At ICS, there is a phrase I hear often from parents: “We felt at home from the very beginning.” For some families, that feeling began even before the first day of school. Through the Parents’ Association transitions team, new families are introduced to others with children in similar grades, invited to welcome coffees, and embraced into conversations that ease uncertainty and build confidence. One parent shared how their children arrived on the first day excited instead of nervous, already knowing classmates and feeling they belonged.

That sense of belonging continues through the everyday rhythms of school life. Parent Clubs like book clubs, cooking classes, running, hiking, and baby and toddler groups create natural spaces for connection. Many parents, myself included, have found our closest friendships in these settings, without realising at first how deeply rooted those relationships would become. What begins as casual conversations over coffee or shared activities often grow into lasting friendships and vital support networks.

But the strength of this community truly shines in moments of challenge. On one hiking trip, a fellow parent and co-leader suffered a serious fall and was taken to hospital. Almost immediately, meals, flowers, messages, and practical help flowed towards her family, not because anyone asked, but because people cared. Offers of childcare, cleaning support, and grocery deliveries followed naturally. People simply showed up, and that instinctive compassion speaks volumes about who we are as a community.

Other families share similar experiences. One parent described arriving at ICS from the Swiss public school system with concerns about language transition and learning differences. Their child, who has dyslexia, was met with exceptional support, not only academically but emotionally, empowering them to become confident and happy at school. Another family spoke of being welcomed with open arms, saying that whenever challenges arose, they were addressed quickly and thoughtfully, helping them feel part of the school community from the very beginning.

What makes this community even more powerful is how these values ripple into our children. When a student struggled with mobility after an injury, classmates quietly stepped in to carry backpacks and help navigate stairs. These acts of kindness were not prompted or praised publicly. They simply happened. Community at ICS is lived, not just spoken about. It is modelled by adults and mirrored by children, showing up in classrooms, playgrounds, corridors, and homes.

This culture does not happen by chance. It grows through the partnership between a deeply caring school and all the parents who step forward every day, whether by serving on the Parents’ Association board, acting as class or grade parents, leading clubs, organising events, welcoming new families, or offering support quietly behind the scenes. Together, these efforts create the trust, connection, and belonging that families experience across the community.

The Power of Community at ICS is not found in any single event, but in what happens between them. It is what turns first conversations into friendships, uncertainty into belonging, and difficult moments into shared experiences. It is something families feel quickly, and something many carry with them long after the coffee cups are cleared and the events are over.

By Agnes Rugaard, PA Communications & Marketing