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GSIS Gazette – Issue #88

4th November 2022

Principal's Column

Dear school community,

Many of us know from sports that performance progress can only be achieved if one allows for targeted breaks after intensive training sessions to then thereafter resume the training. In the first week after the mid-term break, I noticed that the teachers found it easier to coordinate the teaching process and that the students showed more energy to actively participate. -- A time out for our brain is too sometimes more important than uninterrupted workload.

Internal school training day (CPD day)

On Monday, all GSIS staff members used the time to enhance individual or group work processes. We reviewed ideas for improving teaching, educational exchange or administrative processes and evaluated them for the future. Ultimately, we also talked about a new strategic plan, as our strategic plan expires next year.

Strategic Plan

To have a long-term direction is important for any institution. In 2018/2019, the strategic plan for the period 2019-2023 was developed as a milestone. Most of the basic academic goals can be adapted for the next strategic plan. Other objectives, i.e. in the technological area, need to be adjusted to the new situation. In particular, there seems to be an unfolding consensus that two additional framework ideas should be included in the next strategic plan. -- Climate change is forcing a collaborative response from the entire world. Leaders of the next generation must be equipped with a repertoire of actions to ensure that our world remains in its current beauty in the future. For this, GSIS must also take responsibility and prepare students practically and theoretically for sustainable living. In addition to this global framework idea, we also want to put more emphasis on our Swiss-German identity in an international context. There are many possibilities for this, which can significantly enrich school life.

Lastly, I would like to stress again that the Christmas Bazaar is an event I am looking forward to with the utmost excitement. Please do not forget to register.

Dr Dirk Bennhardt
Principal
Email

Schoolwide News

CAO Update

Update on Covid-19 Measures

We need to continue adhering to the EDB and the CHP Covid-19 guidelines. You are requested to keep reporting the body temperature reading and RAT test results of your child(ren) to the school.

The EDB and the CHP have extended the deadline for having a 90% vaccination rate for secondary school students to 31 January 2023, but the requirement for participating in ECAs and unmasked activities remains unchanged. All students over 12 years of age are required to have three doses, and students between the age of 5 and 11 years need to have two doses.

We encourage parents whose children have not been fully vaccinated to get them vaccinated otherwise they will not be able to participate in ECAs and unmasked activities.

Seeking Volunteers for School Bus Tendering Committee

We will be commencing the school bus tendering process shortly. To ensure that parents’ requirements and concerns are addressed, we would like to invite parent volunteers to assist with the tendering process. We expect representation from kindergarten, primary and secondary departments. The Parent Volunteers will assist the school administrative team in:

  • establishing parents’ needs and requirements for school bus services
  • reviewing the performance of the existing service provider and agreeing on the areas for improvement for the future years
  • reviewing the tender document ensuring the scope of service, and scoring criteria
  • confirming the list of service providers to be invited for tender submission
  • evaluating presentations delivered by the tenderers as members of the tender interview panel
  • reviewing the tender proposals, the summary analysis prepared by the school administrative team, and making the final decision on the acceptance of the most suitable offer

If you wish to volunteer for School Bus Tendering Committee, please complete the google form on or before Tuesday, 15 November 2022.

Jaspal Singh
Chief Administrative Officer
Email

Virtual Townhall & KPR Meetings

Virtual Townhall

As the school year returns to some normalcy, we aim to continue excellence in both academics and experiences for the students, teaching staff and faculty. The Senior Leadership Team and the Board will share a few words through a virtual townhall in November, delivering a school update and outlook for the future of GSIS.

Meeting with KPR Secretaries and School Leadership (8 November)

We look forward to the first meeting in the current school year on Tuesday, 8 November. We will share all details with you after the meeting via the meeting minutes and also our KPR system.

KPR Meeting (For all KPRs, 16 November)

The Senior Leadership Team and the Board will be hosting a KPR meeting on Wednesday, 16 November 2022 from 4:30 - 6:30 pm at the Peak Campus in the IB Hall. They will collectively address the questions raised from the recent Board newsletter.

Stefan Tueger
Deputy Director of Advancement
Email

University Guidance: Upcoming Events (External)

ADMISSION INFORMATION SESSIONS

STUDY IN AUSTRIA - EDUCATION FAIRDate: Saturday, 5 November 2022Time: 3:30 pm - 7:00 pm (HKT)Mode: Hybrid - In-person or onlineVenue: theDESK - United Centre, 5/F, United Centre, 95 Queensway, Admiralty, Hong Kong
8 Austrian Institutions will present (6 via Zoom and 2 in-person) their study programme. Students can come in person or join online. After the presentations, you will have the opportunity to speak with representatives.REGISTRATION

GSIS PARENTS EVENT
Y07-Y12/K09-K11 Parents Virtual Coffee Morning: Admissions Testing
Date: Wednesday, 23 Nov 2022
Time: 8:00 am


ENRICHMENT & ADVANCEMENT OPPORTUNITIES

INVESTIN: SUCCESS BEYOND SCHOOL
Summer Career Experiences in London - Live Q&A for students and parents
Date: Tuesday, 6 December
Time: 6:00 pm HKT
REGISTRATION

These summer experiences offer the 360-degree experience of professional life for students aged 12-18. They last for up to 15 days and take place at top industry sites across London - including immersions in hospitals, courtrooms, skyscrapers, film sets and much more.

