School News & Updates

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

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

GESM marked German Unity Day on 2 October with activities across the school, giving students an opportunity to learn about the history behind Germany’s national holiday and reflect on the meaning of unity. Celebrated annually on 3 October, German Unity Day commemorates the reunification of East and West Germany in 1990. At GESM, the occasion brought students together to explore this history through classroom activities, sports and presentations. In Primary, students from the

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

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

Student Council Advisors: Razalee Magpily & Mike Macasaet from left to right: Veith Boettcher (Interim head of school), Iago, Kaiwen, Zoe and Julien Ferrandon (Academic Director) On September 4, 2026, GESM students elected their Executive Student Council for the new school year. The election gave students in Grades 5 to 12 the opportunity to choose who would represent them and speak on their behalf. The process began with each grade level selecting two class representatives.

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

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: 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

By Mara Quesada – Grade 11 A few weeks ago, IB students took part in a CSP-CAS field trip to Panguil River Eco Park. CSP is a mandatory, interdisciplinary 10-hour team project in the IB programme that requires students from different sciences (such as Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and ESS) to work together to solve a real-world issue using scientific methods. It is connected to CAS (Creativity, Activity, and Service), which the class went on a hike as well as planting trees. T

Over the past two weeks, the GESM volleyball teams delivered a series of competitive matches in the Manila International Schools Athletic Association (MISAA) tournament, with strong performances across both Division 1 and Division 2. On 25 April, the Division 2 mixed team faced CISM in the semi-finals but fell short in a hard-fought match, ending their run in the final stages of the tournament. The team bounced back strongly on 2 May, securing a narrow win against Beacon Scho

submitted by Kimberly Madi In late March, GESM students had the opportunity to learn more about a range of university pathways and study options through two on-campus information sessions coordinated by the Office of the Guidance Counselor. On 25 March 2026, representatives from the Australia-based Academy of Entrepreneurs visited the school to introduce their University Diploma Program. The session highlighted an alternative pathway that may be well suited for students seeki

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

by the IB Core Teachers Our Berlin audiovisual room was transformed into a vibrant hub of intellectual curiosity on Monday, 30th March, as the Grade 12 cohort hosted the inaugural IB Core Exhibit. This milestone event served as a sophisticated platform for our graduating students to showcase the fruits of their labour, marking a period of significant personal and academic growth. IBDP Grade 12 students engaged in spirited discussions with eager and inquisitive peers from Gr