THE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF FLORENCE NEWSLETTER , September 2024
Editor-in-Chief
Tanya Bruckner
Design and Layout
Tess Hitchcock
Cover Photo
Mike Terrell (Grade 5 Orientation Trip)
Printer
Tipografia Color Print
ISF alumni, families, faculty, and friends are welcomed and encouraged to submit ideas and articles for consideration.
Inquiries may be addressed to t.bruckner@isfitaly.org. www.isfitaly.org
SHARYN BADDELEY
Welcome Back to a New Academic Year! As we step into the new academic year, we warmly welcome each one of you back after a very hot summer and extend a special welcome to our new families joining our school community. We are more than just a school; we are a closely connected community that thrives on collaboration, embraces inclusivity, and proudly embodies the distinct essence of Florence. Our collaboration with the vibrant Florentine community ensures our classrooms resonate with the rich history, art, and culture of this remarkable city, infusing children’s educational experiences with the very spirit of Florence.
This year, we continue to uphold our core values of respect, responsibility, relationships, and resilience. These principles are the foundation of our community, guiding us in our daily interactions and inspiring us to grow together. We believe in fostering a respectful environment where every individual feels valued, teaching our students the importance of responsibility, nurturing meaningful relationships, and building resilience to overcome challenges.
In today’s highly connected and rapidly changing world, especially with the advancement of AI technology, an International Baccalaureate (IB) education is more important than ever. It equips our students with the critical thinking skills, global awareness, and adaptability needed to navigate and succeed in this dynamic landscape. This year, we will focus on planning a framework and policy related to AI, reflecting best practices to ensure our students are prepared for the future.
As Mahatma Gandhi wisely said, “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” This quote beautifully reflects our school
Mission: “A laboratory for learning where we collaborate to add meaning to a shared future.” Our Vision, “We aspire to build communities of creative makers and doers,” aligns with this mission and guides us in our endeavors.
Together with our dedicated staff, engaged parents, and the lively Florentine community, we are crafting an educational journey that is unparalleled and distinctively unique. We take immense pride in this journey and are excited to see what we will achieve together this new academic year.
Welcome to another year of adventures!
Kind regards,
Sharyn Baddeley, Head of School
MORGAN FIUMI, CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
It was a pleasure seeing so many of you at the back-to-school cocktail. On behalf of the Board of Directors, I’d like to extend a heartfelt welcome to all our families—whether returning or joining us for the first time. ISF has always strived to be an internationally minded and uniquely Florentine community, dedicated to nurturing personal growth, learning, and collaboration.
At ISF, we pride ourselves on developing well-rounded, globally minded citizens. As many of our students have dispersed around the globe, our senior class has not only achieved academic success but also demonstrated a curiosity about global challenges and shown the resilience to overcome them. We are immensely proud to see our young ISF ambassadors beginning their next chapter at some of the finest universities worldwide.
Our 8th and 5th-grade Italian program students recently took their grade-equivalent exams at local partner schools. These academically rigorous programs exemplify the ISF experience by blending cultural immersion with global perspectives. All our students not only passed but excelled, validating their hard work and the dedication and support of their teachers.
Education at ISF is an ongoing process of discovery, experimentation, and growth. As an IB school, we champion the IB learner profile, instilling values such as open-mindedness, reflection, and empathy. These principles guide both our students and faculty, preparing us all to meet the challenges of an ever-evolving world.
We recognize that mistakes are part of the learning journey—
both for our students and for our school. As a community, we are committed to reflecting on our experiences, learning from any missteps, and continuously moving forward with a mindset of growth and improvement.
Our Unique Community and Collective Responsibility
A school is only as strong as its community, and ISF thrives because of the dedication of parents, teachers, staff, and students alike. ISF’s success is shaped by this collective effort. It is not just the result of classroom learning, but is built on the strength of a cohesive community. Parents, especially, contribute in important ways:
Volunteering: Whether it’s joining the Parent Association (PA), supporting school events, assisting with extracurricular activities, or helping with daily operations, parent involvement strengthens our community.
Fostering Positive Relationships and Communication: Engaging in open, constructive dialogue with teachers and staff fosters collaboration and helps the school run smoothly.
Parent Engagement Workshops: Participating in these workshops offers insights into our academic offerings and helps families understand how programs like the IB learner profile contribute to a holistic educational experience.
