Season 3

• Registration: 9 to 15 March
• Group confirmation: Week of 16 March
• Season 3: 23 March to 12 June

Registration for Panthers athletic teams and ECAs is only done online, and information about available activities and timings can be found on our school's website. The registration platform for Panthers athletics and ECAs is called SchoolsBuddy and you access SchoolsBuddy through iSAMS. You need to register while using iSAMS on your browser; registration is not possible while using the iSAMS app.

SchoolsBuddy:

1. How signup works

• This signup requires you to make choices and submit these choices to the school for your activities for this period. The school will then allocate activities based upon your selections and the group's size.

• There may be options for each day. Only select options for a day if you want to take part in an activity for that day.

• Once you have selected your choices, please click REVIEW & CONFIRM to see an overview of your preferences before clicking the COMPLETE AND SEND ALL TO SCHOOL button.

• After you have sent your choices to the school you will not be able to edit them.

2. Make choices

• Preference selections are limited to Weekly.

• WEEKLY: Select up to 5 top preferences for the week. Make your first choice 'preference1', your second choice 'preference2' and so on. You may only select ONE 'preference1', 'preference2', 'preference3', etc across the week. The system will not let you select P1 twice in the week. To change your P1 choice first untick the current P1 choice.

• When complete, move onto the next day.

3. Submit to school

• To save your preferences to complete later choose SAVE FOR LATER. If you want to review all of your choices click REVIEW & CONFIRM.

• If during review you want to SUBMIT your choices to the school click on COMPLETE AND SEND ALL TO SCHOOL button. You will need to agree to terms & conditions set by the school.

4. Await allocation

• When the signup period closes, school staff will begin the task of allocating students their preferred choices where possible. Following allocation you will receive an email notifying you of your allocated activities. You can then use SchoolsBuddy to view all of these activities in your SchoolsBuddy diary.

Join Requests

After the allocation, parents will be notified through SchoolsBuddy of the confirmed ECAs for their child(ren). “Join requests” will then open, allowing parents to see the remaining spots available for ECAs. The join requests go directly to the ECA leader who accepts the join requests (based on any open spots) in the order they were received.

Our ECA programme can be categorised as follows:

Arts and Performance: Promoting visual, auditory and movement expression. Originality, collaboration and perseverance and important skills here. Examples on offer include BBIS Co-Curricular Instrumental Music Programme, the Berlin International Music Project, Musical Mania, Choir, Orchestra, music ensembles, rock band, dance, Drama Production and more.

Create and Innovate: Encouraging students to unleash curiosity, generating new possibilities and alternative ideas. Students are encouraged to be original and adaptable and to improvise working with a range of materials and contexts. Examples on offer include coding, calligraphy, Lego, Minecraft, Art around the World, Python Beginners, Robotics, STEM, gardening and more.

Mind Matters: Requires students to inquire, question, make connections and extend their understanding. Students focus on problem solving, analysis and evaluation in a variety of different settings with age-appropriate support. Examples on offer include Chess, Math Club, Board games and more.

Wellness for Life: Develops an understanding of the relationship between a healthy body and a healthy mind. The value of self-discipline, awareness and confidence are important aspects of these activities as students pay attention to their bodies and minds and the connections between them. Examples on offer include rock climbing/bouldering, yoga, recreational sport, karate and more.

Lead and Learn: Communicating and leading through collaboration in diverse settings. Students assume shared responsibility and resolve issues whilst working with others. Flexibility, adaptability and cooperation are required here to develop trust and influence as a leader. Examples include: MUN, United World Schools, Green Team, Student Athletic Council, Student Council, Gender and Sexuality Alliance, The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award and more.

Representative Sport: BBIS belongs to the German International Schools Sports Tournaments and the European Sports Conference. Participation in representative sport promotes confidence, resilience and commitment throughout a wide variety of competitive environments. Commitment, dedication, responsibility and sportsmanship are cornerstones of our programme and essential components of sport. Examples of opportunities for our Under 14, Junior Varsity and Varsity teams include football, basketball, volleyball, badminton, track and field, swimming, cross country, table tennis and tennis.

The ECA programme is conducted during lunchtime and after school hours. The schedule varies based on the activity.

