SIS Board of Trustees

Dear SIS Community

As I write this, we are in the aftermath of the shooting at an adult education centre in Örebro. The atmosphere in Sweden is sombre, thoughts are focused on the victims and their grieving relatives, and there is a nervousness about violent crime and the risk it poses to our children.

This nervousness is understandable, so I wanted to reassure you that the safety and well-being of our students is the absolute priority of the Board, and share with you the practical steps we take – and have taken for a long time – to ensure your children can learn in a safe and secure environment.

It is worth reminding ourselves that gun crime in Sweden is relatively rare outside organised crime. Sweden is, generally, a safe society. However, we understand there is no room for complacency, and so, at its last meeting, the Board of Trustees asked our Director to invite our Security Manager for a detailed review of our security infrastructure and operations, to ensure they remain fit for purpose.

So, how do we go about safety and security at SIS? 

Firstly, we employ a full-time team of security staff, led by an experienced and accomplished Security Manager. He has been with SIS for 12 years. Originally he handled close protection duties for students, but his duties and his team have grown along with the School.

The Security Manager has been a main driver of drills and security protocols that we follow at SIS. He introduced lockdown drills as a response to emergency situations over a decade ago: many schools in Sweden are only now beginning to implement such measures. He has also brought in a police trainer to train our staff in how to deal with possible armed intruders on the premises.

The full-time security team work exclusively for SIS and are all trained and experienced close protection officers with police or military backgrounds. They are supplemented by two hired security guards, and more security is hired in during special events. 

The team covers entrances morning and afternoon, covers all break times in the School’s outdoors areas, and patrols in between breaks. They are in radio contact with each other to coordinate responses and activity.

Technology supplements the team, helping them to do the best job. We have CCTV monitoring throughout our campuses, a panic button at each reception that notifies SOS 112, and an SMS system to directly message parents and staff in the event of an emergency. (One of the reasons it is important that you keep your contact details up to date.) All our staff follow safety protocols, including having leaders of off-campus activities equipped with an alarm button.

As a matter of routine, all visitors to campus are required to sign in and carry visitor identification, and parents and staff are required to display their badges at all times while on site (so please don’t be offended if you find yourself challenged by one of our security team).

When you trust us with your children we are absolutely centred on their physical safety as well as their academic growth. I hope this insight into our security set-up provides you with assurance that our students are as safe as they possibly could be at SIS.

Hans Skeppner

Chair of the Board of Trustees

Dear SIS Community

As we embark on a new school year, I am filled with excitement and optimism about the journey ahead. A new academic year always brings fresh challenges, but more importantly, it opens up a world of new opportunities for our students, teachers, and the entire school community. At the heart of our endeavours this year is a commitment to not only meet these challenges but to turn them into stepping stones for growth and success.

Planning for the future

This year marks an important chapter in our school's history. With our successful establishment at Norra Latin, we are now in a position to plan long-term for both our campuses. Our primary focus as a board will be the new strategic plan—a blueprint that will guide us as we work to secure the future of our school. The plan will be developed with input from all the stakeholders in our community, and is not just about maintaining our current standards; it’s about setting ambitious goals for the future, ensuring that our students continue to receive the highest quality education possible.

Developing a strategic vision is essential for the sustainable growth and evolution of our school. We recognise the need to continually adapt and innovate, and this plan will help us stay ahead of the curve, ensuring that we remain a leading educational institution. With the new strategic plan, we aim to build on our strengths while addressing areas where we can improve, all the while ensuring we manage and sustain our financial resources.

Sustainable financial management is crucial to the realisation of our strategic goals. Our commitment to maintaining the highest quality of education goes hand in hand with our financial responsibilities. The new commitments we have undertaken with Norra Latin have made it even more important to manage our finances with prudence and foresight. By ensuring that we have strong, sustainable finances, we can continue to offer the best possible resources, facilities, and opportunities to our students.

We are determined to not only safeguard our financial health but also to make strategic investments that will benefit our students and community for years to come. This careful balance between fiscal responsibility and strategic investment will be key to our success moving forward.

