ISG Superintendent's Message

ISG SUCCESSFULLY RE-ACCREDITED BY MSA

I am delighted to share that the MSA team visiting this week has shared their verbal recommendation for ISG and each of our schools to be re-accredited for the next 7 years.

On April 30, the MSA lead shared with ISG the MSA team’s re-accreditation oral report in which ISG was commended for our:

1. Strong culture of inclusion and belonging. ISG excels in creating an environment where every student feels valued and connected.
2. Commitment to nurturing character and authenticity, specifically developing leadership and compassion.
3. Transformative relationships built on trust, collaboration and open-mindedness, strong commitment to student learning and the alignment in vision between the superintendent, the Board and ISG leadership, guiding the organization in this time of growth.

Beyond the commendations, the team cited recommendations throughout the report in overall areas as well as individual areas and for each campus.  As a school committed to continuous improvement and lifelong learning, this review offers valuable insights that help us grow and achieve even higher standards of excellence.  These recommendations from the MSA team visit are integrated with our own self-reflection in developing action steps for improvement.

This visit to ISG included four days of on-site observations, conversations and reflections for all campuses and in the central office, as part of our ongoing accreditation process. Their visit focused on several key areas that reflect our mission and strategic goals, including a review of our processes, the role of parental and community involvement and the strength of student voice in shaping the learning experience.

We are deeply grateful to the MSA review team for their thoughtful observations and engagement throughout the visit, and to our entire school community—parents, students and staff—for their contributions and warm welcome. A special thank you goes to our Teaching and Learning team for their outstanding preparation and leadership during this process.

We look forward to sharing the team’s more detailed report from feedback and the final results of the review as soon as they are available. Together, we continue advancing toward our goal of delivering a high quality education that supports academic success, wellbeing and belonging, and strives for professional excellence grounded in our mission of innovation and compassionate action.

BSD PRINCIPAL DAVID BOLTON

British School Dhahran Principal, David Bolton, will be retiring in August 2026, and the search for his successor will begin this month.

Mr. Bolton’s journey with ISG began in 2006, when he joined DBGS as a Year 6 teacher, delivering the National Curriculum for England in his classroom. He served as assistant principal from 2015-2017, and has been the school principal since 2017. By  the time of his retirement, he will have dedicated an exceptional 20 years of service to ISG—a testament to his unwavering commitment and impact on our community.

Mr. Bolton will return to Liverpool, England to spend more time with his family—especially his wife, Lynne, and their three cherished grandchildren. He will leave ISG with an enduring legacy marked by leadership, dedication and genuine care for the BSD community.

Throughout his time in the Kingdom, Mr. Bolton developed a deep appreciation for Saudi Arabia and its people, often sharing how warmly welcomed he has always felt and how much he values the kindness and thoughtfulness he has experienced. He has often said that Saudi Arabia feels like home—part of his heart will always be here. We are sincerely grateful for his years of service and the meaningful difference he has made at British School Dhahran and in the ISG community. We look forward to continuing our work together throughout the upcoming school year.

We hope to finalize the selection of the new BSD principal early next school year. In the spirit of continuity, the BSD leadership team will work closely with the incoming leader to support a smooth and successful transition for August 2026.

NEW ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT

Through a thoughtful selection process that included ISG leadership teams totaling twelve individuals, the assistant superintendent position has been filled by Michelle Alzamora. Please read the full announcement here.

Michelle is an innovative and dedicated educational leader with a focus on fostering positive school cultures through collaboration and strong relationships. She joins ISG from the American Community School in Amman, Jordan, where she has been serving as elementary school principal since 2019. Previous experience includes:

• Elementary school principal at the Anglo American School in Moscow, Russia.
• Director of teaching and learning at SCIS, China.
• Elementary school assistant principal and literacy coach at the Anglo American School, Moscow, Russia.
• Content specialist at NWEA, Portland, OR.
• Elementary school teacher at the Anglo-American School in Moscow, Russia; Shanghai Community International School, China; Carlucci American International School, Portugal; and Emperor School, California.

We look forward to welcoming Michelle and her husband Eddie Alzamora in August 2026. In the spirit of continuity, Ms. Jana Barnhouse will work closely with Michelle  to support a smooth and successful transition for August 2026.

RECOGNIZING BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEMBERS AND WELCOMING NEW MEMBERS

As we look ahead to the close of the 2024-25 school year, we would like to take a moment to recognize and sincerely thank four distinguished members of the ISG Board of Trustees who will be stepping down from their roles.

• Lamees Al-Ali (2018/19–2024/25) – 7 years of service
• Yeimy Trujillo (2018/19–2024/25) – 7 years of service
• Khaled (Kal) Faytrouni (2018/19–2024/25) – 7 years of service
• Spin Bennett (2002/03– December 2025) – 23 years of service, including previous service as Board Chair for 8 years.

Each of these individuals has made a lasting impact on ISG through their dedication, leadership and unwavering support of our mission and values. Their contributions have strengthened our schools, supported countless students and families and helped guide ISG through seasons of growth and change.

We are deeply grateful for their years of service and commitment to our community. Their legacy will continue to shape ISG for years to come.

Please join us in thanking Lamees, Yeimy, Kal and Spin for their outstanding contributions and in wishing them all the best in their future endeavors.

As these trustees leave, we are pleased to announce the appointment of four new members to the ISG Board of Trustees after a comprehensive process of nomination, interviews, and seeking expertise to compliment the current board membership.

