Nov 29th, 2024 / ISSUE #14
WHOLE SCHOOL
Dear IICS Community,
I would like to take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt thanks to each one of you for your commitment and generosity during our Staff Appreciation Week.
A special thank you to our wonderful PTA for sponsoring the relaxing massage for our entire faculty and staff. It was truly a delightful experience, and we appreciate the thoughtfulness behind it.
To our amazing parents, we are incredibly grateful for the delicious food and treats you provided to both campuses. Your generosity brought joy to our days, and we enjoyed every bite!
I would also like to express our gratitude to our Board of Trustees for hosting the incredible Thanksgiving Luncheon. It was a wonderful occasion, and we truly appreciate everything you do for us, including sponsoring the lunch during our Professional Development Day.
We are all genuinely grateful and proud to be a part of this caring community. Your support and kindness make a significant difference in our school environment.
Thank you once again for your continued support.
Warm regards,
Nicolaas Mostert
Head of School
Well Done Secondary Students!!!
So Fetch: A Story of Mean Girls is an exciting adaptation of the original playscript, brought to life by a dynamic cast and crew of students from grades 6 to 12. This production showcases the diverse talents of our school community, with students taking on roles as performers, designers, stage crew, sound and light engineers, and makeup artists. Together, they reimagine the iconic story with creativity and collaboration, highlighting the humor, drama, and unforgettable lessons of Mean Girls. This vibrant production not only entertains but also provides a platform for students to explore their passions and develop skills both on and off the stage.
Beyond the stage, a dedicated group of students is using So Fetch: A Story of Mean Girls as a platform to spark meaningful conversations about mental health, wellness, and belonging in school communities. Drawing from the story’s themes of friendship, conflict, and self-discovery, these students are leading discussions with their peers to reflect on how the lessons of the play apply to real-life challenges. By addressing topics such as kindness, empathy, and the impact of exclusion, they aim to foster a deeper sense of connection and understanding among students. This initiative is not just about entertainment—it’s a step towards cultivating a culture of socio-emotional growth and inclusivity within our school.
Bravo to our talented students for bringing the iconic world of Mean Girls to life! 🎭✨ Witnessing the perfect blend of humour, heart, and drama was truly a delight.
Parents Climate Survey
Dear Parents,
As part of our commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive school environment, we are conducting our annual Parent Climate Survey. Your insights and feedback are invaluable in helping us understand the experiences and perspectives of our school community.
The survey is designed to gather your thoughts on various aspects of our school, including communication, support services, school culture, and overall satisfaction. Your participation will provide us with essential information to enhance our programmes and address any areas of concern.
The deadline for completing this survey is Friday, December 13th and we encourage all parents to participate. It should take approximately 10 to15 min to complete. Please rest assured that your responses will be kept confidential and used solely for the purpose of improving our school environment.
Thank you for your continued support and engagement in our school community. We greatly appreciate your time and input.
Warm regards,
Nicolaas Mostert,
Head of School
Professional Development Day for Faculty & Staff
This week, Dominique Smith, an expert consultant, engaged with our community on the vital topics of well being and belonging. On Thursday, he worked with our students, exploring the 11 dimensions of belonging. On Friday’s Professional Development Day, our teachers and staff reviewed student data and began creating concrete action steps to enhance wellbeing and belonging across our school community.
To access the school's Google Calendar, please visit Google Calendar.
You can review the calendar for SY 2025-26 here.
Wednesday, Dec 4: Secondary Fall Season Awards Assembly @ 13:35
Wednesday, Dec 4: Primary Winter Music Concert @ Marmara
Dec 5-8: CEESA HS Speech and Debate @ Warsaw
CEESA MS Speech and Debate @ Baku
Friday, Dec 6: Primary CCA Season 2 Ends
Friday, Dec 6: Primary Open Assembly @ Hisar (EY5 - Grade 3)
Monday, Dec 9: Extended Earthquake Drill @ both campuses
Tuesday, Dec 10: Semester 1 Performing Arts Showcase
Thursday, Dec 12: Senior Lunch
Friday, Dec 13: Primary Winter Sing Along
Dec 14 - Jan 5: Winter Break
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
For any questions or concerns you may have, please feel free to reach out to Ms. Figen Underdown, our Board Secretary, at boardsecretary@iics.k12.tr. She will be happy to assist you with any inquiries.
CELEBRATIONS
Today, we celebrate the exceptional staff members whose years of service have shaped our community. Your dedication and teamwork inspire us all. Thank you for being the heart of IICS! ❤️
Savouring the sweet moments of appreciation! 🍪💖 A huge thank you to our fantastic parents for recognising the dedication of our staff at both Marmara and Hisar campuses ❤️
Unearthing the drama and glamour of So Fetch! 💋 Take a peek behind the curtain as we bring this captivating story to life. Stay tuned for more insights! 🎭📽️💖
Pleased to work alongside Dominique Smith as we explore how to strengthen wellbeing and belonging within our school. 🌟 Learning about the 11 dimensions of belonging is just the beginning of our journey! 💙
PRIMARY SCHOOL
SECONDARY SCHOOL
PTA
The Joy of Giving Back
Since 2014, Magic In A Shoebox has brightened the holidays for over 5,000 children ages 6–17 from diverse backgrounds across Istanbul. Thanks to the generous support of the IICS community, this tradition of giving has made a real impact.
Please help us spread joy again this year by packing a gift-filled shoebox and bringing it to school by Monday, December 2nd.
All details on this great Social Responsibility initiative are here.
For any questions, please contact: ptacharities@iics.k12.tr
Pablo Picasso Exhibition: A Journey from Painting to Ceramics
Please join us to appreciate 170 original works of art by Picasso.
Date: Thursday, 5th of December
Meeting Point: Ataturk Kultur Merkezi
Meeting Time: 10:00
Please sign up using this link.
For any questions, please contact: ptatours@iics.k12.tr
PTA Contact Emails
Ebru Dorman, President: ptapresident@iics.k12.tr
Ozge Araya Goncalves, VP Hisar Campus: ptavphisar@iics.k12.tr
Natalia Puscasu- Eftodi, VP Marmara Campus and PTA Parents Relations Rep: ptavpmarmara@iics.k12.tr ; ptapr@iics.k12.tr
Darima Dimchikova, Secretary: ptasecretary@iics.k12.tr
Lubna Taher, Primary Representative Hisar: ptaprimaryrephisar@iics.k12.tr
Stephanie Pigino, Secondary Rep. Marmara Campus: ptasecondaryrep@iics.k12.tr
Olena Guteneva, Treasurer: ptatreasurer@iics.k12.tr
Jua Michelle Kim, Welcome Committee Rep: ptawelcome@iics.k12.tr
Senem Tanberk Haznedaroglu, International Day Rep: ptaintlday@iics.k12.tr
Raisa Bejtovic, Food Committee Rep: ptafoodcommittee@iics.k12.tr
Ayse El Suudi, Tours and Cooking Coordinator: ptatours@iics.k12.tr
Vani Munian, Booster Club Coordinator: ptabooster@iics.k12.tr
Patty Liddle, Book Swap Coordinator: ptabookswap@iics.k12.tr
Jessica Carmikli, Charities and Golf Tournament Coordinator: ptacharities@ iics.k12.tr
Aghigh Karamzadeh, Digital Content Coordinator: ptadigitalcontent@iics.k12.tr
IICS ACCREDITED or AUTHORIZED BY