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Hip, hip, hooray! Congratulations to our IBDP Class of 2023 🎓! Last Thursday marked a milestone in the lives of 58 students from our English International Stream as they marched down the stage in the IB Hall. Family and friends were gathered to celebrate this memorable moment. We wish all our graduates the very best as they embark on their next adventure!
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Congratulations 🎉🎈🎊
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GSIS Gazette – Issue #50
26th May 2021
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- Principal's Column
- Managing Director's Update
- News from the Board
- Community Committee
- Schoolwide News
- German International Stream
- English International Stream
- Book Reviews
- Alumni
- This Week in Images
Dear Members of the School Community
By now, our Abitur students of the German International Stream have left GSIS and are probably celebrating their success on a Greek island. They have earned this timeout before continuing their education and starting their studies in Germany or at European and international universities. Although the pandemic seems to be subsiding at the moment, studying in the time of COVID still comes with considerable restrictions, and I wish our Abitur students that they will soon be able to sit and work together with their fellow students in lecture halls and seminars again.
Just yesterday, we held a farewell ceremony for our 56 IB graduates of Year 13 of the English International Stream. Due to the large number of participants, there were three consecutive events to allow all graduates and their teachers and relatives to attend. We enjoyed three successful ceremonies with the speeches of the Head of the English International Stream, Simon Misso-Veness, the speech of the Principal, the presentation of IB diplomas, language diplomas and other awards, as well as the final speech by the graduates, delivered by Anju Chenaux-Repond and Raphael Wong.
According to the IBO organisation's mission statement, the aim of the International Baccalaureate is to "to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect."
I am convinced that with their GSIS education our graduates are very well equipped not only with an academic skill set, which our IB results prove time and again, but also with above-average intercultural understanding against the background of their education at a school with two streams and pronounced internationality.
The offers received from universities in the UK and the US show that our graduates have done exceptionally well in their university applications this year despite the considerable challenges. Our students have been accepted to highly ranked and the most renowned universities in the world such as King's College London, London School of Economics, University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, Boston University, Brown University, University of California, Columbia University, Cornell University, Harvard College, MIT, New York University, Princeton University, Stanford University, Yale University, etc.
As always, our University Counsellors have focused on advising each student individually to ensure that they seize the best options and make educated decisions for their future.
In addition to the Abitur and IB graduates, other students are also leaving GSIS either because their families are leaving Hong Kong or they are leaving for pastures new. This is a common occurrence every school year here and at any German school abroad or international school. As far as I know today, a total of 157 students will leave us at the end of this school year. It is worth noting that with 172 new enrolments known so far, GSIS has been able to record growth despite the worldwide decline in new enrolments at German schools abroad due to the pandemic. This makes GSIS one of the very few schools in the German school system abroad whose student numbers are increasing. This is due, among other things, to the successful transformation of the German Kindergarten into a bilingual German international Kindergarten, the introduction of the CLIPPY programme (Cultural and Language Integration Program Primary Years) in the GPD, the introduction of the Fasttrack programme in the GSD and the high demand for places in the EIS.
With the resumption of full-day classes since Monday as well as the Y13 graduation ceremonies, an eventful week is coming to an end and we are entering our last weeks of the school year, which we hope we can successfully bring to a close with full day classes.
Have a good weekend
| Ulrich Weghoff Principal |
Dear Parents
Our secondary students started their full day learning at school on Monday and we were also pleased that our lunch services started again which is all positive progress towards the life we used to have.
Traffic
I am sure you also noticed that traffic on the Peak has improved because secondary students are now dismissed in the afternoon. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank parents and drivers for their collaboration as it takes everyone’s cooperation to manage our traffic at the Peak campus. I would like to take this opportunity to remind you once again of the ‘Dos and Don’ts’ agreed with the police.
Bus Company: Synergy
I am pleased to inform you that the bus company selected to provide the school’s bus services for the upcoming academic year (2021/22) will be Synergy. Please note that there will be no change to the bus provider for the Clearwater Bay and Sai Kung areas.
If you intend your child to use the school bus service next academic year, please click here to view the price list, enrolment form, communication protocol, terms and conditions and FAQs using the password ‘GSIS’. Please also look out for an update from the Student Services Team.
Please join me in thanking the diligent Bus Company Selection Committee and the Operations team for their relentless efforts and due diligence in selecting the new bus company on behalf of our parents.
