School News & Updates

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

von Tina Barthel At the end of the first semester, Grade 4D of DESM went on a day trip to the LEGO® exhibition “Brickman Wonders of the World,”  which is currently on display in Manila. The exhibition features impressive LEGO replicas of iconic landmarks from around the globe. In addition to the fascinating displays, there were plenty of LEGO bricks available for hands-on building, a large collaborative LEGO mosaic that visitors could help create, and even a LEGO figure hunt

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

On November 20, 2025, GESM’s primary schools held their annual Geo Bee Challenge: an inter‑house competition that tests students’ map skills, country knowledge and geographical reasoning. The event brought together house teams made up of pupils from across the primary grades, competing for house pride and important year‑long points. At GESM primary, students are grouped into six houses named after German cities; each house includes members from every grade and students are as

We are delighted to announce that the German European School Manila (GESM) will be participating in Mabuhay Germany 2025: In High Spirits , a flagship trade fair organized by the German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GPCCI) and supported by the German Embassy in Manila, among other partner institutions.   As the Chamber’s premier annual event, Mabuhay Germany  highlights German-Filipino partnerships, innovation, and collaboration across various sectors, includi

The GESM campus turned into a playground of costumes, laughter, and Halloween fun as students from across the school celebrated one of the most anticipated events of the year! From witches and wizards to superheroes and K-pop stars, everyone showed off their creativity and Halloween spirit during the costume catwalk on the playground. After a catwalk in front of the playground, students headed to the field for a series of Halloween-themed games and challenges that brought ple

On October 23 and 24, the German European School Manila (GESM) held its annual Sports Days: two lively days of games, teamwork, and excitement across the campus. The first day saw our Primary students take to the fields and pool, while Secondary students competed the following day in football, swimming, and relay races. Each class represented their own team, giving their all not only in the matches but also in the lead-up to the event, where students had been earning points i

by Lala Gamboa At GESM, we believe that great teaching combines creativity, pedagogy, and the smart use of technology. As part of our ongoing commitment to innovation in education, the Library invited Ms. Ksenia Sokolyanskaya of Fobizz to conduct a teacher workshop on the 21 st  of October, 2025 at the Library Extension. What is Fobizz? Fobizz is an online learning and resource platform developed in Germany that offers digital training courses, teaching materials, and AI-base

by Lala Gamboa The Library has been buzzing with activity as we continue enhancing our spaces and resources to help the GESM community discover the joy of reading and learning—especially in German! New Books, New Adventures We are delighted to announce the arrival of many new German titles, carefully selected in consultation with our teachers to match our students’ interests and reading levels. From engaging picture books and fun non-fiction to thought-provoking novels for ol

Today marks the last school day of Mr. Christoph-Boris Frank, who has served as Head of School at the German European School Manila...