Dear Alumni

Welcome to the Summer 2024 Alumni Newsletter.

Summer is upon us, and as we bask in the sunshine and shiver in the shade, we're buzzing with exciting updates from school. This summer, we say a fond farewell to some of our long-serving teachers, who are embarking on new adventures. Their dedication has left an indelible mark on our community, and while we’ll miss them, we’re also thrilled to see what lies ahead.

In other exciting news, we are pleased to announce the launch of our new mentoring project. This initiative pairs our current students with alumni, fostering connections that inspire and guide the next generation.

As Paris prepares to host the Olympics, we're bracing for some temporary disruptions. 

We are also delighted to welcome our new head of school, whose leadership comes at a perfect time as we prepare for our 60th Anniversary. Plans are underway for a grand celebration, and we can’t wait to commemorate this milestone with all of you.

OUR NEWS

Accreditation by CIS NEASC and IB

Wishing a happy retirement to...

As you may know, ISP has been fortunate to have Kiyo Ishimura as a dedicated member of our faculty for an impressive 40 years. Throughout his tenure, he has inspired countless students, instilling a love for the Japanese language and culture that extends far beyond the classroom. Yuko Matsukawa -former student of Ishimura-sensei from 1998-2000 in grade 10 and 11 at ISP shares her memories of her time at ISP: 

Although my time at ISP was only two years during my adolescence, it was a period filled with various challenges in human relationships, making it far from straightforward. Amidst that, the opportunity to take your Japanese classes in grades 10 and 11 was an incredibly significant and challenging experience in my life.

I still remember you telling us, "Because you are returnee students, you must be more proficient in Japanese than those living in Japan. Therefore, you must study diligently." Thanks to your classes, when I returned to Japan in my third year of high school, I was able to write essays faster than anyone else in my classes, surprising my Japanese expression teacher. Subsequently, I was able to enjoy the essay examinations in both English and Japanese during the university entrance exams, leading to my admission to Waseda University.

I believe that without your guidance, my path to university and the subsequent opportunities that opened up would have been different. I cannot thank you enough for teaching me the difficulties and challenges of reading, thinking, and writing in Japanese, as well as the joy of expressing my thoughts in writing. Your sincere engagement with each student and your guidance have left a lasting impact. Many ISP graduates look forward to the summer reunions, which is a testament to your long-standing contributions at ISP.

Read Alumni Tributes to Kiyo Here

As Spenser Hanson's mother recounts about Spencer's initial thoughts on choosing Visual Arts: "How hard could it be? I need the credits and this one should be easy." That was before he met Mr. Chedburn.

For those of you who know James, you are already aware of his delight in the work of Bob Dylan, whom he has seen in concert too many times to remember. James is not only an outstanding creator of moving sculptures but also a fine wildlife artist. His talents have been shared with students both here in France and previously in the UK.

Working at ISP for 19 years, we have experienced James's creativity in action as he designed and created cars, splurge guns, spaceships, and castles for our various productions. Jade Urman, from the class of 2019, fondly remembers: "One of my most memorable moments at ISP was when Mr. Chedburn asked me if I was considering taking art classes for the IB program. It was unexpected because I never thought of myself as Picasso-level talented, but his recognition of my creative side was a pleasant surprise!"

Perhaps this is James's "secret sauce"—his ability to encourage and nurture students' creativity in a supportive environment.

As James leaves us, we celebrate his contributions to our community and his impact on countless students. His dedication to the arts and education will be dearly missed.

Régine has been with us since 2006, serving as the first counsellor at ISP and playing a pivotal role in developing the wellbeing structures that we have in place today.

Régine holds a Doctorate from Kings College London, we may not have known it but we were all inevitably part of Régine's research for her dissertation: “Students’ Perceptions of Power Dynamics in an International School Implementing the International Baccalaureate: Making Meaning of the Culture of Power.” Her academic achievements reflect her deep commitment to understanding and improving the educational experience for all students.

Régine is not only a dedicated professional but also a loving mother and grandmother and she is looking forward to spending more time with her family in Canada. She has been a steadfast supporter of both students and parents, always offering a listening ear and sage advice. 

