Developing Minds
Developing Character
Developing Community
Integrity and Compassion in Action
At ISA, integrity and compassion are the foundation of how our students learn, lead, and connect with the world. These values come to life through student-led service projects, meaningful community partnerships, and shared experiences that inspire our students to make a lasting impact as principled and empathetic global citizens.
In this issue, we showcase how these values were brought to life:
• Supporting Sustainability Through Sport: ISA hosted the NECIS Cross Country tournament at the Amsterdamse Bos, partnering with Trees for All to raise €2,675 for reforestation efforts.
• Student Leadership on a Global Stage: Our MUN students excelled at the MUNISH and MUNISA conferences, leading thoughtful discussions on global challenges with care and commitment.
• Giving Back During the Festive Season: From food drives to refugee support initiatives, ISA students came together to help local and global communities in need.
• Celebrating Cultural Traditions: Lower School students explored the unifying power of light and community through the annual Festival of Lights celebration.
These stories highlight how we inspire our students to embody integrity and compassion through meaningful actions to foster a stronger and more connected community.
ISA Partners with
On 8-9 November, ISA hosted the NECIS Cross Country tournament for the first time ever at the Amsterdamse Bos and partnered with Trees for All to combine athletic achievement with environmental impact. With the support of our ISA community, this collaboration raised an reforestation efforts in the Netherlands
Trees for All, a non-profit organisation, has been working since 1999 to create more forests, enhancing biodiversity, combating climate change and creating healthier living conditions for people and animals. As part of the initiative, all participating NECIS Cross Country teams contributed to reforestation efforts, with donations helping to plant trees and restore existing forests. Each participating school will also receive trees as a symbol of their collective effort for a greener
The NECIS tournament itself was a memorable event, bringing together athletes from international schools across the region. ISA’s Cross Country team excelled, with our U12 Boys, U14 Boys, U14 Girls, and 14+ Boys winning their categories. ISA’s Cross Country team also claimed the overall team championship!
Grade 5 teacher and Cross Country Coach Ingrid reflected on the success:
“What an epic way to end the season!
Defined by outstanding individual achievements, a strong sense of team unity, and capturing the dedication and grit of this awesome Cross Country crew, each athlete pushed themselves to new heights. We hope these memories remind them not only of their growth but also of the invaluable life lessons gained along the way.”
This partnership highlighted the power of collaboration—between athletes, schools, and organizations—to achieve excellence while making a meaningful impact on the planet. ISA is proud to continue fostering a culture of integrity, compassion, and sustainability.
ISA Superhero Food Drive
ISA’s annual Food Drive is a cherished tradition that brings our community together to support those in need during the winter months, a season that reminds us of the importance of giving. Organised by the Lower School Student Council, this year’s theme was ‘Superheroes.’ The Drive encouraged students, parents, and staff to come together and make a heartwarming and positive impact on our local community by donating non-perishable food items to help families in need.
Lower School Pastoral Care Lead Amy shared, “This year’s Food Drive was a true team effort led by Student Council. After choosing the Superhero theme, they extended the event to the whole school, which helped us collect even more food. From creating fliers to boxing donations, students were involved every step of the way. One Grade 5 representative even dressed as a ‘Superhero Chicken,’ the Food Drive mascot. It was wonderful to see students take such meaningful action and give back during the holiday season.”
The collected donations were given to the Sisters of Charity in Amsterdam, a local charity that supports individuals and families throughout the city. Adding a fun twist to the campaign were the daily appearances of the ‘Superhero Chicken,’ who reminded everyone
In the final days of the Food Drive, Student Council representatives and the Facilities Team packed up the collected items and delivered them to the Sisters of Charity in Amsterdam. The donations were gratefully received and will help provide meals to families in need this winter.
Thank you to everyone who supported this initiative by donating food and spreading the message of care and compassion. Your efforts truly embody the spirit of ISA and show that even small acts of kindness can have a big impact. This annual food drive is a wonderful tradition at ISA, and we look forward to continuing our support of those in need every year.
