PARENT ANNOUNCEMENT (10)
OCTOBER 30, 2025
SUPERINTENDENT’S UPDATE
APPOINTMENT OF BSD PRINCIPAL
I would like to announce the appointment of our next British School Dhahran Principal, Mr. Simon Fowler. Please read the full announcement here.
HEAD OF EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY VISITS ISG
Hayden Williams is visiting for the next two weeks from October 31 - November 14, 2025. During his visit, Hayden will be focused on the audit of technology at ISG for developing a plan for the future, the engagement with our community through the Technology PEP, and in building his own awareness and understanding, and in developing relationships at ISG.
SUPERINTENDENT’S COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS BEYOND SAUDI
I am engaged in community connections and outreach this month including a recent attendance at the Near East South Asia (NESA) conference. This conference brings together school leaders from all over the Middle East to engage with each other as well as experts in education. These engagements build connections between schools for sharing valuable approaches and information as well as awareness of best practices and current research so leaders can take away what will be considered by ISG as learned from other high quality educators.
This week, I am in the States connecting with five universities in Texas to actively promote partnerships for potential student educators and for the possible future recruitment of graduate students in education from these universities.
This outreach initiative is strategically aimed at expanding our global recruitment by aligning with teacher education programs across the US. We will participate in a similar outreach in Iowa at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) connected to their recruiting fair.
Our connections are focused on educating potential educators and their universities about international schools such as ISG and initiating partnerships with these higher education organizations as a part of considering alternative approaches to our international teacher recruitment efforts. ISG seeks to hire highly qualified, globally-minded educators and by growing the awareness of ISG, we expand the pool of educators.
In our passion for education, we actively seek high-quality, experienced and passionate educators who align with our values as well as being the best match for our learning environment to support our diverse student population. Educators from high-quality programs would enrich our learning environment with their recent graduate learning experiences, including in support of ISG’s wellbeing and belonging priority.
For the student educator program, we are proposing student educators in high quality university programs for engagement in a valuable experience of being a part of our diverse and rich learning environment while also completing their fieldwork expectations for their final degree requirements for graduation. These student educators would also contribute to our learning environment with relevant and current pedagogies that our students can relate to.
ISG sees these as two opportunities as valuable approaches to engaging in the future of education to the benefit of our students.
ISG BOARD OF TRUSTEES
The ISG leadership team is fortunate to partner with the ISG Board of Trustees in the leadership of the school. The Board is primarily responsible for the strategic direction of ISG and the Superintendent and leadership are responsible for the day-to-day operations of the school.
About the ISG BOT
The Board is a volunteer group that includes the full Board membership as well as two sub-committees who support the governance and finance and facilities work at ISG. The purpose and role of the ISG Board of Trustees is to govern the strategic operations of the school.
Board Trustees
These are the key functions for the trustees who provide their leadership through the chair, vice chair and committee chairs for facilities & finance and governance. The ISG board members serve two-year terms and are eligible for three consecutive two year terms.
Key Functions
MOE requirement for a board that is the governing board of ISG
The ISG Board members represent all ISG schools
Hires, evaluates and supervises ISG Superintendent
Strategic direction and financial health of ISG
Approves policies and ensures academic excellence
Leadership and Subcommittees
Appointed positions: chair, vice chair, subcommittee chairs
Standing committees: Facilities & Finance and Governance
Membership
Board-appointed volunteer members (based on MOE requirements)
Members are trustees from parent volunteers serving two-year terms
Current Board trustees and advisors
Non-voting US Consulate representative and Superintendent as board secretary
Board Advisors
The second volunteer group of the Board are advisors. The purpose and role of the advisors is to provide ideas, feedback, and suggestions for trustee consideration. These are the key functions for the advisors including through their participation on the facilities & finance and governance committees.
Key Functions
Parent volunteer leadership group
Advises on strategic direction and financial health of ISG
Advises on policies and ensures academic excellence
Subcommittees Advisors
Facilities & Finance
Governance
Membership
Board-appointed volunteer parent advisory members
If you have any questions or please send through this link.
ISG’S PARTICIPATION WADAEF JOB FAIR
Earlier this week, ISG participated in the Wadaef Job Fair, organized by the Asharqia Chamber.
Our participation reflected ISG’s commitment to Professional Excellence, attracting and developing exceptional educators and staff who share our passion for learning, growth and innovation.
It was a great opportunity to connect with talented professionals who align with our mission of delivering high quality learning and fostering wellbeing and belonging across our schools in Saudi Arabia.
UPCOMING PEP SESSION
EMPOWERING PARENTS IN THE DIGITAL AGE: UNDERSTANDING YOUR CHILD’S TECHNOLOGY LANDSCAPE AT ISG
In today’s fast-paced digital world, it’s essential for families to feel confident navigating the technology their children use every day both at school and at home. I’m pleased to invite you to an upcoming parent workshop, Empowering Parents in the Digital Age: Understanding Your Child’s Technology Landscape at ISG.
