Year-End Letter from GISC Director Ben Hebebrand

 

 

As this school year comes to a close – and with it, my four-year tenure as Director of GISC – I want to extend my deepest gratitude to each of you for your dedication, passion, and commitment to our school community.

 

One of the most defining aspects of GISC is the unwavering care our Faculty shows for our students. Every year, I have witnessed teachers warmly welcome children into classrooms that are not only academically rich, but also emotionally safe. These child-centered learning environments have empowered our students to take risks, grow confidently, and discover their unique voices. Most importantly, our faculty fosters seeds for lifelong learning by creating thoughtfully laid out unit and lesson plans – our kids love to come to school and learn. A school of "Lernvergnügen" – that is invaluable. The relationships forged between students and teachers are, without question, the heartbeat of our school. Thank you to all of you!

 

Our Faculty and Staff have also worked tirelessly to advance GISC's mission and elevate its standing. Their collective efforts have culminated in our official designation as a Deutsche Auslandsschule (DAS) – a milestone that reflects years of vision, hard work, and excellence. Our Preschool and Elementary School keep improving year after year, laying the foundation for a now successful Middle School with pending IB MYP accreditation, and the development of middle school classes in double-digit student numbers – next year's 8th grade class proudly numbering 18 students. Our alumni's acceptances into highly regarded independent, international, and selective enrollment High Schools speak volumes about the academic foundation they have received here.

 

I would be remiss not to acknowledge the extraordinary work of our Administrative Team, who have built and strengthened key operational areas of the school – from development, marketing, and enrollment to finance, technology, and campus operations. Significant infrastructure improvements, including a new roof and the beginning of an HVAC system replacement this summer along with the complete re-development of both our outdoor areas are just the most visible signs of their commitment to advance the cause and mission of GISC. Thank you to all of you!

 

And of course, to our Parent Community: Thank you for your steadfast support of our international and bilingual education mission. The energy and creativity of the GPG have fostered a vibrant, inclusive school culture through events that celebrate our shared values and international spirit. Your engagement brings to life our commitment to "Weltoffenheit" – a spirit of open-mindedness that we are proud to instill in our students. The aforementioned campus improvements come as a result of your generosity to support the school with financial contributions beyond your tuition dollars. This year, we have also established an Endowment Fund to support Financial Aid for deserving students at $100,000 due to the generosity of a donor who wanted to honor GISC Trustee Mariam Pahl’s tireless efforts to raise funds for our school since its humble beginnings 16 years ago. On this note, I also extend my sincere gratitude to the many donors of GISC – your support in the end analysis has helped GISC move forward.

 

Lastly and importantly, I extend my sincere gratitude to the GISC Board of Trustees. Hired by and accountable to the Board, I have enjoyed our work together. Your insightful questions and comments helped me tremendously, and your support has been invaluable. Together, you provided guidance on operational matters, and allowed me to offer guidance on long-term, strategic initiatives. I thank you so much, and I know you will be of tremendous service and value to our incoming Head of School Herr Rasmus Frederich. On this note, please also allow me to offer my sincere appreciation for Rasmus as he along with his wife and three children make a transatlantic commitment to lead GISC into the future.

 

It has been a true privilege to serve this community. I leave with immense joy, having come to know our students and their parents, our faculty and staff, and of course, our trustees. Should you ever care to connect with me, please feel free to reach me via Facebook, LinkedIn, or my personal email address.

 

With heartfelt thanks and best wishes for the one-and-only GISC community,

 

Ben Hebebrand

GISC Director