School visit: GSIS and its newly renovated campus

The German Swiss International School (GSIS) celebrated the opening of their newly renovated campus with an open day, during which parents and guests got the chance to see the refurbished facilities, as well as the various talents possessed by the student body.

Over 500 people attended the event, including representatives from the Hong Kong Education Bureau, the Central Agency of German Schools Abroad, German Consul General Nikolaus Graf Lambsdorff, Swiss Consul General Reto Renggli and Austrian Consul General Claudia Reinprecht.

The celebration began with a parade and concert conducted by the primary students, followed by a lion dance ritual from the secondary school students. Also featured were performances from the school choir, orchestra, soloists and the GSIS Big Band. There was also a ribbon-cutting ceremony to signify the end of an exceptionally long and labour-intensive renovation process, which was completed in five separate phases over the course of eight years.

“This process has been particularly challenging as we started teaching the IB Diploma just as we became a building site,” says Mary Peart, head of English secondary. “It speaks volumes of the quality, focus and determination of our students and their teachers that both these projects have proven so successful,” she says.

“The bright and spacious rooms of the school offer optimal possibilities for a modern, open and flexibly designed classroom,” adds Michael Scholz, head of German secondary. “With the new campus, the school community has created a home where students and teachers can work and live in a positive, constructive learning environment.”

There were several student activities being held once the open day began, including a dodgeball tournament, art exhibition, drama performances in the new black box theatre, and an impressive debate showcase.