Embodying School Values: Parents serve as role models, reinforcing the school’s core values—respect, resilience, responsibility, and relationships—at home and within the school. By living these values, you help build a unified, supportive culture that nurtures student success.
We celebrate our achievements together, but we must also ensure that our actions reflect the values we champion.
Before sending a message, posting on WhatsApp, or lodging a complaint, let’s take a moment to lead by example. Let’s ensure that our discussions, whether in person or online, are productive, respectful, and aligned with the values we all share. Our community’s success depends on constructive and respectful dialogue, as well as a commitment to our shared mission.
Our community extends beyond our campuses. We are deeply intertwined with Florence and its rich history, local businesses, and cultural organizations. These relationships enrich our students’ experiences, helping them develop as global citizens who understand their role in the wider world. Whether through CAS activities, student initiatives like FloMUN, TEDx, sports events, or theater productions, we all share in portraying ISF’s values to our broader community. This shared responsibility is central to ISF’s strategic vision.
Looking Forward
As we begin this new academic year, the uniqueness and shared commitment to our community and values will ensure another exciting and transformative educational experience for our students. Welcome back!
Morgan Fiumi, Chairman of the Board of Directors
SHANE NATHAN, JUNIOR SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
Welcome to the Junior School of The International School of Florence!
I am very happy to be joining ISF as of August 2024 as Junior School Principal. A little about myself, my name is Shane Nathan, and I was born in London, England and subsequently attended primary and secondary schools in England before undertaking my first degree to be a teacher.
After qualifying, I worked in a variety of schools in England before becoming a deputy headteacher of a large primary school in Essex. At this stage in my career, I decided I wanted a different experience and moved overseas in 1999 to become Deputy Headteacher at the Dubai English Speaking School. I then moved to Brunei as Primary Principal at the International School Brunei, followed by the British School Jakarta, Indonesia, as Head of Primary and last year I was based in Hong Kong as Head of Preparatory at Kellett School, the British International School in Hong Kong.
The schools above used a variety of different curricula which included: the National Curriculum of England, the International Primary Curriculum (IPC), and programmes from the International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO).
Whilst on this journey, I continued to update and keep abreast of developments in education and completed my MA (Ed), as well as qualifications in teaching English to speakers of other languages and supporting students in English-speaking environments.
Since 2004, I have also been a team accreditation visitor for the Council of International Schools (CIS) and have subsequently carried out team visits to over 25 schools in Asia, Australia and Africa as a team member and also as Chair of the visiting team.
Lately this has also including leading joint team visits to schools seeking accreditation and authorisation from the IBO for the PYP, MYP and IB programmes as well as from WASC (Western Association of schools and Colleges based in the US). I have very much enjoyed these opportunities to visit and see indepth how different schools achieve the best for their students.
I am the proud father of three children, India (26), Harry (23) and George (20), who all attended at least one of the international schools in which I was Head of Primary which gives me the unique insight of both leading international schools and whilst being a parent of children in the school. All have subsequently returned to the UK for study and are currently based in York, Coventry and near Colchester which means a busy summer when I visit! They are very excited about me being based in Florence and are planning to visit as soon as possible.
My wife Tasya (a proud Indonesian citizen) will be accompanying me to Florence and is very much looking forward to returning to Europe after living in Paris for six years and St. Petersburg for five years and learning Italian to add to her French, Russian, and English.
As a parent and educator, I always want the best for any child so that they can benefit from the opportunities available to them in school whilst being in a supportive environment where parents and teachers work collaboratively together for the child’s development.
Whenever possible, I enjoy travel opportunities locally and internationally, and having lived in the Middle East and Asia since 1999, I am very much looking forward to exploring Italy and further afield as time allows. I enjoy reading, particularly non-fiction centred on travel and other cultures and particularly before travelling to a new destination to give an insight before
exploring.
International schools offer a unique opportunity to experience different cultures, where a range of beliefs, languages, and opportunities are available to all in the community to experience and benefit from. I have always enjoyed the interaction with parents in school as a way of broadening my own experience and as a way of understanding the world around us. After meeting some members of the ISF community already, I am sure that we will work together for the very best outcomes for your child.
I am looking forward to meeting as many of you as possible during the coming term and academic year. Please feel free to pop in and introduce yourself if you are coming to school; otherwise I will see you at one of the many events planned by ISF for this year.
