Parent's Review of German European School of Singapore in Singapore, Singapore

What is the name of your child's school? (Please report on one school per survey.)

German European School of Singapore

In what town or city is this school located?

Singapore

How would you describe this school? (i.e. American, British, International, Local, etc.)

International

What grade levels are represented at this school?

Kindergarten to Gd 12

How do most children get to school everyday? (bus, train, walk, etc.)

School bus, or private car. Public transport within 1.5 km walk (very hot in Singapore)

How would you describe the facilities at this school? What extra-curricular activities are available?

Comments on the secondary campus (no knowledge of elementary) Facilities good, a/c indoor gym so P.E. can carry on in rain. AC in all classrooms. Ergonomically designed chairs and tables - very Northern European attitude towards student health. Science labs well equipped and safety conscious. Canteen offers a variety of food, mainly healthy. Clean, spacious, surrounded by trees - even monkeys! Parking and dropping off busy at peak times as there are other schools close by. Extra-curricular - full range of music, drama, sports such as football, swimming, volleyball, tennis, etc. There is a late bus for students doing after school activities.

What has this school done to help your child transition from the curriculum in your home country into the curriculum in your new country? Are there programs to prepare your child for repatriation?

Small school, so more individual attention from homebase and subject teachers. GESS is an IB school, so the MYP and DP is internationally recognised. The MYP content is similar to most middle years programmes, e.g. IGCSE and prepares the students for either the IB diploma or a similar pre-university course, e.g. A-levels if they are returning. School has good record-keeping and report structure for communicating to new schools.

How would you describe the social activities available for parents through this school? Are there parent-teacher organizations?

Weekly email on goings on at school. There are lots of activities organised - mainly for non-working parents though, and possibly more German language orientated. Parent-teacher organisation has voted members on and participate in decisions about future developments and any issues of concern. Christmas and Easter celebrations for families. Fund raising (for charity, not school) also for families. Parent-teacher-student conferences held twice yearly - in secondary school (can't comment on elementary)

What advice would you give to someone considering enrolling their child in this school?

If your child is comfortable in a small, family orientated environment then consider GESS in Singapore. Students in the European section have lessons in English and learn German as well as a third language (e.g. French, Mandarin) up till Grade 11, when they do the Diploma Programme of the IB. The student community is fairly diverse, the German speaking students cannot switch to the European section until they reach a good proficiency in English, so your child will not be in classes with weak English skills. Have a look, it is not the radar for many parents compared to other well known Singaporean schools.

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