New Board members

I am also pleased to announce that at our June meeting, we formally elected three new board members: Helénè Barnekow (Chair of the Board at Storytel and a former parent), Sunit Mehrotra (founder and CEO of the communications company King and a current parent), and Peter Sandberg (Deputy CEO at Stockholm Chamber of Commerce). These individuals bring a wealth of specialised expertise, experience, and fresh perspectives that will undoubtedly strengthen our board. Each has a deep connection to SIS and shares our commitment to excellence in education.

Their diverse backgrounds and insights will be invaluable as we navigate the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. I am confident that their contributions will help us to further enhance our governance and the strategic direction of the school. You can find out a little more about them, and all our other trustees, on the website.

Listening to you

From feedback through our parent survey we understand that there is still work to be done in increasing the Board’s visibility. We know that many parents answered “don’t know” to the question, “The Board of Trustees is effective in their governance.” This indicates that we need to do a better job of communicating our role and actions to you.

To address this, I hope to organise more informal gatherings that will allow me and other Board members to meet with you, hear your thoughts, and share our work. These would supplement the existing State of the School events, where the board is present to discuss our goals, challenges, and achievements.

Embracing our full IB School status

Finally, I am thrilled to remind you that we are now a full IB School. This achievement is a testament to the dedication of our faculty, staff, and students. Being a full IB School opens up new possibilities to leverage this globally recognised curriculum to enhance our educational offerings. The IB philosophy aligns perfectly with our mission to develop well-rounded, critical thinkers prepared to succeed in a rapidly changing world.

As we move forward, we will continue to build on this, ensuring that our students benefit fully from the opportunities an IB education provides.

Looking ahead

As we embark on this new academic year, I want to emphasise that the board remains committed to working tirelessly to ensure the continued success of our school. We are dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of education, supporting our talented staff, and ensuring that our students have the best possible learning environment.

Thank you for your ongoing support and trust. Together, we can make this a year of growth, achievement, and new opportunities for all.

Hello SIS community

Global influence

As I write, SIS International Day is just around the corner. This gave me cause to stop and think about how much our internationalism is woven into the fabric of SIS, and what this wonderful social gathering says about us as a community.

In an increasingly turbulent world – economically, politically, and socially – occasions that bring together people of different backgrounds and cultures have an important role to play in fostering understanding and concord. As individuals we may often feel the world is beyond our control, but the smallest of interactions between people can build harmony and empathy. As the saying goes: even the longest journey begins with the first step. I firmly believe that living and working alongside people of other nations creates an environment that celebrates diversity rather than being suspicious of it. By instilling that spirit of internationalism in our students, I believe we are slowly but surely adding to the levels of tolerance, mutual respect, and collaboration at large in the world.

I have worked in different countries, and had three children experience the benefits of international schooling, and my belief in its value was a large part of what drew me to serve on the Board of SIS. ‘Everyone included’ was a driving force for me when I served at the International School of Brussels, and though we might articulate it differently here at SIS, the warmth and generosity of spirit on International Day certainly shows we live by that standard every day.

It won’t be long after International Day that our 12th Graders will be immersed in completing their Diploma Programme and celebrating the joys of utspring.  I hope they will carry the spirit of International Day and the spirit of SIS with them as they go out into the world. We say at SIS that we are educating the world in Stockholm. Through our graduating students we send that learning, social awareness, and resilience into the world so they can lead, and influence, and change the world for the better. They can be the champions of diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice who will make the world a better place for us and all the students who will follow them.

Of course, the popularity and success of International Day is not about this far-reaching, gradual impact. That is down to the music, dance, costume spectacle, and – most of all – food. The enormous amount of effort put in to making International Day an occasion we can all enjoy is a declaration of our community spirit. I’m sure we all appreciate the imagination and sheer hard work that people put in to organise, stage, and promote the event. So to the Board of the SPC, our students, and to all the other volunteers who share their skills, talents, and culture with us, thank you so much!

Hans Skeppner

Chair, SIS Board of Trustees

Hello SIS Community,

A new chapter

I’m delighted to contribute this first blog to SPC Insider as the new Chair of the Board of Trustees. It’s been a pleasure to serve on the Board for the last two years, and I’m excited to take on the role of Chair as we start a new chapter in the history of this wonderful school. 

