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GSIS Gazette – Issue #38

2nd February 2021

HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK

This week, the K12 students of the German International Stream (GIS) completed part of their written Abitur. As I believe the value and understanding of this qualification is still new to many of our non-German parents, I would like to take this opportunity to explain it further on the occasion of the written Abitur this and next week.

The students of the GIS complete their Secondary education with the German International Abitur (DIA). This is a bilingual version of the German Abitur with English-language examination components of up to 50%, which is offered especially in the German schools abroad. 

The bilingual German International Abitur is a forward-looking qualification that is in line with the globalised world in terms of content and language. It prepares students for studies in Germany, Switzerland and Austria and also opens doors to colleges and universities in the United States, Canada, the UK, the Netherlands and many other countries. Admission offices at colleges and universities around the world recognise that DIA graduates stand out from the large crowd of applicants with other degrees (e.g. IB or A-level) because of their special competencies, especially their skills in foreign and local languages. 

Families of many nationalities appreciate the strengths of the DIA curriculum. In 2019, almost 75% of the 84,000 students studying at German schools abroad came from their school's host country or a nation other than Germany. They all benefit from the network of over 140 German schools abroad in all major cities around the world that share best practices and cooperate with each other. Transferring from one German school abroad to another, for example from Hong Kong to New York or from Hong Kong to Tokyo, is often easier than changing schools in Germany.

Learning in the two world languages German and English offers enormous advantages and creates a world of opportunities:

German is the language of Beethoven, Goethe, Marie Curie, Albert Einstein and many other famous thinkers and artists as well as inventors of many innovative products. 

German is the most widely spoken language in the European Union. It is spoken by 120 million people, and more than 17 million people worldwide learn German. 

Germany is the fourth largest economy in the world and home to some of the most outstanding cultural, scientific, educational and entrepreneurial institutes and companies. Let's remember, for example, that the first vaccine against COVID-19 was developed by the German company Biontech in collaboration with Pfizer.

As the world's lingua franca, English is the most important international language. 320 million people speak English as their mother tongue and up to one billion people worldwide can speak and understand English. 

The fluency of both languages by our Secondary school graduates is a skill that should not be underestimated and can hardly ever be caught up on, opening wide the door to the world for them.

Our bilingual programme from Kindergarten to Grade 12 prepares our students for DIA and equips them not only with a basic language acquisition skill, but also with an appreciation for other cultures. Studies also show that bilingual children have more creativity and competence in problem solving as well as a greater ability to concentrate. A second language enables children to strengthen reading, writing and comprehension skills in their own mother tongue. It also gives them a head start for university language requirements and offers improved international education and career opportunities.

The DIA comprises three written and two oral examinations. German is the compulsory first written examination subject, while the second and third written examination subjects can be chosen from Mathematics, a foreign language, a social science subject (Geography, History) and a natural science subject (Physics, Chemistry, Biology). The two oral examination subjects (an oral examination and a presentation followed by an examination discussion) are chosen from the remaining subjects. In addition to the examination sections in German and the foreign languages, the examination also includes bilingual and/or foreign-language subjects. The overall DIA grade however does not only consist of the five written and oral examination parts, but also includes points/scores achieved over the four school semesters in years 11 and 12, which count for about two thirds of the final grade. 

Our Abitur graduates are prepared for the DIA in at least ten compulsory subjects, which reflects the idea of a broad education and training. We do not want our future doctors to be unable to distinguish Bach from Brahms and not know Rilke. We do not want our future scientists to have never heard of ethics in science. We do not want our future politicians to have never heard of cross-cutting thinking in scientific aspects of sustainability.

That is why the bilingual German International Abitur, with its broad subject coverage, its deep and critical penetration of curricular topics, and its linguistic versatility of understanding and expression, provides an ideal basis for students to understand the world and to help shape it responsibly and competently. 

I am pleased that at GSIS in the German International Stream we equip our students with the foundations for an international career as described above. This excellent education, which we have also been providing successfully with the IB programme in our English International Stream for many years, is thus appropriately reflected in the German International Stream and makes GSIS, as a school with two streams, an unbeatably versatile, pioneering, unique and attractive school.

I wish you a relaxing weekend and Kung Hei Fat Choy!

Ulrich Weghoff
Principal
Email


Dear Parents

I hope you and family are enjoying the sunny weather we have had lately, and it certainly is the best time of the year.  I know a lot of our families are enjoying the outdoor activities and the fresh air in the context of pandemic and I wish you a great weekend to come. 

I am sure that you have all seen by now the email from the school yesterday sharing the information we have received from the EDB.  At the time of writing, we have still not received any further guidelines and clarification regarding the requirements for full resumption of half day classes.  We will continue to monitor closely and as soon as we have received further information from the EDB, we will inform the community of our plans.

I would also like to update you on our budget for the Academic Year 21/22 which has been preliminarily reviewed and approved by the Finance Committee and Board.  We are in the process of finalising a few matters and will be ready to communicate details with the community and the EDB in March. Please be assured that the school has tried hard to work out a budget keeping the economic downturn and financial pressure at the forefront of our minds.  In due course, we will share further details, together with the re-enrolment procedure, with all parents.

I am sure that we will be in touch soon regarding the resumption plan after Chinese New Year and therefore please keep an eye out for the email. Meanwhile, have a great weekend!

Clare Chiu
Managing Director
Email


Community Committee

It was wonderful to have the opportunity to meet and talk with members of the GSIS Community at our virtual Fasching Party on Thursday evening. Whilst we appreciate many of you are experiencing Google Meet fatigue we look forward to bringing you more fun events throughout the school year. 

