Message from Ms Matillon, Director General
Dear Parents,
Another busy week has come and gone at GES, with many highlights for you to read about below. In case you missed it, on Tuesday evening we hosted a presentation on online safety by a Senior Education Officer at Childnet International. His talk focused on practical advice and resources to support safe and positive online behaviour. If you were unable to attend, but would like to watch a recording of this presentation, please contact the School Office and we will share a link which will be live until 9th January.
On Wednesday evening, we were treated to a music recital by our Secondary Choir, as well as students from Year 2 to Year 13 who take music lessons with the various peripatetic music teachers who work with us at GES. The piano, violin and voice performances were all of very high quality, leaving no doubt as to the hard work of our students and their commitment to their instruments. I thoroughly enjoyed the range of genres on offer – from classical to jazz to rap, to name a few – and seeing the confidence and joy on display. Thank you to the children and teachers who made this evening so magical!
Early this morning, our AS and A Level English, Art and Music students left for a long weekend in London with Ms Hopley and Ms De Bortoli. I know that the organisation of this cross-curricular excursion has been a true labour of love for these teachers, and that they have planned an extraordinary itinerary for students, combining exposure to literary heritage, access to major galleries and live performances, and inspiration for personal investigation, all of which will enhance understanding of context and broaden cultural awareness.
At this time of year, things certainly get serious in school! For our more senior students, assessments will start next week – spotlights for Year 9, end-of-term assessments for Year 10 and mock exams for Year 11, with end-of-term assessments and mocks to follow for Years 12 and 13, respectively, one week later.
In Primary, rehearsals will be in full swing next week for the choir performance at the Rising Stars show, for our Key Stage 1 Christmas show, and for the Years 3 and 4 production The Jungle Book.
Parents will surely bear witness to much revision and/or singing over the weekend, and possibly to a surge in nervous energy. Our children and their teachers are well prepared for what is to come, and I hope everyone will approach the coming weeks with well-earned confidence and enthusiasm. December promises to be an exciting and rewarding month!
All the best,
Christina Matillon
Secondary PSHE Day on Relationships and Communication
On Monday, students in Secondary had the second of their Personal, Social, Health and Economics (PSHE) Day, organised by our Head of Pastoral Care, Mariann Csoma! Focusing on relationships and communication, the day’s activities consisted in age-appropriate workshops and lessons aimed at reinforcing positive group dynamics, respectful communication and healthy friendships.
Students in Years 7 to 9 explored themes to help them build positive connections and strengthen important life skills, including conflict management, online friendships, consent, inclusion and neurodiversity, bias and stereotypes, gender and sexuality, bullying and discrimination.
For Years 10 and 11, teachers led workshops covering topics such as the dangers of extremism, the law concerning pornography and the inter-relation of identity and inclusivity, while also holding sessions to develop students’ approaches to revision, exam preparation and revision timetabling ahead of their end of term assessments in December.
Our senior students in Years 12 and 13 attended a presentation and workshop delivered by Remco Kayser from the Nuit blanche Association on the prevention of substance abuse and aimed at raising awareness and encouraging informed and healthy choices. While Year 12 students also had dedicated revision sessions and time to prepare for their mock exams, our Year 13 students worked closely with their tutors to complete their university applications and prepare for upcoming interviews.
This week in class
Over the last two weeks in Reception, students have been finding out about “Colour and Light”. After listening to the story, Can’t You Sleep, Little Bear? by Martin Waddell, they investigated different sources of light, naming them in English and French and discussing the importance of some of these lights, such as traffic lights and headlights on cars. They identified how often electricity is used to create light and looked at alternatives to creating power, like solar energy.
Our young scientists have also enjoyed investigating how shadows are created and discovered that when an object blocks a light source, preventing light from passing through to the area behind it, a shadow is made. They had great fun finding shadows outside in the sunshine, and even tried to chase their own shadows and make them dance! Our learners also found out that the size and clarity of the shadow depends on the distance between the light, the object and the surface it lands on.
As part of these investigations, our students have been talking a lot about our main source of light – the sun. Discussing how at different times of the day it looks as if the sun is moving in the sky, students were amazed to find out that the sun never actually moves, it stays still and, instead, it is planet Earth that is moving!
Year 3 travelled 30,000 years back in time to meet Satoshi Kitamura’s The Stone Age Boy this week. Learning the difference between open and closed questions to plan an interesting and successful interview, they used a diamond 9 activity to organised their questions, with the best questions being put to The Stone Age Boy. Our reporters took notes of his responses and then used this detailed research to write up fantastic interviews.
