ISG Superintendent's Message
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Dear Parents,
Please see below our weekly updates.
MULTIPURPOSE SPACE UPDATE
We are excited to share an update on the new Multipurpose Space that has been under construction on the Dhahran campus since last Spring 2024. This facility has been designed to host special events (such as graduation), performances by students, as well as athletics and activities events for students.
The design incorporates:
On the first floor:
- An expandable stage with theater grade lighting and sound system
- Flexible seating for a range of events
- Changing rooms for regular use and for events
- Sports courts for curriculum and after school activities/athletics needs
- Bathroom facilities for use by individuals in the pool and pitch areas
On the second floor:
- Indoor running track
- Viewing area for events
- Expanded learning spaces
Please see more information in our first update on this project since last Spring when construction began, hosted by our students in this linked video. We will continue to provide periodic updates for our community as this project progresses. We look forward to sharing this space with our community before summer break 2025.
SUPERINTENDENT STUDENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING RECAP
The Superintendent’s Student Advisory Committee (SSAC) at ISG held their first meeting on Monday, September 30. As we welcomed several new student representatives to the committee this school year, we began our session with a fun and engaging activity where students collaborated in mixed campus teams. It was great to see the students collaborating, creating, communicating, and problem solving together as well as sharing ideas and getting to know each other.
The SSAC serves as a valuable platform for developing student leadership skills and amplifying student voice across the district. This year, I am pleased to announce that we have selected 26 students from across ISG campuses to participate in the work of the committee.
At the heart of the SSAC is the belief that student feedback is critical to shaping their educational experience. During the meetings, students are not only encouraged to provide their insights, but also to play an active role in gathering and analyzing feedback from their peers for use in problem solving and decision making.
In line with these goals, our first meeting of the year focused on how to gather and use feedback to drive positive change within the ISG campuses, empowering students to be directly involved in identifying challenges and suggesting potential solutions. This reinforces the importance of student voice in our decision-making processes and aligns with ISG’s commitment to fostering agency among students.
Through the SSAC, ISG is also able to integrate student perspectives into the achievement of strategic goals, ensuring that the school’s direction reflects the needs and aspirations of the student body. With this in mind, I look forward to updating you further as our meetings progress throughout the school year.
PREPARING ISG STUDENTS FOR A FUTURE WHERE TECHNOLOGY IS CRUCIAL FOR THEIR SUCCESS
At ISG, we are continually enhancing student learning experiences through the use of cutting-edge technology and innovative tools. One of these such projects in our campuses is the Robotics program, which engages elementary and middle school students and our primary and Key Stage 3 students in hands-on learning, building both technical skills and critical thinking. This early exposure helps foster problem-solving and creativity, preparing students for the challenges of tomorrow's tech-driven world.
We also provide students with powerful digital tools such as MaiaLearning and Unifrog for comprehensive college and career planning. These platforms allow students to map out their academic futures and explore post-secondary opportunities with confidence. For additional academic enrichment, students benefit from programs like iXL and Nessy, which provide personalized support in core subjects. Our students also have the opportunity to take AP Computer Science, which equips them with the foundational knowledge of programming and computational thinking.
The use of AI in the classroom is becoming an exciting reality, as we integrate intelligent systems to enhance learning outcomes. In addition, courses like Design Technology push students to think creatively and strategically about design and engineering challenges. Our Esports after-school activity also demonstrates our commitment to merging technology with competition and teamwork, providing students with unique avenues for growth in an ever-expanding digital world.
Together, these tools and programs ensure that ISG remains at the forefront of innovation in education, nurturing students for a future where technology is central to their success.
ISG U19 VOLLEYBALL JAMBOREE
On September 28, ISG’s U19 Boys and Girls volleyball teams came together for a memorable ISG Jamboree, showcasing their passion, energy and competitive spirit in volleyball. The event was filled with fun and excitement as teams from across the district competed in a series of thrilling matches. Parents, friends and fellow students gathered in support, creating an electric atmosphere.
All teams displayed an impressive level of sportsmanship and athletic ability, and played with determination and camaraderie, while also maintaining a sense of respect and friendship with their opponents. The matches were a testament to ISG’s strong athletic programs.
ISG Jamborees serve as an excellent practice arena for students before they compete in larger regional and international tournaments like Saudi Arabia Inter-Kingdom Activities Conference (SAIKAC), Near East Schools Activities Conference (NESAC) and British Schools in the Middle East Games (BSME). These events allow students to gain valuable match experience, work as a team, and hone their technical skills in real-time game situations. They also provide opportunities to build resilience, practice sportsmanship and learn to adapt strategies in high-pressure environments.
We look forward to all the athletic regional and international events in 2024-25.
KING’S COLLEGE LONDON VISITS DHAHRAN CAMPUS
ISG welcomed a visit by King’s College London to the Dhahran campus where the King’s College admissions representative presented to 50 ASD and BSD students on their programs and admissions criteria for both direct entry and foundation year programs.
Students at our ISG campuses who were unable to attend joined a virtual presentation the next day with King’s College London that was attended by approximately another 50 students and parents. Questions from students centered around King’s College’s top five programs: medicine, computer science, engineering, business and law, as well as the option of applying to foundation year if a student had not taken prerequisite courses required for specific majors/courses.
The College & Career Programs office organizes opportunities for students and parents to attend and learn about programs at universities worldwide. The University Events schedule is updated daily with new opportunities as we confirm them. Please check this schedule regularly to see which universities will be presenting next.
LEARNING SUPPORT RETREAT
On Tuesday, October 1, ISG Dammam welcomed learning support staff from across the district for an all-day training retreat aimed at enhancing support for students across all ISG campuses. The event gathered specialists from the district’s five campuses to collaborate on refining policies, procedures, and best practices to ensure consistent and effective student support throughout the district.