Lunchtime ECAs: Secondary; held anytime within 11:05-11:55.
After school ECAs: Primary Grades 1-5; 15:00-16:25. There are no ECAs for EE students until Season 3.
After school ECAs: Secondary; starting at 15:00 and ending from 16:15 or depending on the activity until 17:30 (coaches will confirm this).

Open communication is essential for a successful extra-curricular experience. Please keep your contact information updated, and regularly check emails, newsletters, and the school's online platforms for updates and announcements related to the programme.

We encourage parents to engage in meaningful conversations with the ECA leaders to stay informed about their child's progress.

If you have a comment or concern, please direct your comment/concern to the ECA leader or the Activities Coordinator directly. For any questions regarding a specific ECA, please contact the ECA leader directly.

Regular attendance is crucial for the benefit of your child and the success of the programme. If your child cannot attend a session, please notify the ECA leader in advance. Consistent participation helps your child develop skills, build friendships, and contribute to the overall team or group dynamic. Once selected, attendance is a requirement for those taking part in BBIS representative teams and school performances such as The Prom and BIMP.

We expect all students to uphold high standards of behaviour during the extra-curricular activities. Respect, inclusivity, and responsibility are paramount. School behaviour rules apply to all ECAs and athletics at BBIS. There is a separate Student Athlete Code of Conduct that all student athletes and their parents must sign prior to the start of an athletic team at BBIS.

Any violations of the code of conduct will be addressed promptly, and appropriate consequences will be applied. Good people make good athletes!

Your child's safety is our primary concern. We maintain good practice and safety measures during all activities. Our staff and instructors are trained to provide supervision and handle emergencies effectively. Only students who are registered in after school ECAs are permitted to remain on campus after 15:00. After a student’s ECA ends, they are to promptly leave campus and return home.

Primary students that finish an afternoon ECA at 16:15 and if taking the late bus will be escorted by their ECA leader and directly supervised by their ECA leader until the late bus departs promptly at 16:30.

Students are not allowed to remain on campus after school and watch their friends’ ECAs. This includes the sports hall, students are not allowed to be in the balcony/bleachers to watch sport practices/ECAs after school.

Participation in the ECA programme may have associated fees. Please refer to the ECA details during registration for specific fee information.

External paid ECAs must be paid in advance, directly to the ECA leaders.

Internal free ECAs do not have a fee.

Internal paid ECAs have a fee, and the fee is listed in the ECA description. There is a two week trial period for internal paid ECAs and this two week trial ends on the Friday of the second week of the ECA term. All cancellations must go through SchoolsBuddy no later than the Friday of the second week of the ECA term. Please note that direct e-mails from parents/guardians to the ECA leaders, school secretaries, finance office, and/or Activities Coordinator are not accepted for cancellation. ECA Cancellations must be made through SchoolsBuddy.

Term 1 ECA: One ECA costs 100 euros

Beginning on Monday of the third week of the ECA term, the BBIS finance office will begin issuing invoices for the term’s ECAs.

Any families with overdue payments to BBIS will not have their ECAs allocated until all payments have been received by the accounting office.

Any families with overdue payments to BBIS external ECA providers will not have their ECAs allocated until all payments have been received by the external providers.

For students that require transportation home in the afternoon, there is a late bus service for Berlin and Potsdam that departs behind House 3 at 16:30 during all ECA terms.

Please note that the late bus only operates in ECA weeks. The late bus is a free service that is covered by the ECA programme.

PotsdamBus transport services follow established safety protocols, and designated drop-off points are provided. Please note that the drop off points for the ECA Late Bus differ for the regulat school transport.

Any questions about PotsdamBus GmbH service:

+49 (0)3 32 03 - 88 49 25
info@potsdambus.de

Late bus schedule schedule

For any secondary school ECAs that end later than 16:25, students are responsible for their own transportation home.

If your child has any medical conditions, allergies, or specific needs, please inform the ECA leader in advance. We strive to provide a supportive environment for all participants.

I am having trouble with my registration. Can you register my children for me?

No. Please e-mail support.schoolplatforms@bbis.de. He is our tech support for ECA registration. Please try Google Chrome while registering. This is the recommendation from Elvis.

