

In February, 23 students from Secondary travelled to Amersfoort in the Netherlands to participate in the Farel Academy for the Model United Nations (MUN) Conference, accompanied by Sra. Catalá and Mr. Williamson. Students participated in four days of intense committee meetings and negotiations, culminating in the development of resolutions. The experience helped students to develop critical thinking and public speaking skills, as well as an understanding of the complexities of international relations.

Read a Student Perspective

SELF-BELIEF AS THE CORE

Our educational philosophy centers on the belief in the unique potential of everyone. Through personalised support, we empower students to recognise their worth and appreciate their strengths. Through self-reflection and growth, they develop a strong sense of self-belief that propels their learning journey.

Building Confidence Through Sports in San Pedro International College. Embracing Individual Potential

Breaking away from tradition, the PE department has organized more inclusive events, ensuring active involvement from all students. The emotions experienced in sports, from nervousness to excitement, go beyond the playing field, becoming transferable skills useful in various life scenarios, including professional interviews. Through active participation in these events, students develop the ability to manage these emotions, building the resilience needed to face challenges in different circumstances.

XII Spelling Bee: An exciting journey to the Grand Final

The first phase of the Spelling Bee competition came to an end on Thursday 29th February at Palacio de Granda with the long-awaited school final. For months now, our students have been immersed in the constant practice of spelling, whether in the classroom, at home, or even during breaks, to become finalists in the school's final

Newton College Students grow confident in understanding differences, seen and unseen.

As part of this month's characteristic, RESPECT, in the NuCLEuS Y3- Y6 have been discussing differences between us, some visible some invisible, and how it is important to value each person equally.

We are sharing here the links to the book 'See What I Can Do' and also a version with audio read by Mrs. Latham. These resources could be shared and discussed in the family setting to enrich and expand this theme at home.

Students also came into school with crazy hair, or odd socks (or both!) to show that we value and appreciate the differences between us.

USING OUR MOTHER TONGUE HELPS US TO FEEL HAPPY AND CONFIDENT

A few weeks ago, we updated our nationality statistics at our school, The British School of Málaga. We have just over 960 students who come from more than 50 different countries. Spanish is the largest nationality, with 52.2% of students. After that in order we have students from the UK (8.90%), the USA (4.04%), Ukraine (3.63%), Poland (3.32%), Italy (3.01%), France (2.80%), the Netherlands (2.69%), Germany (1.97%), Morocco (1.14%), Canada (1.03%), Romanía (1.03%), etc.

This means that for a large majority of our students, more than 85%...... English is not their mother tongue!

For this reason, although English is our main language here at school, we enjoy celebrating students´ home languages and we strongly believe in the benefits of it during the learning process, as it helps students to feel more confident, motivated, and connected.

As the 21st of February was International Mother Language Day, some of our students wanted to put themselves in front of the camera to record a message in their native language to celebrate the joy of diversity. We are very proud of our multicultural community here at BSM!

Hebrew

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Ukrainian

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Chineese

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Korean

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Libyan

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Hungarian

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Spanish & Chinese

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Arabic

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Spanish

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Persian

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Dutch

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OUR PLAYFUL PATH TO ACADEMIC SUCCESS AT LADY ELIZABETH SCHOOL

Consider this; children spend an average of 1.4 years at playtime, more than many core subjects. It raises a critical question – do you have a plan for 1.4 years of your children's education? These questions are at the forefront of school improvement at Lady Elizabeth School (LES) as we embark on a mission to redefine the purpose of break time. Recognizing the potential impact on learning, life competencies, well-being, leadership, language, inclusion, and behaviour.

At LES, we are tackling this head-on and have just introduced the OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning) program. This initiative goes beyond traditional playground setups, redesigning outdoor areas to create dynamic and engaging spaces and empowering children to lead their play through open and varied environments. Importantly, the program encourages children to be connected by play rather than language, fostering inclusivity and breaking down age and communication barriers.

This is the start of our 18-month OPAL journey which we kicked off with a teacher training day led by Michael Follett founder of OPAL and author of Creating Excellence in Primary School Playtimes. The training emphasised the importance of play, enlightening educators and parents about playtime's vital role in a child's development.

Although it is still early days, the impact of our innovative approach has been nothing short of transformative:

First Aid visits have seen a remarkable 90% reduction, reflecting the success of the OPAL program in minimizing accidents and promoting safer play.

The time spent by Primary Leadership Teams (PLT) dealing with low-level playground behaviour and arguments has decreased by an impressive 100%, allowing leaders to focus on school leadership and learning.
All children, regardless of age, background, or language, are now actively engaged in play, entering lessons with a sense of calmness and higher energy for learning.

By Tracey Skinner, Head of Primary at Lady Elizabeth School.

ISP Schools is a network of 12 private schools in Spain, specialists in British and international education, and part of the International Schools Partnership, one of the world's largest education groups.

We develop bilingual students, help them reach their full academic potential and empower them to adopt an international mindset through innovative learning.

ispschools.es

info@ispschools.es

Av. De Europa, 24. 28108 Alcobendas, Madrid. España