Year 3 are exploring light and dark in Science, with a special focus on how to protect their eyes from the sun’s UV rays. Our scientists investigated a range of materials to decide which would be most suitable for making sunglasses, considering their properties such as transparency, translucency and opacity. They explained their choices using scientific reasoning to show a clear understanding of how different materials interact with light. After selecting the best materials, they designed and made their own sunglasses before showcasing them proudly in a fun and lively class fashion show.
Weeks of developing technique culminated in a master class for our Year 3 and 4 artists this week! Hearing from none other than our very own Zoe, Year 9 student and comic strip artist extraordinaire, our students were delighted to count such an accomplished artist among their peers and received valuable top tips as they began planning out their own stories.
It’s been all about Roman history in Year 5! Last week, our historians learned about Roman military life, stepping into the sandals of Roman legionaries. In marching square formation (agmen quadratum), they were drilled by Centurion Jo Marceau using simple Latin commands. Their favourite command was, “Percute” (Charge!), whilst their Centurion certainly preferred the order “Silentium“.
Later on, our Year 5 students worked in teams as archaeologists to sort and label Roman artefacts. They had some really interesting discussions, using subject-specific vocabulary, and enjoyed sharing their newly gained knowledge in a game of “Did you know…?”
Year 5 and 6 artists have been exploring monotype printing. Taking inspiration from Syrian-born artist, Kevork Mourad, our students used gel plates to create their own monotypes and “ghost” prints. Practising their mark-making and masking skills, they created beautiful patterns and textures in their prints.
In Year 7 P.E., students put their teamwork and leadership skills to the test by building human pyramids and keeping balloons in the air! They reflected on what effective collaboration looks like – from clear communication to knowing when to step back and listen – all while working together toward a shared goal. Plus, who doesn’t love playing with a balloon!
In Science, our Year 10 students explored the conservation of mass by burning magnesium in a crucible and observing the reaction first-hand.
For Year 12 chemists, the week was all about cracking a hydrocarbon to test the products and deepen their understanding of chemical change.
Meanwhile, Year 13 biologists used paper chromatography to separate pigments from two differently coloured leaves, using a solvent of acetone and petroleum ether to reveal the hidden colours within.
Beyond the Classroom
A Wading Trip Downriver
Year 4 had an INCREDIBLE fieldwork trip this week down to the banks of the Versoix river. The students felt like – and really are – experts in all things river-related. They were so excited to see first-hand stones being pushed along the bottom of the river, witnessing weathering in action! Spotting that the water flows faster on the outside of the bend and causes erosion, they then observed, and at times stood on, all the deposition on the inside of the meanders. Our geographers felt really empowered to be able to discuss all they were seeing with their friends using all the technical language they had learned.
The day’s outing turned all the more challenging as our explorers clambered over fallen trees and muddy sections of the path, making the trip even better! Our students listened beautifully, stayed safe and learned a lot.
In anticipation of their fieldwork study, our Year 4 students have been working on map-reading skills so as to plot the course of the Versoix river. Outside the classroom, they carried out a mini fieldwork experiment using sand and water to watch erosion and deposition happening in real time.
Piercing the Mysteries of the Universe
Particle physics, Large Hadron Collider, antimatter and proton beams are the words of the week for Year 6!
In their visit to CERN this week, our scientists were able to explore the Synchrocyclotron – the very first accelerator at CERN! – and the ATLAS experiment control centre, one of the two detectors which announced the discovery of the Higgs particle in 2012.
Students left feeling like junior scientists ready to discover the next big secret of the universe and grateful for having such an incredible research centre on their very doorstep!
Extra-Curricular Activities
Team GES Shines Through Sports
There has been a whirlwind of tournaments for our athletes these past two weeks as students from across Primary and Secondary have taken part in numerous matches against some tough opponents, bringing with them some fantastic results.
Well done to the Year 7 and 8 boys and girls who represented GES at the SGIS indoor football tournaments on Wednesday and Thursday morning last week. The boys finished 8th and the girls 7th!
On Thursday afternoon, our Year 3 and 4 girls’ football team put on an incredible performance, finishing 3rd overall and proudly bringing home the bronze medal! After a tough loss in the semi-finals, the girls showed amazing determination and teamwork to win their final match in a thrilling, nail-biting penalty shootout!
Well done to our Year 5 and 6 girl footballers who have trained hard this term at lunchtimes to prepare for competitive matches. They thoroughly enjoyed their tournament on Friday morning, finishing in 11th place.
On Friday evening our Year 3 and 4 boys had a fantastic football tournament, finishing 2nd out of 12 teams and bringing home the silver medal! Playing with the celebrated ‘GES style’ and winning accolades from the stands, they had an amazing result against the ‘big’ schools in SGIS!