Claire Wilkins
Head of University Guidance
Email

Beatrice Ugolini
University Guidance Counsellor
Email

German International Stream

From Head of Stream

The possibility of being able to enter Hong Kong again without PCR testing and mandatory hotel quarantine, as in pre-Covid-19 times, has certainly led some of us to book a few exciting days at one of the most beautiful destinations in Asia at the last minute.

The elimination of entry restrictions is gratifying and makes it possible to once again take more advantage of both private and business travel. However, this can sometimes lead to both parents being abroad at the same time. In these cases, I would like to ask that, as in the past, you appoint us an official guardian to take over the supervision of your child or children while you are away. Please keep in mind that according to Hong Kong law, domestic helpers may not be appointed as temporary guardians.

Please inform us well in advance of your departure of the period of your absence and the contact details of the authorized person, and send this information informally by email to the respective school secretary:

KG: PFL_Secretary@gsis.edu.hk

GPD: primary_secretary@gsis.edu.hk

GSD: GSD_Secretary@gsis.edu.hk

Grit Cichon
Deputy Principal / Head of German International Stream
Email

Kindergarten Corner

We trust you enjoyed the holidays as the weather in Hong Kong was glorious. As per our Gazette on the 21 October, we would like to remind you about the Parents’ Information Days scheduled from 14-25 November 2022. 

KINDERGARTEN PARENTS’ INFORMATION DAYS (PIDs)

Your child’s class teacher(s) have already shared a Sign-Up Form with dates and times for you to choose from, and please select a date and time which suits you best as soon as possible. Each family will be given 20 minutes.. 

Our specialist teachers, Frau Jerisch (Student Support, GKG), Herr Löhnert (German as a second language, GKG) and Ms Abasolo (Student Support, EKG) will contact parents directly for an appointment.

Sophie Burdel
Head of Kindergarten
Email

Eileen Mah
Deputy Head of Kindergarten and Deputy Child Protection Officer Pok Fu Lam Campus
Email

Departmental News and Announcements

No updates / announcements this week

Primary Corner

Parent Information Day Booking Reminder

On Wednesday, you should have received the email invitation to our first Parent Information days of the year. As a reminder,  the PIDs will be held over a 2 week period from Monday, 14 November 2022 to Friday, 25 November 2022.

Box of Hope Reminder

We will support the Box of Hope again this year. Please help your child to prepare a gift box following the instructions on the BoH website carefully. Children should bring their Boxes in to their classes from 7-11 November for collection on Monday, 14 November.

Parents- School-Connection

This week, our Pok Fu Lam Campus's parents received the first invitation to a series of Parents-School-Connection events. We are very much looking forward to sharing more of our culture and heritage and to learn from yours. Another event will be at the Peak Campus. Our school counsellor offers an information session on how to help children to establish good habits and routines. Please look out for these emails and sign up.

Priska Erni
Head of German Primary Department
Email

Beate Weinhardt
Deputy Head of German Primary Department
Email

Departmental News and Announcements

Primary Peak Course Programme (Term 2)


Secondary Corner

An intensive period of this school year kicked off this week on Monday with CPD Day (Continuing Professional Development). For a whole day, all staff members of the school could engage with different topics concerning the development of teaching.

At the beginning of the day, GPD and GSD colleagues brainstormed ideas around the requirements and conditions for success of an ideal school. At the end of the day, these were revised in project groups and on the basis of the KMKs “Orientierungsrahmen Qualität” for the upcoming BLI 3.0.

In the course of the CPD, all colleagues also attended a Safeguarding workshop, received an update from Senior Leadership on the upcoming strategic plan and worked in subject groups on topics of teaching development. Colleagues recognized how strengths of teaching development at GSIS can be cultivated in different subject areas, but also how changes and improvements should be used in the classroom in the future. Many thanks to all colleagues for an intensive but successful CPD Day.

Udo Krebs
Head of German Secondary Department
Email

Arnold Leitner
Deputy Head of German Secondary Department
Email

Departmental News and Announcements

No updates / announcements this week

English International Stream

From Head of Stream

As a school, we are pleased to be engaging more with parents during November through our Parents Information Days as well as the ongoing meetings with KPRs and of course, the upcoming Christmas Bazaar. You will also soon have access to some filmed feedback from the SLT on parental questions so do let us know what you think of this new format.

