KEY DATES & INFORMATION
Short Term Dates
Mon 6th Oct - After School Clubs & Peri Lessons Begin
Check out student led lunchtime clubs below as well!
Mon 27th - Fri 31st October - Spirit Week
Friday 31st Oct - Halloween Parade 2.50pm
No after school provision
Mon 10th - Fri 14th Nov - Math Week
Mon 10 - Fri 21 Nov - Thanksgiving Food Drive
Tues 11th Nov - PA Meeting & Used Uniform Sale
Long Term Key Dates
Mon 24th - Tues 25th Oct - Virtual Parent Conferences (no lessons)
Wed 26th - Fri 28th Oct - SCHOOL SHUT FOR THANKSGIVING
Thurs 18th Dec - YEAR 9 Full Reports Released
Fri - 19th Dec - Last Day of Term (lunchtime finish)
ANNOUNCEMENTS
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
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.
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."