Visit from the Ambassador and Consul General

GRÜSSE Vom schulleiter

Liebe Eltern und Freunde der GISS ,

mit dem heutigen Tag endet ein ereignisreicher erster Term – und was für einer das war!   Zum Ende des Terms möchte ich mich bei Ihnen für Ihre kontinuierliche Unterstützung und Partnerschaft bedanken. Es waren ein paar arbeitsreiche und lohnende Monate, und ich bin stolz auf alles, was unsere Schülerinnen und Schüler erreicht haben.

Unsere Klassen 5 bis 10 sind soeben von ihren Camps zurückgekehrt, erfüllt mit Erlebnissen, Teamgeist und Naturabenteuern. Ich lade Sie herzlich ein, über die Ostertage ins Gespräch mit Ihren Kindern zu gehen – diese Geschichten verdienen es, geteilt zu werden. Und wer weiß – vielleicht steckt in der einen oder anderen Erzählung schon die Vorfreude aufs nächste Camp!

Auch auf unserem Campus tut sich viel: Die Bauarbeiten an unserem neuen Science Lab schreiten zügig und beeindruckend voran. Am 5. Mai werden wir die Türen zu einem der modernsten naturwissenschaftlichen Schullabore Australiens öffnen – ein Meilenstein für unsere Schule und ein großartiger Schritt für unser MINT-Profil.

Doch schon vorher wird es festlich: Am 1. Mai um 13:45 Uhr laden wir alle Eltern, Freunde und Unterstützer der GISS herzlich ein, bei einem besonderen Festakt auf unserem Campus dabei zu sein. Gemeinsam werden wir eine zukunftsweisende Partnerschaft mit einem renommierten deutschen Fußballclub bekannt geben. Mehr darf ich an dieser Stelle noch nicht verraten – aber Sie können gespannt sein!

Heute verabschieden wir auch eine ganz besondere Kollegin: Ms. Annie Thomson verlässt nach über zehn Jahren unser Team. Ihre warme, verlässliche und engagierte Art hat unsere Schule in vielen Bereichen geprägt. Eine große Verabschiedungs-Assembly ist für Mitte Mai in Planung. Besonders möchten wir unsere Alumni einladen, die Ms. Thomson auf ihrem Weg begleitet haben – bitte melden Sie sich, wenn Sie dabei sein möchten.

Im kommenden Term erwarten uns spannende Aufgaben – darunter die Bund-Länder-Inspektion im Juni, bei der eine Kommission aus Deutschland unsere Schule besucht. Wir freuen uns darauf, zu zeigen, wie lebendig deutsche Bildung am anderen Ende der Welt gelebt werden kann.

Ein großes Dankeschön geht an den PRC für die farbenfrohe Organisation unseres diesjährigen Colour Runs – ein voller Erfolg und ein wunderbares Zeichen unseres lebendigen Schulspirits!

Und auch während der Osterferien bleibt es lebendig bei uns: Während im neuen Science Lab weitergearbeitet wird, dürfen sich unsere Kleinen – der Kindergarten und die benachbarte Klasse – auf eine ganz besondere bauliche Überraschung freuen. Mehr wird noch nicht verraten – aber eins ist sicher: Es wird bunt, freundlich und kindgerecht!

Zum Schluss bleibt mir nur noch zu sagen: Auch wenn der Osterhase gestern schon bei uns auf dem Schulgelände unterwegs war, wünsche ich Ihnen und Ihren Familien frohe, friedliche und fröhliche Ostertage – und allen Kindern natürlich, dass der Osterhase vielleicht doch noch einmal bei Ihnen zu Hause vorbeihoppelt.

Mit herzlichen Grüßen

Ihr
Michael Cordes
Principal/Schulleiter






gREETINGS fROM the principal

Dear Parents and Friends of GISS,

Today marks the end of an action-packed first term - and what an eventful one it was!   As we come to the end of Term I, would like to thank you for your ongoing support and partnership throughout the term. It’s been a busy and rewarding few months, and I’m proud of all that our students have achieved.

Our Years 5 to 10  students returned from their camps today, filled with stories, team spirit and memories of outdoor adventures. As we head into the Easter holidays, I encourage you to sit down with your children and let them share their experiences – these are stories worth hearing. Who knows, you might even find yourself looking forward to the next camp already! 

