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GSIS Gazette – Issue #23
4th September 2020 
We are now well and truly into our first week back at our virtual school after a very productive week of what a year ago seemed an unthinkable way of teaching and learning. Technology has been our close friend and thank goodness for the resourceful ways in which we can teach and learn online, stay in touch and communicate in real time. The ability to share with one another at the touch of a button makes collaboration and teamwork so much easier. Below are the links to information which relates to online learning so please do take a look to refresh your memory for the upcoming weeks.
Summary of all online learning resources for students and parents to get an overview
- BYOD Help for Parents
- Online Learning Help Desk
- GSIS Online Learning Safeguarding Guidance
- GSIS Guide to Effective Learning at Home
- Responsible User Agreement
In light of the news received from the EDB that classroom learning can resume at the end of September, we must reflect on the many months of incredible resourcefulness, collaboration and willingness to embrace new ways of working, whether as students, staff or parents of our younger students. The whole experience has brought us all closer together as a community around our mission. We must now continue to focus on fully integrating our four year Strategic Plan and uphold the GSIS Core Values within our school.
https://www.gsis.edu.hk/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Strategic_Plan.pdf
Within the GSIS community, there have been many examples of compassion and generosity; there is no doubt that the experience of the past months will leave a deep imprint on the lives of everyone. On a personal note, I am very much looking forward to the hustle and bustle of young people in our corridors and for GSIS to get back to its “vibrant, creative and caring community” that we are.
Ulrich Weghoff
Principal
Email
This week, some students were invited back on campus to collect their study books and it was most rewarding to see so many happy student faces. I was also particularly pleased to hear teachers from different year groups and subjects share their positive feedback on our online learning programme so far. As well as this, I received emails from parents sharing their positive feedback about the school's communications and their overall experience which is very encouraging to all of us. This is a perfect demonstration of how GSIS students and the community rise above challenges and stand for excellence.
School Resumption
A detailed full-day resumption plan has now been submitted to the EDB and we will inform parents as soon as we receive confirmation back from them. In the meantime, our preparations are in full swing and we are looking forward to welcoming some students back from 16th September for the ‘soft launch’, and remaining students back on 23rd and 29th respectively for “Phase 1’ and ‘Phase 2’. Our ‘Roadmap to School Resumption’ will be shared with students and parents next week and I encourage you to read it.
Policies
In order to provide better protection for our students, school and the overall community, GSIS will be implementing a number of policies. We will be in touch shortly regarding their implementation and what will be required from you, as parents, but the first three to be launched are:
- Data Protection Policy
- PICS (Personal Information Collection Statement)
- Community & Communications Policy
New GSIS Association Membership Procedure
Please allow me to share the context and rationale for the suspension of membership renewal and payment. In July, and in order to prevent the Membership irregularities which were experienced during the last EGM from happening again, the GSIS administration team requested that the Board review the Membership registration, renewal and payment processes. The best course of action, therefore, was to temporarily freeze all membership payments until the new financial year, once the new procedures and systems were in place. It is important to note that all existing memberships paid in the Financial Year 2019-20 remain in place. An announcement from the Board will be made shortly with regards to these new membership procedures and payment methods for 2020-21.
As well as this, to tie-in with the launch of the Data Protection and PICS policies, the consent to both policies will be incorporated as part of the new membership procedure to ensure that the data collected is managed and used in compliance with the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (PDPO). It will also provide guiding principles to the school and our community about data sharing in general, from students’ data to members.
Clare Chiu
Managing Director
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From Head of German International Stream
Dear Parents
On Monday we will already be starting the fourth week of school and there is now light at the end of the online tunnel. The time for classes to resume on-campus is approaching and the school preparations are in full swing. Thanks to Google Meet, the numerous routines at the beginning of the school year could and will be mainly carried out as per the original schedule (although in a different, and for many of us, unfamiliar format).
The parents' evenings, where you can get initial feedback on your children's start to the new school year and traditionally elect your Class Parents' Representatives (KPR), are already underway and will be completed within the next two weeks. I hope that we will work closely together again this year to create a school environment that offers optimal conditions for your children. Open and honest dialogues are as essential as respectful interaction. Our recently published Online Learning Roadmap contains the flowchart of the communication process at our school, which should make it easier for you to quickly find the right contact person in any situation.
As Child Protection Officer of the German International Stream, I would like to take this opportunity to remind you that, despite the current travel restrictions, that in the event of both parents being absent from Hong Kong at the same time, it is essential to appoint an official guardian to take over supervision during this time. As usual, please inform us informally by email via the respective departmental secretary in due time before your departure:
I wish you a relaxing weekend and a good start to the coming week.
Grit Cichon
DEPUTY PRINCIPAL / HEAD OF GERMAN INTERNATIONAL STREAM
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Kindergarten Corner
Primary Corner
Updates and Announcements
Secondary Corner
Updates and Announcements
Kindergarten Corner
Primary Corner
Dear Parents,
Monday’s news regarding on-site school resumption was welcomed by all. Whilst we have the May guidelines from the EDB, we are awaiting updated guidelines to ensure we follow all the measures required. Our facilities team has worked very hard to provide additional safety precautions so that we can welcome back all of the students in the class at the same time. We look forward to finalizing our plan and sharing it with you.
The teachers are continuing their robust online learning provisions whilst we also create our on-site plan. Below is information about our book sharing program, so please take a look.
Finally, thank you for your participation in this week’s KPR meetings. This might be the way forward for some meetings, as we appeared to have great participation, no parking issues, and quicker elections!
Enjoy your weekend!
Updates and Announcements
Secondary Corner
A very busy few weeks ahead as we prepare for the long-awaited resumption of classes on campus. There will be more specific details to follow but, in outline:
- Y10-13 will formally resume on-campus classes on 23 Sept (Phase 1)
- Y07-9 on 29 Sept (Phase 2).
We are aiming for full-day, and full-class, resumption for all ESD yeargroups on the dates noted above. The intention is to follow the timetable as far as we can, within the restrictions imposed. There will need to be some special arrangements for lunches and breaks and we are working on these
In addition to the formal resumption of school on 23/29 Sept, we are permitted to have smaller groups in school for up to a half-day each day in the period 16-22 Sept (i.e. prior to official start dates). The intention for ESD is to invite
- Y07 in for a half-day on the 16 Sept for induction & orientation;
- also on the 16 Sept, new students from Y08-12 will be invited orientation/induction
- Y11 will come in for 2 half-days on 17&18 Sept;
- Y13 in for 2 half-days on 21&22 Sept.
More detail will follow via email in the days to come.
KPR Meetings
This week, we are hosting our KPR meetings online through Google Meet. You should have received the letter with the invitations and links.
Details of the KPR system can be found on our school website (link here). Thank you to those parents who have already volunteered to act as KPRs this year.
I look forward to 'seeing' many of you online during the KPR meetings on Tuesday (Y07/8); Wednesday (Y09/10); Thursday (Y11/12)
 Ken Stevenson |
