Career Counsellor

The first career event of the schoolyear 2023-24 was the career day on the 6^th of October. This event was held for the exam classes DP2/6VWO/6TTO and 5 HAVO. The morning kicked off in the auditorium with an assembly in which 3 staff members were interviewed on their career path. Why and how did their career change and how did they make informed decisions? Following this first session, students joined two workshops. The workshops ranged from topics such as “court experience” to “what is it like to work in healthcare”. For some the event kickstarted thinking about what type of career they would envision for themselves; for others it was a moment to start their university application process and take a first step towards their future after graduating in May 2024.

In November DP1 parents and students came to school for the career information evening in which they engaged in a panel Q&A with ISRLO alumni. It was a joy to listen to them reflecting on their study experiences and the choices they’ve made. At the same time, it was a great opportunity to get informed about what studying in the UK and the Netherlands can be like. I look forward to the individual career meetings with the DP1 students starting in February. These meetings are a great opportunity for the students to show what they are interested in and where they see themselves in the future.

MP5 students were introduced to different educational paths in the career afternoon at the end of November. It was a great opportunity for current DP1 students and ISRLO alumni to inform MP5 about their DP, CP or MBO subjects. The event continued online in the evening with another group of alumni joining us from around the world. Alumni in Japan, the UK and Groningen informed us about their current careers and choices.

ISRLO students, whether continuing their studies in the Netherlands or abroad, learn skills that prepare them well for higher education. The connection laid between current and former students illustrates this in a lively manner.

Special gratitude to Mrs. Mita Ashcroft for her work on this first edition of the ISRLO Winter Newsletter. Enjoy reading!

I wish you and your family a relaxing holiday and I look forward to 2024.

Anne Lamers,
Career Counsellor

Friday 6 October – DP2/TTO6/VWO6/HAVO5 Career Day

This successful joint venture with both the Dutch and International School has been running for several years and receives continuous support from parents and organisations. The aim of Careers Day is to prepare students for the next chapter of their career for life after Rijnlands by offering them 2 workshops to attend to gather information and advice from professionals from various organisations to prepare them in their decision making.

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Thursday 23 November – DP1 student and Parent Information Evening

Taking the leap from completing the MYP Programme to the Diploma Programme is considerable and DP1 students are now realising the importance of planning and completing the work on each of their subjects. Also, students are encouraged to start to think about their future career path whether it is to go on to further education, take a gap year or into employment. To support the students in their decision making, a Career Information evening took place to provide students and parents with the opportunity to receive advice, information and guidance from Ms. Lamers, Careers Counsellor and from a panel of former ISRLO alumni and DP2 students who gave their experience of being a DP2 student, how they chose their career path and what the advice they wished they had been given!

Thursday 30 November – MP5 Careers Afternoon – DP1 Careers Fair

Before considering which subjects to take for the IB Diploma Programme, the Careers Counsellor, Anne Lamers organised an afternoon event for all MP5 students to talk to DP1 students to gain a clearer and more honest understanding of the Higher Level (HL) and Standard Level (SL) subjects and content. The DP1 students were able to offer advice to MP5 students who were unsure of which subjects to take at Diploma Level. Ms. Lamers also invited former students who had decided to take the IB CP Programme at the ISH. To talk through the expectations of the CP curriculum and an alumnus who is now at Middelbaar Beroeps Onderwijs (MBO) Rijnland after successfully completing MP4 at ISRLO. The afternoon was completed with presentations from Diploma subject teachers of Maths, Environmental Systems and Societies (ESS) and the Self-taught Language Coordinator.

Forthcoming Events for 2024

15 – 19 January 2023: Closing week for all year levels. This is the last school closing week for DP2 students.

23 January – DP1/WVO/TTO/HAVO Careers Day: This day gives all students the opportunity to find about further education/employment/gap ear/volunteering/applying to UK Universities from interactive workshops from professionals from various organisations.

26 January – Morrisby Psychometric Testing: MP5 students together with DP1 students who joined the school in September 2023 will complete Morrisby Psychometric Tests online which will then be followed up with an interview with an independent Morrisby consultant.  Students will have access to these reports and should use them in DP1 & DP2 to make choices regarding their future career path.

08-15 March  – DP2 Mock exams: DP2 students will undergo a full rehearsal of their May exams. This week will feel intense but will help to establish clear expectations for what lies ahead.

10-15 March  – DP1 trip to Czech Republic: An established part of the DP experience at ISRLO – we look forward to another enjoyable week in the Czech Republic!

11 – 15 March – World of Work Week (WoWW): MP5 students will spend 4 days at an organisation they have chosen to undertake a work experience placement.