Newsletter 16.01.2026
A dynamic start to the new year at the German International School Accra
The first school week of 2026 has come to an end, and it was marked by energy, encounters, and many positive moments. We are very pleased with this successful and dynamic start to the new year.
Welcome back – and a warm welcome to GISA
On Monday, January 12, 2026, our schoolyard filled once again with life, voices, and a sense of anticipation as students returned after the Christmas break. Alongside the joy of seeing many familiar faces, there was a special reason to celebrate: 13 new students joined our school community. They form the second cohort of the Excellence Scholarship Program (ESP).
The Excellence Scholarship Program is designed for highly motivated and high-achieving children aged 9 to 12 from Grades 3/4, 5, and 6. The aim of the program is to support talented students in a targeted way and to enable their successful entry into German-language instruction at the German International School Accra.
A central element of the program is the intensive German language course, which the new ESP students have now begun. Until June, they will receive 20 hours of German instruction per week. This instruction is partially integrated into regular class lessons, ensuring that intensive language support and active participation in everyday learning go hand in hand from the very beginning.
To help the new students settle in quickly and feel welcome from day one, each child is supported by a buddy from their class. This peer support helps them navigate daily school life, provides orientation, and encourages the development of new friendships.
The first school day also offered parents a welcoming opportunity to connect. New and returning parents came together for a relaxed social gathering at the Swiss Club, where conversations, new contacts, and a strong sense of community quickly emerged.
We are delighted with this successful start to the new year and with the curiosity and motivation with which our new ESP students are beginning their journey at our school. We are very happy to have you with us.
Black Star Cup – a sporty start to 2026
The weekend before the first school day already set a sporty tone for the year. At the Black Star Cup, our children and parents kicked off 2026 with energy at Padel S2. What began as a casual game quickly turned into an exciting tournament.
In fair yet competitive matches, all three teams gave their best. In the end, Team Green secured first place, followed by Team Red and Team Gold.
Thank you to Martin for sponsoring the trophies. The boys were very excited.
With everyone now warmed up, official training starts on Tuesday. We look forward to working together on fitness goals for 2026.
Junior Robotics, Coding, and Digital Design – an inspiring workshop day
Our students experienced an inspiring workshop day as they enthusiastically explored the world of junior robotics, coding, graphic design, and web development.
Working in different groups, the children discovered how technology works in a playful and hands-on way. They built, programmed, designed, tested, and solved challenges together. Whether programming their own game, bringing robots to life, or developing a fictional company complete with a logo and website, the atmosphere was filled with creativity, teamwork, and pride in what they achieved.
The strong engagement of the teachers contributed to a motivating learning environment in which each child could contribute their individual strengths.
The success of the workshop and the consistently positive feedback have encouraged us to continue along this path. From February onwards, these activities will become a permanent part of our extracurricular program, giving even more students the opportunity to develop digital skills and creativity in a supportive and enjoyable setting.
Our school library – now open throughout the school day
We are pleased to announce that our school library is now open throughout the entire school day. In addition, there is a daily fixed time slot from 7:30 am to 8 am for borrowing and returning books.
During this time, Nancy Twieku is present in the library to support students, parents, and teachers. Parents also have the option to borrow books directly. This ensures that students can start their school day calmly and well prepared with new reading material.
GISA – School Band
Would you like to play electric guitar, drums, or keyboard? Do you enjoy singing or simply being part of a band?
The GISA School Band rehearses every Wednesday from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm in the Multi-Purpose Room. Several performances are planned for this school year, including participation in the school musical at the end of the year.
Highlight on the playground – professional foosball table
A new professional foosball table is now available on the school playground. To ensure that all students can enjoy it for a long time, Robert Ludtke took time to explain the rules of the game and fair play in small groups.
The foosball table was made possible through a donation by Dr. Dr. Michael Keweloh, who attended the school himself in the late 1970s. The new addition promotes movement, fair play, and positive interaction during break times.
Taking responsibility together – supporting medical outreach
The Universal Wonderful Street Academy (UWSA), a cooperation partner of the German International School Accra, supports education, healthcare, and social services for street children and particularly disadvantaged families, especially in Jamestown and Old Ningo.
In spring 2026, UWSA plans to offer free medical check-ups for children and adults in these communities. To help prepare for this initiative, medical supplies are being collected starting Monday, January 12. Donations can be dropped off at the entrance of the GISA campus.