It would be remiss of me not to acknowledge the contribution of my predecessors, Jahn Henry Lövaas and, before him, Lage Jonason. They led the Board through the challenging times of the COVID pandemic, dedicated themselves over many years to finding premises that would secure the long-term future of the School, and have left a wonderful legacy on which to build.

Of course, I wouldn’t want to give the impression that the Board is running the show. Day to day, the role of the Board is to advise and support the Director who, with our wonderful staff, makes the School what it is. The Board looks to the longer term, making sure we have the stability and resources to guarantee the best possible offering for our families and our students. ‘Eyes on, hands off’ you might say.

So what do I see as the priorities for the School in the immediate future? 

Firstly, and fundamentally, to make sure we have a strong balance sheet and the resources to match our ambitions for the School. 

Then, to ensure stability while always being flexible enough to rise to the challenges of an international environment that often provokes change.

And for the community as a whole: I want to see our children excel, with every student making the most of their potential and developing a fondness for lifelong learning. I want to leave no doubt that  SIS should be the first choice of new arrivals in Stockholm, be it the families who trust us with their childrens’ education, or the teachers and other staff who nurture their development. And I would like to see us develop and seize the wonderful opportunities offered by our new campus at Norra Latin. I believe it is important to take time to ‘grow into’ our new space to fully understand the positive impact it can have on the whole School including our existing campus, but it is full of promise and potential.

Having put my own three children through schooling from kindergarten to graduation at the International School of Brussels – where I also served as Chair of the Board – I broadly understand the international culture. But I also recognise that details matter, and every international school is a little bit different. So I am really looking forward to engaging with families at community events and other occasions, hearing your thoughts and feedback, and answering your questions.

I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible in the coming months and working together with you to make SIS a wonderful environment to learn, to teach, and to thrive.

Hans Skeppner

Chair, SIS Board of Trustees

Hello SIS Community,

Looking back. Looking forward.

I have not often contributed to this blog as my tenure as Chair of the Board of Trustees only came about recently, though I have been a member of the Board since 2007. 

This contribution, though, will be my last. Now, over 15 years after joining the Board, I have decided to step down to make room for new Trustees, and because you could say I have just been party to a landmark achievement in the history of SIS. 

I refer, of course, to securing Norra Latin as a campus for the School over the next 25 years. The ambition to secure such a site was on the agenda from the very first year I joined the Board. Though when I say ‘such a site’ I mean size, capacity, and convenient location. I don’t think in our wildest dreams I or my various contemporaries down through the years dared hope that a building as magnificent as Norra Latin would come our way. 

Through the hard work of my fellow trustees and the tireless commitment and efforts of our leadership team though, we have made it happen. I’m immensely proud to have been a part of that achievement for our School.

I don’t want to spend these few words looking back though. Rather, I want to look forward.

Throughout my time on the Board SIS has grown and evolved. I feel comfortable in claiming we are the best international school in Stockholm teaching the IB programme. I’m proud that we are an accessible school committed to academic excellence but valuing the whole person not just their academic performance. And I know we are an important part of the appeal of Stockholm to internationally mobile families who want the assurance that their children will have access to high-quality education.

Now is not the time to sit on our laurels though. Now is the time to grab opportunities to develop SIS, and to make a massive difference in our community and the world.

The international outlook that we stand for is essential in the world. Through business and culture nations come together and people will always want to interact. We are a meeting place for these cultural exchanges – for parents, for staff, for students. We must never take for granted the value of introducing over 60 different nationalities to each other, and sharing and learning about each other. 

If we use this – if all of the School truly adopts this outlook, if we really mean it and don’t just say it – then our internationalism can make a real impact in society, locally and globally.

So my resolve for SIS is that it should stay loyal to its purpose in the coming years; that our families take pride in being part of an international community; that the city of Stockholm takes pride in hosting the talent and cultural richness within our rank; and that our students are proud to say ‘I go to SIS’.

I will miss the day-to-day involvement with SIS. I will miss the conversations and the challenges. Over the years I have benefited from the support and counsel of many people in our community. It would be invidious to name some for fear I overlook others. I trust you know who you are. 