We really enjoyed (insert name) ECA last term. We didn’t see it listed online in SchoolsBuddy. Will it be offered this term?

If you don’t see the ECA, then it is not being offered this term. Some teachers and staff prefer to vary the ECAs that they offer.

I really am interested in (insert name) ECA this term. I have a few questions about it.

Please e-mail the staff member who is offering the ECA. They are the best and most complete resource for the ECA that they offer.

Why are the sports different for each term?

We follow the competition schedule for our conferences when we schedule Panther Athletics during the year. After the conference competitions are over, we are preparing for the next round of sports. We do not have the space, time and/or coaches to offer every sport for every term. If your child wants to participate in a year-round sport, joining a Berlin or Brandenburg sport club might be a good option for your child.

If we want to continue the same ECAs from one term to the next, do we need to sign up again?

Yes.

If we were in an ECA for a term and don’t want to continue, do we need to cancel?

No. Registration starts over for each term.

I am locked out of iSAMS.

E-mail support.schoolplatforms@bbis.de. He is our tech support.

I have questions about my student’s ECAs.

E-mail the ECA leader.

What is an internal ECA?

An internal ECA is run by BBIS staff and any applicable fees are billed directly from BBIS to the families.

What is an external ECA?

An external ECA is run by a non-BBIS staff member. The external ECAs have different fees and payment procedures.

We want to quit an external ECA.

1. Please contact the ECA leader directly.

2. You still may be responsible for the fees, depending when you cancelled.

3. Do not contact the Activities Coordinator; the ECA leader is your point of contact.

We want to quit an internal ECA.

In the first two weeks, you can withdraw free of charge. Cancel directly through SchoolsBuddy to withdraw. After the third week, you will be charged the ECA fees.

We are in the primary school and we did not receive any messages about our ECA in ManageBac.

Correct. The ECA programme does not use ManageBac. The ECA programme uses the iSAMS Parent Portal. The communications from the ECA leaders include payment information.

I have a question/comment/suggestion for the ECA programme. Is a parent chat group the best place for this discussion?

No. Please use this form https://forms.gle/GmJ6LpUR7DCpQ6R3A for all Athletics and ECA communication for the Athletic Director/Activities Coordinator. Using this form allows for our team to have access to all the questions, comments and suggestions--allowing for better organisation/assistance and ensuring correct information is given out.

We have signed up for Prime Youth, Pottery and Sculpting, or a different external ECA. Do we have to pay for the ECA in advance of it starting each term?

Yes. The external ECA providers have a different payment schedule.

My child is sick and will not attend the ECA today/tomorrow. Who should I e-mail?

If your child is sick, e-mail the ECA leader directly. Please do not e-mail the Activities Coordinator.

Here is a brief description of some of the ECA’s that are on offer during Season 2. Further details including days and costs is included on the BBIS registration platform, SchoolsBuddy

Primary After School ECA

• Pottery (Tuesday and Wednesday Grades 1-12)
  In this ECA, students will learn how to work with the medium of clay. They will learn how to make vessels/sculptures using their hands. They can feel free to use their imagination and creativity to make clay works, vessels and abstract forms. Also, the first few sessions they will be taught how to use the sculpting tools and how to tackle the problems associated with clay. We will use different types and colours of clay as well as applying glaze to colour the sculptures.

• Lego (Friday Grades 2-4)
  

  In this popular STEM ECA, students will work with LEGO® WeDo and SPIKE™ Essentials robotics kits to build, program, and present working robots that represent real-world solutions. Each session includes guided instruction, hands-on building, and simple coding, helping students develop problem-solving, collaboration, and logical thinking skills in a structured environment.

• Prime Youth: Dance, Music and Theatre (Monday Grades 2-4)
  Lydia is a performance artist and will lead a fun-filled creative movement lesson exploring singing, acting and dancing! Sessions will consist of learning the basics of choreography, voice-control and getting into character! The program aims to build confidence in the students while giving them a space to express themselves and have fun!

• Prime Youth: Chess Club (Monday Grades 1-5)
  

  Our sessions are tailored to cater to all skill levels, from beginners to advanced players. Through interactive lessons, fun puzzles, and friendly matches, children will develop critical thinking skills, strategic planning abilities, and enhance their concentration—all while having a blast!

