ISB Annual Report 2023-2024

We foster in young people intercultural understanding and a respect for human rights towards the furtherance of a more tolerant, peaceful and globally responsible society

WELCOME

Welcome to ISB’s Annual Report. Here you will find a summary of the current school year, sharing financial, academic and strategic outcomes.

This year, the focus of our Annual Report is the extensive literacy and language programmes we offer.

We are proud to offer an international education to the Bergen region and the business community.

ISB continues to evolve, and our mission is to provide an internationally accredited education.

ABOUT US

ISB was founded back in 1975 as a result of the need for an English-speaking educational institution welcoming internationally mobile families. To this day ISB contributes to Bergen’s educational offerings.

ISB’s Core Values are Community, Integrity, Respect and Responsibility. These are lived by our community and are modeled throughout our school. We see our staff as life-defining mentors who support our students in the classroom and beyond, in engaging learning experiences.

We assist our students in becoming life-long learners, and model this as staff. ISB teachers continually engage in developing their pedagogical practice. Professional development is a part of our strategic plan.

Our collaborative, inclusive and truly international environment is immensley important to all of us. We continue to look for new ways to best accommodate

students, making sure that we intentionally make conscious decisions in how we want our learning and teaching environment to be.

Norway is a country where progressive social values and high educational standards are deeply embedded and at ISB we add to this a genuinely international perspective.

DIRECTOR’S TEAM

The ISB Director works closely with all sections of the school. This is directly reflected in the make up of the Leadership Team.

Peter Ledger Leanne Hagen

Deputy Director and Upper School Principal

Mr. Ledger is taking on the role of the new director as of August 2024. He is very much looking forward to this new chapter for both him and the school.

Renate Tviberg Hegre

HR and Finance Manager

Renate first started working at ISB in 2012. As part of the Leadership team, she is responsible for the administrative staff, HR and the school’s finances.

Lower School Principal

Ms Hagen joined ISB in 2011 as a LS teacher before joining the Leadership Team in 2020. Next year, she will also be Deputy Director.

Laura McGuffie

Early Childhood Centre Principal

Laura McGuffie has worked consistenly this past year to make the ECC transistion to its own entity a success.

DIRECTOR’S SUMMARY

For the past four years I have had the pleasure of opening ISB each morning to students, staff and parents. ISB treasures its community values and being a part of its now 48 year history and actively sharing this joy each day is something we all value.

IMPACT PROJECT

This year we have celebrated maintaining our growth, culminating once again in a student body of 250 individuals. The Team’s dedication to providing exceptional learning environments has manifested in the transformation of the Community Cove into the research centre we envisioned. Investments in cutting-edge technology for our classrooms remain a priority, ensuring our students have access to the best tools for their education. Each classroom now contains new reading materials, a smartboard, one-to-one devices, VR glasses upon request as well as Spheros, 3D printers, Bluetooth speakers, and Bluebots.

Viki Stiebert

Prioritising safety and preparedness, we have meticulously enhanced our risk assessments and documented procedures to safeguard our community. Seamlessly navigating legal changes, our ECC transitioned into a separate entity under the guidance of our dedicated staff, allowing us to accomodate fifty children aged 1 to 5. Our teachers have engaged in deep professional development, exploring High Impact Teaching Strategies (HITS) to further elevate our pedagogical practices. Aligned with the school’s long-term Strategic Plan, we expanded our international network, facilitating knowledge exchanges through ISB staff presenting at workshops in global conferences.

Community engagement remains robust, evidenced by the enthusiastic turnout at our Open Day, where over 20 families joined us, embracing our values and vision.

Next chapter

ISB holds a special place in my heart, where our commitment to modelling behaviour based on our values, nurturing relationships, and uplifting others defines us.

As I bid farewell to embark on a new journey as the Head of School at UWC Maastricht, I carry with me the spirit of our Orca, knowing that once an Orca, always an Orca.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

ISB moved to its present site in 2019 after an agreement with Bergen Kommune. Now we are over half way through this agreement and the close collaboration has taken the school from strength to strength.

We have successfully consolidated the growth of student numbers, reaching a healthy milestone of 250 students for the second year running. Additionally, the Board has made strategic investments from the reserve fund, ensuring the school’s long-term financial stability.

The Board of Trustees 2023-2024: Front row, Karl Johnny Hersvik, Viki Stiebert, Silje Hopland Lien, Dheeraj Sharma. Second row, Yutong Pu, Alexander Lundervold, Tina Pavlin and Joe Cook.