Mr. Antoniazzi is coming from UWC Adriatic in Italy, but has worked as ISF before! He has his PhD in Physics from the University of Florence, and will be rejoining ISF as the Head of the Mathematics Department. His students would describe him as passionate, supportive, and caring. He loves traveling, doing any type of sport, and cooking. Interestingly enough, for two months he worked as a chef in the UK. Also, when he was 7 years old he practiced figure skating for a year. His students know that even if he looks angry, he is not.
Mr. Baldeschi is coming from the Didactic Farms Forest Kindergartens and New York City Preschools, but is a native of Jesi, Italy. He has his Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education and his Bachelors in Communication. He will be joining ISF as an Early Years teacher. His students would describe him as fun-loving and predictable. He loves cooking, music from all around the world, all sports, and riding motorcycles. Would you believe that he worked as an Aprentice Chef in the Carribean, Saint Barth’s, and the French West Indies for 8 months?
Ms. Ferris is coming from Belfast, North Ireland. She has her Bachelors in Post-Primary Education with Mathematics and Science from Queens University Belfast, and she will be joining ISF as the Boarding Dean and Cover Teacher. Her students would describe her as funny, passionate, and caring. She loves to read, especially the classics, and is a huge film nerd, with her favorite film being The Dreamers directed by Bernardo Bertolucci! She also has a little black cat named Pùca and is a pub quiz enthusiast.
Anna is joining us from Italy as the new Italian teacher at the Junior School! Her students would describe her as authoritative, empathetic, and ironic. She is passionate about books by Swedish authors and plays padel in her free time. She forgets where she parks her car often, and is very gullible!
Ms. Kujawski is coming from Florence, but is a native of Wisconsin, USA. She has her Bachelors in Elementary and Special Education from Carroll University, and she is joining ISF as the Student Support Advisor at the Upper School. Her students would describe her as calm, organized, caring, and supportive. She loves yoga, nutrition, cooking, reading, and hiking. She loves to read about mindfulness and other big ideas, but can also easily escape into fantasy or thriller stories.
Ms. Luciano is joining us from Florence, where she was born, but is Chicago bred. She has her Bachelors in Secondary Education and English from Northern Michigan University and is joining ISF as an English teacher in the Upper School. Her students would describe her as enthusiastic, patient, and creative. She often gets lost in a good book or a foreign city — she thrives on both! She also worked for the American Peace Corps in Malawi, Africa immediately after graduating university.
Ms. Martyn is coming from Rome but is a native of the UK. She has her Masters in Theater from the Guilford School of Acting, and will be our new Theater teacher at the Upper School! Her students would describe her as justifiably strict, energetic, and full of positive vibes. Her passions are geared towards all things arty, like concerts, theater, exhibitions, or other art events. She loves to travel and loves to eat! Would you believe that she taught herself how to play the drums when she was 14?
Mr. Matthews is coming from New Delhi, India, but is a native of Ireland/UK. He has his English Degree from St. Andrews University and will be joining the Upper School as an English teacher. His students would describe him as having a good sense of humor, encouraging, and enthusiastic about teaching English! Mr. Matthews loves traveling and taking cruises. Would you believe that he loves roller coasters, took a helicopter trip through Alaska, and backpacked through Romania trying to find Dracula’s Castle?
Mr. Semaan is coming from St. Mary’s Academy in Englewood, Colorado but is a native of New York. He has is Masters in International Education from the University of Bath, UK and is rejoining ISF as a teacher in the Individuals & Societies Department (he worked at ISF in 2003/2004)! His students would describe him as caring, engaging, enthusiastic, and motivated. He loves to cycle, hike, and read. He worked for the United Nations in New York for a decade.
As we continue our journey to provide the best possible educational experience for our students, we are excited to introduce our new Parent Engagement Program. This program is designed to enhance the partnership between our school and families, creating a supportive environment that fosters student success and reinforces student learning.
The Parent Engagement Program is a comprehensive initiative aimed at increasing parental involvement in our school community and providing hands-on sessions that deepen family’s understanding of the ISF approach to learning. The sessions will be more than information sessions, they will engage parents directly and allow for a collaborati;n of ideas.
We believe that when parents and educators work together, students benefit immensely, academically and socially and promote a more nurturing learning environment. This program will offer a variety of opportunities for parents to engage with the school and participate in school activities. The sessions will be ongoing throughout the school year, both during the school day and in the afternoons, to fit the staff class commitments and to accommodate a range of parent availability.
