ACCESS NL > Features > ISH spreading its wings
ISH spreading its wings
2019-06-17 | By The International School of The Hague
The long-anticipated opening of the new wing of the Primary School of The International School of The Hague (ISH) has finally arrived. This light, open, beautiful, multipurpose building was constructed on the existing campus, linking to the existing school, and houses our Reception to Year 4 classes.
Our Principal, Juliette van Eerdewijk, is deeply proud of the new wing, which embodies the school’s educational philosophy: we encourage our students to be lifelong learners who are curious, connected and compassionate.
“We wanted to create a light and spacious learning environment, bigger classrooms, and more light.”
Each age group was thought about individually: The early years classrooms, for example, were designed to facilitate a free-flow philosophy–seamlessly connecting the playground to classrooms and collaborative spaces.
More collaborative spaces have been created outside all classrooms. Though the classrooms themselves were designed to be more spacious, it was important to create flexible learning spaces so that the school can adapt to learning in this building for the next chapter in its history.
There were also specific spots created in which learning could occur more privately, for those students who come to our school who need more support with either the language or other aspects of the curriculum.
Great care was taken to choose colours to promote a calming environment for both teaching and learning. It was vital that both staff and students felt at ease in the space. For the staff a new staffroom was made, as well as offices and meeting rooms, in which there are more options to relax, socialize, and work individually or collaboratively.
Special features which will add to options available to students are the purpose-built kitchen, which can be incorporated in learning, and the impressive gym, which is much closer and more convenient for little legs.
The construction of such a large, and specific building never runs completely smoothly, and many lessons were learnt along the way. A project like this brings together people from so many different disciplines, each with their unique perspective. Finding what works both aesthetically and practically can be challenging, but a challenge which in this case was met with great success. This building was worth the wait.
