Amongst the interesting people that I spoke to at the Ball, were a few ex-ISK parents as well as BISC parents who knew of families that left ISK for BISC. By now I'm sure you are curious to know why some of these families left ISK.
I was told that last year, a middle school student was terribly bullied by her fellow classmates and ISK was unable to deal with the situation so her parents decided to move her to BISC. She is now happily settled in her current environment because BISC has a "bullying policy" for their school (something that ISK is lacking). It was also mentioned to me that many other students moved to BISC because their parents expect a higher standard of education for their children, and so far, these parents were positively impressed by BISC. Another parent mentioned that she's only keeping her child at ISK because they lived near the school and driving into the city center would be too difficult due to the traffic.
Now, I find it a little ironic that despite many families leaving ISK due to what they perceived as low standards of education and educational leadership, in the ISK Annual Report 2012-2013 which was sent to parents last week, the ex-Chairman Jeff Gaskell stated and I quote:
"...parents and students chose to come to and stay at ISK because of our school's reputation for academic excellence."A penny for your thoughts anyone?
24 comments:
Lucy, you bring a very interesting point in this blog. I want to add that also people working for the US consulate are sending their children to BISC. This can't be good.
Sometimes I have the impression this blog is more a "personal issue". And not parentS' voices.
Lucy, could you please clarify your comment about the girl that was ‘terribly bullied’ at ISK. When you say you were told, do you mean you were told by the girl parents? And if so did they use the term ‘terribly bullied’?
Also, could you please tell us exactly how many families have left ISK due to the ‘perceived’ educational issues.
Interesting! Even some ISK teachers have moved their children to BISC. When my child was at ISK, I was never asked why he was there, and if I had of been, my response would NOT have been 'because of the school's reputation and academic excellence'. The only reason I chose ISK was because of the 'false picture' they paint. I am happy my son changed to BISC in September 2013, he is now enjoying school again.
Anonymous, you are absolutely correct. This blog is where parents are given an opportunity to unite on issues concerning education and their children's well-being at ISK. You can find out more by reading the blog titled 'Why I started this blog".
The Traveling Kent's, I don't know why you're so interested in the details when it's the issue that we should focus on. Regarding the term 'terribly bullied', unless you see me quoting, then you can assume that they're my own words. Regarding exactly how many parents left ISK due to educational issues, I think you will need to ask the Director for the exit survey results. I'm sure that many parents would be interested to know (including myself)
Anonymous, I heard the same and to be exact, there are currently 2 families from the US consulate who have sent their children to BISC. I agree, it can't be good publicity for ISK.
Maria, that's pretty damaging for ISK if what you say is true about ISK teachers sending their children to BISC. I can sympathize with you because it's easy to swayed by the image presented by the school. But I'm pleased to hear that your son is enjoying it there.
Hello Ms Pham, I think you should move your kids do BISC asap.
Anonymous, thank you for your wonderful advice and for showing the "true culture" that we have in ISK. That is, when a parent is dissatisfied with anything, they are advised to leave instead of working on improving the school. By the way, I have recently visited BISC and may take up your advice.
I have the impression you are not so happy with ISK, which is something personal, I assume.But just 1 question : why are you using "ISK Krakow" as username? This is too "ironic", isn't it. Life is too ironic: It takes sadness to know what happiness is, noise to appreciate silence, and absence to value presence!
To the person advising Ms Pham to move the kids to BISC: Are you the ISK employee? That's why you want to get rid of her? Is it the way the school solves problems?
She is not the only one having issues with the school! There is quite a big group of parents who think there is a lot to improve but instead of doing this the school pretends everything is perfect.
Hello Ms Pham, I think you should move your kids do BISC asap
I'm trying to "decode" that comment...
I see three options:
1) You like BISC very much and this is a kind of advertisement. But then - why only Ms. Pham, I would expect you saying - "I think all of you reading this blog should move you kids to BISC". I this case I would like to talk to you, to understand how I can try to make ISK better.
