ISP Annual Report 2016-2017

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CONTENT

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CONTENT

06 WELCOME 08 Director’s Welcome 10 Welcome from the Chairman of the Board of Trustees 12 Leadership Team 2016-17 13 Board of Trustees 2016-17 14 ISP Board of Trustee Committees

22 16 MISSION, LEARNING, RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 18 ISP Mission Statement & ISP2020 Strategy 20 Learning, Research and Development

PRINCIPALS’ REPORTS 24 Elementary School 26 Middle School 28 Upper School 34 Upper School Achievements 36 ISP Journeys


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CONTENT

46 37 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, ACTIVITIES AND ATHLETICS 40 Information Technology 44 Activities

SUPPORTING ISP 48 Annual Fund 50 Cabaret 52 Scholarship Program & Night at Sacre Coeur 60 Individual Donations 62 Auction 64 Student Raffle 68 Dr. Jane Goodall’s visit to ISP

70 ISP COMMUNITY 72 School Community Association 76 SCA Executive Board 2016-17 77 Our Community 78 ISP Alumni Association

80 FINANCIAL REPORT 82 Financial Oversight - From the Board Treasurer and the Director of Operations


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WELCOME ISP is a non-profit, independent educational institution. Established in 1948, ISP is one of the oldest continually operating international schools in Europe.



WELCOME

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DIRECTOR’S  WELCOME Welcome to the International School of Prague Annual Report 2016-17. The compilation of the Annual Report represents an opportunity to take stock of another memorable year, when we welcomed a record enrolment of about 860 students. Reflecting on the year that was is also an opportunity for us to look to the future, as our school approaches celebrating our 70th Anniversary.

2016-17 was a school year which had numerous highlights, but one of the most memorable experiences of the year for me was the visit of the renowned British primatologist, Dr. Jane Goodall. I previously had the good fortune to meet Dr. Goodall a few years ago, but to have her visit our ISP community was truly special. Her engaging conversations and presentations to students from all parts of our school, and indeed to other students invited from other international and local schools were truly inspiring. Having the opportunity to be in the presence of such an inspirational figure will live long in my memory. Continuing on our strategic journey, ISP2020, has been key to our growth and development as a school. One aspect of our strategic work has been through leveraging a new accreditation process with New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) and Council of International Schools (CIS). We are proud that ISP had been chosen as the first school in the world to pilot this process! It has allowed us look deeply at ourselves, leading us to identify where we are as a school and what we need to do next in order to improve not only operational efficiency but more importantly the quality of learning at ISP. While meaningful change is never easy, it is necessary for the benefit of today’s and tomorrow’s ISP stu-

dents. I’d like take this opportunity to thank faculty, staff and the entire community for throwing themselves into both the accreditation and strategic processes with enthusiasm and a future-focused mindset. Ultimately our mission is for each and every student to lead healthy, fulfilling and purposeful lives, and as Martin Blecha, ISP Alum, Board Trustee and Chair of the Alumni Council said; “The achievements of alumni are the most tangible measure of success of any academic institution”. With this sentiment in mind, alumni relations at ISP have continued to grow throughout 201617, with several Prague based events culminating in a very successful and enjoyable Alumni reunion party held on campus last May. Our International Baccalaureate (IB) results for 2016-17 were again impressive, with more than 90% of ISP IB Diploma candidates successfully earning the full diploma. The average score of successful ISP IB Diploma candidates was 34, against a world average of 30, with an average exam score of 5.35 comparing favourably with a world average of 4.5. These strong results should be viewed in the context of our commitment to support the aspirations of every student, including all those who wish to attempt the full IB Diploma. Our role is to provide all our students with the support and drive to fulfil their individual potential.


These are exciting times for ISP, as we move towards another record enrolment. With summer improvements representing the completion of Phase 1 of our ambitious masterplan, this will further enhance the environment in which our whole community moves toward our strategic objective - to “Unleash our collective potential so that our school is greater than the sum of our parts�.

Dr Arnie Bieber ISP Director

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OUR ROLE IS TO PROVIDE ALL OUR STUDENTS WITH THE SUPPORT AND DRIVE TO FULFIL THEIR INDIVIDUAL POTENTIAL

WELCOME

Our diverse and dynamic community of more than 60 nationalities here at ISP enables us to provide our students with an unparalleled international educational experience. Our world-class facilities are an asset of which we are justifiably proud. We finished the year by making significant improvements to our campus, notably with the addition of state of the art FIFA certified artificial turf to our sports fields, ensuring they can be used year round, as well as making significant enhancements to Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten in Elementary School, ensuring they are even more suited to inspire curiosity and creativity in our students.


WELCOME

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FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES 2016-17 was another fine year at ISP where we continued on our ISP2020 strategic journey. Hard work also has taken place behind the scenes as ISP leads the way on a new type of school accreditation process.

We sincerely thank the tireless, selfless and dedicated members of our ISP Community, Students, and Committees, Faculty, Staff and Leadership team for their invaluable contributions to enhancing the values and mission of ISP during this accreditation process. Being the first school to take part in such a process shows the school’s commitment to continuous improvement. As Chairman of the Board of Trustees, it has been particularly satisfying to witness the work of all committees and in particular the Building & Grounds Committee. Their efforts are clearly more visible than those of other committees; this could be seen at

the end of the school year, when significant enhancements were made to the sports fields and Elementary School. The members of the Committee deserve credit for their meticulous and professional planning of this work, and their determination to bring the environment at our school closer to the physical embodiment of our ISP2020 strategy. With more than 60 nationalities at our school, the advantages of the truly international experience our children attain at ISP are sometimes difficult to quantify. My children return home daily with various stories of cultural interchange that pique my own curiosity. Their openness and their approach to


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WELCOME

MY CHILDREN RETURN HOME DAILY WITH VARIOUS STORIES OF CULTURAL EXCHANGE THAT PIQUE MY OWN CURIOSITY

learning assure me how the unique education offered at ISP positively affects my children. The Annual Fund continues to go from strength to strength at ISP; thanks to the generosity of those in the ISP community, 2.902.070 czk was given. This is a great testament to the community (and one that is not found at many international schools) - the Annual Fund quite simply helps to provide a standard of education that cannot be delivered by tuition fees alone. We look forward to ongoing support for the Annual Fund in the years to come. In addition to paying tribute to the ISP community, it is always

a great honor for me to express (on behalf of my fellow Trustees) my thanks for the dedication and hard work of all ISP faculty and staff. Thank you for all that you do for the fortunate students of ISP! We look forward to working with you and Dr. Bieber to lead the school onwards to further success. Sincerely,

Neville Parry Chairman of the Board of Trustees


WELCOME

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LEADERSHIP TEAM

Dr. Arnie Bieber Director

Dr. Cindy Gause-Vega

Jimena Zalba

Danielle Fredericks

Matt Smith

Dr. Mark Frankel

Barry Freckmann

Elementary

Elementary School

Middle School

Middle School

Upper School

Finance and Operations

Principal

Associate Principal

Principal

Associate Principal

Principal

Director

Clive Watkins

Teresa Belisle

Sheldon Bradshaw

Joe Monks

Petr Draxler

Director of Learning,

Director of Information

Director

Director

Director

Research and Development

Technology

of Activities

of Human Resources

of Advancement


THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

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WELCOME

The all-volunteer ISP Board of Trustees oversees the governance of the school. The Board of Trustees establishes policies and procedures as needed to enable the school to function effectively and efficiently. The Board of Trustees recognizes the Director as its Chief Executive Officer and charges him with the administrative functions of operating the school.

Neville Parry

Jan Sýkora

Staffan Erenmalm

Kim Strebel

Ivo BĂĄrta

Martin Blecha

Chair

Vice Chair

Treasurer

Secretary

Member

Member

Ben Maudling

Tim Shaw

Tamar Newberger

Kate Wilder

Marie Bossan

Peter Ridder

Member

Member

Member

Member

Honorary Member

Honorary Member


WELCOME

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ISP BOARD OF TRUSTEES COMMITTEES The Board of Trustees of the International School of Prague s.r.o., maintains four standing committees: Governance, Finance, Advancement and Building and Grounds. Committees are populated with Board of Trustee members, and include members of the ISP community with expertise in specific fields.

ADVANCEMENT COMMITTEE

BUILDING AND GROUNDS COMMITTEE

This Committee coordinates the school’s fundraising activities. The Advancement Committee advises the Board on the financial goals of the annual fundraising events, facilitates trustee and other volunteer involvement in fund- and friend-raising activities, raises funds and oversees marketing and communications.

This Committee develops the masterplan for the school’s building and grounds in cooperation with the school staff for Board approval, reports to the Board periodically on major plant and campus issues and keeps the Finance Committee informed of building and grounds needs. The Committee provides oversight of major building projects but does not act as the project manager.