In addition to her professional and personal commitments, Régine is an avid Supertramp fan and never misses an opportunity to see Roger Hodgson perform when he comes to town. Her passion for music is just one of the many ways she connects with others and enriches our community.

As Régine embarks on this new chapter of her life, we extend our sincere gratitude for her dedication and the enormous positive impact she has had on all of us. Her legacy will continue to influence and inspire the wellbeing initiatives at ISP for years to come.

Not only but also...

We also say a fond retirement farewell to Primary French Teachers Agnès Reynier and Suzy Laroche.   Agnès was a faithful member of ISP's Primary School staff for 43 years and Suzy for over 18 years.  Their service to the school is inspirational, as is their impact on hundreds of ISP Primary age students.

Graduation 2024

For the second year in succession, the Grade 12 Graduation ceremony was held at the Maison de la Chimie in the 7th arrondissement. Teachers, parents, friends, and family all shared in the pride as our students stepped onto the stage to receive their High School Diplomas, marking the beginning of their journey into the next phase of their academic and adult lives.

As the ISP Class of 2024 steps into the future, we're confident in their readiness to tackle new challenges. Their resilience is evident, and we trust that they'll lean on the support of family, friends, and the ISP community during tough times. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the Class of 2024 and express gratitude to everyone who has supported them along the way and this includes you, our Alumni.

20 Years Ago....

15 Years Ago....

10 Years Ago....

5 Years Ago....

The ISP Mentoring Programme: An Exciting Opportunity to Give Back

We are excited to announce the launch of our new Mentoring Programme this September, a unique and exciting opportunity for alumni and community members to give back to the ISP family.

This programme is designed to foster meaningful connections between experienced professionals and our current students, creating a supportive network that encourages personal and academic growth. As a mentor, you will have the chance to share your knowledge, skills, and experiences, guiding students as they navigate their educational journeys and prepare for their future careers.

Key highlights of the programme include:

Affinity Groups: To enhance the mentoring experience, we are introducing affinity groups based on university locations and career or study areas. For example, there will be groups like "Study in Canada," "Careers in the Arts," and more. These groups will be set up on our alumni platform, ToucanTech. Alumni can join relevant "spaces" (like group chats) on the app, and ISP students can log on and post questions. Any alumni interested in answering these questions can do so, fostering a dynamic exchange of knowledge and advice.

Community Building: This programme strengthens the bonds within our school community, creating a network of support and collaboration that extends beyond the classroom.

Interactive Engagement: Each affinity group will have an alumni moderator and a student liaison to keep the conversations going. To encourage participation, there will be prizes for the most active groups. Additionally, affinity group members can organize webinars and other events to share their expertise and experiences more broadly.

Giving Back: By becoming a mentor, you have the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the lives of our students, shaping the next generation of leaders and innovators.

We invite you to join us in this exciting initiative and make a lasting impact on the ISP community. Your involvement will not only enrich the lives of our students but also foster a culture of giving back and lifelong learning.

We already have around 50 Alumni ready to volunteer, if you would please let us know at alumnisphere@isparis.net. Together, we can make a difference and inspire the next wave of ISP graduates.

Your news

The class of 2008 are a particularly closely knit group as beautifully illustrated in this picture from  David Villa de Vasconcelos' wedding! David is in banking and says one of his most vivid memories of ISP is sitting on the stairs outside 6 rue Beethoven, and that one of the things he values from his time at ISP was learning to question everything.

Here is the whole class from the 2008 yearbook on those famous stairs.

Sixty for 60

A collection of memories and impressions of life at ISP over the last 60 years

"As a curious teenager I was always pushing limits and ISP helped my safety explore the boundaries. The teachers and headmaster always allowed my many visions to be given as many perspectives as possible.

I learned loyalty, integrity and respect amongst other things. I valued being able to work at the school over the summer to earn some money and gain further respect for my environment.

My most vivid memories are the shows and extracurricular activities. IB curriculum: Music, TOK, Economics, Physics…

One piece of advice I would give to future ISP students is to open your mind.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for challenging me and steering me into who I am today."

Many thanks to those of you who have already responded to the Alumni Questionnaire about your memories of ISP we are still looking for more so please feel free to click the link and let us know how you remember ISP.

Alumni Questionnaire