Professional Development Day for Our Teaching Team – Ongoing Collaboration for Student Success   

At ISSH, collaboration is not a one-off event but an ongoing process – one that ensures we are constantly refining and strengthening our educational approach. Our recent Professional Development (PD) days provided another valuable opportunity for teachers to engage in meaningful discussions, exchange ideas and further align our teaching practices across school sections.

As part of this ongoing process, Primary and Kindergarten teachers attended an in-house PYP workshop to explore strategies for deepening inquiry-based learning and increasing student engagement. This session was particularly valuable for teachers who were new to the PYP, as it gave them the opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of the programme, while learning from more experienced colleagues.

Another example of this ongoing work is the collaboration between our Primary and Secondary teachers in refining the alignment of the Mathematics and Languages curricula. Ensuring a seamless transition between school sections, consistent academic expectations and well-supported learning is an essential part of our ongoing efforts to improve the student experience at ISSH. These reflective practices allow us to adapt and refine our approaches to best support student progress.

As part of this ongoing reflection, teachers also participated in a workshop session on strengthening home-school collaboration, exploring ways to further improve communication and partnership with families. Recognising that student success is greatest when educators and parents collaborate, this session provided an opportunity to refine strategies for aligning learning goals, supporting students at home, and fostering a strong, collaborative learning environment. Strengthening these links is an ongoing priority as we work towards a holistic, student-centred approach that promotes both academic growth and personal development.

The conversations and insights from these PD days will continue to shape our work throughout the year, reinforcing our commitment to continuous reflection, innovation and adaptation. I am grateful to our dedicated teaching team for their professionalism and passion, and I look forward to seeing the impact of these efforts in the classroom and beyond.

Ebru Güver  

Head of School