The front green areas have been entirely reimagined: approximately 160 square metres of refurbished surfaces across the pergola and seating zones, more than 150 linear metres of treated fir wood edging, a weed-control membrane, selected gravel and a new jasmine hedge with dedicated irrigation along the entrance perimeter. A natural green barrier that improves privacy, visual wellbeing and a sense of welcome.

For our youngest students new play areas arrive, designed to offer diverse experiences: a sandpit with a multifunctional cover that doubles as seating or work surface, the Beaver’s Hideout structure for symbolic and social play, the Robinia Agility Trail for balance and climbing, a Four Square area and a relaxation zone with picnic tables.

On safety, the outdoor Early Years area is now fully enclosed with a new fence and controlled pedestrian access; in the front garden a 5-metre ball-stop net has been installed; the synthetic football pitch features a new shock-absorbing perimeter curb made from non-toxic, antibacterial and anti-mould materials.

And then there is the Quantum Lab, an evolution of our STEAM Lab, becoming the innovation hub of the campus. The first section is already underway and will bring into our classrooms the Unitree Go2 robot and Dobot Magician Basic, image recognition activities, predictive algorithms and IoT projects.

Finally, the gymnasium: new partition walls, a dedicated changing room, an organised storage area and a new professional, competition-grade volleyball system.

Grow, innovate, improve. Together.

You can find the full investment plan document in today’s email, 29 May 2026.

Vicenza cambia volto: outdoor, sicurezza e un nuovo modo di imparare

A Vicenza il nuovo anno scolastico si presenta con una promessa concreta: trasformare il campus in un ambiente sempre più completo, dinamico e capace di rispondere ai bisogni di chi lo vive ogni giorno. Lo facciamo per fasi, con un approccio strutturato che guarda lontano. La prima si concentra sugli spazi esterni e sull’ingresso, mentre nei prossimi anni amplieremo gli interventi alle aree posteriori, con un’attenzione specifica ai più piccoli.

Le aree verdi frontali sono state completamente ripensate: circa 160 metri quadrati di superfici riqualificate tra zona pergola e area panchine, oltre 150 metri lineari di bordature in legno di abete trattato, una membrana anti-erbacce, ghiaia selezionata e una nuova siepe di gelsomino con irrigazione dedicata lungo il perimetro d’ingresso. Una barriera verde naturale che migliora privacy, benessere visivo e accoglienza.

Per i più piccoli arrivano nuove aree gioco progettate per esperienze diversificate: una sabbiera con copertura multifunzionale che diventa seduta o piano di appoggio, la struttura Beaver’s Hideout per il gioco simbolico e relazionale, il Robinia Agility Trail per equilibrio e arrampicata, un’area Four Square e uno spazio relax con tavoli picnic.

Sul fronte sicurezza, l’area Early Years è ora completamente delimitata con nuova recinzione e accesso pedonale controllato; nel giardino frontale è stata installata una rete ferma-palloni di cinque metri; sul campo da calcio sintetico un cordolo ammortizzante in materiali atossici, antibatterici e antimuffa.

E poi il Quantum Lab, evoluzione del nostro STEAM Lab, che diventa il fulcro dell’innovazione del campus. La prima sezione è già in fase di realizzazione e porterà in aula Robot Unitree Go2 e Dobot Magician Basic, riconoscimento di immagini, algoritmi predittivi e progetti IoT.

Infine, la palestra: nuove pareti divisorie, uno spogliatoio dedicato, un’area di stoccaggio ordinata e un nuovo impianto professionale di pallavolo da competizione.

Crescere, innovare, migliorare. Insieme.

Potete trovare il documento completo sul piano investimenti nella mail di oggi 29/05/2026.

At the heart of this initiative is a simple idea: our community grows stronger when families like yours help us welcome new, like-minded students.

By referring a family to our school, you are not only supporting our continued growth across Early Years, PYP, and MYP (1 to 3), but also contributing to the international, dynamic environment that makes our school so distinctive.

As a token of our appreciation:

• New families will benefit from a reduction on the Admission Fee
• Referring families will receive a tuition fee reduction for up to two consecutive years
• Additional benefits are available for families who refer multiple students
• For MYP4–5 and DP1–2 families, the information provided in the previous programme remains unchanged.

This programme is our way of recognising the role you play as ambassadors of our school and the trust you place in us every day.

Discover all the details and conditions of the programme here.

Thank you for being such an important part of our community.

Current benefits:

1. Bachelor’s Degree of H-FARM College in partnership with the University of Chichester
   EU & Non-EU students: €11,800 per year, instead of €12,800
   Non-EU applicants may also join the Global Talent Grant programme and compete for a dedicated scholarship, further reducing the annual tuition.
   Information and applications: college.h-farm.com
2. Master’s Degree of H-FARM College
   10% discount on both on-campus and hybrid Master’s programmes. college.h-farm.com
3. Summer Programs of H-FARM College 10% discount on all Summer Programs, for students who have already turned 16 and university attendees alike. college.h-farm.com — Summer Programs section
4. Executive Education — H-FARM Business School
   10% discount on open-catalogue and on-demand executive programmes delivered by H-FARM Business School.
   Full catalogue and enrolment on https://www.bs.h-farm.com/en/

These discounts are subject to availability of places in the programmes listed. We kindly invite you to verify availability directly with H-FARM College and H-FARM Business School at the time of application.