Silje Hopland Lien

With these measures in place, ISB can confidently navigate its future. The investments, which inlude stocks and bonds, are aligned with ISB’s ethical values and are evidenced in the sound financial report.

02. Local relationships

ISB continues to foster a close relationship with Bergen Kommune. Our recent meeting with Kommune representatives initiated long-term planning to sustain this beneficial partnership, which has been instrumental since ISB’s relocation to Sandsli. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Kommune for their collaborative efforts. ISB’s success story is intertwined with Bergen. Our teachers and students’ accomplishments increasingly reflect well on the Kommune’s aim to have a focus on international developments.

01. Early Childhood Centre

This academic year marked another significant milestone as the ECC transitioned into an independent entity, in compliance with recent governmental changes. The ECC, thriving with the equivalent of 50 students, stands as a testament to the Board’s decision to maintain its current number of students, a decision that has paid off.

Monthly meetings: Board Chair Silje Hopland Lien and Director Viki Stiebert work closely together.

03. New Director Search

A significant focus of the Board this past year has been the global search for a new Director to steer ISB into the future. As Viki Stiebert prepares to depart, we express our sincere appreciation for her contributions. Looking ahead, we welcome Peter Ledger, who will assume the role in August. With 12 years of senior management experience at ISB, we have full confidence in his leadership and the promising educational future he will cultivate. This expertise, together with the newly developed Strategic Plan, will continue ISB on the path our community envisages.

Thank you

In closing, I extend my deepest gratitude to our community for your steadfast support of ISB. Your advocacy and commitment are invaluable as we continue to uphold the exceptional education our teachers provide each day. Thank you for your unwavering dedication!

ENROLMENT

Over the past ten years, student numbers have increased significantly, especially after the school moved to new and upgraded facilities in Sandsli.

Growth Students

Student numbers have increased significantly. There are grades and classes that have waiting lists.

After having settled into new premises at Sandsli, and after several years of restrictions due to the Covid epidemic, ISB has seen its numbers stabilise at 250 students.

Renate Tviberg Hegre

Renate Tviberg Hegre

Number of staff according to age groups

In 2023, ISB had 57 staff members from the age of 20 - 69 years. As of the current academic year, ISB employees consist of 39 staff members working full-time and 18 working part-time.

Sick Leave Staff Representation

In 2023 the sick leave for staff over the whole year was 3,6%. The national average in Norway was 5,6%

Staff represent 15 different nationalities with the majority from the UK, Norway and the USA.

Revenues

The school’s revenue is split between grants from Bergen Kommune and tuition. Grants provide 50% of the revenue and tuition provides the other 50%.

In 2023, as in 2022, the increase in number of students turned out to be higher than budgeted for.

For ECC AS (Early Childhood Center) the revenue is also split between grants from Bergen kommune and tuition. Here grants provide 79% percent of the revenue and tuition 21% the same as local barnehage. Numbers used are based on the 2023 accounting.

It is important to note that 2023 was a year in transition as ECC had to be separated from the school due to a change in the Kindergarten Act, and ECC was, as of September 1st, established as an AS.

Due to this, the numbers reflect differently from previous years. As of 2024 both entities will be fully documented separately.

Financial oversight

Expenses

The core of our expenses are related to salaries which constitute 86% of all costs. The remaining 14% are costs related to IT, student equipment, cleaning, heating, marketing, maintenance, professional development and more.

Total costs in 2023, for both ECC and school: 46.600.000 NOK

Investments and Result

The school invested into the Community Cove with colourful built-in shelving. Additionally, the school invested in new furniture for classrooms and on the second floor there are new corner couches for the students to use.

In the years to come, there will be a greater need for general maintenance as we have now been in the building for several years. This will be reflected in upcoming budgets.

The financial result in 2023 for both school and ECC AS show a surplus of NOK 3.800.000.

1. Re-invested towards improving the school’s infrastructure. 2. Enhancing student experience.

3. Supporting programmes which enrich the learning experience.

4. Saved to guarantee financial stability for years to come.

THE ECC

Laura McGuffie

Early exposure to language and literature empowers children to express themselves creatively, think critically, and engage meaningfully with the world around them.

We are committed to nurturing a language-rich environment where every child has the opportunity to explore, experiment, and excel in their linguistic and literary abilities. We believe that language and reading play a foundational role in shaping a child’s cognitive, social and emotional development.

Our curriculum embraces linguistic diversity, providing exposure to multiple languages through songs, stories, and interactive activities. We incorporate fun and engaging language games into our daily routines.

By celebrating different languages and cultures, we foster a sense of inclusivity and respect for diversity. Every classroom has a reading corner which invites

children to immerse themselves in a variety of ageappropriate books and stories. Through storytelling sessions and guided reading activities, we wish to instil and encourage a love for reading.

Our classrooms are designed to stimulate language development, with visual aids, word walls, and labelling of everyday objects to reinforce vocabulary acquisition and language comprehension.

By prioritizing language and reading in the Early Years, we are laying the foundation

for a lifetime of learning and success.

It has been wonderful to observe the progress our students have made in the area of literacy. Even our very youngest one year olds dabble with letters and discover a love for books. At such a young age, the smiles on their faces and enthusiasm show the fun they have for all they are engaging in.

Vocabulary through rythm

In Pre 2 we have seen remarkable progress with students being able to recognise their name and develop their wider vocabulary through communicating with others, singing songs and rhymes. The Three Little Pigs has been a favourite story with this age group and used across the curricular subjects from role play to building the little pig’s homes.

Phonetic sounds

The development continues with our three and four year old beginning to recognise different phonetic sounds and practising how to form the letters using a variety of different materials. Every new phonic sound the class covered involved making something for lunch beginning with the sound - they must be good chefs as there are never any leftovers!

Reading skills

Our Kindergarten class started the year consolidating phonetic sounds and building them to make CVC words. As they come to the end of their time in the ECC they are beginning to read words they see in the world around them. It is joyful to see the enthusiasm when they have their weekly reading group time and they are practising their reading skills together in small groups.

LOWER SCHOOL

Leanne Hagen

We believe that literacy is not just a subject, but the cornerstone of academic success and personal growth. Language and reading proficiency are essential for academic success as well as for lifelong learning and understanding.

Through reading, students explore new worlds, expand their vocabulary, and develop critical thinking skills. Strong language skills enable effective communication, both written and verbal, empowering students to express themselves confidently and engage meaningfully with the world around them.

A few years ago we introduced the Fountas & Pinnell (F&P) assessments to better understand and support our students’ reading journey. These assessments provide valuable insights into individual reading levels and comprehension abilities. By utilising F&P assessments, we can tailor instruction to meet each student’s needs, ensuring they receive the right level of support and challenge.

Our directed focus on developing reading, writing and phonics skills in the Lower School is reflected in the much improved ISA (International Schools’ Assessment) results for students in Grades 3-5. This achievement speaks volumes about the effectiveness of our approach to literacy education.

Norwegian

Norwegian is the second language taught at ISB and our differentiated programme ensures that all students at ISB are given the opportunity to learn and grow their written and spoken skills.

It was so heartwarming to see one of our students,

READING AND WRITING

who came with no Norwegian skills, being a risk taker by using his acquired language skills to hold a conversation with one of the residents at the local Care Home we have an affiliation with in the neighbourhood.

As partners in your child’s education, we encourage you to continue fostering a love for reading at home.

Whether through bedtime stories, family reading time, or visits to the library, your involvement plays a crucial role in nurturing your child’s literacy skills and lifelong love of learning.

UPPER SCHOOL

Peter Ledger

Exposing our students to diversity through self-expression, cooperation and language are important aspects of personal growth and gaining life experience.

Erasmus+

A significant addition to our Upper School’s language development initiatives has been the implementation of the Erasmus+ project, ‘Make some noise’.

Initially impacting our Grade 8 classes, our recent accreditation for an additional three years in the Erasmus+ programme ensures its extension to all other Upper School classes until 2027.

Erasmus + facilitates student exchange programmes with schools across Europe, fostering collaboration on joint projects.

This year, Grade 8 students ventured to France, The Netherlands, and The Basque Country in Spain, emphasizing English language proficiency alongside French language immersion in France.

Exploring various language genres, such as street art slogans, rap music conventions, and Basque poetry, has enriched our students’ linguistic repertoire and empowered them to amplify their voices through campaigning.

Participation

When in France: Grade 8 were able to practice French in a real-life setting through traveling.

In addition to verbal and written language development, our Upper School excelled in diverse arenas, including the First Lego League, Abel, and Kenguru mathematics competitions, each representing their own forms of literacy.

