Secondary Newsletter – 12/06/2026
To our valued parents and ISBe community members,
As we move through the final stages of the academic year, it is a fitting time to reflect on some of the significant milestones and achievements that have marked the past few weeks. From academic accomplishments to sporting events and the celebration of our graduating class, our students continue to demonstrate resilience, commitment, and a willingness to embrace new challenges.
A major milestone for many of our students was the completion of the Block Examinations. Examinations can often be demanding, requiring careful preparation, effective time management, and perseverance. We would like to congratulate all students for their efforts and determination throughout this assessment period. While examination results are important, the habits developed through the preparation process; discipline, organisation, resilience, and self-reflection are equally valuable. We are proud of the maturity and dedication our students have shown and thank our teachers for their continued support, guidance, and encouragement before, during, and after the examinations.
We were also delighted to host the Benelux Cup again, welcoming students, staff, and visitors from schools across the region. The event was a wonderful celebration of sport, teamwork, and international collaboration. Our students represented the school with pride, demonstrating excellent sportsmanship, determination, and respect throughout the competition. Hosting such an event requires a tremendous amount of planning and coordination, and we would like to extend our sincere gratitude to Mr Ruben Mande for his outstanding organisation and leadership. His dedication ensured that the event ran smoothly and provided a memorable experience for all participants. We would also like to thank the staff members, volunteers, and students who contributed to the success of the tournament.
Class 8 visited the National Memorial Fort Breendonk and Kazerne Dossin:
National Memorial Fort Breendonk and Kazerne Dossin – C8 Trip
Class 8 has recently been learning about WWII and the Holocaust. They learnt about all the atrocities and tragedies that millions of people, which included 6 million Jews, faced. By visiting the National Memorial Fort Breendonk and Kazerne Dossin, Class 8 was able to see for themselves a fraction of the horrible conditions and cruel punishments the prisoners faced.
Class 8 first visited the National Memorial Fort Breendonk in Willebroek, Antwerp. With the help of the tour guide, they experienced the daily lives of the prisoners. They started off by looking at German commanders and SS units who ran the place. They also spoke about symbolism for Nazi Germany, such as the skull, which symbolised the SS military ranking. They also learnt how the Nazis found the number 88 and 18 sacred because they corresponded to the letters HH and AH in the alphabet which represented ‘Heil Hitler’ and ‘Adolf Hitler’. Additionally, they learnt about the Swastika, which was derived from the Hindu religion, and was later used as a symbol for the Nazi Party.
The fort itself was surrounded by a large moat and heaps of sand that kept the fort hidden during the war. The fort’s outer walls were 3 meters thick, making it impossible to escape. The walls in between each room were much thinner, so that the prisoners could hear each other’s screams, which was used to maintain fear. The first room that Class 8 walked into had camp names, and names of prisoners who had been transferred to other camps from Breendonk.
There were many beds cramped into one room, so that the Nazis could fit as many prisoners into one room as possible. After they visited the bedrooms, they saw the torture room and the women’s prisons. Class 8 heard horrible and terrible stories of harsh punishments suffered by the prisoners, such as one being forced to bury their brother alive, and standing in the cold, nude, for hours on end without moving.
The food was scarce with only one small meal per day, of which the acorn coffee was poisonous. This led to severe diarrhea and diseases that were spread amongst the people. It was extremely unhygienic, as people had to share dirty clothes, and were forced to excrete their stool and urine in front of everyone. This was shameful and embarrassing. They were forced to work in these conditions for long periods of time.
After a short lunch break, Class 8 visited the Kazerne Dossin Museum/Memorial in Mechelen. They started off their tour with a short introductory video, giving an overview of the Holocaust. They then saw walls of portraits on each floor with the people who were transported to other concentration/death camps from the transit camp in Mechelen. The sepia-coloured portraits were the survivors of the deportation – and there weren’t many of those, specifically 5%.
Class 8 heard highly emotional and heart-wrenching stories about survivors of the deportation, like the story of Simon Gronowski. From the top floor, they could see the transit camp in front of the museum. After this, they went to many different floors to learn about the propaganda that was spread during that time, which included how the Jews were depicted as evil and subhuman.
In conclusion, Class 8 gained more knowledge regarding the places they visited, the living conditions, and the overall horrid situations of those who lived in the forts and camps. Even though it was a very heavy topic, Class 8 handled it very maturely and enjoyed learning more about this sensitive topic, which was the Holocaust. Class 8 recommends this for future class trips.
Written by all of C8
Perhaps the most significant event of recent weeks was the Class 12 Graduation Ceremony, a truly special occasion that celebrated the achievements, growth, and accomplishments of our graduating students. Graduation marks the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and perseverance. It is a moment to celebrate not only academic success but also personal development, friendships formed, challenges overcome, and memories created along the way.
The ceremony provided an opportunity for students, families, and staff to come together and reflect on the journey of the Class of 2026. Through speeches, reflections, and moments of celebration, we recognised the unique contributions each student has made to our school community. As they prepare to embark on new adventures at universities and institutions around the world, we are confident that they leave our school equipped with the knowledge, skills, and values needed to succeed in the future.
We would like to congratulate each graduate and thank their families for their partnership and support throughout the years. We also extend our appreciation to the teachers and staff who have guided, inspired, and supported these students throughout their educational journey. Their commitment has played an important role in helping our graduates reach this important milestone.
As one group of students prepares to begin an exciting new chapter, many others are completing examinations, participating in competitions, and preparing for the opportunities that lie ahead. Together, these experiences remind us that learning extends beyond the classroom and that success is built through effort, resilience, collaboration, and a willingness to embrace challenges.
We congratulate all our students on their achievements and look forward to celebrating many more successes in the weeks ahead.
Warm regards,
Tala Issa
Head of Secondary
+32 (0)3 271 09 43
