By law, every school in the Netherlands is linked with a medezeggenschrapsraad (MR). This is a participation council, where elected representatives of teachers, students and their parents are consulted by the school management over matters concerning the management of the school. As prescribed by law, there are separate MR’s for the Secondary and Primary sections of the school.
The MR holds, according to legislation, two types of rights: the right of advice (adviesrecht) and the right of approval (instemmingrecht). Matters in which either right can be used are specified.
If you would like to contact the MR please use the following email address:
The MR’s are regulated by the Wet medezeggenschap op scholen legislation of 1992 and 2007.
Please note that a copy of the MR minutes, once approved, are put under the protected portal. To obtain login details please contact the primary school office.
A Standard MR Agenda Framework
Introducing our primary MR members:
Sarah Siegloff 
I was born and raised in Sydney, Australia. I have spent time living in London and Singapore and have a background in banking and marketing. Our family moved to the Netherlands in 2009 when my husband was transferred here with his job. I have one daughter in year 2 and another who will start in Reception at ISH next year (2012).
2011/12 will be my third year as part of the ISH community. Last year I took on the role of Chair of the PTA and I am very pleased this year to have the opportunity to take a position on the MR.
I strongly support the schools ongoing commitment to achieving best practice in international primary education. The dynamic management of the school is essential to maintaining the momentum of ever-evolving learning/teaching process for both students and teachers. I believe that feedback and support from parents is an essential part of the framework that enables this to happen.
I would like to use my time on the MR to further encourage and support this vibrant & progressive school environment and maintain focus on giving the students the best opportunities to learn and grow whilst at ISH. I appreciate all comment, questions thought and suggestion from parents.
Maarten Buijs
After having lived in Australia for the last 20 years, Margot and I have returned to Holland in early 2007. We have four children at ISH, three in Primary and one in Secondary School. I work in Rotterdam at West8, a consultancy for landscape architecture and urban design.
For our children the transition to their new school and a different country has been remarkably smooth. We believe this is largely due to the warm and welcoming atmosphere provided at their new school. The caring environment at ISH and the general acceptance and open mindedness towards cultural differences at the school provides for sound grounding of our children to become part of our increasingly international society.
Up to the time we left Australia, our children received regular primary school education. Also there, both Margot and I were active parents involved in the management of the school. I strongly believe that raising and educating children is the shared responsibility of parents and teachers. The school, the social realm where this education is provided, must be one where our children feel comfortable and safe and the teaching staff should to be given optimal facilities and conditions to help us educate our children. In this respect, as parents, we need to accommodate our children’s teachers to do their work well and we need to provide management and staff with feedback about our children’s needs and the school’s achievements.
I am very pleased to have the chance to be actively involved in this process and I look forward to discussing with other parents, opportunities and avenues to further develop this school-parent partnership.
Term ends September 2014
Secretary – Dirk Dobbelaere
I am Dirk Dobbelaere, father of a child in Primary. Of Belgian nationality, we moved to the Netherlands early 2001 when I started working at the European Patent Office.
Thoroughly enjoying to live and work in a very international community, we really love the International School of The Hague: its truly international character, and the open mindedness towards other cultures, religions and colours this brings, is one of the main assets of the school and should be nourished at all times.
I strongly believe that this young school, with its brand-new site has a beautiful future in front, and I hope to be able to contribute in its development over the years to come. It is our intention indeed to establish a long-term relationship with the ISH, as our son will be able to carry on through ISH primary and secondary.
It is my express wish to be an available contact person for all parents, to whom they can voice their concerns and issues that they feel uncomfortable to address directly to the school staff. Next to that, given my work experience in the ICT domain, I also hope to be able to help advising the school for computer and information technology matters.
Term ends September2012
Teacher Representative – Rob Willis
I am South African by birth. I am married to a Dutch national and have two children. My daughter is presently studying at Delft Technical University and my son will begin a degree in business economics here in the Hague in September 2007.
I received all my teaching training and further study in South Africa. I taught in a number of state and private schools in South Africa before coming to the Netherlands. Since coming to this country I have taught in two International schools and have really enjoyed the experience and the change. The first was Eerde International School (1 year) and the second, the International School of the Hague (3 years, as year 6 teacher).
I was initially elected onto the MR as a staff representative in 2006 and have been re-elected since then. As a member of the MR I hope to be able to contribute towards the further development of the school so that it can provide the best of International Education and an amazing experience for the students that pass through our hands.
Term ends September 2014
Teacher Representative & Chair - Kevin Curiston
I was born in a small town in Canada and arrived in The Netherlands in 1998. My wife is a teacher in a Dutch elementary school and we have two delightful daughters.
I trained as a teacher in my home province of Ontario and worked in my childhood elementary and secondary schools prior to moving to The Netherlands. My teaching career in this country began at another school within our Stichting, Het Rijnlands Lyceum Oegstgeest. During my 5 years at RLO, I taught History in the IBDP, IBMYP and TTO as well as all subjects in Year 7. With the expansion of ISH Primary to two streams in 2004 I jumped at the opportunity to return to primary education.
For me, ISH Primary has presented a unique career opportunity; the chance to influence the growth and development of a new school within such a diverse community. Every day presents both new opportunities and challenges. I find this creates an incredibly dynamic environment in which not only our children, but also our staff and school can develop to their full potential!
Term ends September 2013
Teacher Representative – Dianna Bradley
I was born and raised in South Africa. I did my teacher training in South Africa and taught in rural schools in KwaZulu Natal before moving to the Netherlands in 2000. My husband is Dutch and is a school leader in a special needs Dutch school.
Since moving to The Netherlands I have taught in three International schools. The first was in Leiderdorp (1 year) and the second was The Haagsche Schoolvereeniging – HSV for about 7 years. In 2008 I moved to the ISH and have taught in Year 5 and Year 6. I am currently Year Group Coordinator for Year 4 and the IPC Coordinator for our school. In 2010 I was elected onto the MR for ISH Primary.
I feel incredibly fortunate to be working and learning in this school. It is a truly dynamic environment which adapts and changes to the developments in Education but stays true to its goal of placing children at the centre of learning!
Term ends September 2012