Performing Arts

Our commitment to the performing arts flourished with our participation in the Shakespeare Festival at the Greenwich Theatre in London, and our ongoing collaboration with Fyllingsdalen Theater in Bergen, culminating in the upcoming production of ‘Oliver’ in June.

Service Learning

Furthermore, our dedication to service learning has continued to expand, offering students enriching opportunities through initiatives such as our Amnesty International branch, ECO Committee, and Duke of Edinburgh International Award programme (DofE).

Within our curriculum, the Service as Action component further reinforces our commitment to community engagement.

At ISB, we remain steadfast in our mission to provide our students with unparalleled learning opportunities, ensuring their holistic growth and development.

Shakespear festival: Upper School students performing Much Ado. About Nothing in London.

DofE: Grade 9 collaborating setting up tents.

THE PTO

Kell

We have had a fantastic year filled with a variety of events and fundraising initiatives.

The academic year began with the beautiful weather we ordered for our Welcome Back BBQ in September. The school terrace was filled with wonderful food, conversations, and sunshine. Students and parents volunteered alongside teachers and staff to make the event a shining success.

From left: Leanne Hagen (LS Principal), Joana Macutkevic, Vinita Rangroo Thrane (PTO Chair), Shannon Kell (PTO Vice Chair), Viki Stiebert (director), Cristiane Hamnes (PTO Secretary), Esti Wahyuningrum

HOT LUNCH FRIDAYS

The PTO hosted a number of hot lunches for students throughout the year. The first was a burger lunch in September and in October we warmed things up with lasagna. The ECC enjoyed a pasta lunch in November and March was a perfect month for warm, homemade soup.

Many students pre-ordered the lunches when they were offered, so this turned out to be a fun fundraiser.

Shannon

Halloween Party

Lower School students participated in an exciting party that included dancing, crafts, some cooperative games, and a pizza dinner. We can’t forget the haunted tunnel, which is always a highlight for all the goblins and ghouls.

Gingerbread Town

The atmosphere was illuminated by ISB’s annual ‘pepperkakeby’ and the fast approaching Christmas Craft Fair. We added to the festive season by decorationing the school hallways, foyer, and gym. The Christmas Craft Fair brought together many people from the larger community.

Valentine’s Day Bake Sale

In February the PTO hosted a very successful Valentine’s Day Bake Sale which was only possible with generous donations of homemade baked goods that our families provided for the fundraiser.

Teacher Appreciation Day

The PTO hosted a luncheon made up of a wonderful variety of homemade appetizers, dishes, and desserts to show our appreciation for the ISB staff for sharing their passion and dedication each and every day to support students and the community.

This year the PTO funded requests to support learning, which included singing lessons for the school’s production and funds to replenish the outdoor equipment.

The end of the school year will bring a picnic and car boot sale to wrap up a great year. The PTO would like to thank the staff, teachers, interns, and families at ISB who make each event possible with tireless efforts behind the scenes. We look forward to next year!

STUDENT COUNCIL

Lonnberg

The ISB Student Council is composed of democratically elected student representatives, two from each grade.

Generally, we have an hour long weekly meeting with every available representative. During these meetings the representatives bring up suggestions or feedback from their respective classes to be discussed. We plan actions, spirit days or activities, and discuss things such as how to distribute a fund the school acquired. Some examples of what the SC has accomplished this year are: the instalment of the new hooks for the bathroom stalls, Pink Shirt day (Anti-bullying action) and basketball activities for certain lunch breaks.

Ine Steenslid and Sol Martinsson have been the co-chairs for this school year. Our teacher supervisors are Susan Lonnberg and Christy Dayhoff. The chairpersons have, at need, set up meetings with Mr Ledger, as well as contacting other teachers and members of staff in order to coordinate our actions.

Susan

COMMUNITY COVE

Jules Crossley-Nilsen

The importance of languages and reading skills in the Community Cove is absolutely crucial. The Community Cove is our library and the focus is literacy throughout the whole community.

The CC is here not just our students, but our students’ families, our staff and their families. Since the refurbishment in Summer 2023, we are moving forward and our community loves being in the Cove. There is so much going on.

It’s a very uplifting place to be, whether you are thinking, working, researching, reading or just chilling.

IB Events

It’s been a brilliant year working with the students and supporting their learning. As part of the IB Continuum Personal projects and Exhibition have taken place with research and support in the Cove. Our usual Connect Cafe’s at the beginning of the year for parents on the importance of reading not just in learning to read but all the way through a person’s education.