On Friday, 11 November we are hosting our first TEDxYouth event where four ESD students will be sharing some ideas worth spreading on the theme of ‘Generation Future’. This project has faced a number of challenges and postponements over the past few months due to school closures and social distancing but the organisers, Nicole Huang and Nehal Lodha from Year 13 are pleased to invite you to the IB Hall next Friday afternoon. Sign-up details will be released very soon.

Academic References Requests

This is a time of year when some families may require the school to write an academic reference to support an application to another school. If you are considering this, we would request that you contact Sabrina Chan, the ESD Secretary, first rather than individual teachers as we prefer to coordinate this process centrally (). We will not respond to unsolicited requests from other schools without first receiving an indication of intent from families.

Discovery Week 2022

All our students enjoyed a tremendous three days of creativity, activity and service during this year’s Discovery Week. Given the weather this week I don’t think we could have asked for a more perfect three days, so we are very grateful for that. My thanks go to all the staff who ran these enriching trips and activities as well as our administrative team and the expert providers. We will soon be starting to plan toward reinstating overseas trips for next year with a particular focus on exploring Germany and Switzerland.

Simon Misso-Veness
Deputy Principal / Head of English International Stream
Email

Kindergarten Corner

We trust you enjoyed the holidays as the weather in Hong Kong was glorious. As per our Gazette on the 21 October, we would like to remind you about the Parents’ Information Days scheduled from 14-25 November 2022. 

KINDERGARTEN PARENTS’ INFORMATION DAYS (PIDs)

Your child’s class teacher(s) have already shared a Sign-Up Form with dates and times for you to choose from, and please select a date and time which suits you best as soon as possible. Each family will be given 20 minutes.. 

Our specialist teachers, Frau Jerisch (Student Support, GKG), Herr Löhnert (German as a second language, GKG) and Ms Abasolo (Student Support, EKG) will contact parents directly for an appointment.

Sophie Burdel
Head of Kindergarten
Email

Eileen Mah
Deputy Head of Kindergarten and Deputy Child Protection Officer Pok Fu Lam Campus
Email

Departmental News and Announcements

No updates / announcements this week

Primary Corner

Curriculum Information
Continuing our communication about our curriculum and approach in the English Primary Department, we would like to share our EPD Reading Curriculum video with you again. This video was created and originally shared last year. It provides an excellent insight into how we teach reading and will give parents, especially those new to the EPD, some great ideas for supporting their children with reading at home. Watch the video here.

Parent Information Day Booking - Reminder
On Wednesday, you should have received the email invitation to our first Parent Information days of the year. As a reminder,  the PIDs will be held over a 2 week period from Monday, 14 November 2022 to Friday, 25 November 2022.
Parents will be able to book their 15 minute online appointments with their child’s class teachers via Calendly. Please find the instructions on how to book your appointment in this document. Each class teacher’s booking link can be found in this Google Sheet. The booking system will be active until 48 hours before the appointments. The departmental secretaries, Susanne Dömmecke, 2180 0505 (Peak Campus) and Ashley Banach 2849 6217 (Pok Fu Lam Campus) will also be available to assist you with any enquiries.
If you attend your meeting in person, please be reminded that, in order to enter the school building you must:

  • Scan the ‘Leave Home Safe App’
  • Show a ‘Blue Code’ 
  • Show proof of a negative RAT from that day


Box of Hope - Reminder
We will support the Box of Hope again this year. Please help your child to prepare a gift box following the instructions on the BoH website carefully. Children should bring their Boxes in to their classes from 7-11 November for collection on Monday, 14 November.

Donna Morley
Head of English Primary Department
Email

Eleanor Cowling
Deputy Head of English Primary Department
Email

Departmental News and Announcements

Primary Peak Course Programme (Term 2)


Secondary Corner

Departmental News and Announcements

No updates / announcements this week

Wellbeing Corner

Why Sensory Matters

You might be surprised to know that 4 November is observed annually as Common Sense Day. A term Aristotle defined at Sensus Communis. This he described as the higher-order perception that humans uniquely possess.

Aristotle, as we do today believed that humans are guided by their five senses, (sight, sound, touch, smell, taste), and so the logic prevails that we use our common sense(s), to aid us in our practical decision-making. Which can guide us to take more time before acting under pressure and, also serves as a reflective exercise by tuning into how we are feeling.

We wouldn’t be alone in sometimes feeling preoccupied with multiple mental tasks, which could lead to cognitive overload. This can manifest in the sense of being overwhelmed with lists of tasks. Severe lack of time; needing to do everything at once. A tendency towards procrastination; being unable to focus on a single task. However cognitive processing does not work alone, it is both mental and sensory integration that we ought to pay attention to.

Sensory overload can be interpreted through distressing physical symptoms, such as nervousness, palpitations, racing heart rate amongst others.

Here is an easy exercise for grounding by getting in touch with your 5 senses: The 5-4-3-2-1 method

Also, if you would like to learn more about sensory integration and processing: Educational videos

Dominique Talebli

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