A school community consists of students, teachers, support staff and parents.A healthy relationship between these roles ensures a well functioning school. At International School Hilversum parents are invited to be involved in the school community formally and informally. The DMR (works council for the official say in school decisions) and the PTA (parent’s council for social/support of “new” families) are the two main bodies through which parents can join hands with the school.

It is with pleasure that I present the PTA International Community Guide. This booklet has been compiled by the parents especially for new families to the school, although much of the information it contains is useful to anyone living in the Netherlands. Moving house, changing jobs and re-locating in general can be a difficult time.

The parents of the PTA are keen to make contact with families new to the school and you can gain a lot of useful advice from them. In addition, I strongly advise you to make early contact with your child’s class mentor so that they can have greater insight into their new charge and be better equipped to facilitate a smooth start at the school. The mentor’s e-mail can be found in the School Directory.

The underlying culture of the school is seated in the Dutch culture yet blended with that of over 49 nationalities. We may not be like other international schools you have come across. For example, the students do many of their sports and hobbies outside school and not in school clubs. Although we do offer a range of activities, the greatest number of options are found in the various clubs in the region. The Netherlands is blessed in this way. Therefore, a booklet such as this one, will be of importance to you and your family in helping to find the best options for your child.

The school management team finds it very important that there is a meaningful relationship with the parent body. I am glad to say that in Hilversum we enjoy good lines of communication and are spoilt by an enthusiastic and active PTA. They can always be relied upon to support student based projects as and when they come up. I would urge you as a new parent, to get involved where you can with the school community and the PTA.

A warm welcome to the International School Hilversum.

Cecilia Neethling
Principal