School News & Updates

The Cinematics Club -- a project by Grade 11 student Zoe for her CAS requirement -- is excited to announce the release of their first short film, "Where Time Slows". The short film was screened for the first time on December 17, the last school day of the calendar year. It featured the acting performances of several GESM students from different grade levels. "Where Time Slows" explores the theme of being constantly rushed, reminiscent of chasing the White Rabbit in Alice in W

by Demi Üngör Over the past few weeks, our MUN students prepared for their first-ever MUN simulation. The topic, “Should single-use plastic be banned globally?”, helped students learn how countries can work together to solve global problems. This mini simulation was an important step in preparing for our first MUN conference in March. For many students, it was their first time speaking in a formal debate and representing a country. The session was led by Diego (Gr. 11 – Secre

On December 12, our Grade 3E students had the privilege of welcoming Mr. Kyle Javier, founder of the Tiny Blessings Foundation, as a guest speaker. During his visit, Kyle shared inspiring insights about his school for homeless children, sparking curiosity among the students as they engaged with thoughtful questions about its operations. This visit was particularly relevant to our current unit on "Heroes," as Kyle’s work exemplifies the importance of community support and comp

by Antje Regber For weeks, the kindergarten and preschool children had been practicing diligently and eagerly preparing for their big performance. Finally, on Saturday, the moment arrived: before an enthusiastic audience, they presented a beautiful Christmas show that warmed everyone’s hearts. With three wonderful singing and dancing performances, the children captivated the audience. The preschoolers kicked things off with the song “All My Wishes.” Following them, the kinder

GESM’s Christmas Bazaar 2025 took place on Saturday, December 13, and it was a day filled with fun and community spirit! The event featured lively performances throughout the day, offering plenty for everyone to explore. Stands brimmed with fun games, colorful knickknacks for sale, baked goods, drinks, BBQ, books, and much more. One of the highlights was the opportunity for parents and students to meet the beneficiaries of Children of the Dump Manila, who entertained the crow

In the weeks leading to December, the GESM community united in a heartwarming effort to prepare nearly 150 wrapped shoeboxes for our partner charity, Children of the Dump Manila. This annual Shoebox Project saw students, parents, teachers, and community partners come together to collect toys, books, school supplies, and other donations. Each item was carefully packed into shoeboxes and wrapped in festive Christmas paper. Tuesday, December 9 marked a special moment as we deliv

by Volker Schlieske The German Language Diploma (DSD): Learning German. Shaping Future Opportunities. For more than 50 years. For five decades, the ZfA (Central Agency for Schools Abroad) has been taking the German language around the world – and opening countless doors along the way. In addition to overseeing 136 German international schools, it supports around 1,100 DSD schools worldwide. Each year, approximately 85,000 students rise to the challenge of the German Language

based on texts by Ute Massow & Rene Reiter During the festive season, students from the German Secondary at the German European School Manila (GESM) gather on selected days to celebrate this special time together. These events, known as "Besinnlicher Advent" provide a wonderful opportunity to share in the excitement leading up to Christmas. Each gathering is organized by a different teacher and includes a variety of activities such as singing carols, crafting Christmas trees,

by Volker Schlieske As a recognized German school abroad and a key intermediary organization in the Philippines, GESM has been an integral part of Germany’s foreign cultural and educational policy for many years, working closely with partner institutions such as the Goethe-Institut. This collaboration is built not only on tradition – for example, through the annual German Teachers’ Conferences in Manila, which we organize together with the Goethe-Institut, DAAD, and the Germa

On December 10, the GESM hosted an exciting reading competition, featuring students from classes 4D to 6D. The event provided young readers with the opportunity to present excerpts from their favorite books and engage in discussions about them. A special highlight was Matilda from Grade 5D, who won the competition with her impressive reading skills. Congratulations! A big thank you also goes to the jury, comprised of teachers and selected students from classes 10 and 12, who

On December 8, GESM celebrated Nikolaustag, a beloved German tradition for children. This festive day is marked by the arrival of Nikolaus, who spreads joy and goodwill among students. Dressed in his traditional robes, complete with a staff, a tall hat, and a long white beard, Nikolaus made his way around the classrooms, engaging with the children. He asked them if they had been good this year, a playful reminder of the spirit of the season. In recognition of their efforts to

Grade 12 student Anatolii K. has published an online compilation of book reviews titled "Word.World." The reviews were written by his peers and collected as part of his CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) requirement for the IB Diploma Programme at GESM. The project grew out of Anatolii’s own love of reading; he also handled the digital design and layout of the publication. The collection showcases diverse tastes and voices from the student body and aims to encourage more rea

