CEO Editorial and Forewords

It is an honour to be the CEO of the British School in The Netherlands (BSN) on this landmark 90th anniversary. The school has changed considerably over its 90 years; from a single room in a private house in 1931, to over 2,000 students (from nearly 90 different nationalities) spread over Junior and Senior campuses in 2022. It has been a pleasure to reflect on the many contributions that have been made by our community of staff, students, and families over the 90 years.

Showcasing all that is unique about our community (past and present), reflecting on how education has progressed over 90 years, and looking forward with positivity to our centennial are the overarching themes of this commemorative edition of Insight magazine: Celebrating the Past, Creating the Future.

The past year has not been easy, but I am proud that the BSN community has pulled together to make the experience as positive as possible for our students. I do hope that 2022 will become easier. It will certainly continue to be a year of change (as well as opportunity), as we will amalgamate our three Junior Schools into two from September this year and welcome new Headteachers to the JSV and SSV campuses.

On behalf of the entire Board of Management, I would like to thank you for the role you play in shaping the BSN into what it is today. Here’s to the next 90 bright and successful years to come!

My best wishes to you all.

Heath Monk, CEO . ■

Peter Bayliff OBE Chair of Governors

Peter Bayliff OBE Chair of Governors

Happy 90th birthday to the British School in The Netherlands (BSN). They say that from small acorns mighty oak trees are grown and so it is with the BSN. If you think back to 90 years ago, when the school was founded in a small classroom with only a handful of children, it is wonderful to see what it has become today.

I am truly proud to have been associated with the school as a parent, Governor and Chair of Governors. I am equally proud of the work and dedication of my fellow Governors who give of their time and expertise on a regular basis, working closely with the members of the Association and Board of Management to the betterment of the school.

Of course, at the heart of everything we do are the students. Reading this special 90-year edition of Insight magazine has been a joy. The opportunities, be they academic or beyond the classroom, afforded to all our students is something in which we, the BSN community, can all share a collective pride.

I wish the BSN great success going forward and a wonderful future. ■

Her Excellency Joanna Roper CMG the UK Ambassador to the Netherlands and Chair of the Association at the BSN

Her Excellency Joanna Roper CMG the UK Ambassador to the Netherlands and Chair of the Association at the BSN.

I am delighted to write the foreword for this latest edition of Insight, the magazine of The British School in The Netherlands. I became Chair of the BSN Association when I took up my appointment as UK Ambassador in The Hague in September 2020 and have enjoyed being part of the large academic community here. This community brings together students from over 90 countries and, from its humble beginnings as a couple of rooms in 1931, has been an educational pillar in The Hague for 90 years.

As part of the 90th anniversary celebrations, I was delighted to be invited to join the inaugural BSN WeSpeak public speaking competition. The ability to influence, persuade or empathise remain as important today as it did in the days of Greek and Roman orators. I left the WeSpeak event feeling inspired, having watched the students confidently take to the stage and speak with such pride and passion on their chosen subject.

It has been a difficult couple of years for all at the BSN: staff, students, parents and guardians, peers and friends. I have heard how everyone has responded to the physical, mental and educational challenges posed by the pandemic with resilience, humanity and professionalism. I hope that this year will be easier for everyone. And I very much hope that I will be able to see more of the BSN in action in future.

My best wishes to all at the British School in The Netherlands. ■