A special thank you goes to the classes, parents, and staff volunteers who prepared hundreds of litres of waffle dough, pea soup, Glühwein and Kinderpunsch, and to those who helped serve thousands of sausages, pretzels, and sweet treats. Thanks also to our dedicated parents and staff who sorted and sold thousands of books with tireless energy.
The traditional lantern walks, face painting, marshmallow roasting, art & craft stall, and the rides for kids brought smiles to our younger visitors, while the older ones enjoyed fantastic performances by our Junior and Senior Choirs, Concert and Rock Bands, Wind and String Ensembles – and a performance by the 60 piece Coolum State High School Orchestra from Queensland.
The traditional lantern walks, face painting, marshmallow roasting, arts & crafts stall, and fun rides brought plenty of smiles and excitement to our younger visitors. Meanwhile, the older crowd was treated to an incredible lineup of performances, including our talented Junior and Senior Choirs, Concert and Rock Bands, and Wind and String Ensembles. A special highlight was the stunning performance by the 60-piece Coolum State High School Orchestra all the way from Queensland. Thank you for coming to our market!
Most importantly, we want to thank every one – our parent and student volunteers, GISS staff, stallholders, and community supporters – who made this event possible. Your contribution of time, energy, and spirit helped create a magical weekend for us all.
In true European Christmas market weather (although we did wish it was snowing instead of raining!) our Christmas Market was bustling with life and joy thanks to our amazing school community. The new layout brought a fresh atmosphere, and it was amazing to see so many families, friends, and visitors come together to experience the market.
From delicious waffles, hot pea soup, sugary Berliners, and spiced mulled wine to sizzling German sausages, Kartoffelpuffer, and pork knuckle, the food alone was a festival for all tastes! Meanwhile, the market stalls buzzed with charm, offering all sorts of treasures in true market fashion.
A special thank you goes to the classes, parents, and staff volunteers who prepared hundreds of litres of waffle dough, pea soup, Glühwein and Kinderpunsch, and to those who helped serve thousands of sausages, pretzels, and sweet treats. Thanks also to our dedicated parents and staff who sorted and sold thousands of books with tireless energy.
The traditional lantern walks, face painting, marshmallow roasting, art & craft stall, and the rides for kids brought smiles to our younger visitors, while the older ones enjoyed fantastic performances by our Junior and Senior Choirs, Concert and Rock Bands, Wind and String Ensembles – and a performance by the 60 piece Coolum State High School Orchestra from Queensland.
The traditional lantern walks, face painting, marshmallow roasting, arts & crafts stall, and fun rides brought plenty of smiles and excitement to our younger visitors. Meanwhile, the older crowd was treated to an incredible lineup of performances, including our talented Junior and Senior Choirs, Concert and Rock Bands, and Wind and String Ensembles. A special highlight was the stunning performance by the 60-piece Coolum State High School Orchestra all the way from Queensland. Thank you for coming to our market!
Most importantly, we want to thank every one – our parent and student volunteers, GISS staff, stallholders, and community supporters – who made this event possible. Your contribution of time, energy, and spirit helped create a magical weekend for us all.
giss Christmas market
In true European Christmas market weather (we were hoping for snow instead of rain!) our Christmas Market was bustling with life and joy thanks to our amazing school community. The new layout brought a fresh atmosphere, and it was amazing to see so many families, friends, and visitors come together to experience the market.
From delicious waffles, hot pea soup, sugary Berliners, and spiced mulled wine to sizzling German sausages, Kartoffelpuffer, and pork knuckle, the food alone was a festival for all tastes! Meanwhile, the market stalls buzzed with charm, offering all sorts of treasures in true market fashion.
Last week, we celebrated the wonder of storytelling during Book Week, an annual event that ignites our students' love for reading. The highlight was of course the Book Week Parade, where our students dressed up as their favourite book characters bringing these to life!
Our wonderful teachers brought stories to life through read-aloud sessions in English, German, and Spanish—sharing the joy of reading and celebrating cultures from around the world.
Throughout the week, our Primary School students took part in literacy-rich activities designed to nurture their love for reading. Each child also received a special “Book Recommendations” booklet, filled with exciting suggestions. We can’t wait to see what new stories they’ll discover next!
book week
Letzte Woche haben wir den Zauber des Geschichtenerzählens im Rahmen der Book Week gefeiert – eine jährliche Veranstaltung, die die Lesefreude unserer SchülerInnen entfacht.
Der Höhepunkt war natürlich die Book Week Parade, bei der unsere SchülerIinnen als ihre Lieblingsbuchfiguren verkleidet erschienen und diese kreativ zum Leben erweckten!
Unsere wunderbaren LehrerInnen erweckten Geschichten zum Leben durch Vorlesestunden auf Englisch, Deutsch und Spanisch und teilten die Freude am Lesen und feierten dabei Kulturen aus aller Welt.
