School News & Updates

On March 31, the Grade 2 students at GESM hosted the fourth PYP Assembly, centered this year on the theme of natural disasters and preparedness. Over the past few weeks, the students have been deeply immersed in their Unit of Inquiry, exploring how communities respond to and prepare for hazards like earthquakes, volcanoes, and floods. A highlight of their learning was a visit to PHIVOLCS, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, where they discovered how scient

The 24-Hour Swimming Challenge 2026 has now come to a victorious close! This year, alongside our partner school, Lycée Français de Manille (LFM), a wave of determination swept through our Eurocampus. Students, parents, and guests came together, swimming tirelessly for an entire day and night. Many even chose to stay on campus, keeping the energy alive in the early morning hours. This incredible effort was all part of the Eurocampus fundraising initiative. Each lap swum was ti

by Esther Wittstock The "Känguru-Wettbewerb der Mathematik" is one of the largest mathematics competitions worldwide. Each year, several million students from more than 80 countries take part. Its aim is to foster enjoyment in problem-solving, logical thinking, and tackling puzzles—without pressure, but with plenty of enthusiasm for mathematics. On Thursday, March 19, the competition also took place at our school—in a very special format this year. For the first time, the eve

Based on text by Vanny Masamba On March 14, a group of 17 swimmers from Grades 3 to 10 participated in a swim competition at the British School Manila. Four of them placed in the top 8 in their events, with John Isaac P. earning an impressive 3rd place in the 200m butterfly. For some of the swimmers, it was their very first competition, making their achievements all the more special. Kudos go to the coaches, Coach Vanny Masamba and Coach Katharina Eylens, for their guidance a

After more than 50 years in education, Mr. Lawrence Buck is retiring. Since 2017, he has been a part of the German European School Manila (GESM). On 18 March 2026, students and colleagues surprised him with a heartfelt assembly, featuring poems, songs, dances, and a touching video tribute in his honor. The event concluded with students and colleagues forming a line to shake his hand, hug him, and give farewell cards. Mr. Buck joined GESM in 2017 as Head of the International S

by Alka Kumar The newly launched Clay Modelling Club is quickly becoming a favorite among students. With hands‑on activities and guided practice, learners are exploring the basics of sculpting using natural clay. They create meaningful small sculptures while understanding form, texture, and technique. The engaging sessions not only nurture artistic skills but also boost creativity and focus. As interest continues to grow, the club promises to be an inspiring space for budding

Our student-athletes had an action-packed couple of weekends competing in basketball, volleyball, and gymnastics. Highlights include a MISAA win for our Division 1 Boys Basketball team on February 28, and the Division 1 Boys Volleyball team’s first MISAA victory. Our Girls Volleyball team made their season tournament debut at the BSM Volleyball Tournament, while the U15 mixed volleyball team took the court for the first time on March 7. Gymnasts impressed at the BSM Gymnastic

by Tarana Babayeva Grade 1E has been learning about how public places strengthen communities and provide people with opportunities to connect. Throughout the unit, students discussed different public spaces in our community and how these places help people interact, learn, and work together. They also explored the importance of respecting rules and behaviour expectations when visiting shared spaces. As part of this learning, we went on a field trip to the Mind Museum. The vis

This year’s Palarong Pinoy, the annual celebration of Filipino games and culture, brought together students, parents, and teachers from GESM and our Eurocampus neighbor, Lycée Français de Manille (LFM), for a day full of fun and laughter. Students eagerly tried traditional Filipino games, running, hopping, and competing in friendly challenges that had everyone cheering. The festive atmosphere was complemented by the food challenge, where parent volunteers shared a wide select

submitted by Coach Ferdie Reyes Students from the German European School Manila (GESM) continued their strong run at the second leg of the Manila International School Athletics Association (MISAA) Chess Tournament, held on March 7, 2026. Following their encouraging results in the first leg earlier in the season, GESM’s young chess players once again demonstrated focus, strategy, and determination at the board. In the Under-8 category (32 players), Mark N. (1E) delivered a sol