On Saturday, our Year 5 and 6 boys finished their football tournament in fourth place! They played with heart throughout and won praise from all other teams for their skill, teamwork and sportsmanship.
On Sunday, our netballers engaged in two intense tournaments. Finishing in 4th place, the Year 5 and 6 girls played brilliantly from start to finish, showing determination, versatility and real team spirit! Special congratulations to our Players of the Match: Connie, Hanna, Evie and Valentina! The team was confidently captained by Ora, who led with calmness and positivity. Superb effort!
The Year 7 and 8 team fought hard in every game, losing two matches by just one point and securing a well-earned draw in another. Huge well done to our captain Joan for showing great leadership, and to the Players of the Match: Johanna, Chloe and Lara!
To end a busy week, our Category A (Year 11-13) boys’ footballers played a friendly match against CDL. GES took the lead early, going 2-0 up before the break. CDL came back into the game in the second half but goals from Yanji, Olivier and Jewel (hattrick) put GES 5-1 up. The boys finished with a 5-2 win. Very well done!
Primary and Secondary Music Recital
This week was marked by the first of our Music Recitals over at Secondary!
Featuring musicians from both Primary and Secondary, the concert transported our audience of parents, siblings, teachers and friends on a magical journey through the classical repertoire, rhythm and blues, jazz, rock, rap and film soundtracks such as Pinocchio and Harry Potter.
It was impressive to see how much progress our pianists, violinists and singers have made, and how confident they were in showcasing their talents on stage!
Community News
A Smashing Success for the Gift Box Initiative
Over the past few weeks, our school community has come together and mobilised to bring relief to children in need and ensure that they can enjoy the childhood that they deserve.
Through the Gift Box project – or actions Paquets de Noël – students from across Primary and Secondary, hand in hand with teachers, parents and even grandparents, have sorted packed and wrapped gift boxes containing school supplies, toiletries, clothing, toys and treats generously donated by families. No fewer than 260 boxes were made thanks to our school community’s incredible mobilisation and generosity, much more than what some of the bigger schools managed to put together and vastly surpassing the initial target of 200!
Loaded onto the collection truck this week thanks to the help of Year 5 and 6 students, the boxes are being shipped to families in need across Eastern and Southeastern Europe during the winter and Christmas period.
Supported by our wonderful Parents’ Association and spearheaded by the one and only Zita Sheikh, our students have dedicated countless hours to this project, sacrificing their break times and staying on after school to help make this initiative a success and raise awareness about the plight of others.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to this initiative by donating items, time and energy, and in particular to Zita, without whose efforts and organisation skills this project would never have happened.
Dancing the Night Away
There were some smooth moves to be seen at Friday’s much-awaited Key Stage 3 disco! Building on the success of last year’s edition, our students took the lead on the organisation of this event and expanded the experience to include a quieter ‘chillout zone’ for those students who preferred hanging out with their friends without taking to the dance floor. Thanks to the support offered by our Parents’ Association, our revellers were able to purchase treats from a well-stocked tuck shop run by students.
In parallel to the disco, we were delighted to host many parents who joined us for the evening for an informal apéro amongst friends.
Christmas Fair | Call for Volunteers
Calling all volunteers for our Christmas Fair! If you would like to help out at our upcoming event, see below for some of the many opportunities to lend a hand:
Before the Fair
- Pick a stall or activity to help with (sign-up sheet)
- We still need someone to lead on face painting!
- Help Nada (Y1) and Katja (Y6) wash & sort Santa and elf costumes so they are ready for their big moment!
On the day
- After drop-off: stay for 30 mins to set up tents and tables outside
- From 10:00-12:00: Help decorate Santa’s Grotto (outside library)
During the Fair
- We need volunteers for 30-minute shifts on: Ticket sales | Bake Sale | Guess the Sweets in the jar competition | Christmas Games | Hotdog stand | Christmas bar | Crafts & Face Painting
- Very importantly, we need some Santas for Santa’s Grotto! (Costume, beard, and “Ho Ho Ho” provided!)
Afterward the Fair
- Help tidy up and enjoy a mince pie
Please check this spreadsheet to sign up for the times that work best for you.
Thank you for joining in — we’re so grateful for your help and can’t wait to see you (and Santa!) at the Fair!
Christmas Fair | Call for Entrepreneurs
The countdown has begun!
Calling all GES entrepreneurs – here’s your chance to *have your very own stall* at the Christmas Fair!
Sign up using this form and come along for:
- Fun Christmas games and Christmas crafts
- Your chance to win a Squishmallow!
- A visit to Santa’s Grotto
- Roasted chestnuts, Bake Sale and Bar, Hot Dogs and Pizza Van
It’s going to be a magical afternoon full of festive cheer – we can’t wait to see you there!
