Dear Students, Parents, Colleagues and Friends of the FIS,
As we bring the 2024/25 school year to a close, I want to thank you – students, families, and colleagues – for the trust you have placed in my appointment as Head of School. It is a role I carry with deep responsibility and a great sense of purpose. Your kind words and support have meant a great deal. I remain committed to leading the FIS with openness, passion, and a strong belief in the power of dialogue to strengthen both our school climate and our sense of belonging.
In Primary School, our biggest achievement was the successful authorization of the IB Primary Years Programme, which now makes us an IB Continuum School. This was a major milestone, and much of our team’s energy this year was dedicated to achieving it. Next year, we will build on that foundation with a stronger focus on supporting students’ emotional development and relationships.
In Secondary School, we focused on school spirit and consistent procedures. One result: morning punctuality has improved significantly, thanks to a collective effort and shared accountability. Looking ahead, we will launch the new year with an extended advisory program, placing emphasis on social-emotional learning and the development of IB Approaches to Learning Skills (ATLs). Both are essential to a healthy school culture and student growth.
These achievements – and the ongoing improvement of our culture and sense of community – would not have been possible without the dedication of our entire community and of our staff in particular. I want to extend my sincere thanks to our team for the care, creativity, and commitment you bring to our school each day. Your work makes a lasting difference.
As always, the end of the school year brings some goodbyes. We are sad to see our teachers leave: Junior Antoine, Mairi Bell, Ryan Dunn, Kailey Little, Neela Meakin, Anita Almond, and Anouk Bouwman. Thank you for your contributions and we wish you all the best for the future. At the same time, we are proud to share that this was our lowest staff turnover ever.
We will share organizational information for the new school year in the week before classes begin. For now, I wish you all a restful, healthy summer. Enjoy time with family and friends. Travel safely, recharge, and return ready for new beginnings. I look forward to welcoming you back in August.
Warm regards,
Petra Niemczyk
Head of School
