eISF
The Newsletter of the International School of Florence
Endings and Beginnings June 2019 - Summer Edition
HEAD OF SCHOOL MESSAGE “Since when," he asked, "Are the first line and last line of any poem Where the poem begins and ends?”
[Heaney]
Dear ISF Community. As the summer vacation approaches I would like to take this opportunity to offer my thanks to everyone for their contributions to another very successful academic year. While this newsletter and the Yearbook will offer you a very colourful glimpse of some of its highlights, no publication could hope to capture what goes into a year in the life of a school, especially one as engaged as ours. Inevitably, the end of the year will see many members of the community leave us to explore new chapters in their lives and, whatever that might mean for you, I want to wish you the very best of luck as you move forward. At the same time, I hope that all leavers will feel that they will retain fond memories of ISF and stay in touch as the school looks forward to the next stages of its own future. 2019-20 will, I feel, be decisive in the school’s history as we launch our new Vision, Mission and Strategic Plan as well as prepare for Accreditation. Taken together as an overarching plan for school improvement, we can look forward to significant progress next year. Several of my colleagues in both Primary and Secondary will also be moving on in their careers and I know that you will join me in offering thanks for all that they have contributed to student learning here at ISF. Matt Ihle and Helen Stanton are stepping down from their positions as Principals. They have brought an enormous amount to the school since joining and have steered their respective divisions with acumen and good humour. Their successors, Emma Homerlein and Andrew Watson, will be joining us shortly and I know that they are thrilled with the prospect of taking the school further forward. Shortly after the end of term our graduating class will receive their IB Diploma results and I think that we can look forward with some confidence to some real success stories. Anyone who was fortunate enough to attend our recent graduation will understand what I mean. The year group has already received a wide variety of offers to some of the finest universities in the world and I do hope that results will confirm these offers. However, regardless of that particular measure success, I would like to thank them in leading the school as senior students and wish them all the best for the future. Whatever your direction of travel during the summer, as a leaver or as a returning member of the community, I wish you all a wonderful holiday somewhere that is loving, rain free, where the traffic runs smoothly, where the voices are calm and where the weapons don’t work. I’m not entirely sure where that place is other than in our heads. However, as Oscar Wilde once observed, “A map of the world that does not include Utopia is not worth even glancing at, for it leaves out the one country at which Humanity is always landing. And when Humanity lands there, it looks out, and, seeing a better country, sets sail. Progress is the realisation of Utopias.” Happy holidays, Simon
From the School Board Dear ISF Community, As the 2018-2019 school year comes to an end, the Board of Directors would like to express its gratitude to all of you. This has been a year of high ambition, vibrant activity and strong momentum, and it was a true pleasure to note the excellent level of involvement on the part of Students, Families, Faculty, Staff and Administration. We welcomed new Head of School, Simon Murray and began our Strategic Planning process. With the contributions of numerous members of the ISF community, our new Mission and Vision, and the Strategic Plan and Action Plan for 2019-2020 have been created. The Board will work with Simon and the Staff over the summer to draft the Financial Plan for next year. We look forward to presenting the results to you at the beginning of the 2019-2020 school year. This set of documents will provide the first spin of ISF’s new strategic flywheel, and the foundation for our longer-term planning effort. The coming school year will also see a school-wide effort towards re-accreditation by the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the Middle States Association (MSA). Evolving and demanding accreditation standards provide valuable guidelines towards the improvement of ISF’s educational, operational and governance processes. We certainly wish to use this opportunity to enhance our ambitious posture and reconsolidated identity in the universe of international education. From a governance perspective, the Board has embarked on a comprehensive review of its policies and processes to further improve its efficiency and strategic breadth. Correspondingly, the Administration, Faculty and Staff are working towards the goal of a distinctive educational offer with a strong emphasis on student agency, research and unity of curriculum, following up on the clear indication which emerged from this year’s Community-wide Think Tanks and Educational Summits. While these initiatives require some time to evolve at all levels, we trust that our children will benefit from many of their outcomes in the short term. Our goal is for them to have a more rewarding and happy educational experience while continuing to savor the flavor of ISF’s caring and inclusive embrace. For us, to be ambitious is to pursue, with yet greater energy, structure and strategy, our mission towards the virtuous education, the happiness and the wellbeing of our students. At the center of this ambition lies the awareness that we are building on the solid foundations of a strong Community. We recognize – and are grateful for - the trust you have put in us and on our new Head of School in the course of the year. We will be sure to share the progress of our joint effort as it unfolds. On behalf of the Board of Directors, I take the opportunity to wish all members of the ISF Community a relaxing but exciting summer break. May you enjoy the company of your loved ones – big and small - to the fullest. Marco Uzielli Chairman, ISF Board of Directors
ISF SPRING GALA Thank you to all who attended and supported the ISF Spring Gala on May 3 at Corsini Gardens. It was an extraordinary night and a great success celebrating our school with the goal to improve and support our children's education. Organized by parents in collaboration with staff and students, this magical evening brings to life the talent, creativity and spirit of our community. We would especially like to thank:
- Our Donors and Sponsors for their generosity. Many are parents who attended the event. - The Junior School students who helped make decorations for the event under the supervision of Ms. Bartolotti - The Upper School CAS students who worked as an integral part of the evening and brought a playful energy to the event under the supervision of Ms. Yiannakis - Our Auctioneers, Chloe Tattanelli and Paul Feakes for serving as our hosts for the evening - ISF Staff who worked tirelessly to support the event - The Gala Committee which included 36 parent members of our school community Thanks to the generosity of so many, the event raised â‚Ź46,600 for our two school projects. The first is an Artist in Residence to spend an academic year at ISF and support cultural and artistic exchange, cultivate experimentation, and facilitate research and the development of new work across grade levels. The second is a school van to provide transportation for student learning in the community of Florence. Additionally, we happily met our goal of helping to raise â‚Ź10,000 as a contribution to the Marta Cappelli Foundation, a local non-profit organization that supports the families of children in the Meyer Hospital. The ISF partnership with Marta Cappelli Foundation will open opportunities for students to give of themselves and serve their community. Please click here to see the photos from the Gala at the beautiful Corsini Gardens.
Marta Cappelli Foundation It's been a busy year for the new partnership between the school and the Marta Cappelli Foundation, so much has happened and our students have gained a lot! Since September, the school has raised an amazing â‚Ź 13,450 for the Foundation and the students have taken part in a number of activities, both fundraising and to help the children of the Marta Cappelli Foundation. The best way to show this is for you all to see it! So here are some photos of all the work that has been done. This list is by no means exhaustive, a lot more was done and will continue to be done in the partnership. We want to have an inter-dependent relationship based on solidarity and mutual help, and hopefully achieve the goal for the school to become one of the Founders of Casa Marta! Thank you. Danielle Leite, PR https://martacapelli.it
Christmas party at the Upper school for the children of Marta Cappelli, organised and ran by ISF students
Our students volunteering at Casa Matilde
Simon Murray dressed up to raise money
Students at the Junior school selling Easter eggs
Students who made jewellery and art to sell at the Gala. Collecting sponsorship money for the Foundation.
Class of 2019 - Graduation More photos at https://flic.kr/s/aHsmE1NFVB
Class of 2019 - Prom More photos at https://flic.kr/s/aHsmEa7hqD
Class of 2019 - Last Day of School
Congratulations to our Lifers!
ISF LIFERS
UNIVERSITY OFFERS CLASS OF 2019 American University, DC Boston University Dartmouth College Hanover NH Florida Gulf Coast State University New York University (Gallatin School of Individualized Study) Sarah Lawrence College New York Seattle Pacific University The American Musical and Dramatic Academy New York The New School (Eugene Long School of Liberal Arts) The New School (Parsons School of Design) New York University of California Berkeley University of Utah (Honors College) Wake Forest University Winston-Salem NC University of British Columbia City University of London King's College London London School of Economics Newcastle University University of Glasgow University of the Arts, London University of Edinburgh Istituto Marangoni, Milan Politecnico di Milano Ecole Polytechnique de Paris Erasmus University Rotterdam Groningen University Leiden University Maastricht University Zuyd University of the Applied Sciences
Ecole Hoteliere de Lausanne