Rest assured, from my retirement, I will be keeping an eye on SIS, and look forward to seeing it prosper. My best wishes to everyone in our community.

Seize the opportunities. Stay true.

Jahn Henry Lövaas

Chair, SIS Board of Trustees

Hello SIS Community,

The challenge of supply and demand

Growth in an organisation – whatever its nature – is rarely represented by a smoothly rising curve. Rather, it tends to be a series of stepped phases. An organisation wants the reassurance that there is a need before acquiring the resources to make progressive changes. So, everyone does a little more, some extras get squeezed from the same capacity, or a bit of restructuring allows you to cope. Until finally there is the recognition that a bigger step has to be taken.

SIS has experienced such step changes in the past and is just about to do so again. 

Our new campus at Norra Latin has filled us all with excitement and anticipation since the lease agreement was signed in April 2022 – eighteen months ago. The pursuit of a new campus had, however, been going on for much longer. It had been clear for some time that the demand for our services within the Stockholm region would see more and more applicants for the number of places we could accommodate. The leasing of our previous annexe premises provided short- to medium-term solutions. Still, the vision of more suitable premises for the whole school, with room to expand, remained high on our agenda.

Norra Latin gives us that extra capacity – approximately 9300m2 (around 3 times the size of the annexes), plus considerable outdoor space – to accommodate more students, staff, and facilities. But it comes at a price.

Apart from the leasing costs, offset by saving on the leases on our previous annexes, SIS is making considerable investments in getting the space just as we want it. While the School negotiated hard on contributions from the landlord to make Norra Latin fit-for-purpose, modifying a building with such age and heritage is complex and expensive. However, as I said, this is a significant change for SIS. It takes us to a whole new level. And by securing the building on a 25-year lease – an unusually long timeframe in the world of property in Stockholm – we have given ourselves plenty of time to manage our investment and to secure the return in terms of quality of education and the reputation of our school. 

In financial terms, this means that for the next few years, we have budgeted for an operational loss. However, the Board of Trustees has ensured that we have built up our reserves through prudent financial management over previous years, knowing this time would come. As a result, we can have confidence in our ability to manage this position and seize this remarkable opportunity for SIS.

Of course, you might ask: Why expand at all if it brings even short-term financial pressures?

The answer to that goes to the essence of SIS and why we are here: the international community of Stockholm wants us to do it. 

The reason Stockholm International School has grown from a humble 30 or so students out at Djurgården in 1951, to an 800-student school in a prime city centre location just over seventy years later, is that the Stockholm region demanded it. The city’s international families, their employers, and local institutions recognise the excellence, dedication, and international worldview of the School as an asset to be valued, and demonstrated that through the ever-increasing demand for places. And since (notwithstanding current short-term challenges) the Stockholm region economy is projected to grow significantly over the coming years, that demand is set to continue.

So we have lived up to our guiding principles by planning and preparing so that we are in a position to rise to the challenge in support of our mission:

Stockholm International School inspires and educates children of the global community, 

through internationally recognised learning programmes. We enable international mobility 

and support growth and talent development in the Stockholm region and beyond.

Having served on the Board since 2007, I am immensely thrilled to have seen the growth in the School, and to have the privilege of chairing the Board of Trustees as we reach this important milestone in our history and deliver this remarkable opportunity for the next generation at SIS.

Jahn Henry Lövaas

Chair, SIS Board of Trustees

Hello SIS Parent Community,

A wave of excitement and anticipation swept through the community as we gathered at Norra latin last week to celebrate a significant milestone in the history of SIS – the opening of our brand-new school building. I say ‘brand-new’, though of course, the fabric of the building is close to 150 years old! After two years’ of meticulous planning, design, and construction, we were all able to enter a space where dreams will be nurtured, knowledge will flourish, and young minds will embark on a journey of exploration and growth.

When the prospect of SIS leasing Norra Latin first came up it was clear that this building offered the potential for creating an environment that would inspire, empower, and elevate the educational experience for both students and teachers. As the doors to our new campus swung open on our welcome day, our community brought the building life, revelling in the character and atmosphere. I am sure that your children and future generations of students are going to benefit from the exceptional environment that Norra Latin offers.

