KEY DATES & INFORMATION
Short Term Dates
Tuesday 9th Dec - Lower School Winter Recital
Tuesday 9th Dec - Winter Mingle & Movie Night
Festive, Fun Dress Code (Lower School)
Thursday 11th Dec - St Georges Carol Singing - Tree Lighting
Wed 17th Dec - Y5-9 Winter Dance
Thurs 18th Dec - Upper Play Performance
Thurs 18th Dec - YEAR 9 Full Reports Released
Fri - 19th Dec - Last Day of Term (lunchtime finish)
Non-uniform - Festive Wear Dress Code
Tuesday, December 9th
Please RSVP here for both events (along with the Winter Mingle for all BIS-NY parents). We look forward to seeing you there!
Thursday, December 11th
Our Show Choir has been invited to perform at a Christmas Tree Lighting Event on Thursday, 11 December! We are looking for more choir singers to join us on this occasion.
Join us for this festive occasion. To make it even better — we’ll be having pizza together on the day of the event!
Event Details:
Rehearsal Dates: 12 Nov, 19 Nov, 3 Dec, 10 Dec
Rehearsal Time: 3.45pm - 4.45pm
Rehearsal Venue: Music Room
Event Date: Thursday, 11 December
Transport: A school bus will depart at 5:00 p.m
We are looking forward to a wonderful performance and a great time together!
Students who would like to participate are welcome to speak with Ms. Chin (c.chin@bis-ny.org) and Mr. Dorrance (b.dorrance@bis-ny.org) for more details.
Long Term Key Dates
Tues 6th Jan - First Day of Term
Tues 6th Jan - Year 11 Mocks Begin (until Fri 16th)
Mon 19th Jan - SCHOOL SHUT FOR MLK DAY
Wed 28th Jan - 7, 8, 10, 12 & 13 1st Full Reports Released
Fri 6th Feb - N-6 & Y11 1st Full Reports Released
Mon 9th Feb - Y12 & 13 Mock Week
16th-20th Feb - SCHOOL SHUT FOR PRESIDENT'S WEEK
PARENT'S ASSOCIATION MEETING - WEDNESDAY 11TH NOVEMBER
We recommend your child's class teacher (Nursery - Y6) or mentor (Years 7-13) as the first point of contact for parents with a question about their child.
Click on the down arrow for their email addresses, along with some other useful contact details:
Full list of Class Teachers and Mentors:
Class Teachers & Mentor Emails
Head of School
Mr. Jason Morrow
Mr. Morrow can be contacted via email on headsoffice@bis-ny.org.
To set up a meeting please contact headspa@bis-ny.org.
Senior Team
Mr. Wavell Blades - Deputy Head of School - Student Wellbeing & Co-curriculum
w.blades@bis-ny.org
Ms. Alicia Gibson - Director of Operations & Learning
a.gibson@bis-ny.org
Mr. Oliver Goldstein - Director of Studies
o.goldstein@bis-ny.org
Divisional Heads
Ms. Stewart-Pond - Lower School (Nursery - Year 4) - a.stewart-pond@bis-ny.org
Mr. Bernard - Middle School (Year 5 - Year 9) - a.bernard@bis-ny.org
Ms. Rees - Upper School (Year 10 - Year 13) - r.rees@bis-ny.org
Front Desk
For issues relating to the day-to-day logistics including pick-up and afterschool, Ms. Sita can be contacted on frontdesk@bis-ny.org.
School Nurse
For questions with the medical forms and to report student absence due to illness, please contact Nurse Maureen on nurse@bis-ny.org.
School & College Counsellor
Our School & College Counselor Ms. Weiss (p.weiss@bis-ny.org) is also available to help support the wellbeing of students, and works with A-Level Students (Years 12 & 13) in the college admissions process.
Inclusion & Learning Support Coordinators
For students requiring additional academic support, our Learning Support Coordinators Ms. Southall (a.southall@bis-ny.org) and Ms. Keenan (s.keenan@bis-ny.org) are available to work with families on ensuring their children have access to the resources and accommodations they need to succeed.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
We'll be running an Upper School Ski Trip to Hunter Mountain, NY during the President's Day break. The trip price includes transport, ski school instruction, lift ticket, equipment rental, accommodation, all meals and BISNY staff supervision. This trip is open to all students in Years 10 - 13.
