Setting Sail for Summer

“Every meeting led to a parting, and so it would, as long as life was mortal. In every meeting, there was some of the sorrow of parting, but in everything parting, there was some of the joy of meeting as well.”― Cassandra Clare

International schools, by their nature, are transient. Partings and goodbyes, sometimes for good, are inevitable. In the book “Third Culture Kids: The Experience of Growing up Among Worlds,” Ruth Van Reken and David Pollock suggest parents help their children obtain a healthy sense of closure by using a strategy with the acronym RAFT. RAFT stands for reconciliation, affirmation, farewell, and think destination. The image and analogy of building a raft together also help children and adults alike to think about taking steps that will help them set sail for the next phase.

Reconciliation - The mental baggage of interpersonal difficulties can follow you to your next destination. Ask for forgiveness. Forgive. Try to resolve any lingering conflicts. If that’s not possible, do your part to let things go.

Affirmation - What did you appreciate about your experience? Who helped you grow? Who made your life better, easier, and more enjoyable? Identify the people, places, and things that were special. Say thank you and show gratitude for them.

Farewell - Choose a way to say goodbye. This can be done by writing a note, taking a picture, planning a special playdate or celebration, doing a favourite activity together, giving a gift, or making something like a drawing or a scrapbook.

Think Destination - Research your next destination. Look into what resources and supports are available. Contact other families that can pass on advice for the transition. Get excited about the new adventures ahead, and hold space for the sadness accompanying leaving and loss. 

As you set sail for summer and your next destination, we wish you courage and kindness on the journey.

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A Message From The GSIS Head Students 2022-2023

When we first took up the mantle in June 2022, we were terrified of speaking to senior management and finding out that our ideas would be unrealistic or disappointing the student body with yet another year of seemingly nothing getting done. That’s why we are immensely grateful to the SMT (Herr Dr. Bennhardt, Frau Cichon, and Mr. Misso-Veness) and our Trust Teachers (Ms. McCarrick and Herr Summe) for collaborating closely with us to create a better learning environment. Not to mention the insightful contributions of the class SVs from the ESD and GSD alike, who showed genuine passion and creativity in helping solve the issues of the school.

One of our first steps this year to foster a better learning environment was the complete revamp of the Student Life Website. Building upon the foundation made by previous Head Students, we consolidated all important school-related information into one site for students to easily access and added various new pages such as Societies, Student Initiatives, Helpful Links and Sports. It was a great success, receiving much positive feedback and support from students and teachers alike.

Furthermore, we raised a record-breaking HK$10,000 during our Christmas Candy Cane sale, far exceeding that of previous years, with all proceeds going towards a charity of students’ choice (Pathfinders Limited). Finally, we organised the first-ever Teacher’s Appreciation Week towards the end of the year to highlight and celebrate the hard work put in by the GSIS staff, including various teacher-vs-student events and handwritten messages of appreciation sent in by students.

With all public exams officially ending, we created an IGCSE/IB second-hand resource system to provide current Y9-11 students with a cheaper and more convenient option for acquiring these resources, connecting them with Y11-Y13 sellers. Students can access these using their @learning.gsis.edu.hk account on the Student Life Website homepage or Links page. 

Our other achievements this term include various well-being events to boost student morale, several Dress-Up Days to encourage school spirit and more SV (class representative) meetings to amplify students' voices. We’re proud to pass the torch to next year’s Head Students!

Edgar Cheng, Alexis Lee, Emily Arisandy, Nicholas Kolb

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A Message From The University Guidance Team

ENRICHMENT & ADVANCEMENT OPPORTUNITIES

1) Summer Legal Carnival 2023, The University of Law Hong Kong (in-person in HK)
Students are invited to join our Summer Legal Carnival, where they can understand the routes to practice as lawyers in Hong Kong, England and Wales and the United States, as well as alternative career options after graduating from law school. Mental Health Law in Hong Kong and the legislation around this area will also be introduced.
Date: Saturday, 8 July 2023
Time: 2:00 - 4:30 pm (Registration: 13:40)
Venue: HKMA, 3/F, Tower 2, South Seas Centre, 75 Mody Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
RSVP: Email studyhk@law.ac.uk or call +852 3959 8667
Registration deadline: 30 June 2023

2) Masaryk Medical Summer School 2023

For all aspiring medical/dental applicants for 2024 and beyond. Masaryk University in Brno, Czech Republic, is launching a summer school for students who are interested in pursuing medical or dental studies (in English). It will run from 21 to 26 August, accommodation included. Masaryk University is one of only a handful of European medical schools that qualifies for US Federal Loan funding.
For more information, click here or email ben@medicaldoorway.com.
Deadline to apply: 31 July 2023

Claire Wilkins Head of University Guidance Email

Beatrice Ugolini University Guidance Counsellor Email

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Coming Together To Build A Sculpture

We are one school - under this keyword, I would like to initiate a joint art project involving all students and colleagues of GSIS. And now, the time has come, and the preparations for such a project have been completed. I would like to thank Mats Rauhut (former K12), Elisa Duong (K10), Leander Georges (K11), Monika Tavernier, Dr. Dirk Bennhardt and Andrew Hull for their intensive support in developing the idea.