BOARD OF TRUSTEE MEMBERS • T im Shaw Chair

• Ivo Bárta NON-TRUSTEE MEMBERS • Martin Blecha • Marie Bossan • Mike Kimsey • Sean Krebs • Susan McKinnon • Scott Neuman • Tamar Newberger (as of January 2017)

• Alex Walmer

EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS • Arnie Bieber ISP Director

• Clive Watkins ISP Director of Advancement

• Tony McLaughlin ISP Communications Manager

• Andrea Koudelkova ISP Associate Director of Advancement

• Natalie Kvackova ISP Admissions Manager

BOARD OF TRUSTEE MEMBERS • Jan Sýkora Chair

• Ben Maudling NON-TRUSTEE MEMBERS • Michaela Pfeiferova • Aitor Alvarez- Rodriguez • Yaron Sapir • Albin Sybera

EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS • Arnie Bieber ISP Director

• Barry Freckmann ISP Director of Finance and Operations

• Martin Valášek, ISP Facility Manager


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WELCOME

FINANCE COMMITTEE

GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE

This committee, in partnership with the School Head and Business and Operations Director, develops the long-range financial plan and yearly operations budget. This includes setting tuition levels for Board approval, monitoring the implementation of the budget and making periodic reports to the Board.

This Committee coordinates the identification, cultivation, recruitment and orientation of new trustees; facilitates Board selfassessment; identifies the Board’s needs for personal development and designs vehicles to meet those needs. The Committee also has a reviewing role and makes recommendations on governance issues.

BOARD OF TRUSTEE MEMBERS • Staffan Erenmalm Chair

• Neville Parry NON-TRUSTEE MEMBERS • Kiril Georgiev • Nikolay Hadjyski • Gary Mazzotti • Jana Sevcikova

• David Sturgeon • Ajit Virk EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS • Arnie Bieber ISP Director

• Barry Freckmann ISP Finance and Operations Director

• Lenka Obodová ISP Finance Manager

• Kim Strebel, Chair • Tamar Newberger (until January 2017)

EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS • Arnie Bieber ISP Director


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MISSION, LEARNING, RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT Everything we do at ISP is geared towards fulfilling our Mission, which is to "Inspire, Engage and Empower".



MISSION, LEARNING, RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

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ISP MISSION STATEMENT AND STRATEGY Everything that we do at ISP is geared towards fulfilling our Mission, which is to Inspire, Engage and Empower.

INSPIRE

ENGAGE

EMPOWER

We inspire learners to lead healthy, fulfilling and purposeful lives, preparing them to adapt and contribute responsibly to our changing world.

We engage a diverse community in an authentic global education, within a nurturing student- centred environment.

We empower learners to: Think critically and creatively Work cooperatively and independently Listen and communicate effectively Act with compassion, integrity, respect and intercultural understanding.


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The ISP Community continued on a strategic journey during 2016-17 through our focus on ISP2020 - our strategic purpose, which is:

To unleash our collective potential, so that our school is greater than the sum of its parts. To help us to achieve this aim, which is integral to fulfilling our mission, we have five strategies, upon one or more of which everything we do at the school is based. These are:

We create change that’s bigger than we are. Personal relevance, individual progress and real-world experiences are at the heart of our learning. Curiosity drives what and how we learn. How we learn is coherent and connected through the school. Everyone in our community takes active steps to learn with and from each other.

MISSION, LEARNING, RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

ISP2020


MISSION, LEARNING, RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

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ISP LEARNING, RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT In our efforts to prepare ISP learners to “adapt and contribute responsibly to our changing world,” we continually research and reflect on how to best facilitate learning across our community. We continually enhance and refine our learning program, for both children and adults.

ISP is accredited by external organizations, New England Association of Schools and Colleges’ (NEASC) Commission on International Education and Council of International Schools (CIS). Accreditation reassures current and future parents that we provide a safe, secure, fiscally responsible, operationally efficient and (most importantly) effective learning environment aligned to our mission and our strategic direction.

Evaluation by these organizations takes place at ISP every five years. The 2016-17 academic year provided us with additional research and reflection as part of our reaccreditation. Given ISP’s long history as an established and internationally respected school committed to innovative education, ISP was chosen by NEASC to be the first school to undergo its accreditation based on NEASC’s new ACE Learning Principles and the new NEASC-CIS synchronized accreditation process. We approached our 2016-17 self-study process align-


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One of our key approaches to professional learning happens during our Learning Inquiry Focus Teams (LIFTs). This year, faculty coalesced around professional inquiries connected to both our ISP2020 strategies and the NEASC-CIS re-accreditation. Areas of focus for these professional inquiries included outdoor education, effective feedback, facilitating scientific inquiry, critical thinking, curiosity driving learning, effective learning environments, multiple representations in maths, and

WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUED TRANSFORMATION TO ENSURE THAT ISP REMAINS A WORLD LEADER IN INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION

Learning through inquiry (Kath Murdoch)

INSPIRE - ENGAGE - EMPOWER

Creating Thinking Classrooms (Garfield Gini-Newman)

In addition to our internal reflection, to realise the ISP Mission, we invite experts from around the world to connect with our adult community-- faculty, staff and parents-- to better understand what, why, and how we can best facilitate learning. This past year, we had the pleasure of professional learning sessions connected to the following events and experts: Librarians Conference with participants and speakers from the region Looking at Evidence of Learning with Mark Church (Harvard’s Project Zero) Reggio inspired Early Childhood Conference (multiple experts from US, UK, Europe) Sustainability: Jane Goodall and her education non-profit organization Roots & Shoots

Math in the ES (Laura Newman) In addition to the extensive onsite professional learning mentioned above, we supported the attendance at targeted workshops and conferences in the region and around the world. Faculty, aides, counselors, and administrators attended and presented at more than 120 conferences, workshops and courses. We’ve enjoyed another powerful year of learning research and development at ISP. We look forward to continued transformation to ensure that ISP remains a world leader in International Education. Teresa Belisle Director of Learning Research and Development

MISSION, LEARNING, RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

ing their principles and standards with our ISP2020 strategies.

increased target language during language acquisition.


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PRINCIPALS’ REPORTS Learning at ISP is coherent and connected throughout the school. Learning is designed and continually refined so students contribute responsibly to the world.



PRINCIPALS’ REPORTS

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THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Learning Involves the Whole Community in the Elementary School.

REGGIO-INSPIRED LEARNING Nurturing and supporting children’s curiosity is central to Reggio-Inspired Learning and plays a central role in our strategic work at ISP. During the 2016-17 school year we took significant steps in working towards this strategic focus by further developing a Reggio-Inspired approach to learning in the Elementary School. In November ISP hosted the CEESA sponsored regional conference, “A Reggio-Inspired Learning Workshop”. Over 80 educators from international schools from Eastern Europe and as far away as India, came to ISP to learn with and from each other. Christine Chaille (pictured top right), a professor of education from Portland State Univerity led teachers in

thinking about the importance of seeing ourselves as engaged in inquiry with the children we teach. As facilitators of children’s learning, participants learned about making careful plans to provoke and inspire children’s curiosity. Supporting children’s learning through experiences in the forest and interacting with nature was the focus of workshops led by Deb Wilenski (pictured bottom left, on the right, during forest walk near ISP). Deb is a pedagogical consultant, educator and writer, working with Reflections Nursery and Forest School (West Sussex) and Cambridge Curiosity and Imagination (Cambridge). Her workshop, Movement and Stillness in the Forest, took place in Mala Sarka forest and centered on documentation as a tool for


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SCHOOLS CAREFUL THOUGHT AND PLANNING IS PUT INTO CREATING AN ENVIRONMENT THAT INVITES CHILDREN TO THINK, QUESTION, CREATE AND PURSUE THEIR OWN INTERESTS

observing, questioning, learning, and planning in forests. DESIGNING CLASSROOM SPACES THAT INSPIRE CURIOSITY AND THINKING In Reggio-inspired learning the classroom is considered the “third teacher”. During the 2016-17 school year significant steps were taken to improve learning throughout the Elementary School by the innovative design of learning environments. In Reggio-inspired schools careful thought and planning is put into creating an environ-

ment that invites children to think, question, create, and pursue their own interests. ISP PK and Kinder teachers studied images of Reggioinspired classrooms and learning environments and reflected on their visits to schools in Reggio Emilia, Italy. Throughout the year the teachers met with artchitects to design classrom spaces that would intentionally support a Reggio-inspired vision of learning. The remodeling work planned for the summer was extensive and exciting! At the same time, teachers in Grades 3 - 5 worked together

to redesign classroom spaces in ways that invite children to learn, as well as meet their varied needs for movement. STUDENTS TEACH PARENTS AND FAMILIES TO DANCE In Grade 4 and 5 music classes students learned folk dances from around the world. One Friday evening at the end of November, they invited their parents and families to come to school for an interactive performance in Landau Theatre. The children first expertly modeled the dances.

They then invited their parents to join them on the dance floor, patiently teaching them the steps. By the end of the evening all the parents were up and dancing, enjoying the experience of trying something new they had learned from their children. It was such great fun that many asked when another evening of family dance would take place!

Dr. Cindy Gause-Vega Elementary School Principal

PRINCIPALS’ REPORTS

IN REGGIO-INSPIRED


PRINCIPALS’ REPORTS

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THE MIDDLE SCHOOL In 2016-2017, as part of our mission to engage, inspire and empower learners - together with our on-going strategic work as a school (ISP 2020) - we made significant progress in a variety of areas. Three highlights of our Middle School year were: further developing student voice and choice, a mountain biking prototype for increased relevance and further opportunities for service learning.

