The BISC Welcome Newsletter - 25th August 2025

Message from the Principal

Dear Parents and Guardians,

It is with great pride and joy that I write to you for the first time this year. I extend a very warm welcome to all of our families, both those returning and those joining us for the first time. This year is particularly special, as we celebrate BISC’s 50th anniversary. For five decades, our school has stood as a beacon of academic excellence in Egypt.

I look forward to meeting many of you personally over the coming weeks and to working alongside you to ensure that BISC remains a place where excellence, care and opportunity thrive.

Examination Success

Our students continue to make us proud with their outstanding academic achievements. This year’s IGCSE and IB results reflect the dedication of both students and teachers, upholding the standards of excellence for which BISC is renowned. These results continue to open doors to the world’s leading universities, and 2025 was no exception. I look forward, with great anticipation, to our first A-Level cohort achieving equally impressive outcomes.

Our Unique Curriculum Offering

BISC offers a rich and rigorous programme of study that includes IGCSEs, A Levels, and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. Alongside these, our pioneering Egypt & the Middle East Programme, the first of its kind in the region, represents our long-term vision of helping every student become truly bilingual and culturally confident.

About Our Mission

At BISC, our mission is clear: to educate and empower the future leaders of Egypt and the wider world. Academic success matters, but it goes hand in hand with strong values and emotional wellbeing. On our state-of-the-art campus, the most advanced and inspiring in North Africa, our exceptional teachers are dedicated to both excellence and care. With the lowest teacher-to-student ratios in Egypt, our small class sizes ensure that every child receives the individual attention they deserve. We proudly blend tradition with innovation, combining the strengths of academic heritage with forward-looking practice to prepare our students for the future.

Looking Ahead

This academic year will be one of celebration, reflection and ambition. Together, we will honour our 50 years of history while also setting bold new directions for the future of our school community.

Chris Hansen
Principal

Upcoming Dates

Message from the Head of Egypt & the Middle East Programme

نبدأ العام الدراسي الجديد مستندين لعاملَين مشجِعَين. الأول هو النتائج الإيجابية التي حققها طلابنا في الامتحانات الدولية للغة العربية على مستوى الـIB والـO Level والـGCSE، في السنوات الدراسية ١٣ و١١ و٩ على التوالي. في جميع هذه الاختبارات، جاءت مستويات طلابنا أعلى من المتوسطات العالمية، كما حققت نسب جيدة من الطلاب الدرجات الأعلى الممكنة. هذه النتائج هي ثمرة جهد مشترك للطلاب والمدرسين وأولياء الأمور، يستحق الثناء.

العامل الثاني هو خططنا للعام الجديد في تدريس اللغة العربية والتاريخ المصري، والتي تتضمن استمرار تحسين مهارات القراءة والكتابة باللغة العربية، وتعزيز معارف الطلاب بالتاريخ المصري، مع البدء في مبادرات جديدة سيتم إعلام الفصول المعنية بها (عرض مسرحي باللغة العربية لسنوات دراسية كاملة – مسابقات للكتابة والقراءة – تحفيز للطلاب على الحديث بالغة العربية).

نتطلع لعام دراسي مثمر.

د. مازن حسن

مدير برنامج مصر والشرق الأوسط

Egypt & the Middle East Programme is starting the new school year motivated by two factors. The first is the good performance of our students in the internationally administered Arabic exams at the IB, O-Level and GCSE levels. Our students in Year 9, Year 11 and Year 13 last year achieved an average that was consistently above the global average, with a significant percentage of students scoring the highest grade. This is a result of a joint effort by students, teachers and parents who deserve to be warmly commended.

The second factor is the plans we have this year for teaching Arabic and Egyptian history at BISC. We will continue to give particular focus to improving Arabic reading and writing skills, expand our students’ knowledge of Egyptian history, as well as introduce new interventions (whole-year productions in Arabic, whole school writing and reading competitions; incentivising students to talk in Arabic at specific periods).

We look forward to a fruitful year.

Dr Mazen Hassan
Head of Egypt & the Middle East Programme

Message from the Head of Senior School

Welcome back to a new academic year!

We are so excited to welcome back all our returning students and staff, as well as extend a very warm welcome to all the new members of the BISC family joining us this year. We look forward to greeting everyone, and for our students to experience all the incredible opportunities that await them.

We are so proud to begin this new year on the back of truly outstanding academic results. Our students once again achieved fantastic scores in their I/GCSE exams, showcasing their incredible talent and dedication. We are equally thrilled to announce our excellent IB results, which reflect the hard work of our students and teachers at the highest level, culminating in places at some of the world's most prestigious universities. These achievements are a testament to our commitment to academic excellence and provide a wonderful foundation for the year ahead.

This year brings an exciting new chapter for BISC as we formally introduce our A-Level programme, alongside our already established IB curriculum. This expansion offers our students more choice and opportunity; further cementing our school's position as a leader in international education. 

