eISF
The Newsletter of the International School of Florence
WELCOME BACK September 2018 - Atumn Edition
HEAD OF SCHOOL MESSAGE Dear ISF Community, The start of each new school year involves us looking backwards as well as forwards and you will find this reflected in the Newsletter. The achievements of last year entitle us to have high hopes for the future and this year has started very positively. It has been a real pleasure to witness the energy and commitment from our community and I would like to thank you all for what you bring to the school.
As we settle into the rhythms of this year of learning I would encourage everyone, but especially the students, to use this year to extend themselves and thereby, the school. It is often the case that we limit ourselves by the ambitions we set; I would ask you all to reach further so that by the end of this year when you look backwards you will be able to see how far you have traveled. On a personal level I would like to thank you all for the very warm welcome my family and I have received. We look forward to seeing more of you as the year goes on.
All my best wishes, Simon
Simon Murray – Head of School
Simon Murray - Head of School What are your first impressions of ISF and Florence? I think it would be false to call them first impressions as I have known both the school and the city for a long time. While I have been out of Italy for 10 years, I lived and worked in Rome for 12 years and have visited the city often. However, living here is not same as visiting and I have to admit that I really love it here. The school has been extremely generous in welcoming me into the community and I look forward to helping it develop over the years. What drew you to a career in education and how long were you teaching before becoming a Head of School? I have been teaching in international schools for the past 27 years and continue to love teaching Philosophy, Theory of Knowledge and Literature as much as when I started. I have been leading schools for the past 15 years. When I was researching for my doctorate I was also teaching at the university and discovered I enjoyed this as much, if not more, than academic research. I was working the other day with students in Y11 in TOK and it was as stimulating as ever. If you hadn’t become a Head of School, what other plans did you have for your career? Hard though it may be to imagine now, there was a possibility that I might have become a professional footballer. Ultimately, I discovered that I was just not that good. If I had a choice (and the talent) I would have loved to be a painter/poet. How do you, as a Head of School, promote good relationships? During my recent introduction to my colleagues I stressed the importance of trust both socially and within organizations. I really do believe in being straight with people whether they are students or adults. While I recognize that as a community we might sometimes disagree about means, I work on the assumption that we are united by the common end of promoting a love of learning.
Were you ever sent to the principal’s office growing up? If so, for what? I had a truly dreadful career at school and was constantly in trouble. My main preoccupations were football, girls and smoking. I was suspended from school twice and finally threatened with expulsion. During my final school assembly, I was responsible for injuring the Head of School with a large, stuffed sheep as a parting gesture. Ultimately, I was just bored and always keep that in mind. That all changed during my first philosophy lecture at university and have never been bored since. What one teacher do you remember most and why? I remember a lot of my teachers for a variety of reasons. Some were memorably dull, others were extremely violent, one used to wear a mink coat and allowed me to smoke in class as long as I spoke in good French. However, my Literature tutor at university had a huge influence on me. Sharp-minded, witty and profound, he taught me how to appreciate life and to take risks. After a distinguished and classy career, he has recently stepped down as Master of Balliol College, Oxford. Thank you, Drummond. What do you consider your greatest achievement? I am always wary of this question as I don’t think we ever achieve anything entirely on our own. I have been glad to have played my part in establishing and developing schools, I have had some great moments with my students and colleagues and there are a couple of poems that I wrote that more or less stand up. But, it is always some kind of partnership. Of course, there are my kids (Aphra, Blanca, Asa, Gabriel) but then again, that was also a double-act!. What do you enjoy doing in your free time? I love to cook, am probably over-fond of good wine and I read as much as I can manage. What is your motto? For many years and to different countries I have been carrying a poetry fragment from Byron. It is hanging behind me in my office as I write. “Here’s a sigh to those who love me, And a smile to those who hate; And, whatever sky’s above me Here’s a heart for every fate.” My motto for students. Be bold!
Where do you see ISF in 5 years? Physically and educationally in another place.
