PRESS RELEASE: 28 March 2017

For immediate publication

Facing the Future with Confidence - Prepared for Tomorrow - ISF & St Paul’s British Primary School join forces to reshape international education in Belgium International School of Flanders (ISF), located on the Waterloo/Sint-Genesius-Rode border, and St Paul’s British Primary School (SPBPS) in Vossem-Tervuren, are joining forces with effect from 28 March 2017. This exciting initiative combines the strengths of both schools to provide a high quality, innovative, and durable international experience for families in the Brussels-Leuven region seeking a more personal 21st century education. Stronger together, ISF & SPBPS are poised to take advantage of emerging opportunities arising from the changing expectations of internationally mobile families, while capitalising on the technology revolution within global education. The two schools already share a common vision and the same aspiration: both serve communities which are Rich in Diversity and United by Values; and both aim to give children the Best Possible Start in Life. Roger Morgan, Chairman of SPBPS says:​ ​“This is very positive news for the children and their families in Saint Paul’s British Primary School because it will build on the outstanding education recognized by our recent excellent school inspection report. We also look forward to sharing the knowledge and experience of ISF Waterloo as the first Google for Education School in Belgium. We are especially pleased to be able to offer an affordable and highly personalised international secondary education to primary students moving on from St Paul’s”​. Kevan Keegan, the Chairman of ISF Waterloo adds:​ ​“We are very excited to join forces with St Paul’s and build the future together. This opens up all sorts of opportunities for students and staff of both schools to collaborate on many levels, in friendly competition and in professional development - and for ISF to share best practice with an educationally excellent primary school. We are especially looking forward to a much closer integration of our new International Daycare located opposite the Nursery and Infant sections of SPBPS, and which has now received the approval from the Flemish government agency Kind en Gezin to open next week, on 03 April 2017”. With effect from 10th April, the incoming Head of SPBPS will be Ms Orla McLoughlin, replacing Brett Neilson who recently announced that he is leaving at Easter to take up a new role after eight successful years leading the school. Orla is a highly experienced international educator specialising in Primary and Early Years, and has been the Head of Primary at ISF Waterloo International School since 2013 - her replacement will be announced in due course. An Irish national, she has been permanently resident in Belgium for the past 17 years, and now lives in Tervuren. She is a Board Member of ISF International Daycare, Leader of Belgium's first Google Educator Group, and is Chair-elect of the Primary Heads Leadership Group for International Schools in Belgium & Luxembourg. Mr Keegan concludes:​ ​“Ms Mc Loughlin is a committed and enthusiastic educator and leader whose experience and educational philosophy are strongly aligned to the mission and values of both ISF and SPBPS. Students, parents and staff will appreciate her charm, expertise, and drive as we take both schools toward a very bright future.” For more information contact:

Kaisa Sorjonen, ISF Finance & Marketing Director on +32-486501577 ; or Chris Start, SPBPS Marketing Director on +32-497591640

EDITORS NOTES:​ ISF Waterloo​ (​www.isfwaterloo.org​) is a vibrant and friendly international school on the Flanders-Wallonia borders near Brussels. We encourage creativity and out of box thinking – we develop not just academically strong students, but also respectful, responsible and self-confident young people. Our focus on languages, technology and intercultural exchange gives ISF Waterloo students a head start in 21st Century global society. ·

ISF Waterloo is the first Google for Education School in Belgium.

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Our small class sizes - max 18 students - ensure personal attention to the individual development of each child.

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We have 190 students from 49 different nationalities aged 2 ½ to 18, including expats and Belgian residents.

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Every one of our teachers is trained in English as an Additional Language.

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We teach French daily to every student and are recognised by the Belgian education authorities.

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We follow the International Primary Curriculum in Primary School, and enter Middle and High School students for Cambridge International examinations.

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Visit​ ​isfwaterloo.org​ for more details or follow us on Twitter @ISFWaterloo.

St Paul’s British Primary School ​( ​www.stpaulsbps.com ​) has served expatriate families and their young children in the Tervuren area for over 40 years. We are highly regarded in the community and we hold prized accreditations with the Council of British International School and the Association of British Schools Overseas. ·

St Paul’s is officially rated as ‘an excellent school which provides an outstanding quality of education and care’.

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We provide an exciting environment and creative teaching which, coupled with an active learning approach, ensure an outstanding learning journey for children.

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Small classes, no larger than 16, ensure personalised learning with highly qualified teachers in each class and specialists leading the French and EAL programmes.

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We seek to provide ‘The best possible start in life’ to every child attending the school.

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Visit ​www.stpaulsbps.com​ for more details or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Orla McLoughlin (new Head of St Paul’s BPS)​ is an Irish national who has been permanently resident in Belgium since 2000 and now lives in Tervuren-Vossem. She is a certified educator who trained in Dublin between 1990-94, specialising in Early Years & Primary teaching, including Montessori methodologies. She has 17 years’ international education experience, including: ·

Head of Primary at ISF Waterloo International School (2013-2017)

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Board member of ISF International Daycare vzw (established 2016)

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Google Certified Educator and Group Leader of Belgium’s first Google Educator Group, established in 2015 and now numbering over 375 Belgian educators

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Chair-elect of the International Primary Heads Group of International Schools in Belgium & Luxembourg

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currently studying for Postgraduate Certificate in International School Leadership awarded by Ontario Principals’ Council and endorsed by Council for International Schools

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