IB DIPLOMA PROGRAMME COURSES UPDATE Every seven years, the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) revises all Diploma Programme (DP) curriculums. This revision is based on a lengthy review of the existing curriculum and incorporates the latest educational research. As the IBO states, this revision process “aims to produce excellent, internationally minded, research-based curriculums and support material that enable students to develop the attributes of the learner profile and the IB mission, thereby providing an excellent preparation for life in the 21st century.” As a result of this seven-year cycle, starting in September 2019, the IB program offered by ISF will be introducing new Language A and Mathematics courses. The new Language A courses are quite similar to the current two courses, Language A: Language & Literature and Language A: Literature, with the significant difference that these courses will now be more closely linked, with each centered around three “Areas of Exploration” – “Readers, writers, and texts,” “Time and space,” and “Intertextuality: connecting texts.” An interesting feature of the new Language A courses is that due to increased flexibility of the syllabus and the abandonment of a one-toone correspondence between the parts of the syllabuses and the assessment components, teachers and students should now have more freedom in the choices they make. Along those lines, the two new Mathematics courses also take into consideration new developments so that they remain relevant and challenging for the coming years. The new DP Mathematics courses, as the IBO states, “will focus on developing the skills of analysis, abstraction and generalization, risk awareness and statistical literacy, algorithmic thinking, modelling and inquiry.” The courses are: Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches and Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation. The “Analysis” course is designed to reinforce and improve mathematical thinking, including real and abstract applications, focusing on mathematical problem solving and generalization – some might see this course as “pure” Math. The “Applications” course, instead, is for students who are more “real world” focused and want to develop their mathematical skills for a more practical application. Finally, next year’s Grade 11 will also have the opportunity to take the DP class Art History for the first time at ISF as part of their electives. Art History is an SL-only course that explores two (out of 12) artistic periods from the syllabus, culminating in two exam papers and a comparative investigation. The possible artistic periods include The Art of the Renaissance, as well as Modern Art in Europe and America, so there should be many exciting opportunities for these students to explore our local resources. Jason Blackstone, IBDP Coordinator
MODEL UNITED NATIONS EXPERIENCE This year in MUN we traveled to Torino, Italy and Gdynia, Poland. During these two trips, we debated certain topics from the point of view of our countries, as if we were UN representatives. These two experiences, and MUN as a whole, sees students growing and developing a variety of skills, such as public speaking, persuasive skills, how to properly research, only to mention a few. Personally, that which we do in MUN has greatly helped my scholastic work, as it gave me a wider view of the world and helped me gain confidence and learn the aforementioned skills. However, MUN is about more than just debate, but it is also about learning of the country you are living in and making friends. When we went to TriMUN, the debate in Poland, we had time to explore the city and to experience the history of Gdansk. During both of the debates we made friends that we keep up with to this day. MUN is so much more than just an academic activity, and the ability to participate in it, both at ISF and out, has been an enormous privilege. Matteo Mastrangelo, Grade 10
CLIMATE STRIKE FLORENCE On Friday the 24th of May, ISF’s grade 8 students gathered in Piazza Santa Maria Novella together with thousands of other students from different schools and backgrounds to fight for the same cause: climate change. Students had a chance to exhibit their creativity with captivating posters. The atmosphere was lively and social, and music played in the square. After an hour the crowd began to march down Via della Scala. Music continued to play, and the crowd chanted slogans in unison with great enthusiasm. The crowd soon reached the end of Via della Scala and spread out into Piazza della Porta al Prato bringing traffic along one of Florence’s major avenues to a halt. The march stopped and people sat down in the middle of the roads as an act of civil disobedience. There was a moment of silence for the climate, the oceans, the forests, and the thousands of species on the verge of extinction. The crowd then proceeded to enter the Parco delle Cascine where the march continued under the shade of the trees. The march came to an end at 13:00 after having walked the length of the park. The youngest generations are the ones are going to see and feel the impacts of climate change, and it is unfair that their futures are being taken from under their very eyes. It was powerful to see so many students who are aware of what is happening to our environment, are willing to take action, and are willing to bring about a change in our society. This event was a chance for people to come together and fight against climate injustice that is occurring on a global scale. Thomas Accattatis, Grade 8WORLD SPEECH DAY - Ideas for Global Citizens
WORLD SPEECH DAY - Ideas for Global Citizens On March 19, 2019, the 4th annual World Speech Day was celebrated in over 100 countries worldwide. The theme was World Citizenship. ISF students participated for the 2nd year in a row by delivering speeches at Le Murate in Florence. Of the 26 speakers present, 14 were from ISF, students ranging from grade 4 through 11.
