Message from Ms Matillon, Director General
Dear Parents,
I would like to devote this, my final newsletter message of 2024, to expressing my sincere gratitude to everyone at and with GES for all you do for our community and our school. Without you, this wouldn’t be the thriving and magical place that it is!
Heartfelt thank you to:
- our pedagogical, management and associate staff who put their heart and soul into all they do for GES and our children. I am lucky and grateful to work with such a brilliant team;
- our partners who open up a wonderful world of opportunities for our children by offering a range of music, sports, science, cooking (the list is so long!) and other activities during and after school;
- our suppliers without whom our technology wouldn’t work, our transport wouldn’t run, our children wouldn’t eat hot, well-balanced meals at lunchtime, and so much more;
- our parents who devote countless hours to facilitating communication between home and school, who expertly plan and execute events from August to June, who do us the honour of engaging with local charities on our behalf, and who support their own and all children so beautifully during their learning journeys;
- other family members, babysitters and friends who help with homework, provide rides to and from school, cheer at performances and events, and remind children each day that they are special and important;
- and, last but certainly not least, our students for whom we come to school every day and who make every bit of what we do worthwhile. I will miss their smiles and stories over the coming three weeks.
Please note that our school will reopen to students on Tuesday 7th January as Monday 6th is a staff training day. Until then, I wish all GES families a healthy, joyful and peaceful holiday season and I look forward to seeing you again in 2025!
All the best,
Christina Matillon
Course de l'Escalade
No fewer than 109 GES runners, almost one third of the school, braved the chill last Sunday to take part in the traditional Course de l’Escalade!
From our youngest learners to our senior students, all age groups were represented. At the GES tent, at the starting line and all throughout the race, our students proudly wore their school colours in this joint celebration of Geneva’s cultural history and the GES community spirit.
Joining thousands of children from Geneva and beyond, our athletes produced some impressive results and we are proud of all their efforts in training for these challenging races. Special mention goes to Teo in Year 5, who came in 18th in his category, out of over 1000 runners!
A big thank you to all staff and parents who were present to man the stand and cheer our runners, and especially to Sarah Wainwright, who donated a beautiful marmite au chocolat, which Secondary runners enjoyed smashing at school on Monday.
This week in class
On Tuesday our Reception students enjoyed a visit to Le Hameau du Père Noël, wondering in the fairytale ambience of this popular local attraction. The children were excited to see if they could spot Father Christmas, delighted to watch his busy team of elves making toys in preparation for his upcoming delivery round and intrigued to see where Rudolph and the other reindeers live.
We were very grateful that Santa could take time out of his busy schedule to welcome our youngest learners to his home, and immerse them in the magical atmosphere of the winter season.
Year 6 has been getting into the festive spirit this week in class by making bobble hat decorations to hang on the school Christmas tree.
Working on their knitting and putting their creative hats on, this exercise was a wonderful opportunity for them to develop their fine motor skills, dexterity and problem solving while enjoying this profoundly relaxing activity.
Beyond the classroom
With the holidays just around the corner, the festive spirit was most definitely in the air at Primary on Thursday. Our school community dressed to impress, donning their snazziest Christmas jumpers for the occasion.
Browse through this gallery of photos to see our students’ and staff’s seasonal attire.
The Primary School was invaded by elves, snowmen, hedgehogs, reindeer and all manner of wintry creatures on Tuesday as Key Stage 1 students performed their much-awaited Christmas show, Santa’s Hat.
In this fun-filled musical play, audiences watched as a bemused Santa mobilised his magical beings and animal friends to help find his missing hat, which it turns out he had been sitting on all this time!
With stellar performances by all on stage and thanks to the pre-show planning and assistance from parents to ensure their children had their costumes ready, this performance will undoubtedly be one that stays with us for many years to come.
Bravo to everyone for their hard work all throughout rehearsals and in the final performance.
Students in Year 1 to 6 came together to sing some Christmas classics during their Primary Christmas Sing-Along! Intoning some seasonal favourites such as “White Christmas” and “Carol of the Bells”, the children displayed their talent in both English and French, with parents singing along, to create the beautiful sound of a cross-generational choir.
The sea of Christmas jumpers worn by the children added to the sparkle of the event, which was a smashing success!
Our School Council organised another successful event this week, helping to raise funds for their project to make play time more fun! All Primary students were invited to attend a screening of classic Christmas comedy The Santa Clause, settling back in comfy blankets to enjoy the hilarious hi-jinks in the film, with drinks and snacks served by the Student Council.
Thanks to the students who organised the event for creating a memorable community moment for our Primary learners.
The Winter Arts Showcase was one of the week’s highlights over at Secondary this week, as Ms Hopley, Ms Empson and Ms Colwill showcased their students’ work from this term in Art, Drama and Music.
From GCSE Drama pieces to a sneak preview of the Performing Arts Club’s Willie Wonka, from the classical repertoire to seasonal music pieces, not to mention a superb exhibition of artwork from artists of all ages, the audience of peers, parents and staff had their eyes filled with culture all throughout the evening.
We were also delighted to welcome back our alumna Cíara, who treated us to a violin performance, during which we could have heard a pin drop!
Extra-Curricular Activities
After School Care
Our After School Care activities this week certainly weren’t half-baked! The children got into the festive spirit with a Christmas-themed afternoon of fun and frolics, including a special Christmas bingo game in French, a ginger bread house building activity and a biscuit-baking workshop, crafting delicious seasonal sweet treats.
News from the Primary Choir
Our Primary Choir has had a busy calendar of performances these last few days.
Last Friday, our choristers made us proud as they sang for the local charity, the Don du Choeur, at the Espace Candide in nearby Ferney-Voltaire. Lending their song to raise awareness and funds in support of enabling greater access to education for underprivileged children across the world, their beautiful voices rang out in perfect unison to the delight of the audiences gathered to hear them. Our artists’ works were also on sale to raise funds for their chosen charity.
Earlier this week, they travelled to the nearby retirement home, the EMS Saint-Loup, to spend the morning engaging with their elders. After a lovely concert which saw young and old voices singing along together, the children enjoyed a shared snack time while listening raptly to a Christmas tale told by one of the residents.
At GES, we strive to instill in our students strong values of camaraderie, respect and caring for those in need of support. From the earliest age, our learners inspire us with their commitment to raise awareness, engage with and take action on local, regional and global challenges, such as the right to education for all and the care for society’s senior citizens.
Saas-Fee Ski Residential Trip
30 students headed up to the slopes this week for a fabulous week of skiing and activities at Saas-Fee. Hosted by the wonderful Viamonde ski company, the students were treated to excellent ski coaching, superb food and evening activities that included sledging, a mini-Olympics, a snowshoe and a disco.
Blessed with nearly perfect weather conditions, fresh snow early in the week and blue skies for the final three days, the students had a wonderful time.
The skiers all made great progress, with George receiving the most improved medal for his monumental progress from beginner to skiing red slopes.
It is a true pleasure to take such respectful and mature students on these trips and we hope to see them on many future ski trips at GES.
Community News
Our traditional Christmas Fair was a great success last week as students, staff, families and friends of GES came together at our Primary campus in Genthod.
Santa’s grotto was a huge hit, as were the terrific range of family-friendly activities, wonderful selection of hand-made greetings cards and gifts, including ceramics, decorations, candles and chocolates, that were on sale on the various stands, and the delicious array of snacks and drinks.
Thank you to the Parents’ Association for putting together this beloved community event, and to all the parents and students who lent a hand in creating the magical atmosphere that drew crowds to our campus.
For photos of the event, click here.
