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
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!
#GSIS #GermanSwissInternationalSchool #InternationalSchool #HongKong #EducationalExcellence #InternationalBaccalaureate #IBDP #GraduationDay
Congratulations 🎉🎈🎊
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GSIS Gazette – Issue #64
22nd October 2021Principal's Column
Dear Parents
This week, I’m going to talk about our fourth core value of ‘leadership’.
Firstly, I would like to focus on leadership amongst our students. I firmly believe that the three key elements below, combined with continuous growth, will produce happy, moral and creative leaders.
- A dynamic sense of purpose, dedicated to working with and for others
- A spirit of loyalty, commitment, compassion, humour and community
- Provide student leadership opportunities to take on roles of responsibility throughout the school
Above, I mention ‘continuous growth’ for our students but we all have the capacity to develop new skills, learn knowledge and gain new experiences. I am committed to enhancing our teachers’ pedagogical skills, understanding of learning and subject knowledge within a culture of continuous improvement and learning. As a values-based school leader, I must demonstrate leadership, educational excellence, vision and strategy, ready and able to address any complex issues through creative thinking and adapting to change.
In my first Gazette letter, I shared my three goals for the school and its staff, and ‘willingness to change’ was one of them. Effective school leadership means that the Principal should be skilled at change management, with the ability to recognise what needs changing and what does not. Furthermore, the leadership must recognise that although GSIS has the academic performance and reputation worldwide to compete with the best, we must not rest on our laurels. We must all work in partnership together to ensure that the enviable momentum of the past 50 years is maintained and that GSIS continues to be regarded as one of the world’s finest international schools.
I would like to leave you with a quote from Jacinda Ardern, 40th Prime Minister of New Zealand:
“To me, leadership is not about necessarily being the loudest in the room, but instead being the bridge, or the thing that is missing in the discussion and trying to build a consensus from there”.
Best regards
| Dr Dirk Bennhardt Principal |
Community Committee
We hope that you all have some fun activities planned for the mid-term break! In case you are looking for things for the kids to do - we are currently running two competitions that you can get involved in. Both competitions are open for all students from Kindergarten to Y13/K12:
Christmas Card Art Competition
Send us your festive art designs and win the chance to have their design on the front of one of this year’s GSIS Christmas cards.
- Size: A5 or A4 (design will be reduced to fit an A5 size card)
- Bright festive colours with a Christmas theme
- Include your name & class on the back of your artwork
- Kindergarten & Primary students to give their submission to their homeroom teacher
- Secondary students can place them in a box at the main reception of the Lower Building
- All submission must be received by Wednesday 4th November
Packs of the Christmas cards designed by GSIS students are also available for sale on the online Christmas shop.
Beach Clean Up Competition
In conjunction with the Environmental Protection Club, the Community Committee hope you will join us in carrying out your very own Beach Clean
- Choose any of your favourite beaches to clean up.
- Arrange a date with family or friends anytime in the month of October.
- Send a photo of your hard work along with your name, class and house to communitycommittee@gsis.edu.hk ( deadline for submissions is Tuesday 2nd November 2021)
We have prizes for the most number of rubbish bags collected, the most unusual item found on the beach, the most remote beach/location and a special bonus if you can make a piece of art out of your rubbish! Please remember to stay safe - wear gloves, use tongs and stick to Covid guidelines when out in a group, but most of all have fun doing your part to keep HK clean!
Christmas Wreaths
Many of you have been asking about Christmas wreaths and we are happy to announce that we have placed an order and all going well with shipments, we hope to receive them in time for you to decorate and have ready for advent. Please watch this space for further information on how you can sign up for one of our wreath decorating sessions.
And finally, please save the date for Summer’s next cooking class! On Thursday the 18th November, at 6pm, Summer will be baking traditional German pretzels - join us and learn how to make these delicious snacks just in time for the holidays.
https://www.gsis.edu.hk/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/GSIS-Christmas-card-competition_final-1-scaled.jpg
(Click thumbnail/s to enlarge image)| Community Committee |
Schoolwide News
University Guidance: Upcoming Event
The following event is suitable and available to all students and parents of students in Y10-Y13 and K09-K12:
INTERNAL GSIS EXCLUSIVE EVENT
UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE VIRTUAL VISIT
Wednesday 3 November 6:00pm HKT
University of Cambridge representative Jo Fretwell will share insights into how students can best prepare for and apply to Cambridge. This will include tips and information on how the make the most out of interviews.
A must attend event for anyone considering, or currently applying to, Cambridge.
