Connect with GSIS
Community lies at the heart of German Swiss International School. From the very beginning, our school has been shaped by its families, volunteers, and staff. With the support of our Boards and Committees, we recently came together to show our appreciation to our donors who have been so generous in helping to secure a brighter tomorrow for current and future generations at GSIS.
#GSIS #GermanSwissInternationalSchool #InternationalSchool #HongKong #EducationalExcellence
GSIS Gazette – Issue #73
11th February 2022Principal's Column
Dear Members of the School Community
It would be nice if a school could focus on the most important people in the school, the students, as well as applying the most ideal teaching methods.
For quite some time now, we have been forced by a dynamically changing pandemic situation to constantly adapt the form of teaching to new situations and, unfortunately, we cannot put our focus exclusively on the students. Even though our online learning programme is one of the highest standards compared to other schools, we all know that face-to-face learning is the best form of instruction for long-term learning success.
On a positive note, both teachers and students have further advanced their skills in digital learning. This capability will help students immensely in the future to cope with the demands of a digitised world. As a person and a school Principal, I am thrilled to see how even Kindergarten and Primary school children have learned to use digital tools as a meaningful learning channel with the great support of their teachers.
Having said that, I remain divided, as you are, because it is clear to me that social interaction is the basis for a peaceful society.
All teachers are eagerly awaiting the return to normal face-to-face schooling.
Nevertheless, together with the school leadership team I decided last Wednesday to switch back to online classes for the graduating year groups as well. The reasons for this difficult decision were very complex and largely driven by wanting to achieve the best for the entire school community. I would like to thank the parents in particular for their continuous understanding. I believe by supporting the community collectively, it will allow GSIS to grow together in unity.
In agreement with all our departments, we will continue online classes for all year groups next week. Due to the sharp increase in infection numbers and staff absences associated with group testing, this is the only reliable form of learning at this time.
As usual, teachers will deliver the best possible lessons online with the support of our entire administrative team and especially the IT department.
My sincere thanks also go once again to the GSIS Board of Directors, who have been paying close attention to the needs of the school community and supporting the school management to the best of their ability.
My biggest thanks, however, go to our students, who are truly outstanding.
We stand together and are there for each other.
With optimistic regards
| Dr Dirk Bennhardt Principal |
Schoolwide News
University Guidance: Upcoming Event (External)
The following event is suitable and available to all students and parents of students in Y10-Y12 and K09-K11:
USA: PIONEER ACADEMICS
Pioneer Academics has been the exclusive provider of accredited online research opportunities for high school students since 2012.
The Pioneer Research Program provides undergraduate-level research opportunities to talented, intellectually motivated high school students from around the world. It is the only online credit-bearing research program for high school students that offers STEM, social sciences and humanities disciplines. In the program, selected students work one-on-one with leading U.S. university professors in advanced study and research of a topic of their interest, culminating in a full-length research paper. The program is conducted entirely online, allowing high school students from all over the world to participate.
Pioneer’s 2022 Summer Research Term final deadline for application is 10 April 11:59pm U.S. Eastern Time (11 April 11:59am HKT).
Attending an online information session is the best way for prospective students to learn more about the Pioneer Research Program.
Registration requires Pioneer’s confirmation, and we will send you the instructions to attend once we confirm your spot in the session. In order to make sure you receive the instructions, please be sure to check your email in the next few days (including your spam folder).
Parents are allowed to join the info session with their children from the same device. It is important that parents include their children’s information for priority deadline consideration.
 Claire Wilkins |
 Beatrice Ugolini |
GSIS Student Newspaper
Happy Chinese new year! Welcome to the 2022 New Years edition of the GSIS student newspaper. We hope 2022 has been off to a good start so far and that your New Year’s resolutions are progressing well.
The members of the student newspaper have been working diligently on their New Years' article for this edition. We were planning to publish a Christmas edition, but due to complications, this could not be done. So we have combined the now completed Christmas articles into this edition. We hope that you enjoy them!
Sincerely
| The Student Odyssey Team |
German International Stream
Kindergarten Corner
Departmental News and Announcements
Primary Corner
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
Departmental News and Announcements
Primary Corner
Departmental News and Announcements
Looking for what's been going on in class this week?
Secondary Corner
Departmental News and Announcements
Student Achievements & Initiatives
Copperstone Jewellery - raising funds for Armenia
Soracha (Y11 Student)
(Click thumbnail/s to enlarge image)
Global Initiatives -Laptops for Charity
Julia Surman (Global Initiatives Coordinator)
In light of the current online schooling situation in HK, the Global Initiatives Committee are collecting laptops for redistribution to refugee charities, for them to pass on to students in need of a learning device. We are collecting 2nd hand laptops and ipads with chargers; they should be 'wiped'/cleaned and functioning fully. If you are able to drop them off at the reception of the Lower Building, 22 Guildford Road then we would be very grateful. We are aiming to donate them by the end of next week, 18th February. Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you have any queries.
Wellbeing Corner
Positive thoughts not only makes us feel better, but they also support the development of our self-confidence. Problems that are approached with a positive attitude can often be solved with less effort.
Positive things happen every day and these need to be remembered rather than ignored. This does not mean that we ignore the less pleasant situations in life. Negative experiences such as disappointments or anger are also part of life. However, it is important that we don't let them overshadow, but learn to deal with them.
What can we do to avoid investing too much energy in negative thoughts at the moment? One way is to try to turn negative thoughts into positive ones:
- I don't have enough energy for the online phase anymore, for example.
- I don't enjoy it, but I do my best.
- I have accomplished a lot in the past and I will get the rest done
- It is hard to communicate with others.
- I will ensure to keep in touch with my friends and colleagues
- The situation will never change again.
- I will not give up and hope that it will get better soon.
If you need more support in transforming your thoughts, we are always here for you.
Your School Counsellors
