From Head of Stream

As in every school year, the coming week will have a very special significance in the German International Stream. Our K12 students will take the final oral exams for the DIA. For the first time since 2018, we will welcome our KMK representative, Mr. Mayer, to Hong Kong, who will conduct the DIA examinations on-site. We wish our "Zwölfern" every success and the best possible results.

Visit from the new Head of German Primary Department

If you were at the Peak this week, you might have spotted a new face in the German Faculty. I am very excited that after a long and intense recruitment process, we have successfully hired a successor for Ms. Erni, our current Head of GPD, who will, unfortunately, be leaving us at the end of the school year. After being in charge of the Primary Department of the German Embassy School in Tehran for seven years, Mr. Claassen will join our Senior Management Team in August. To best prepare for his new role and ensure a smooth transition, he has spent the past few days on campus taking advantage of numerous opportunities to get to know our school, meet his new faculty team as well as the GPD KPR Secretaries and observe his students at various events during Book Week. We warmly welcome Mr. Claassen to GSIS and look forward to working with him.

Discovery Week 2023 

We have been working with a range of external providers and travel agents to determine the costs for our overseas trips to Germany, Austria and Switzerland as well as a range of service trips in Asia during Discovery Week in October 2023. 

The cost of international travel has increased, as have the costs for local transport, particularly in Europe. Therefore, unfortunately you have to be prepared for more expensive cost estimates compared to the past years. One factor that has held us up somewhat has been the availability of international flights in October, as many carriers did not publish their routes until last week. 

We will send out an overview of the trips available for each year's group so we can gauge numbers in light of the quotes and then invite families to make their final selections towards the end of May.

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Primary Corner

Book Week

Flashlight reading, mystery readers, book swaps, the traditional character dress-up day, and the online readings with Mrs. Katja Alves have all contributed to a hugely successful Book Week, further inspiring our children’s love of literature and reading. 

It was also wonderful to welcome parents into school again for the talk by the Authors of ‘Bravery Grows’, Dr. Melissa Giglio and Mrs. Daisy Geddes. We hope that you found their talk informative and helpful in supporting your children to overcome anxiety and develop resilience.

Priska Erni Head of German Primary Department Email

Beate Weinhardt Deputy Head of German Primary Department Email

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Departmental News and Announcements

From Head of Stream

Celebrating Literature

The students and staff in Pok Fu Lam have enjoyed a dynamic Literature Festival over the past two weeks including a visit from local author, Conny Wong, culminating in an exciting assembly when everyone dressed as their favourite book characters. This week it’s the turn of the Primary Department to launch their Book Week so we’re looking forward to a range of book-related activities. A big thank you to all staff who organised these special events.

Congratulations go to our Secondary Department Battle of the Books Team who reached the final of the competition following victory in their semi-final last Friday. The very best of luck to them and thanks to Secondary Librarian, Caroline Chan and ESD teacher, Anne Stevenson for supporting the team.

Discovery Week 2023

We have been working with a range of external providers and travel agents to finalise costs for our overseas trips to Germany, Austria and Switzerland as well as a range of service trips in Asia during Discovery Week in October 2023.

As many of you will appreciate, the cost of international travel has increased as has local transport, particularly in Europe, so brace yourself for some hefty quotes. One factor that has held us up somewhat has been the availability of international flights in October as many carriers did not publish their routes until last week.

We will send out an overview of the trips available for each year group so we can gauge numbers in light of the quotes and then invite families to make their final selections towards the end of May. Thank you for your patience.

Appeals

Please look out for two appeals our students are organising over the next two weeks:

A Donation Drive to support refugees in Hong Kong working with Blessvision.

Requested donations: toiletries, hygiene products & canned food

Donation point: Lower Building Reception

Earthquake Appeal: Turkey & Syria in collaboration with Crossroads

Requested donations: sanitary products & school equipment

Donation point: Lower Building Reception

Students will receive information directly by email outlining what is required so please do support these initiatives by discussing them with your children.

Innovative Congratulations

Ingrid Chan (Year 12) spent the first week of May in Geneva at the 48th International Exhibition of Inventions presenting her Multi-sensory Mixed Reality Therapy for Dementia app which she designed and developed. We are very pleased to announce that Ingrid received the Gold Medal with Congratulations from the Jury. This comes after winning the Asia Pacific ICT Awards earlier this year, which resulted in her representing Hong Kong at this prestigious competition. Just to put Ingrid’s achievement into context, over 1000 inventions from 40 countries were showcased at the Exhibition. Well done, Ingrid! We are very proud of your achievement!

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Primary Corner

Book Week

Flashlight reading, mystery readers, book swaps, the traditional character dress-up day, and visits from fantastic authors have all contributed to a hugely successful Book Week, further inspiring our children’s love of literature and reading. Remember to visit the class Google Sites for photographs of the week.

It was also wonderful to welcome parents into school again for the talk by the Authors of ‘Bravery Grows’ Dr. Melissa Giglio and Daisy Geddes. We hope that you found their talk informative and helpful in supporting your children to overcome anxiety and develop resilience.

Year 5 Camp

The Year 5 children had a fantastic experience on our first overnight camp since the pandemic. They loved sleeping in tents and dorms with their friends and experiencing Kayaking and Gorge walking. They all agreed that being pushed beyond their comfort zone had been a great learning experience, and they loved working with different people and forming new friendships. 

Coming up - Summer Festival

On 2 June we will see the IB Hall come alive with music performed by the Choirs and Orchestra of the Primary Department. There will be music and dancing to cater for everyone’s taste. Mark the date and come along to the Summer Festival – “I Believe in Music” at 6:00 pm in the IB Hall. Parents of Choir and Orchestra members will receive full details this week.

Donna Morley Head of English Primary Department Email

Eleanor Cowling Deputy Head of English Primary Department Email

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Departmental News and Announcements