Beginning their terms on August 1, 2025, we warmly welcome:

• Billal Arif
• Inge Krogue
• Robert Steenblik
• Mark Fletcher

We look forward to the expertise, passion and fresh perspectives these individuals  will bring to ISG as we continue to advance our mission and serve our community.

ISG SUMMER LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

Over the past five years, ISG has seen a year-on-year decrease in enrollment for synchronous virtual summer school. As a result, we will not be offering virtual courses facilitated by ISG teachers this summer.

However, we are excited to share some new summer learning opportunities for your children. In support of continued learning, we will create a dedicated learning hub where families can access a variety of resources designed to reinforce skills, deepen understanding and encourage exploration. These optional resources provide opportunities for students to stay engaged and inspired over the summer months while providing the flexibility for families based on their schedules and their children’s interests.

More information about summer learning opportunities will be shared in the upcoming weeks.

FOOD SERVICES UPDATE

Dhahran Campus

Grab and Go kiosks were installed this week in both ASD and BSD to provide additional menu choices and more efficient access to food throughout the day. They are expected to begin selling in mid May.

Menu items will be priced according to the market, similar to the Starbucks carts.

We would like our community to share a friendly reminder that ISG currently subsidizes the three main meals served at the school canteens, and  will continue to do so until August 2025. In the new school year, the price of the meals will increase from SR 15 to SR 20.

ISG Dammam Campus

We are pleased to share that ISG Dammam is already undergoing a dining hall renovation that will be completed over this summer. The project will include demolition work to create a more open and functional kitchen and serving area, ultimately enhancing both efficiency and the overall dining experience for our students and staff on this campus.

In preparation, the ISG operations team has finalized details with the catering partner. These upgrades reflect our continued commitment to providing high-quality, student-centered facilities across all ISG campuses.

ISG Jubail Campus

ISG Jubail changed food service providers to the Marriott catering services.  The pilot for adults initially was very positive and then we moved to a full lunch opportunity for students and staff after Ramadan.

We are pleased to share that this new service provider is high quality, reliable and consistent in supporting food service that makes sense for a school environment.  We will be continuing with this service next school year.

SAVE THE DATES

Minimum Day: May 14

Graduation Dates:

• May 22: ASD Graduation
• May 24: BSD Graduation
• May 27: BSD Y6 Leavers Ceremony
• May 28: ISG Jubail Graduation
• May 29: ISG Dammam Graduation
• May 29: SVS Leavers Ceremony

Important Dates:

• June 3: Last day for students
• June 4: Last day for staff

College and University Visits:

We are pleased to provide support for our students in a range of counseling services including college and university. You can see the latest information here.

SCHOOL UPDATES

American School Dhahran

• ASD Receives Recommendation to be Re-accredited by the MSA.

• ASD’s Compassion Club Hosts Annual Compassion Fair.

• ASD High School Musicians Showcase Exceptional Talent in End-of-Year Concerts.

• ASD Science Students Get Hands-On with Anatomy Through Dissection.

• ASD Celebrates Elementary and Middle School Artists at End-of-Year Art Exhibition.

• ASD Middle School Students Lead Initiative Connecting Elementary Students Across ISG.

British School Dhahran

• British School Dhahran Successfully Re-Accredited by the MSA.

• BSD Busy Bees Travel Back in Time.

• Five BSD Teams Enter this Years U14 Basketball Jamboree.

ISG Dammam

• ISG Dammam Successfully Re-Accredited by the MSA.

• ISG Dammam’s Grade 6 Students Makes Waves with the One Ocean Project.

• AP Mock Examinations at ISG Dammam: Preparing for Success.

ISG Jubail

• ISG Jubail Successful MSA Re-Accreditation.

• ISG Jubail Student Performs at Prestigious AMIS European Honor Band.

• ISG Jubail Students Hit the Right Notes at KAUST Music Festival.

• Strong Start for ISG Jubail U14 Basketball Teams at ISG Jamboree.

• Kindergarten Concert Brings Music and Joy to ISG Jubail.

• Middle Schoolers at ISG Jubail Explore the Meaning of Balance.

EARTH DAY CELEBRATION AT SVS

Sara Village School proudly marked Earth Day on April 22 with a joyful and inspiring whole-school assembly led by Miss Mitton, alongside their dedicated Student Council and Eco Council. Together, they launched new initiatives focused on repurposing and recycling—key components of our ongoing Eco Schools project—and led the community in singing our new Eco Song, written collaboratively by the students.

Throughout the week, every class engaged in meaningful, thought-provoking activities centered around environmental stewardship. From heartfelt poems and persuasive letters to beautifully crafted posters and creative bottle top art—thanks to the guidance of Mrs. White —SVS students demonstrated not only their creativity but their deep understanding of the importance of protecting our planet.

The passion and awareness shown by the students at SVS are truly inspiring. Their ideas and reflections on climate change and environmental responsibility serve as a powerful reminder of the role young people play in shaping a more sustainable future.

SVS STUDENTS COMPLETE ROAD SAFETY CLASSES

We are proud to share that all Sara Village School students have successfully completed their Road Safety training as part of their PSHE classes. This important milestone reflects their growing independence, responsibility and awareness of personal safety in real-world settings.

A heartfelt thank you goes to Mrs Smith and the compound Health and Safety department, whose collaboration ensured a safe and supportive environment for our students to practice their road safety skills. By temporarily closing off the roads, they allowed students the valuable opportunity to apply what they’ve learned in a realistic and secure setting.

Congratulations to our students for this achievement—we are proud of the confidence and care they are demonstrating as they take steps toward becoming more capable, conscientious young citizens.