Newsletter 20.06.2025

Today’s report card distribution marks the official end of an intense, successful, and vibrant school year at GISA. We want to thank everyone who made this year special – our students, staff, families, friends, and supporters.

We wish you all a restful, joyful, and safe summer holiday – whether you're spending it in Ghana, Germany, or elsewhere in the world. To the children, families, and staff who are leaving GISA, we wish you all the best for the road ahead. You will always remain a part of our GISA family.

For some, school life continues a little longer: the Kindergarten and the Holiday Camp will remain open for registered children for two more weeks. Our official reunion will take place on Monday, August 11, 2025, at 8:00 AM with a joyful Welcome Ceremony on campus.

🎓🏆 Cambridge Results Above International Average!

Our Cambridge students have once again impressed, achieving an outstanding average of 37 points – well above the global average of 33! With strong results in English, Mathematics, and Science, we’re incredibly proud of their achievement. Congratulations!

🎓 GISA receives Campus School status from the University of Potsdam

A true highlight this week was GISA’s official recognition as a Campus School by the University of Potsdam. The ceremonial award took place within the framework of the BE A PART! network, under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Winnie-Karen Giera, Chair of Inclusive German Didactics at the University of Potsdam.

Lucas Müller, former board member of GISA, accepted the award on behalf of the school community. The ceremony was framed by a greeting from State Secretary Fischer (MBJS) and a keynote by Ms. Gnadt, Head of Teacher Education: "Little noise for SOMETHING BIG – A cheer to you!"

This award represents much more than a symbolic honor – it reflects a vibrant and meaningful partnership between school and university. Here are some highlights:

• Internships: Student teachers from Potsdam complete internships at GISA, gaining unique intercultural and pedagogical experience.
• Theatre Workshop in Accra: In August 2024, Prof. Giera led a workshop with Grades 5–7 on bullying, self-efficacy, and social connection.
• Digital Language Exchange: In May 2025, GISA students met one-on-one with Potsdam students online – a powerful space for language learning and cultural exchange.
• Research and Training: The university supports GISA with professional development, research initiatives, and innovative DaF (German as a foreign language) projects.
• Leadership Visit: In spring 2024, a delegation led by Prof. Dr. Oliver Günther, President of the University of Potsdam, visited GISA for discussions on future collaboration – including student trips to Berlin.

We extend our sincere thanks to the University of Potsdam – especially to Prof. Dr. Giera and her team – for their trust, vision, and shared commitment to future-oriented education across continents.

🏃 GISA Sports Day 2025 – Together in Motion

On Tuesday, June 17, the El Wak Stadium transformed into a vibrant space of movement, teamwork, and joy. The entire GISA community set out early in the morning to celebrate this year’s Sports Day.

After a cheerful warm-up game, all classes competed in long jump, shot put, endurance running, and sprints – with great spirit, sportsmanship, and effort. Following a shared lunch break, the fun continued with two much-anticipated highlights:

• Relay Race: Teachers vs. Students – fast-paced and loudly cheered from the stands!
• Tug of War – the students pulled with all their might, laughter filled the air, and the teachers were (quite literally) “dragged through the dirt” in the friendliest of ways!

A heartfelt thank-you goes to all staff who made this day a success – especially to Patrick Blanke-Schelle, who leaves GISA with this powerful parting gesture. Patrick, the next GISA Cup won’t be the same without you!

🐝 New Playground Opens – Inspired by Nature

We are thrilled to announce that our new playground in beehive design is now open and ready for fun! Inspired by the natural form and structure of a beehive, this space invites children to climb, explore, and connect with nature and each other.

With climbing structures, quiet corners, and plenty of room to roam, the playground is a special new feature of our campus. A huge thank-you goes to two dedicated fathers, André Maaß and Sheel Shettey, whose tireless work made this project a reality. Your commitment has created a lasting gift for the children of GISA – thank you!

