Christmas Week 2021: Ho Ho Ho!

The spirit of ‘Christmas Week’ has glowed brightly this year at ISM.

Ian Storey, Head of Krylatskoe Upper Campus, on this year's event:

The spirit of 'Christmas Week' has glowed brightly on the Upper Campus, with students and staff donning festive jumpers and hats as they tucked into their traditional Christmas lunch with all the trimmings on Monday 13th December.

Class parties in Upper Primary included good old-fashioned games like pass-the-parcel and musical chairs as well as buffets of tasty snacks from around the world. Secondary students shared breakfast together in their form groups as they sang along to Christmas hits.

The gift of giving has been prevalent throughout the build-up to Christmas on the Upper Campus, with classes engaging in Secret Santa by exchanging presents with one another. The laughs and smiles on students' faces were an incredible sight as they unwrapped their mystery gifts.

Live music could be heard across the corridors around the campus thanks to daily performances by students and our own staff house band led by Mr Langford with Mr Nolan on lead vocals. On Wednesday, the week of celebrations came to a close with a wonderful concert, streamed live to families across Moscow and further afield.

From everyone on the Upper Campus, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Chris Charlton, Head of Rosinka Campuses, on this year's event:

It is the greatest time of the year, and students across ISM Rosinka have been singing, dancing and enjoying many exciting events. Christmas started early on campus, with the 'Christmas Post Box' being the starting point for the festive period, with students being able to send cards to friends and teachers across the school.

The ISM Rosinka Christmas Concert was the main highlight of the month. Over 270 students took part from across Nursery to Year Six. It was the best virtual concert we have ever delivered, a huge thank you to the whole Music Team for their wonderful effort.

'Christmas Week' was once again full of colour, Christmas jumpers, food, music, and even a special visit from Santa Claus, The Snowman, The Elf and The Christmas Tree. The students and staff at ISM Rosinka would like to wish the whole ISM community a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Justin Noack, Head of Krylatskoe Lower Campus, on this year's event:

Christmas on Lower Campus has been a joyous occasion, full of all the seasonal hustle and bustle that comes with this special time of year.

As always, the celebrations kicked off with children decorating their own classrooms and the Campus Christmas tree, which is now suitably decked with tufts of snow to accompany the children's baubles. Throughout December, the school halls have regularly been ringing out with the sound of cheerful voices singing Christmas Carols as the children prepared for their virtual Christmas Concert.

Amidst all the fun and celebrations, the children have found the time to reach out to those less fortunate as well. Our Lower Campus 'Giving Tree' now features a veritable ocean of gifts for some of Moscow's disadvantaged young orphans. They will undoubtedly take cheer in the generous gifts of warm clothing, toys, and sweets that await them on New Year's Eve.

Having established themselves firmly on Santa's 'nice' list all year long, ISM's children enjoyed a final treat of a visit from Santa Claus himself on the final Tuesday. Gingerbread treats and toys awaited the children as parents watched on via a live link. Joyful class party celebrations underlined the happy atmosphere.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to our ISM family members, one and all!