Let’s welcome Eva Noorduijn, former Head of the European Section from 2015 until 2021. Returning from The Netherlands, Eva and her children visited our GESS Campus and shared some memorable experiences of her six years at GESS.
What do you do now after working with GESS?
After six years working at GESS, we returned to Europe, still in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. After the heavy responsibilities of being a senior leader in a large school, I opted to take on an easier role. I am now the IB Diploma Programme Coordinator and Teacher in a small IB school in Rotterdam, Netherlands. I teach French B Higher Level and Theory of Knowledge (TOK). It is great to have daily classroom contact with students again and to have my weekends back!
What was your favorite memory at GESS?
It is difficult to find one favorite memory of GESS because there are so many! Surprisingly perhaps, my favorite memories are of our campus move and dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. These two major events required all sections of the school to really work together, beyond school hours, innovate, problem-solve and support one another – and I really enjoyed this teamwork.
Working in the Netherlands at a Dutch International, Secondary school, I miss the Middle Years Programme (MYP). The school I work at now does IGCSEs. I also miss the Preschool and Primary School, life on campus after lessons (CCAs in the Netherlands are organized by the local community), Design Technology (we do not offer this subject) and the role of Music in the school. I miss my colleagues at GESS, but I am lucky to be working with Ms. Muilwijk (former GESS staff member) again here in Rotterdam!
What do you miss in Singapore?
We recently had the chance to revisit Singapore and it was great to visit old haunts. My favorite spots in Singapore are Chinatown, the Orchid Garden at the Botanic Gardens, Tiong Bahru, Chop Suey at Dempsey, Raffles Hotel, the Lantern at the Fullerton Bay Hotel, Picotin, the Rider’s Cafe at Bukit Timah, and Lau Pa Sat.
I miss the efficiency of Singapore’s public transport system, both bus and MRT, the beauty of Singapore truly being a Garden City, the intercultural mix of people living in Singpore and the proximity of beautiful, tropical beach destinations!
We decided to leave Europe to have a new cultural experience as a family and we certainly achieved this objective. We all learned a great deal about living in Asia, the tropics and Singapore. Personally, I learned a great deal about myself, about leadership, about running a large International school and what Pre-school is all about! GESS has had a major impact on my life, both personally and professionally. I have had my own, personal values reaffirmed and I am immensely proud of what I achieved during my time at GESS. I know that I am happier in the classroom.
As Head of the European Section, I interacted as much with the large number of non-teaching staff as pedagogical staff. I have always valued all those staff members who provide support to teaching staff, but I especially valued the support staff at GESS – from Kristina Stapels, the canteen staff, to Mr. Ahmad, to HR, Finance, IT, Marketing, Admissions – there are so many! Like theatre, you cannot only applaud the actors on stage: it is the multitude of staff behind the scenes who really make it happen.
What advice can you give to the GESS students?
Advice for GESS students? Enjoy and appreciate the rich life you have on campus: You will not find the same in Europe!
Do you have a message for the GESS teachers?
Be grateful for the endless support you have from the non-teaching staff: you will not find the same in Europe too!
Finally, I want to thank all the teachers who taught our two children, Gabriella and Alexander Burgers. They still talk daily of their life at GESS, the projects and trips you led, Tidy-up-Time, Dad-jokes, Wacky Wednesday, your teaching and support – thank you from both Gregory and myself.