• Prime Youth: Multisports - Football, Basketball (Thursday Grades 4-5)
  This Multisport programme offers sessions in ball sports such as; basketball, and football. The focus is on building strong fundamental movement skills and body awareness, in an engaging and enjoyable training environment.

• Prime Youth: Multisports - Football & Hockey (Monday and Friday Grades 1-3)
  Alternating days of Football and Floor Hockey. The focus is on building strong fundamental movement skills and body awareness, in an engaging and enjoyable training environment. Days will be filled with learning basic skills of the game from experienced and passionate coaches. The main goal of this activity is to allow kids to enjoy developing their fundamental movement skills in different engaging environments
  

• Prime Youth: Football Club (Friday Grades 2 - 5)
  Friday is for tournament-style football. Coach Felipe fosters a competitive yet supportive environment with the goal of building confidence, teamwork, and a love for the game through structured match play.

• Prime Youth: Organic Arts (Grades 1-3)
  

  Children will explore ideas for inventing their own art supplies and using nature as a source. These tools will then be used to draw, paint, decorate, and craft figures & accessories. Together, we will discover what nature has to offer from colors and textures, and what can be recycled and used to make wonderful creations. With some experimentation and an understanding that fun is fundamental to learning, this ECA will increase their appreciation for the arts, crafts, and natural landscape.

• Prime Youth: Garden Lab (Grades 3 - 5)
  Growing Green: Terrariums, Hydroponics & Floral Design Students cultivate both plants and patience through weekly hands-on projects - building self-sustaining terrariums, experimenting with hydroponic systems, and creating seasonal floral arrangements while learning plant biology and sustainable growing practices. Each child takes home living creations that grow with them, fostering responsibility and connecting them to the natural world in tangible, beautiful ways.

• Prime Youth Young Chef (Early Education 5 - Grade 6)
  Essential life skills through hands-on cooking with the focus - learning proper knife techniques, ingredient preparation, kitchen organization, and food safety while exploring diverse flavors and recipes from around the world. Students each session builds confidence and independence as young chefs create dishes they can proudly share at home.

• Musical Theatre (Monday, Thursday and Friday Grades 2 - 10)
  Organised into three groups, Grades 2-3 Friday, Grades 4-5 Monday and Grades 6-10 Thursday. Under the guidance of Mr. Lawrence Rush, we will meet once a week to either learn and stage an original one act musical or perform scenes and songs from Broadway shows (depending on how many registrations we have) with a performance at the end of the session for your friends and family!

• Co-Curricular Music Programme - External Instructor ECA Music classes
  All one to one, instrument classes are scheduled directly with each teacher, subject to availability between 3pm and 8pm on school days. No experience required and all levels welcomed. Instruments are either provided or rentals can be arraigned for students. Instrument classes available include: Drums, Bass, Guitar, Piano, Voice, Trumpet, Saxophone, Clarinet, Violin, Viola and Cello. Please click here for further details.
  

  Please note: These classes have different hours and prices then other ECA's. Please contact Joe Smith, the Co-Curricular Music Coordinator for more information and to sign up at: joe.smith@bbis.de

Here is a brief description of some of the ECA’s that are on offer during Season 2. Further details including days and costs is included on the BBIS registration platform, SchoolsBuddy

Secondary lunch time ECA

• DofE (Week B Monday, Grades 9-12)
  An outdoor educational programme. A life-changing experience. A fun time with friends. An opportunity to discover new interests and talents. A tool to develop essential skills for life and work. A recognised mark of achievement; respected by employers. The DofE is many things to many people, supporting participants to successfully navigate adult life. Any young person can do their DoE – regardless of ability, gender or background. Achieving an Award isn’t a competition or about being first. It’s all about setting personal challenges and pushing personal boundaries.
  
  14-24 year-olds can do a DofE program at one of three progressive levels which, when successfully completed, leads to a Bronze (14+ years old), Silver (15+ years old) or Gold (16+ years old) Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. There are four sections to complete at Bronze and Silver level and five at Gold. They involve helping the community/environment, becoming fitter, developing new skills, planning, training for and completing an expedition and, for Gold only, working with a team on a residential activity.

