|
Head of School Message
Dear ISF Community,
Like the mesmerizing currents of the Arno, ISF is into the flow of student life at our two schools. I always look forward to the fall, a cooling reprieve from the scorching summer temperatures in Florence, and also because it is a time that our students begin to hit their stride. They understand the importance of immersing themselves into their studies, giving their best and also exploring interests beyond the villa walls. This fall, even more so than last year, many more students are participating in after school extracurricular activities and the ASIL Sports League. In these settings, students find out more about themselves and the balance they achieve when they meet and interact with others with whom they would otherwise not know. Joining the choir, signing up for drama, sharing literary experiences in the book club, learning about the environment on the green team, assuming leadership roles on the student council, playing on the volleyball or tennis teams and a host of other experiences available to them is an invaluable way to take a step beyond themselves. "Taking that leap" is sometimes uncertain, but in the end, it is always beneficial.
For me, I launched my "cycling career" by purchasing a motorino this summer, with some (no, really a lot!) initial trepidation, but have since wondered why I didn't do it sooner for the adventure that it has opened up for me. One of my students, seeing me for the first time on it, of course, (and not to miss his "IPhone moment") took a quick photo and later commented, "mister, it looks like you were born on that bike!" As the Nike brand motto implores, I urge our students at ISF to, "just do it" and good things will happen.
Continue reading Head of School's message
|
|
|
High School Student Council 
"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot nothing is going to get better. It's not."
These wise words spoke by Dr. Seuss exemplify how in any community everyone's efforts can make a difference. The newly- elected High School Student Council intends to bring innovative ideas for a better involvement of all students. Some of us are experienced student council members and others are new, but we all share common traits: determination to make positive changes, enthusiasm, and community spirit in support of the school. Naturally, the students council's bake sales will remain a classic...would not to like to stray from tradition.
Jasmine Anouna
HS Student Council President
View photo |
|
Middle School Student Council
 This year I plan to make dances better than last year, with better decorations, snacks, music, and
with access
to the front parking lot during the dance. I also would like to add a raffle to the dances if the student council can get to it. I also plan to make as many dances as possible this year. I would like to have many school events this year including, free dress days, spirit week, bake sales and other fund raisers and a talent show at the end of the year.
I want to get a ping-pong table for the lunch break area, as some students have suggested to me. I also plan to add a suggestion box to collect ideas that will be checked once a week.
Garrett May
MS Student Council President
|
|
ISF Student Wins
Italian Rowing Championship
Grade ten student Clementer Fanini took
home the 1st place medal for the 8+ at last month's Italian Rowing Championship. Congratulations, Clemente! Find out more about our student athlete in this casual interview.
|
|
Grade 4 and 5 Sports Tournament
 Friday, the 19th of October was the first day of the Grade 4 and 5 Sports Tournament. The first sport was Volleyball. Students were split into 3 teams and had 20 minutes to score as many points as they could. Using the skills they learned in lessons, grade 4 students started strong and gained confidence in their ability performing some good two touch play. However, they couldn't hold on for long as the grade 5's rose to the challenge and returned the ball with accuracy. As we learned today with age comes experience. Final scores 22 - 13, 25 - 13 and 16 - 8.
Thank you to our score keepers Elvis Friberg and Luka Windey, photographer Sasha Tucker and video camera ladies Rita and Tara Byrne. The next sport will be Capture the flag. |
|
Board to Etablish a Long Term Strategic Plan
The Board of Trustees, in concert with the Head of School and the staff, will create a three year Strategic Plan to establish a clear path of mission and visions for each identified strategic area. The Board's chairperson, Marco Uzielli, will work with Larry Hobdell and other members of the Strategic Planning Committee to coordinate and provide guidance for the establishment of a three year Strategic Plan by June, 2013. Mr. Uzielli and Dr. Hobdell presented organizational steps, initially to the Board in September, and subsequently to the staff in early October. The plan will focus on seven strategic areas: The Academic Program; Technology;Campus and
Facilities; Marketing, Development and Fundraising; Finance; Admissions and Enrollment; and Governance.
Initial important steps, using an electronic assessment questionnaire, will be taken to solicit comprehensive feedback from the ISF community about each of the strategic areas. Plans are underway to disseminate those questions in mid November for tabulation of results and review by the Strategic Planning Committee. Following the assessment review in December, committees comprised of administration, Board members, staff, parents and other important stakeholders will be formed and tasked with the mission of establishing visions and long term implementing actions for each strategic area. Upon completion, and approved by the Board, the plan will be accessible on the website.
Parents or other stakeholders who wish to participate on specific strategic task group committees are encouraged e-mail Dr. Hobdell, by no later than the end of November. |
|
Alumni Receives Praise from the IB Program
Odile Bouchard, class of 2012, has recently received an honor from the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme for her work in Visual Arts.