In schools, and especially in social media, words are often used by fellow students as a tool of harming. Bullying predominantly uses words to insult people. But words can be a tool of good. They can be used to improve our world. The importance of speech is underestimated. Actions are what change the world. Actions are what make people get out of poverty. Actions are what overthrow tyrants. Actions make economies grow. I believe, however, that action, is not enough. Words are at least as important as actions. Words are used to plan these actions. Words plan the actions that lift people out of misery and poverty and racial segregation and bring peace to warring ethnicities. Words are used to plan the actions that overthrow tyranny. Words are used to plan the actions, calculations that make economies grow. Rosa Parks used words to start the civil right movement. Her words: ‘Arrest me for sitting in the bus? You can do that.’ And after years of struggling, blacks gained their rights in the south. Words are used to convince people to do good. Listening and freedom of speech are both essential to accomplish that. I believe a Global Citizen should listen to other’s opinions. Even if they disagree with it. If we listen to others, we exchange ideas; if our ideas contradict, we still have experienced something positive - dialogue. We have learned. We have learned what someone else believes. Being open-minded is essential for being able to live together on a global scale. People who do not listen to other people’s opinions are not Global Citizens, despite their claims. People silencing others because they disagree is do not have a good approach to solving a disagreement. People should not be silenced, even if their views are the most extreme ones we can imagine. One hundred-seventy-one years ago, in Hungary, the Austrians terrorised the population of the country. They collected taxes that made the people poorer and poorer. On this day, 31 brave young men, the youngest of them being 12, stood up. They ignored the dangers of criticising the Austrians and spoke up, despite them being likely to be jailed. They printed out their ideas to change the country, which was widely acknowledged by the public. A revolution broke out, with hundreds of thousands of men dead. The revolution lasted over a year. The rebels were eventually defeated after a Russian intervention. Nineteen years after, after long struggles, Austria and Hungary agreed and formed a union, which later became known as the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy, where both states were granted equal rights. Words and actions together lead to a better life for the citizens of Hungary. What we learn from this is to speak up. Speak up. Like those 31 young men. Despite all odds. Have the courage. Why do you think freedom of speech is abolished in so many places? Because the ones who abolish it know the power of words. Let’s all stand up, speak up, and make the world a better, a much better place. Simon Karacsonyi, Grade 8
March has been a lot of fun so far! I just got back from the Carnival in Venice! Everyone was wearing masks and there was music and lots of food in the streets. Everywhere I looked people were smiling and laughing. All the windows were filled with little glass animals. There were many gondolas too! It’s so much fun living in Italy! But if I want to be a World Citizen… If YOU want to be a World Citizen… We can’t hide behind THE MASK of our great lives! We have to see the people that need help. We have to see the kids who don’t have food, a home or a school. My name is Tea Mijatovic. I am an American-Croatian living in Florence. I am a 4th grader at the International School of Florence. Being a World Citizen means you open your eyes to the struggles around the world and try to do your part, no matter how small. I believe being a World Citizen is about showing kindness, no matter how small. Look what Mother Teresa did. She was a nun born in Macedonia and dedicated her life to helping others in India and around the world. When she was a little girl.. she was happy and kind. Her dad was a merchant and they had a home and food. While eating dinner, Her dad would tell her: ‘Never eat a single mouthful unless you are sharing with others!’ She always shared her food with others. But then her dad died and her family suddenly became very poor. They didn’t have much to eat. She became a nun to help others that were poorer than her family. Mother Teresa helped the poor, the sick, the starving, and the dying. She showed kindness to a few very sick people but then her mission spread all around the world. She was just one person but look how her kindness spread. Mother Teresa was definitely a World Citizen! We don’t have to dedicate every minute of our lives to helping others. We don’t have to win the Nobel Peace Prize to be a World Citizen. Mother Teresa said: ‘Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.’ It’s easy not to see the suffering around you when your life is so good. My life looks like one big Carnival compared to other kids around the world. But they deserve the same things I have. If I am going to be a World Citizen then I have take off my MASK and do my part to help others...no matter how small. As Martin Luther King Jr. said: ’Life’s most urgent question is: What are you doing for others?’ Tea Mijatovic, Grade 4
CAS-CREATIVITY ACTIVITY SERVICE This has been a busy trimester, with seniors finishing up their 2-year CAS program, while juniors continued to work on Experiences and their Extended Projects. Students have covered all three strands of Creativity, Activity and Service in their work with the Art projects, ISF’s Got Talent, MartaCappelli Foundation, ASIL sports league, Angeli Del Bello, Student Council, CAS tutoring and the Tuskan Times, to name a few. Students from both 10th and 11th grades worked at the Spring Gala, and were instrumental in the success of the live auction, where they demonstrated their modeling skills in the fashion parade. We were fortunate to be able to take a small group of CAS students to the Casa Marta, where they worked with the children on creating artworks, which were later sold as a fundraiser for MartaCappelli during the Spring Gala. One of the reflections says it all. “Some of the kids were a little shy, but as soon as they started cutting shapes and making a collage, they unblocked and wanted to make new friends. Although at times it was challenging to give them comfort, they made artworks that they can keep with them and treasure.” Beatrice Another group of students worked on making bombonieres for MartaCappelli, again a great success. We have continued to work with the Angeli Del Bello organization, and students have worked in the Stibbert Gardens, at Piazzale Michelangelo and in the Giardino di Caponnetto. Our own Heart Pillow project has gone from strength to strength under the leadership of Francesca Cetta, and we have almost reached a total of 100 pillows, which will be donated to breast cancer patients next month. This project has now been handed over to Dajanique who will be our leader next trimester. We have many new ideas in the pipeline, which will be shared with the ISF community in September. I take this opportunity of thanking everyone who has helped make this such as successful CAS year, and look forward to working with you next year.
