ISG Superintendent's Message
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CELEBRATING SAUDI FOUNDING DAY
February 22 marks Saudi Founding Day, a time to celebrate the rich history and strength of Saudi Arabia.
This special day takes us back to 1727, when Imam Muhammad bin Saud laid the foundation for the First Saudi State. His leadership united the region, strengthened trade and protected pilgrims, setting the stage for the nation we know today.
Founding Day is more than just a historical milestone—it is a celebration of unity, resilience and progress. It reminds us of the deep bond between the people and their leaders, from the early days of Diriyah to King Abdulaziz’s unification of the Kingdom.
The day honors Saudi Arabia’s remarkable journey as it looks forward to a future built on the strength of its past.
I wish you all a joyful Saudi Founding Day!
COBIS CONFERENCE FOR MARKETING, DEVELOPMENT AND ADMISSIONS
Members of ISG’s marketing and communications team, along with the admissions and enrollment team, recently attended the COBIS Conference for Marketing, Development and Admissions, held at the British School of Brussels, Belgium.
The conference focused on the role of AI in marketing and admissions, offering valuable insights into emerging trends and technologies. More importantly, it provided an incredible opportunity to network, exchange ideas and discuss best practices with professionals in similar roles from international schools around the world.
Professional development for all staff is essential for staying current and relevant in all areas in the school, for gaining fresh perspectives and for fostering meaningful connections that strengthen our work and impact, and ultimately creating better experiences for our students and families.
SCHOOL CULTURE AND ENHANCING PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE
Positive culture is an integral part of a healthy organization. At ISG, we define school culture as:
The collective practices, behaviors, attitudes and values of all members of the school community, aligned with a shared mission and core values.
The sum of every interaction of all stakeholders in the school community: all teaching staff, non teaching staff, students, parents, wider community.
With the transition in Superintendent this year, school culture has been a focus with staff engaging in opportunities to build understanding, provide feedback and begin to formulate ways we can collaborate on ensuring a positive school culture.
Our ultimate goal is to strengthen and support a positive ISG school culture with support of positive and strong relationships that are crucial elements of positive school culture.
ISG PARENT COMMUNICATIONS
At ISG, we welcome an ongoing partnership with parents through communication and feedback. Communication and feedback are most effective if the interaction is with the person closest to the situation. To support this approach, please see the above infographic to support this partnership.
If you have a question, concern or feedback, please reach out to your child's teacher. If the matter requires further attention, the teacher will share the feedback with the assistant principal for your child’s campus. If additional support is needed, the feedback will be shared with the campus principal. Should the situation require further guidance or support at the district level, the principal will share with the superintendent.
In cases where a parent communication relates to a potential breach of ISG Board policy, the superintendent should be alerted for follow-up and then if further engagement is needed, the matter can be shared with the Board of Trustees for further review.
This approach ensures that question, concern or feedback are handled efficiently while keeping an open line of communication between parents and school leadership. We appreciate your trust and partnership in fostering a supportive learning environment for all students.
FEBRUARY UNIVERSITY FAIRS AT ISG
February has been a busy and exciting month for our high school students as they take important steps toward their future! We hosted three virtual college clinics for the Class of 2026, providing valuable insights into the university application process.
On the ASD/BSD campus, a university planning session was held for students in the Class of 2027 and their parents where the focus was on how to research universities and what to look for to help determine if a university is a good ‘fit’ for the student. The session also included an introduction on the key differences between Advanced Placement (AP) and the International Baccalaureate (IB) programs offered at ASD; helping students and parents be better prepared to make informed choices about the final two years of high school.
On February 12, we welcomed 17 universities from around the world to our Dhahran campus for a university fair. Representatives from institutions across Canada, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey and the United States—as well as global multi-location universities—met with students to discuss majors, admissions requirements, student life, financial aid and more. Universities in attendance included the University of British Columbia, University of Guelph, University of Arizona, Kansas State University, Bellevue College, New York Institute of Technology, SUNY Buffalo, University of Texas at Arlington, Minerva University, Koç University, Sabanci University, Bahcesehir University IE University, St. Louis University - Madrid campus, EU Business School, Universidad Nebrija and Les Roches.
Providing these opportunities for our students is a vital part of preparing them for life beyond ISG. We are proud to offer them access to a diverse range of institutions and academic pathways, equipping them with the knowledge and confidence to pursue their goals. Thank you to the ISG College & Career Programs office for organizing these events with the support of each school’s counseling departments.
SAVE THE DATES
Important Dates:
- February 10 - Re-enrollment begins
- February 21-27 - Spring break
- February 22 - Saudi Founding Day
- February 23 - School Holiday (Founding Day)
- March 2 - Ramadan hours begin
- March 10 - Re-enrollment due
Ramadan Hours (starting March 2)
- Students: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- Staff: 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
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
WOW Week at ASD: A Celebration of Learning, Creativity and Community.
Unraveling the Mystery: ASD Students Dive Into Virtual Crime-Solving Adventure.
Exploring Opportunities: ISG Students Visit American University of Bahrain.
British School Dhahran
ISG Dammam
ISG Jubail
ISG Jubail Jaguars Face Ras Tanura Teams in Friendly Football Game.
ISG Jubail Hosts IB Course Selection Event for High School Families.
ISG Jubail Hosts an Exciting WOW Week for Middle and High School Students.
ISG Jubail Students Get Hollywood Insights for Their Film Projects.
ISG Jubail's Home Language Program Empowers Students to Connect with Their Heritage.
ISG Jubail Celebrates International Day and Reveals New Jaguar Mascot.
SVS SPORTS DAY & MASCOT REVEAL
Sara Village School held their annual Sports Day and students demonstrated teamwork, determination and great sportsmanship throughout the event. The excitement was even greater as they unveiled their new school mascot, Hector Hawk! He was a huge hit with the students, adding extra energy and spirit to the day.
A big congratulations to the overall winners, the Blue Team and to the Red Team for taking home the Team Spirit Award—well done! The fun continued with some friendly competition among parents, with thrilling races and tug-of-war matches that had everyone cheering.
A heartfelt thank you to all the enthusiastic parents and grandparents who came out to support the event, making the day even more special.