BSB's BIRTHDAY ! The British School of Brussels celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2020.

Irrespective of whether you are a recent recruit to BSB, or a student, an alumni or indeed a member of staff or parent from when the school first opened, we all know that BSB is a remarkable school at the heart of a dynamic and supportive community.

A recent visitor to BSB commented on the ‘tangible harmony’ evident throughout the whole school. She is not alone in recognising the sense of togetherness; I could feel it when I first visited BSB and parents, children and visitors are drawn to this and in turn contribute to our strong ethos and ongoing sense of family.

The reasons for BSB’s ongoing success are many, complex and subtle. I believe that what is a special feature of BSB is our long standing commitment to our founding principles. We have a strong collective memory and an equally strong sense of shared values to which we abide; these have been passed on from generation to generation. I am confident that the continuity of inclusive and liberal values will carry us forward to future success.

In the first prospectus of the school it says: ‘The school offers education directed towards the formation of well-balanced, self-disciplined, creative and responsible persons with a sense of good citizenship. It unfolds against a background in which rights do not receive a greater emphasis than duties and rests on a basis of respect of individulas one for anther. It aims at true balance in education, recognising the importance of the children’s intellectual, creative, emotional, physical and social needs, and that some of those needs will suffer if any one is emphasised at the expense of others.’

" Almost five decades later our whole community contributed to our Guiding Statements which reads:

BSB is an inclusive international learning community, working together and inspiring success.

Our aim is to be an educational force for good by:

• Developing confident, caring and courageous people who engage actively, ethically and purposefully with the world around us
• Fostering curious, resilient learners who enjoy life and achieve the best that they can
• Encouraging respect for self, others and the wider world.

These would have been recognised by our pioneers in 1970 and indeed our community in the 80s, 90s and 2000s. They are what underpin our daily lives together, our care for one another and give meaning to our successes and achievements.

Each of us will have our own personal recollections of BSB; collectively these memories have contributed to the remarkable story of BSB – a story into which readers can get a glimpse in our special anniversary edition of Tapestry Magazine.