Meet new people, make friends for life
Our Community
Share your culture and learn about others
Celebrate traditions
When we talk about our school, the word "community" is heard again and again.
We use the word community to identify our students, parents and staff as part of a greater whole, and to describe how we work together, are responsible for one another and have fun. One of our educational pillars is to ensure every student has a sense of wellbeing and belonging. This extends no less to parents, staff and BIS friends.
Our campus is open to parents before and after school. Many parents use this opportunity to grab a coffee, catch up with friends or attend workshops, events or sporting opportunities.
When living so far away from home, BIS provided a welcome to Bonn that helped make me feel comfortable immediately. I have met a community of people that are like my family away from home.
Sam Abrahamson, Parent
Our Parent Volunteers
Energetic, creative, fun-loving, inclusive: our Parent Volunteers are parents who voluntarily give their time and energy to BIS. They enrich our school community in many ways and give other parents who are new to BIS a starting point for meeting people and making friends. All parents are invited to join in and choose how (and how much) they wish to participate.
Share talents
Depending upon talents and time, there is a way for every parent to get involved supporting our community.
Parents are an invaluable resource and enliven campus life by serving with our Parent Volunteers, as part of the Welcome Family Programme, as room parents or event coordinators. Our parents are encouraged to volunteer in classrooms, on trips, in the Media Centre and with co-curricular activities as well as by attending assemblies, arts and sports events. In addition, our Board of Trustees is composed of parents who volunteer their time and expertise to guide BIS' strategic development.
Share insights
Our staff and Parent Volunteers offer a variety of workshops and publications to help families new to Bonn. Buddy families pair with new families according to children's age, nationality or location and support with relocation "first-aid". Parent workshops and our Welcome Guide provide practical information, from doctors who speak English to how to ride public transportation.
Share languages
For parents who would like to improve their skills, English lessons organized by our Parent Volunteers may be the answer. English teachers for parents are other parents who are native English speakers and volunteer their time.
Our Parent Volunteers also organize German lessons for those parents new to the area and Germany. Learning German is a great way to ease into living in Bonn and get to know our host country better.
Share the fun of sports
Badminton, basketball, fitness and yoga groups at BIS are organized by our BIS Sportverein. They meet on weekday evenings in the BIS Sports Halls and welcome parents of all ability levels. Parents interested in joining a running, walking or hiking group can always find other parents who share this interest. Whether you have never run before but wish to begin, or are a seasoned veteran, there is bound to be someone to buddy up with.
Share celebrations
BIS is busy! We host an annual Welcome BBQ in September and International Day in June when our families come together for excellent food and time together. Halloween, St. Martin's, Chinese New Year, and our Spring Festival are equally celebrated with glee. We also host at least one event per year exclusively for parents and staff, whether a disco night or dress-up gala, they are known to be fun.
