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German School Manila - Secondary level I

 

Our Philosophy
Our classes emphasize character building and science. We teach competency, knowledge and working methods, which assist the discovery of the mind and therefore help to understand problems and find solutions independently.

We encourage the student to find joy in studying and to be prepared to take responsibility for himself/herself and the environment.

We are guided by German and international standards and compare our performance in external tests.

Structure of the Secondary Level I
The secondary level I lasts from the 5th grade until the 10th grade with the possibility of transfer to the grammar school level (Gymnasium). This level is attended by around 60 Students (average taken from the last years). It is run as a grammar school with integrated classes. The learning schedule of Thüringen is valid for the grammar schools. This applies to all German schools abroad. It is discussed more in detail among the German-International Schools in Asia.

Classes 4 and 5 form the transition classes from elementary school to secondary level I. An informative and methodological integration between the elementary school and the secondary level in the transition classes shall specifically consider the academic development of the individual. It also takes especially into consideration their personal development and their academic abilities and continues to create high standards in writing, reading, and mathematics .

In order to choose which academic path is best suited for the student, the parent’s advice and an early prognosis of the students’ abilities are required. These relevant challenges and the best possible learning and performance conditions are offered and can be given by receiving the required information on time (Ordnung für die Orientierungsstufe) . 

The work of the 5th grade focuses on the learning goals of the grammar school (Gymnasium). Normally, there is no great performance differentiation through the distribution of subjects. At the end of the 5th grade it will be decided which school level and subjects will be taken and this will be continued in the 6th grade. All the students study together in one class room disregarding which academic branch they are taking. Then the students are taught according to their different academic skills and abilities.

This form of teaching will be continued throughout the 6th grade. All students from all different schooling goals will remain in one class room. Manageable small learning groups of 12 students in average ensure that the student will be encouraged according to his/her individual skills and abilities.

After the 10th grade the student will graduate from the secondary level I and will take a final exam. At the same time the 10th grade is the transition class to grammar school (Gymnasium). According to the former 13 years high school system, learning goals and subject matters of the 11th grade are now being already taught in the 10th grade.

Degrees
According to the agreement of the conference held by the Education Ministry of all German states the German European School Manila is entitled to distribute degrees for Intermediate Level (9th grade) and the Secondary Level (10th grade). After acquiring the secondary level degree the student is automatically entitled to continue his/her studies to grammar school level. In order to be able to do this a centralized final exam of the Education Ministry is held under the supervision of an exam officer. This degree is automatically recognized in all German states.

Transition after 10th grade
Students, who have the permission to continue their studies to 12th grade transfer without any additional requirements to German grammar schools in Germany.

The ‘Diploma Programme’ of the IBO is offered in the 11 and 12 grade in the German section, which provides biology and history education in German. This allows the student to study at universities in Germany after graduation and the degrees are at the same level as the degrees acquired in Germany. In addition the German degrees are recognized by all universities worldwide.  

Subjects
In addition to the subjects taught in elementary school, such as German, English, mathematics, art/music, ethics and sports, students will be also taught biology, geology and IT from the 5th grade onward. To complement the basic lesson students are offered an additional information technical education (ITE). History is taught in the 6th grade.

French as a second foreign language is a must for all students. This subject is normally taught until the 10th grade. Students will receive 4 lessons per week .

English lessons beyond boundaries
From the 4th grade until the 9th grade students will take part in English lessons, which takes place in 3 stages on 4 different performance levels (S, C, B, A). Students will study together with the students from the Ecole Française de Manille.

Basic level English is defined in S-Level. Level C and B compromise the performance requirement of the teaching plans of Thüringen for the subsequent school years. This meets the standards of the German grammar school level. Level A is mainly reserved for bilingual students.

Teaching Schedules
The teaching schedule of Thüringen is utilized, which stipulates a 8 year grammar school education. This applies to all German schools abroad (in the northern hemisphere). The German-International schools in Asia have coordinated their schedule in detail to the schedule in Thüringen. The GESM has incorporated in their teaching schedule together with the schedule from Germany.

Student's Assesment and Information for Parents
The school follows the rules and regulation of the conference held by the Education Ministry. In addition to these regulations yearly conferences are held in autumn and spring which decide on measuring the students’ performances and how to inform parents. Special learning and development recommendation serve to reach learning goals more efficiently. (Details see regulation for performance measurement - Ordnung zur Leistungsmessung).

Intermediate and Secondary Level Students (Haupt- und Realschüler)
Intermediate level students can be accepted to the GESM. The necessary requirements are usually the passing of an entry exam.

Secondary level students participate in classes together with the other students. The class size is of maximum 18 students, which guarantees the possibility to teach students in different educational methods. From year to year students have to solve different task independently, which have not been discussed previously in class. The 10th grade differs greatly from the teaching content and performance requirements of the grammar school.

For secondary level student, who transfer to grammar school after graduating 10th grade in Germany or anywhere else, certain rules apply. This has been decided on by the committee of the various German states for school work abroad.

Secondary level students, who graduating with high grades can also participate in the Diploma Programme of the IBO, which means participating in the 11 and 12 grade.

School’s Supervision
Each class is supervised by a head teacher. The head teacher discusses with his/her class organisational matters such as individual work and time planning of homework and class projects, the planning of events and the class procedure. In most cases the head teacher teaches his/her class in two subjects, especially up to the 10th grade. This ensures that the teachers sees his/her students on a regular basis and is able to get to know them better and is able to advise them. If a student has problems, he/she will see the head teacher first, who in return will support the student with advice and help as this is the responsibility of the head teacher.

The head teacher is a very important connection between the parents and the school. In the German section it is expected from the teachers to get in touch with the parents if they see problems. At the same time parents should also contact the school if they see problems with their children.

Confidential Teacher
Each year a teacher is elected by the students as a confidential teacher. This teacher supports the student body and is at disposal for all students as a contact person. The term ‘confidential teacher’ was specifically picked to highlight that matters are dealt with confidentially by teachers.

Coordination of the Secondary Level I
The system of the student’s supervision is also included in the organization of the secondary level I.

School Trips
The school arranges various school trips during the years. This includes on the job trainings for Grade 9 students as well as other social and environmental projects that are related to the curriculum.

Student Body
Every class votes for two representatives for the student body. It is their task to represent their class in the student body and their interests. Out of the elected a student president is chosen.

Afternoon Classes
Together with the students of the Ecole Française de Manille the students participate together in classes held during the whole afternoons, which are free. The offers include sports, musical-artistic and creative work groups. Mandarin and other foreign languages can be also offered.

 

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