On Thursday, December 4, GESM’s Houses of Primary decorated gingerbread cookies and learned about a Christmas tradition while having fun. Using colored icing and sprinkles, the children practiced creativity, sharing supplies, waiting their turn and self-control (no eating the cookies straight away!). The activity also encouraged teamwork as they worked together on their designs. A simple, hands-on way to build social skills and celebrate the season.

by Nicole Stahl In Grades 5D+6D, we are currently focusing on the topic of animal ethic: specifically, how we can treat animals with respect and why their protection is important. We are learning about the needs of animals, how we can improve their quality of life, and what responsibilities humans have towards them. To not only discuss what we’ve learned theoretically but also to put it into practice, the students are organizing a bake sale at school on December 8. The goal i

by Esther Wittstock From December 1 to 4, the GESM secondary students set off on this year’s retreat. A total of 122 students from Grades 5 to 12, accompanied by 19 teachers, took part in the four-day adventure. Our destination was the Caliraya Resort Club, which we reached after a three-hour bus ride followed by a short boat trip across the lake to the resort. We were incredibly fortunate to enjoy three full days of sunshine and warm weather, creating the perfect setting for

On December 1, 2025, GESM celebrated the lighting of the Adventskranz (Advent wreath), marking the beginning of the Christmas season. Mr. Veith Böttcher led the primary students and preschoolers in the lobby, sharing the heartwarming story of the first Adventskranz, which was created in an orphanage in Hamburg, Germany. This tradition has since become a cherished part of Christmas celebrations for children across Germany. At GESM, a candle will be lit each Monday leading up t

based on a text by Stephanie Steinberg On December 6, 2025, former GESM students and teachers gathered at a bar in Berlin for a reunion organized by former Deputy Head of School, Stephanie Steinberg. Several attendees traveled from Bayreuth, Tübingen, and even Vienna to reconnect. The event saw participation from a number of graduating classes, including the classes of 2024 and 2025, along with former teachers who enriched the gathering with their presence. This reunion marks

by Jeffrey Troyer On Sunday November 23rd, our U-15 Boys Basketball team faced their mightiest opponent yet: the Titans Elite Basketball Academy. Seeking a fourth straight victory in a row, seven hearty GESM boys battled a tall, experienced and skilled 13-player deep opponent in the semi-finals of the BSM Tournament. For three quarters, the game was hotly contested before fatigue set in resulting in a final tally of 61-36. Proudly representing GESM were Santi A., Iago A., Seb

by Grisela Ruiz Marti On November 26, a small group of students from Grades 10 to 12 had the opportunity to attend the first AlterCOP in the Philippines, invited by students from the International School Manila. The pioneering event brought together young minds and experts to discuss pressing issues on climate change and climate justice. The program featured lectures from several distinguished speakers, including representatives from the Oscar M. Lopez Center, who provided a

The MISAA (Manila International Schools Athletic Association) football games have kicked off, and the GESM football teams have made a strong impression over the last two weekends. Division 1 (U11) Success The Division 1 (U11) team has shown remarkable skill, winning both of their matches decisively. Their scores of 9:0 and 3:0 highlight their dominance on the field and set a positive tone for the season ahead. Division 2 (U14) Battle In contrast, the Division 2 (U14) team fac

by Jeffrey Troyer Recently, GESM’s Model United Nations Club continued the tradition of appointing acting leadership roles to ensure the continuation of conference selection, in-school simulations and so much more. This also ensures that the outgoing leadership in Grade 12 can focus on their final year of IB. With that, we are proud to announce that Diego B. (Grade 11) and Mohammad S. (Grade 9E) will be assuming the roles of Secretary General and Deputy Secretary General resp

Empowering Learning Through New Lab Equipment by Grisela Ruiz Martí and Sebastian Schaffer The science lab buzzed with excitement as students experienced their first use of a brand-new set of student microscopes in the past weeks. Students eagerly examined slides, discovering the intricate details of plant and human cells up close for the very first time. The latest addition of a teacher’s microscope with camera allows now for more effective demonstrations, ensuring that less

On the early evening of November 20th, the German European School Manila (GESM) celebrated Martinstag, a cherished tradition in German schools that highlights the values of sharing and kindness. The event began with an engaging play performed by students of Grade 4D and 3D, depicting the historical figure Martin of Tours, who is known for his generosity and compassion. Following the play, selected students from Grades 1 to 3 (E & D sections) dazzled the audience with a lanter

The German European School Manila (GESM) left a strong, highly visible mark at Mabuhay Germany 2025. Held at Bonifacio High Street in BGC on November 7-8 under the theme "In High Spirits", Mabuhay Germany is the flagship trade fair of the German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GPCCI). It featured the participation of the German embassy, Bosch, Lufthansa Technik, and other institutions and companies. The occasion revived GESM school spirit and earned warm praise f