Gerald Asamoah Cup 2026 – Show Your Talent, Shape Your Future
On Saturday, January 24, 2026, the German International School Accra will host the first-ever Gerald Asamoah Cup. The tournament is open to children aged 9 to 12 and provides the opportunity to qualify for a scholarship at GISA through sporting performance and team spirit.
Participation is free of charge; however, registration is required by Wednesday, January 21, 2026.
The tournament is part of a comprehensive selection process for the Excellence Scholarship. Following the Cup, selected participants will be invited to an assessment center, a trial week in class, and will receive a timely admission decision.
The scholarship includes a reduction of regular school fees by approximately 83 percent, access to German universities after graduation, a free intensive German language course starting immediately, and the possibility of full sponsorship through the Gerald Asamoah Heart Foundation.
60 Years of the German International School Accra – Ghana Day
In 2026, the German International School Accra celebrates its 60th anniversary. The opening event of the anniversary celebrations will be the Ghana Day on Thursday, February 26, 2026.
From 4:00 pm, guests can enjoy food and drinks from Germany, Switzerland, and Ghana. Children’s artwork, interactive activities, and cultural products will be available. Between 5:00 pm and 6:00 pm, student performances and contributions from members of the school community and alumni will take place. From 6:00 pm onwards, the evening will continue with live music and social gathering.
Alumni are warmly invited to share photos, stories, or memories from 60 years of school history to help bring the school’s journey to life.
GISA Cup 2026 – Football, Community, and Anniversary Spirit
As part of the 60th anniversary celebrations, the GISA Cup 2026 will take place on Saturday, February 28, 2026, on the GISA campus. The 6-a-side football tournament is open to amateur teams with adult participants aged 18 and above.
Each team must include at least two players holding the nationality of the country they represent. The tournament begins at 8:00 am and runs into the late afternoon. Food and drinks will be available on site.
Registration and information are available via phone at 020 008 6805.
A Kids Edition of the GISA Cup will follow on Monday, March 1, 2026. Further information will be shared soon. Sponsorship enquiries can be directed to
Personnel updates
We welcome Betty Agyemang as a new educator in our Early Years team. She will primarily work in the Crèche and support the Kindergarten when needed.
Our speech therapist Priscilla will be leaving the school.
Fionuala Ammah will join the team as the new speech therapist, beginning with a period of observation before starting individual therapy sessions.
Annalena Leinauer has taken on the role of class teacher for Grade 3/4.
Ralph Werner joins the team with a focus on special education and social-pedagogical support.
From mid-January, George Antwi strengthens the administration team as accountant.
In the area of security, Elliot Kofi El-Hoshea has joined the team, while Francis Agbale has left the school.
Nursery and Kindergarten
After the Christmas holidays, the focus in the Nursery was on a calm and gentle settling-in period 🧸. The children had plenty of time for free play, both indoors and outdoors in the garden 🌱. This helped strengthen their sense of security, independence, and social interaction.
Through activities such as finger painting 🎨 and working with playdough ✋, the children were able to express their creativity while developing their senses and fine motor skills. We also welcomed a new child and a new educator into our group 💛. The children were given time to get to know one another in a relaxed and unhurried way.
Overall, it was a very positive start to the new year ✨.
In the Kindergarten, we also began the first week after the holidays in a calm and gentle manner 🌈. Extended periods of free play helped the children settle back into their routines and find their orientation again 😊🧩🧸.
Throughout the week, the children enjoyed many creative activities, including arts and crafts 🎨✂️🖍️. Our daily routine was accompanied by music and shared singing, which created a joyful atmosphere 🎶🎵.
In English class, the focus was on the letter S 🔤🇬🇧📘, supported by a matching song that the children really enjoyed 🎵😊🎤.
We are very happy to welcome new children to our Kindergarten and extend a warm welcome to them 🌸🎒.
We would also like to inform you that a new educator has joined our Early Years team 👩🏫✨. Her name is Betty Agyemang. She brings extensive experience in early childhood education and will mainly work in the Nursery, while also supporting the Kindergarten as a relief educator when needed. If you have any questions, please feel free to approach Betty directly 🌼😊.
In the coming weeks, we will explore the exciting theme of (under)water 🐠🐟🐙🌊, with many creative, playful, and musical activities planned 🎨🎶.