STUDENT VOICE AND CHOICE To ensure that students have a voice in their learning and what matters to them (aligned with the strategy of relevance from ISP 2020), we collected data from students about their passions and interests to inform the creation of a new electives program. After we had gathered this data, we facilitated student workshops to further streamline themes and ideas. The final list from this work resulted in the following choices for students: Creative Writing, Digital Art, Service Learning, Video Game Design, Outdoor Skills, Photography, Coding/App Design, ISP TV, Video Production,

Rock Band and Personal Exploration. The personal exploration option involves a student pursuing a personal passion where they work with a teacher as mentor. We are looking forward to the implementation of the new Electives program in 2017-2018. MOUNTAIN BIKING PROTOTYPE Another area where we focused on student relevance was through our PE department prototyping a mountain biking program. This idea came out of our strategic work thinking about how we could provide increased opportunities for relevant, transferable life skills for students as well how we could utilise the surrounding


SERVICE LEARNING Under the ISP 2020 strategies of community and change, we have further developed our commitment to service learning this year. A Grade 7 student came forward with a passion for supporting

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STUDENTS ARE TAKING ACTIVE STEPS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITY AND ENVIRONMENT

the Syrian Refugee Crisis and this became a Middle School-wide initiative. All students were involved in collecting specific resources (such as clothing and some school supplies), which were eventually sent to a Syrian refugee camp in Lebanon. We were very fortunate to have Czech Airlines cover the cost of transporting the goods. This initiative also sparked ideas as to how we might develop an on-going way to gather resources on a more regular basis in order to support various causes in the future. As a result of Dr. Jane Goodall’s visit to ISP in December 2016, we have now established a Roots and Shoots program, where students are taking active steps to make a difference in their local community and environment. One of the big ideas that came from Grade 6 students in the spring was to find ways to clean up and beautify their local community. For 2017-2108,

Elementary School will join this initiative so that the Roots and Shoots club spans from Kindergarten to Grade 8. Another example of the growth of service learning opportunities in the Middle School was students visiting a local old people’s home here in Nebusice. This initiative was started through the Music program and involved our students performing both contemporary as well as traditional Czech folk songs. This was very well received by the local community

and we plan to continue with this relationship for 2017-2018. These highlights serve as a way to demonstrate the many and varied ways in which our Middle School team is committed to creating the best possible learning opportunities for your children. I am proud of all we have achieved in Middle School this year!

Danielle Fredericks Middle School Principal

PRINCIPALS’ REPORTS

natural environment around the school to extend learning. Grades 6, 7 & 8 students participated in a 3 week program at different times of the year which then culminated in mountain biking through the surrounding forest. It was inspiring to see students develop their biking skills and confidence over time. We were fortunate enough to have a friend of the school act as benefactor and fund the purchase of the bikes in the spring of 2016-2017. This prototype was such a success that it will be a regular part of our program for 2017-2018, and will include a permanent bike shed on campus.


PRINCIPALS’ REPORTS

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THE UPPER SCHOOL The 2016-2017 school year proved to be another incredible one in the Upper School. Each year as we sit in Žofín Palace, on the banks of the Vltava, and watch our students become alumni, it becomes clear why we are all here. At the end of her graduation speech, Annabelle Newman laid out what she had learned from her time at ISP: “To work hard and seek the truth. To notice others. To appreciate the creativity and

In keeping with our Mission and the ISP2020 strategies, here are a few highlights from the past year:

talents of those around me. To consider

KOSOVO TRIP

different perspectives. To always put

One of our goals here at ISP is to create real-world opportunities for our students to expand their education, to push the boundaries of the school far beyond the classroom walls and the 80-minute period, and a perfect example of this took place in November of 2016, when nine students and two teachers set off for a four-day trip to Kosovo (group pictured above).

compassion first, and to take the time to enjoy the moments along the way.”

The purpose of the trip was to have students apply the skills of a social scientist to understand the complexities of an historical event which they had studied in the classroom. By looking at the ethnic conflict in Kosovo, students were able to apply skills and knowledge gleaned from such courses as History, Psychology, Economics, and Theory of Knowledge, as well as use those skills honed in the Model United Nations Club. The trip was organized and led by IB History teacher Leanne Fleming and IB Psychology teacher John Crane.


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PRINCIPALS’ REPORTS

ONE OF OUR GOALS HERE AT ISP IS TO CREATE REAL-WORLD OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR STUDENTS TO EXPAND OUR EDUCATION

The students arrived in Pristina and quickly got to work, meeting with the leaders of Women4Women, an NGO that “supports women in war-torn regions with financial and emotional aid, jobskills training, rights education and small business assistance.” In the following days, they met with representatives of the United Nations Mission in Kosovo, visited grave and massacre sites, spent time in a village of widows, and even met up with an ISP alumnus, who was studying the post-war recovery of the region. Along the way, each student composed and posted insightful and moving blog entries so that the entire ISP community could benefit from their amazing experiences. The trip was clearly impactful on the students. As one of them noted: “The main lesson I learned from this trip was that there's more to every unit than just what's in a textbook. It's up to me, the learner, to move farther than fact, context, and significance, and find personal


PRINCIPALS’ REPORTS

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stories and connections that interest me to give me a more well rounded perception on a topic.” THE MESSENGER Each year, under the guidance of our incredible Theatre teacher, Vicki Close, ISP students put on an inspiring Fall production and this past year was no different. What was different, however, was the extent to which the play was co-created by the students: this was a true ensemble piece. As Ms. Close put it in the programme: “Usually, theatre directors start out with a clear vision for how the production will look, sound and move across the stage. Usually. This year our vision was to provide our incredibly talented students with a text, a space, an approach and a performance date. It was up to them to figure out how to create the world of The Messenger.” Inspired by a novel by Markus Zuzak, the theme of The Messenger is that “everyone can live beyond what they’re capable of.” What this meant in practice was, in fact, the very process of creating the play. Not only did the


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This was a risky endeavor but as there were no guarantees as to how the piece would turn out, but in taking such a gamble, the students were able to truly own their own learning. Working creatively and cooperatively, they learned, first hand, that the whole can be greater than the sum of its parts.

And the risk paid off with a fantastic and thought-provoking show! REAL-WORLD CONNECTIONS: At ISP, we aim to put real-world experiences at the heart of our learning, and this past year we looked for ways to expand our connections with the world outside the classroom walls. For Science classes, this means making connections with companies and laboratories working at the forefront of their fields. Our inspiring IB Biology teacher, Megan McLain, connected her students with two DNA labs. First,

Finally, in another scientific area, we had students gaining authentic work experiences. During the summer of 2017, six ISP students took part in a pilot internship program at the Avast headquarters, in Prague 4. As Avast is the world leader for antivirus software, the students were chosen from the Computer Science classes. Working in Quality Assurance, Information Technology or Human Relations, the six students had

PRINCIPALS’ REPORTS

students have to all stay on stage for the entirety of the 90-minute production, but they had to compose original music, code the projected animations, build props, design multi-media effects, play multiple characters, and “dig deep for meaning.”

our students collected dust samples from all over Prague, as well as from other countries. The samples were then sent to US-based Phylagen, whose labs analyzed them for microbiomes. Next, the head of Vemodia, a Prague-based DNA lab came to speak to the Grade 9 and 11 students about the latest advances in biotechnology. Vemodia has offered to do some DNA sampling with the students as well as allow some of them to come and visit the DNA lab. The hope is that these connections with cutting-edge laboratories will enable our students to both witness and participate in authentic scientific research.

WORKING CREATIVELY AND COOPERATIVELY, THEY LEARNED THAT THE WHOLE CAN BE GREATER THAN THE SOME OF ITS PARTS

the opportunity to apply their ISP education to a real-world experience and to see for themselves what life is like in a modern office environment. Each student spent two or three weeks engaged in various projects and they all reported how phenomenal the experience was. This was a very successful pilot program, and we plan on expanding such internship opportunities in the future.

Dr. Mark Frankel Upper School Principal


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PRINCIPALS’ REPORTS

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UPPER SCHOOL ACHIEVEMENTS IB RESULTS 2017 THE INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE Founded in 1968, the International Baccalaureate Organization grew out of international school efforts to establish a common curriculum and university entrance credentials for geographically mobile students. Designed as a comprehensive two-year curriculum, the IB program at ISP allows its graduates to fulfill requirements that are recognized worldwide. ISP is one of 4,000 schools throughout the world to offer the the International Baccalaureate

Diploma, a rigorous pre-university course of studies, leading to examinations, that meet the needs of highly motivated students. Students at ISP earn the ISP diploma by acquiring the requisite number of credits in various curriculum areas and may also pursue the International Baccalaureate diploma. A full host of academic and elective courses offer students a challenging program while also allowing them to stretch themselves by exploring interests in a variety of special areas.

In 2017 ISP student’s average IB score was 34 against a world average of 30. 77% of students earned 2 or 3 bonus points in completing the IB Diploma and 92% of students earned at least 1 point.

Number of candidates

Average Diploma score

Highest Diploma Score

Average Exam Score

Pass Rate

ISP is a non-selective school and does not require applicants to take exams that might prove their ability to do well on standardised exams. Nevertheless, the average scores of ISP IB Diploma recipients consistently remain above world averages.