ART EXHIBITION AT THE BRITISH INSTITUTE Each year the British Institute has a ‘Shakespeare Week’, this year celebrating the play ‘Julius Caesar’. Grade 7, 8 & 9 art students created artwork during the semester featuring scenes from the play in the style of the art movement that they had studied (Fauvism for grade 7&8 and Pop Art for grade 9). Students exhibited their work to the public in the British institute’s ‘Harold Acton Library’.
BATTLE OF THE BANDS
ISF ARTS FESTIVAL On 17th April the Upper school held an arts festival. The objective was to celebrate the arts in the widest sense and to connect with artists and craftspeople in our local community. As well as teachers and parents showcasing their creative talents for students we had 17 external workshop leaders ranging from watercolour painters, felt makers to architects. Thankfully the weather was on our side and we were able to spread out throughout the school ground. Students clearly enjoyed the afternoon and the most consistent feedback was “can the art festival last all day next time!�
INSIEME200 As part of the celebration of the US consulate’s presence in the region art students in grades 10 & 11 created artwork about this commemoration. We held an exhibition at school attended by the US consul general Mr Benjamin Wohlauer who made a short speech about the project and thanked the students for their excellent work. The work is still hanging in the Aula Magna if you would like to see it.
IB DIPLOMA VISUAL ARTS EXHIBITION The Exhibition component of the two year Diploma Visual Art course is an exam, one of three that students undertake in March of their senior year. This exam, worth 40% of their score, includes a coherent selection of well developed and technically proficient artworks with individual written statements for each, and a curatorial rationale, a statement that defines the themes or connecting threads in the selection of work. Each student works hard to accomplish this task. Students were given an extra incentive to polish their presentations this year. For the first time in the school’s history, the Diploma Visual Art Exhibition was installed off campus at the Robert F Kennedy Center Hall at Le Murate, a multi purpose exhibition space. The entire week before the opening celebration on Saturday March 23, the seniors worked on the design of their individual exhibition, aided by the logistical support of our talented maintenance staff, Pereira Zorilla Guglielmo and Ruben _________. There were many kinks to work out in the layout of the whole show given the need to establish individual areas and a flow for people to move about. The whole experience lent authenticity to the task giving students a real world experience of mounting an exhibition. The Class of 2019 art exhibition opening was a huge success, and has established a new tradition for the Diploma Visual Arts students going forward.
INDIVIDUAL INVESTIGATION - CHEMISTRY
Laura Neri investigates how ocean acidification affects the rate of reaction in different shellfish based on the varying percentages of CaCO3 contained in the shell.
Kimberly Rijskamp determining the activation energy of the reaction between iodine and acetone using data from reaction rates at different temperatures.
Dean Bogner - How does the radius of spectator ions effect the reaction enthalphy of acidbase neutralization?
Victoria Grella is investigating the effects of reacting Calcium Carbonate with acids of different dissociability.
Nicoletta Marrani is investigating the relationship between the number of carbon atoms in the hydrocarbon chain of an alcohol molecule and the enthalpy of combustion of a fuel.
Maria Sole Franceschi using experimental data to determine the rate law and rate constant of the reaction between sodium bicarbonate and sulfuric acid.
INDIVIDUAL INVESTIGATION - PHYSICS
OBSERVATION NIGHT Grade 11 students spent three hours observing the night sky at the Gattaia campus. They identified the constellations of Orion, Canis Major, Ursa Major and Taurus observing the stars Betelgeuse, Bellatrix and Rigel with telescopes as well as the nebula of Orion and the cluster Pleiades. They also observed the ‘Super Moon’ (when a full moon coincides with the moon’s closest approach to the Earth during its orbit). Picture by Kimberly Rijskamp
DNA EXTRACTION LAB - BIOLOGY You are your DNA At the end of May Grade 10 Biology students were learning about Genetics. One of our class activities was to extract real DNA from cells. But from which cells? Where can we get DNA? From our own cells, of course! By swishing salty water in the mouth, some cells from the inside of our cheeks fall off and can be collected in the spit-out water. Isolating the DNA from these cells is a surprisingly simple matter. These grade 10 students have learned how the information encoded in their DNA is used to produce the proteins making up their bodies – proteins that influence their eye color, height, artistic ability, and other characteristics. You are your DNA.
SCIENCE - STEM CLUB LAUNCH 3 – 2 – 1 Blast off! Sunday morning 2 June was a warm, sunny, wind-less day – perfect for blasting off into space! After a one-week launch delay (NASA’s are sometimes longer), the ISF STEM Club met to test-fly the fruits of their labor. Over the previous six weeks these students had painstakingly constructed and painted rockets, but … would they actually fly? With a launch success rate that would be the envy of many national programs, the STEM Club saw eight impressive lift-offs; and even better, every rocket was recovered safely after its trip to the stratosphere.
