Community Integrity Respect Responsibility

ISB Mission

The International School of Bergen - providing an internationally accredited education serving the business and Bergen communities.

ISB Vision Shaping

ISB Charter

The purpose of the Foundation is to provide an internationally accredited education serving the business and Bergen communities and thereby foster in young people intercultural understanding and a respect for human rights towards the furtherance of a more tolerant, peaceful and globally responsible society. The Foundation operates on a not-for-profit basis. The Foundation is governed by a Board of Trustees.

ISB Global Citizenship Statement

Through Global Citizenship we empower learners to actively participate in seeking solutions to further develop an inclusive, diverse and sustainable world.

ISB Definition of Learning and Teaching

Learning at ISB starts a lifelong process of inquiry that develops 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. Learning is facilitated by a team of dedicated, skilled, inquiry-based educators and pastoral staff devoted to creating an inclusive, supported, joyful environment for learning that goes beyond the classroom.

1.4 Community participation

The Board believes that parent, staff and student participation in the affairs of the school is essential if the school is to attain and sustain the high level of educational excellence our students deserve.

For that reason, all parents, staff and students are encouraged to express ideas, concerns and suggestions about the school through advisory bodies known as community participation groups. An overview of these groups is shown in the chart.

Each group has its own charter. The charters can be found on our website: www.isbergen.no/our-community/board-of-trustees

Advice and feedback received through the community participation groups will be taken into consideration by the Board and the management in their decision making. Final decisions will be made based on the Board’s and the management’s own best judgement.

1.5 Home - school communication

Home - School Communication

Newsletters and other mailings are shared with the school community on a regular basis. You will receive an ISB newsletter weekly on a Friday. In the Early Childhood Centre AS (ECC) and Lower School parents are contacted regularly through our learning platform, Toddle. In Upper School parents are also contacted regularly through our learning platform, Managebac. The school has a Facebook page, an Instagram account, and a LinkedIn account where news and pictures of school events are posted. Parents do not need to be on Social Media themselves to access this information. Teachers will respond to an email within one working day, in this way they can maintain regular contact and still have sufficient time for our students. In urgent cases you may contact the relevant principal.

Home - School Conferences

All parents and students in grades 1 through 10 are expected to attend bi-annual home-school conferences. In Upper School these take place online via the Schoolcloud video conferencing platform. At any other time during the academic year, teachers, students or parents may request a meeting to discuss a student’s progress or other matters. In the ECC parents are invited to sign up for bi-annual home-school conferences. Parents are strongly encouraged to sign up and attend the conferences.

Parent Information Sessions

These events are organised for the beginning of the school year. On this occasion teachers provide an overview of the curriculum and their plans for the school year, in addition to providing parents with relevant information and answering questions. General information about the school and classroom organisation is also given at this time. Parents are strongly encouraged to attend this session. Curriculum information is additionally available on our website.

Emergency situations

Parents will be informed of an emergency situation via text message to their mobile phone number registered with the school.

1.6 Communication Guidelines

Clear communications are essential for all members of our school community. Any concern should first be discussed with the teacher or applicable school employee. It is anticipated that most concerns can be addressed at this stage.

If not, the parent or student should ask to meet with the Principal for the appropriate school section. If the issue is not resolved after this, the concern should be put in writing and submitted to the Director. The Director will work with the parties concerned, to resolve the matter.

If the parent or student is not satisfied with the outcome, they may then appeal the matter in writing to the Board. Policy 8.50 defines established procedures for dealing with complaints and grievances.

1.7 Parent resources

Class Contacts

At the beginning of the school year, each class group will elect two class contacts. The class contacts liaise with class teachers to help organise class trips and events, and may also facilitate the work of the Parent-Teacher Organisation (PTO). All class contacts serve on the Parent Council Working Committee, and act as liaison in the organisation of whole school events.

Parent Volunteers and Helpers

There are lots of opportunities for parents to be involved and take part in the ISB community. Parents are encouraged to involve themselves in the life of the school by volunteering to help with the PTO, the running of the school library, the arranging of class parties and activities, participation in field trips, excursions and after school activities, etc.

Parent Teacher Organisation

(PTO)

The PTO Committee arranges a variety of events, fun, friend and fund-raising. PTO events are included in the ISB List of Events, and information is distributed through the newsletter and other media. Please feel free to contact the PTO at pto@isbergen.no

Parent Portal

Additional information relevant to parents may be found on the parent portal. Please log into this at the top of the website. If you are unsure as to how to log on please contact our Communications manager eline.dubrille@isbergen.no