School News & Updates

On Friday, 30 October 2026, the Primary School at German European School Manila (GESM) celebrated the final day of Spirit Week with a Halloween Costume Runway, giving students the opportunity to show off their costumes and take part in a friendly competition. After a week of themed activities, students arrived at school dressed as a variety of characters, from familiar favourites to spooky Halloween figures. The runway gave each participant a chance to present their costume i

As October is coming to an end, German European School Manila (GESM) celebrated its annual Spirit Week, bringing students and teachers together for a series of themed activities leading up to Halloween on 31st October. Throughout the week, students were encouraged to participate in a different theme each day, adding a little creativity and fun to their usual school routines. The themes were also shared within the school community through the GESM Executive Student Council, he

Despite being postponed to 24 October 2026, the GESM Welcome Barbecue brought students, parents and teachers together for a lively day of activities, food and fun! Students had the chance to unwind, spend time with friends and enjoy the different activities available throughout the campus. The Club Showcase, held in the gym and on the field, gave families a chance to discover and try out some of the clubs offered at GESM, while a variety of concessionaires provided food and r

On 22 October 2026, German European School Manila (GESM) welcomed parents to its annual PYP Coffee Morning at the school's Library Extension. Held each school year, the session offers families an opportunity to learn more about the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP), its approach to education and how it supports children's development both inside and outside the classroom. The discussion explored how the PYP encourages students to take an active ro

On October 1 2026 our Grade 3 students recently took part in their Primary Years Programme (PYP) Assembly, an opportunity to share their learning experiences, reflect on their progress, and celebrate their achievements throughout the school term. The Primary Years Programme, developed by the International Baccalaureate (IB), is designed for children aged 3 to 12 and encourages learning through curiosity, exploration, and inquiry. Rather than focusing solely on individual subj

Written by: Hannah Knab and Shir Amsili (Grade 11) October 9 2026 The Grade 11 IB students brought science to life through an interactive science fair designed for students from Kindergarten up till Grade 5. This hands-on event allowed younger students the opportunity to experience science from a personal perspective and through engaging experiments! This event encouraged these students to discover a deeper curiosity and creativity for science. The younger students participat

Written by: Isabell Wehner & Rain Belarmino-Galvez Grade 2 Strengthens Number Skills Through Bingo! Grade 2 students had fun exploring the number range up to 100 through an exciting game of Bingo! After exploring the new number range, students used number cards and listened carefully as the numbers were called out in German. Playing in four mixed groups, the students supported each other whenever they were unsure and worked together to recognize and understand the German nu

Written By: So Yeon Kim & Sebastian Fittges This term, Grade 4 has been exploring the Who We Are Unit of Inquiry through a question that connects closely to everyday life: How do the choices we make affect our wellbeing? A highlight of the unit has been the collaboration between the English and German Grade 4 classes. Students began by sharing ideas about healthy choices at home and at school, as well as choices involving food, relationships and how we care for our minds. The

Parents often have questions about what their child is learning at GESM and where that education might lead. We created Germany in Focus to bring those conversations together in one series of events. Teachers and partners will explain the school’s programmes, introduce opportunities in Germany and give families the chance to ask questions as they plan for their child’s future. The series begins with the School Trip to Germany Information Night on 1 October at 6:00 PM. Familie

On July 10, after the students had left campus and the summer break had officially begun, GESM began preparing for the upcoming school year. While the campus became quieter, work was already underway behind the scenes to improve and expand our school facilities. Over the summer, several areas of the campus were renovated and developed, including the expansion of existing classrooms and the addition of new learning spaces. These improvements are an important part of the school

As the school year came to a close, the GESM community gathered for a special Student Send-Off to express its gratitude and bid farewell to the teachers who will be leaving the school at the end of the academic year. Students, colleagues, and staff came together to celebrate the dedication, commitment, and lasting impact these educators have made throughout their time at GESM. Over the years, these teachers have contributed far more than classroom lessons. They have guided st

Written by: Ester Wittstock The students of classes 4D, 5D, and 6D spent three unforgettable days in Cabangan, Zambales, combining adventure, teamwork, and sustainability. Accompanied by three teachers, 16 students set out to explore the beautiful Philippine coastline while learning how to protect it. Upon arrival, we were welcomed by bright sunshine and Alon, the friendly dog and mascot of Alon & Araw. During our stay with the organization, the students learned through inter