(May also be helpful for Oxford applicants, or those applying to hyper selective programs in the UK)
 Claire Wilkins |
 Beatrice Ugolini |
German International Stream
From Head of Stream
Dear Parents
The autumn break is just around the corner and fortunately we were able to have this first phase of the school year on campus again and already enjoyed some of our school life highlights. These include the Wellbeing Weeks in Kindergarten and the Primary Department as well as the Discovery Week in the Secondary Department, which once again held many wonderful and creative activities for our students. Weeks and months of intensive preparation were necessary to be able to carry out these events under the corona-related restrictions. I would like to express my sincere thanks to all colleagues for their tireless commitment and for accompanying the diverse and varied programmes.
I would like to remind you of two events that will take place immediately after the autumn break and are also marked in the school calendar:
- Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Day, Monday, 1 November
Primary and Secondary students will be given assignments to work on independently.
- Parent Information Days in all departments
- 9 November: GKG
- 11/12 November : GPD (Peak)
- 15/16 November : GPD (Pok Fu Lam)
- 25/26 November: GSD
I wish you and your children a restful "staycation". Stay safe and healthy.
| Grit Cichon Deputy Principal / Head of German International Stream |
Kindergarten Corner
Dear Parents
Time does fly so fast, as your child has surprisingly been in school for ten weeks, and it is undoubtedly time for a mid-term break.
Last week, we had the Fire Services Department talk about Fire Safety. We had an unexpected fire drill at PFL Campus on Thursday morning. The children and staff members of GSIS rose to the occasion, the fire procedures were adhered to, and everyone vacated the premises in a timely and orderly manner.
A letter regarding the Box of Hope and a sticky label was sent home on Wednesday, 20 October, and you can find the same letter in News and Announcements in the Gazette if you have not received the letter.
On our return after the mid-term break, the children will be using the main entrance during arrival time. However, we will continue to use the back entrance for the pick-up children at dismissal time.
Here are some upcoming events from now till the end of November:
| Mid-Term holidays | 25 till 29 Oct | No school |
| Continuing Professional Development Day | 01 Nov | No school |
| Box of Hope | 02 till 08 Nov | Charity Event |
| Photo Days | 04 & 05 Nov | Student Event |
| Parent-Child German Lantern-Making | 08 Nov 09 Nov 10 Nov |
EKG2 GKG EKG1 |
| St. Martin's Day Lantern Fest | 11 Nov | Student Event |
| Parents’ Information Days | 15 Nov (no school) 16 Nov |
In person (8 am - 1pm) Online (1:30 - 4:30 pm) |
| Sports Day | 25 Nov 26 Nov |
Student Event GKG Student Event EKG |
Please note that a letter will be sent out from the school before any event, giving more details about the event. However, please feel free to speak with us if you have any questions regarding the above events.
We would like to wish our families a splendid time over the mid-term holidays.
 Head of Kindergarten |  Deputy Head of Kindergarten and Deputy Child Protection Officer Pok Fu Lam Campus |
Departmental News and Announcements
Primary Corner
Parents' Information Days (PID)
Soon after the autumn break you have the chance to meet your child’s teachers.
Based on the feedback from parents and teachers GSIS has decided to offer both in-person meetings, and also online meetings.
Once again you will be able to book your appointments with the teachers via the online tool - Calendly. You will receive an email with the booking information a couple of days after the autumn break.
- 11 November: Peak Campus online 2pm - 6pm
- 12 November: Peak Campus in-person 8am- 1pm
- 15 November: Pok Fu Lam Campus in-person 8am - 1pm
- 16 November: Pok Fu Lam Campus online 1.30pm - 4.30 pm
Wellbeing Week
The Wellbeing Week started on Monday with a class session and the question: What is wellbeing? In a short video, teachers explained what wellbeing means for them and what they are doing to keep themselves healthy in body and mind. Of course, the discussion continued in class where students shared their thoughts.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, we had project time. All the students joined a workshop where they learnt how they can look after themselves. The highlight of the well-being of course was the dress-up days. Starting the week in the pyjamas just brings another feeling of relaxation. Did you ever try to dress up like broccoli! That was so much fun, not only to wear the costume but to find out what vegetables the others were. With some wacky hairstyles, we finished the day on Wednesday.
Sports Carnival
One focus of the Wellbeing Week was movement - nothing better than Sports Carnival.
Our students had a lot of fun with all the different games yesterday and this morning.
While some of the games were quite tricky - technical wise, most of them could be successfully finished by teamwork.
