In the face of the AI revolution, we are forced to ask: What truly makes us human?
Yes, there is critical thinking, creativity, spontaneity, emotional intelligence, and resilience… but to me, at the heart of it all, is kindness. Let me explain why I believe this.
Kindness.
It seems like such a simple concept – a value that should be a given – but I don’t know about you, I’m often shocked by how little kindness we sometimes see, feel, or experience in the world. Yet to me, there is nothing more core, more essential, to our humanity.
In a time when people are turning to AI for relationship advice, emotional support, and even life direction, I can’t help but feel concern. Technology is incredible, but it can never replace the warmth of human connection—the empathy, compassion, and shared understanding that only comes from one person truly caring about another.
This is why, at the International School of Switzerland, we have built the K.I.N.D. Program not just as a curriculum, but as the heartbeat of our school. It is how we teach, how we learn, and how we live.
What is the K.I.N.D. Program?
K.I.N.D. stands for:
Kindness – Choosing empathy, respect, and compassion in every interaction—starting with ourselves.
Innovation – Approaching problems with curiosity, creativity, and the courage to imagine better solutions.
Navigation – Developing the discipline and skills to steer through challenges with purpose and perseverance.
Discovery – Exploring our unique gifts, passions, and potential—and understanding how they can impact the world.
Why Kindness Comes First
Kindness is the most important because it is the enabler of every other human strength.
Without kindness:
Innovation can become selfish ambition.
Navigation can turn into cold calculation.
Discovery can drift into self-centredness.
Kindness is the quality that ensures our intelligence, creativity, and drive are used for the good of others, not just ourselves.
Why it Matters
I want our students to thrive not only at school but in every area of life. I want them to be the kind of people who leave a legacy of positive change—not necessarily on a global stage at first, but starting in the places that matter most: In their own homes, in their friendships and in their workplaces.
Because that is how we create global impact—one small, intentional act at a time.
It starts in the quiet moments when no one is watching.
It starts with being kind to ourselves—recognizing what makes us unique.
It grows as we learn that our uniqueness is not just personal but purposeful—that we each have something only we can give.
It takes shape when we have the skills, knowledge, and courage to put that gift into action.
And it lasts when we understand that learning never ends—because the moment we stop learning, we stop growing.
A Lifelong Journey
Becoming the K.I.N.D. of person you were created to be is a lifelong process. We never “arrive”—and that is what makes the journey so powerful.
At the International School of Switzerland, this is not just a program. It is our culture. It is in how we greet each other in the morning, how we work through conflict, how we celebrate success, and how we face challenges together.
In a world where technology is advancing faster than we can imagine, the K.I.N.D. values are what will keep us grounded, connected, and truly human.
Because the future will need brilliant minds… but it will need kind hearts even more.
Maya Angelou once said, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
And that is why we teach our students that their greatest legacy will not only be in awards, grades, or job titles, but in the lives they’ve touched and the way they’ve made people feel.
Your kindness is your greatness. Own it. Live it. Let it shape the future.
By Rebecca Hauch
Executive Principal, The International School of Switzerland
As parents of three-year-olds, we are bombarded with questions fired at us for what seems like every waking moment. Why is the moon following us? How do worms breathe? What would happen if cats could talk? It’s relentless, sometimes exhausting—and completely beautiful.
It’s in those moments that we see learning in its purest form: driven not by rewards, not by pressure, but by the joy of not knowing something – yet. And yet, something goes quiet over time. The light dims. The questions slow. Creativity gives way to compliance.
By the time many children reach adolescence, that joy has been dulled. They stop asking. They stop wondering. Not because they’ve lost the capacity—but because they’ve learned it’s not always safe or welcome. School becomes a place where there are right answers and wrong answers, and not much space in between.
And that’s what keeps me up at night—not that children stop being curious, but that the systems we place them in stop making room for it.
So, the question isn’t how we make students learn—they were already doing that from the moment they could speak. The real question is: how do we protect that spark? How do we build schools that fuel it, instead of extinguishing it?
Let’s be honest: our education systems were never truly designed to nurture curiosity, creativity, or the individual spark in each child. They were built to produce conformity, predictability, and order. In a different time, for a different world. But that’s not the world our children are stepping into.
