FRIDAY FLASH
FRIDAY FLASH
Embedded Files
Sept 19th, 2025 / ISSUE #4
WHOLE SCHOOL
SEE YOU LATER MS. HAZLETT
Dear IICS Community,
A few days ago, we had an unusual incident at the Marmara Campus when a student was bitten by a snake, something that hasn’t happened in the past seven years. We want to reassure you that there are no poisonous snakes in Istanbul or the Marmara region, and our student is doing well. To keep our community safe, we immediately worked with local authorities, including Büyükçekmece Veterinary Services, the Directorate of National Parks, and the Provincial Health Directorate. Following their guidance, sulfur was spread around the campus, and students have been reminded to stay on pathways. We are confident these steps will help prevent any future issues.
If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to call me directly.
Warm regards,
Nicolaas Mostert
Head of School
To access the school's Google Calendar, please visit Google Calendar.
Sept 22 - 23: School Photos @ Hisar
Sept 22 - 26: Primary MAP Testing Week 1
Sept 23 - 26: Secondary Gr 7-11 Class Trips
Wednesday, Sept 24: Hisar Picnic
Monday, Sept 29: PD Day for Teachers (No School for Students)
Sept 30 - Oct 3: Primary MAP Testing Week 2
Friday, Oct 3: Canadian & UK University Fair @ 13:00-15:00
Oct 3 - 4: TISL MS Football Tournament @ IICS
Saturday, Oct 4: CIS Education Day in Istanbul (Registration Link)
SAT Test
Oct 7 - 9: Grade Ephesus Trip
Friday, Oct 10: Primary CCA Season 1 Ends
Oct 13 - 19: October Break (No School)
Oct 20 - 31: Secondary MAP Testing 1
Monday, Oct 20: Secondary Mid Semester 1 Reports Published
Thursday, Oct 23: Primary Sports Day (Grade 1 - 5)
Secondary Learning Conferences (Face2Face)
Oct 24 - 25: TISL HS Football Tournament @ IICS
Saturday, Oct 25: TISL Cross Country Meet at BISI
Oct 27 - 31: Secondary MAP Testing 2
Turkish Republic Week
Tuesday, Oct 28: Republic Eve (1/2 day)
Early Dismissal Day For Students @ 13:00
Early Dismissal Day For Faculty & Staff @ 13:15
Wednesday, Oct 29: Republic Day (No School)
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
For any questions or concerns, please contact Ms. Figen Underdown, Board Secretary. She will be pleased to assist with your inquiries. Additional information, including Board meeting minutes, is available on the Community Portal .
Those interested in joining a Board Committee are kindly asked to submit their CV and committee preference to Ms. Underdown, Board Secretary.
CELEBRATIONS
Meet Koen
From Princess Islands to our Early Years forest! 🏝️🌳 We're so lucky to have Koen (on the right) supporting us for the last 9 months. His enthusiasm for environmental friendliness is contagious, and his detailed plans are helping our forest grow bigger and better! He's made such an impact, even creating a photo book documenting his life. Curious to learn more about Koen's fantastic work? Click here... 🌳 💚
Horseback Riding.mp4Horseback Riding
More than just a ride! 🐴 Our students are discovering balance, discipline, and a quiet confidence through our Horseback Riding CCA. It's an incredible opportunity to learn and thrive in the great outdoors.
58a6cde025fd4818a6eff71ade395c74.movSecondary Back to School Day
Connecting, learning, and looking forward! Our secondary 'Back to School' event brought parents and teachers together, building bridges for a successful and engaging academic year. Your support means the world to us! 🍎👨🏫
Parents Social.MOVParents Social
Building a stronger, more connected school community! 🙌 We were absolutely delighted to extend our Parents' Socials to all grade levels, creating even more opportunities for everyone to mingle and meet 💖🌟
Robostics & Entrepreneurship(1).MP4Robotics and Entrepreneurship
Watch out world, these minds are building, creating, and innovating! 🚀 Delighted to share moments from our dynamic Robotics and Entrepreneurship classes. The next big thing starts here!
Meet the Seniors!Our Class of 2026
The future is looking exceptionally bright with our Seniors of 2026 leading the way! ✨ Join us in celebrating this fantastic group. What are you most excited for this year, Seniors? 🎓❤️✨
PRIMARY SCHOOL
*All Hisar Classes on Monday, September 22nd
Hisar Families, please read this LETTER to find out details and guidelines for the IICS Hisar Picnic.
For the most up-to-date Calendar information, please see the IICS Google Community Calendar via the IICS website.
SECONDARY SCHOOL
Click here to give feedback!
Click below to see presentations:
Impact & Innovation Diploma Program
Introduction to IB Diploma Program
Dear Secondary Parents,
Thank you for joining us for Back to School Day. We were delighted to welcome more than 60 parents on campus to meet our staff and engage in meaningful conversations about how we support your children through their learning experiences at IICS.
