Dear Parents,

As the end of our first week back draws to a close, it has been a real privilege to watch the students settle back into school, welcome new families and catch up with friends. The community spirit of GES is something that is so strong and it is wonderful to start thinking about how we can come together, in a Covid secure way, at the start of this new academic year.

On Friday 17 September there will be a return to school celebration taking place at Genthod campus in the early evening. Bouncy castles, a food truck, prizes and a bar will ensure that it is a great family event for all of our families from Nursery through to Sixth form. Thank you to the groups of parents that are leading on this – if you would like to help out then please see Classlist for the areas where help is required.

At the end of last term, I mentioned the newly formed parent voice groups that we would love volunteers to sign up to. Please click here for more information and to sign up. With Black History Month in October, we are keen to get the diversity group up and running soon so that we can find a number of different ways of marking this important month. The link explains the different parent voice groups in more detail.

On Monday 13 and Tuesday 14 September, we will be having an ISI compliance inspection. This two-day inspection looks at whether the school meets the requirements to be a UK recognised British School Overseas. It is a rigorous and thorough inspection akin to an Ofsted inspection for those of you who have experience with the UK education system and takes the views of staff, parents and students into account. On Monday, you will all be asked to complete a survey about your views of the school. Please look out for the email and complete the survey as quickly as you can. The survey closes on Thursday next week so that the comments and results can shape the pathway of the inspection. Many thanks in advance for your participation in this.

Just a reminder that school is closed next Thursday 9 September for Jeûne Genevois, and we have an INSET day for staff training on Friday 10 September when school is closed to all students.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Matt Williams
Head

Our Wednesday Academies have had a brilliant start of term, with children able to mix and match sport and languages sessions for the first time.

We have registered close to 100 session sign-ups so far, but if you have not yet had a chance to do so, there are still a few spaces available. The full schedule can be found on My School Portal.

To sign up your child(ren) for this term, please directly contact Mrs Marett ([email protected]) for languages, and Ms Shibil ([email protected]) for sport.

We look forward to Wednesday again!