🌟 Year-End Celebration with “GISA got Talent”

On Thursday, June 19, 2025, GISA celebrated the end of the school year with a festive and emotional Year-End Ceremony at the Swiss Club.

The highlight of the evening was the premiere of “GISA got Talent”. From preschool to secondary, students showcased their talents – dance, magic, music, and song. The show was hosted by Sophie Bladt and Canice Kurta (Grade 7), who guided the audience through the evening with charm and confidence. The four-person jury – also from Grade 7 – offered humorous and heartfelt commentary.

🎉 The winners:

• Zoe,
• Nana Adboa (Grade 6)
• Mia (Grade 2)

In his end-of-year address, Head of School Rainer Kropp-Kurta looked back on a year full of highlights: Made in Ghana, Made in Germany, the Christmas market, the Hercules musical, and visits from prominent guests like Gerald Asamoah, President Christian Wulff, and World Champion Freddy Kiwitt.

He also acknowledged the smaller moments of school life – excursions, camps, and project days – that make GISA so vibrant. Important milestones included the introduction of Support Band and Project Time, the launch of the Excellence Scholarship, and the Campus School award. He proudly noted a student growth of nearly 25%, from 102 to 127 students.

Kropp-Kurta thanked all 44 GISA staff members for their dedication, creativity, and commitment. Special recognition went to Irina Wehmann and her team, who depart after two transformative years at GISA.

Another heartfelt thanks was given to André Maaß and Sheel Shettey, whose work on the new playground brought daily joy to the school.

The emotional peak of the evening came with the farewells – of students, families, and staff members leaving the school.

The final performance of the evening featured Franziska Jebens ("Souly Bird"), singing "Grateful" – a personal thank-you to Ghana and GISA from a mother, musician, and long-time part of our community. Her words and voice moved many, capturing what we all felt: deep gratitude for the shared journey, the trust we’ve built, and this special school in the heart of Accra.

✝ Summer Program – German Protestant Church Accra

For those spending the summer in Ghana, the German Protestant Church in Accra invites you to attend its summer services.

🗓️ Dates:

• June 22
• July 20
• August 17

Two German-speaking pastors will lead the services. Further details (German only): Download PDF Sommerkirche 2025

📅 Looking Ahead: Start of the New School Year

📚 Monday, August 11, 2025
🕗 8:00 AM Welcome Ceremony on the basketball court
☕ Followed by a Welcome Coffee at the Swiss Club

Kindergarten and Nursery

In the nursery, it was time to say goodbye to some of our little ones. All the children who are leaving us were celebrated with a special farewell ritual during our morning circle. Together, we looked through their portfolio folders, played our favourite circle games one last time, and sang songs. There were many warm wishes, hugs – and of course, a few tears. We wish all families a wonderful and relaxing holiday! Thank you for the great cooperation and your trust throughout the year. And to the children heading off on new adventures, we say: You’ll always have a place in our hearts – all the best for the future!

An eventful final week in Kindergarten has come to an end. Alongside plenty of time to play and read together in the group and in the garden – making the most of these last days with friends – the week was packed with highlights. After earning our “Pflasterpass” last week, the children spent time this week crafting their own first aid kits. There was also lots of excitement and dedication as we rehearsed for the GISA got Talent show, which several of our children proudly took part in on Thursday. The girls impressed us with a fun model show, and some of the boys wowed the audience with a football performance. The rest of the group cheered from the audience, giving their all to support their friends on stage. As the week came to a close, things became a little emotional as we had to say goodbye to some teachers, interns, and – most importantly – several of our children. After the big celebration on Thursday, we gave our preschoolers a proper send-off on Friday, singing the song “Auf Wiedersehen, vorüber ist die Zeit” and celebrating their transition out of Kindergarten. To everyone who is leaving us: We wish you all the best and many exciting new adventures ahead!