52 34 World Average 30

42 5.35 World Average 4.5

90.4


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ISP Graduates spread themselves around the world, with ISP Alumni typically enrolling in prestigious higher education institutions in several countries each year. Completing the ISP Diploma and/or the IB program provides an excellent pathway to prestigious universities in the United Kingdom, the United States, Continental Europe and around the world.

NORTH AMERICA

CONTINENTAL EUROPE

Canada Brock University Queens University Rygerson University University of Toronto

The Netherlands Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam The Hague University of Applied Sciences Koninklijke Militaire Academie Leiden University College The Hague Rooy de Pannen Hotel School Universiteit Maastricht University College Roosevelt Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

United States of America Boston College Drew University Fashion Institute of Technology Hanover College Harvey Mudd College Northeastern University Pratt-Munson-WilliamsProctor Arts Institute, New York Princeton University Seattle University University of California, Davis Utica College Virginia Commonwealth University

France Grenoble School of Management Istituto Marangoni Paris Czech Republic Anglo-American University Prague

Steti College of Graphic & Package Design University of New York in Prague Škoda Auto Vysoká škola Belgium Katholieke Universiteit Leuven Austria Vienna University of Economics and Business REST OF THE WORLD Korea Seoul National University Yonsei UniversityUnderwood International College Malaysia The University of Nottingham Malaysia

PRINCIPALS’ REPORTS

UNIVERSITY DESTINATIONS FOR ISP’S CLASS OF 2017


PRINCIPALS’ REPORTS

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ISP JOURNEYS

SANTERI KUIVALAINEN

NORA COLLEY

We moved to Prague in 2004 due to my dad's work and my parents decided that ISP would be the best school for me to begin in, so I was entered into PK4 that same year.

I came to ISP in 2012, after living for two years in Germany. The benefits of my international education at ISP have not stopped since I graduated. As an ISP alumnus, I have connections to a diverse group of students and teachers around the world, as well as a supportive community back in Prague.

For me, being an ISP Alum means I'm able to say I grew up in an international environment, not only is the education one receives excellent and prepares one well for university, but the big thing is that I had the opportunity to gain such a strong cultural awareness. Currently, I'm studying Sport and Recreation Management at the University of Edinburgh and I'm also continuing my passion for football by playing for the University first team. After gaining my Bachelor's from the University of Edinburgh, I will most likely be returning to Finland to complete my mandatory military service and hopefully continue my footballing career, which I will ideally look to turn into a profession. Depending on whether or not that works out for me, I might turn to obtaining a Masters whilst working in other parts of the sporting industry or perhaps even coaching.

I am currently studying Liberal Arts and Sciences at Leiden University College in the Hague, and hope to graduate with a degree in World Politics. I’m not sure what I will do afterwards. Perhaps I will pursue a Master’s degree or an internship. Wherever I end up in the future, I will always remember my wonderful experience at ISP.


LYUBOMIR HADJIYSKI

KAMILLA HRUBEŠOVÁ

I came to ISP in 2008 as a fourth grader after my dad’s work brought my family to the Czech Republic. Prior to ISP, I had attended various other international schools abroad. I am proud to call myself an alumnus because of all the things ISP has helped build in me: international awareness, open-mindedness, a passion for learning, and an incredible sense of belonging to a community.

I arrived at ISP when I was 6 years old. We had moved to Prague from Toronto Canada three years prior. My mum is originally from Prague and my dad is Canadian. My dad found a job teaching English and Theory of Knowledge.

I am currently pursuing my bachelor’s degree at Princeton University, where I plan to major in Politics. In the future, I hope to pursue a career in public policy, government, or law.

Although I was so relieved to finish the IB, when I returned to ISP six months later to give a TEDx talk, I was sweetly surprised at how much I missed the international spirit at ISP. Some of my best memories at ISP during high school were working with younger students tutoring and helping out after school. Being an Alumna means I am part of a large network of people worldwide and, who knows, maybe I’ll return to ISP someday as an aid, sub or teacher. I am studying at a post-secondary programme in North Bohemia that focuses on packaging design and graphics. So far it’s been a great experience for me to work alongside students that are interested in the same topics I am, and I find it fascinating to be able to see the practical side of the work I do. I hope to connect my two passions: art and teaching. I am not set on one thing, because I know that I might have to do different things in my life, so I am ready to be flexible and positive.


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INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, ACTIVITIES AND ATHLETICS Technology, innovation and extra-curricular activities are all integral parts of how ISP fulfils its mission to Inspire, Engage and Inspire learners.



INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, ACTIVITIES AND ATHLETICS

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INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY 2016-17 was a year of continued innovation, collaboration and engagement, in addition to a significant focus on coherence across our community. Below are a few of the many highlights from the past year.

ISP robotics continues to grow, thanks in part to the Noen fund, with enough student interest to allow for two teams at the Upper School level. We again hosted the CEESA First Tech Robotics tournament in February, with twelve teams from around Europe competing in both technical challenges and engineering design. The MechaFalcons came away with the Control Award for programming. Both ISP teams travelled to the Dutch open, competing against 80 teams from around the region and posting a strong finish. The Middle School Robotics Team also competed strongly in the regional First Lego League competition. This young team will go from strength to strength and are already brimming with ideas for next year!

Supporters of Robotics at ISP

This past spring we once again had the honor of hosting the 7th annual Czech Teachers Summit, in collaboration with Apple Europe and 24U.cz. This event had over 150 Czech Educators and Administrators coming to ISP to learn about leveraging digital tools to enhance student learning. Once again, ISP’s Daniela Krejbichova (ES Languages) presented to high acclaim. The Petr Mares one-to-one laptop program in our Middle School completed its 9th year and the Upper School its 8th year. This programme continues to develop, with students and teachers finding more ways to enhance their learning and collaborate both locally and globally. As well, we continued with the authentic integration of technology into our Elementary School programme. This year saw Elementary teachers exploring several options


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THAT STRIVES TO ENGAGE WITH ALL SEGMENTS OF THE COMMUNITY WITH A VARIETY OF RESOURCES AND INITIATIVES

for digital portfolio as a way for students to reflect on and share their learning. This work will continue in 2017-18. The ISP Library is a place that strives to engage all segments of the community with a variety of resources and activities. We were very fortunate to have the world-renowned Dr. Jane Goodall visit ISP and share her message of conservation and responsibility with all of our students. This has

lead to a deeper commitment to her Roots & Shoots organization across the school. As well, last year, we were fortunate to have note author Jane Clarke on campus working with our students. Our amazingly popular toddler storytime continued to

grow for those children too young to formally start at ISP. Additionally, our commitment to digital as well as print media continued to grow with substantial gains in our ebook and audiobook collections. Finally, the Library piloted a new “Maker Space” where students

can explore designing and making creative objects in a number of different media. In April, the ISP IT/Library department was represented at the Learning2 conference, held in Warsaw. Dr. Perry facilitated

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, ACTIVITIES AND ATHLETICS

THE ISP LIBRARY IS A PLACE


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a group of teachers throughout the conference as well as presented several workshops. In 2015-16 we we established the “Idea Lab.” This is a room connected to the library that aims to support our increased focus on design thinking and design technology. This room continued to see high use and

develop as a space to support authentic learning. To enhance our ability to rapid prototype, we added a laser cutter that allows students to quickly turn their ideas into reality in paper, plastic and wood! Also in this space, students and faculty are able to access all three of our Technology Coaches to support all of their technology and design needs.

We continued expanding our live streaming initiative this year. We were able to share live video of events like Upper School graduation from Zofin Palace, Grade 8 graduation, all bi-weekly elementary gatherings, and a number of other sporting and arts events. Feedback from parents and friends around the world has been very positive and we hope to continue


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ESTABLISHED THE "IDEA LAB"...IN THIS SPACE STUDENTS AND FACULTY ARE ABLE TO ACCESS ALL THREE OF OUR TECHNOLOGY COACHES TO SUPPORT ALL OF THEIR TECHNOLOGY AND DESIGN NEEDS

sharing these events in the future as students become more involved in the streaming process. Finally, ISP launched a major initiative addressing coherence across IT systems with the initial release of “myISP.” This new community portal and database will eventually replace many of the systems that parents, staff and

students use for information at ISP. In 2016-17, we were able to move our core databases, admissions, re-enrollment and reporting in the Elementary and Middle School into myISP. This migration will continue in 2017-18, and will provide our community with a single site to access the information they need.

We are proud of our accomplishments for 2016-17, but are even more excited about the year ahead. We look forward to supporting our community of learners, and providing the support and programs that will enhance our learning at the International School of Prague.

Sheldon Bradshaw Director of Information Technology

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, ACTIVITIES AND ATHLETICS

IN 2015-16 WE


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ACTIVITIES It is with pleasure that I report the ongoing growth and development of the activities program. Our increased enrollment has been matched with increased opportunities for our students.