This week, we will be confirming students' courses in our post-16 settings for both IB and A-Level programmes. Additionally, we have the induction mornings for Year 7, Year 10 and Year 12, as well as for all new students joining BISC. Finally, we will be holding our first celebration assemblies, where we will recognise achievements and share our collective vision for a successful year.

Here is to a fantastic and rewarding academic year!

Sarah Fuschillo
Head of Senior School

Message from the Head of Junior School

It is my privilege to welcome you and your child to the start of what promises to be an exciting and enriching year of learning. Whether you are a returning family or joining us for the very first time, we are delighted to have you as part of our school community.

At BISC, we believe that education is far more than the acquisition of knowledge. It is about developing curiosity, resilience, creativity and character in every child. Our dedicated teachers and staff are committed to nurturing a love of learning while ensuring that each pupil feels valued, supported and challenged to reach their full potential.

This year, we continue to place strong emphasis on both academic excellence and personal growth. Alongside a rigorous curriculum, pupils will engage in activities that develop critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration and empathy. Through projects, performances, sport and creative expression, we aim to inspire our pupils to explore their talents and discover new passions.

We also recognise the importance of wellbeing in education. The Junior School is a safe and supportive environment where pupils are encouraged to build positive relationships, respect differences and show kindness. Developing these values is central to our vision, and we know that they will help shape the leaders and global citizens of tomorrow.

As always, we view education as a partnership between home and school. We are grateful for the support and trust you place in us, and we encourage open communication with our staff. Throughout the year, there will be opportunities for parents to engage with school life through curriculum meetings, performances, trips and community events. We warmly invite you to take part, as your involvement greatly enriches the learning experience for your child.

The year ahead holds many exciting opportunities, and we look forward to celebrating achievements, overcoming challenges and sharing memorable moments together. Our collective goal is to ensure that every child not only succeeds academically but also develops confidence, independence and a joy for learning that will last a lifetime.

Thank you once again for entrusting us with your child’s education. We look forward to working closely with you and your family this year, and to making 2025-26 a year of growth, discovery and happiness for all our pupils.

With warm regards,

Kay Faraz
Head of Junior School

Message from the Head of Foundation Stage

I am delighted to welcome all the Foundation Stage families, those returning and joining Foundation Stage 2, and those newcomers entering Foundation Stage for the first time.

The Foundation Stage team has remained the same for a number of years now and comprises:

- Seven UK-qualified and experienced teachers

- Two Arabic teachers with Foundation Stage experience

- One Foundation Stage Physical Education teacher

- One Foundation Stage Music teacher

- Nine Teaching Assistants, all bilingual

Most of you will be familiar with the teachers and TAs, either from last year or when you met them during the entry assessment process. This stability makes the settling-in period, especially for any shy or apprehensive children, usually a swift and painless process. The team has extensive experience dealing with children who struggle to separate from their parents and will keep you fully involved and informed. The Foundation Stage team is equally aware that for some, separation from parents is difficult, and they will be more than happy to send you emails or photos to reassure you that your child is happy. 

You have all been invited to attend Information Meetings on Thursday 28th August:

- Foundation Stage 1 parents should go to the Multi-Purpose Hall at 12:00

- Foundation Stage 2 parents should go to their child’s classroom at 13:30

These meetings will explain and clarify the structure of the day, how the curriculum is delivered, and our expectations for the children. Any questions or queries you may have will be dealt with then.

This year, there will be a particular focus across both Foundation Stage 1 and Foundation Stage 2 on language development, both English and Arabic, and I am certain that you will see the benefits by the end of the year.

During the course of the Summer, improvements were made to Room 106, which has now become the Foundation Stage multi-purpose room. As well as being used for Music and Movement sessions, a new kitchen has been built, which will enable cookery, and science experiments. We have also employed a specialist in ‘Baby Yoga’ and these sessions will also be held in this room. We will be inviting parents in to watch and sample some of these new initiatives.

I am confident that 2025-26 is going to be an exceptional year, and I am looking forward to meeting frequently at our special events during the course of the year, culminating in the Foundation Stage 1 Production and the Foundation Stage 2 Graduation.

Margaret Cashman
Head of Foundation Stage

Message from the Business Manager

Welcome back to all our students, families and staff! We are looking forward to a new academic year, filled with excitement and success. 

We are pleased to announce that this year, Fresh & Co will be administering our school cafeteria. Established with the aim of providing students with a wide selection of fresh, healthy, and well-balanced meals, Fresh & Co caters to varying tastes and dietary requirements. We have witnessed a professional and promising start, and we hope our students will enjoy a superior catering experience.

In accordance with the official agenda of national holidays, published on the Egyptian Presidency website, we would like to inform you that Thursday 4th September is a public holiday on the occasion of Prophet Muhammad's Birthday. Enjoy the soon-to-come long weekend!

Mona El Fawal
Business Manager