Proud rocket engineers pose at T minus 10 minutes.
Preparing Dafne Boscherini’s rocket for its first launch. There’s SpaceX, there’s Blue Origin, and now there’s the ISF STEM Club! Giulia Monti and Lucia Canestrari watch as Giulio Fratini’s rocket heads toward the moon!
Mr. Landolfa has inserted the engine into Jacky Wu’s rocket, and will now put the igniter in place. Don’t worry Jacky, it’ll go fine!
SCIENCE - VIRGO TRIP Virgo is a giant laser interferometer designed to detect gravitational waves for the first time. It is operated and improved in Cascina, near Pisa on the site of the European Gravitational Observatory (EGO), by an international collaboration of scientists from France, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, and Hungary. Although all the sensitive instruments were hidden inside vacuum chambers, tubes and towers, the students could actually get fairly close to the equipment since they were doing maintenance today and were not collecting data. Interesting state-of-the-art technology, really pushing the boundaries of science!
FIELDTRIPS AND MUCH MORE To promote our student’s learning experience in and outside of the classroom, all grades engage in a selection of field trips and workshops. Here are some examples of this year: Early Years 1: Theatre Del Gallo - 3 Little Pigs, Beekeeper workshop Early Years 2: Theatre Del Gallo - 3 Little Pigs, Plastic workshop, Beekeeper workshop Kindergarten: Museo Davanzati, Verdi and Puccini Theatre, Marino Marini Museum, Palazzo Vecchio Grade 1: Fattoria di Maiano, Centrale Del Latte Mukki, Theatre Verdi, Galceti Parc of Natural Science Grade 2: Museo Davanzati, Teatro del Maggio/Opera di Firenze Grade 3: Well-being Workshop, Il Papiro Workshop, Prehistory Museum, First Lego League Pistoia Grade 4: Palazzo Strozzi, Ville Le Corti, I Piu Veloce, Forte e Resistente di Firence (Fastest, Strongest & Resistant Race), Milan Football Tournament, Ski Trip Abetone, Museum Fiesole Grade 5: Adventure Park Il Gigante, Solar Workshop, Arcetri Astrophysical Observatory, Leonardo Da Vinci Art School, Uffizi and Bargello Museum, Boboli Gardens, Palazzo Pitti, Teatro del Maggio/ Opera di Firenze, Milan Football Tournament, Ski Trip Andalo Grade 6: Uffizi, Genoa Science Fair, MS Project Trips Grade 7: Uffizi, Ravenna, Teatro Verdi, MS Project Trips Grade 8: Pizza & the Stars, Trento, Rovereto, Florence Walk, Radio Station Visit, MS Project Trips Grade 9: France, Spain, Virgo Gravitational Wave Observatory, Radio Station Visit, Chapel Restoration, Math Tour Archimedes City and Garden Grade 10: Chapel Restoration, Peruvian Restaurant, French Institute, Virgo-Ego Lab and Pisa Grade 11: Palazzo Strozzi, French Market, Printmaking, Stellar Observation, Spanish Trip to Liceo and Mexican Lunch Grade 12: French Market, Palazzo Strozzi, Ducatti Plant, Printmaking, Teatro Puccini, ITGS Fiat Torino, Venezuelan Restaurant Lunch
Grade 5 - PYP Exhibition In the PYP exhibition, students demonstrate their understanding of an issue or opportunity they have chosen to explore. They undertake their investigation both individually and with their peers, together with the guidance of teachers and mentors. The exhibition is a powerful demonstration of student agency, as well as the agency of the community that has nurtured them through their years in the PYP. The learning community participates in the exhibition, supporting and celebrating the development of internationally minded students who make a positive difference in their lives and the lives of others. This year’s Exhibition took place under the transdisciplinary theme: How We Organize Ourselves. An inquiry into the interconnectedness of human-made systems and communities; the structure and function of organizations; societal decision-making; economic activities and their impact on humankind and the environment. Under the overarching theme of ‘Motivated people can make a difference through purposeful action’, students then chose a transdisciplinary theme relevant to their personal area of study and passion. Using skills acquired and learned at the junior school, or other elementary schools, from families and friends, and from their own inquiries, students initiated, designed, and collaborated projects that they were invested in and motivated to take more actions in. Ranging from the importance of bees, addiction to technologies, the importance of family involvement, to school uniforms, constructivist vs instructivist teaching, and mutism, students were allowed the freedom to choose what they wanted to learn and demonstrate their skills through a series of selfgenerated goals and actions. Actions included planting bee-friendly plants, teaching upcycled art lessons to various grade levels, coaching baseball and basketball lessons, redesigning a classroom to be more flexible, and learning about the effects of different lengths of time allowed for recess.