On February 4, Grade 1E led our latest PYP Assembly to celebrate the end of Unit 3: How We Express Ourselves. Focusing on the idea that people connect through stories, students presented short stage performances highlighting kindness, sharing, and other important values. Highlights included a lively reenactment of the Filipino folktale “Si Pagong at si Matsing” (The Turtle and the Monkey) and songs that tell stories in English, German, and Tagalog. The assembly was a joyful w

submitted by Florian Simmelbauer On Saturday, February 14, GESM’s Division 2 and Division 3 football teams fell short of winning the championships but competed with determination and performed strongly in the Manila International Schools’ Athletic Association (MISAA) tournament. The Division 3 (U‑11) team reached the finals but were defeated 8‑0 by The Beacon School, earning 2nd place overall and silver medals. The Division 2 (U‑14) squad lost 3‑1 in the semi-finals to Everes

Helau and Alaaf from GESM! Our campus came alive as the elementary students celebrated the German Karneval in a fun and creative way. Karneval, a traditional festival celebrated in many parts of Germany before Lent, is known for colorful costumes, parades, music, and lots of laughter. The children paraded across the school grounds in playful costumes, visited the administrative offices and hallways, and finally gathered in the auditorium for games, treats, and plenty of fun.

submitted by Kathlene Juliano On February 1, 2026, four talented young gymnasts from GESM brought home an impressive collection of medals from the 4th LTSA Invitational, an accredited artistic gymnastics competition held at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila. The LTSA Invitational is a respected event in the gymnastics calendar that draws clubs and competitors from across the Philippines and beyond, featuring multiple age categories and apparatus events for artistic

by Rebecca Gillen Grade 3E has been learning about heroes and how everyday people can make a positive difference in the lives of others. After welcoming real-life hero Kyle Javier, founder of the Tiny Blessings Foundation, into the classroom for an interview, Grade 3E were inspired to take action. Following his visit, students enthusiastically collected donations based on his suggestions, focusing on items that would truly help the children at Tiny Blessings. These included c

submitted by Rain Galvez On the morning of February 10, Grade 2E students of GESM took learning beyond the classroom with an exciting community walk to a nearby convenience store. The visit gave children a hands-on opportunity to practice real-world communication, teamwork, and decision-making skills. Inside the store, students observed how products are displayed, how advertisements influence choices, and how convenience stores serve the needs of the community. Polite greetin

by Julien Ferrandon, Academic Director, GESM On 22 January 2026, the Eurocampus community came together to celebrate the anniversary of the Élysée Treaty, signed 63 years ago. This landmark agreement laid the foundations for lasting friendship, reconciliation, and cooperation between France and Germany, and continues to shape their partnership today. This year’s celebration was especially meaningful. Throughout the day, students from both schools took part in a rich programme

Students from Grades 1 and 2 of the German European School Manila (GESM) and the Lycée Français de Manille (LFM) joined in the celebrations for the Élysée Treaty anniversary with a morning of outdoor activities designed to encourage teamwork and collaboration. On the school field, children competed in relay races organized in mixed GESM-LFM groups, giving them the opportunity to work together across schools while enjoying friendly competition. The second activity involved a l

As part of the activities marking the anniversary of the Élysée Treaty, students from Grades 3 to 5 of the German European School Manila (GESM) and the Lycée Français de Manille (LFM) came together for a joint musical activity. The students gathered in the Aula, where they were welcomed by the music teachers of both schools, supported by several older students holding musical instruments. Together, they worked on learning the European Hymn, singing it in both French and Germa

Submitted by Florian Simmelbauer On January 17, the football teams of the German European School Manila (GESM) celebrated two impressive victories at the MISAA tournament. Both the Division 3 and Division 2 teams delivered excellent performances and were rewarded with well-deserved wins. The GESM Division 3 team secured a hard-fought 2–1 victory against Beacon International School in an exciting and competitive match. Showing determination until the final whistle, the team ea

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

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 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