CONTENTS
- Principal's Column
- Community Committee
- Schoolwide News
- German International Stream
- English International Stream
- Highlights of the Week
Connect with GSIS
📅 Save the date! Our highly anticipated annual Christmas Bazaar will take place on Saturday, 2 December 2023. 🎄 The GSIS community of students, parents, staff, alumni, and friends, will come together for this special event. It promises to be a delightful occasion filled with laughter and festive cheer to ring in the holiday season as well as support our school!
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GSIS Gazette – Issue #57
3rd September 2021Principal's Column
Dear GSIS Community
As I finish my third week at GSIS, I continue to be impressed by our students who are well educated and highly articulate. Their achievements and learning are fully aligned with the school’s aims to realise the potential of all students and to continue to strive for academic excellence. Although educating young people is a great responsibility that we take very seriously here, we must never forget that a school should also be a place of laughter and fun where we encourage students to maintain a healthy sense of perspective.
Our school is a modern, forward-thinking international school anchored on 50 years of history and achievements. I am passionate about the environment and know that the school has a lot more work to do in steadily working towards a more sustainable future. I am looking forward to introducing development goals and working in collaboration with my enthusiastic colleagues to make big strides over the next few years to improve the school’s sustainability and explore a series of eco initiatives. In my opinion, it is important that as educators we recognise our role in shaping future generations by helping students both understand the challenge of climate change and cultivate a global outlook and environmental responsibility. Children need to grow up as global citizens in a rapidly changing world and teaching them about the environment not only makes them aware of their planet but also of their responsibility to others.
In a highly developed urban city like Hong Kong, green public spaces are important for sustainable development. My wife and I are looking forward to exploring the country parks and enjoying the outstanding recreational opportunities and stunning landscapes over the next few weeks and beyond.
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.
Best regards
| Dr. Dirk Bennhardt Principal |
Community Committee
Q & A with Summer Ni, the Community Committee’s resident chef
Where did you learn how to make your famous dumplings?
My mother taught me how to make them when I was just 8 or 9 years old - we used to make them very often at home. We would make round dumplings, pyramid-shaped dumplings, and dumplings where you mix vegetables like pumpkin into the dumpling dough – those are really delicious!
And what is your favourite type of dumpling?
My favourite home-made dumpling is pork mixed with fresh bamboo shoots and veggies. The great thing is that once you learn the technique for making dumplings, you can play around with fillings and try new combinations until you find your favourite.
Where do you find the best dumplings in Hong Kong?
I love Cheung Hing Kee on Lyndhurst Terrace – they make the best Shanghai pan-fried dumplings I have tried in Hong Kong!
| Community Committee |
Schoolwide News
German International Stream
From Head of Stream
Dear Parents
We are about to start our fourth week of school already and the stress of everyday life has returned. The children have switched from relaxed holiday mode to school mode; learning in the classroom, homework and exam preparations are now part of the daily routine again. Most of the regular lessons can take place as planned, even though we still cannot offer ECAs at the moment due to EDB regulations. However, we hope to be able to take further steps towards normality from October onwards.
Class Parent Representatives - KPRs
The online Parents' Evenings with initial feedback on the start of your children into the new school year and the election of the Class Parent Representatives (KPR) are already in full swing and will be completed in all departments within the next week. I am looking forward to working with you again this year to create the best possible school conditions for your children together. In order to find the right contact person at any time, I would like to refer you to our lines of communication.
School Counsellors
Our school counsellor in the Secondary Department, Mrs Dellinger, has been on maternity leave since this week and is looking forward to the birth of her second child. We wish her and her family all the best. After the subsequent parental leave, she will resume her work in spring 2022. Until then, the students of our Secondary Department will be looked after and supported by the school counselling team of both streams. Mrs Neumann-Hillebrand, Mrs Schindler as well as Mrs Maddison are available for individual meetings and can be contacted at any time if necessary. Mrs Neumann-Hillebrand will also take over some of the student council meetings in lower Secondary. A big thank you to the team for their willingness to take on these additional tasks in the coming months.
- Alexandra Neumann-Hillebrand ANeumann-Hillebrand@gsis.edu.hk
- Tanya Schindler TSchindler@gsis.edu.hk
- Laura Maddison LMaddison@gsis.edu.hk
Child Protection and Safeguarding
At the beginning of this school year, I would like to remind you again that if both parents are absent from Hong Kong at the same time, please inform us who will be the official guardian of your child or children for that period. This is essential for us for child protection reasons. As usual, please send this information informally by e-mail to the respective departmental secretary in good time before your departure.
I wish you a relaxing weekend and a good start into the coming week.
| Grit Cichon Deputy Principal / Head of German International Stream |
Kindergarten Corner
Dear Parents
The Online Parents’ Evening and the Class Parent Representative Election invitations were sent via email on Thursday from both of us. This event will take place next Thursday, September 9, 4:30-5:30 pm. We look forward to your participation.
Please look out for the video introduction messages from our Subject Teachers. We will email these out sometime next week.
From September 13 onwards, our kindergarten students will be able to borrow library books. You will find more information under Updates and Announcements.
We would like to draw your attention to two special events for our Kindergarten children in September and October.
- In September, the Puppet Theater Group “Kids on the Block” will visit us in Pok Fu Lam to perform the “Healthy Snacking” Show as part of our Wellbeing Week. To ensure our children's safety and health, we have obtained proof of vaccination from the puppeteers. The Show will take place at our Hall, and in accordance with the physical distance regulations, we have scheduled three performances to limit the number of students per Show.