2) Or maybe you are a concerned parent from ISK, so much depressed about the school - that you think it is hopeless to even try to improve ISK, and the only option is to go to BISC. In that case we should really talk - while I cannot speak for the board here, I am personally interested in improving school.
3) Or maybe you think ISK is a good school, better than BISC? That would imply you are a very mean person, miss-advising other parents from ISK to send their kids to school which you clearly believe is inferior. Then I can only pity you.
Now I tend to not assume people I do not know could be mean, so it must be 1 or 2 - in which case I believe we should talk.
"Bullying" and ISK seem to go hand in hand. It trickles down from the administration, to the teachers, to the students, and among the students. It is the most common comment I hear when parents are commenting about their experiences at ISK.
"Absence to value presence!" Having had my child in ISK for a year and moving him to BISC the absence has made me realise how awful ISK really was. BISC is everything that a school should be and ISK is everything that it shouldn't be.
Maria, for those of us who have only experience with ISK, could you compare both school and tell what is the difference between them. Thank you!
Anonymous, I am not comparing only BISC but every other school that my son has been enroled in, to ISK. Teachers are not there to label and compare children They are not there to make our children feel afraid or to feel inferior, this is how my little boy felt after being at ISK. I want a school where teacher's want the best for each indidual and thrive on their efforts and achievements. These teacher's don't compare or label children, they pass on their knowledge, their advice and they have the pedagogical skills to to do it well.
My children moved to BISC from ISK. From our experience it is a more positive, friendly and nurturing environment. The facilities are inferior to ISK but the children still spend a lot of time outside and also have swimming lessons at the university pool nearby.
So how do we go from here to a satisfactory approach on bullying, starting with a bullying policy if the school doesn't have one yet?
Pham, most of us may not agree with the way you chose to criticize the ISK but I am confident your blog has already done more good than bad. I trust your criticism will turn out to be beneficial for ISK. You should stay with ISK. Believe me the grass is not greener elsewhere. A few years ago BISC had an exodus of unhappy parents and teachers to ISK. In spite of the odds both schools have maintained amicable relations and they should continue to do so. I am not surprised If US Consulate children choose BISC they have every right to do so especially if one parent is British or they arrive from British schools from former posts, it is an individual choice a family makes, nobody is surprised that we have British families at ISK. Let’s be constructive not destructive. We parents should attend board sessions or write directly to the Board, this blog is too personal and will not get us anywhere!
Anonymous, I think this blog is great and if I had seen it before enoling my son at ISK, I could have saved him the misery and placed him directly into BISC.By going directly to the Board everything will be on the quiet and nothing done about anything.
The grass is greener on the other side at BISC.
Anonymous, I had my child at ISK and can confirm that the grass is definately greener on the the other side at BISC. I think if you raise concerns with the board at ISK and they don't agree with you, you are on a downward spiral.
Comment #3
ISK vs. BISC
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We both have many friends at BISC. John knows the owners for many years, is quite good friends with one of the Board members with whom he has discussed on a number of occasions how to bring the two schools closer. Therefore, we find the discourse on BISC vs. ISK counterproductive and unnecessary. It almost sounds like some parties are trying to lure families from one school to another.
We have no doubt that there are plenty of very happy, fulfilled families and children at BISC, just as there are many at ISK (we are proudly and openly VERY HAPPY at ISK).
Each family that chooses ISK or BISC does so for their own, personal reasons. Each school has a long list of assets. Most major international cities in the world have at least 2 international schools. We should all consider ourselves fortunate that our little Krakow is included in that group.
Anonymous (Dec 30), blogs, by definition are personal (see my "Is this too personal for you?" blog). So you are absolutely correct in your observations. This blog is based on my experiences and observations as a parent of three children attending ISK so the blog articles that I've written are personal to me. As to whether or not the blog articles will get us anywhere, I do not have a crystal ball and suspect that you don't have one either, so lets not speculate or assume anything at this early stage. Regarding the rest of your comment, I'm surprised that in your first two sentences, you said that the "blog has done more good than bad", and my "criticism will turn out to be beneficial for ISK". But then your last sentence says that it "will not get us anywhere". What exactly are you trying to say?
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