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GSIS Gazette – Issue #35

15th January 2021

Dear members of our school community

After a very difficult 2020 we have all arrived in 2021 with hopes for a more positive and prosperous new year. I wish for you and all of us together that we will tackle the new challenges that are undoubtedly ahead of us, that together we will move on, stay healthy and not let the virus get us down.

The year began with a few surprises. During our Christmas break, the Hong Kong government announced an extension of the mandatory hotel quarantine from two to three weeks. This hit hard some members of our school community who were visiting their relatives overseas for Christmas. Even more affected were those who traveled to the UK and are not allowed to enter Hong Kong for the time being due to the emergence of a new and even more aggressive variant of the virus.

Schools were further affected by the extension of the closure until Chinese New Year, but will be allowed to teach up to one-sixth of their student capacity on campus each day. This presented schools with difficult strategic decisions and complicated logistical challenges. Unfortunately, as per EDB decision, Kindergartens remain closed.

GSIS’ arrangement provides for online classes for Primary and Secondary students in the first phase from 11–15 January. In the second phase, starting 18 January, the Primary and Secondary departments will begin teaching one-sixth of the students on campus on a rotating system. In the first two weeks (18-29 January), priority has been given to those Secondary classes taking (or preparing for) exams. Grades K10 and K12 of GIS are preparing for the ‘Mittlerer Schulabschluss’ (German Intermediate School Leaving Certificate) and Abitur (exams starting 1 February) and Y11 and Y13 of EIS will be sitting the Mock Exams. You have already received more detailed information from the Heads of Department. 

In Secondary, to reach maximum on-campus presence, we opted for face-to-face classes from Lessons 1 through 7, rather than dividing the day into four morning and four afternoon lessons; this allows for more efficient and beneficial use of lesson time. 

I am confident that together we can work through this time successfully. The new arrangement demands tremendous effort and flexibility from our department heads and staff. We must expect our students to remain focused as well, even if they have to study mostly from home and on their own. Finally, all parents are very involved as they have to support and motivate their children while creating an appropriate learning environment at home. Unfortunately, the parents of younger and very young children are particularly affected by the pandemic and the resulting measures. It is certainly not easy for our students either to still have to do without school contacts to a large extent. Nevertheless, I am glad that all Primary and Secondary school students are being given the opportunity to come to school at least one day a week.

I would like to thank all of you, my colleagues at school, parents and students, for your everlasting support. Above all, I wish that you get through this time well and that we can hopefully anticipate and experience a way out of the crisis soon.

With best wishes

Ulrich Weghoff
Principal
Email


We are all excited to welcome students back on campus next week and I’m sure students are also looking forward to being back on the campuses, albeit not back to daily face-to-face lessons.  In compliance with the EDB’s regulations, we have planned a schedule that allows us to bring back the maximum number of students, with a balance between exam prep/exam years and the remaining year groups.

Details for your attention

By now, each Department Head has communicated its respective schedule and Department-specific details with you.  Please reach out to them if you have further questions.

In order to ensure a safe, healthy and smooth school resumption, our Facility team has worked full speed to prepare a safe and CHP compliant learning and work environment for all.  Please be reminded of the Temperature Log and Health Declaration Form as these are mandatory requirements. Please ensure your child has a screenshot of the completed Health Declaration to show our staff on their first day back on campus.

Buses

  1. In order to support students to and from school for face-to face classes, school bus services will resume from 18th January onwards and Kwoon Chung Motors (KCM) will tailor-make the bus routes to match the need.  For students in Y11 and Y13 who are sitting mock exams, there will be an additional 3:20pm school bus.  KCM will inform the bus users the route number, as well as the details of pick up and drop off arrangements individually by Sunday.
  2. The bus tendering process is well in progress and I would like to take this opportunity to thank our Bus Committee members’ time and hardwork.  I will report back once a decision has been made.

Traffic Flow at our Peak Campuses

As there will still be many students being dropped off and picked up by private cars, please be reminded to only drop off in designated areas on Guildford Road after 7:30am, and the drop off spot on Mansfield Road if you arrive before 7:30am.   In order to eliminate any potential congestion after 7:20-7:25am, we encourage you to drop off your child(ren) 5-10 minutes earlier. We ask for your full collaboration to ensure a smooth and safe traffic conditions for all students and the community.

Alternate Meal Options up until Chinese New Year

A survey was recently carried out for the purpose of enhancing the packed/alternate meal option during these controlled resumptions when the full/new menu cannot be implemented.  We are looking into adding variety for the packed lunches and I’m sure that some of you have already noticed the changes implemented in the Coffee Corner at the cafeteria.  I’m pleased to let you know that the new variety and quality of choices has been well received.

I wish you all a great weekend.

Clare Chiu
Managing Director
Email


Schoolwide News

Reminder: Submit your Covid-19 Health Declaration Form
Mr Misso-Veness to speak at SCMP’s Virtual Conference “The Future of Education”
University Guidance: Upcoming Events (External)

German International Stream

Kindergarten Corner

Dear Parents

A Very Happy New Year to all of you.