For all its history though, Norra Latin has been reimagined as a school for today – and for the future. Our new school building boasts a variety of learning spaces that cater to different learning styles and offers cosy breakout corners for group discussions, educational as well as relaxing. Every square metre of the building has been considered with the diverse needs of our students in mind. Science labs, art studios, and learning commons are equipped with equipment and state-of-the-art technology to empower students and explore their passions and dive deeper into their studies.

It has taken no small amount of imagination and painstaking attention to detail to integrate our learning technology, meet our lighting and sound requirements, and provide heating and air quality controls, in a building with Norra Latin’s heritage – while not corrupting its essential architectural integrity.

As stewards of the environment, we are proud to highlight the eco-conscious approach we have taken. Existing furniture and fittings have been reused where possible, lighting is energy efficient and recyclable, and we have focussed on sustainable materials where possible to underline our commitment to a greener future. By setting an example of environmental responsibility, we instil in our students a sense of global citizenship and respect.

As we step into this bright new era, we do so with gratitude for everyone who contributed to turning this dream into a reality – the landlord, the architects, builders, educators, parents, and most importantly, the students who will fill these halls with creativity and curiosity. With this remarkable facility as a backdrop, we are excited to continue our mission of fostering academic excellence, character development, and a lifelong love of learning.

In all of this, our Johannesgatan campus has not been forgotten. Major refurbishment projects took place over the summer, including renovating flooring, and upgrading our auditorium and the audio-visual equipment in it, in part made possible by contributions to the SIS Spirit Fund by our generous community. As home to our Primary school, Johannesgatan will very much remain a hive of community activity and focus.

Let us remind ourselves though, that our community is not about buildings – it’s about people. Every family has their children’s education high on their list of priorities, and for those of you who come to live and work in the Stockholm region for a fixed time, SIS is here to provide the reassurance that your children will have a high-quality, internationally transferable education, in an environment that allows them enjoyment, challenges them to use their talents, and helps them recognise and practise their role as international citizens.

It is my duty as chair of the Board of Trustees at SIS to see the School steers a steady course to safeguard its future, but at times like this I can honestly say that it is my absolute pleasure too.

I wish all our families, old and new, an exciting and rewarding term ahead.

Jahn Henry Lövaas

Chair, SIS Board of Trustees

Hello SIS Parent Community,

I made my first contribution to this blog last term in my role as Acting Chair of the SIS Board of Trustees after Lage Jonason stepped down. I am pleased – and privileged – to write to you today as Chair. I would like to thank the other members of the Board for the faith they have placed in me to lead the work we do to ensure stability, progress, and above all, excellence in everything we do at SIS. 

Stability at SIS requires more than just the best intentions of the Board. The Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and the Educational Leadership Team (ELT), together with all our teachers and other staff are the day-to-day guardians of our standards and education of our students, and are at the heart of what makes the School function.

The recent announcement by our Director, Marisa León, that she must take leave due to illness will leave a big gap in both the SLT and ELT. It would be hard not to miss the energy, positivity, and experience that Marisa brings to the role. But I know she will have full confidence in her colleagues as we set about the important tasks we have set ourselves for this calendar year. We wish her a speedy recovery and look forward to having her back in the school as soon as she can be here.

In the meanwhile, I have consulted with David Osler and members of the SLT to make interim arrangements to ensure the stability I mentioned earlier.

• David Osler, currently Deputy Director, will step up to the role of Acting Director. He will have overall responsibility for running the School and be the main point of contact for the SPC. David will have a specific focus on two of the school’s three key goals for this year; our re-accreditation and the transition from IPC to IB PYP.

• Harriet Martins will take on the role of Acting Primary School Principal. Harriet returned to the school in December after a period of parental leave and has been working parallel to Brad Lister in the Head of Learning role since then due to the upcoming re-accreditation.

• Brad Lister will continue as Head of Learning in Harriet’s place and Rebecca Gonzalez remains in the MYP Coordinator role.

• Emma Jones will have management responsibility for campus development and also support the Board of Trustees’ work in Marisa’s absence. The campus development piece includes the school’s third key goal for this year, the Norra Latin project (where Sandra Loureiro is Project Coordinator) as well as plans for Johannesgatan, the Annexes and OPG. Emma also serves as the leadership team representative on the Board’s Task Force for campus development.  

