Ahead of his official onboarding as Principal of GESS from the next academic year, we had the opportunity to speak with Mr Schaller.
An early welcome to GESS, Mr Schaller! Could you introduce yourself to our GESS community please?
My name is Andreas Schaller. I have two children: a 20-year-old daughter and an 18-year-old son. As they are both studying in Germany, they will not be moving to Singapore with me, but will hopefully visit me often. My partner, Ms. Anita Heubacher, however is adventurous enough to leave her hometown of Innsbruck and move to Singapore with me.
Currently, I am living in Rosenheim, a medium-sized town in Southern Bavaria, and I am the principal of a prestigious high school in Prien am Chiemsee. I studied English and Physical Education, which is why, besides literature and politics, languages and sports are my main interests. My stays abroad have also had a significant impact on me. During my studies and afterwards, I spent a lot of time in the United States, where I attended university for a year. Additionally, I later had the opportunity to supervise the programme for the German Language Diploma on the Crimean Peninsula for six years, during which I became acquainted with the Russian language and culture.
Overall, I have been working in schools for over 30 years, initially as an English and Physical Education teacher, and since 2008 also in school management. I can truly say that my profession is also my calling, as I cannot imagine a better and more fulfilling job.
You spent some time in Singapore and GESS some months ago, and then just lately. What has been your initial impression of GESS?
When I had the opportunity to spend a week here in March, it was particularly important for me to get a sense of whether taking on the principal position at GESS is the right thing to do. What is the atmosphere like within the school community? How well do I get along with my closest colleagues? What impression do I get from the students? I tried to find answers to all these questions. Very quickly, it became quite clear to me that GESS is the right school for me. I was impressed by the dedication of the teachers, the friendliness and open mindedness of the students, and the impressive organizational structure of GESS. What impressed me the most was interacting with a school family that obviously identifies with GESS and its values in many ways.
What are you most looking forward to or what are your top priorities in your first 3 months at GESS?
In the first three months, I want to meet as many people at GESS as possible – students, teachers, and parents – and establish as many personal relationships as I can. I will also be asking many questions and will need to learn even more. Although I have been managing a school in Germany for many years, every school is different, and GESS, with its size and structure, is something very new to me.
Leading a school that is effectively bilingual is also a real challenge, one that I am very eager to take on and hopefully master with the necessary commitment. Besides the many technical terms in English, the numerous acronyms are also a real challenge, and mastering them as soon as possible will be another priority.
I am already extremely excited about this unique opportunity to meet people from all over the world and to work with them in a productive and trusting manner.
We hear you are a strong advocate for GESS’ five-year Limitless Learning Plan. What are the aspects that you most resonate with?
The plan is known to consist of eight learning pillars, all of which I consider extremely important. The pillars involving languages, best employer, and high-quality teaching and learning seem particularly exciting, important and interesting to me, as I have also made significant progress in these areas at my previous school.
Additionally, student wellbeing is an area that is becoming increasingly important and requires a lot of attention and continuous development. In principle, I am absolutely fascinated by the fact that GESS already has a plan extending to the year 2029, and I see it as a particularly relevant and significant task to implement this plan as quickly and completely as possible over the next few years and to evaluate everything implemented as thoroughly as possible.
What is the thing you miss most about leaving Germany, and what is the thing you most anticipate about living and working in Singapore?
I will definitely miss my children and my old school, where I had the privilege of spending five wonderful years as principal. My greatest anticipation is for the new culture and lifestyle I will immerse myself in Singapore. Singapore is a metropolis that couldn’t be more diverse and fascinating, and for me, this represents both the start of a new lifestyle and the beginning of a new chapter in my life.
Lastly, what is the one thing you most want to tell the GESS community, as we countdown to a new school year?
Let’s continue to build a GESS culture based on trust and teamwork!