For those of you who were unable to join yesterday, our current plans include:

  • A virtual quiz night open to all GSIS community- students, parents, alumni and staff on Thursday 25th February (Quiz sign up)
  • We have started reaching out to previous Parents Committee and Connect members to join us and some of them have already committed to continue their work with the various clubs.  Watch this space for more activities coming up.
  • We have kicked-off the planning for the Christmas Bazaar 2021

We welcome new and innovative ideas with which we can continue engaging with the Community during times of social distancing and of course also thereafter. If you would like to help out or have ideas and suggestions for future events please email us at communitycommittee@gsis.edu.hk

Fasching Celebrations

We have attached a link to a recipe and a video made by our members for homemade baked doughnuts for you to enjoy with your families over Fasching. We hope that you have as much fun as we did making and eating the doughnuts. (Doughnut making video)

Note that we’ve also extended the deadline for the Fasching Photo Competition so that you all have a chance to get dressed up over the weekend. Send us photos of you and your kids dressed up for a chance to win a box of 12 doughnuts:

  1. Best student costume
  2. Best adult costume (we hope parents and staff will get involved too)
  3. Best group costumes (siblings, family or friends)

Please send your submissions to us at communitycommittee@gsis.edu.hk by the end of day Sunday 7th February.

The Community Committee
Email


Attachments
https://www.gsis.edu.hk/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Fasching-Doughnut-Recipe.pdf

Schoolwide News

GSIS Alumni and Community Business Directory

German International Stream

Kindergarten Corner

Dear Parents

Our CHINESE NEW YEAR celebration will take place online on

TUESDAY, 9 FEBRUARY 2021 at 8:30 am.

Kindly click on this link to usher in the Year of the Ox.

The festivities will commence with a live Chinese New Year story from Frau Burdel and Ms Mah followed by a “Lion Dance” performance.  If you wish, you may dress your child in CHINESE CLOTHES or RED on that day to celebrate the spirit of this festival.

The event can still be viewed at a later time, hence, if you are unable to join us at 8:30 am or even if your child would like to view the whole celebration again, please feel free to click on the link.

We would also like to take this opportunity to thank the Community Committee for organising the “Lion Dance”.

Sophie Burdel
Head of Kindergarten
Email
Eileen Mah
Deputy Head of Kindergarten and Deputy Child Protection Officer Pok Fu Lam Campus
Email
https://www.gsis.edu.hk/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/CNYGazette2021_jordan.png
(Click thumbnail/s to enlarge image)

Departmental News and Announcements

No updates / announcements this week.

Primary Corner

Dear Parents,

Yesterday the government announced new regulations for in-class teaching.

We are already working on the new plans for your children and will send out detailed information next Wednesday.

Online Parents' Consultation Days

Thanks to the positive feedback and also because of the interim campus security arrangements, we will again be holding Parents Information Days online.

Once again you will be able to book your appointments with the teachers and educators via the online tool - Calendly This tool will send you a link for the video conference (Google Meet) once you have booked. Please take your time on the following days to read through the information and book your appointments.

  • 10 February: Sending of links and guidance documents
  • from 11 February to 48 hours before the parent-teacher conferences: Booking of appointments
  • 1 / 2 March: Parents' meetings online PFL
  • 8 / 9 March: Parents' meetings online Peak

If teachers wish to hold parent meetings that take longer than the usual time, they will contact you to arrange another meeting time.

Please note that some of our part-time teachers are only available on one of the two days. This will be apparent to you as part of the online booking process.

Kung Hei Fat Choi!

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

Inter-House Music Festival

English International Stream

Kindergarten Corner

Dear Parents

Our CHINESE NEW YEAR celebration will take place online on

TUESDAY, 9 FEBRUARY 2021 at 8:30 am.

Kindly click on this link to usher in the Year of the Ox.

The festivities will commence with a live Chinese New Year story from Frau Burdel and Ms Mah followed by a “Lion Dance” performance.  If you wish, you may dress your child in CHINESE CLOTHES or RED on that day to celebrate the spirit of this festival.

The event can still be viewed at a later time, hence, if you are unable to join us at 8:30 am or even if your child would like to view the whole celebration again, please feel free to click on the link.

We would also like to take this opportunity to thank the Community Committee for organising the “Lion Dance”.

Sophie Burdel
Head of Kindergarten
Email
Eileen Mah
Deputy Head of Kindergarten and Deputy Child Protection Officer Pok Fu Lam Campus
Email
https://www.gsis.edu.hk/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/CNYGazette2021_jordan.png
(Click thumbnail/s to enlarge image)

Departmental News and Announcements

No updates / announcements this week.

Primary Corner

Dear Parents,

Yesterday the government announced new regulations for in-class teaching to go into effect after Chinese New Year. We are working on the new plans for resumption with ⅓ of the students each day. Our detailed plan will be sent out next Wednesday.

Online Parents' Information Days

Parent Information Days will be held online again. Thanks to the safety measures in place during the fall PIDs we have learned that the online method is quite a positive way of holding the meetings. 

Once again you will be able to book your appointments with the teachers via the online tool - Calendly This tool will send you a link for the video conference (Google Meet) once you have booked.

  • 10 February: Sending of links and guidance documents
  • 11 February to 48 hours before the parent-teacher conferences: Booking of appointments
  • 1 / 2 March: Parents' meetings online PFL (2 March no school for Year 1)
  • 8 / 9 March: Parents' meetings online Peak (8 March, no school for Years 2-6)

Please note that some of our teachers are only available on one of the two days. This will be apparent to you as part of the online booking process.

Kung Hei Fat Choi!

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

Departmental News and Announcements

No updates / announcements this week.

Secondary Corner

Departmental News and Announcements

Inter-House Music Festival

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