Box of Hope
We are glad that Box of Hope is back. This year again we are collecting shoeboxes filled with a little hope for underprivileged children.
This is a chance to talk to your children about what we can afford and what is not possible for other children. By filling the box, you are fulfilling a small dream for a child.
Please find more information below.
We wish our students a restful autumn break.
 Head of German Primary Department |  Deputy Head of German Primary Department |
https://www.gsis.edu.hk/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/20211019_122238-scaled.jpg
(Click thumbnail/s to enlarge image)Departmental News and Announcements
Looking for what's been going on in class this week?
Secondary Corner
Departmental News and Announcements
No updates / announcements this week.
English International Stream
From Head of Stream
Dear Parents and Students
Come to the edge.
We might fall.
Come to the edge.
It's too high!
Come to the edge!
And they came,
And he pushed,
And they flew!Christopher Logue
I used to have this poem on display in my Drama Studio to remind students that they could accomplish incredible things with some encouragement and self-belief. And they did. The range of events and activities over recent weeks have shown that these simple lines continue to resonate in all sections of the school, from theatre trips in Kindergarten to Wellbeing Week and the Carnival of Sports in Primary as well as Discovery Week in Secondary; students have certainly been engaged and inspired beyond the classroom. Huge thanks to all the teachers who made these events possible, they really have made a difference to students’ learning and sense of belonging as well as creating a host of wonderful memories.
It was also great to spend some time with the Primary KPRs earlier this week to gauge how things have been in the first part of the term and they provided some excellent feedback for us to build on and improve. We are looking forward to the KPR Secretary meeting in early November to further build our lines of communication and cooperation with the parent body.
Since the start of this term I have been visiting classrooms throughout the Kindergarten and Lower Primary as well as spending time talking with teachers to gauge their perspectives of the past few months and how the school can support professional learning. I shall initiate the same process for Upper Primary and Secondary after the mid-term break as this dialogue is the foundation for school improvement. It has been hugely valuable to spend time with our teachers observing their craft firsthand and seeing the level of engagement and joy of learning in the students. I have also made a few new friends.
It is probably inevitable that your children will be spending a certain amount of time online or social media over the next week. I came across the following article this week that I would like to share with you as a way of supporting the ongoing conversations you will be having with your sons and daughters and it may not be quite what you expect, as it advocates engagement, tolerance and positive modeling rather than restriction and intervention https://www.kqed.org/mindshift/58624/how-parents-and-educators-can-support-healthy-teen-use-of-social-media.
I wish you and your families a restful mid-term break and will look forward to seeing you in November. Remember the first Monday is a CPD Day for staff only so we will see students on Tuesday 2nd November.
Best wishes
| Simon Misso-Veness Deputy Principal / Head of English International Stream |
Kindergarten Corner
Dear Parents
Time does fly so fast, as your child has surprisingly been in school for ten weeks, and it is undoubtedly time for a mid-term break.
Last week, we had the Fire Services Department talk about Fire Safety. We had an unexpected fire drill at PFL Campus on Thursday morning. The children and staff members of GSIS rose to the occasion, the fire procedures were adhered to, and everyone vacated the premises in a timely and orderly manner.
A letter regarding the Box of Hope and a sticky label was sent home on Wednesday, 20 October, and you can find the same letter in News and Announcements in the Gazette if you have not received the letter.
On our return after the mid-term break, the children will be using the main entrance during arrival time. However, we will continue to use the back entrance for the pick-up children at dismissal time.
Here are some upcoming events from now till the end of November:
| Mid-Term holidays | 25 till 29 Oct | No school |
| Continuing Professional Development Day | 01 Nov | No school |
| Box of Hope | 02 till 08 Nov | Charity Event |
| Photo Days | 04 & 05 Nov | Student Event |
| Parent-Child German Lantern-Making | 08 Nov 09 Nov 10 Nov |
EKG2 GKG EKG1 |
| St. Martin's Day Lantern Fest | 11 Nov | Student Event |
| Parents’ Information Days | 15 Nov (no school) 16 Nov |
In person (8 am - 1pm) Online (1:30 - 4:30 pm) |
| Sports Day | 25 Nov 26 Nov |
Student Event GKG Student Event EKG |
Please note that a letter will be sent out from the school before any event, giving more details about the event. However, please feel free to speak with us if you have any questions regarding the above events.
We would like to wish our families a splendid time over the mid-term holidays.