What is a Student-Led Conference? A student-led conference is a meeting time when parents are invited to participate in a conference led by their own child. The student is in charge of the conference. They will be responsible for showing you their portfolios as well as other examples of learning that takes place in the classroom and in their specialist lessons. The exact format of the conference will depend on the age of the student. Why are we having student-led conferences? The three main purposes for implementing student-led conferences are to celebrate a child’s learning, show growth over time, and provide parents with a better understanding of their child’s learning process. As students create portfolios and participate in student-led conferences, they learn to organize and self-evaluate their work on an on-going basis. What are the different roles during a student-led conference? The role of the child Your child will be in charge of leading you through the student-led conference in their classroom • and specialist areas. They will have a checklist to help them guide you through the conference. It is important that • you follow their lead. Your child may conduct the conference in their home language. • The role of the parent The best way to support your child during the conference is to listen with respect, celebrate their • achievements and show a commitment to supporting them in any areas that are in need of improvement. You are encouraged to ask your child questions about their work or make comments. There will • be some guiding questions posted in the classroom to help you. After you have viewed the portfolio you will be asked to fill out a reflection form on how you • feel your child has progressed. Please note that there will be other conferences happening in the classroom at the same time and • that is not an appropriate time to speak to the teacher about any concerns or questions you may have. If you wish to have a meeting with a teacher, it should be arranged at another time. Turn your phones off and enjoy the conference with your child! • The role of the teachers During your student-led conference, the • class teacher will be stationed in their classrooms. The major role for the teachers is in the • preparation of students for the conference. On the day, they are responsible for ensuring the conferences run smoothly, and guiding students or parents that may need assistance.
SHARING THE PLANET - GRADE 1 PYP Transdisciplinary Theme: Sharing The Planet. Central Idea: Habitats are home to a diverse range of organisms. Lines of Inquiry: Classification of Living Things - Characteristics of Habitat - Impact of Human Choice In this unit students learned about different habitats as homes for many different living things. They explored the meadow, stream and pond behind the school observing what plants and animals lived in these micro habitats. Students in pairs built a model of one of these habitats. They included SWAFS in their habitat: sun, water, air, food and shelter\space. They presented their diorama to foundation students. Our field trip to the Parco Galceti wildlife refuge center exposed the students to how animals suffer if they are taken out of their natural habitat. As a final project students made a diorama at home and explained it to fifth grade students.
ISF CANTABILE CHOIR Music plays a vital role in the life of our school. While it is difficult to reproduce the power of music through text, we’ll share some of the magical moments that the ISF students experienced during this past academic year. The new ISF Cantabile Choir, involving students from both campuses, made its debut performance at a gala charity dinner for the Meyer Children's hospital at Villa Castelletti. The choir also took part in the Festival di Primavera in Montecatini, alongside 50 other choirs from all over Italy. They proudly represented ISF by participating in workshops, and performing on stage. Ms. Linda Morus greatly contributed to the choir's success with her piano accompaniment, while Ms. Tanja Kustrin, the artistic director of Cantabile, captured the audience with her charismatic direction and inspiring repertoire. From April 4-6, Cantabile Choir sang alongside 50 other school choirs as part of the Festival di Primavera 2019 where they experienced three full days filled of music and fun. On the second evening, they performed beautifully at the Gala concert. On Saturday afternoon, they performed the Native American songs that they had learned in the workshops which were directed by a guest conductor and sung together with students from three other schools. On May 7th, the entire third and fourth grade classes from the Junior School performed Puccini’s Turandot at Teatro della Pergola. They were selected from numerous schools throughout Tuscany to participate in the representative and the only evening performance as part of the European initiative Europa in Canto. Since this project is Co-Funded by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union, there were some representatives from institutions of other European countries who will be part of this exciting project in the coming years.
LIBRARY CORNER JUNIOR SCHOOL Read and Relax! Summer is a great time to slow down with a great book to read. This year students at the JS had a chance to participate in Book Fairs, Book Week, Reading Challenges, contests, and many other library events. Throughout, they were able to discover new authors and great books. Look for our permanent Book Swap station in the library next year. You bring a book and take a new book home. Ms. Scopelliti, Librarian ‘You can find magic wherever you look. Sit back and relax, all you need is a book.’ Dr. Seuss
JUNIOR SCHOOL - ART
Grade 1 was inspired by Keith Haring and Paul Klee for The Village.
