As outlined in the school’s vision statement, at ISS we strive to “inspire a community of responsible, globally engaged, empowered learners” in an attempt to help our students make meaningful contributions to the world around them, be that world near or far. Being international school students and staff, we belong to a wide range of communities, and it is the school’s aim to guide our students in their search for positive ways to contribute to a more equitable and sustainable world.

ISS incorporates different service-related projects and initiatives into the learning experience of the students. The idea behind the ISS Service Learning programme is that students contribute to a better world, using the skills and knowledge acquired at school, while at the same time reflecting on the chosen projects and activities (facilitated through the Service Learning Coordinator).

Throughout the school, a wide range of Service Learning activities take place ranging from visits to the local retirement home to volunteer work for Fretex, Red Cross or Amnesty International to environmental projects such as improving the recycling at and around school, or the planting of trees.

A different form of Service Learning recently started up whereby Preschool and Middle School students visit each other, be it to celebrate Peace Day, participate in the Mannequin Challenge together, or show each other the projects they have worked on in their respective classes. To witness the interaction between 3-4 and 13-14 year olds shows how easily Service Learning can happen within a school community.

In addition to the volunteer work for existing organisations, and the grassroots project started up at school, as part of the IB curriculum, Grade 11-12 students are expected to pass the CAS (Creativity, Activity and Service) programme, which requires a service commitment to the community (both locally and internationally).

A specific example of a grassroots initiative is the ISS Cameroon Service Project, a Service Learning effort set up by High School students in 2011 in memory of ISS student Stéphane Ngueguim and focused on improving the living conditions and educational opportunities in Stephane’s village in rural Cameroon.

Lately, our Service Learning projects have focused on the refugee situation both here in Stavanger and abroad. Middle School students have worked hard on raising awareness, reaching out to refugee families (including children) and effectively helping them in their adaptation to life in Norway. At the same time, the students have come up with different ways to raise money and support a Norwegian organisation working with and for refugees in Syria and Greece (we have established a great relationship with Northern Lights Aid).