For any information or support in accessing these benefits, the H-IS Admissions team is here to help.

Warm regards,
H-IS Admissions Office

FutureShots is H-FARM’ innovation festival—since 2018

This year’s theme, “AI is stepping out of the screen: what to expect and how to prepare”, will explore how artificial intelligence, robotics and new technologies are shaping our future.

The event includes two days of talks, workshops and immersive experiences designed for both professionals and students:

May 8 | Humanoids and Robotics
A strategic session exploring how next-generation automation and collaborative robots are transforming industries and the world of work.

May 9 | Augmented Humanity
An immersive experience for younger generations, featuring inspirational talks and live demonstrations on how robotics, bionics and AI are reshaping the way we learn, care and express what makes us human.

This is a valuable opportunity for students to engage with leading experts and gain insight into emerging technologies and future pathways.

Register here:
https://www.gomry.com/it/event/FutureShots-2026-or-The-Embodied-AI-Era-9D6aPUzG1Ipl2Da8YAn7?utm_source=sitoFS&utm_medium=ovunque&utm_campaign=FS26

We encourage families and students to explore this initiative!

As part of the IB’s regular evaluation cycle, these visits are designed to ensure that schools continue to align with the highest international standards, while also reflecting on their own growth and future direction. In the weeks leading up to the visit, our entire community (students, teachers, and parents) contributed to a comprehensive self-study, highlighting both our achievements and areas for development.

The visit itself was an opportunity not only for evaluation, but for dialogue: classroom observations, meetings with leadership, and conversations with families all contributed to a rich and authentic picture of our school.

The PLT is proud to share a summary of the key strengths identified by the visiting team, alongside their suggestions to help us continue evolving.

Key Strengths

Purpose and Leadership
The school demonstrates a strong sense of purpose, guided by a clear mission and identity. Leadership is cohesive, with alignment between the leadership team and the board, ensuring shared values across the school. Relationships with students and parents are positive and meaningful, fostering trust and engagement.

Learning Environment
The school promotes a collaborative and reflective environment where learning is visible and happens in diverse settings. “The school building is buzzing”

Resources are strategically allocated with a long-term vision, and facilities are used flexibly to meet students’ needs.
Student wellbeing is a priority, supported by SEN coordinators, pastoral leadership, and tutors. Transitions between programmes are well supported, and career counselling is effective.
Teachers benefit from strong professional development opportunities and a culture of continuous learning, supported by an observation system that includes peer collaboration.

School Culture
Policies reflect the community and demonstrate a strong commitment to inclusion, language development, and academic integrity. Assessment is effectively used as a tool for learning. The development of IB Continuum policies highlights a coherent and reflective approach to school improvement.

Learning and Teaching
The curriculum is broad, balanced, and aligned with the IB philosophy. Social-emotional learning and the IB learner profile are well integrated, promoting lifelong learning.
Teaching practices make thinking visible, encourage deep reflection, and extend learning beyond the classroom. Technology is meaningfully integrated, and there is a strong sense of shared learning within the community.
Assessment practices are varied and creative, offering multiple ways for students to demonstrate and celebrate success.

PDP (Professional Development Plan)

Strengths

• Strong teacher engagement and passion
• Clear focus on student learning
• Well-defined and challenging goals
• Effective leadership by coordinators with a community-driven approach
• Dedicated time for planning and collaboration
• Alignment with IB standards
• High levels of commitment and perseverance
• Diverse professional learning activities
• Insightful reflection embedded in the process
• A clear culture of ongoing development and learning

Suggestions for Growth

• Incorporate research-based approaches into planning
• Engage a wider range of stakeholders
• Use multiple methods for data collection
• Consider adopting a structured change framework
• Define milestones and success criteria
• Introduce a more formal reflection protocol

Areas for Further Development

• Enhance understanding of school policies among students and parents
• Improve curriculum coherence, especially vertical alignment at transition points
• Develop a whole-school approach to ATL (Approaches to Learning) mapping

H-FARM Words

And these are the words that were captured by the visiting team during the meetings with teachers, students and parents:

Environment

Friendly/Excellent/Lively/Multiple/Welcoming/Dynamic/Futuristic

Culture

Special/Caring/Community/Peaceful/Openminded/Adjustable/Flexible/Thoughtful/Meaningful

Learning

Fun/ Connections/Creation/ Messy/Allowed/ Inquiring/ Organized/Exploration/Engaging

Parents

Encouraging/Complete/Wholistic/ Human/ Active/ Individual

Students

Creative/ Professional/ Community/ Good/ International/ Disciplined/ Perfect/ Communicator / Unique

On 13 April, our Director General, Antonello Barbaro, and our Head of School, Alessandra Chiovati, met with PTA members and Class Representatives for an open and meaningful conversation about the future of H-FARM International School Vicenza.

