Mabuhay, Class of 2028! Welcome to High School at ISM!

I am Onur Gündoğdu, a physics teacher and former STEM Club advisor, now in my fifth year at ISM. I come from Türkiye, where East meets West both geographically and culturally. When I'm not solving physics problems or planning fun investigations for my students, I enjoy reading, movies, music, and one of the most amazing activities to do in the Philippines: scuba diving. I’m also a foodie who loves trying new flavors, whether on my travels or at home, where my talented wife, Chef Dany, experiments with new recipes.

I’m thrilled for the new adventures that await you in high school and to be your Grade Level Coordinator (GLC). I still remember how pleasantly surprised I was when I entered the Little Theater and lofthouse to see your AFC (Advocating for Change) presentations at the end of your Grade 8 year. You were all focused and motivated to advocate for change! Now, I encourage you to continue dreaming big during your high school years.

Your HS administrators, advisors, counselors, teachers, council, and I are here to support you in becoming the best version of yourselves, making a positive impact in our ISM community, and becoming changemakers within the Philippines and beyond.

ISM is globally one of the most unique and exciting places to be for a high school student. We have students and faculty from nearly 100 countries and almost 100 clubs, societies, sports teams, and councils. Turn your head in any direction, and you’ll find inspiring people with incredible skills, abilities, and experiences.

I’m excited to see how you and your batch will enrich our beautiful culture at ISM, and I can’t wait to experience the Grade 9 Retreat and Battle of the Bearcats with you soon.

Mr. Onur Gündoğdu

Grade 9 Level Coordinator

I am Bilal Khan, your friendly, neighborhood English teacher. I am incredibly excited to continue working with you as your Grade Level Coordinator (GLC) and to guide you through your sophomore year.

This year marks a significant step in your high school journey. As sophomores, you’ve already experienced the excitement and challenges of transitioning into high school, and now it’s time to build on that foundation. Sophomore year is when you will dive deeper into your academic interests, solidify friendships, and further discover who you are as a learner and a person. It’s a year of growth, exploration, and preparation for what lies ahead.

At ISM, we thrive on tradition, innovation, and holistic growth. This year, I encourage you to push your boundaries in the classroom and beyond. Whether through academics, extracurricular activities, or personal development, take every opportunity to grow and to continue contributing to our vibrant community.

In the spirit of embracing curiosity and self-discovery, let us come together as a class that values resilience, creativity, and diversity. The class of 2027 holds tremendous potential, and I am eager to witness all that you will achieve this year.

As we embark on this new chapter, I encourage you to stay open to the lessons high school has to offer, to seek out beauty in learning, and to embrace the growth that comes with challenge.

Welcome to your sophomore year! May it be filled with inspiration, development, and the pursuit of all things meaningful.

Please do not hesitate to reach out in person or by email (khanb@ismanila.org).

Here’s to a fantastic year ahead!

Mr. Bilal Khan

Grade 10 Grade Level Coordinator

Welcome, Class of 2025.

This is it, your senior year!

You’ve spent years building up to this moment. You’ve accumulated incredible experiences, gained insightful knowledge, developed skills and built a foundation that will help you succeed. Now, it is time to put these into action.

Although, as you are already finding out as you build up to something you have long awaited, the experience is often nothing like you expected. So, in your final year of high school, I urge you to embrace the unknown. There will be unexpected twists and turns along the way to walking the stage on graduation in May. These will help you become more resilient and prepared for life after school. Embrace them.

Remember, you will not be able to do it alone this year. Surround yourself with people who lift you up. Turning to trusted friends, family, counselors and teachers during times of difficulty is a sign of strength. Ask for help when you need it and celebrate successes with those who matter to you.

So, seniors, you are equipped for the journey ahead, embrace it with an open heart and look after those around you.

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Mr. Mike Kramer

High School Social Studies Teacher

Grade 12 Level Coordinator