• BBIS Secondary Orchestra (Monday Grades 6-12)
  We are delighted to continue our orchestra program with great success. Participants not only learn a diverse repertoire, instrumental techniques, and artistic expression, but they also build lasting friendships across grade levels.
• BBIS Secondary Choir (Thursday Grades 6-12)
  After many successful years, we are excited to continue our choral program! Participants not only learn a diverse repertoire, vocal techniques, and artistic expression, but also form a special community and make new friends across grade levels.

• Green team (Thursday Grades 6-12)
  Green Team is a club committed to reducing BBIS' impact on the environment. Students interested in sustainable projects at BBIS and in collaboration with other international schools in Berlin work together to make our school community more sustainable. We meet in room 5337. Students can also use their Green Team participation for their CAS portfolio.

• GSA (Friday Grades 6-12)
  

  The SJC raises awareness about social issues such as the ones described in their zines. We organise events, volunteer, and discuss racial and social justice issues at BBIS and with other international schools around the globe. Join us, Tuesdays in room 3210 (MPR), to take action and be an activist. All students in Grade 6-12 are invited to attend!

• IRIS Book Club (Tuesday Grades 6-12)
  

  Read and discuss the 12 books on the IRIS MYP Novels list. Vote for your favourite title that you believe deserves to win the 2026 Iris Book Award.

• MUN (Friday Grades 7-12)
  Model United Nations, also known as MUN, is a student-led extra-curricular activity. Students roleplay delegates to the United Nations and simulate UN committees. It is an opportunity for students to learn more about diplomacy, international relations and the United Nations, and to develop practical skills in research, debate and conflict resolution. In previous years, students had the opportunity to attend at least one local Berlin conference BerMUN at JFK School and one MUN conference in another country. The most popular annual trip was to New York, including an excursion to the United Nations itself. Our MUN club is open to enthusiastic and committed students from grade 7 upwards. Please come and join us! Students should bring their lunch each session. The club is free but conference participation fees are extra.

• Social Justice Committee (Tuesday Grades 6-12)
  

  The SJC raises awareness about social issues such as the ones described in their zines. We organise events, volunteer, and discuss racial and social justice issues at BBIS and with other international schools around the globe. Join us, Tuesdays in room 3210 (MPR), to take action and be an activist. All students in Grade 6-12 are invited to attend!

• High School Student Council (Monday Grades 9-12)
  This is a collaborative club open to all high school students who are interested in creating an inclusive, welcoming, and active BBIS community. The general Student Council meets in 5337 to discuss school issues, plan events, and share ideas.

Secondary After School ECA

• Pathway to Academic Success (Monday and Wednesday Grades 6-9)
  This time provides students with an opportunity to complete homework and assignments with additional teacher support. We prefer students to attend regularly and stay the entire time. Parents must email us if the student has to leave the session early.

• Study Club (Monday and Wednesday Grades 9-12)
  Any student in Grades 9 to 12 who is looking for an academic setting to complete tasks or to get support with learning is welcome to join us in the library every Monday from 15:10 to 16:15. Students are welcome to attend regularly to develop study routines, but can also drop in as and when they need help.

• The World Scholar’s Cup - (Monday Grades 6-10)
  This challenging and fun programme begins in the Secondary Library each Monday 15:10–16:20, practicing the four team events: Scholar’s Bowl, Collaborative Writing, Scholar’s Challenge, and Team Debate. Students then go on to compete in a March Regional competition held in Europe If successful, they qualify for participation in a summertime Global competition. Excellence at the Global competition allows students to take part in the annual Tournament of Champions at Yale University in November 2026. NOTE: Parents pay for travel to competitions.

• Pottery (Tuesday and Wednesday Grades 1-12)
  In this ECA, students will learn how to work with the medium of clay. They will learn how to make vessels/sculptures using their hands. They can feel free to use their imagination and creativity to make clay works, vessels and abstract forms. Also, the first few sessions they will be taught how to use the sculpting tools and how to tackle the problems associated with clay. We will use different types and colours of clay as well as applying glaze to colour the sculptures.