Primary School

The past week was packed with activities and events for class 1/2. We enjoyed an exciting Sports Day and were impressed by the incredible performances at GISA’s Got Talent. In our final English class, the students reflected on their learning journey through a “Yes” and “No” questionnaire. They shared what they had learned, what they enjoyed most, whether they felt supported, and what they’d like to explore next year. It was great to see them collaborate and exchange ideas as a team. We ended the week by writing notes to friends, wishing each other a wonderful holiday. It’s been a fantastic year, and we’re proud of how far they’ve come!

What an exciting week it has been! On Monday, after finishing our last academic tasks, we had a fantastic introduction to first aid. We learned what to do in case of common injuries, practiced applying a pressure bandage, and tried out the recovery position. On Tuesday, we had an amazing day at El-Wak Stadium – which left a few of us with some sore muscles! Wednesday was almost a "normal" school day, but with a special highlight: a fun and chaotic game organized by our three interns. On Thursday, we spent the morning preparing for the GISA got Talent show and successfully performed in the afternoon. We truly have so many talented children in the class! Later that day, we said goodbye to classmates and teachers – a heartfelt and emotional moment for many. Today, we watched a movie together, held a small awards ceremony for Sports Day, and tidied up our classroom. We wish everyone a wonderful holiday and an unforgettable summer! Class teacher Laura Lützeler would like to thank the children for their farewell gift. She will always remember her time at GISA filled with meaningful, emotional, and valuable moments. A big thank-you also goes to the parents for their incredible support during her time as the teacher of Class 3/4. 😊

Secondary School

Farewell, Clean-Up, and a Final Exhibition – A Special Ending: Last week wasn’t just about tidying up and sorting things out – it was also filled with goodbyes and meaningful moments. Together, we said farewell to Imra and wished her all the best on her journey ahead. At the same time, our big zoo project came to an end: with great attention to detail, the results were presented at our final celebration – a wonderful conclusion to a creative and insightful adventure.

Creative Minds in English Class: To round off our final week in English, I’m excited to share that we introduced comic writing! The students showed incredible creativity, humor, and artistic talent – some worked in pairs, others on their own, and everyone had fun! We plan to continue and expand this activity next year. I encourage you to let your children share their comics with you at home and cheer them on in their creative efforts.

Summer, Sunshine, and New Adventures: And now – it’s holiday time! We wish you a relaxing, exciting, and joyful break – whether you’re traveling, exploring new things, or simply taking it easy. Enjoy the holidays, your journeys, and all the wonderful things that await you in your young lives. We look forward to seeing you again after the summer break! 

The last week of school was filled with exciting and memorable activities. On Monday, all students took part in first aid workshops, where they learned essential skills for handling emergencies. Tuesday was dedicated to the Sports Day, with classes competing in various disciplines and showing great spirit and enthusiasm. On Wednesday, preparations for GISA got Talent were in full swing. Participants did their final rehearsals and polished their performances. The big talent show took place on Thursday, featuring numerous impressive acts that thrilled the audience. The week concluded with a festive farewell celebration. On Friday, all students received their report cards, and the top performances from Sports Day were honored in a special ceremony. This brought a wonderful and eventful week – and school year – to a close. Class 7 wishes everyone a great holiday and all the best for the future!

The Secondary DaF class (our motivated learners from Grades 5, 6, and 7) dedicated this week to reviewing everything they had learned since March 2025. They practiced and were assessed in all four skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The students actively applied grammar structures by independently researching outstanding personalities from the African continent and writing their own texts about them. They also practiced simple oral reasoning and argumentation through a role-play activity. On Thursday, instead of a formal learning assessment, the DaF group read the story of Anansi and the Calabash of Wisdom in German. Inspired by the themes of wisdom and the clever spider Anansi, the class folded paper spiders and used them as a creative tool to reflect on the challenges and achievements of their German learning journey. On one side of the spider's body, they wrote the topics they felt confident in; on the other side, the areas they still found difficult. Starting in August, all learners will continue their learning journey in the regular A2-level class.