International School Ruhr is proudly situated in Germany’s growing energy capital, Essen, and is the Ruhr’s most established international school supporting international and local families seeking a high quality international education in the area.
We offer inquiry-based learning in all three sections of our school: Early Years, Primary Years and Secondary Years. Our school reflects the philosophy of our owners, the leading Swiss educational group SBW Haus des Lernens AG, which is aligned with the International baccalaureate inquiry methodology, as well as the concept of student agency and the importance of real life context for learning.
The International School Ruhr was proud to take part in the ECIS Leadership Conference 2025, held at the International School Stuttgart. Under the theme of “Human Flourishing,” the conference brought together educational leaders from across the globe to explore the evolving purpose of education in a rapidly changing world.
Over several days, participants engaged in thought-provoking sessions and meaningful dialogue around key topics including student agency, the ethical use of artificial intelligence, and well-being within school communities. As a newly affiliated ECIS member, IS Ruhr was particularly pleased to see how closely ECIS’s strategic direction aligns with our own mission, vision, and values. Several sessions stood out for their relevance and depth:
Beyond the formal programme, the conference also offered numerous opportunities for networking, collaboration, and the exchange of ideas. Informal conversations among colleagues from across Europe and beyond underscored the strength of the international school community and its shared commitment to educational excellence.
Participation in the ECIS Leadership Conference reaffirmed our belief in the power of collaborative, values-driven leadership. IS Ruhr looks forward to building on these insights and continuing to foster an environment in which both students, families and educators are empowered to thrive.
Giada, Yusu: What inspired you two to be actors, and has Karneval played a role in that decision?
Veronika: When I was a child I'd like to sing, dance and tell stories. So arts in generally played and still plays a very big role in my life. So it turned out naturally that I'm still working as a singer, actress and writer.
Karneval didn't play an important role but when I was young I was a « Funkemariechen » and danced during Karneval.
Victoria: I started acting when I was three to four years old in kindergarten and always knew it was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I'm sure the idea of wearing a costume and makeup to embody a character was one of the main reasons for this dream. Carnival itself wasn't an occasion back then because I had no idea about it.
Giada, Yusu: What are your favorite parts about the Karneval celebrations?
Victoria: My favorite Carnival events are the street parades and the parties with people from many different cultures.
Veronika: I like that the people are outside, having fun, everybody interacts with others.
Giada, Yusu: What have been your most memorable experiences as actors?
Veronika: The most memorable experience I remembered took place in Austria. I sang for the first time barock arias. After the concert an old lady came to me, she took my hand, kissed it, kneeled down and said: You sing like an angel. This moment touched me very much.
Victoria: This is a difficult question, because as humans, we have most of our memories having to do with stressful situations. I remember, for example, how once, during the first act, the stage lights suddenly went out, except for a small spark in one corner of the stage. Well, for the rest of the play we, the actors, had to huddle in that corner so that we could be seen by the audience. It was quite frightening, but also exciting.
Giada, Yusu: What do you think makes Karneval special compared to other celebrations?
Victoria: Well, since Carnival is all about dressing up, that's obviously the most important and fun part of it. The costumes make the difference.
Veronika: The costumes are very special and by the way Karneval is the most humorous celebration.
Giada, Yusu: Do you have any favorite memories from a Karneval celebration or any favorite costumes?
Veronika: For four years I have been the art director of an ensemble of 17 Women. I worked with them several month on a Karneval show that took place at Weiber-Fastnacht. These shows with the women are my favourite memories. Everybody could be what she wanted to be.
Victoria: My most unforgettable memory was from 2 years ago when I dressed up as The Tramp. Most kids thought I was portraying the most evil dictator of the 20th century because of the mustache and because they didn't know Charly Chaplin. Then I saw the need for education that conveys cultural assets from all times. So that day I saw a Charly Chaplin film with the children and told them who he was.
In anticipation of our upcoming IS Ruhr Unplugged event on 5 December, two of our Grade 11 CAS students, Masha and Yu Su, sat down with Jayce and Naveh from Grade 8, who will be lighting up the dance floor that evening. In this interview, they share insights into their preparation, the passion behind their routines, and what inspires them to dance. Alongside the interview, we're thrilled to showcase a 