COMING TOGETHER TO BUILD A SCULPTURE

I invite all of you (students, teachers and all GSIS staff) to join this art project. All you have to do is bring a found or self-made souvenir from your vacation to school after the holidays and lend it to us for the time of the art display (please see details below). We look forward to your cooperation!

Sample artwork by Sarah Sze

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Leavers - School Year 2022/23

As you leave, know your hard work will be remembered and appreciated. Best of luck in your future endeavours.

Administration 

• Vicky Ngo - Secretary (ESD) 
• Anita Lam - Head of Accounting 
• Steve Tam - Facilities Officer 
• Jacquline Tam - Office Assistant 
• Natasha Ngai - Operations and Procurement Coordinator 
• Susana Mercardo - Administrative Assistant 
• Han Zhonghong - Cleaner 
• Liu Xiaolan - Cleaner 
• Huang Kaibin - Cleaner 
• Squid Lum - Facilities Technician
• Siu Shu Ho - Facilities Technician 
• Man Chung Lun - Facilities Technician 
• Sandra Tai - HR Administrator 
• Stella Tong - Assistant Librarian 
• Grace Wong - Laboratory Assistant 
• Leon Ngai - Caretaker 
• Kitjue Chan - Caretaker 

Kindergarten 

• Vivien Cheng - Teacher Assistant 
• Rachel Frawley - Teacher 
• Teresa Poon - Teacher 

EPD 

• Tabitha Johnson - Teacher Librarian 
• Jennifer McLachlan - Head of Music 
• Erin Gillespie - Teacher 
• Dirk Budwill - Teacher 

GPD

• Petra Frommann - Teacher 
• Tom Alston - International Youth Volunteer 
• Jacob Depner - International Youth Volunteer 

GSD 

• Lena Jaeschke - Psychologist for Learning Support 
• Tobias Gresch - Teacher 
• Stefan Kronbach - Teacher 
• Zhang Wei - Teacher 
• Robert Hahn - Teacher 

ESD 

• Tanya Schindler - School Counsellor 
• Laura Maddison - School Counsellor 
• Derek Irwin - Teacher 
• Jonathan Chan-Combrink - Teacher 
• Kamilla Hayward - Teacher 

It's with deep sadness that we learned of Charles Yorke’s passing this school year. He left us too early and will be greatly missed. May he rest in peace.

SMT 

• Dr. Dirk Bennhardt - Principal 
• Priska Erni - GPD Head of Department 
• Serkan Ari - Director of Technology

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Jetwave Solution - Summer Swimming Camp 2023

Join the GSIS x Jet Wave Solution Summer Swimming Camp 2023!

The camp will take place 5 days in a row from 26 - 30 June, 3 - 7 July, 7 - 11 August, and 14 - 18 August at The Peak Campus swimming pool.

Fees (per week):
30 min = HK$1,500
40 min = HK$2,000

For more information, please download the leaflet, contact Jet Wave Solution at jetwavesolution2021@gmail.com, or click the button below to register.

BOOK NOW

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2022-23 Yearbook Pre-Orders

The 2022-23 Yearbook is now available for pre-orders on the GSIS Online Shop. The estimated publication date is November 2023.

This year, we will once again have a special Early Bird offer valid now until 31 August 2023:
• Print - Early Bird: HK$249 / Retail: HK$299
• Digital - Early Bird: HK$99 / Retail: HK$129
• Print & Digital - Early Bird: HK$299 / Retail: HK$349

Reserve your copy today and keep these cherished memories at GSIS.

PRE-ORDER NOW

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Summer Camps 2023 - Camp Beaumont

We have an exciting summer ahead here at German Swiss International School, the Peak Campus!

Camp Beaumont, the United Kingdom’s most established multi-activity day camp provider, will be back again in Hong Kong, creating inspiring adventures throughout the summer holidays at GSIS! With over 50 camps in the UK, and 12 across Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia, and Thailand, Camp Beaumont’s much-loved, confidence-boosting experiences encourage 5- to 12-year-olds to step outside their comfort zones and realise their potential.

Throughout the week, Camp Beaumont offers all children (GSIS and non-GSIS students alike) the opportunity to learn new skills, discover new interests, try new things, and have fun with new friends, all set within the fantastic facilities we have here at GSIS.

A special offer of a 10% discount applies to all GSIS parents. Please use the code GSIS10 when making the booking.

BOOK NOW

For further enquiries, please email campbookings@campbeaumont.hk or contact Camp Beaumont via their Hotline / WhatsApp at (+852) 6549 8602. If you have any other questions, please contact the Student Services Team at afternoonactivities@gsis.edu.hk.

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