PARENT ANNOUNCEMENT (11)
NOVEMBER 6, 2025
SUPERINTENDENT’S UPDATE
INTRODUCING HAYDEN WILLIAMS
It’s my pleasure to introduce Mr. Hayden Williams, Head of Educational Technology at ISG. Please read the full announcement here.
Hayden is collaborating with ISG this school year in auditing our educational technology and designing a multiple year strategic plan. When he arrives at ISG for this full-time position in August 2026, we will have a plan in place and his experiences this year will allow ISG to move forward efficiently and effectively with our educational technology.
STRENGTHENING OUR LEARNING LEADERSHIP AT ISG
We are pleased to share that next year, Richard Charlesworth will be joining our Teaching and Learning Office (TLO) team as a Schoolwide Learning Leader.
In this new role, Richard will support the continued development and implementation of our British curriculum in close collaboration with the British School Dhahran leadership team. In addition, Richard will be providing leadership for professional learning for all staff for all of ISG.
YOUR EXPERIENCE CAN INSPIRE OUR STUDENTS - INVITATION TO JOIN OUR ISG FAMILY OF EDUCATORS
We would like to reach out to our ISG families to share that there are opportunities to get involved on each school campus, including through teaching opportunities.
We recognize that many of our families bring a wealth of diverse talents and professional experiences, and we are always keen to connect with passionate and qualified educators.
If you have an interest in engaging as a teacher at an ISG school campus, we would encourage you to visit our website to learn more about available positions.
Our Human Resources team is dedicated to making the application process as smooth as possible and would be glad to assist with any questions you may have. Please feel free to reach out to them directly for assistance at recruitment@isg.edu.sa.
We believe that ISG’s strength comes from the collaboration and partnerships between our staff and those in our community and we are excited about the possibility of welcoming new educators from within our own family network.
Thank you for considering.
CELEBRATING LEARNING - BSD IGCSE RESULTS
We are proud to recognize the exceptional achievements of our British School Dhahran students in the June 2025 Pearson Edexcel International GCSE examinations.
Congratulations to Thomas, who earned the Highest Mark in Saudi Arabia in both Chemistry and Physics, and to Hajra, who achieved the Highest Mark in Saudi Arabia in History.
These remarkable accomplishments are a testament to their hard work and perseverance and the high quality learning and the professionalism of the teachers at BSD. We extend our appreciation for their dedication in supporting the students along the way.
At ISG, we take great pride in celebrating academic excellence and the pursuit of learning that empowers our students to reach their highest potential.
PRE-K INTEREST SURVEY AT ASD
We are exploring the possibility of offering a Pre-Kindergarten (age 3) program at ASD in the future and would greatly value your input as we consider this potential opportunity.
If you have a child who may be eligible in the coming year(s), please take a few moments to complete the short survey. Your feedback will help us gauge community interest and guide our planning.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and helping us shape the future of ASD.
CONSULTANT TOM SCHIMMER’S VISIT TO ISG
ISG is pleased to welcome Tom Schimmer, a world renowned educator, author and speaker who creates and shares meaningful ways to assess and support student learning. His work focuses on helping students see assessment as a powerful tool for growth and confidence while supporting teachers in designing fair and effective assessment practices to make learning more meaningful.
Through his engaging ideas and practical strategies, Tom inspires teachers to help every student take ownership of their learning, understand their progress and truly believe that effort and improvement matter just as much as grades.
Tom’s visit will include working with each campus’s leadership and teacher teams throughout the week, followed by an all day professional development event next Thursday in which all staff will engage in workshops with Tom throughout the day. Followed by this, ISG staff will continue to engage with Tom virtually throughout the academic year.
As part of ISG’s commitment to our strategic priorities including high quality learning, we look forward to working with Tom to build teacher and leadership capacity through research and best practices in support of ISG’s Assessment Beliefs.
