New Beginnings: the First Week of School at ISB

The start of a new school year brings with it a whole host of new experiences as students transition into their next grade level, new teachers settle into new classrooms, and new parents meet one another for the first time. 

International School Bangkok’s (ISB) first week of school was no exception to this as we welcomed a new Head of School, Dr. Sascha Heckmann, introduced new uniforms, and welcomed over 340 new students to the school. All of this novelty has created a buzz of excitement on campus as our community has reunited, welcomed new additions, and connected with one another.

A Fresh Start

One of the best parts about a beginning is the exciting new opportunities and fresh perspectives it brings with it. As we embrace the promise of growth and progress that comes with a new school year, we also welcome our new Head of School, Dr. Sascha Heckmann. He joins us with more than 20 years of experience in international private schools and American public schools. To read more about Dr. Heckmann’s experience and vision for ISB, see here. 

Even before classrooms were a buzz with activity this week, leadership, staff, and faculty began intentionally preparing for the return of our students last week. Cleaning, meeting, and learning together. Last Friday, our entire staff gathered together as one community for a collaborative activity of building a LEGO structure to depict how we are #ISBetterTogether. It was an incredible opportunity to connect across language barriers and construct something new together. Watch our video below:

A New Look on Campus

Inspired by the elements and with a mandate for sustainability, this semester sees the launch of a stylish new school uniform for all students. The project was a joint collaboration between our Marketing team and clothing expert and ISB alum, Rahat Madarasmi (Class of 2012).

Director of Marketing, Communications and Alumni, Harriett Gething says, “Our ultimate aim was to create a uniform that students don’t have to really think about - they have so much going on already! So we set out to make sure that our students feel comfortable and confident and that their uniform performs under the pressures of our tropical climate. Together with students, parents, and staff, we have carefully created a range of premium, comfortable, and eco-friendly materials, including organic cotton and recycled polyester. These materials are not only better for the environment, but they are also more comfortable and durable than traditional uniform fabrics. Every stitch of our uniform has been expertly made in Thailand, and each polo shirt proudly carries the Thai flag for each student to wear with pride.”

The team has been able to reduce the carbon footprint of the uniforms considerably, having eliminated any unnecessary plastic packaging (it is all recycled paper and board) and any internal labels or tags. 

Unexplored Adventures

The students, faculty, and staff’s experiences during this past week have been energetic as we all explore new learning opportunities together. High school students in Grade 11 worked with the JUMP! Foundation to build self-awareness, well-being, bonding, and the intentional balancing of demand.

Students in the elementary school focused on building strong classroom communities in which every student feels a sense of belonging, as well as launching strong home and school partnerships. In middle school, our Grade 6 students have been adjusting to the transition from elementary into middle school. Nia, a Grade 6 student reflected on the first week back, “I liked it, I liked just going around, I liked having the freedom. We’ve done assemblies, and I like that; I like how it’s a really big community; I like how we can all just be together and do that. I think it’s fun how we’re starting like new things, and the whole middle school gets to be a part of it, not just one grade.”

Beyond the classroom, a world of extracurricular activities awaits our students. From sports to arts, clubs to community service, students eagerly engage in a diverse range of activities that contribute to their holistic development. These opportunities stretch beyond academics, fostering balanced and well-rounded individuals with a thirst for knowledge and a passion for diverse experiences.

Novel Connections

The first week of school is also a time for students and parents to make new connections. The mixture of returning ISB Panthers with newcomers creates a vibrant and diverse community. Our parents got to connect with one another at our first-ever ISB Coconut Social with refreshing coconuts and introductions to the Boosters Club, Parent-Teacher Association, International Professionals Network, and school leadership. 

It’s been wonderful to see our faculty, staff, students, and parents fostering a sense of belonging in the community. From group activities to school-wide events, the connections formed during this week are truly special. Students, as well as teachers and parents, have connected, collaborated, worked as a team, and celebrated each other. This is the power of a supportive and nurturing environment, one where growth flourishes through shared experiences.

A Fruitful Year Ahead 

The environment we create opens the door for new adventures to be explored, questions to be asked, and learning to take place where every student feels empowered to dive deep into the subjects that inspire their passions. It's been a joy to witness the spark of curiosity light up young minds this week, setting the tone for an exciting year of exploration ahead.

We invite you to share your own stories of the first week and your hopes for the upcoming year on our social platforms and tag us @ISBangkok or #ISBetterTogether. Let's make this academic year one to remember - full of exploration, learning, and togetherness. Here's to the adventures that lie ahead!