At American School of The Hague (ASH), we believe that building a more just and peaceful world begins with nurturing the individual. A healthy and positive relationship with oneself is the cornerstone of creating meaningful connections with others and fostering a strong, empathetic community. Through our socioemotional learning philosophy and emphasis on well-being, we aim to develop students who are not only academically prepared but also emotionally grounded and socially responsible. By focusing on personal development, we create a ripple effect of positivity that extends into society, embodying our school’s commitment to peace and justice.

 

 

ASH’s strategic priority of "Being Well, Doing Well" reflects our understanding that emotional well-being is the foundation for all success. A healthy relationship with one’s emotions and the ability to express them are essential for personal growth and positive engagement with others. To support this, we employ a range of age-appropriate strategies across all grade levels to foster emotional safety, motivation, and a sense of belonging among students and staff alike.

 

One notable initiative this year was a Nonviolent Communication (NVC) workshop held during Peace Week, which provided students and staff with tools for navigating conflict in a more empathetic and constructive manner. High School English as an Additional Language teacher and a Peace Week organizer Nic Radvany, shared, “I think Nonviolent Communication can give us new tools to deal with the inevitable conflicts that arise in our school. The feedback from our first workshop participants has been very positive.” By placing conversations about conflict resolution on the table, we encourage our community to see vulnerability not as a weakness but as a strength. NVC encourages active listening, self-expression without blame, and empathy, helping us shift our mindset toward addressing challenges in a smarter, more effective way. In doing so, we foster a culture where individuals can engage openly and honestly, further strengthening our collective commitment to peace and mutual understanding.

 

Our Middle School Advisory program offers students a safe space for mentorship, where they can engage in meaningful conversations on goal setting, mental health, service learning, and the challenges of adolescence. Activities like Brain Breaks and stress management techniques help students develop resilience, while the program itself encourages a deep sense of community.

 

In High School, students benefit from one-on-one support with dedicated counselors, who guide them through the complexities of academic and personal decision-making. Additionally, students are encouraged to explore a broad range of interests, ensuring that their chosen paths align with their personal ambitions and vision for their future. By nurturing emotional intelligence and personal growth, we lay the groundwork for responsible citizenship and a commitment to creating a better world.

 

 

At ASH, socioemotional learning is not just about individual success—it’s also about fostering a sense of social responsibility. The skills our students develop in self-awareness and emotional regulation serve as a foundation for active civic engagement. In our classrooms, we consistently integrate principles like empathy, respect, and collaboration into our curriculum. Whether analyzing characters in literature, debating scientific decisions impacting the environment, or working in teams, students are encouraged to think critically and engage with diverse perspectives.

 

This emphasis on critical thinking is complemented by our commitment to service learning. From caring for the school’s planters and vegetable gardens to organizing food and clothing donation drives, students are given numerous opportunities to see how their actions can positively impact the community. Initiatives such as the St. Baldrick's Cancer Research fundraiser, Earth Week, and Peace Week further instill the importance of collective action in the pursuit of peace, well-being, and justice.

 

 

For our older students, programs like Model United Nations (MUN) and Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) trips offer unique opportunities to expand their worldview. By engaging with global issues and stepping into the shoes of others, students gain firsthand experience in thinking creatively and holistically about complex social, environmental, and political challenges. These experiences not only broaden their perspectives but also empower them to develop solutions rooted in equality, peace, and sustainability.

 

As we look to the future, our commitment to fostering peace and justice at ASH remains steadfast. We recognize that the pursuit of these ideals requires continual self-reflection, a willingness to confront uncomfortable topics, and an openness to innovation. By creating a safe space where students can explore complex issues, we encourage them to question the world around them and develop creative, thoughtful solutions that address society's most pressing challenges.

 

We seek to inspire students to not only raise their voices in the face of injustice but also to listen deeply, respect differing perspectives, and approach problems with an inclusive mindset. By cultivating curiosity, courage, and empathy, we aim to shape a generation of leaders who not only have the courage to take bold steps but are also committed to engaging in dialogue and collaboration.

 

I am currently working in Content Strategy for HBO/MAX under Warner Bros. Discovery. My day-to-day job primarily consists of evaluating greenlight/renewal decisions for original content on the streaming platform (think giving the greenlight for HBO to make a new House of the Dragon or The Last of Us season).

