Education in a 21st century learning environment is so much more than being well-equipped with the latest digital hardware and software. For GESS, a not-for-profit school that has been nurturing future generations for more than 50 years in Singapore, the formula is a 360-degree approach to education for our students.
Upholding our belief that education goes beyond conventional academic excellence, GESS prides ourselves on the holistic development and wellbeing of every student, enabling them to thrive socially and emotionally. This places student wellbeing at the core of not only what GESS does, but also how, as we provide them with unparalleled opportunities and support throughout their learning journey.
From months of garnering community feedback involving our board members, senior leadership, students and parents, a strategic five-year Limitless Learning Plan has been conceptualized and endorsed in end 2023’s Annual General Meeting for implementation. What do not change are our values, mission and vision, and why we do these – to continue being a frontrunner as a tier one holistic international school in Singapore.
Developed to:
• Increase the number of opportunities for our students to pursue their passion and develop new skills
• Better support and nurture our students, ensuring there is no limit to what they can achieve
• Enable further development of teaching and learning, improving learning outcomes
… eight strategic pillars guide our journey of limitless learning:
- High quality teaching and learning
GESS will achieve better learning outcomes for our students by using a data-driven approach to better understand our students. This allows our experienced educators to truly know each student and more deeply personalise the high-quality teaching, support and extension offered to each individual child.
- Student wellbeing
Substantial resources will be dedicated to the development of social-emotional learning (SEL) curricula, robust mentoring and coaching initiatives, proactive programmes and enhanced student support. The benefits to our students are better relationships, clearer and more effective decision-making as well as greater self-management.
- Languages
Languages are a major part of our community with over 70 languages spoken. GESS celebrates this diversity and strongly supports giving our students roots to their culture. Through the Limitless Learning Plan, our students will benefit from more language choices, including strengthening our mother tongue language programmes and connections to students’ roots.
- Culture
GESS remains a proudly inclusive, holistic school that celebrates all our students’ talents and abilities. Through the Limitless Learning Plan, we will professionalise and expand the subject and co-curricular programmes offered, allowing our students to discover their talents and pursue their passions to the highest levels in a large range of interests. Our students will benefit from more opportunities in the arts, languages, technology, science and sports with world-class programmes offered at different levels of abilities.
- Future pathways
GESS will provide our students with alternative routes to success that are better suited to their individual needs. This will improve learning outcomes, student satisfaction and post-graduation opportunities. This will be achieved by launching different educational pathways and qualifications such as the IB Careers programme, and not forgetting our award-winning BeyondClassrooms programme and University and Careers Counselling programme.
- Student-first campus
Whole school infrastructure improvements in student learning spaces will provide the foundation for the Limitless Learning Plan. This ensures GESS has the cutting-edge facilities, equipment and resources to offer world-class programmes for our students. Investments in spaces for the arts, sports, STEM and outdoor learning will open up new opportunities and programmes. At the same time, enhanced learning and counselling spaces will foster greater collaboration and a deeper sense of belonging to our school.
- Parent services
Aligned with our school statement of being a true partner for your family, GESS will invest time and resources to better support and partner with our parents for non-academic matters and school operations.
- Best Employer
Underpinning the success of the Limitless Learning Plan is to ensure that GESS attracts and retains only the best educators and professional staff to drive our vision of being one of the best holistic schools in Singapore.
Follow our Limitless Learning journey and discover our initiatives here.