There’s also plenty of excitement happening right here on campus. Construction on our new Science Lab is moving ahead at an impressive pace. On May 5, we’ll officially open the doors to one of the most advanced science labs in Australia – a major milestone for our school and a significant leap forward for our STEM program.

Today, we also bid farewell to a very special colleague: Ms Annie Thomson will be leaving our team after more than ten years of dedicated service. Her warmth, reliability, and unwavering commitment have left a lasting mark on many aspects of our school community. A special farewell assembly is being planned for mid-May, and we warmly invite our alumni who have shared in Ms Thomson’s journey to join us. If you’d like to attend, please don’t hesitate to get in touch – we’d love to see you there.

There’s plenty to look forward to next term, including the upcoming Bund-Länder Inspection in June when a commission from Germany will visit our school and are excited for the opportunity to showcase just how dynamic and vibrant German education can be – even on the other side of the world.

A big thank you also goes to the PRC for their fantastic organisation of this year’s Colour Run – a brilliant success and a wonderful celebration of our lively school spirit!

And things will carry on happening on campus over the Easter break ! While construction on the new Science Lab continues, our youngest students – the kindergarten and neighbouring class – can look forward to a special surprise in their part of the school. We won’t reveal too much just yet, but one thing’s for sure: it will be colourful, welcoming, and perfectly suited for little ones!

And finally, although the Easter Bunny already made an early visit to our school yesterday, I’d like to wish you and your families a joyful, peaceful, and relaxing Easter. And who knows – maybe the Easter Bunny will hop to your home too!

Warm regards,

Michael Cordes
Principal








staff - mitarbeiter/innen  

With much sadness, we bid farewell to Ms Annie Thomson, a highly valued member of the GISS team for over ten years. Her dedication, kindness, and professionalism have left a lasting impact on all of us. We wish her all the very best as she embarks on the next chapter of her life journey. 

Schweren Herzens nehmen wir Abschied von Frau Annie Thomson, die seit über zehn Jahren ein hochgeschätztes Mitglied des GISS-Teams war. Ihr Engagement, ihre Freundlichkeit und ihre Professionalität haben einen bleibenden Eindruck bei uns allen hinterlassen. Wir wünschen ihr alles erdenklich Gute für den nächsten Abschnitt ihres Lebensweges. 

farewell ms annie

high visit at giss

On 27 March we were delighted to welcome Ambassador Beate Grzeski, Dr Markus Ederer und Consul General Felix Schwarz to GISS.

Our Rock Band rocked the stage with some amazing songs in both English and German, while many other talented students showcased their musical skills, and the Stage 2 children delivered a bilingual presentation about their recent visit to a school museum.

Two student representatives led a captivating interview with Mrs. Grzeski, which was followed by an insightful roundtable discussion with all the representatives and our distinguished guests. Our guests' visit provided an incredible opportunity for our students to connect, reflect, and engage in thought-provoking discussions on culture, education, and global citizenship. 

We are very grateful to our guests for their time and the inspiration they brought to our community.

 

Click here to read a report by Aureleo from Year 11

Am 27. März hatten wir die große Freude, Botschafterin Beate Grzeski, Dr. Markus Ederer und Generalkonsul Felix Schwarz an der GISS willkommen zu heißen.

Unsere Rockband spielte einige tolle Songs auf Englisch und Deutsch, während  andere talentierte SchülerInnen  ihr musikalisches Können vorführten, und die Stage 2 Kinder hielten eine zweisprachige Präsentation über ihren kürzlichen Besuch in einem Schulmuseum.

Zwei Schülervertreter führten ein fesselndes Interview mit Frau Grzeski, dem eine aufschlussreiche Gesprächsrunde mit allen VertreterInnen und unseren angesehenen Gästen folgte. Ihr Besuch bot unseren SchülerInnen eine großartige Gelegenheit, sich zu vernetzen, nachzudenken und an anregenden Diskussionen über Kultur, Bildung und globale Bürgerschaft teilzunehmen. 