We don’t need to return to some imagined golden age of education. We need to move forward—into a model that honours the full humanity of every learner. One that sees learning not as the transfer of knowledge from teacher to student, but as a dynamic, relational process of meaning-making, challenge, and discovery. One that believes school should not standardise children—but liberate them.
That’s the vision behind the International School of Switzerland. And it’s why we built the K.I.N.D. Curriculum Framework—a model designed not around systems, but around people.
Kindness: Because learning happens through trust, connection, and belonging.
Innovation: Because the future will be shaped by those who dare to think differently.
Navigation: Because students need to develop not only knowledge, but direction and discipline.
Discovery: Because learning should begin and end in wonder.
These aren’t just values on a wall. They are the structure of how we design curriculum, how we train staff, and how we shape every student’s learning experience.
It’s also why we’ve chosen to be an IB World School—because the IB aligns with what we believe: that education should develop students intellectually, ethically, creatively, and globally.
But let’s talk honestly about the heart of it all: the teacher. If students are the spark, teachers are the ones who protect and grow that flame.
We believe in teachers as designers of experiences, curators of environments, and co-learners alongside their students. Their role is not to deliver information—but to ask better questions, to provoke deeper thinking, and to connect learning to real purpose.
Our teachers are not “the sage on the stage,” but neither are they passive facilitators. They are experts in pedagogy, relational leadership, and curriculum design. They’re the ones who translate vision into daily impact. And when given the trust, tools, and space to do what they do best—they transform lives.
That’s why professional fulfilment matters. Teaching should not be about surviving a broken system. It should be about the joy of making a lasting difference, of seeing potential unfold in front of you.
And of course, students need more than inspiration. They need real structure. They need feedback, challenge, resilience, and care. They need a curriculum that demands excellence while allowing space to be fully themselves.
Most of all, they need to be seen.
Education should not be about ranking, sorting, or controlling. It should be about unlocking what’s already there. Helping students become not just successful—but self-aware, capable, courageous contributors to the world.
That’s what we’re building at ISSwitzerland.
It’s bold. It’s challenging. It’s deeply human.
And yes—it asks more of all of us: teachers, students, families, leaders.
But if we get it right, the rewards are profound.
We don’t just prepare students for tests.
We prepare them for life—for purpose, for impact, and for joy.
That’s the kind of school students will love.
Because it was built for who they truly are.
Dear International School of Switzerland Community,
As the year draws to a close and the excitement of the holiday season fills the air, I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible journey we’ve embarked on together. The vision for the International School of Switzerland is bold, dynamic, and centred on creating transformative educational experiences. It has been a privilege to witness this vision taking shape, with each step bringing us closer to welcoming our first cohort of students.
Milestones We Celebrate
This December, we celebrate being named Switzerland’s first Microsoft Showcase School. This achievement isn’t just a title—it’s a commitment to innovation and excellence. By integrating the best in technology and teaching, we are preparing our students to become leaders in a world that is constantly evolving.
Our campus in Lugano, nestled in one of Switzerland’s most picturesque regions, is also coming to life. The construction team is working tirelessly to create a space where creativity and collaboration will thrive. From state-of-the-art classrooms to breathtaking outdoor spaces, every detail is designed with our students’ growth and well-being in mind.
Looking Ahead
As we approach 2025, our focus remains on building a strong, connected community. Information sessions are a fantastic way to meet our team, explore our programs, and share your aspirations for your child’s education. I encourage you to sign up and be part of these conversations that shape the future of our school.
We are also preparing a calendar of events designed to connect and inspire. From local hikes to artistic explorations, our events will celebrate the vibrant culture and natural beauty that make Lugano such a special place to learn and grow.
A Word of Gratitude
To everyone who has supported this endeavor—our future families, our dedicated team, and our enthusiastic partners—thank you. Your belief in our mission fuels our efforts and inspires us to aim higher every day.
As we unveil our full website this month, I hope you’ll find it a source of inspiration and a gateway to discovering what sets the International School of Switzerland apart. Together, we’re not just building a school—we’re shaping a community where students will thrive as Future Ready Global Citizens.
Warm regards,
Peter Hauch
CEO, International School of Switzerland