Written by: Ester Wittstock After our students took part in the Kangaroo Mathematics Competition in March with great enthusiasm, concentration, and perseverance, the waiting was finally over: A few weeks ago, the official results from Germany arrived at our school, and this week certificates and prizes were presented to all participants. The results are truly impressive! We are especially proud that four of our students received an official prize in the Kangaroo Mathematics C

Submitted by: Katharina Eylens What an adventure! Grade 1D and 2D spent an wonderful reading night together at school. There was great excitement even as the children were setting up their sleeping areas – after all, it’s not every day you get to sleep at school! The evening began with a thrilling reading rally that took them all the way through the school building. Along the way, the children had to complete various fun reading and football world cup-related tasks. Afterwa

Yesterday's Club Showcase provided students from the Ukulele, Glee, and Robotics Clubs with the opportunity to share their achievements, creativity, and passion with fellow students, parents, and staff members. Throughout the event, students proudly presented the skills and projects they have developed over the course of the school year. The audience enjoyed musical performances by the Glee Club, including Haven, and the Ukulele Group, while members of the Robotics Club demon

Written by Korbinian Hook On Thursday, 28 May, the first and second German classes, together with the preschool group, went on a trip to the Fun Farm. The shared time provided many opportunities for the children to get to know each other better and engage in conversation, making the transition from preschool to primary school in the upcoming school year even smoother and more enjoyable. At the Fun Farm, a wide range of exciting activities awaited the students. With great enth

The Robotics Competition 2026 brought an exciting wave of innovation and energy to the classroom as students from Grade 4D, 4E, 4A, and 4B showcased their creativity and problem-solving skills through hands-on robotics projects. The event combined learning, design, and friendly competition, giving students the opportunity to bring their ideas to life. In the weeks leading up to the competition, students worked in teams to design and build their own robots. From planning struc

On 28 May, the Primary community came together in a vibrant celebration of creativity, confidence, and talent during the annual Primary Talent Show. The event showcased the diverse abilities of students across different year levels, offering a joyful platform for them to express themselves beyond the classroom. Throughout the show, students impressed the audience with a wide range of performances, including music, dance, singing, comedy, and other creative acts. Each performa

On May 19, 2026, Grade 4 students recently spent time with their kindergarten buddies in a special cross-grade tandem activity that brought learning and play together. The activity focused on bringing older and younger students together through shared reading experiences and collaborative tasks. While tandem reading was an important part of the session, the event was also designed to go beyond books encouraging interaction through games and hands-on activities that made learn

The ISM Goodwill Gymnastics Meet 2026 brought together student-athletes from international schools across Manila for a day of skill, discipline, and sportsmanship. Hosted in a friendly yet competitive environment, the event highlighted not only athletic performance but also the spirit of collaboration between schools. Among the participating schools, GESM gymnasts continued their involvement in Manila’s international gymnastics circuit, contributing to a growing tradition of

By Santosh Kumar The much-awaited Art & Music Festival 2026 was successfully held at GESM from 4th to 8th May 2026, bringing together a vibrant showcase of creativity, talent, and learning. The entire school community participated enthusiastically, making it a memorable week filled with artistic expression and musical joy. Throughout the festival, the school lobby was transformed into an inspiring gallery, displaying artworks created by students across all grade levels. This

Our U11 team took part in a football tournament on Saturday May 9 at British School Manila, joining several schools for a day of matches. The tournament gave the players the chance to compete against different teams, put their training into practice, and gain more experience in a competitive setting. The team started the day well, recording a 4–0 win in their opening game. They played with confidence from the start, showing good teamwork and communication across the pitch. Th

based on text by Rain Galvez On Thursday, 23 April, the school celebrated World Book Day with a lively event organized by the Primary Houses in collaboration with the School Library, and hosted by Miss Lala Gamboa. Students came dressed as their favorite book characters, authors, and illustrators, proudly showcasing their costumes on the red carpet and on stage. The wide range of creative outfits reflected a strong enthusiasm for reading and storytelling. The program began wi

The GESM community has reached an important milestone in its school development. The new school structure, which was approved by an overwhelming majority of the School Association’s members and supported by the German Embassy in Manila, has now also been officially confirmed by the Federal Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany. With this formal confirmation, GESM’s position within the network of German schools abroad is further secured. This marks the successful c