We trust you had a meaningful and festive Christmas in Hong Kong.

Sadly, the Education Bureau has extended the Kindergarten closure and therefore we are still in online learning mode. Fortunately, we all have been prepared for this extension and this allowed us a smooth start on Monday. The children have been very enthusiastic to share their Christmas holidays with us.

We also would like to give you an update on the upcoming events in January and February which will now take place online.

January:
Fasching (originally 22 January)

Your class teachers will inform you accordingly to whatever plans they have for their class’ Fasching celebration.

February:
Chinese New Year

In due course, we will be giving more information about our Chinese New Year Assembly.

We would like to start the year with a quote, that

Every moment is a fresh beginningT.S. Eliot

Warm regards

Sophie Burdel
Head of Kindergarten
Email
Eileen Mah
Deputy Head of Kindergarten and Deputy Child Protection Officer Pok Fu Lam Campus
Email

Departmental News and Announcements

No updates / announcements this week.

Primary Corner

Dear Parents

We are looking forward to having our students back on Campus from next week on.

You received all the details for the start next Monday in an Email last Wednesday.

Any additional information you will get from the class teachers directly.

Parents Workshop

We are pleased to announce that we will be hosting Parent Effectiveness Training Workshops for EPD and GPD parents.

The first workshop is titled “What To Do When Your Child Is Upset” and will be led by Odette Umali. Ms Umali is the founder of Gordon Parenting and a certified Parent Effectiveness Training (P.E.T.) Instructor. You can learn more at the website HERE.

This workshop will be held via Zoom on Wednesday, February 3 at 12:30pm (Lunch and Learn). You must register in order to receive the Zoom link and the workshop handout. A link to register will be sent out next week. Included in the registration is a space to respond to “What parenting challenges are you facing that you would like addressed in the workshop?” Additionally, there will be time for Q&A at the end.

We hope you can take advantage of this opportunity to learn, grow and be encouraged as a parent in the new year!

Celebrations

We are looking forward to celebrating two big festivals in primary: Fasching and Chinese New Year. Fasching will be celebrated the week of 25 - 29 January and Chinese New Year will be celebrated 4-10 February.

Both are important traditions which we celebrate at school. We plan activities during break time on one of the days where your child is at school. For both festivals, we encourage the students to dress up accordingly.

Priska Erni
Head of German Primary Department
Email
Inga Riedel-Narayan
Deputy Head of German Primary Department
Email

Departmental News and Announcements

No updates / announcements this week.

Secondary Corner

Departmental News and Announcements

No updates / announcements this week.

English International Stream

Kindergarten Corner

Dear Parents

A Very Happy New Year to all of you.

We trust you had a meaningful and festive Christmas in Hong Kong.

Sadly, the Education Bureau has extended the Kindergarten closure and therefore we are still in online learning mode. Fortunately, we all have been prepared for this extension and this allowed us a smooth start on Monday. The children have been very enthusiastic to share their Christmas holidays with us.

We also would like to give you an update on the upcoming events in January and February which will now take place online.

January:
Fasching (originally 22 January)

Your class teachers will inform you accordingly to whatever plans they have for their class’ Fasching celebration.

February:
Chinese New Year

In due course, we will be giving more information about our Chinese New Year Assembly.

We would like to start the year with a quote, that

Every moment is a fresh beginningT.S. Eliot

Warm regards

Sophie Burdel
Head of Kindergarten
Email
Eileen Mah
Deputy Head of Kindergarten and Deputy Child Protection Officer Pok Fu Lam Campus
Email

Departmental News and Announcements

No updates / announcements this week.

Primary Corner

Dear Parents,

Parent Workshops

We are pleased to announce that we will be hosting Parent Effectiveness Training Workshops for EPD and GPD parents.

The first workshop is titled “What To Do When Your Child Is Upset” and will be led by Odette Umali. Ms Umali is the founder of Gordon Parenting and a certified Parent Effectiveness Training (P.E.T.) Instructor. You can learn more at the website HERE.

This workshop will be held via Zoom on Wednesday, February 3 at 12:30pm (Lunch and Learn). You must register in order to receive the Zoom link and the workshop handout. A link to register will be sent out next week. Included in the registration is a space to respond to “What parenting challenges are you facing that you would like addressed in the workshop?” Additionally, there will be time for Q&A at the end.

We hope you can take advantage of this opportunity to learn, grow and be encouraged as a parent in the new year!

Celebrations

We are making plans to mark the celebrations of both Fasching and Chinese New Year, both traditionally celebrated at GSIS with dressing up and activities. We encourage the students to dress up for both festivals and we will mark the celebrations with appropriate activities on campus. Fasching will be celebrated the week of 25-29 January and Chinese New Year will be celebrated 4-10 February.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Kim Cunningham
Head of English Primary
Email
Donna Morley
Deputy Head of English Primary
Email

Departmental News and Announcements

No updates / announcements this week.

Secondary Corner

Departmental News and Announcements

No updates / announcements this week.

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