Bus Company Selection Committee/Parent Representatives:
- Verena Patricia Favre (PFL)
- Kevin Kwok Ming NG (PFL)
- Doris von Niederhäusern Bertoli (PFL)
- Barun Agarwal (Peak and PFL)
I hope you all have a lovely weekend.
Best regards
| Clare Chiu Managing Director |
Schoolwide News
German International Stream
Kindergarten Corner
Dear Parents
In today's edition of the Gazette, we would like to draw your attention that from 2021/2022 onwards, we will integrate all Kindergarten classes into the "House System" that has existed successfully for many years in the Primary and Secondary Departments. Now the time has come for us to include our youngest students into one of the four teams.
"House Teams" will promote cross-class, cross-stream and cross-year level activities and projects, to strengthen the community spirit at our Pok Fu Lam Campus and facilitate the transition to the next year level. Through the "House Teams," we also would like to support environmental and charitable projects and promote team building amongst our young children.
There are four different teams, and with names of special creatures with significant features:
The GSIS PE kit will also reflect these colours. You will find detailed information in the next issue of the Gazette under "Schoolwide News".
Towards the end of this school year, we will announce which "House Team" your child will be assigned. We will certainly keep family members on the same team. 😃
Wishing all of you a cool weekend!
 Head of Kindergarten |  Deputy Head of Kindergarten and Deputy Child Protection Officer Pok Fu Lam Campus |
Departmental News and Announcements
No updates / announcements this week.
Primary Corner
Sports Carnival
'The GSIS Primary PE departments are happy to inform you about our upcoming 'Sports Carnival' which will run on Thursday 10th and Friday 11th June 2021. It has been great to see things getting back to normal over the last few weeks with the full-school re-opening and school camps. We are now looking forward to another event we would usually have run earlier in the school year, but due to Covid-19 we were unable to. This years 'Sports Carnival' be a Covid-19 modified version, but we are sure the students will love taking part in some fun, inclusive events which will bring fun to both streams. Over a double lesson period each year group will take part in 5 events which are designed to give all students the opportunity to enjoy events celebrating the importance of health and exercise. Event names include, 'Knock 'Em Down' and 'Kayaks On Wheels' and are designed for mass participation with a focus on student engagement and participation over final results and standings. Some of the events are aligned with activities covered in school camps and the 'Sports Carnival' will be a great way to continue our positive ending to the school year. Unfortunately due to Covid-19 restrictions parents will not be able to join us on the day, but keep your eyes on future editions of the Gazette for a full round-up and photo gallery.'
Bus swap - playdates Peak Campus
We are happy to announce that it is possible again to arrange a swap of busses when students have playdates after school.
This change will start from Tuesday, 1 June 2021.
- Parents have to notify Kwoon Chung by email (gsis@kcm.com.hk) 2 working days in advance (i.e. If a student wants to swap buses on Monday, please email us no later than Thursdays).
- The change is subject to the availability of the seats on the particular bus.
- Please note that the bus routes to mid-levels and the Pokfulam area are usually quite full.
 Head of German Primary Department |  Deputy Head of German Primary Department |
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
In today's edition of the Gazette, we would like to draw your attention that from 2021/2022 onwards, we will integrate all Kindergarten classes into the "House System" that has existed successfully for many years in the Primary and Secondary Departments. Now the time has come for us to include our youngest students into one of the four teams.
"House Teams" will promote cross-class, cross-stream and cross-year level activities and projects, to strengthen the community spirit at our Pok Fu Lam Campus and facilitate the transition to the next year level. Through the "House Teams," we also would like to support environmental and charitable projects and promote team building amongst our young children.
There are four different teams, and with names of special creatures with significant features:
The GSIS PE kit will also reflect these colours. You will find detailed information in the next issue of the Gazette under "Schoolwide News".
Towards the end of this school year, we will announce which "House Team" your child will be assigned. We will certainly keep family members on the same team. 😃
Wishing all of you a cool weekend!
Head of Kindergarten | Deputy Head of Kindergarten and Deputy Child Protection Officer Pok Fu Lam Campus |
Departmental News and Announcements
No updates / announcements this week.
