Peace, Justice, and the Power of Words As the world reels from the violent death of Charlie Kirk, I reflect on what it truly means to be a “peacemaker.” Words may not cause violence, yet they can seed division and hate. Drawing on the UN’s vision for peaceful, inclusive societies and the International Baccalaureate’s mission of intercultural understanding, I explore how listening, empathy, and education can help us move beyond polarisation.
Category: teaching
Women leading change in education; empowering women in education to lead with confidence, challenge barriers, and drive change. International Schools Podcast
https://www.theinternationalschoolspodcast.com/e/159-women-leading-change-in-education/ Listen here Liz Free CEO International School RheitnalCo-Strategic Lead Europe WomenEdVivienne Porritt OBECo-founder Global Strategic Leader #WomenEdNancy SquicciariniHead of the Middle Leader Certificate for ECIS Co-Strategic Lead Europe WomenEdAbout Liz FreeLiz Free is a co-founder of #WomenEd Nederlands and Strategic Leader for #WomenEd Europe. Liz has been a teacher and head teacher in some of the world’s… Continue reading Women leading change in education; empowering women in education to lead with confidence, challenge barriers, and drive change. International Schools Podcast
Creating Futures in Uncertain Times – Graduation Address 2025
Liz Free Photograph by G Alcalá @ISRheintal Good afternoon students, families, staff, board members, alumni and friends of ISR. Every year, this moment arrives, and every year it feels uniquely powerful. Today, I look at you, our Class of 2025, and I am filled with pride, warmth, and profound hope. This is not just a… Continue reading Creating Futures in Uncertain Times – Graduation Address 2025
Founder’s Day: Honouring All That Has Gone Before
ISR Founder's Day March 2023 It is exciting times at the school and community that I have the privilege to lead. We are about to move to a beautiful ecologically thoughtfully designed new campus in the summer. At periods of transition, we are invited to reflect and take stock, whilst also thinking about our aspirations… Continue reading Founder’s Day: Honouring All That Has Gone Before
Welcoming Students Who are Displaced in Your Community: Traveling to Switzerland
I was delighted to work with the inspiring Nilmini Ratwatte Henstridge (@NRatwatte) to consider how we can best support displaced students in the international school community. Having experienced displacement in her own life, her insights and reflections are so pertinent valuable for us all.Please listen away and also read Nilmini's piece. https://youtu.be/9mIz08kRPf4 https://www.schoolrubric.org/welcoming-students-who-are-displaced-in-your-community-traveling-to-switzerland/
Address to the ISR Graduates 2022
1st June 2022 70 years ago tomorrow, Queen Elizabeth of the United Kingdom, became Queen. She made this commitment on her coronation day: ‘I have in sincerity pledged myself to your service, as so many of you are pledged to mine. Throughout all my life and with all my heart I shall strive to be… Continue reading Address to the ISR Graduates 2022
How to harness the power in school leadership
you've always had the power my dear you just had to learn it for yourself…
I’m 33rd in the world!
Apart from quite liking the appearance of the number 33, I now am properly branded 33 (not in age unfortunately!). Today, I unexpectedly received an email from ISC Research informing me that I am officially one of the top influencers of 2021 within international education; I am 33rd. ISC Research, the leading provider of English-medium… Continue reading I’m 33rd in the world!
Wellbeing Around the World: Focusing on what matters
n the latest article in our Wellbeing Around the World series, we chat to Liz Free, CEO and director at International School Rheintal (ISR) in Switzerland, an IB World School, about how she made improving staff wellbeing a key focus when she took on her role and the initiatives she introduced to deliver on this aim.
How to ensure your job application leaps off the page
Having just sifted through 146 applications for two jobs, this headteacher offers advice to candidates to ensure they don't fall at the first hurdle in the job hunt (published TES 6th December 2021) We recently advertised for two newly created head of school positions at my school. We received 146 applications. What was so striking… Continue reading How to ensure your job application leaps off the page