ELEMENTARY The Elementary after school activities program continues to thrive under the organisation of Mr. Tarique Choudhury. The trimesterly program demonstrates a balance of sports, fine arts and technical/educational offerings for our students. We have seen increased relationships with our local community enabling a varied range of opportunities and experiences for our students. These include;

Ohm Dance (bollywood dance), Rugby Academy Olymp Prague (youth rugby), Sport Academy (various sports), Quang Kung Fu (kung fu), Young Film Set (film class), Nebusice Spikes Volleyball (mini volleyball), GAA Gymnastics (gymnastics), Fresh and Tasty Catering (little chefs), Waters Swim club (swimming) and Czech Cricket Association (cricket). The Elementary performing and fine arts programs remain as popular as ever and continue to

grow in quality. Czech Rattle and Roll has been a popular student centred musical performance activity while our Dance program continues to offer a variety styles of ballet, jazz, modern, bollywood and breakdance gives. MIDDLE SCHOOL AND UPPER SCHOOL 2016/7 was a year when ISP had to draw upon its community to assist with the hosting of 8 large events. We played host to the following CEESA events,


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INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, ACTIVITIES AND ATHLETICS

Varsity Boys Volleyball/Varsity Girls Volleyball, Middle School Girls Basketball, Middle School Boys Tennis, High School Boys Tennis, High School Robotics, High School Band/Choir, as well as an ISTA (International Schools Association) theatre festival. This was a wonderful opportunity for us to showcase our facilities and programs to guest schools. In the High School our Robotics program has grown with the help and support of our donors, Avast,

"THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH" AWARD HAS THRIVED. THERE WAS A RECORD OF OVER 50 STUDENTS IN THE PROGRAM

NOEN and the PTC Academic Program.Noen etc etc. With such interest we managed to make three teams and competed in the FTC CEESA event as well as the Dutch open. The Duke of Edinburgh Award is another program that has thrived. There was a record of over 50 students in the program of which 8 were taking on the challenge of the gold award. While our sports teams achieved many successes throughout the

year notable mentions go to the following CEESA championship teams: JV Girls Basketball, Varsity Girls Volleyball, Middle School Boys Football, Varsity Boys Tennis and Middle School Girls Football.

Joe Monks Director of Activities


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SUPPORTING ISP ISP’s annual budget is supported not only by tuition, but by income from facility rental, interest from the school’s endowment, and donations from community members.



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ANNUAL FUND ISP is a not-for-profit school. While tuition is not inexpensive, all proceeds go towards improving the experience of ISP students. As its name suggests, fundraising for the Annual Fund takes place every year. Donations to the Annual Fund confirm the community’s desire to go beyond the cost of tuition to purchase items and programs that have an immediate impact on current students. It elevates ISP to the level of excellence that tuition alone cannot provide. It can touch every part of the school’s budget including academic programs, financial aid, technology, athletics, arts, and facilities. It provides the school with the flexibility to respond quickly to new opportunities, and to meet unexpected challenges. Most importantly, it is the reason behind ISP’s global reputation for excellence in education amongst international schools. 2016-17 was the fourth year of the ISP Annual Fund, and the third

year with an all-volunteer committee. We are very grateful, for the third year running, that ISP parent Daniel Kretinsky again agreed to match the total donations given to the Annual Fund. This generous gesture allowed us to eventually surpass our goal, so that by the end of the year, over 100 donors had helped to raise a total of 2.902.070 CZK! We would like to express our earnest thanks to our fellow committee members who selflessly volunteered their time and acted as ambassadors for the Annual Fund in the community. Thank you also to the ISP community who responded with typical generosity to raise our impressive total. Thank you,

Susan McKinnon Alexandra Walmer 2016-17 Annual Fund Committee Co-Chairs

MEMBERS OF THE 2016-17 ANNUAL FUND COMMITTEE • Alexandra Walmer (co-chair) • Susan McKinnon (co-chair) • Rebecca Farmer • Amy Seymour • Courtney Tucker • Sheridan Barnett • Victoria Reznik • Vivienne Sheridan • Stacy Eckstein • Julie Becker • Tamara Gamble • Kveta Wolff • Strella Ahn • Joy Bachleda • Dalia El-Hadidy


THE COMENIUS SOCIETY

THE GOLD & BLACK SOCIETY

100000 Czk and up • Anonymous • Martina Krskova and Tomas Krsek • Danka Kusikova and Martin Kusik • E ricka and Jan Sykora

5000 Czk to 19999 Czk • Julie and Douglas Gattuso • Dessislava Georgieva and Kiril Georgiev • Rowena and Andrew Gerber • Olga Golubenko • Sharon and John Kennedy • Iuliia Kotova and Andrey Kotov • Jana Liskova and Josef Liska • Carmen Pignotti and Ian Philips • Carol and Peter Ridder • Eva and Tim Shaw • Maria Sorokina and Andrey Sorokin • Kim and Paul Strebel

THE FALCON'S SOCIETY 50000 Czk to 99999 Czk • I vona and Petr Svrcek THE NEBUSICE SOCIETY 20000 Czk to 49999 Czk • Anonymous •C harlotta and Staffan Erenmalm •A dele Rossetti and Giuseppe Giordo • E va Maderycova and Milan Maderyc •N adační fond pro vzdělávání •A lexandra and Travis Walmer •M ari Schindele and Matthew Wiener • Kveta Wolff

THE SUPPORTER'S SOCIETY 1 Czk to 4999 Czk • May Khalife and Ilias Assimakopoulos • Arnie and Marianne Bieber • Marie and Dominique Bossan • Anastasia Bulavchenko • Jessica and David Burns • Lisa Buttler • Vlasta and David Caraway • Kay DeKuiper and Ray Castillo • Johanna Salovaara-Dean and Hadley Dean • Jana Draxlerova and Petr Draxler

• Adela Durajkova and Jan Durajka • Tatiana and Gabriel Eichler • Zamira Eshanova and Andreas Albrecht • Lynne and John Evans • Rebecca and Rodney Farmer • Kathy and John Flanagan • Barry and Angeliki Freckmann • Danielle Fredericks • Tamara and Peter Gamble • Beata and Arthur Garnczarek • Rita and Alexander Gedevanisvili • Stephen Guthrie and Teresa Belisle • Tara and Zac Hollis • Tanya Kancheva • Olga Kilyakova • Oxana Konovalova • Andrea Koudelkova • Jana and Kyriakos Kyriakou • Anouk Melis and Frederick Lathioor • Strela Ahn and Hun Lee • William and Alexandra Lobkowicz • Zuzana Mandrysova and Igor Mandrys • Graeme and Susan McKinnon • Tereza and Tony McLaughlin • Petra and Dennis Melka • Drahomira Micanova and Vladimir Mican • Elena Mishina and Sergei Mishin

• Catherine Morrison • Scott and Amy Neuman • Vera and Thomas Newbold • Tatjana and Andrej Pardo • Elizabeth Perry • Anna Popova and Roman Popov • Viktoria and Alexander Reznik • Stacy Eckstein and Thomas Rizzo • Don and Amy Seymour • Olga Sharipova and Rishat Sharipov • Vivienne and Joseph Sheridan • Marina and Volodymyr Sidorovych • Irina and Noah Tucker • Helena Tuuri and Pentti Makinen • Agniezska and Richard Widmann • Anne and Todd Wilder • Jimena Zalba and John Esteller • Jana Zantovska and Michael Zantovsky The above list was compiled from those who gave direct donations and/or attended the major event, held in support of the Annual Fund – Cabaret. As some people purchase their Cabaret tickets for others, please forgive us for any accidental omissions.

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ANNUAL FUND DONORS

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CABARET 2017 February 2007 saw the 19th Annual ISP Cabaret, which for the second successive year was held at Le Royal Theatre in Vinohrady. A wonderfully entertaining evening took place in support of the Annual Fund, which helps support the arts at ISP. Hosted by the irrepressible Nancy Braun, it was, as always, rewarding to witness ISP’s in-house comedienne let loose. Ms Braun is enabled by the unique atmosphere of Cabaret to perhaps occupy slightly more risque territory than we are used to in Nebušice. Some ISP Leadership Team members perhaps somewhat regretted their decision to sit in the box seats at the front of Le Royal Theatre and bore the brunt of Ms Braun’s razor-sharp wit!

Cabaret showcased the talent within the ISP Community - parents, students, faculty, staff and friends - which we are so fortunate to have. Thanks so much to all of our performers, to Nancy Braun and Juraj Benda and to all who attended. Gratitude also to K-Service and Fresh & Tasty for providing snacks and all the staff at Le Royal for assisting in making the night such an enjoyable one.


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CABARET SHOWCASED THE TALENT WITHIN THE ISP COMMUNITY - PARENTS, STUDENTS, FACULTY, STAFF AND FRIENDS


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ISP SCHOLARSHIPS & NIGHT AT SACRE COEUR The goal of the ISP Scholarship Program is to make the ISP educational experience available to a diverse range of students. Scholarships are based not only on financial need, but also on merit. In addition to fulfilling the normal requirements for admission to ISP, a student who wishes to be considered for a Scholarship must demonstrate an excellent academic record, a strong command of the English language, a desire to obtain an education in a multicultural environment, and an intention to enroll in the full International Baccalaureate program.