News from the School Board
This is the first edition of the newsletter for the new academic year and so an appropriate medium with which to give a very warm welcome to Simon Murray, our new Head of School. The Board is delighted that Simon has arrived and is already demonstrating the enthusiasm and energy we had anticipated. His recent mailing captured well his thinking and passion to lead ISF to greater levels of achievement. Simon is a highly experienced and visionary educator who wishes to ensure that ISF can be regarded as a school which can help students delivery to their full potential as well as becoming a vital part of the Florentine community. We wish Simon and his family all happiness in their new home and new city and we wish him all success and fulfilment in the delivering of his objectives. ISF Board of Directors September 2018
Are you following us? facebook.com/isf.florence - facebook.com/isf.alumni instagram.com/isf_florence - flickr.com/photos/isf-florence
Class of 2018 We are very proud of last year’s 12th grade students, 37 of whom sat the full IB Diploma. These students did very well, with 97% percent of them gaining the full Diploma (the world average is 79% pass rate) and with an impressive average score of 34 (the world average is 29). In addition, we had some outstanding individual scores, including 45 (the maximum possible score), 41, 40, 39 (2), and 38 (3). This was a very good year for our students, who are matriculating at prestigious universities around the world. We are delighted that one student won a place to read Human, Social, and Political Sciences at the University of Cambridge, while two others have just started at University College Utrecht and McGill University in Canada. London is a popular destination, with students attending Kings College, SOAS University, City University, Queen Mary University and University of the Arts among others. Two students have matriculated at the presitigious Leiden University in the Netherlands, two are attending Bocconi in Milan, and two are in Paris. In the US we have students enrolled at Boston University and Marist College. We wish them well in the next phase of their studies. Congratulations to the students, the teachers and the parents, all who have had a part to play in this success.
Villa Gattaia Summer Works 

To enhance learning and to improve the school, this summer we have enlarged the campus by the addition of two extra buildings adjoining the school, the Limonaia and Villa Nuova, where Art, Music and some IBDP classes will be held. There is also a small field below these buildings, the Lower Field. We dug a 120 meter trench to bring the optic fiber cable to the new annex of all the facilities (fire prevention system, CCTV, web connection, wi.fi extensions, phone extensions, public announcement system). We installed acoustic panels in the music room and the music studio to ensure soundproofing, gained compliancy in the electric installation and set up a fire prevention system.
The New ISF Upper School Café Our new lunch service to all Middle and High School students has had a very successful start with more than positive feedback. The ISF Café in collaboration with SIAF, is open for breakfast, midmorning break, lunch and after school each day with a focus on organic, locally grown and nutritious meals and snacks prepared fresh daily. Students are using a rechargeable card (tessera) which is easy to recharge and use at the school cafè.
All students had a chance to try the ISF Cafè for free on the first two days of school, after which the lunch cards can be used only if they have been charged online. Please note that the Cafè cannot accept cash or credit cards, therefore it is important that you either provide a snack and lunch for your child/ren or ensure that your child/ren have sufficient funds on their lunch card/s.
JS Lower Field Resurfacing The new field resurfacing has been such a beautiful upgrade for the sporting facilities at ISF. Seeing the reaction this change has made on the students has been priceless! They bound onto the field, jumping, touching and running around feeling out the new surrounding. It is now truly a multipurpose space where we can practice many sports and activities. I am excited to invite other schools to play with us on the field throughout the year! Thank you to all the very generous donors, come down and have a run around! Ms Iannone, PE
PA - Parent Association The PA kicked off the new year with over 35 new and returning parents. The ISF PA supports the educational goals and strategic vision of the school by partnering with faculty, students and others in the community to plan events, to facilitate communication, and to provide a welcoming social environment for all members of the community. A group of enthusiastic parents from different nationalities, crossing over many language barriers, with many skills and talents. There are many ways you can become involved. If you are interested, please contact Cristina Bini and Irene Serio, our Junior School Co-Coordinators, or Michelle Lovalvo and Marlene Custers, our Upper School CoCoordinators. We are happy to have you!
ISF New Staff Profiles 2018/2019 Antoine'e Blain •
Native of: London, UK
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Joining us from: United World College Maastricht, The Netherlands
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Earned: Postgraduate Certificate in Education
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Assignment: US Visual Arts
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Personal Interests: Arts, Music, Dance, Theatre, Windsurfing, Camping
Petra Brunnhuber • Native of: Germany (Bavaria) •
Joining us from: State University of Florence
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Earned: Diploma from University of Heidelberg for teaching FRENCH and GERMAN for Middle and HigherSchool (language and literature)
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Assignment: French and German
• Personal Interests: Literature, Theatre, Sports, Music, Travel, Different Cultures, Languages
Catherine Marshall •
Native of: England
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Joining us from: Great Wakering Primary Academy, England
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Earned: 1st Class BA Honours in Primary Education with QTS and Art &Design
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Assignment: Early Years 2
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Personal Interests: Swing dancing, Swimming, Reading
Jonathan McCarthy •
Native of: Newark, Delaware
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Joining us from: American International School of Bolivia
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Earned: Master of Arts in Teaching and Pedagogy in Secondary Education from the University of Maryland University College
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Assignment: History, Social Studies, English Literature
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Personal Interests: Camping, Photography, Frisbee, Cycling
Olivia Mon9 •
Native of: Florence, Italy, but half of my family lives in the USA
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Joining us from: Kindergarten Bilingual School
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Earned: Bachelor of Science (Psychology)
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Assignment: US Receptionist
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Personal Interests: Cinema, Traveling, Horseback Riding
Irene Romeo got married over the summer.