Primary Corner
Dear Parents,
Sports Carnival
The GSIS Primary PE departments are happy to inform you about our upcoming 'Sports Carnival' which will run on Thursday 10th and Friday 11th June 2021. It has been great to see things getting back to normal over the last few weeks with the full-school re-opening and school camps. We are now looking forward to another event we would usually have run earlier in the school year, but due to Covid-19 we were unable to. This years 'Sports Carnival' be a Covid-19 modified version, but we are sure the students will love taking part in some fun, inclusive events which will bring fun to both streams. Over a double lesson period each year group will take part in 5 events which are designed to give all students the opportunity to enjoy events celebrating the importance of health and exercise. Event names include, 'Knock 'Em Down' and 'Kayaks On Wheels' and are designed for mass participation with a focus on student engagement and participation over final results and standings. Some of the events are aligned with activities covered in school camps and the 'Sports Carnival' will be a great way to continue our positive ending to the school year. Unfortunately due to Covid-19 restrictions parents will not be able to join us on the day, but keep your eyes on future editions of the Gazette for a full round-up and photo gallery.'
Bus swap - playdates Peak Campus
We are happy to announce that it is possible again to arrange a swap of busses when students have playdates after . This change will start from Tuesday 1 June.
Please be reminded that you need to inform the bus company, the classroom teacher and the primary secretary about the bus swap two days prior to the play date.
Drum Jam
Next week we are honoured to have Kumi Masunaga coming to the Peak campus with all her fabulous drums. She will be running some African Drumming workshops with all year levels in the EPD and GPD. The atrium will fill with the sounds of rhythms as the children get involved with Kumi and her team.
Here is a link you can go to for more about Drum Jam.
Class Teachers for 2021/2022
We are fortunate to have highly talented teachers who like to keep their practice fresh by teaching a variety of year levels with different partners. With Mr Morris taking off for a sabbatical leave, we have hired a new teacher to join our team. With that hire, we have made a few shifts within our upper primary. We will also be expecting some new “additions” to our lower primary. We will share the classroom teaching assignments with you now, and give more detailed information about new hires in another edition!
Year 1
- Anna Cooke
- Maggie Marsh - who will be going on maternity leave next year!
Year 2
- Jang Yoon
- Kris Cayrouse
Year 3
- Jessica Varty - who will also be going on maternity leave next year!
- Mica Rasborn
Year 4
- Dan Crowther
- Stephanie Gilchrist
Year 5
- Suzanne Haynes
- Anushka Abraham
Year 6
- Resham Premchand - we will introduce her in a later edition
- Don Benson
As you can see, next year will be full of wonderful surprises for us!
 Head of English Primary Department |  Deputy Head of English Primary Department |
Departmental News and Announcements
No updates / announcements this week.
Looking for what's been going on in class this week?
Secondary Corner
The Week Past
On Thursday 27 May, we said farewell to our Graduating Class of 2021. It was a pleasure to see so many parents, teachers and students celebrate the achievements of this class. Their resilience, determination and dedication throughout the last two years have been nothing short of inspirational. The IB Diploma is a challenge at any time, let alone what the current graduates have had to deal with.
Also in the past week or so, we have had the chance to see students perform in a virtual music performance and to film, under suitable distancing conditions, the long awaited Drama ECA performance. These will be made available to the community in due course.
The Week(s) to come
As we move into the final month of what has been a challenging year, it is time to look ahead to the start of the next academic year in August. We, of course, hope for a further return towards normality and to be able to offer the full school experience to our students.
The plans for the start of school are:
- All newcomers to GSIS, together with their parents, will be invited into school on the morning of Tuesday 17 August for a welcome event. An invitation to this event will be sent out in due course.
- On Wednesday 18 August, school begins for Y07, Y10 and Y12 students and this day will be dedicated to induction programmes for these yeargroups, as they begin the next phase of their schooling.
- On Thursday 19 August, school begins for Y08, Y09, Y11 & Y13. On this day, all students in all yeargroups will be in school and regular lessons will take place.
- From Friday 20 August onwards, the normal timetable applies.
More specific information will be provided to the relevant students and parents in the coming weeks. Of course, the plans may need to change, depending upon the situation in Hong Kong and the regulations in place in August. Any changes will be communicated to students and parents as and when they arise.
 Head of English Secondary Department |
Departmental News and Announcements
No updates / announcements this week.
Alumni
Upcoming Events 2021
Class of 1996 25 Year Reunion
Thursday 17 Jun 2021
18:00 - 21:00 HKT
Online
More Info »
Community Networking Breakfast
Friday 17 Sep 2021
08:00 - 11:00 HKT
LRC, Mid Levels
More Info »
Annual Alumni Reception
Wednesday 24 Nov 2021
18:00 - 22:00 HKT
Watermark, Central
More Info »
Community Committee's Christmas Bazaar
Saturday 27 Nov 2021
German Swiss International School
More Info »