The Scholarship Program at ISP is partially funded through donations to the School from parents, corporations, Alumni and others. In order to ensure the long-term viability of this program, the School holds an annual fundraiser for scholarships, in 2016-17, “Night at Sacre Coeur”. NIGHT AT SACRE COEUR Dear ISP Community, Thank you once again for your support of ISP and the 7th Annual Fundraising ‘Night at Sacre Coeur’ Event for Scholarships and Financial Aid at ISP. This year there were several new faces on the committee and we worked hard in organizing a fun and engaging event that people would enjoy! This was without forgetting the aim of the event,

which is to raise significant funds to provide educational opportunities at ISP through Scholarships for those who might otherwise not see our school as an academic option. As a committee, we would like to express our appreciation and the greatest of thanks to all those involved ranging from; parents, teachers, ISP community, local and international businesses for their hard work, generosity and support including the donation of products and services for our auction. Without this energy and generosity we simply would not have an event. For the 7th year of the gala event the committee went through a process of elimination to arrive at a unique venue that would be


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TEAM THAT WORKED WELL AND CAME UP WITH AN AMAZING EVENING

somewhere slightly different to the usual Prague venues. It was a thrill for all of us to see people enjoying themselves at the event, which had taken months of careful planning. The organizing committee, the ISP Advancement Office and the Board of Trustees are dedicated to ensuring the event is a success. We aim to please the whole Community and we spend a lot of time planning and coordinating this event with the help of volunteers who give up numerous mornings, lunches and afternoons to source the best food and drinks, entertainment, décor, and auction gifts to make the evening one to remember. For all the pieces to fit into this complex and fun jigsaw we would like to thank the many people

SUPPORTING ISP

IT WAS A GREAT


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who made this event possible. Thank you to the Advancement Office and the Night at Sacre Coeur committee - Strella Ahn, Soo Joo Bae, Elizabeth Frausto, Sheridan Barnett, Vera Newbold, Alejandra de Maria, and Viktoria Reznik - for their time.

Thank you also to Renata Maudlingova for her help with the auction. It was a great team that worked well together and came up with an amazing evening. Once again we had the backing of ISP’s Board of Trustees, who supported the event Fun Casino

Fun moments at Sacre Coeur wholeheartedly. The trustees not only volunteer their time on the Board, they also sponsored many of the activities and products, which made the event so successful. Thank you to our student volunteers, Moira Strebel and Julia


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SUPPORTING ISP

Using their expert negotiation and sales skills, they succeeded in selling all the tickets, raising an amazing total of 50,000 Czk! Lewis for lending a helping hand with the cloakroom. Also, thank you to Toby Shaw, Jan Truneček and Danique Diks who helped with the sale of the Supercar raffle tickets. They showed a remarkable enthusiasm and energy to support Scholarships at ISP.

Thank you to all our corporate donors: ADP, Doosan, Engel & Völkers, IBM and 24Safe. Our security and safety was ensured by the watchful eyes of Petr Koubek and Milan Hašek. We also thank Greg Wydrzynski and Sváťa Soukup for transporting all auction gifts, decorations and wine

to and from Sacre Coeur. We are so grateful for all of their support and generosity of their time. Finally we want to thank the entire ISP Community, who donated to our event and in doing so showed support to the Scholarship and the Financial Aid Programs, helping these causes have another amazing year! With your attendance, generous bids on the auction items and purchase of the raffle tickets, you have made our

fundraising event a great success and opened many realms of possibility to potential students.

Ericka Sykora Markéta Zajícová Committee Co-chairs


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CUMULATIVE CORPORATE SCHOLARSHIP DONATIONS 2011-17 The Comenius Society (500.000 CZK and up)

The Falcons Society (250.000 CZK to 499.999 CZK)

The Nebušice Society (175.000 CZK to 249.999 CZK)

The Gold and Black Society (100.000 CZK to 174.999 CZK)

The Supporters Society (25.000 CZK to 99.999 CZK)


The Falcons Society (250.000 CZK to 499.999 CZK)

The Supporters Society (25.000 CZK to 99.999 CZK)

CORPORATE GIFTS-IN KIND

gifted by Erika and Jan Sýkora

SUPPORTING ISP

CORPORATE SCHOLARSHIP DONATIONS 2016-17

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INDIVIDUAL DONATIONS THE COMENIUS SOCIETY

THE FALCON’S SOCIETY

THE NEBUSICE SOCIETY

THE GOLD & BLACK SOCIETY

100.000 CZK and up Vera and Thomas Newbold Carol and Peter Ridder The Amgen Foundation

50.000 CZK to 99.999CZK Jana Lišková and Josef Liška Ericka and Jan Sykora

25.000 CZK to 49.999CZK Marie and Dominique Bossan Rikke and Anders Brondum Tatiana and Gabriel Eichler Adele Rossetti and Giuseppe Giordo Renata and Ben Maudling Leanne and Nicolas Monaghan Beata and Neville Parry Grant McKenzie and Loredarna Popasav Eva and Tim Shaw Pip nad David Sturgeon Katerina and Ajit Virk Markéta Zajícová

5.000 CZK to 24.999CZK Nicole and Marco Anderegg May Khalife and Ilias Assimakopoulos Joy and Mark Bachleda Sheridan and Paul Barnett Julie and Jeffrey Becker Liza and Charles Bergmann Marianne and Arnie Bieber Martin Blecha Laura and Sheldon Bradshaw Alice and John Burbank Lada Campion Kay DeKuiper and Ray Castillo Szilvia Horváth and Alex Cook Inez and James Cusumano Rineke and Ronald Dasbach Johanna Salovaara-Dean and Hadley Dean Hana and Keith Dilworth Petr Draxler and Jana Draxlerova Lene and Rasmus Duun Shir and Guy Dvorin Landy and Joseph Elliot Birgitte and Torben Emborg Lee Rose and Josiah Emery


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SUPPORTING ISP

Charlotta and Staffan Erenmalm Rebecca and Rodney Farmer Kathy and John Flanagan Elisabeth and Joseluis Frausto Angeliki and Barry Freckmann Rita and Alexander Gedevanishvili Rowena and Andrew Gerber Christine and Tim Gunnell Teresa Belisle and Steven Guthrie Yasmin and Filip Hejduk Mike Hordley and Ruth Hordley Merlin Jahodova and Richard Jahoda Karin and Paul Karafotas Annabel and Tim Kersten Marcela and Michael Kimsey Liv-Monica Klungtveit and John Tokaruk Michael Del Nin and Sean Krebs Tamara Tomasetto and Alessandro Lagazio Anouk Melis and Frederick Lathioor Emma and Evan Lazar Strella Ahn and Hun Lee Zuzana Mandrysova and Igor Mandrys Susan and Graeme McKinnon Amy and Scott Neuman Martha and George Nussbaum

Monica and Mike O'Mara Jessica and Neil Percifull Aurelia Benitez and Pablo Ramos Lenka Filgasová and Zdeněk Raška Viktoria and Alexander Reznik Stacy Eckstein and Thomas Rizzo Andrea and Gregor Pobst Anne and Maurick Schellekens Michaela and Richard Seewald Amy and Donald Seymour Tamar Newberger and Andrew Shapiro Olga Sharipova and Rishat Sharipov Marina and Volodymyr Sidorovych Kim and Paul Strebel Courtney and Michael Tucker Marie Ullrichova and Petr Ullrich Rebeca Martinez and Mario Valdes Alexandra and Travis Walmer Agnieszka and Richard Widmann Mari Schindele and Matthew Wiener Anne and Todd Wilder Rebecca and William Wood

THE SUPPORTER’S SOCIETY 1 CZK to 4.999CZK Kyoung Ran Choi Jill Colley and Mark Frankel Tamara and Peter Gamble Martha Rey and Jean-Jacques Hausknecht Marketa and Daniel Higgins Yoon Sung Jung Natalia Kafidova and Dmitry Kafidov Olga Kilyakova Mi-Kyung Kim Jung Hee Kim Andrea Koudelkova Eunmt Lee Grace Lew Tereza and Tony McLaughlin Sun Hwa Oh Carmen Pignotti and Ian Phillips Helena and Mark Robinson Song Sun-Mi Jaroslava Toutonghi and David Sobeski Jana Tsang Tasha and Clive Watkins

Kveta Wolff These lists were compiled from those who gave direct donations and/or attended the Night Under the Stars (which is held in support of the ISP Scholarship Program). As some people purchase Night Under the Stars tickets for others, it is not always possible to know exactly who attended; please forgive us for any accidental omissions.


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AUCTION The Supercar Weekend Raffle and

and non-ISP communities together

The companies and individual donors who donated the Auction items have shown their support for the Scholarship program please, whenever you frequent their businesses, be sure to let them know that you are aware of their commitment to the School, and that you appreciate their involvement.

in a meaningful way.

