German International School Sydney

Terrific school with committed teachers & support staff. Great ability to cater for families from different backgrounds, native German speakers, mixed German/Australian households and students with no German background. This contributes to a diverse environment where the kids thrive and see second (and 3rd/4th) languages as completely normal.

We are a German-Australien family and have chosen GISS preschool for our younger daughter. Our older daughter also went to a German speaking preschool in California and both our girls are fluent in English & German. The program offered at GISS is similar to our parenting style and our daughter loves going there; what more could we ask for? We also have been so lucky to meet and befriend other bilingual families; teaching two languages from our experience is all about community and this is what we most enjoy at GISS:)

Our children attended the German International School Sydney between 2010 and 2016 and were provided good educational services in the first year (kindergarten to year 3) after our arrival in Australia, when our boys were 5 and 7 years old. The school’s advertising statements and guiding principles as to the school’s ethos were the main reason that we chose that school. After the first 2 years, it quickly became apparent (the way we experienced it), that the school’s staff at the time (between 2012 and 2016) was inadequate and poorly trained, at least as far as the pedagogical component of their educational background is concerned. At the time it appeared to us, that the system was to hire anyone who can speak German and to put that person in front of the class. Teachers were frequently leaving school. The school at the time (2012-2016) might have employed experts in their fields. This is perfect for children, that are self-starters and self-motivated (a university-like institution for the smartest of the smartest). Our children and we as parents were looking for paedagogical advice and support in times, where they were struggling to achieve the results, according to the potential they allegedly have (as we had been advised by GISS before). What we obtained from GISS staff were mere descriptions of situations, when something occurred. It appeared to us that the Guiding Principles seemed to be mere lip service. Little was done to correct our children and helping them to develop a mindset involving the Guiding Principles of GISS. After we changed schools, our children finally overcame their problems, as they were adequately supported at another private school (one son) and at a public school (the other son). In comparison with another private and another public school, GISS services offered to our children between at least 2012 - 2016 were below average, in our opinion. This may all be different now in 2019. What we see is, that GISS is still using the shiny advertising statements that promise the heaven of education. In the interest of all students, we really hope, the school finally became, what it was supposed to be in the past years (according to its promised self standards) and achieved its goals by now.

I recently attended their annual Christmas Market (Weihnachtsmarkt)held in August. It's a popular event that ends up being very crowded. Apart from the markets, there are food stalls selling traditional German food - Bratwurst on a roll with sauerkraut, large pretzels, roasted almonds; and beverages from soft drink, coffee, beer and Glühwein. The school also showcases some of its talent and there's a laternwalk for families to participate in.