NEWS & STORIES
International School of Düsseldorf
11-YEAR-OLD INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF DÜSSELDORF STUDENTS COMBINE THEIR PASSION FOR FOOTBALL WITH FUNDRAISING FOR UKRAINE
On 6 May 2022 two ISD fifth-grade students, Ian and Philip, invited five dozen guests, classmates, families, teachers, and school leadership to the final Fortuna Düsseldorf homegame of the season, Fortuna-Darmstadt. But for the youngsters, this was more than just a football match. It was the focus of their grade 5 “Passion Project” and a chance to raise money for a worthy cause.
At ISD, grade 5 is the final year of elementary school. In preparation for their journey across the road to the senior school, grade 5 students take part in the grade 5 ‘exhibition’, a six weeks’ long project where students identify a passion, explore it following a prescribed project plan, and choose the way in which they will share their learning journey with peers, parents, and teachers. Throughout the process, teachers and mentors guide and deepen the students’ understanding.
It was the boys’ own idea to explore football for their exhibition project. “When our son chose football for his passion project, we were hesitant at first, but decided to run with it”, says one of the fathers. Together the two youngsters mapped out the various stages of the project - how to raise money by collecting empty cups, designing and making posters, inviting guests, organising a group ticket (of which a portion also went to a Ukrainian project), and even arranging to meet with their favourite player, Axel Bellinghausen. Their initial idea soon developed exponentially, and its true
potential emerged.
Back to the afternoon of 6 May, and excitement is in the air. Large crowds move towards the stadium entrances, stopping briefly for a beer, a sausage, or a giant pretzel, before making a beeline for their seats. Accomplished hosts, Ian and Philip welcome everyone with wide smiles and welcoming gestures.
At half time, Fortuna is ahead. Philip, Ian, and their friends grab their posters and disperse into the crowd, melting hearts with their message: Please give us your empty cups, the money we earn will go to Ukrainian students like us! Their collection of empty cups grows quickly, and gains momentum during the second half as Fortuna moves from strength to strength.
The final whistle brings elation - not just to the ranks of Düsseldorf supporters, but also to our two eleven-year-olds as, with shining eyes, they assess the towers of cups collected and make a mental tally of the money collected for Ukrainian students - over €1000!
Frank Tschan, ISD’s Director, can no longer hide his pride:
Our school community truly lived up to our vision, supporting these young students’ journey beyond where they thought they could go.
Congratulations, Ian and Philip. If this was a rite of passage, you are truly ready for Senior School!