AUCTION DONORS

wonderful Silent Auction items contributed the tremendous amount of 803.000 CZK to the total figure raised, and brought people from ISP

Advantage Cars Adventure Golf Horní Bezděkov Alexander Onishenko Aline Derer, Junko Photography Anna Paola Desiderio Aria Hotel Artěl Emma Bieber Boscolo Hotel Prague Bouda Helena Café Rudolfinum

Canadian Medical Care Caravan Metropol Karting Chateau Mcely Concierge Management Cook&Meet Crestyl Crossfit Commited Czech Philharmonic Česká televize Delso Interiéry Dušní3


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SUPPORTING ISP

Education First Petra Faitova First English Speaking International Ballet School in Prague Galerie Jakubská Golf Klub Botanika Hadovka Health and Fitness Halada Horse Park Kamenný Dvůr Hurricane Factory Prague

Inspired Choices – Alexandra Brabcová iPilot Jáma Steakhouse James Hair Radek Kubina Larissa Ruzyak Letecké Centrum České republiky LG Electronics May Khalife and Ilias Assimakopoulos

Merlin Jahodová MindMaze Nestlé The Newbold Family O2 Oriflame Jan Procházka Rebuy Stars Casino Sephora Sharingbox Smetana s.r.o. – Dr. Hauschka

Soline Butik Studio Namaste Swiss Cheese Tasha and Clive Watkins The Sykora Family Vlado Vovkanič Wellness Rooseveltova Zátiší Group 24SAFE


Petra Faitovรก

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Tasha Watkins

Radek Kubina

Merlin Jahodovรก

Vlado Vovkaniฤ

Anna Paola Desiderio


The Sykora Family

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SUPPORTING ISP

Martha Rey

May Khalife & Ilias Assimakopoulos

Emma Bieber

Larissa Ruzyak


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STUDENT RAFFLE As in previous years, the Student Raffle was a huge hit amongst students. The raffle, held in March, gave the opportunity not only for students to win fantastic prizes, but also to participate in raising funds for the Scholarship and Financial Aid Programs at ISP. The raffle added greatly to the overall amount of funds raised by bringing 125,000 CZK to support Scholarships and Financial Aid at ISP. Please join us in thanking our generous Student Raffle donors for all the wonderful raffle gifts. STUDENT RAFFLE DONORS Adventure Golf Horní Bezděkov Aquapark Kladno Bakeshop Boulder MyWay The Candy Store Caravan Metropol Karting Da Ezio Pizzeria Dolce Villa Hotel – Burger Bar Fresh & Tasty iPilot ISP Advancement & Activities

Office ISP Arts Departments Julia Paniagua Andrea Koudelkova K-Servis Laura Owen Lego Group LG Electronics MaxLaserGame MindMaze The Newbold Family Oriflame Paintballame.cz Sephora Sleťák Restaurant SAMK Kladno Soo Joo Bae The Sykora Family Tiskdo1000 24U


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TRULY INSPIRATIONAL JANE GOODALL VISITS ISP In December 2016 ISP had the tremendous honour of hosting the internationally renowned British primatologist, ethologist, anthropologist, and UN Messenger of Peace, Dr. Jane Goodall MBE. Dr. Goodall is undoubtedly one of the most inspirational visitors ISP has hosted in the school’s near 70 year history.

The visit was a keenly-anticipated one, with a range of preparations having taken across ISP. The Elementary School prepared a special welcoming set of songs for the special guest after learning about her life and work. Middle School students excelled in producing expertly designed posters, postcards and ‘peace poles’ for the visit - not least an appropriately reworked ISP logo! Upper School Students also prepared through various fundraising activities. Since 1986, Dr. Goodall has travelled nearly 300 days a year on


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SUPPORTING ISP

DO NOT BELIEVE IT'S TOO. I BELIEVE THERE'S A WINDOW OF TIME. I BELIEVE IF WE ALL GET TOGETHER AND DO OUR PART, THAT WE CAN SLOW DOWN CLIMATE CHANGE.

a perpetual world speaking tour, visiting over 30 countries just last year alone. Dr. Goodall’s work and her unique vision has been an inspiration to thousands of young people around the world. During the visit, all students in the Elementary, Middle and Upper Schools got the opportunity to directly hear from Dr. Goodall - as were visitors from local Czech and other Prague-based international schools. Dr. Goodall brought her message of environmental responsibility, the need to care for the animals of

the world as well as for each other, to all ISP community members. She, of course, spent most of her time with our young people, who represent the future of the planet. Dr. Goodall urged students to get involved with important causes and specifically with her signature program Roots & Shoots. This year Roots & Shoots is celebrating its 25th anniversary, with more than 150,000 members in over 130 countries, all working on local and global service projects. Dr Goodall had a strong message for ISP students:

“We haven’t inherited our planet from our parents, we’ve borrowed it from our children. If you’ve heard that, it’s not true. We haven’t borrowed your future, we’ve stolen it. And we’re still stealing it Do not believe that it’s too late. I believe there’s a window of time. I believe if we all get together and do our part, that we can slow down climate change, that we can begin to restore the environment.”


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ISP COMMUNITY ISP is a unique diverse community, made up of over 60 nationalities. The School Community Association (SCA) is an active, diverse, all-volunteer organisation.



ISP COMMUNITY

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SCHOOL COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION The SCA is an all-volunteer organization whose goal is to support the diverse community of ISP, furthering the spirit of cooperation and the values that underpin the school’s Mission.

All parents and guardians are automatically members of the SCA, and they are encouraged to participate as much as they wish. Through the SCA they have access to wide-ranging volunteering opportunities. They can also enjoy community gatherings and events throughout the year. New ideas are always welcome! Last year the SCA created a new position to help facilitate channels of Community Service work for its members.

Events and activities organized or sponsored during 2016-17 included: NEW FAMILY ORIENTATION DAY A large and diverse committee of parents, run by the SCA’s two Newcomers’ Representatives and working closely with the Admissions Office, hosted this special introductory day in August. New students and their families were welcomed to the school by SCA delegates representing countries from around the world. The new families were guided through a program designed to help them integrate into the ISP Community and Prague. SCA delegates led them on tours of the school and gave them a Welcome Bag with a Newcomers’ Handbook -- a compilation of essential


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IS DRIVEN BY YOU

Czech artists brought paintings, sculptures, clothing, jewelry and many other items to sell at the school. This event was organized by the school’s Administration and supported by the SCA. ADULT EDUCATION

information for expats created and updated over the years by ISP parents. The Newcomers’ Reps held additional meetings throughout the year to support incoming families. ANNUAL INFORMATION FAIR & WELCOME BACK PICNIC New and returning families attended the first major social event at the beginning of the

year. The atmosphere was enhanced by musical performances by ISP faculty and students. Local vendors were also on hand to introduce and promote their products and services. This event gave new families both an opportunity to mingle and meet each other, and a chance to obtain more information to help settle into life in Prague. The event was organized by the school’s Ad-

ministration and supported by the SCA. SEASONAL ARTS AND CRAFT FAIR This event took place in November, in anticipation of the Winter Holidays. ISP families and the broader Nebusice community had the opportunity to purchase a wide range of handcrafted goods and traditional foods.

The SCA organized a comprehensive program of courses for parents. Subjects offered included various languages, Czech culture, painting, photography, cooking, wine-tasting, sports, and wellness, among others. Some parents volunteered to teach hobbies in their homes. There were also "Let's Go" trips throughout the year that allowed groups of parents to explore Prague neighborhoods or exhibits together.

ISP COMMUNITY

EVERYTHING WE DO


ISP COMMUNITY

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WHAT BETTER WAY TO WITNESS AND ACCOMPANY YOUR CHILD'S LEARNING JOURNEY THAN TO VOLUNTEER AT THE REMARKABLE SCHOOL?

STAFF APPRECIATION DAY To express gratitude and appreciation for each and every one of ISP’s teachers, administrators and employees, the SCA hosted a buffet luncheon for all the school’s staff. Parents ran the whole event. INTERNATIONAL FOOD FAIR The International Food Fair attracted more than 1000 visitors

who enjoyed delicious specialties from 27 countries. Hundreds of families prepared mouth-watering dishes from all over the world. Children also enjoyed sports and crafts at the Small Gym. Parents ran the whole event. “ACTIVITY REPS” The SCA’s booster club organized snacks and smoothies for all CEESA sports tournaments and other inter-scholastic events, including Upper School Speech & Debate and Robotics.

SCA COFFEE MORNINGS The SCA’s General Meetings were held every two months for parents/guardians. Each meeting started with a ‘meetand-mingle’ in which parents were organized according to their children’s grade. The SCA also sponsored sectional coffee mornings organized by principals. On a personal note, since 2016-17 was my family’s final year at the school, I must say that ISP is a truly unique community. From my first


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ISP COMMUNITY

visit, I was struck by the warmth, enthusiasm and depth of engagement at the school. Educators, administrators, staff and parents were all eager partners in creating the right atmosphere for students. Over my six years in Prague, I had countless opportunities to “live” ISP – from volunteering as room parent and serving for four years on the SCA board, to helping paint

the set of a musical, assisting dance teachers, and joining the community choir. From sharing traditions from my home country, Argentina, in the classroom, to participating in workshops by leading world educators, attending digital media sessions and contributing to school re-accreditation work. And so much more! Every experience was enriching and I am deeply grateful.