By fostering collaboration, the retreat emphasized a unified approach to learning support while allowing for flexibility to address the unique needs and communities of each individual school.
Throughout the day, staff engaged in interactive workshops and discussions that helped shape a more cohesive strategy for inclusive education. The goal was to ensure that every student receives the personalized support they need, from specialized interventions to broader assistance across different grade levels. The retreat allowed learning support professionals to share their experiences and insights, contributing to a stronger, more adaptive support system that will benefit students across the ISG community.
The collaborative spirit of the retreat reflects ISG’s ongoing commitment to providing inclusive and comprehensive educational opportunities for all students. By bringing together learning support teams from different campuses, ISG Dammam is playing a crucial role in creating an integrated framework for supporting student success across the district.
LANGUAGE SUPPORT RETREAT
On Wednesday, October 2, Language Support teachers from across the district met for a one-day Language Support retreat that served as a platform to foster a community of multilingual language learning (MLL) support for teachers across the district.
Our teachers engaged in collaborative groups to revise district-wide expectations for assessment, progress monitoring, guidelines and benchmarks, and ensuring a unified approach to tracking student progress. This cooperative effort not only provided an opportunity to streamline our processes but also ensured that we are better equipped to address the diverse needs of our student population in MLL.
The retreat provided a valuable opportunity to discuss the progress of the first year of implementation, clarify the processes and provide input on new guidelines. We shared and reviewed resources, ensuring our students and teachers have access to the latest tools and materials for learning.
The retreat concluded with a collective sense of achievement and a continued commitment to our students' success. Their hard work and collaborative spirit have set a strong foundation for the continued improvement of our language support programs. The outcomes of this retreat will have a lasting positive impact on our students' learning experiences.
MINIMUM DAY & OCTOBER BREAK
ISG Minimum Day
A reminder that October 7 is a Minimum Day across ISG. These days support our commitment to learning for our staff that best practices show results in the optimal learning environment for our students.
Students in ASD and BSD will attend school and be dismissed at 11:30 a.m.
At ISG Jubail, ISG Dammam and Sara Village School, students will participate in virtual school from home. More information about virtual learning will be shared by your campus principals and assistant principals.
October Break
A reminder that ISG campuses will be closed for fall break from October 11-19. Classes will resume on Sunday, October 20.
UPCOMING PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES
We encourage all parents to attend the upcoming parent-teacher conferences, as they provide a crucial opportunity to collaborate and partner with teachers in supporting your child’s academic growth. These conferences offer a dedicated time to discuss your child’s progress, discuss challenges, and celebrate achievements.
By participating, parents gain a deeper understanding of their child’s learning experiences and how best to support their development both at school and at home.
Working together as a team—parents, teachers and students—ensures that everyone is aligned in helping students reach their full potential. These meetings help build strong relationships between home and school, allowing for open communication and shared goals. Your involvement plays a vital role in fostering a positive learning environment and guiding your child toward success. We look forward to seeing you there!
SAVE THE DATES
As parent partners, please see the upcoming opportunities to connect with ISG below.
Parent Teacher Conferences (PTCs):
- October 5 - ASD PTCs
- October 5 - BSD KS3 PTCs
- October 5 - ISG Dammam PTCs
- October 7 - BSD KS4 PTCs
- October 9-10 - SVS PTCs
Coffee Mornings:
- October 20 - ISG Dammam Elementary Coffee Talk
Parent Teacher Group Meetings:
- October 20 - SVS PTA Meeting
- October 29 - ISG Dammam Parent Council Meeting
WOW Week Meetings:
- October 21 - WOW Week 1st Parent Meeting
SAUDI NATIONAL DAY CELEBRATIONS AT ISG
ISG campuses recently celebrated Saudi National Day with great enthusiasm, highlighting our community's core values of acceptance and respect. Students, teachers, and staff joined together to honor the rich cultural heritage of Saudi Arabia, engaging in traditional dances, vibrant art displays, and interactive activities. These celebrations provided everyone with the chance to connect, participate, and appreciate the significance of unity and mutual understanding.
The festivities not only showcased Saudi Arabia's national identity but also reflected ISG's dedication to fostering a sense of belonging and inclusivity. By actively participating in these cultural activities, ISG students and staff demonstrated the importance of respect and acceptance—values that celebrate our shared traditions and contribute to a future rooted in understanding and compassion.
Please watch a recap of all the activities that happened on our campuses here.
SCHOOL UPDATES
American School Dhahran
ASD’s Boys and Girls’ U19 Volleyball Teams Play in ISG Jamboree.
ASD Students Chosen for Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council.
British School Dhahran
Unlocking the Future: The Importance of Arts and AI in Education.
BSD’s Boys and Girls’ U19 Volleyball Teams Play in ISG Jamboree.
Duke of Edinburgh Practice Camp: Building Skills and Team Spirit.
BSD Students Chosen for Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council.
ISG Dammam
ISG Dammam's Boys and Girls’ U19 Volleyball Teams Play in ISG Jamboree.
University Application Guidance for ISG Dammam Students and Parents.
Strengthening Parent-School Connections: Coffee Morning at ISG Dammam.
ISG Dammam Students Chosen for Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council.
ISG Dammam Hosts District-Wide Learning Support Training Retreat.
ISG Jubail
ISG Jubail’s Boys and Girls’ U19 Volleyball Teams Play in ISG Jamboree.
Middle School Students Embrace Musical Milestones at ISG Jubail.
Middle School Advisory Hosts Engaging Collaboration Activity.
ISG Jubail Students Chosen for Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council.