• Annica Wård will have management responsibility for the School’s Finances and the Budget Process.

• Other SLT and ELT roles and staff remain the same and I know that they will all work hard to ensure that SIS delivers on our promises to our students and other stakeholders.

SIS is fortunate to have so many talented, committed, and adaptable members of staff prepared to step up to the plate, and make sure that our students have the best possible support and the best possible experience.

It is unfortunate that Marisa will not be here for the start of this exciting calendar year for SIS. I know she has worked tirelessly to support our families and earn their trust, and to secure the future of SIS both educationally and physically. I hope she will very soon be back with us to enjoy the fruits of her endeavours and lead us into the next exciting chapter of the SIS story.

At SIS we also pride ourselves on being approachable. So if you have any questions about any aspect of the running of SIS and its priorities for this year, do not hesitate to get in touch.  

Jahn Henry Lövaas

Chair, SIS Board of Trustees

Hello SIS Parent community,

It's a privilege to be able to write the first blog of the 2022-23 school year. It promises to be a momentous year for SIS, and for all our parents and students whether you've been here for a while or have just joined us.

New Campus Transition Task Force

I have had the privilege of serving on the board since 2007. For much of that time the School has been seeking new premises, either to replace or supplement our characterful building on Johannesgatan. It has been a long quest, but as I am sure you know, one that is now over as we have secured a 25-year lease on Norra Latin. Now, after the quest, begins the task of unearthing the treasure of possibilities that our new site offers.

Having aided in negotiating the lease, I am delighted to be participating in the ongoing project as a member of the new campus Transition Task Force. Made up of Board members, senior managers, and expert advisors, the task force will be an integral part of the project team, as we explore, plan, and implement, the move to our new building. We will be consulting with stakeholders as part of that process, to ensure the move goes smoothly and with clear expectations for all affected. I hope you share with me the excitement and optimism that Norra Latin brings.

Change in Chair of the Board of Trustees

During my time on the Board I have on occasion deputised for our Chair, Lage Jonason. In the last few months, in particular, I have done so as Lage's business concerns have made increasing demands on his time. It is now public knowledge that Lage has encountered business difficulties in the current challenging economic circumstances, and that he has stood down as Chair of the Board of Trustees.

I and the rest of the Board have nothing but appreciation for the instrumental influence Lage has had on the School. Over a tenure of 17 years, he has shown unrivalled dedication, commitment, and passion to SIS,  and made generous donations to the School. We are sorry to lose him as Chair, but entirely understand his need to now dedicate himself elsewhere.

Of course, all members of the Board give their services without remuneration and without any financial interest in the School. Lage's business and financial interests are completely separate from those of SIS.

After consultation with the Board, I have agreed to take on the mantle of Acting Chair until such time as a new Chair can be appointed. At that time Lage will stand down from the Board. The search for a replacement is being led by Fredrik Sand, Chair of the Succession Committee, and the Board hopes to have a new Chair in place in the next few months. An announcement will be made as soon as this process is concluded.

School Financial Position

Speaking of finances, our last audit passed with flying colours. The School's finances are in a robust state and the audited accounts were approved by the Board at the last meeting. This leaves us well positioned to start the investment in Norra Latin – investment that will see a larger School, with more facilities for performances and sport, and not the least for learning. While the essential changes necessary at Norra Latin to meet the requirements of a contemporary school will be undertaken by the landlords at their expense, SIS is seeking to create more. Our vision is to create a 21st century learning environment in a beautiful 19th century building, and to refurbish spaces in Johannesgatan to take advantage of the overall transition.

It will not be easy. It will not be cheap. But the Board is confident that SIS will rise to the challenge, and that with your participation and support we can deliver a standard of quality and excellence that will give our students the best possible preparation for life and careers to come.

I look forward to sharing more with you in future blogs.

In the meanwhile, you can discover more by joining us on 16 November for the online State of the School briefing, for which you can register here.