What is involved in the program?
Frequent Parent Workshops: We will be hosting frequent workshops on a range of topics relevant to parenting and education. The first sessions will cover areas such as understanding the PYP and the MYP, supporting learning at home, understanding curriculum changes, and fostering social-emotional development.
Family Engagement Events: Throughout the year, we will host various family-oriented events. These events are a great way for families to connect with each other and with the school in a fun, informal setting.
Feedback and Improvement: We value your input and will
regularly seek feedback on the program through follow-up surveys. This will allow us to refine and improve the Parent Engagement Program, offering a wide range of sessions serving our community better.
We are truly excited about the possibilities this program brings and the positive impact it will have on our students’ educational journey. Stay tuned for the upcoming calendar of events for the Parent Engagement Program. These will take place at both the Upper School and the Junior School, and your involvement and support are invaluable!
Upcoming Sessions:
Upper School: 2 October - Duke of Edinburgh Information Evening with Bruce Baddeley, DoEd Coordinator
Upper School: 8 October - Middle School Italian Program Mathematics with Massimo Boscherini (Head of Science) and Andrea Antoniazzi (Head of Mathematics)
Upper School: 9 October - International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP): Grade 11 - Looking at the Year Ahead with Jason Blackstone (DP Coordinator),Rhonda Carr and Dafna Adler (School Counselors) and Inka Szablinski (CAS Coordinator). Virtual session.
Upper School: 9 October - International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP): Grade 11 - Looking at the Year Ahead with Jason Blackstone (DP Coordinator), Rhonda Carr and Dafna Adler (School Counselors) and Inka Szablinski (CAS Coordinator). Virtual session.
Junior School: 10 October - New Families form Transition to Thriving with School Counselor, Paula Bernal
Junior School: 15 October - Social Emotional Curriculum with Dean of Students, Kelly Jo Dean
The International School of Florence Parent Association (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.
We are a group of enthusiastic parents from different nationalities, crossing over many language barriers, with many skills and talents, who plan and assist with events that include our annual field day, career forum, autumn bazaar, new family welcome breakfast, fundraising gala, and the festival of song.
Everyone is welcome! The ISF PA requires no initiation – being a parent automatically qualifies you as a member. We anticipate helping one another to discover this beautiful city we all share through the ties of our children. We all volunteer our time when possible, for the same vested interest. Being connected to the school through the PA offers children and fellow parents the unique opportunity to grow within their own community.
Ah, summer. The pace slows down, and we can kick back before shifting into high gear next fall. Well, that’s not exactly the case for our facilities team. The maintenance crew can be found working practically year-round to keep their facilities in tip-top shape.
Lengthy “to-do” lists detailing everything that needs to happen to prepare for the next academic year, it’s the facilities team summer reading list!
Classroom touch-ups, completing prolonged repairs, and implementing preventive maintenance are just a few of the tasks performed over the summer. As you might have noticed, this year we have put lots of energy into the JS campus.
The works on the external facade is still on going because we had many “slowdowns” and unpredictable situations over the summer (broken pipes, choosing of the “right” shade of yellow, etc). Here is a little preview of how it will look like in a couple of weeks.
Do you like it? Do you remember how was it before?
Luckily no more water infiltration, improved humidity control, along with better heat and cooling insulation! These improvements should make a big difference in comfort and energy efficiency!
Students! Do you remember those times when you were eating and wanted to quietly chat with your friends, but the echo in the room was so loud that you couldn’t even hear each other? That was really uncomfortable, right?
Well, we are awaiting your feedback on the new acoustic panels installed in the ceiling which also provided empty walls for Dante and the school values to keep us company during our lunch break!
Thanks to Mr. Fabio’s expert hands as a carpenter, our little students can now exchange books during recess time in the lower playground!
As we truly believe “first impressions are lasting impressions,” we have also moved furniture between the two campuses, purchased some new ones and made some works to create welcoming meeting spaces for parents, students, and also representatives from local and international institutions.
In the Upper School, the Aula Magna was repainted, the furniture in Room 13 was replaced, and additional furniture was purchased for science in Room 21.
A former custodian in my previous school says the building’s appearance sends an important message to students. A clean building “shows our respect for the kids.”
