School News & Updates

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

Photo credit: UP Deutscher Verein On 21 October 2026, German European School Manila (GESM) organised Germany After Graduation, an information evening held at Makeshift Makati. The event brought together students, parents and individuals interested in exploring educational and professional opportunities in Germany, extending the discussion beyond the school community to a wider audience. The evening aimed to provide a clearer understanding of the different pathways available t

German European School Manila (GESM) organised a morning workshop for students in Grades 10 and 11, introducing them to the different educational and career opportunities available in Germany after graduation. The workshop was led by Kirsten Herr, cofounder of Mariposa ET, who shared her experience in helping students explore opportunities to study, train and pursue professional careers abroad. During the session, students learned about the different pathways available in Ger

On 20 October 2026, German European School Manila (GESM) welcomed parents and students to an information evening on vocational training and career opportunities in Germany. The session was held as part of the school's Germany in Focus event series, which aims to provide families with a better understanding of the educational and professional pathways available in Germany. The evening featured Kirsten Herr and Rene Evering, founders of Mariposa ET, who shared their knowledge a

We encourage all parents and teachers who attended the session to take a few moments to share their feedback. Your comments, questions, and suggestions will help us improve future information evenings and better address the needs of our school community: GIB & IB Information Night – Parent & Teacher Feedback – Fill out form On 6 October 2026, the German European School Manila (GESM) hosted its GIB and IB Information Night as part of the Germany in Focus event series. Held in

On 2 October 2026, our Grade 11 and Grade 12 students attended an information session with the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P), introducing them to higher education opportunities available here in the Philippines. The University of Asia and the Pacific, located in Pasig City, Metro Manila, is a private university known for its emphasis on liberal arts education, professional development, and the integration of academic knowledge with practical skills. The university

Our Grade 12 students recently welcomed Chita Maharani Putri from Hult International Business School for an interactive workshop exploring the psychology behind persuasion, consumer behaviour, and the art of selling a product. Hult International Business School is an internationally recognised institution with campuses in Boston, London, and Dubai, known for its practical approach to business education. The school holds three prestigious international accreditations: AACSB (A

People in the photo: Adriana (Grade 11) & Constantin (Grade 11) On 19 September, Grade 11 GIB students Adriana and Constantin took part in Speak Dating 2026 at One Ayala in Makati. As speakers at the German booth alongside the Goethe-Institut Philippinen, they introduced visitors to German words and phrases and answered questions from people curious about the language. Speak Dating brought speakers and visitors together for short conversations about European languages and cul

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 August 24, students at GESM had the opportunity to meet Professor Julian Droogan, Head of the School of International Studies at Macquarie University, during an information session on International Studies. Professor Droogan brings extensive experience in the field of international security and contemporary global challenges. His research focuses on online extremism, disinformation, South Asian violent extremism and terrorist cultures. Throughout his career, he has also wo

Written by: Santosh Kumar The CAS mural project at Surinaam has become a wonderful example of creativity and teamwork. The project was started by Grade 11 students, Kohwoon and Precious, who had the idea to paint a mural on an outside wall. They first planned everything carefully. They designed the layout and made sure to get permission for the project. After all the planning was complete, the painting work began in February 2026. At the start, the wall was plain and white. S

As the academic year comes to a close, the GESM community proudly bids farewell to our Grade 12 graduates. Throughout their years at GESM, they have demonstrated resilience, determination, and growth, overcoming challenges and embracing opportunities that have shaped them into the individuals they are today. Their contributions have left a lasting mark on our school community not only through their academic achievements, but also through their participation in school life, th

The Class of 2026 Graduation Ceremony was formally planned on the 22nd of May through a collaborative effort between teachers and Grade 11 students. This year’s celebration took place at the Acacia Hotel in Alabang City, providing a meaningful setting for an important milestone in the students’ academic journey. Graduation represents far more than a ceremonial tradition; it serves as a bridge between who students are and who they are becoming. As graduates crossed the stage w

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

In a landmark decision that reflects the evolving spirit of international education, the German European School Manila has officially approved the adoption of a refreshed institutional logo, effective immediately as of 1 April 2026 . After decades of proudly featuring the iconic yellow stars that have long symbolized GESM’s European identity, the school will now transition to a new emblem centered around bright red hearts — a bold visual step intended to represent care, compa

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 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

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 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

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

News from the DaF Department by Volker Schlieske On November 5, our 11th- and 12th-grade students had the exciting opportunity to take part in the German B2 beta test at the Goethe-Institut Manila – a first look at the institute’s new exam tasks on B2-level. The test went beyond a simple trial: it let students assess their skills in reading, listening, and writing, gain experience in an official exam setting, and receive detailed feedback. While no official Goethe-Institut di

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

by Chamoné Swanepoel & Merry Zoe Venice Sy (IB-1) In spooky style, a group of four students in IB-1 planned a very creative and interactive week of spirit and fun! The students planned a week full of different dress-ups to unite all students and to bring so stress-free vibes and have a little fun! The days that were planned for the week were Monday - pajama day, to start off the week comfy. Tuesday - Twin Day, to let classes and fellow friends get together and form stronger f