RECAP: PEP SESSION
EMPOWERING PARENTS IN THE DIGITAL AGE: UNDERSTANDING YOUR CHILD’S TECHNOLOGY LANDSCAPE AT ISG
It was wonderful to engage and meet with so many of our parents across all campuses at ISG’s third Parent Engagement Program on Digital Literacy held on November 4. For those who were unable to attend, here is the presentation and here is the event recording.
We received positive feedback from attendees who shared their appreciation for the opportunity to hear other parents’ experiences and perspectives and to receive thought provoking and beneficial materials and parental resources. We will be sharing additional information including practical tips for parents in the coming weeks.
Our next Parent Engagement event on resilient parenting will be scheduled in January 2026 and we look forward to engaging with our parent community.
LEARNING AT ISG
PRE-K, KG1, FS1 & FS2 CLASS SPOTLIGHT
Each week, we’re shining a spotlight on learning across ISG by featuring a different grade level from our schools. This week, our spotlight is on Pre-K, KG1, FS1 & FS2 across the district. Please click here to see the presentation.
Through these weekly highlights, we’ll take you inside our classrooms to show how learning comes to life — from hands-on projects and critical thinking to collaboration and creativity.
Our goal is to celebrate our students’ curiosity and hard work while giving parents a closer look at the value of an ISG education — where every lesson, discussion and experience is designed to inspire growth, confidence and a lifelong love of learning.
ASD & BSD COMBINED THEATER TRIP
British School Dhahran and American School Dhahran students recently returned from an unforgettable week in London, where they immersed themselves in the world of theater and culture. From powerful performances at the National Theatre and Shakespeare’s Globe to workshops on physical theater and Commedia dell’Arte, the trip offered an inspiring blend of learning, creativity and adventure.
Students also explored London’s most iconic landmarks, museums and galleries, experiencing history and art come to life beyond the classroom. This incredible opportunity not only deepened their appreciation for the arts but also strengthened friendships and sparked lasting memories.
A heartfelt thank you to Mr. Flynn and the BSD staff for bringing this enriching experience to life for our students.
TEDxASD APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN
We are happy to announce that ASD will host TEDx American School Dhahran Youth, an independently organized TEDx event that brings the spirit of “ideas worth spreading” to our ISG community. This exciting opportunity invites students to become speakers and share their original ideas, experiences and perspectives on stage.
Participating in TEDx helps students grow as confident communicators and courageous leaders. It challenges them to think deeply, speak authentically and connect meaningfully with an audience. These are skills that will serve them well throughout their academic and professional journeys.
We look forward to seeing our students take the stage, share their voices and inspire others through the power of ideas. Information on how to apply has been shared with ASD students, and we can’t wait to see the creativity and passion they will bring to TEDxASD.
ISG COMMUNITY
CELEBRATING COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
ISG is proud to partner with the American Chamber of Commerce Saudi Arabia (AmCham) to host the upcoming Youth Forum on the American School Dhahran campus next week.
This inspiring event is designed to empower students, our future decision makers, by connecting them with esteemed industry professionals. The forum will bring together students, early-career professionals and business leaders to bridge the gap between education and industry.
Through meaningful discussions, mentorship and networking, the event aims to equip the next generation with the knowledge, connections and confidence to thrive in their future careers.
In alignment with ISG’s High Quality Learning priority, the Youth Forum also supports the development of AmCham’s new internship database, helping build pathways for long-term career growth across the Kingdom.
We are delighted to host this initiative on our ASD campus and to play a role in preparing young people for a bright, purpose-driven future.
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 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.
STUDENT VOICES IN ACTION AT SVS
The SVS Superintendent's Student Advisory Council team met this week to review the results of the recent student pulse survey, completed by all Year 5 and 6 students.
Over lunch provided by the superintendent, the group discussed feedback, shared ideas and explored ways to enhance the student experience. This collaborative effort highlights the importance of student voice in shaping a positive and inclusive school environment.