Wir danken unseren Gästen für ihre Zeit und die Inspiration, die sie mit unserer Gemeinschaft geteilt haben. 
 

hoher besuch an der giss

Hier geht's zu einem Bericht von  Aureleo aus Klasse 11

The GISS school oval was transformed into a rainbow of joy last Friday as students, staff, and families came together for the highly anticipated GISS Colour Blast Fun Run. With clouds of colour, laughter echoing across the field, and a powerful sense of school spirit, the event was not only a vibrant celebration but also a tremendous fundraising success, raising $18,904.70 with 198 active fundraisers.

At the heart of the action were our youngest participants—Preschoolers—who set the tone early by taking to the track with unstoppable energy. Their enthusiasm was matched by the community’s incredible generosity, keeping them at the top of the fundraising leaderboard from day one.


GISS Colour Blast Raises $18,904.70

Our Primary School families also played a huge part in the day’s success. Kindergarten took out second place, followed by Year 4, Year 3/4, and Year 1, who rounded out the top five fundraising classes.

But the real highlight of the day? The much-hyped slime showdown. As the fundraising total crept closer to the $20K target, anticipation built around who would get slimed. True to their word, a team of fearless staff members, including Frau Koehl, Frau Topphoff, Head of Primary School Frau Hennig, and Principal Michael Cordes, stepped up and took their colourful fate with good humour and grace. It was a moment students won’t soon forget.

None of this would have been possible without the tireless efforts of our Colour Run Organising Committee. Spearheaded by Chief Colour Blast Organiser Kylie Reichling, and supported by Mark Uhlemann, Lena Kayser, Jo Poquiz, and Caroline Ryan, the committee brought the event to life with incredible energy, enthusiasm, and dedication.

Funds raised will go directly back to the school, helping support initiatives and improvements that benefit all students. Events like these not only support important causes but also bring the community together in unforgettable ways.

From the youngest runners to the slimed staff and cheering parents—thank you, GISS, for making this day such a vibrant success.

GISS ALUMNI... 

Senior Secondary
(IB)

Senior Secondary (IB)

Junior Secondary

Junior Secondary

Primary

Primary

Preschool

Preschool

WHAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING AT GISS? | was WAR los an der giss?

WHAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING AT GISS? 
was WAR los an der giss?

wellbeing

 Ulrike Miehle, School Counsellor

This technique is also useful for goal setting. Viewing your goals from a broader perspective helps you see them as part of a bigger journey, keeping you motivated and focused on long-term progress rather than getting discouraged by minor setbacks.


Examples of self-distancing journaling:

  • Alex left today’s meeting feeling frustrated but chose not to speak up. Later, he realised that avoiding the situation only made him feel worse. Next time, he might try voicing his thoughts instead of holding them in.

  • Sam set a goal to exercise more, but some days it feels like an ongoing battle. Taking a step back, he recognises that progress is happening, even if slowly. Breaking it into smaller steps helps him stay on track and motivated.


By looking at things from a distance, self-distanced journaling helps you stay on track, work through challenges, and take meaningful steps toward your goals.

Self-distanced journaling—writing about yourself in the third person—can help you process your thoughts and emotions with more clarity. By creating a bit of psychological distance, this approach reduces emotional intensity, making it easier to reflect critically without feeling overwhelmed.

This technique is also useful for goal setting. Viewing your goals from a broader perspective helps you see them as part of a bigger journey, keeping you motivated and focused on long-term progress rather than getting discouraged by minor setbacks.

Examples of self-distancing journaling:

  • Alex left today’s meeting feeling frustrated but chose not to speak up. Later, he realised that avoiding the situation only made him feel worse. Next time, he might try voicing his thoughts instead of holding them in.

  • Sam set a goal to exercise more, but some days it feels like an ongoing battle. Taking a step back, he recognises that progress is happening, even if slowly. Breaking it into smaller steps helps him stay on track and motivated.

By looking at things from a distance, self-distanced journaling helps you stay on track, work through challenges, and take meaningful steps toward your goals.

What is self-distancing journaling? 

By creating a bit of psychological distance, this approach reduces emotional intensity, making it easier to reflect critically without feeling overwhelmed.

Self-distanced journaling—writing about yourself in the third person—can help you process your thoughts and emotions with more clarity.

after school & vacation care

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