Message from Mr Williams, Head
Dear Parents and Carers,
It has been another action packed week with virtual open events and parents evenings, along with snow sports days, thanks to the snow finally arriving.
As you are aware, we are reviewing our French provision across the school for next academic year and are aiming to hold a parent event about this in late February. Before then, there is more exciting news from the French Department who are welcoming two trainee teachers, Alicia and Antoine, from l’Université de Pau in South West France. These student-teachers will be mentored by our Lead Teachers and will assist across the Primary and Secondary schools as part of their teacher training work placement. Fresh from the world of academia, we are looking forward to incorporating their ideas into the classroom and we know the children will love the extra attention these two new teachers will bring. Alicia and Antoine will work alongside our existing teachers and will offer support and extension work for students across the school. If you see them around, please do offer them a warm GES welcome.
As we continue to develop our Careers Programme at Secondary, we would like to utilise our parent community’s extensive experience across a vast range of professions to benefit our students. If you would be willing to share your experiences and knowledge of a particular career, job or profession with our students we would love to hear from you. This could take a variety of forms: a talk in person, Zoom webinar, seminar, workshop, 1:1 meeting with a student – we are open to suggestions and eager to use your expertise. Please follow this link to register your interest and do share the link with family and friends who you think would be interested in supporting the Careers Programme at school.
As mentioned last week in the newsletter we have a number of holiday camps coming up at February Half term and Easter, including:
- Winter outdoor and cross fit camp for 10 to 16 year olds – Half term
- Musicianship camp for 11 to 18 year olds – Easter
- The Great British Baking Camp for 11 to 18 year olds – Easter
- Bilingual yoga and wellbeing camp for 9 to 15 year olds – Easter
Friends of GES students are welcome to attend and you can book your places here.
Have a great weekend and stay warm!
Matt Williams
Head
Secondary input
Article en français: Notre journée à Morgins
Merci à Ravi de la classe 7 pour sa contribution aujourd’hui:
Lundi, on a eu une journée ski à Morgins aux Portes du Soleil. En arrivant, les moniteurs nous ont mis en groupe et nous avons commencé à skier sous la neige qui tombait. Après une heure de ski, malheureusement, la station a fermé les remontées mécaniques à cause du vent ! Alors, nous avons profité de la pause pour construire un tremplin au bord de la piste et s’amuser dans la neige. Dès que les télésièges ont fonctionné de nouveau, nous avons descendu quelques pistes de plus avant la pause déjeuner.
Après s’être réchauffés, nous nous sommes amusés à faire des sauts et avons appris de nouvelles techniques grâce aux moniteurs. Même avec des conditions difficiles et enneigées, tout le monde a passé un bon moment ensemble.
Pupil success
Cíara, our Year 10 violin prodigy, started 2023 with a bang by winning the International East Coast Music Competition in America, after coming 1st at the International New York Music Competition in June 2022.
Here is a link to watch her performing her winning piece.
Cíara will be playing solo violin in Carnegie Hall, New York, next week on 26 January.
We are very proud to have such talented and passionate students at school.
As usual, if you would like to feature your child(ren)’s individual successes and performances, please email [email protected].
Happening at Primary this week
Classe 6 au Victoria Hall
Ce jeudi, les élèves de la classe 6 sont allés voir “Histoires d’eau et d’Ours Blanc” au Victoria Hall, joué par l’OSR (l’orchestre symphonique romand) et par les élèves de l’orchestre du collège de Genève.
Ce voyage d’une heure nous a emmené en République Tchèque puis dans le Grand Nord auprès d’un jeune inuit.
Les enfants ont été très impressionnés par la prestance des orchestres sur la scène, et sensibles à la thématique abordée: la sauvegarde des espèces et de l’environnement.
Reception Dragon Day
As part of our topic ‘The World Around Us’, Early Years have been learning about Chinese New Year and how it is celebrated around the world.
Our topic drew to a close with a Reception Dragon Day Parade on Thursday, accompanied by our Pre-School friends who shared their lovely rabbit hops to celebrate the year of the rabbit.
To all of our families celebrating the New Lunar Year, we wish you happiness and prosperity!
From your teachers
Wednesday Academy - Spaces available in Netball
All Wednesday Academy sessions have resumed this week, including ski lessons in Les Rousses with an amazing 26 children taking part!
Take a look at our beginners on the slopes for the first time via the photo gallery below.
We still have places available for budding Netball players: a chance to develop technical netball specific skills, knowledge of the game, teamwork, and fitness fun.
Please sign up on My School Portal – the price for the remaining sessions this Spring term is 300 CHF.
Peter Pan on Sunday 12 February - Last chance to register
Here are the details of our next Culture Vulture trip, Peter Pan:
- Sunday 12 February at 11:30
- Simply Theatre’s Academy production
- Casino Theatre, 42 Rue de Carouge, Geneva
- Tickets CHF 40 Adults/ CHF 35 Students (payment via school invoice, non-refundable)
- Open to Year 5 & 6 and Secondary students
If you are interested in joining us for this performance, please send an email to Mrs Ball (Head of Drama and Performing Arts) at [email protected] by today Friday, stating the number of tickets required and whether they are for adults or students.