ISA’s Festival of Lights: A Celebration of Unity Through Light
Lower School students recently took part in the annual Festival of Lights celebration, a joyful exploration of how different cultures around the world celebrate light during the winter months. This long-standing ISA tradition allows students to learn about the significance of light in marking the winter solstice and how it has been used to unite people across time and cultures.
The day began with the ISA Main Foyer darkened in preparation for a glowing transformation. Various PTA national communities created immersive and beautifully decorated stands, bringing light and warmth to the darkened space. Parent volunteers guided our Lower School students through presentations, sharing the unique ways light has been used in different cultures, religions, and belief systems as a symbol of hope, unity, and renewal during the darkest time of the year.
As students visited each display, they made meaningful connections across cultures, gaining a deeper appreciation for the common threads that bind humanity together. Through this hands-on experience, students were able to reflect on how light symbolises not only the passage of time but also the collective spirit that transcends borders and belief systems.
We are grateful to the PTA and all of our parent volunteers for their dedication in making this event a valuable and engaging learning experience for students and look forward to continuing to inspire students with this tradition.
Upper School Students
Focus on Service This Festive Season
As the festive season approached, Upper School students at ISA were hard at work, actively engaging in a variety of service projects designed to help others and foster empathy. These initiatives allowed students to make a meaningful impact on both local and international communities, demonstrating their commitment to service and compassion.
Several student-led clubs organised drives and activities. The Heart of Service club coordinated a drive to collect items for undocumented refugees in Amsterdam. The club encouraged students to bring in food and other essential items to help brighten the lives of those in need during the winter months.
In addition, the Grade 10 Drive to Change club organised a fresh fruit drive to support local food banks. Students donated fresh produce, as well as other long-lasting items, with the aim of ensuring that families in need had access to healthy food during the festive season.
Meanwhile, Grade 11 and 12 students participated in the Sinterklaas Shoe Box project, which provided essential winter items and small treats for children in Moldova, a country where many families live on less than 4 Euros a day. Students assembled boxes filled with thoughtful gifts such as hats, scarves, small toys, and hygiene items to be sent to children in need, brightening their festive season.
Other students visited the local nursing home and took part in the European Medical Agency Children's party, playing games and fostering connections with children there.
These service projects provided students with an invaluable opportunity to reflect on the importance of giving and helping others, making a tangible difference in the lives of those who are less fortunate. They also reinforced ISA's commitment to inspiring students to become compassionate and responsible global citizens.
Thank you to all the students, parents, and faculty who were involved in these projects. Your support helped to create a stronger, more caring community at ISA.
ISA Students Excel at MUN Conferences
ISA students recently demonstrated their dedication to global understanding at two impactful Model United Nations (MUN) events.
At the 34th annual MUNISH Conference in The Hague from 8-10 November, 43 ISA students proudly represented our school. Engaging in dynamic debates and discussions alongside peers from international schools across the country, they brought thoughtful perspectives to pressing global issues. Their hard work and commitment were a testament to their integrity and compassion, as they thoughtfully navigated complex topics with openness and respect.
Closer to home, ISA hosted the MUNISA Conference, welcoming over 200 students from seven schools across the Netherlands. Led by our passionate student leaders, the event centred on the theme ‘Finding Equitable Solutions.’ Through collaboration and dialogue, participants tackled global challenges with care and sophistication, embodying the belief that integrity and compassion are vital tools for meaningful change.
MUN Advisor Sean reflected on the event’s success: “The majority of the success can be attributed to our board of directors—a group of twelve students who put in a great effort over the course of six months in planning every detail of the conference. It is a huge event, and they worked really hard to make sure that every detail was accounted for. Not only were they a hard-working, dedicated team, but working with them was also a lot of fun. It was a great weekend and a really positive spotlight for the school. In addition to the BOD, we also had six student officers and dozens of students participate as delegates. It was a great showcase for our MUN community.”
These conferences highlight not only the power of student voices but also the strength of collaborative efforts in addressing global issues.