Date: Tuesday, November 4, 2025
Time: 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
Location: BSD Gym
This interactive session will be facilitated by Director of Teaching and Learning Mr. Hans Ott, Director of Operations and Facilities Mr. Joe Bearns and Head of Education Technology Mr. Hayden Williams. Together, they will guide you through key aspects of your child’s digital experience at ISG including safeguarding and digital citizenship, age-appropriate technology use and practical tools for fostering balance at home.
We encourage all parents to attend this important event and join us in supporting students’ safety, wellbeing and responsible engagement in the digital age.
To learn more, view the event flyer here and register here.
If you have any questions, please contact our Parent Engagement Program team at PEP@isg.edu.sa.
LEARNING AT ISG
BREAST CANCER AWARENESS AT ISG
Throughout October, ISG schools came together in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in their own meaningful ways.
At American School Dhahran, students engaged in a health education session led by professionals from Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare, learning about prevention and early detection. British School Dhahran filled its campus with shades of pink, hosting bake sales and awareness talks in support of local cancer charities. ISG Dammam created an awareness booth that encouraged conversations about health and community action. Meanwhile, ISG Jubail connected science and empathy through interactive lessons and student-led reflection activities, reminding everyone of the power of compassion and care.
Across all our campuses, these events reflected ISG’s shared commitment to wellbeing, empathy and community. Together, we continue to teach our students that awareness and kindness can truly make a difference.
ISG COMMUNITY
RUGBY CLASSES ON DHAHRAN CAMPUS
At ISG, we welcome opportunities for partnerships that encourage our students to stay active, build confidence and discover new passions. We’re pleased to share that Khobar Rugby is now offering classes on the Dhahran campus for ISG students aged 8–14, both boys and girls.
The program welcomes beginners and experienced players alike, with sessions designed to develop teamwork, discipline and a love for the sport. The fall season runs through December 6, and the spring season will begin in mid-January as players prepare for the Saudi Youth Rugby Championships in Riyadh.
We’re excited to see our students get involved and represent ISG in this growing sport!
To enquire please contact: Jesse Lapierre jesse.lapierre@gmail.com.
Please see these linked flyers.
REMINDER: JOIN THE ISG ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
I warmly invite all ISG alumni to register and join the ISG Alumni Association platform. This new space will allow our alumni from across the years to connect, engage and continue to be part of the ISG community.
We look forward to creating connections and building a strong network that will offer opportunities for engagement and mentorship with alumni across the years.
Please share this link with your children if they have graduated from any of our ISG campuses or were enrolled for a period of time, even if they did not graduate from ISG.
If you have any questions, please contact isgalumni@isg.edu.sa.
REMINDER: KEEP YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION UPDATED
In order to ensure families have valuable and timely information, please ensure that your personal contact information, including phone numbers, email addresses and emergency contacts, is up to date with ISG. Having accurate information allows us to communicate with you effectively and reach out to you timely for your children in the event of an emergency.
With the change to using personal email addresses as of August 1, you may need to provide contact updates to ISG. If so, please make any updates by reaching out to the campus office for your child at your earliest convenience.
Thank you for your continued partnership and support.
DATES TO REMEMBER
SAVE THE DATES
November 4: PEP Session 3
November 13-16: School holiday
November 13: ISG Learns (staff professional learning)
SCHOOL UPDATES
Please see campus updates below.
You can also visit the campus social media pages to learn about the student experiences at ISG.
ISG Jubail
Interactive Learning for Breast Cancer Awareness Month at ISG Jubail.
ISG Jubail Spirit Week Lights Up Campus with Joy and Creativity.
Banana Smoothie Activity Helps ISG Jubail Students Learn About Trade.
Family Game Night Unites Families and Friends at ISG Jubail.
ISG Jubail Staff Learn Life-Saving Skills with CPR Training.
Integrity Assembly Brings ISG Jubail Together in Celebration of Character.
SVS STUDENT COUNCIL LEADS WHOLE-SCHOOL ASSEMBLY
The SVS Student “Cookie” Council recently planned and led a whole-school assembly to introduce themselves and share their goals for the year. They spoke about the ways they’re working to make SVS an even better place for everyone — from setting up a student suggestion box to organizing outdoor equipment for break times and launching a “Random Acts of Kindness” box.
During the assembly, the council also highlighted our core values of respect and responsibility, explaining how these values guide the way we use school equipment and treat one another.
The students did an outstanding job leading the assembly, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact of their ideas and initiatives as they continue making SVS a fun, caring, and inclusive school for all.