This event is an important opportunity to strengthen the partnership between home and school, and we greatly value your time and commitment in being part of it. As we tried a new format this year to better support families, knowing that traffic and distance can sometimes make it challenging to join us. Therefore, we would very much appreciate your feedback on the day. Your input will help us continue to improve and ensure the event best serves our community.
A special thank you goes to the Secondary Leadership Team for their planning and coordination, and to Nagihan for her incredible efforts in making the day run so smoothly.
Looking ahead, our secondary class trips will take place next week. These experiences play a vital role in enhancing student-staff relationships, building teamwork, and providing authentic learning opportunities beyond the classroom. They are an important part of our school program, helping students grow academically, socially, and personally.
Warm regards,
Nicolaas Mostert
PTA
BYZAN TEAM CHALLENGE
BYZAN TEAM CHALLENGE
Dear Families,
Are you ready for a new adventure?
What about joining us for a challenge to know Istanbul and Turkish Culture better while bonding with other members of our community?
Meeting Point: In Front of Haghia Sophia
Meeting Time: 10:30am
Date: September 30th, 2025
More information can be found here.
To register please use this link.
PTA PARENTS' SOCIAL NEW DATE ✨
PTA PARENTS' SOCIAL NEW DATE ✨
The PTA invites you to an elegant evening by the sea in a historic Arnavutköy venue. Enjoy light bites, bring a favorite bottle to share, and mingle with fellow IICS parents in an intimate setting by the water . Dress code: Dress to impress/business casual.
🗓️ Date & Time: Saturday, October 4, 2025 @ 6:00–9:00 PM
📍Venue: Arnavutköy, Bebek Caddesi No. 18 👥 Open to all grade-level parents ✍️ Reservations: Space is limited; the first 50 parents are guaranteed a spot.
🔗 Google Maps: Open location
👉 Sign-Up: Google Forms — RSVP here
SOCIAL GROUPS LAUNCHED!
SOCIAL GROUPS LAUNCHED!
A New IICS WhatsApp Community
Great news! Based on the enthusiastic feedback from our Parents’ Socials, we’ve launched an IICS WhatsApp Community to make it easier to connect , share essential updates ️, and welcome new families into the IICS network. It’s also a simple way to find others who share your interests — from language meetups 🗣️ to sports ⚽, arts 🎨, and neighborhood groups. Community members can add new interest-based groups as needed!
A New IICS WhatsApp Community
Great news! Based on the enthusiastic feedback from our Parents’ Socials, we’ve launched an IICS WhatsApp Community to make it easier to connect , share essential updates ️, and welcome new families into the IICS network. It’s also a simple way to find others who share your interests — from language meetups 🗣️ to sports ⚽, arts 🎨, and neighborhood groups. Community members can add new interest-based groups as needed!
Privacy & Access
🔒 All grade-level groups will be migrated into the Community but will remain private, with Room Parents as the only admins controlling entry. Admission is limited to IICS families and coordinated with IICS Admissions for verification.
Privacy & Access
🔒 All grade-level groups will be migrated into the Community but will remain private, with Room Parents as the only admins controlling entry. Admission is limited to IICS families and coordinated with IICS Admissions for verification.
📱Your phone number is visible only to members of the groups you join.
👋 For questions, review WhatsApp’s Community settings to adjust your privacy preferences, or ask your Room/Grade Parent for help.
📱Your phone number is visible only to members of the groups you join.
👋 For questions, review WhatsApp’s Community settings to adjust your privacy preferences, or ask your Room/Grade Parent for help.
CONNECT WITH US
Nicolaas Mostert, Head of School, (whole school) ext:118
Secondary Principal, (Secondary school related) ext: 408
Figen Underdown, Executive Assistant to the HoS & Board Secretary (Head of School and Board of Trustees contact) ext: 113
Greta Hazlett, Primary Principal (Primary school related) ext: 202
Sare Sahin, Primary Principal Assistant (Marmara Primary students' absences) ext: 205
Alexis Redmond, Primary Vice Principal (Hisar Campus related)
Ayse Ozdemir, Hisar Office Manager, (Hisar students' absences)
Omer Kipmen, Secondary Vice Principal (Secondary school related) ext: 408
Nagihan Yalman, Secondary Principal Assistant (Secondary students' absences) ext: 203
Zeliha Ozturk, Director of Admissions (Enrollment, student certificate) ext: 215
Eser Romano, Operations Coordinator (Tuition fee collection) ext: 122
Ivan Atanaskovic, Director of Athletics & Activities (Athletics and Activities) ext: 206
Serpil Celebi, Nurse (Health related @ Marmara) ext: 112
Cemre Demir, Nurse, (Health related @ Hisar)
Ibrahim Gokmen, Babaoglu Bus Service Rep. (Transportation)
Hisar Campus Phone: + 90 212 287 2770
Marmara Campus Phone: +90 212 857 8264
QUICK LINKS
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