I urge you to consider this special and welcoming backdrop for parents, and get involved! You will experience what our children are offered – an environment that is safe and inclusive. A space to thrive. And what better way to witness and accompany your child’s learning journey than to volunteer at this remarkable school? With fondest memories and great appreciation,

Carmen Pignotti SCA Chair 2016-2017


ISP COMMUNITY

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SCA EXECUTIVE BOARD 2015-16 The SCA is an active, all volunteer organisation whose goal is to enhance the lives of all members of the diverse ISP community and to reinforce the school’s Mission and Strategy. CHAIR

UPPER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL REP

Carmen Pignotti

Susan McKinnon

VICE CHAIR

MIDDLE SCHOOL REPS

Jana Jungmannova

Dalia El-Hadidy & Marketa Zajícová

TREASURER

Beatriz Iturriaga

UPPER SCHOOL REPS

Amy Seymour & Pip Sturgeon SECRETARY

Julie Becker

ADULT EDUCATION

Mari Schindele LOWER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL REP

Liv-Monica Klungtveit

LET’S GO

Elisabeth Frausto NEWCOMERS COMMITTEE REP

Agnieszka Widmann & Kathy Flanagan ACTIVITIES REPS

Jessica Burns & Vlasta Carawayova COMMUNITY SERVICE REP

Vivienne Sheridan


OUR COMMUNITY

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countries, learn and develop in a challenging and nurturing environment. The impact of multiculturalism is an integral part of everyone’s life at ISP.

Afghanistan Armenia Australia Austria Azerbaijan Belgium Brazil Bulgaria Canada Chechnya

China Colombia Croatia Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Egypt Finland France Germany Guatemala

Hong Kong India Iran Ireland Israel Italy Japan Kazakhstan Kosovo Kyrgyzstan Latvia

Lithuania Macedonia Malaysia Mexico Netherlands New Zealand Norway Pakistan Philippines Poland Romania

Russia Saudi Arabia Slovakia Slovenia South Africa South Korea Spain Sweden Switzerland Tajikistan Tanzania

Turkey United Kingdom Ukraine United Arab Emirates United States of America Uzbekistan Venezuela

ISP COMMUNITY

At the International School of Prague, 860 students from ages 3-19, from 62


ISP COMMUNITY

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ISP ALUMNI ASSOCIATION As an alumnus of ISP (Class of ‘04), and in my role as Chairman of the ISP Alumni Council, I am pleased to report that 2016-17 was a school year during which alumni relations at ISP made significant strides forward. Following the formal establishment of the ISP Alumni Association in the previous year, events and initiatives aimed at bringing alumni together and growing interest in alumni relations have gained momentum in this school year.

Due to the enthusiasm of my fellow Alumni Council members; Larissa Batt (Class of ‘08), Martin Berka (Class of ‘07), Gwyther Bultman (Class of ‘98), Irina Ivanova (Class of ’03) and Petra Viaglova (Class of ’06), as well as the support of the ISP Advancement Office, a number of noteworthy steps have been made toward developing the school’s alumni program. I would specifically like to mention the bi-monthly alumni networking events, which provide a regular platform for interaction

among Prague-based alumni and guests from the ISP community; the launch of the ISP Alumni Connect social network, which allows former ISP students to share and search for the locations, occupations and passions of fellow ISP alumni; and a very successful reunion event, where alumni had the opportunity to visit the ISP campus and see where it has evolved since their years at the school, before proceeding to an informal banquet at the Hilton. Due to the transient nature of international schools, we want to


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RECONNECT WITH OLD FRIENDS, BUT ALSO TO HEAR ABOUT THE PERSONAL JOURNEYS OF OTHER ALUMNI.

give students who graduated elsewhere the opportunity to retain their connection with ISP. Therefore, we define alumni as anyone who has ever been a student at the school. We also welcome former faculty, staff and parents as members of the alumni community. I am looking forward to further developments in alumni relations over the coming years. It’s exciting to reconnect with old friends, but also to hear about the personal journeys of other alumni. I was honoured to become a Member of the ISP Board of Trustees

during the 2016-17 school year and hope that other alumni will become involved in the governance of our alma mater, where we share a common goal of seeing the school continue to flourish.

Martin Blecha Chairman of the ISP Alumni Council

ISP COMMUNITY

IT'S EXCITING TO


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FINANCIAL REPORT ISP is a non-profit organisation, all monies the school raises through tuition and fundraising are directly reinvested back into the school.



FINANCIAL REPORT

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FINANCIAL OVERSIGHT - FROM THE BOARD TREASURER & DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS We are pleased to report that ISP ended its 68th year of operations with steady enrolment (858 students) and a healthy financial picture.

During the 2016-17 fiscal year, the tuition income increased by 3%, reflecting higher student numbers. Tuition and Capital Assessment accounted for 99% of total institutional income for the year. Operating expenses increased by 2.3% to CZK 412,665 thousand. As with most schools, salaries and benefits continue to represent the school’s greatest expense, at 73.5% of total expenses. The school’s net positive result

increased to CZK 16,441 thousand in fiscal year 2016-17 compared to a positive result of CZK 11,856 thousand in the prior year, reflecting the increase due to a reduction in non-educational spending and despite the increase in direct spending on the educational program. The positive result allows the school to maintain its dedicated annual financial reserve (of 25% of budgeted expenses) and continually provide for the planned long-term improvement of the campus. The financial information set out above and in the consolidated financial results through June 30, 2017 of the grouping of entities comprising the School demonstrate the overall financial health of the institution. ISP’s Financial Statements and Annual Report are

audited annually by PricewaterhouseCoopers Audit, s.r.o. FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT Through its activities ISP meets a number of market risks. ISP’s focus in this area is to prevent potential risks, thus the School uses available tools to minimize the impact of particular economic and financial situations, such as currency fluctuations, inflation and differing enrolment levels, on its operations. YOUR FEES AND DONATIONS AT WORK ISP is able to provide its educational model through the fees it charges, and also thanks to the donations it receives. The information below is given to provide clarity around the use of your fees and donations.


Each year, like any well run organization, the school endeavours to finish the year with a positive financial result. This is planned as part of the budget process. During budget planning, fees (which include both Tuition and Capital Assessment) are set. Tuition is intended for current year expenses to educate current students. The Capital Assessment may be used for current year capital expenditures (investment in infrastructure), to assist in retiring debt incurred for major capital investments in the School, or allocated to a capital fund to help in the

future funding of major strategic investments in the facility. Although the exact amounts vary annually, payers can expect that the majority of their overall fees are going for current year expenses and towards planning for the future. This is essentially “paying it forward”; current families are the beneficiaries of the Capital Assessment paid by prior families, just as future families will be the beneficiaries of the Capital Assessment paid by current families. Funds that are in excess of the above needs may be placed by a vote of the Trustees into the School’s Endowment. THE ENDOWMENT Currently, ISP’s Endowment consists mostly of donations made by corporate friends of ISP, whose contributions are restricted to be used for scholarships and improvements to the programs such as robotics. ISP intends to build sufficient reserves to provide a cushion during more lean economic years; an Endowment enables the school to plan for its long-term sustainability. The current Endowment holding is of CZK 15,190 thousand. ANNUAL FUND The Annual Fund supports the current year’s operating budget. The amount budgeted

to be spent on the current year’s expenses include tuition (and, as mentioned above, usually a portion of the capital assessment) and the amount that we expect to raise from donations to the Annual Fund. A commonly asked question about the Annual Fund is why we don’t simply add this amount to the cost of tuition. There are many answers but perhaps the most pertinent in financial reporting terms is the following: the goal is to have Annual Fund donations eventually represent 5% of the School’s annual budget, which right now would be the equivalent of €700,000. Adding that amount to the cost of tuition may put the cost of an ISP education out of reach for many of our families. We believe that with the support of everyone in the ISP community (parents, alumni, teachers, and others), we will achieve our goal (this year and in the future) so all our students can benefit from the additional programs that this income will provide - and each and everyone of us can take immense pride in the School and the accomplishments of our students. SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM The Scholarship program at ISP is partially funded through donations to the School from parents, corporations, alumni, and others. The goal of the program is to

make the ISP educational experience available to a diverse range of students. ISP Scholarships are available to Czech citizens and other residents of the Czech Republic. Currently, scholarships are only granted to students in the Upper School. These scholarships are based not only on financial need, but also based on merit. ISP actively seeks excellent students who will benefit from an ISP education, and who will be an asset and inspiration to ISP’s community of learners. We hope that this section provides clear information about the finances and the finances and our financial goals for the future. If you have any questions, concerns or suggestions please feel free to contact us.

Barry Freckmann ISP Finance & Operations Director

Staffan Erenmalm ISP Board Treasurer 2016-17

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FINANCIAL REPORT

ISP is a non-profit institution in the form of a Czech corporation (an “s.r.o” - společnost s ručením omezeným” or in English, Limited Liability Company). Current Educational regulations in the Czech Republic require that an international school offering a non-Czech curriculum be owned by a non-Czech entity; the non-Czech owner in our case is the International School of Prague Foundation, a U.S. not-for-profit entity (a “501(c)(3)”). This type of non-profit organisation has decades of legal and tax standing in the USA. The foundation document of the Czech s.r.o, for its part, stipulates that no dividends or benefits are to be distributed; all monies the school raises are reinvested in the school and no profits accrue to anyone.




Nebušická 700 164 00 Prague 6 Czech Republic phone: +420 220 384 111 fax: +420 220 384 555 email: ispmail@isp.cz web: www.isp.cz


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