Head of Kindergarten | Deputy Head of Kindergarten and Deputy Child Protection Officer Pok Fu Lam Campus |
Departmental News and Announcements
Primary Corner
Dear Parents,
Parents' Information Days (PID) - TBC
Soon after the autumn break you have the chance to meet your child’s teachers. Based on the feedback from parents and teachers GSIS has decided to offer both in-person meetings, and also online meetings. Once again you will be able to book your appointments with the teachers via the online tool - Calendly. You will receive an email with the booking information a couple of days after the autumn break.
- 11 November: Peak Campus online 2pm - 6pm
- 12 November: Peak Campus in-person 8am- 1pm
- 15 November: Pok Fu Lam Campus in-person 8am - 1pm
- 16 November: Pok Fu Lam Campus online 1.30pm - 4.30 pm
Wellbeing Week
The Wellbeing Week started on Monday with a class session and the question: What is wellbeing? In a short video, teachers explained what wellbeing means for them and what they are doing to keep themselves healthy in body and mind. Of course, the discussion continued in class where students shared their thoughts.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, we had project time. All the students joined a workshop where they learnt how they can look after themselves. The highlight of the well-being of course was the dress-up days. Starting the week in the pyjamas just brings another feeling of relaxation. Did you ever try to dress up like broccoli! That was so much fun, not only to wear the costume but to find out what vegetables the others were. With some wacky hairstyles, we finished the day on Wednesday.
Sports Carnival
One focus of the Wellbeing Week was movement - nothing better than Sports Carnival. Our students had a lot of fun with all the different games yesterday and this morning. While some of the games were quite tricky - technical wise, most of them could be successfully finished by teamwork.
Box of Hope
We are glad that Box of Hope is back. This year again we are collecting shoeboxes filled with a little hope for underprivileged children.
We wish our students a restful autumn break
 Head of English Primary Department |  Deputy Head of English Primary Department |
https://www.gsis.edu.hk/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/IMG_9139-scaled.jpg, https://www.gsis.edu.hk/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/IMG_9140-scaled.jpg, https://www.gsis.edu.hk/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/IMG_9135-scaled.jpg, https://www.gsis.edu.hk/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/IMG_9136-scaled.jpg, https://www.gsis.edu.hk/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/IMG_9138-scaled.jpg
(Click thumbnail/s to enlarge image)Departmental News and Announcements
Looking for what's been going on in class this week?
Secondary Corner
ESD Weekly Notices w/b 1 Nov
I hope that you are well and that your children have enjoyed their Discovery ‘Week’ just gone. Whilst this was somewhat reduced in scope from the Discovery Weeks of yore, it was wonderful to give students the opportunity to work together on projects, expeditions and other activities outside of the usual classroom context. This programme has been a keystone of our education at GSIS for many years, and we are very pleased to have been able to offer a DW after a year’s hiatus. I would like to publicly thank the teachers for their efforts in making this possible and most especially Mr Misso-Veness for coordinating the programme.
I hope that the students and teachers have a relaxing and well deserved break next week after a very busy and productive half-term.
On Monday 1 November, the teachers will be in school for ‘CPD’ day (Continuing Professional Development). On this day, students will be in home-learning and teachers will be setting work that they can work on independently. Students will be back in regular classes, as per their timetable, from Tuesday 2 November onwards.
In the weeks to come, we will be holding our first Parent Information Days of the year. These take place in the afternoon/evening of 25 Nov and the morning of 26 Nov for Y07-11 and on the afternoon/evening of 8 Dec for Y12/13.
We are hopeful that we can offer a combined approach of online meetings (which proved quite popular with parents last year) and on-campus face-to-face meetings this time around. Full details, including the procedure for making appointments, will follow shortly after the mid-term break.
If you have any feedback on Parent Information Days, then this is most welcome.
 Head of English Secondary Department |
Departmental News and Announcements
Student Achievements
John Locke Philosophy Essay Competition 2021
Congratulations to Adrian (Y12E) for being selected as one of the finalists of the John Locke Philosophy Essay Competition 2021. Adrian was invited to attend the finalists award ceremony in Oxford last month but he didn't go due to the current Covid situation.
Wellbeing Corner
We had a fantastic Wellbeing Week in the EPD and GPD where we saw so much creativity, kindness and collaboration. Here are some photographic reminders from our primary students on how we can care for ourselves.
-
- Eat your fruits and vegetables
-
- Get plenty of sleep.
-
- Get creative.
-
- Be mindful.
-
- Be a team player.
Have a great Fall Break!
Your school counsellors,
Alex, Jeanette, Laura, Paige, Tanya
