February 11, 2026 - Secondary School Principal Blog
Mr Mike Simpson
Dear Secondary School Families,
| It is good to be bored! |
As part of our ongoing efforts to reduce phone use and support student wellbeing, we encourage our students to use the upcoming break as an opportunity to step away from their devices and rediscover the value of being bored.
This week, in a High School assembly, we shared this video with Harvard happiness researcher Arthur C. Brooks (click on the picture to watch the video):
Brooks explains that moments without digital distraction allow a part of the brain known as the default mode network to activate - a pattern of thinking linked with deeper reflection, creativity, and meaning-making that simply doesn’t happen when we’re constantly staring at screens.
Brooks argues that constantly avoiding boredom by reaching for our phones can shut down this crucial mental process and contribute to increased anxiety and a sense of emptiness.
Embracing boredom - for example by enjoying walks without music, meals without screens, or quiet time without notifications - can help students reset, tap into deeper thinking, and return from break feeling more present, creative, and ready to learn.
I hope you all have an enjoyable and peaceful break and you are sometimes a bit bored!
Kind Regards,
Mr. Mike Simpson
Secondary School Principal
| 👨🎓 Graduation in sight for our seniors |
We are very proud of our Seniors, and we are 100% behind them as they complete their internal assessment requirements and begin preparing for final examinations.
Our Seniors continue to be offered places at some very prestigious institutions. We are excited to celebrate these achievements with our community, so look out for more information from our communications team in the coming weeks.
Roll on Graduation!
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🗞 University Admissions: Insider Tips Tuesdays | 6:00 PM | 💻 ONLINE: Zoom Link |
Thank you to those of you who attended our online Junior University Night. This provided a more advanced introduction to the university admissions process and will now be followed by weekly workshops that focus on a specific part of the world (e.g., Europe) or discipline (e.g., Engineering).
The first workshop will be on Tuesday, February 24. These workshops will also be online from 6:00pm to 7:00pm. See below for a schedule of upcoming workshops.
| 🏅 Sports at ISY: Personalized pathways to excellence |
Join us for the Invitational Swim Meet on Friday, February 20 and be part of an exciting day in the pool. Set in our world class swimming facility, this meet brings together determination, and teamwork, as our athletes race with confidence and focus.
✨ What’s On:
