open day
Peak perfection This summer, the German Swiss International School opens its new Peak campus. Rebecca Simpson went along to have a look.
T
he German Swiss school (GSIS) has enjoyed a long and successful history in Hong Kong. And this summer sees yet another milestone, with the grand opening of its extensive, eight year-long refurbishment of the upper primary campus. Established in 1969 by German and Swiss families looking for a bilingual German/Swiss education for their offspring, the school first opened in a residential house at 1 Barker Road on the Peak. It grew, and in 1975 it opened its first ‘proper’ school building on Guildford Road. In 2007 the government awarded the school a second campus on Pok Fu Lam Road, which in 2010 became the permanent home to the kindergarten. But for the last eight years, upper primary (six-ten year olds) has been operating out of temporary accommodation in Wan Chai, while the Peak buildings are refurbished. Next term sees the grand unveiling of this project, with new library facilities, a dedicated art and music department just for upper primary students, and new classrooms. It will also house a large, modern, multi-purpose area that can be reconfigured depending on the needs of different student and school events. The school prides itself on a fierce academic reputation. “We are academic as everyone knows, but we also provide an holistic experience”, says school principal Annette Brandt-Dammann. “We have a great approach to every single student. We have a good ratio and take time to give each child perspective, not just direction for academic development”. This strong sense of identity and belonging, coupled with the school’s creative and sporting excellence, is a powerful combination, and the school fosters a strong sense of pride and belonging - a lifelong experience for many as the school hosts a strong alumni program and enjoys great
students sit their IGCSE examinations in Year 11 before starting the IB Diploma Programme in their senior years. The split between the two streams is roughly one third in the German stream and two thirds of students in the International stream. There are currently around 30 nationalities within the student body and around 20 nationalities on the staff-role. GSIS educates pupils ranging from two years-and-eight-months, through to those in their mid twenties at the school’s business college in Sai Ying Pun. While the playground language is English, German is a prevalent language in both streams. In the International stream, German is a compulsory subject from year two (approx seven years old). Children are also offered a third language option - of Mandarin or French. In the German stream, the students are offered a choice of English, Mandarin, French and Latin to study.
Getting a foot in the door
Applicants are not just assessed on academics - a wider portfolio of skills is essential these days. success attracting support from ex-students. GSIS in Hong Kong is unique among Germany’s international schools. Here, the school offers two streams of education – one stream in German, reflecting German curriculum and taught in German. A second international stream is taught in English and follows a curriculum based on the British curriculum but extended and adapted to suit GSIS students. International stream
According to the school’s principal, “We only look at the child, it doesn’t matter their background or wealth. This is not of interest, every child has the same chance.” While the applicant’s family’s financial situation is not taken into account while being assessed, interested parents must note the cost to be assessed for this selective school is a non-refundable HK$4,300. Each potential applicant is accessed not just on academic merit, but on their wider portfolio, such as communication and social skills. “As we know, the Ivy League schools are no longer just looking at applicants’ academic results. You have to have something to add on to the academics. Worldwide, and especially here in Asia, there are many academic achievers but that doesn’t make them the type of people who should be in leadership positions after University and beyond,” says Brandt-Dammann.
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