After the examination session is concluded, the senior examiners chose the very best of the studio work that was examined for Visual Arts. These few select works are complied in a virtual gallery to be used as a resource for teachers, examiners and students around the world. We are thrilled to announce that Odile's Double Self-Portrait: 'Face to Face' was selected to be included in the Drawing category from the May 2012 examination session.
Only nine students were selected this year to be included in the Drawing category. This was out of likely over 10,000 other students taking Visual Arts (the May 2012 complete statistics have not yet been released, but in May 2011 there were 11,500 students taking the class).
The virtual gallery, Drawing Category can be accessed through the following link:
http://blogs.ibo.org/gallery/?cat=7395 |
|
On the horizon:
 Junior School Halloween Parade at 3:00 in the cortile. Come see the students dressed in their Halloween costumes!
Bake sale and photo booths after the parade. |
|
On the horizon:  ISF will host its annual International Week from November 5-9. Don't miss out on the International Banquet scheduled for Friday at 3.30 in the JS courtyard. |
|
|
|
|
|
Varsity Tennis News | |
View photo |
The ISF Boys and Girls Tennis teams are both experiencing great success on the courts this season. They have won all three of their matches thus far, first at Aviano on September 22, then at the American Overseas School of Rome on September 29, and adding a home victory October 6 against Vicenza. Leading the boys team in wins are co-captains Gabriel Vingre and Derick Chiappo, while Vittorio Palchetti, Nicolas Mundell, Filipo Magnelli have been strong at singles. In doubles play, ISF has seen consistent performances from Pieter Mons/Alex Boni-Ball, Martajn Mons/Pietro Cecchini and Pietro Cecchini/Brighton Steinberg.
The girls team, which consists of three girls, has enjoyed unprecedented success, dominating their opponents at doubles with the dazzling play of Kirsten Ranheim and Marlies Mons. These two young ladies have had success at singles play also, and joined by fellow teammate Viola Marchi, have cooperated well to secure three well-earned team victories. Both the boys and girls look to fine-tune their skills in the final two matches against Marymount and Naples, in anticipation of the European Championships in Wiesbaden, but already the two tennis teams have had an enormously successful season. |
|
Varsity Volleyball News | |
View Photo | |
As the end of the volleyball season draws near, ISF would like to congratulate all the high-school boys and girls that have taken part this year. The season so far has been full of laughter, friendship and vast achievement for both teams, and despite some results the season has seen much improvement! A very special thanks to Mr. Clausi, who had to see many of his former volleyball players graduate last year, but who nevertheless has been guiding his brand new teams through a very successful campaign! ISF wishes the teams luck for the coming matches and hopes that they keep up the wonderful standards.
Go Wild Boars! |
|
ISF vs ISM | |
| |
25 students from grades 4 and 5 travelled to Milan to take part in the 6th 2 day Sports Tournament event with The International School of Milan. Students were divided up into their 3 teams to play the sports of Volleyball, Capture the Flag, Basketball, Soccer, Rounders and Athletic events of javelin throw, standing broad jump and relay race. Over the two days students showed very good team work, sportsmanship and risk taking skills in staying with a host family and making new friends. Although we did not come back with a winner's trophy, we came back with many ideas of how to change our tactics and be more prepared when Milan comes to us for round two in June.
Thank you to Mr. Male, Ms. Regnier and Mr. Fairchild who accompanied the students on the trip.
|
|
Alumni Benjamin MacLean Named Head Chorister of Westminster Abby |  |
Benjamin MacLean. ISF student from 2006 to 2009.
Ben is the son of Fr. Lawrence and Jacqueline MacLean. The MacLean's lived here in Florence between 2002 and 2011 where Fr. Lawrence was Chaplain of the English Church of St Mark's and Jacqueline was the college counsellor here at ISF. Ben went to the UK as a chorister at Westminster Abbey. Over the last few years he has sung for the Royal Wedding, the historic Papal visit of Benedict XVI to London, for President & Mrs Obama, The Dalai Lama and most recently in Rome for the Feast of St Peter in the Vatican.
Currently the BBC is filming a documentary on the life on the Abbey and Choir which will be broadcast in the spring over three episodes. This autumn, Ben was chosen as the Head Chorister of the Abbey. He is now in his final year and will leave the Abbey next July. |
|
Mention of Merit | |
| |
Grade 9 Student Giulia Chen has been recognized for having displayed academic excellence over the course of 3 Academic years at Ser Lapo Mazzei school where she attended Middle School. Giulia received a merit award for her outstanding curiosity, lively intelligence and a steady interest in all academic subjects during her three years at her former Italian school.
Brava Giulia! |
|
|