Moments like these are at the heart of our school community. They reflect our belief that education is strongest when built on trust, transparency, and a genuine partnership with families.

To ensure full transparency and to keep our wider community informed, below you can find a structured summary of the key points discussed during the meeting. These notes reflect the main updates, strategic priorities, and future developments shared with parents.

1. Welcome & Opening Remarks

• Warm welcome to PTA members and class representatives.
• Emphasis on the importance of transparency and strong parent-school partnership.
• School vision grounded in data, cognitive science, and student future readiness.

2. School Growth & Enrollment

• Current student population 314
• Re-enrollment rate: 87% → strong indicator of parent confidence.
• Projected growth: 320/330+ students in the coming months
• Long term plan: 350-500 students+ building expansion+potential small boarding

3. Academic Strategy & Vision

• Academic excellence continues to be the primary growth driver.
• Implementation of Continuous Improvement Management Process:
  • Data-driven decision-making
  • Personalized action plans for students and year groups
• Focus in the AI era:
  • Not just graduating students, but developing character and judgment
  • Use of “desirable difficulties” to deepen learning
  • Preparing students to think critically beyond algorithm reliance
• Mission reaffirmed:
  “Empowering students to transform innovation into human progress for a better society.”

4. Investment In “Space for Learning”

4.1 Expanding Academic Facilities

• Launch of Innovation Labs “Quantum Force”:
  • Focus on IoT, Robotics & AI 
  • Dedicated AI Curriculum 

4.2 Infrastructure, Safety & Wellbeing

• Outdoor upgrades:
  • New playground 
  • Renovated volleyball facilities
  • New green areas (gardens, hedge, relaxation zone)
• Safety improvements:
  • Anti-trauma curbing (football pitch)
  • High-security perimeter netting
  • Secured Early Years play area
• Student wellbeing:
  • New girls’ changing room in gym
  • Social and relaxation spaces
• Commitment to continuous yearly improvements.

5. Investment in Faculty

• Maintain Pupil-Teacher Ratio (PTR): 7.1
• Plan to hire 2 additional high-quality teachers (AY26/27)
• Staff support includes:
  • Professional development (MIT collaboration, leadership workshops, NAE Conference)
  • Welfare & compensation alignment with NAE Europe
  • Access to medical services and wellness programs
• Key message: investing in teachers directly benefits students.

6. Student Outcomes

• Academic improvement driven by data-based strategies
• Development of resilient, balanced individuals
• Strong social connections and friendships
• Graduates accessing top global universities

7. Parent Engagement 

Parents encouraged to support the school by:

1. Celebrate the whole child (academic, social, emotional, physical, language, cultural)
2. Support and recognize teachers
3. Act as critical friends (feedback & advocacy)
4. Contribute philanthropically:
   • € 1-15k → playground expansion
   • € 3-15k → Quantum Lab equipment
   • € 0,5-5k → Library development support
5. Engage actively in the community as representatives

This webinar will focus on online safety and digital awareness, offering valuable insights and practical guidance for families navigating the digital world.

The webinar will be offered in two separate sessions, one in Italian and one in English, to ensure accessibility for our whole community.

Here you can find the Google Meet link to attend online, and the Google Form to submit questions.

English webinar: 12:00 – 13:00

Italian webinar: 13:00 – 14:00

We warmly encourage parents to attend this important and informative event.

We are presenting the different arrangements in place for Ms Fabbri’s maternity leave.

We send a huge farewell, and many good wishes for sleepless nights ahead, to Ms Fabbri as she begins this very special chapter. We wish her all the best during her maternity leave.

At the same time, we are delighted to warmly welcome Ms Marchesin, who will be taking on Ms Fabbri’s Language Acquisition classes for the duration of her leave. With regard to Ms Fabbri’s Language and Literature classes, continuity in teaching and learning will be ensured by Ms Bagnara. We are confident that students will be well supported during this transition.

Finally, congratulations to Mr Pizzolato, who for this school year will be taking on the role of Head of Pastoral. We are very pleased to have him step into this important position.

Thank you, as always, for your continued support.

31 January is the final deadline to benefit from the €1.000 reduction on the Registration Fee.
Families who complete the registration process by this date will be eligible for the discounted fee.

From 1 February onwards, the standard Registration Fee of €2.500 will apply.

If you are planning to enroll, we kindly encourage you to complete all the required steps within the deadline to secure this opportunity.

Complete your enrollment here:
https://www.h-is.com/application/

Should you have any questions or need support during the registration process, please feel free to contact admission.vi@h-is.com or the School Office.

May this time be an opportunity for rest, joy, and meaningful moments with your loved ones, and may it bring renewed energy for the year ahead.

Thank you for your continued trust, cooperation, and support of our school community.

Wishing you a wonderful holiday season and a happy New Year.

See you on Wednesday January 7th!