In order to secure accommodation we have a short sign-up window so if you'd like your son/daughter to come along please sign up by Friday 21st November.
All you need to do is email at r.rees@bis-ny.org to register interest. Further information about the resort can be found here and view the video of our last ski trip!
Malawi 2026
A Journey of Service and Discovery
This bespoke trip combines hands-on volunteering with Changing Stars Malawi—supporting children through education and community projects—with cultural immersion and adventure. From kayaking on Lake Malawi and hiking Soche Mountain to camping in Majete Wildlife Reserve, students will experience a journey that builds empathy, leadership, and global citizenship while discovering one of Africa’s most welcoming nations. Click HERE for more information.
Estimate of total cost: $6,250
USEFUL LINKS AND RESOURCES
***** School Evaluations Feedback & Beacon School Status *****
Click on the arrow to read more about the feedback from last year's school evaluations...
As many of you will probably remember we had external accreditation visits last school year by both the International Baccalaureate and the Council of British International Schools (COBIS). We received very positive reports from both organizations and it was so pleasing to see many common areas of strength singled out by both evaluation processes- the quality of relationships and community in the school, the quality of learning and teaching, the attitudes and engagement of students, and the inclusive, outward looking approach of the school.
We received the final report from COBIS over the summer and I am pleased to share that the school was deemed to be meeting all 18 standards and received a Commendation for 10 of the 18, including for all three Ethos & Values Standards. The school was awarded Beacon School Status for how 'the school has an outward-looking perspective promoting its values via a wide curriculum and through opportunities to develop awareness of other cultures and global issues.'
As part of the COBIS evaluation process, Beacon School Status is for schools which "have demonstrated excellence in specific aspects of, or the whole of a particular standard, and are committed to sharing their best practice with other schools around the world." BIS-NY is one of only 4 schools worldwide to hold Beacon School Status for Ethos & Values, so we are all incredibly proud of this accomplishment which is a reflection on the efforts, open minded approach and commitment of our whole community- students, staff and families.
I also include below the summary section of the report from COBIS and hope you will enjoy reading this as much as we did and share in the sense of accomplishment for the very special community you have worked with us and our students to build at BIS-NY. It is also a wonderful foundation on which to build and only adds to the anticipation and appreciation of potential as we embark on the new school year.
COBIS- OVERALL OBSERVATIONS
"The British International School of New York, located in Waterside Plaza, was founded in 2006. It strives to offer a superior education by blending creativity, comprehensive study, and academic rigour with an inquiry-based learning methodology through the International Baccalaureate and the English National Curriculum. The school is dedicated to providing a nurturing and stimulating environment that prepares students for future success.
The school is committed to providing a well-rounded education that meets the intellectual, physical, social, creative, and emotional needs of each child, ensuring a fulfilling and enjoyable educational experience. Consequently, the school environment is characterised by warmth and friendliness. This is a happy school.
Students take pride in being part of the school community, exhibiting politeness and respect in both classroom and informal settings. They show exemplary behaviour, confidence, enthusiasm for learning, and a dedicated pursuit of their goals. This supports the holistic development of every student.
The school radiates a welcoming and familial atmosphere, where the staff is committed to both the academic success and the overall well-being of the students. A distinctive feature of the school is its inclusive environment, which excels in supporting and implementing interventions for students with additional learning needs. Additionally, the school provides an extraordinary range of trips and extracurricular activities to enrich the students' experiences further.
Parents deeply appreciate the school's dedication, feeling assured that their children receive comprehensive care in all facets of their school life. This approach has encouraged a strong sense of community and belonging among students and families alike.
The Headteacher is inspirational, and along with his leadership team, provides a clear vision and direction, actively engaging with the compliance process to drive the
school's progress. As the school carries out its development plans, it is set to not only uphold its high standards but also to achieve continual improvements. This proactive approach ensures the institution remains at the forefront of educational excellence.
The school benefits from the backing of a dedicated and professional board of governors who have a thorough understanding of their responsibilities. The collaboration between the governors and the leadership team will be pivotal in developing a culture of continuous growth and innovation in future."