CONTENTS
- Principal's Column
- Community Committee
- Schoolwide News
- German International Stream
- English International Stream
- Student Achievements & Initiatives
- Wellbeing Corner
- 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!
#GSIS #GermanSwissInternationalSchool #InternationalSchool #HongKong #EducationalExcellence #GSISChristmasBazaar
It is open for public for registration？
GSIS Gazette – Issue #58
10th September 2021Principal's Column
Dear GSIS Community
I am now at the end of my fourth week as Principal of this friendly school with so much intellectual energy and I am looking forward to strengthening our bonds with our German and Swiss values in an international context. As a true advocate of a learning journey that isn’t merely focused on the outcome, I have been reflecting on the school’s achievements so far and its holistic approach to education which inspires a real sense of opportunity. I aspire to continually enhance the experience of a GSIS education and over the next few months, I am looking forward to working in collaboration with parents, staff and students.
As well as the Senior Management Team’s key objectives and targets that drive their work, I have studied the school’s Strategic Plan (2019-2023) in depth. Combined, these underpin everything that we want GSIS to be and the future that we journey towards this academic year is a very positive and exciting one. Our key strategic themes allow us to fulfill our vision which speaks of the future, of international collaboration and of a community full of opportunities.
For over fifty years, GSIS students have been prepared for the challenges that await them at the next stage of their education. Of course, much has changed and evolved over these years, but the school’s guiding principles have remained constant with both our staff and students continuing to embody the GSIS spirit. As a school, it is vital that we always look to the future and embrace change in a coherent, imaginative and positive way. I hope you will be able to join me at the Virtual Coffee Morning on Thursday, 30th September at 8.30am to hear from me further.
I wish you all a wonderful weekend.
Best regards
| Dr Dirk Bennhardt Principal |
Schoolwide News
German International Stream
Kindergarten Corner
Dear Parents
The Kindergarten Parents’ Evening and KPR Election took place yesterday and Ms Mah, and I would like to thank all parents who were willing to take on this particular role. We are very much looking forward to working closely with the newly elected KPR’s throughout this school year.
We trust you had a very informative meeting with your class teachers and that all questions you might have had have been answered to your satisfaction. We hope you had a chance to watch the introduction video on YouTube. If not, please refer to the email and the link sent to you yesterday.
In the coming couple of weeks, we will be looking at Wellbeing as a collaborative event across Departments and Streams, and we plan a variety of activities for your children.
The puppeteers from Kids on the Block will be performing ‘Healthy Snack’ on 16 September. We want the children to learn what foods are healthy and what we should be eating through this performance.
On 23 and 24 September, Amber, a Children’s Wellness Educator from Illuminate Kids Wellness, will be encouraging our children to learn the importance of breath, movement, mindfulness and stillness. We will attain this through stories and yoga.
In addition, the Kindergarten will introduce “The Acts of Kindness Trees”, which is a fabulous community project that encourages and acknowledges kind deeds within PFL Campus. It is a heart-warming way to foster caring, supportive relationships amongst students and teachers.
As mentioned in the last issue of the Gazette, please note that the Kindergarten children will be going to the ABA Theatre on the 7 October to watch the Gruffalo.
May your weekend be simply wonderful!
 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
This week and last week we had our parents' evenings with the KPR elections. Thanks to everybody joining these sessions and please feel free to contact us if you have any further questions. A big thank you to all the parents who volunteered to be a class representative. I am looking forward to working with you.
ICT training sessions for parents
Luckily we could start this year in person! To make sure we maintain and further deepen the students' technology skills we will continue using technology with them. Sometimes they need to use it at home. Therefore we offer you the opportunity to familiarise yourself with our two main tools: Google and SeeSaw. Our younger students, DVOR to K02, will mainly use SeeSaw. From K03 onwards students learn to use Google Classroom.
We invite you to join our Google and SeeSaw Orientation. Ms Monika Tavernier will be your coach during these training sessions and help you familiarise with these tools or refresh your knowledge. We anticipate seeing lots of you. See you soon!
After signing up for the orientation, you will receive a Google Meet Link, please use it to join the meeting. Please remember to use Google Chrome as a browser.
Date: Monday, 20 September 2021
Time: 1 pm
Topic: Google Account / Google Classroom
Location: at home
Date: Thursday 23. September 2021
Time: 1 pm
Topic: Seesaw
Location: at home
Content
1) Google Account K03/K04
- Login to Google Chrome with the student’s login
- Login to Google Classroom
- Finding assignments in Classwork
- open assignments
- respond to assignment
- open Google Calendar to find meets and due date, if there are any
- Google Meets Mic on/off
- Meets video on/off
- present screen
- view
2) SeeSaw for K01/K02
- sign in with Google Email (not QR)
- finding activities
- responding to activities
We wish you all a happy weekend!
 Head of German Primary Department |  Deputy Head of German Primary Department |
Departmental News and Announcements
No updates / announcements this week.
Looking for what's been going on in class this month?
