Dear ISB Students, Families and Friends,

As we are approaching the end of this school year, we are supposed to collect topics, event notes and reflect on the year a little bit. From a colleague, who coordinates the texts and content of the newsletter and who always comes up with some fun lines to motivate us to send relevant content, I received this message:

“The school year is very close to being over. That means, you need to write more velvety, sweet, pink and glittery content than usual.”

Looking back, I am not sure if this school year can be described only by adjectives such as “velvety, sweet, pink and glittery”.

We have experienced many successes and memorable moments and great achievements this year. We have also faced many challenges. But our school, our staff, and our students have also shown a remarkable amount of resilience, determination, willingness to take risks, critical thinking, an impressive capacity to remain positive, and solution-oriented during those challenges.

As a Head of School, a father of three children, and a member of a band, I am aware that both successes and setbacks, good times and challenging times, are an inseparable part of life. There is a reason why we remember not only our achievements but also the obstacles we overcame. The difficult moments often teach us the most valuable lessons. They help us grow, strengthen our character, and remind us of what truly matters.

That is why, while we should certainly celebrate the successes and joyful moments of this school year, we should also be grateful for the challenges we faced together. They tested us, shaped us, and ultimately made us stronger as a community. Looking back, I believe we have every reason to be proud—not because the year was easy, but because of how we responded when it was not.

So maybe our stories do not need to be only “velvety, sweet, pink, or glittery”. If they tell the story of courage, growth, learning, and perseverance, they are worth sharing.

Thank you all for a great school year.

Jan Švihálek

Head of School

As part of their summative experience, our Mini Botanists explored the wonders of plants through a variety of hands-on activities. Students used their observation skills to guess different seeds, tasted edible plants, created colourful tissue paper flowers, and became scent detectives by matching herbs using their sense of smell. Through these engaging experiences, learners demonstrated curiosity and developed a deeper appreciation for the diversity and importance of plants in our everyday lives. Their enthusiasm and inquiry reflected the PYP spirit of exploration and discovery.

The Year 1 students have enjoyed developing their swimming skills while building confidence and water safety awareness. Throughout the program, learners demonstrated the PYP Learner Profile attribute of being risk-takers by trying new skills, persevering through challenges, and stepping outside their comfort zones. Through encouragement, practice, and a positive mindset, students celebrated personal growth and supported one another as they became more confident and capable swimmers.

As part of our How We Organize Ourselves unit, students explored the journey of everyday foods such as wheat, dairy products, and fruit. They investigated the different stages involved, from growing and harvesting to processing, packaging, and transportation. Students compared foods produced locally with those imported from other countries, developing an understanding of the systems and connections that bring food to our tables. Through this inquiry, learners deepened their appreciation for the people, processes, and global networks that support our communities.

Our End of Year Primary Trip was a wonderful opportunity for students to connect with nature, explore the forest, and take part in exciting challenges and outdoor activities. Throughout the experience, older students demonstrated the PYP values of caring and collaboration by supporting and encouraging younger learners. Together, students built confidence, strengthened friendships, and created lasting memories while enjoying the natural environment.

The Year 8 Service students visited the elderly home in Věstonická and enjoyed good company. They had nice conversations and even the international ones could practice their Czech!

In June, when the weather is nice, it’s time to take the learning outside the classroom. Year 7 has been looking at geology and recently went on an excursion to check out some local features. They took in the vista of Brno, including Špilberk Castle, which sits atop a 740-million-year-old submarine volcano. Next, they headed into Hády Quarry to inspect the 500-million-year time slice of geological strata, exposed by quarrying since 1930. After that, they followed the Svitava as it weaves its way through interlocking spurs of granitoids exposed by weathering and erosion.

Our Secondary and High School students recently travelled to Amadeus International School Vienna for a friendly football and volleyball fixture.

Events like these are about much more than results; they help build school identity, strengthen teamwork, and give students the opportunity to connect with peers from like-minded international schools. Most importantly, they provide a chance to demonstrate respect, resilience, and great sportsmanship both on and off the court and field.

At the end of June, we celebrated a very special milestone with our first MYP Graduation Ceremony. It was a proud and joyful occasion as we honored the achievements, growth and dedication of our Y11 students in the MYP. Congratulations to our graduates on reaching this important moment in their IB journey.

As we reach the end of another school year, June always seems to fly by! With summative assessments being completed, end-of-year celebrations taking place, and a variety of exciting school activities filling our calendars, it has certainly been a busy and energetic month for students and staff alike.

In Well-Being lessons, we have spent time reflecting on and celebrating all that we have learned throughout the year. Students have revisited key concepts and strategies from our previous lessons while also focusing on the IB Learner Profile attribute of being balanced. During this particularly busy time of year, we have discussed the importance of maintaining balance by making time for rest, physical activity, meaningful relationships, and activities that bring us joy. These conversations have helped students recognize the value of looking after their overall well-being, even when schedules become full.

It has been a pleasure working with each of your children this year and supporting their growth and development. Thank you for your continued partnership and support. I wish all of our families a restorative, relaxing, and enjoyable summer break.

• Summer holidays!

• First Day of School on September 1, 2026