- In October we look forward to visiting the “Kidsfest” Theater to watch the “Gruffalo”. This event is made possible due to the School’s close consultation with the organizers and the Hong Kong Education Bureau. Preventative pandemic measures will be in place for this event.
If you have any questions concerning the above events or reservations about your child's participation, please do not hesitate to contact us.
We wish you a nice weekend.
 Head of Kindergarten |  Deputy Head of Kindergarten and Deputy Child Protection Officer Pok Fu Lam Campus |
Departmental News and Announcements
Primary Corner
Dear Parents
The fourth pillar of our action plan says, “Communicate consistently, clear and compellingly to stakeholders using 21st century media.”
During the last few years, we introduced the Gazette, then in Veracross the Parent GPD Portal and now we are adding one more stone.
We created class homepages to give you more insight of what happens at school and sharing photos and in one place. Of course you will still receive some emails from the teachers to communicate important daily information. This is a place to go to have a general overview.
Class Homepages
At the beginning of every month we will share with you what happend at school, but also what we are planning to teach in the main subjects.
I think most parents are also very keen to have an insight through photos. In the gallery you will find photos or videos from events, some fun moments or impressions from the school day.
On the homepage you will also find a short introduction from each teacher that is teaching in the respective class. Maybe you find out some things about them you didn't know before.
Login
You will find a link to the class homepage in the Gazette and on the parents portal under Departments GPD.
The safety of our students and teachers is very important to us, which is why the site can only be accessed with a login. Please use your child's google account login details for the respective class. We would like to draw your attention to the fact that it is not permitted to download and distribute the photos.
Username: xxxxx@learning.gsis.edu.hk
Password: Please ask your child
If you have any trouble with the login information of the student´s google account, please contact onlinelearning@gsis.edu.hk
Please feel free to contact me head-of-gpd@gsis.edu.hk for any feedback.
Photo Week - Peak Campus
Next week the photographer is coming to school. They will take individual photos from each child which will be used for the yearbook. You also have a chance to order more photos.
Please read more about it in this Gazette.
I wish you a nice weekend exploring the class homepages and reading the Gazette.
 Head of German Primary Department |  Deputy Head of German Primary Department |
Departmental News and Announcements
Looking for what's been going on in class this month?
Secondary Corner
Departmental News and Announcements
English International Stream
Kindergarten Corner
Dear Parents
The Online Parents’ Evening and the Class Parent Representative Election invitations were sent via email on Thursday from both of us. This event will take place next Thursday, September 9, 4:30-5:30 pm. We look forward to your participation.
Please look out for the video introduction messages from our Subject Teachers. We will email these out sometime next week.
From September 13 onwards, our kindergarten students will be able to borrow library books. You will find more information under Updates and Announcements.
We would like to draw your attention to two special events for our Kindergarten children in September and October.
- In September, the Puppet Theater Group “Kids on the Block” will visit us in Pok Fu Lam to perform the “Healthy Snacking” Show as part of our Wellbeing Week. To ensure our children's safety and health, we have obtained proof of vaccination from the puppeteers. The Show will take place at our Hall, and in accordance with the physical distance regulations, we have scheduled three performances to limit the number of students per Show.
- In October we look forward to visiting the “Kidsfest” Theater to watch the “Gruffalo”. This event is made possible due to the School’s close consultation with the organizers and the Hong Kong Education Bureau. Preventative pandemic measures will be in place for this event.
If you have any questions concerning the above events or reservations about your child's participation, please do not hesitate to contact us.
We wish you a nice weekend.
Head of Kindergarten | Deputy Head of Kindergarten and Deputy Child Protection Officer Pok Fu Lam Campus |
Departmental News and Announcements
Primary Corner
Dear Parents
Thank you for attending the Parent Information Sessions held by the Class Teachers this week. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to reach out!
Curriculum information with German and Mandarin
Next week our German and Mandarin Language teachers will provide a curriculum overview presentation for all parents on Tuesday and Q & A sessions on Thursday. The Curriculum Overview presentation will be embedded in the Google Classroom on Tuesday afternoon. The presentation will contain information on signing up for the Q & A sessions on Thursday. Please take advantage of this opportunity to read up on what your child is doing in Language class and ask any questions you may have!
Swimming
We are happy that we will be able to offer swimming to Years 3-6 this term. Please check your class teacher’s Google Site for more information.
Photo week
Next week is Photo Week at GSIS. Please check the date on your teacher’s Google Site.
If you missed it, please read Clare Chiu’s article in last week’s Gazette about school resumption matters.
Have a great weekend!
 Head of English Primary Department |  Deputy Head of English Primary Department |
Departmental News and Announcements
Looking for what's been going on in class this week?
EPD: Year 1EPD: Year 2EPD: Year 3EPD: Year 4EPD: Year 5EPD: Year 6EPD: MandarinEPD: DaFEPD: PEEPD: MusicEPD: ArtEPD: Library
Secondary Corner
ESD Weekly Notices w/b 6 Sept
It was a pleasure to ‘see’ so many of you at the KPR meetings in the week just gone. Thank you to all those parents who have stepped up to represent their child’s class or yeargroup on the KPR body.
I hope that your children are continuing to enjoy school and that they are learning productively, which is what we are all about, after all.
Next week is Photoweek on the Peak Campus. Please ask your children to check the schedule carefully.
We hope to begin signup for ECAs in the coming week - keep your eye open for details and please remember that students themselves sign up for ECAs in secondary.
For Y07-11 the Class Test Schedule can be found on this link
Whilst the weekly consultation times for teachers may be found here
As always, parents are encouraged to reach out to subject teachers, class teachers, heads of year, student support, or management with any concerns or queries.
 Head of English Secondary Department |
Departmental News and Announcements