Celebrations

We have celebrated World Book Week, including graphic novelist Matt Smith, Battle of the Books for Upper and Lower School, D.E.A.R. (Drop Everything and Read),Mother Tongue reading, Poetry Month, Valentine’s, Digital Citizenship, Academic Integrity, Christmas, UN Day, MUN, costume parades of book characters and a sketch in World Book Week assembly, where the cast ripped up books - to the audience’s horror!

Whilst I am grateful to look back on all that has been achieved in the Community Cove this year, I am so looking forward to the next school year, which of course will be even bigger and better!

TEACHERS’ THOUGHTS

Seeing each student: Alyssa knows how important it is to feel understood.

Preschool teacher Alyssa Dyrdal has her own personal experience from learning Norwegian as an adult after moving to Bergen in 2011.

Originally from California, USA, the transition to Norway was an eye-opener for her.

What is your experience of learning or teaching languages?

It is so difficult, yet so important and rewarding to speak the language where we live. As an adult and teacher of young children, I gained so much insight into how absolutely tiring and frustrating it can be when one is unable to express oneself.

I know what it feels like to be mentally exhausted from learning a new language, and what an absolute comfort it can be to hear your mother tongue, even if only for a moment.

How does this translate to what you do today?

Language learning at ISB is special because we see that there is value in where you’ve been, and where you’re going. And I think we lift up our learners with patience, kindness, and celebration of the little moments - a word here and there, a phrase, and eventually complex sentences.

We value being communicative, and we value taking risks, which is exactly what learning a language is. You have to put yourself out there.

One of ISB’s new hires this school year, Linda Maudal teaches Norwegian in Upper School. She has always loved to read and one of her first memories of reading was her mum reading books out loud for her and her sisters.

She discovered at an early age that she liked languages and her interest for languages has grown as she has gotten older. One thing she really loves about ISB is all the different languages we have at this school. She finds the diversity in culture and languages to be enriching.

What is special about language learning at ISB?

I think it is important to use the student’s mother tongue in language learning. Comparing vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation is really interesting, and I think it is important to be able to speak about languages, not just know how to speak them.

Being able to speak about languages makes us better language learners. In Upper School, students all have English, French and Norwegian. So there is a lot of language learning going on at this school.

Norwegian and English were my favourite subjects in school.

My interest in the Norwegian language has grown as I got older. Its dialects and two ways of writing, Bokmål and Nynorsk, really fascinate me.

What is your best advice as a language teacher?

My best advice and one of the things I try to instil in the students when it comes to language learning and reading skills is to remember the importance of maintenance. You have to use the language you’re learning and continue to read. And we have to both use languages and read outside of school as well. Reading is a huge part of learning a language. The link between reading and language is something that I try to emphasise with my students. If you find it hard to read a book in a new language, go for a book you already know. That way you can really focus on the language, and do not have to focus on the plot and getting to know the characters.

ALUMNI

The plan was to stay for two years when Vinita Rangroo Thrane’s parents sent her and her brother to ISB after arriving in Bergen in the 1990’s. She is still here.

Favourite memories

The fondest memories of my time as a student at ISB are mostly about the teachers and the other students. ISB became a second home to me and my family. I remember feeling like I fit in and having a sense of belonging.

The school was of course much smaller then, but I still find that even if the practical aspects of the school have evolved over the years, the welcoming atmosphere and the strong sense of community are values that have not changed.

In my opinion, there are two ways to be exposed and interact with different culture and languages. either by travelling or by attending an international school like ISB, where the diversity is celebrated.

This exposure to an international understanding is something that has followed me for my whole life and it has given me a curiosity to go out into the world, for adventures. I wanted the same for my children and that is why they attend ISB too.

Importance to Bergen

When moving to a new country, the first thing families will think about is schooling and education. In order to maintain a reputation of diversity, it is important that the region can offer an internationally accredited school. And we have that in ISB!

At ISB, learning is facilitated by a team of dedicated, skilled, inquiry-based educators and pastoral staff devoted to creating an inclusive, supported, joyful environment.

THANKS

Thank you for showing interest in the every day life and operations of International School of Bergen.

We believe that learning starts a lifelong process of inquiry that develop skills, competencies and transferable conceptual understanding in authentic real world settings. There is an integral focus on the character of the individual, their collaborations within the community, having agency and taking action in a changing world.

Our vision is to shape the future with caring and confident citizens of the world.