An In-Depth Parent Testimonial on BISS
12 years ago, we landed at BISS with a Reception-aged boy and a 2 month-old baby girl. For our little family, the school quickly became a second home away from home, thanks to its warm, welcoming staff and community.
The primary years were so much fun, engaging in so many ways! The teachers harnessed the IPC curriculum to make learning an everyday adventure, opening the children’s minds and feeding their curiosity with relentless enthusiasm and good spirit. Through everyday activities, like forest school, drama productions, music sessions and deep dives into the school’s library, our children gathered fundamental life skills, all embedded in the school’s ethos: be respectful, dare to ask questions, don’t give up, try something different, make good choices for yourself and others. And never underestimate rain pants.
Supported by this solid foundation, our children started Secondary with curiosity and a can-do attitude. Focus on learning grew more intense, especially while preparing for the IGCSE, but once again the school’s outstanding teaching staff made sure to place curiosity, positivity and resilience at the core of its pupils’ approach to expanding knowledge, articulating complex ideas and retaining information. This resulted in a gentle, sustained but steady development of their knowledge and learning skills.
Life at BISS however, never limits itself to academics. It is a holistic school. Aware of the importance for its young people to grow into well rounded adults, the staff often encourages them to try something new amongst its many exciting opportunities for self-development and community collaborations: extra-curricular clubs, scouting, trips abroad, student government, Model United Nations, poetry and art competitions, maths challenges, sport Olympics, International Day, peer learning, charity supporting activities, and more… Life is too short!
Year after year, we see our children developing a solid appetite for learning, embracing new challenges with growing confidence, and making friends with the repeated conviction that everyone is interesting once you get to know them. They bloom into curious, resilient and respectful young people. They develop stamina and an enquiring spirit: they become lifelong learners and citizens of the world.
Our youngest daughter is currently eager to explore further her interest for sciences and to take part in the school production, while our eldest is starting IB – a steep learning curve ahead, but he is well-prepared and focused, eager to tackle what comes ahead (this is another BISS effect)! And we wonder what makes this school truly special. Is it the accent on inclusivity? All learner types and abilities are welcome, all are encouraged to take responsibility for their learning and to give life their best shot. This surely is commendable enough. Or is it that the school has always strived to develop itself through thick and thin, to become an even better version of itself, and makes sure to include its community of parents in the process? That certainly is too.
We suspect, however, that BISS’ core superpower lies in its wonderfully supportive and dedicated staff: passionate, interesting and caring people who truly embody the school’s spirit. Their enthusiasm and support in every step of the pupils’s journey has never ceased to amaze – even during the Covid crisis, they worked beyond themselves to keep delivering high quality learning and dedicating pastoral care, day after day. We know we can count on them and that they care for our children.
We feel truly grateful for that first day our family walked hand-in-hand across that school yard. Serendipity got us here; we stayed because of BISS.