2nd grade worked on Self Portraits. The graphite is Modigliani inspired and students worked on shading. The coloured art is Picasso inspired with oil pastels and watercolour.
Grade 3 worked on a painting, focusing on two different art movements fetched from a cap and creating their own work. They also created their own Klimt inspired work with relistic photos, collage, gold painting and real gold leaf application.
JUNIOR SCHOOL ACTIVE WEEK During the first week of April the Junior School held another successful Active Week. Although the weather was not as warm or dry as usual, the students kept warm together with a new batch of Bridgwater College students and this years’ new addition of Coaches Day. Three coaches came to share their specialist knowledge of Basketball, Rhythmic Gymnastics and Rugby. Each morning before school started students were invited to run/play or dance. Grade 3 students linked into Active Week through their unit of inquiry and sold healthy snacks, assisted in after school and recess activities making this year a unique Active Week. We are already looking forward to Active Week 2020!
SOCCER VARSITY TEAMS
ISF GRUPPETTO - SPORTS IS LIFE Il Divo, Grace n Power, The Grinder, Power and Pulse and Il Capitano sound more like Super Heroes from an upcoming Avengers Movie however these are actually the nicknames of the various teachers who make up the ISF gruppetto!! The 5 Riders of Ms. Busoni, Mr. Pitonzo, Mr. McCarthy, Mr. Koevoet and Mr. Dean (see if you can match the nickname to the rider) can often be seen cycling around the Tuscan hills on a weekend or sunny evening. All rides include the occasional stop in a beautiful piazza for refueling with coffee and brioche. Although the coming together of the gruppetto is purely for fun, various events keep the pace high. Ms. Busoni and Mr. Dean, having had their appetites whet last Summer with their 500km 2 Day ride from Florence to Nice, have recruited the talents of Mr. McCarthy to accompany them on the Tuscan Road 550km bike-packing event from Massa to Capalbio in September. Bigger challenges await in the meantime as the mile-munching Mr. McCarthy takes on an epic adventure over the Pyrenees this Summer. Having already embarked on various long distance cycling events this year he is the rider in form among his fellow colleagues. Mr. Koevoet has recently acquired a gravel bike and enjoys the scenic off road trails, whereas Mr. Pitonzo is still rolling back the years, and with his new found love of swimming there is even talk of him pursuing his first triathlon.
DEPARTING STAFF Helen Stanton How long have you stayed at ISF? I have been at ISF for 3 years. What will be the nicest memory you are taking with you? ISF in the snow earlier this year; seeing some of the CAS projects in action (such as the heart pillows, Angeli del Bello and the party for the Marta Capeli children); the Autumn Bazaar; and individual students who have overcome challenges and are doing well. What's your future destination and role? I am going to a 3 programme IB school in Mumbai, as the Director of teaching and learning.
Matt and Paola Ihle How long have you stayed at ISF? We’ve been at ISF for three wonderful years. What will be the nicest memory you are taking with you? Matt: The joy on the faces of 5th graders as they shared their learning as part of the Exhibition. The feeling of pride after our student performances in the Festival of Song and in performing opera on stage with professional performers. Paola: I will always remember the BEAUTY of Italy--the people, the streets, the buildings, the Tuscan hills. Any wishes for the future of ISF? Matt: I have every expectation that students will continue to "dream big" and to pursue those dreams with passion. There are many ways that students can be successful at ISF. Paola: I wish that students become inspired to make the world a better place. What's your future destination and role? Matt: I will be the elementary principal at EABH, an American IB school in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. It is a school of similar size to ISF. This will be our 4th continent and 5th language to develop. Paola: I will be a first grade teacher in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
Stephen Harpham How long have you stayed at ISF? I have been at ISF since September 2014. What will be the nicest memory you are taking with you? When I reflect on my time here my overriding feeling is one of family. We are a close knit group and this creates a massive amount of warmth and belonging. I will miss my daily interactions with the students, as I will miss my colleagues and friends. Any wishes for the future of ISF? I hope that one day the boys will win a basketball game! Also, I hope that the school will continue to offer a welcoming environment for all, whilst striving to produce well rounded and internationally minded young people ready for the challenges of the world. What's your future destination and role? I am heading back to England to take up a teaching position in the North East in a city called Durham.
Jeremy Ellis How long have you stayed at ISF? Two years. What will be the nicest memory you are taking with you? The two ski trips I was so lucky to go on with my fifth grade students and accompanying staff. Both trips included a lot of laughter and smiles on every face for days. Any wishes for the future of ISF? “Here's to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They're not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can't do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.” - Rob Siltanen What's your future destination and role? Elementary lead teacher in Sacramento, California, USA.
ISF’S GOT TALENT
Have a great summer!