Jahn Henry Lövaas
Acting Chair, SIS Board of Trustees

Hello SIS Parent community,

After a very long process with many ups and downs along the way it is wonderful to finally share the news of our future campus location at Norra Latin. Signing the landmark 25 year lease which counts as one of the largest transaction across the Stockholm region in the past several years is a fitting way to celebrate our rich 70 year history. While this achievement represents the work of a wide range of people inside and outside the school, a special thanks must go to Board Members Jahn Henry Løvaas, Annika Henningsson along with Marisa Léon and Emma Jones within the school. As you can imagine this was a delicate negotiation with many competing points of view and a wide range of issues to work through. We feel very good about the outcome and look forward to an exciting future within our new premises. As already communicated, the existing Main Building which we own at Johannesgatan will remain the home for our younger students and we will release the current leases at Luntmakargatan and Olof Palmes Gata as part of this transition.

In addition to above we have been busy across several other activities including:

• We welcome newest Trustees Hans Skeppner and Anna Maria Malm who are already making important contributions. We are also pleased to announce that Vidar Helgesen will also be joining the board after a successful nomination at our last meeting on May 9th.

• We also want to take this opportunity to thank Jan Ogren for 12 years of amazing support and guidance. Jan has seen the school through several leadership changes and tremendous growth. He led the Finance Committee and participated on the Succession Committee alongside many other things. Thanks Jan for all your contributions to SIS over the years!!

• The Succession and Governance Committees are planning a half-day meeting with the Board to review our current Board make-up and structure. Recruitment of future members is ongoing.

• Please get your tickets to join the 70th Anniversary Gala event on the 21st of May. Huge thanks to so many volunteers working hard to make it a memorable evening. Many members of the Board will be on hand to join the celebrations.

• The Advancement Committee on the Board has also been working closely with Emma Jones and the Advancement Team to build support for the 70FOR70 campaign which will ensure SIS continues to thrive for generations to come. Here is the link to contribute.

We look forward to end of year celebrations and wish our graduates all the very best on this important achievement. For those families who will be leaving us we wish you well in the next chapter of your global adventures.

Kind regards,

The SIS Board of Trustees

Hello SIS Parent community,

Big thanks for the SPC for creating the new website and the opportunity to share some updates on the work of the Board of Trustees. One of our goals for the coming school year is to be more accessible and also more transparent in our communications. While much of our focus is on long term strategy and planning, there are a number of current activities which involve a cross-section of our community.

The 2021 – 2024 Strategic Plan

In the coming months we will be sharing the 2021 – 2024 Strategic Plan, which includes some enhancements to our Vision, Mission and Values. The plan will also include four key pillars on which we have developed strategic objectives and a set of actions. The actions will be adjusted each year as we chart our progress against the strategic objectives. For those who have been with the school for some time you will recognize the format.

Long-term Facilities Solution

In addition to the strategic plan, we continue our work to develop a long term facilities solution. The addition of the new space on Olof Palms Gate is one positive step and we look forward to sharing more as our plans develop. We know there is keen interest in this important topic but there are also many constituents and stakeholders to manage and much of this work must therefore remain confidential until we have secured appropriate permissions and executed contracts.

Advancement

Another important area of our work is advancement. In addition to the development of our annual fund, the Board has significantly increased its outreach and dialogue with city and local government and a number of other important groups as we build our reputation in the greater Stockholm Region. We have also conducted a number of meetings with key corporate and diplomatic partners and will expand this work in the coming years.

We look forward to the State of the School event in November and we will work with the SPC to find additional opportunities to engage with the parent community as we celebrate our 70th Anniversary. It is an honor to support the school in its mission and exciting to see the continued growth of our community.

Kind regards,

The SIS Board of Trustees

Hello SIS Parent community,

A new year brings new hope that we will overcome the constraints and frustrations of COVID. Finding the right balance of opportunities to connect in person and enjoy the full SIS experience with the continued need to protect our health and follow guidelines remains a challenge and requires flexibility, patience and the support of all of us. The Board of Trustees is grateful for the commitment of our leadership, faculty and staff who continue to work tirelessly and with great resilience during these challenging times. We also appreciate the sacrifices made by our parent community who must adjust to necessary changes.