• Secondary Climbing (Friday Grades 6-12)
  Students challenge themselves physically and mentally to learn and practice sport climbing skills in structured lessons and practice sessions. Climbers will safely advance their skills in top-rope climbing and bouldering by setting individual goals and learning to work together to figure out moves and eventually solve entire routes. All ages and abilities are welcome to try something new and discover what they can do in scary situations. Our main goal is to help athletes feel comfortable on the wall and develop safe climbing habits.

• Junior Math Club (Wednesday Grades 9-10)
  There is no limit on the participating number of students. ECA Description: The Junior Math Club aims to help students further extend their mathematical problem-solving skills. We also prepare for the annual ISMTF Mathematics Competition for international schools.

• Senior Math Club "L-Factor" (Wednesday Grades 11-12)
  The Senior Math Club “L-Factor” aims to help students further extend their mathematical problem-solving skills. We also practise individual Math competition skills and play team problem solving games to prepare for the annual ISMTF International Mathematics Competition.

• Musical Theatre (Monday, Thursday and Friday Grades 2 - 10)
  Organised into three groups, Grades 2-3 Friday, Grades 4-5 Monday and Grades 6-10 Thursday. Under the guidance of Mr. Lawrence Rush, we will meet once a week to either learn and stage an original one act musical or perform scenes and songs from Broadway shows (depending on how many registrations we have) with a performance at the end of the session for your friends and family!

• Co-Curricular Music Programme - External Instructor ECA Music classes
  All one to one, instrument classes are scheduled directly with each teacher, subject to availability between 3pm and 8pm on school days. No experience required and all levels welcomed. Instruments are either provided or rentals can be arraigned for students. Instrument classes available include: Drums, Bass, Guitar, Piano, Voice, Trumpet, Saxophone, Clarinet, Violin, Viola and Cello. Please click here for further details.
  Please note: These classes have different hours and prices then other ECA's. Please contact Joe Smith, the Co-Curricular Music Coordinator for more information and to sign up at: joe.smith@bbis.de

U14 Volleyball, U14 and Varsity Track and Field (Grades 6 - 12)

This season we will have training for U14 boys and Girls, Varsity and Junior Varsity Boys and Girls teams. These teams will train and prepare for competition against Berlin schools as well as compete in the German International Schools Sports Tournaments.

Please click here for further details. All one on one, instrumental classes are scheduled directly Joe Smith, the Co-Curricular Instrumental Music Programme Coordinator. No experience required and all levels welcomed. Instruments are either provided or rentals can be arraigned for students.

Group Classes

• Music Theory

Teacher - Jeremy Viner
Class size 2 - 5 students

Music theory provides a framework for understanding how the building blocks of music work. Lessons will cover the foundations of music theory from a western classical music perspective. This includes the fundamentals of pitches, rhythm, intervals, meter, scales, modes, counterpoint, consonance, dissonance, melody, and harmony. Depending on skill and interest, further topics of classical forms, serialism, jazz harmony/improvisation, and avant-garde composition can be explored.

• Ear Training

Teacher - Jeremy Viner
Class size 2 - 5 students

Ear training is a great way to develop your musical ear, changing the way you listen to, enjoy, and create music. We’ll practice recognizing pitches, intervals, triads, tetrads, functional harmony, and melodic dictation. Depending on skill and interest, further topics of atonal dictation, inner voice leading, and harmonic juxtaposition can be explored.

• Music Production

Teacher - Carl Morgan
Class size 2 - 5 students

Music production is more and more a part of modern musical expression. Therefore this class will explore the complete process of producing, recording, mixing and mastering of any and all styles of music. Using Midi , samples and creating electronic music will also be incorporated. This will mostly be taught using the music program Logic.

• Classical Ensemble

Teacher - Zsolt Magyar
Class size 2 - 6 students

This will be an ensemble class that will explore compositions/etudes from the classical tradition and will focus on performing, accompanying and playing together.

• Brass Ensemble / or Small group ensemble with mixed instrumentation

Teacher - Madeleine Ertel
Class size 2 - 5 students

This ensemble will focus on performance, accompaniment and playing together in a mixed and variance of styles. From classic Brass ensemble to modern day Pop/ Rock. Depending on instrumentation and the wishes of the students, Madeleine will be happy to direct them, propose appropriate songs/pieces or help them transcribe parts directly from recorded music.