Im Laufe der Woche nahmen unsere Grund-schülerinnen an vielfältigen, lesefördernden Aktivitäten teil, die ihre Freude am Lesen stärken sollen. Jedes Kind erhielt außerdem ein besonderes „Buch-Empfehlungen“-Heft, gefüllt mit spannenden Vorschlägen. Wir sind schon gespannt, welche neuen Geschichten sie als Nächstes entdecken werden!
book week
doughnuts for dads
We had a wonderful time celebrating Father’s Day at school last week!
The dads received a warmly welcome on the school grounds and were invited to enjoy a coffee or tea, and a doughnut with their child. It was fantastic to see so many dads join us, and there was a wonderful sense of community in the air.
After some mingling and fun photos at our photo booth, the dads headed into the classrooms for a special creative activity. Using acrylic markers, they designed their very own mugs alongside their children — a keepsake that is sure to become a favourite choice for the morning coffee for years to come!
It was wonderful to see the creativity, laughter, and special connections between dads and their children. There were smiling faces everywhere and we can’t wait to celebrate together again next year!
Father’s Day Celebration
Mit großer Freude haben wir den Vatertag an der GISS gefeiert.
Die Väter wurden herzlich begrüßt und eingeladen, zusammen mit ihren Kindern bei einer Tasse Kaffee oder Tee leckere Doughnuts zu genießen. Es war wunderbar, so viele Väter versammelt zu sehen – die gemeinschaftliche Stimmung war überall spürbar.
Nach etwas Plauderei und lustigen Fotos an unserer Fotowand ging es für die Väter in die Klassenräume zu einer besonderen kreativen Aktion. Mit Acrylmarkern gestalteten sie gemeinsam mit ihren Kindern ihre ganz persönliche Tasse – ein Erinnerungsstück, das sicher noch viele Jahre lang der liebste Begleiter beim Morgenkaffee sein wird!
Es war wunderbar, die Kreativität, das Lachen und die besonderen Momente zwischen den Vätern und ihren Kindern zu erleben. Überall waren strahlende Gesichter zu sehen – wir freuen uns jetzt schon darauf, im nächsten Jahr wieder gemeinsam zu feiern!
doughnuts for dads
wir feiern vatertag
On the 27th of August, a team of GISS athletes travelled to Sydney Olympic Park to compete in the IPSHA Athletics Carnival.
With over 1,000 students from across NSW in attendance, our GISS representatives held their own across a range of track and field events, demonstrating strength, skill, and sportsmanship. Several students brought home ribbons in the track events, showing how competitive our team was on the day.
A special mention to Arelie from Year 4, who qualified for the CIS carnival for both the 800m and 1500m - a fantastic achievement. Amazing efforts from all participants and we are already looking forward to next year's carnival!
IPSHA ATHLETICS CARNIVAL
Springboard to University – DSD Exams Mastered
The GISS Community proudly congratulates our 38 DSD I and 13 DSD.
II candidates who successfully completed their oral and written exams this term.
They were tested across all four areas: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. The presentations were especially impressive, demonstrating not only language proficiency but also personality and dedication.
The DSD I certificate opens the path to Studienkollegs in Germany – an important step in preparing for university. The DSD II certificate allows students to enter universities in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland directly.
These exams mark a major milestone – and we’re proud of what our students have achieved. We look forward to the results in Term 4. - Karlo Gruja
Sprungbrett ins Studium – DSD-Prüfungen gemeistert
Unsere GISS Gemeinde gratuliert herzlichst unseren 38 Teilnehmerinnen und Teilnehmern des DSD I sowie den 13 Prüflingen des DSD II, die in diesem Trimester ihre Prüfungen erfolgreich abgelegt haben – sowohl schriftlich als auch mündlich.
Geprüft wurden sie in allen vier Bereichen: Lesen, Schreiben, Hören und Sprechen. Besonders beeindruckend waren die Präsentationen, die nicht nur Sprachkompetenz, sondern auch die individuelle Persönlichkeit und Engagement der Prüflinge gezeigt haben.
Das DSD I-Zertifikat eröffnet den Weg zu einem Studienkolleg in Deutschland – eine wichtige Vorbereitung für das Studium. Mit dem DSD II-Zertifikat können unsere Schüler direkt an Universitäten in Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz studieren.
Die DSD-Prüfungen sind ein bedeutender Meilenstein – und wir sind stolz auf die Leistungen aller teilnehmenden Prüflinge. Die Ergebnisse erwarten wir mit Spannung im vierten Trimester. - Karlo Gruja
Year 10 Work Placement Presentations
In June, our Year 10 students completed their compulsory work placement with local companies, with several students even undertaking their placements in Germany.
Following their work experience, students prepared comprehensive posters about their host companies and presented to Year 9 students, who will soon begin the process of finding and applying for their own work placements next year.
