Tell us about yourselves!
Sarah: I was born and raised in rural Canada, but my entire professional life has taken place far from home. With a degree in philosophy and diplomas in early childhood and primary education under my belt, I left my city of studies, Montreal, 25 years ago for Taipei, Taiwan, and spent four fascinating years teaching nursery and reception at the British School (part of the Taipei European School) and finding my feet in Asia.
I then moved to Xiamen, China, where I taught primary school and discovered the Primary Years Programme (PYP) of the International Baccalaureate. Four years later, I took a year’s “sabbatical” in Chiang Mai, Thailand, completing a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction and training as a PYP workshop leader. That was serendipitous, as it led me to Singapore!
I have been at GESS for 15 years, and for the past 12 years, I have been the Head of the European Section Primary. I also have two sons at the school: Rohan in Grade 7 and Nikhil (Nicky) in Grade 4. We live steps from the jungle, because we love to be outdoors, walking and biking. On weekends, I love to bake and my latest interest is the art of the perfect sourdough bread loaf; I am getting close!
Claudia: I am a German national who has spent many years in different countries. As a teenager, I spent a year in Newcastle, Australia as an exchange student. Later when I took up my studies in Spanish Language and Literature, I moved to Madrid, Spain for a couple of years and was an assistant teacher at a local Grammar School. Eventually, I studied English Language and Literature as well as Educational Science and became a teacher at a German State School near Frankfurt.
In 2009, I got an offer from the United World College in India and joined them as the Head of Modern Foreign Languages (namaste India!). Thereafter, Germany welcomed me back and I started at State International School Seeheim, where I continued my career in international education and the IBO Programms, as DP Coordinator and Head of Teaching and Learning.
When I got the call from GESS Singapore, I did not hesitate a minute – I love South East Asia and here I am.
My youngest son graduated from GESS this year and is studying in Amsterdam while my son Felix graduated from the UWC Mahindra and works for Lufthansa now. My daughter did the German Abitur and is now a teacher herself.
I love travelling and exploring new territories and meeting people all over the globe. It is a pity that the current situation stops us from doing this right now.
How long have you been with GESS? What motivated you to join GESS?
Sarah: I was leading a PYP workshop (for the first time!) in Chiang Mai, Thailand, where a gentleman named Andreas Swoboda introduced himself to me as the head of a brand-new international school initiative: the fledgling European Section of the Deutsche Schule Singapur! He was looking for IB experienced teachers to join the team, and intrigued, I signed up. I have been here ever since! So, I was there on the first day of classes in August 2005 teaching Grade 1, and I am still here. Back then we had 82 students. It has been an interesting journey: challenging, exciting, frustrating at times, but ultimately very rewarding, as I have learned so much and we have achieved so much together. I have held many roles at GESS: Grade 1 teacher, PYP Coordinator, Primary School art teacher, Middle School English teacher, CCA musical drama director, and of course, Head of Primary and now Middle School. I realise now that the European Section is one of the major projects of my life, and I feel humbled and also very proud to be part of it.
Claudia: I started at GESS in 2018 as Head of Middle School in the German Section. My interest in GESS started with my visit to the school in 2016 when I caught up with Christiane Kübler who is a former colleague of mine and currently works at GESS.
What are the initiatives and priorities that you are working on currently?
Sarah: The first steps are getting to know everyone and finding out how systems and routines work. We are working very intensively on restructuring plans for next school year. Our main goals are to develop a distinct middle school programme for grades 6, 7 and 8, enhancing the homeroom teacher’s role in pastoral care, and to design a programme of weekly electives from which students in grades 6 through 10 can choose to develop their interests, talents and passions. We are also reviewing and improving the written curriculum in all subjects, so that we can strengthen the quality of the MYP units through which the curriculum is taught. Next year, we will implement these changes, and focus on teaching practices with a goal to differentiate for all learners and provide feedback for student learning. There are going to be so many developments! Key among them, I want to build a more open, reciprocal partnership with parents, as I strongly believe that is fundamental to student success.
Claudia: My priorities are to focus on teaching and learning and on the first launch of e-assessments for Grade 10 Middle Years Programme in May 2021 and I am also focused on the Diploma Programme in general.
In a year from now what would you like to have achieved for the students?
Sarah: One year from now, we should see some of the major elements of the Middle School programme in place. For the first year, we expect our grade 6 classes to benefit from a “hybrid” model, a step between Primary and Secondary, where they have two teachers for the four core subjects of English, mthematics, science and Individuals and Societies (I&S). Students in Grade 7 and 8 will have homeroom teachers whom they spend dedicated time with each week on goal-setting, reflection, team-building, conflict resolution and other elements of personal and social education. This will help to build a strong, mentoring relationship between homeroom teachers and students, which is vital to support students through the tumultuous early teen years.
We look forward to offering a Middle School choir, drama production, advanced art class, outdoor education, coding, science fair, maths extension classes, debating club, media studies – these are all possibilities within our new electives programme for MYP students. The programme is mandatory, but the options within it allow students to explore their interests and ultimately, help them discover who they are and what they want to do in life.
There are more ideas coming, but I do not want to “oversell”. Let me reserve some initiatives for the next edition!
Claudia: In a year from now, I hope for there to be clear structure and guidance for all students to reach their potential. I want all students to have a sense of belonging within GESS and a meaningfully challenging learning environment where they can thrive.
Please tell us more about who you will be working with closely to achieve these goals?
Sarah: I feel very fortunate in having an absolutely excellent leadership team with whom to work, chief among them Claudia Dicken, Head of European Section Grades 9 – 12, and Joram Hutchins, Deputy Head of European Section, Grades 1- 8. We also depend strongly on our IB programme coordinators – Jo Fitts, Rebecca Scrivener, Isabel Martin and Krissy Holland – who round out our curriculum leadership team. As I have a strong interest in pastoral care, I am also working closely with homeroom teachers and grade level coordinators in all grades, but most recently, grades 6, 7 and 8, Dr Hana and Deputy Head of Secondary, Alison Samuels. They are admirably dedicated to student welfare and regularly go above and beyond. We also work closely with all the heads of subject; I lean towards the arts and languages, while Joram leans towards maths and sciences.
Claudia: I am working closely with the DP Coordinator, the MYP Coordinator as well as the Head of European Section, Grades 1-8, Sarah Thomas and her team.
Leave us with some parting thoughts!
Sarah: One aspect that always seems to perplex people is the nature of GESS as a dual-system school. How are we “one school”? Are we “one school”? I have to say, these are not new questions. I was asked how the two sections should get along in my interview for Head of Primary 12 years ago! I would answer that now how I answered it then: it’s like a healthy marriage. The two partners support each other and stand together for the students and the community. But at the same time, both partners have their separate lives, endeavours and projects to accomplish. And like any healthy marriage, it takes open communication, respect and flexibility to make it work well. But it’s worth it! I have learned from my German colleagues in ways I probably never would have in a predominantly Anglo-American school, where perspectives might be more easily aligned. This is ultimately enriching, and I feel there are still many ways for both sections to benefit, if we listen.
Claudia: GESS is a wonderful school with dedicated teachers and support teams, all housed in a beautiful campus. It is definitely the place to be!