Carla Benedetti and her husband welcomed baby boy Zaccaria Zamillo.
Upper School Orientation Trips Grade 6 students went on a two day trip to the Poggio all’Agnello Country and Beach Residential Resort near San Vincenzo/Piombino in the Province of Livorno. A unique opportunity to visit the Tuscan coastline in the company of friends and at the same time absorb the natural beauty of this wonderful part of Italy.
Grade 7 students visited the “Green Energy Camp” in Palazzuolo sul Senio (Alto Mugello) and participated in a variety of outdoor activities, including survival techniques, day and night hikes, as well as building and sleeping in outdoor shelters.
Grade 8 students went on a two-day trip to the Poggio all’Agnello Country and Beach Residential Resort near San Vincenzo/Piombino in the Province of Livorno. They enjoyed getting to know each other better during organized activities at the Riva degli Etruschi Beach club.
Grade 9 students enjoyed their field trip to Talamone and Porto Santo Stefano near Grosseto, where the exciting outdoor activities program included visits to the beach and a special boat trip.
Grade 10 students went on an excursion into one of Tuscany’s most beautiful national parks, Parco Nazionale delle Foreste Casentinesi, in the Appennini Mountains. They spent most of their time bonding with each other and, of course, with Mother Nature. A guide educated them on the local flora and fauna.
Corri La Vita - September 30 ISF Board Forum - October 11 Autumn Bazar - October 27 TEDxYouthISF2018 - November 24
IB Internal Assessment
 All IB science students have to do an individual investigation. Whilst all Middle and High School students enjoyed their orientation trips, Grade 12 IB students completed the practical component of their science courses. All students have to plan and carry out an individual investigation that counts as 20% towards their final science exam grade.
Dasha Krasnikova is investigating the decomposition of calcium carbonate in the shells of oysters, mussels and clams in acidic seawater. These marine organisms have shells made from calcium carbonate, which they get from the seawater. Increasing global levels of carbon dioxide reduce the availability of calcium carbonate in seawater and also cause the ocean to become more acidic. This means that the shells are weaker and the organism is more susceptible to predators. She is hoping to find out if the level of decomposition worsens with increasing acidity and also if one
Sebastian Arora was doing an experiment to test how different sugars (sucrose, glucose, plus 4 others) are used by yeast in cellular respiration. When yeast, or for that matter humans, use sugar for respiration, they produce carbon dioxide as a by-product. This fact can be used to measure how much or how rapidly an organism is respiring. So Sebastian measured how much dough balls "rose" caused by their production of carbon dioxide -- if a dough ball rose a lot, that means that the yeast were able to use that sugar very well. If the dough ball didn't rise very much, then the sugar that was in that dough ball could not be used very efficiently by the yeast as a food source. Sebastian's experiment had the Biology Laboratory smelling like a panetteria!
Junior School - Foundation Curriculum Update Around the world, in 2018-19, the PYP, our IB curriculum model is getting a fresh facelift. One way we are supporting this modernizing of our curriculum is with an increase in play and utilizing outdoor space, while supporting natural inquiry opportunities for our young students. We are beginning this update with our Foundation class. The updates will roll-over to EY1 & EY2 over the next year.
Grade 6 Induction
 Schedules, lockers, moving from class to class, new faces, old faces, older students...... transitioning from elementary school to middle school can be both exciting and overwhelming. To ease the transition, our grade 6 students took part in a two-day induction program where they toured the campus, learned to read and understand their class schedules, reunited with old friends and forged new friendships. Their day began with a warm greeting from Helen Stanton, the Upper School Principal. The students learned the importance of communication and collaboration when they participated in the "Balloon Car Project". They worked in small groups to design, build and race their very own balloon cars. Friday came, the last bell rang and the students left with confident smiles on their faces.
ISF aims to provide a caring learning environment that promotes personal, social and academic growth through challenging and engaging programs, in order to develop respectful, responsible students who strive to have a positive impact on others and the world around them.