The quality of presentations was outstanding, featuring excellent PowerPoint presentations and confident public speaking from our Year 10 students.
The diversity of host companies was impressive, ranging from second-hand bookstores to fashion modeling agencies and beauty salons; from guard dog training facilities to healthcare providers including chemists, veterinarians, pathology labs, and physiotherapy clinics. Students also worked with architects, carbon footprint accounting consultants, car mechanics, builders, the Goethe Institute, SBS radio and television, and several local surf schools.
The high standard of presentations made for an engaging and informative event. Our Year 9 students deserve commendation for their attentive participation as they prepare for their own work placement journey next year. - M. Broehl-Foster, Social Sciences Teacher
Im Juni absolvierten unsere Schüler der Jahrgangsstufe 10 ihr verpflichtetes Betriebspraktikum bei örtlichen Unternehmen, wobei mehrere Schüler ihre Praktika sogar in Deutschland durchführten.
Im Anschluss an ihre Berufserfahrung erstellten die Schüler umfassende Poster über ihre Gastunternehmen und präsentierten diese vor den Schülern der Jahrgangsstufe 9, die bald mit der Suche und Bewerbung für ihre eigenen Praktikumsplätze im nächsten Jahr beginnen werden.
Die Qualität der Präsentationen war hervorragend und zeichnete sich durch ausgezeichnete PowerPoint-Präsentationen und selbstbewusstes Auftreten unserer Schüler der Jahrgangsstufe 10 aus.
Die Vielfalt der Gastunternehmen war beeindruckend und reichte von Antiquariaten bis hin zu Modelagenturen und Schönheitssalons; von Wachhunde-Ausbildungsstätten bis zu Gesundheitsdienstleistern wie Apotheken, Tierarztpraxen, Pathologielaboren und Physiotherapiepraxen. Die Schüler arbeiteten außerdem bei Architekten, Beratern für CO2-Bilanzierung, Automechanikern, Bauunternehmen, dem Goethe-Institut, SBS Radio und Fernsehen sowie mehreren örtlichen Surfschulen.
Präsentationen der Jahrgangsstufe 10 zum Betriebspraktikum
Das hohe Niveau der Präsentationen sorgte für eine spannende und informative Veranstaltung. Unsere Schüler der Jahrgangsstufe 9 verdienen Anerkennung für ihre aufmerksame Teilnahme, während sie sich auf ihre eigene Praktikumsreise im nächsten Jahr vorbereiten. - M. Broehl-Foster, Social Sciences Teacher
We are pleased to report that we had a smooth flight and arrived safely in Munich on Monday around midday.
Our first day was full and intense, with students logging approximately 20,000 steps according to their smartwatches! We began the day with a powerful and reflective visit to the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial. During the guided tour, our students engaged thoughtfully, offering insightful questions and responses that impressed both staff and guides—credit to the History Department for preparing them so well.
We ended the day on a very different note with a visit to the iconic Allianz Arena, rounding off what was a meaningful and memorable start to our time in Germany.
year 9 and 10 students on exchange in germany
Germany Tour Update – Day One in Munich
Senior Choir & IPSHA CONCERT
What a Night to Remember!
Tuesday evening at Sydney Town Hall was an unforgettable experience for our students, who absolutely shone on stage at the IPSHA Performing Arts Festival.
From early morning to late evening, our students demonstrated incredible patience, resilience, and self-control as they navigated a long day of travel, rehearsals, and preparations. From managing nerves and hunger to fixing hair and shoelaces under the heat of stage lights, they rose to every challenge with grace and determination.
The joy and pride on their faces after the performance said it all. They truly earned the applause! Their hard work, including many sacrificed lunchtimes, paid off in a performance they can be incredibly proud of.
A heartfelt thank you to all the parents and carers for your ongoing support, and a special mention to Klemens Pedarnig for generously assisting throughout the day and evening.
Year 12 Chemistry Students Explore Electrolytic and Voltaic Cells in
State-of-the-Art Lab
Our Year 12 Chemistry students have recently delved into the fascinating world of electrochemistry through a hands-on investigation into electrolytic and voltaic cells. This practical component of their studies allowed students to explore how chemical energy is converted to electrical energy (and vice versa), reinforcing their theoretical knowledge with real-world applications.
Using our newly upgraded laboratory facilities, students were able to engage with modern equipment that brought their classroom learning to life. The improved lab environment not only enhanced the accuracy and reliability of their experiments, but also fostered deeper understanding through interactive and collaborative learning.
From constructing functioning electrochemical cells to analyzing the factors affecting cell potential, students demonstrated curiosity, critical thinking, and a strong grasp of core chemical principles. It's exciting to see how the integration of theory and practice is empowering students to think like scientists and develop skills that will serve them well beyond the classroom.
Well done to our Year 12 Chemistry cohort for their enthusiasm and hard work during this investigation!
