GESS
“Both of our girls attend GESS (German European School Singapore); Emma is in Grade 8 while Carlijn is in Grade 6. I like the open classroom mornings where parents are invited to attend lessons. It’s a good way to see and talk to the teachers and observe the classes. GESS organises a few of these each year and it’s great for potential students and their parents to join.
The IB programme is very different from the curriculum we were used to in New Zealand, where we lived previously. It took some time to get used to the different way of presenting knowledge and answering questions. But with some help from classmates, Emma managed to catch up pretty fast. Carlijn has received the guidance she needs and even made some jewellery and a nice chopping board in the shape of the North Island of New Zealand during her design and technology lesson. Carlijn’s co-curricular activity is football and she has a great coach. Emma plays volleyball and is in the school orchestra. The conductor has helped her a lot, especially since she had only played the violin for six months when we joined. They also have an exchange programme with an orchestra in Kuala Lumpur.
We chose GESS as the school teaches Dutch during regular classroom hours. We felt that it would be a good opportunity for the girls to improve their Dutch, which is the language we speak at home. The Dutch classes are small and students get individual attention. Also, the school celebrates Dutch holidays, and even holds movie nights with students from other schools. If you’re Dutch, consider GESS as your kids will be able to learn the language within school hours.”
It’s a good opportunity for the girls to improve their Dutch, which is the language we speak at home.