Secondary Corner
Departmental News and Announcements
English International Stream
From Head of Stream
Dear Parents
Discovery Week 2021
[Secondary Department]
I am very pleased to confirm that we will be offering students an opportunity to take part in Discovery Week this year, albeit a slightly downsized version. It will take place over three days from Wednesday 20th to Friday 22nd October and all our excursions will be in Hong Kong with a range of activities in school. Despite some of the changes, our vision remains the same:
To inspire and empower students to explore their interests and passion for learning by challenging them with an ever-increasing range of learning, leadership and experiential opportunities.
DW 2021 will involve all students in both Streams of the Secondary Department in a range of enrichment trips and activities that have been offered by our incredible staff.
Cultural Immersion | Teamwork & Collaboration | Community Engagement
Year 7 & Year 8 will travel in their class groups as part of the Rediscover Hong Kong programme run for us by the excellent team at The Hutong. Over three action-packed days, students will not only experience the thrills of outdoor wilderness activities, they will also explore different aspects of Hong Kong’s history and cultural heritage, and will engage with community members who are striving to make the city a better place for all.
Hong Kong trips for Years 9 to 11 will include Wakeboarding, Kitesurfing & Scuba Diving as well as exploring the Lantau Trails, sailing at Middle Island, an art inspired journey through Lamma, horse riding at Lo Wu Saddle Club and cake decoration.
School based activities for Years 9 to 11 will include a CSI Forensics workshop, Chinese handicrafts, sewing, painting & print-making, woodwork, a basketball camp run by ALBA Berlin, a soccer camp, debating & public speaking as well as a Make-a-thon.
We will share our DW2021 website with students on Friday 17th September and they will have four days to choose their options. Please read the guidance carefully! All choices will be processed by SchoolsBuddy and confirmations will be sent out from Thursday 23rd September with invoices to be settled by Friday 1st October.
Year 12 will remain in school to focus on the IB Core of Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge and CAS and Year 13 will focus on the completion of university applications, preparing revision, IA completion as well as some mindfulness/wellbeing activities to promote some calm at the end of a very busy half term. I can confirm that there are plans afoot for an offsite Group 4 project for both Year 12 & 13 so that their week can also happen in classrooms without walls . . . further details to follow.
It is certainly great to be back after a hiatus of two years!
Have a great week!
| Simon Misso-Veness Deputy Principal / Head of English International Stream |
Kindergarten Corner
Dear Parents
The Kindergarten Parents’ Evening and KPR Election took place yesterday and Ms Mah, and I would like to thank all parents who were willing to take on this particular role. We are very much looking forward to working closely with the newly elected KPR’s throughout this school year.
We trust you had a very informative meeting with your class teachers and that all questions you might have had have been answered to your satisfaction. We hope you had a chance to watch the introduction video on YouTube. If not, please refer to the email and the link sent to you yesterday.
In the coming couple of weeks, we will be looking at Wellbeing as a collaborative event across Departments and Streams, and we plan a variety of activities for your children.
The puppeteers from Kids on the Block will be performing ‘Healthy Snack’ on 16 September. We want the children to learn what foods are healthy and what we should be eating through this performance.
On 23 and 24 September, Amber, a Children’s Wellness Educator from Illuminate Kids Wellness, will be encouraging our children to learn the importance of breath, movement, mindfulness and stillness. We will attain this through stories and yoga.
In addition, the Kindergarten will introduce “The Acts of Kindness Trees”, which is a fabulous community project that encourages and acknowledges kind deeds within PFL Campus. It is a heart-warming way to foster caring, supportive relationships amongst students and teachers.
As mentioned in the last issue of the Gazette, please note that the Kindergarten children will be going to the ABA Theatre on the 7 October to watch the Gruffalo.
May your weekend be simply wonderful!
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,
Curriculum Information
I hope that all who were interested had the chance to attend our German and Mandarin Q&A sessions yesterday. If you missed this, please go to the Language Google Sites for the presentations and information about our language classes.
Smartwatches
In our back to school information, we did ask that students not wear smartwatches at school. As you can imagine, interactive devices can be quite distracting to the wearer and to those nearby. We have had parents inform us that some students are wearing the watches for the GPS tracking capabilities once they leave school in the afternoon. We will ask students to keep their smartwatch in their bag so that you may still have that reassurance. However, if you are able to disable the text, audio and photo/video features during school hours, please notify your class teacher so that he/she is aware and can work out arrangements with you.
Stay safe and dry this weekend!
 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?
EPD: Year 1EPD: Year 2EPD: Year 3EPD: Year 4EPD: Year 5EPD: Year 6EPD: MandarinEPD: DaFEPD: PEEPD: MusicEPD: ArtEPD: Library
Secondary Corner
Departmental News and Announcements
Student Achievements
Wellbeing Corner
We hope you have had a great start to the school year!
Remember, there is no time like the present.
Come and seek support if you need it - students, parents and friends.
Your school counsellors,
Alex (GPD/GKG), Laura (ESD), Jeanette (GSD - currently on maternity leave), Paige (EPD/EKG) and Tanya (ESD)
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