Englische Grundschule

Our teachers come from diverse countries- including the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Australia and New Zealand- and that diversity in culture and teaching methods adds significantly to the richness of the education our students receive. Members of staff are encouraged to undertake professional development to keep abreast of the latest educational philosophies.

GSIS aims to:

• Foster the development of every student, catering for different needs, abilities and aptitudes.
• Develop each student’s full potential and encourage the pursuit of excellence.
• Enable children to prosper from an all-round development in academic and social skills.
• Ensure the attainment of a high level of competence in knowledge and skills including literacy, mathematics, etc
• Cultivate good learning habits and a positive attitude towards life.
• Foster curiosity and an interest in learning
• Build the basic skills necessary for a lifetime of learning.
• Develop habits of initiative and persistence
• Help develop self-esteem

Entry to the English Primary Department is available at all levels.

Potential Year One students visit the school for standardised group assessments.

At all other levels, children are required to take standardised tests in English and Mathematics.

There is no school uniform although there is a dress code, which requires students to be tidy and to wear appropriate clothing. There is a PE uniform, which all students are required to wear for PE lessons and sporting events.

Parents are encouraged to take an active part in their child’s learning and to liase closely with the class teacher. Consultation meetings and Parent Information meetings give each parent an opportunity to discuss their child’s social/emotional and intellectual development.

Reading mother/fathers play a valuable and important role in school life.

Parents are also encouraged to help with homework monitoring and to be involved, when appropriate, in project work research, outings, camps and school sporting events.

Parents are kept up to date through newsletters written by the Head of Primary, which are regularly sent to parent through online channels and email.

Excellent sporting facilities comprise a large fully equipped state-of-the-art gymnasium, a large indoor hall and sports hall and a rooftop playground at our Peak Campus.

Lower primary students enjoy a playground area , sand pit and a roof top soccer field in the Pok Fu Lam campus.

Students participate in the annual school Sports Day, gym spectacular and swimming gala.

Upper primary students (Y03-Y06) have the opportunity to represent their school in a variety of sports: swimming, athletics, football, hockey, rounders, baseball, cricket, netball, biathlon and cross-country.

There are many performances and productions within the English Primary Department each year and the children also have the benefit of seeing visiting artists.

The annual Christmas Concert and Primary Spring Concert provide opportunities for students to gain confidence in performing in front of an audience. Opportunities are embedded for students to showcase their talents and interests in this way.

Students are all encouraged to participate in drama, music and art. Where possible, these are integrated into the units of study so that students see connections between music, mathematics, art, science, language and technology.

One day a year is set aside for the German celebration of “Fasching” when the children and staff dress up and enjoy a Mardi Gras.

All classes enjoy at least one educational outing and one ‘Wandertag’ or ‘walk’ each year.

The educational support team are teachers who have taken further courses in this field and have many years’ experience both in the classroom and in the special needs areas of primary school education.

The educational support team is characterised by innovation, best practice and a commitment to all learners to develop their confidence in areas that show particular weakness. We provide a rich, inclusive, curriculum to help meet the learning needs of all students, from those requiring support at times, to those at the other end of the learning continuum, whose learning requires enrichment.

In consultation with the student’s homeroom teacher and parents, the most appropriate method of intervention is discussed. Educational support is available to all children from Year One to Year Six. This support is delivered in a flexible manner to suit individual children or small groups. Students may be withdrawn from the class for extra tuition, or support may be given in the classroom.

The work of all those in the education support team has a clear focus on explicit, systematic teaching that is underpinned by an expectation that all students will make progress given sufficient time and support.

With the support and partnership of parents, interventions for learners who are underachieving at any level are designed to accelerate a student’s learning beyond what he or she can achieve alone. All the interventions offered are evidence based and research informed. Each is designed to provide rigorous, relevant and purposeful learning opportunities, supported by explicit and scaffolded teaching.

We use both classroom evidence and standardised data to determine when and how often a student may need support.

A school counsellor supplements the established system of pastoral care. The counsellor provides a sympathetic and supportive point of contact for students to discuss any problems.

Counselling at GSIS is designed to serve and assist the unique needs of international students and their families. While addressing the academic, social, and emotional needs of students, the counsellor also acts as a bridge between the Deputy Head of Primary, teachers and parents, working to create an environment where every student will have the tools needed to fulfill our school mission.

The counsellor works with students on a range of issues, including communication and relationship building skills with peers, parents, and teachers; time management and study skills; stress management; anxiety reduction; transitions; self-esteem; and management of peer pressure.

The counsellor maintains an up-to-date list of outside professionals in the area for students who may benefit from referral.

At GSIS, we are committed to embracing and developing teacher talent and leadership.

Educators at GSIS are encouraged to undertake regular professional development to keep abreast of the latest educational philosophies as well as being highly professional and capable 21st Century educators who 'stretch' students' understandings of the world around them so that they develop into globally responsible citizens.

Workshops and conferences are conducted either in-house or hosted by other international schools or educational institutions.

Here is a list of workshops and conferences our educators have had the privilege of attending:

• Hawker Brownlow Leadership Conference - Melbourne, Australia
• 21st Century Learning Conference - Hong Kong
• Exploring the Reggio Emilia Approach - Singapore
• International Brain and Mind Expo - Hong Kong
• Orff Schulwerk Approach weekend workshop (Jim Santi Owens) - Hong Kong
• MLATS workshop (Mathematics Learning & Teaching for Success) - Hong Kong
• EARCOS Weekend Workshops (East Asian Regional Council of Schools)
• Nelson Reading and Writing Workshop - Hong Kong

GSIS participates in the Life Education Activity Programme (LEAP). This is a ‘healthy living’ programme designed promote the importance of maintaining a healthy life style. In the upper primary classes it includes discussions about drugs and cigarettes and dealing with peer pressure.