The International School of The Hague, Primary welcomes Mayor Jan van Zanen to meet students and staff.

The Hague, Thursday 29 February 2024 - In a very special visit, The International School of The Hague (ISH) Primary Principal - Rubin Borges - and members of the leadership team, were delighted to welcome Mayor of The Hague - Jan van Zanen - to our school.

As a leading international education establishment, ISH showcased the work of our students - and the holistic ethos of our school community - with one of the Netherlands most respected dignitaries. The Choir welcomed Mayor van Zanen with a stirring rendition of Adele’s ‘Skyfall’ before Principal Borges and her leadership team guided the Mayor and his party around the Primary School.

Mayor van Zanen spent time interacting with the children, learning about programmes in mathematics, reading, writing, art, and storytelling. He was also subjected to some tough questions from our highly-inquisitive younger students, including “are you rich?” To which he replied “I would like to be... but I chose to be a Mayor.”

With 97 nationalities at ISH and 68 home languages spoken, Mayor van Zanen appreciated our internationalism and complimented the School for the multi-cultural flavour so evident in the classrooms and hallways. For Principal Borges, this was a chance to share our guiding values especially in relation to the role ISH plays in the local community in and around The Hague.

Rubin Borges: “By celebrating international values and promoting understanding at such a young age, we believe we can create and develop lifelong resilience, compassion, teamwork and leadership skills. Essential qualities that will help mould ISH children into happy, confident, and prosperous individuals.”

Mayor van Zanen agreed: “I have wanted to come here for so long and I finally made it. I am a fan of international schools, I love the concept of what they represent. As well as the outreach ambition of ISH because it teaches children about community... and community creates a better society. Thank you to the teachers and the pupils for sharing and caring.”

The International School of The Hague, Primary School thanks the Mayor for making time in his busy schedule to come and meet the children and experience the unique and enriching community we all work so hard to create.