A few highlights of our ongoing work includes:

The 2021 – 2024 Strategic Plan

This is now complete and we encourage everyone in our community to have a look at the 2021-2024 Strategic Plan here. We have introduced a new Framework for Success which 4 core areas of focus: Community, Teaching & Learning, Talent and Legacy & Development. Each contains 4 clear strategies that will guide our efforts in the years ahead.

New Board Member

We welcomed a new member to our Board of Trustees. Hans Skeppner recently returned to Sweden after several decades abroad. His children attended the International School of Brussels, where Hans become very involved including his final years as Chairman of the Board. He brings great energy and very relevant experience.

CIS Accreditation

The CIS Accreditation visit was completed before the holidays. The Board supported the preparations and conducted an in-depth presentation and interview with the review team. A full report will be forthcoming but early feedback was very positive.

Members of the Board have also been involved in planning for the 70th Anniversary celebrations planned for the Spring. In addition, we hope you will consider joining our 70FOR70 campaign here, which will ensure SIS continues to grow and thrive for generations to come. 

Kind regards,

The SIS Board of Trustees

Hello SIS Parent community,

It is hard to believe winter is just around the corner. The days are growing shorter and the warm, cozy lights are beginning to appear in windows across Stockholm. While the COVID-19 pandemic is still a presence in our lives, it is wonderful to see our activities returning to normal. Student activities, including sports and some excursions, are a pleasant reminder of what makes SIS such a special place for students and their families.

The Board of Trustees remains very active. A few of our most important highlights include:

Preparations for the CIS Accreditation visit in November

In addition to hard work by SIS leadership and staff, there are a number of activities that require support from the Board. These will culminate in a presentation and discussion with the CIS accreditors when they conduct their virtual visit in the weeks ahead. Maintaining a good standing with CIS and several other external accreditation bodies is an important way that we can ensure we offer a world-class education and continue to evolve and grow in all we do.

Strategic Plan 2021-2024 

We continue to gain important feedback across our community. This has been reviewed one last time by the Board and will be shared with the whole community just after the October break. The Strategic Plan offers a north star by which we can focus our efforts and measure our impact and progress.

Recruiting and vetting additional members of the Board of Trustees

We have made good progress in the past few months identifying several promising potential additions to our Board. This is an essential activity to ensure we have an experienced and energetic team focused on advancing the long term objectives of SIS today and well into the future.

We will share more during our presentation at the State of the School and look forward to continued collaboration with the SPC who presented at our most recent meeting. The SPC plays a vital role in shaping and supporting the diverse and global community that makes SIS such a special place for us all so big thanks for all that you do!

Kind regards,

The SIS Board of Trustees

Hello to the SIS Parent Community!

Firstly, a big thank you to the SPC board for creating the new website - and the opportunity to share some updates on the work of the Board of Trustees. One of our goals for the coming school year is to be both more accessible and more transparent in our communications. While much of our focus is on long-term strategy and planning, there are a number of current activities that involve a cross-section of our community.

2021-24 Strategic Plan - coming soon

In the coming months, we will be sharing the 2021–24 Strategic Plan which includes some enhancements to our Vision, Mission and Values. The plan will also include four key pillars, upon which we have developed strategic objectives and a set of actions. The actions will be adjusted each year as we chart our progress against the strategic objectives. Those who have been with the school for some time will recognize the format.

Expansion Plans - ongoing

In addition to the strategic plan, we continue our work to develop a long-term facilities solution. The acquisition of the new space on Olof Palmes gata is a positive step and we look forward to sharing more as our plans develop. We know there is keen interest in this important topic, but there are many constituents and stakeholders to manage. Therefore, much of this work must therefore remain confidential until we have secured appropriate permissions and executed contracts.

Outreach - building our reputation

Another important area of our work is advancement. In addition to the development of our annual fund, the Board has significantly increased its outreach and dialogue with city and local government and a number of other important groups as we build our reputation in the greater Stockholm Region. We have also conducted a number of meetings with key corporate and diplomatic partners and will expand this work in the coming years.

We look forward to the State of the School event in November and we will work with the SPC to find additional opportunities to engage with the parent community as we celebrate our 70th Anniversary. It is an honor to support the school in its mission, and exciting to see the continued growth of our community.

Kind regards,

The SIS Board of Trustees