 

The path that got me here is by far straightforward! My first college degree was in Finance at The University of Texas at Austin, aiming to be an investment banker/consultant in the oil & gas industry in Texas. However, I found myself not very passionate about careers in energy, but I always kept my interest in the entertainment industry (self confessed entertainment buff!). So I took a leap and applied to internships at entertainment companies all across the industry. I was lucky enough that my enthusiasm showed through, and got a position with HBO in their finance department. This was important to me, as it proved that I had a big interest in entertainment, and I've always referenced the internship for future jobs.

 

After about a year and a half into the job, I again applied back into the industry, and broke through with a finance position at Paramount Pictures. After a couple of more job switches inside the industry, I arrived at my current role back at HBO/MAX in Content Strategy and Analysis, pivoting closer towards the creative decision-making process, while still utilizing my finance background to help creatives evaluate content quantitatively. My big piece of advice to current students is that being aware of alternate career paths and what you are passionate about is just as important, if not more, as getting into a college program!

 

I am based out of Los Angeles, but my family is still living in Houston, Texas. My mom actually helped organize the ASHpat group there for a few years, since there are so many ASH alumni living in that area!

 

Interacting with people and friends of different cultures or upbringings! I have settled down in Los Angeles for my career, but I find my experiences at ASH enable me to better interact with people outside my immediate cultural group. It's crazy to think about, but there are not a lot of places or schools around the world where you can have friends from all seven continents, sharing a common experience, hanging out together or playing games with each other.

 

I spent five years at ASH–from 3rd to 7th Grade–experiencing both Elementary and Middle School. I was involved in the ABF and the ASH U12 soccer team, as well as the Chess Club (where I helped win ASH a local Wassenaar chess tournament!). My mother helped lead International Day, so I helped out with that as well.

 

My 4th grade teacher Ms. Slachta was very kind and cheery, which brought a positive vibe to class. Ms. Galante for 7th grade homeroom and Pre-Algebra was serious, but also very friendly and caring to how I did in class and life. I was so happy to see her when I came back to visit ASH as she was one of my favorites. Mr. Cramer was an absolute legend for the half semester I had him as a teacher in Music Technology, where I was inspired to create my own music.

 

Coming from Malaysia, ASH helped me broaden my perspective on global communities and how our world is quite interconnected. I find myself appreciating different cultural norms and styles from a variety of people, and it has helped me become more curious about our world. ASH is proud to celebrate the achievements of our alumni, where we are committed to build a better world as we become better human beings.

 

 

Second-year International Baccalaureate students embarked on an exciting trip to Oosterschelde National Park to complete their Group 4 Project. This initiative promotes interdisciplinary collaboration and teamwork among science students from diverse subjects, including Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Environmental Systems and Societies (ESS), Sports, Health and Science, and Computer Science. Together, they worked to solve common scientific questions they developed themselves. 

 

At American School of The Hague (ASH), we prioritize taking learning beyond the classroom. Oosterschelde National Park, with its rich biodiversity, vibrant marine life, and unique tidal landscapes, provides an ideal setting for this hands-on learning experience. The park also holds an important place in Dutch history. Following the devastating 1953 flood, the Delta Works project was launched, a remarkable system of dams and storm surge barriers designed to protect low-lying areas from future flooding. Today, the barrier not only shields the region but also sustains the delicate tidal ecosystem, allowing marine life to thrive—a perfect environment for students to explore through different scientific lenses.

 

This project challenges students to bridge the gap between theory and practice by immersing them in real-world scientific inquiry. By exploring Oosterschelde, they are encouraged to think creatively and collaborate across disciplines, proposing innovative solutions to the complex environmental challenges they encounter. The diversity of scientific perspectives fostered rich exchanges of ideas and solutions to the problems they faced.

 

After collecting data in the various parts of the park, students were further tested by setting up outdoor labs using the same scientific equipment found in their ASH classrooms. To prevent samples from being affected by the wind, even the buses were transformed into makeshift labs!

 

Their fieldwork peaked in an overnight stay at a medieval castle in Domburg, where students continued to collaborate late into the evening, analyzing their findings and preparing for presentations the next day. The Group 4 Project exemplifies how STEM education can inspire both individual creativity and a collective approach to addressing today’s most pressing challenges. Furthermore, working in the vibrant outdoor environment near ASH fosters collaboration and teamwork, providing students with the chance to apply their knowledge in innovative ways. It also offers students an opportunity to explore the natural areas of the Netherlands, deepening their connection to the thriving local ecosystems around them.