Primary School
In Grade 1/2, we started the new year with an optimistic outlook. In Ethics lessons, we talked about lucky charms and copied short texts using the “whisper dictation” method. This also opened up opportunities for cultural learning, such as discussing the role of a chimney sweep.
The holidays were another topic of discussion. Using the placemat method, the children recorded their thoughts at the same time – a word or a sentence about Christmas, their funniest experience, the holidays, and New Year’s Eve.
Grade 1 continued working diligently on early literacy skills, and reading is becoming increasingly confident. In Mathematics, the new year began with practice exercises on addition and subtraction.
In Grade 2, new challenges were introduced this week, including first writing exercises with a fountain pen and the official introduction of multiplication, which many children had already encountered before.
In English lessons, the learners also began by sharing their holiday experiences and highlights through conversation games. They then practiced changing verbs by adding the ending “-ing” to adjust the tense. The beginner group worked on vocabulary related to household items and created a poster to present the new words.
The first week after the winter holidays in Grade 3/4 focused on new beginnings and getting to know one another, especially between the students and their new class teacher, Ms Leinauer. In addition, six new ESP students were warmly welcomed into the class community.
In Mathematics, we started the new topic of “lengths.” The children carried out measurements by measuring their own height as well as various objects in the classroom. This hands-on approach helped them develop a practical understanding of measurement and size.
In German lessons, the students wrote holiday stories and revised grammatical tenses from the previous year. Grade 3 focused on the simple past tense, while Grade 4 revised the present perfect. Colourful reminder posters were created to support learning.
A special highlight was the shared library session with Grade 7/8. Working in small groups, the children exchanged ideas about books, leading to lively discussions and new reading recommendations. Thank you to the older students for guiding the younger ones.
Overall, it was a varied and successful week with many positive first shared moments.
Weaving Project
After the holidays, the students returned to their weaving work with great motivation. Some built new weaving frames, while others continued with projects they had already started. Finding the thread again after the break was not always easy, but with patience, everyone managed to settle back into their familiar working rhythm.
DaF – Intensive German Language Support
The new intensive DaF group started with great energy on Monday, January 12, 2026. The motivated learners from Grades 3, 4, 5, and 6 took their first steps in the German language, culture, and learning materials.
Vocabulary related to greetings, farewells, and numbers was learned quickly. To support their learning, the students created vocabulary card boxes, which are already being used successfully.
On Friday, the DaF group completed their first learning progress assessment covering the topics of this week.
Secondary School
In Grade 5, Biology lessons were particularly exciting this week. The students independently carried out a fish dissection, which for many became the highlight of the week. This hands-on work allowed them to explore biological concepts in a very practical and engaging way.
In Geography, we focused on our nearest neighbour, the Moon. Topics included lunar and solar eclipses, tides, and an exciting problem-solving task involving a fictional rescue mission of the crashed GISA school spaceship. Next week, we will continue with the history of space exploration.
The first school week after the Christmas holidays started very positively in Grade 6 and was filled with joy. After returning, we warmly greeted one another and welcomed new students into our class. We first took a close look at our newly arranged classroom, sharing critical yet humorous comments. A Christmas holiday bingo game then created great excitement. Nii Dromo was particularly lucky and won a delicious bofrot. The week concluded with the distribution of the new timetable, before regular lessons resumed from the second period onwards.
In English lessons, we began working with poetry. Together, we discovered that poetry is a unique form of writing with its own character, often using vivid language and hidden meanings. Discussions about mood and theme showed a high level of engagement and interest. In the coming weeks, we will explore more poems and gradually prepare to write our own.
In Science, we also started new topics. The focus was on seed plants and their structure. Leaves, stems, and roots were examined as parts of an interconnected system. Working with real plants was particularly engaging, allowing students to directly observe similarities and differences. Naming the individual plant parts and learning about their functions made the lessons lively and interactive.
Mathematics lessons focused on geometric solids. The students learned to identify and name vertices, edges, and faces, and explored different nets using magnetic building blocks. A special emphasis was placed on the cube: all eleven possible cube nets were found, compared, and opposite faces were colour-coded. This visual and hands-on approach supported the development of spatial awareness.
Creativity played a central role in Art lessons, which were held together with Grade 5 in the outdoor art studio. The students explored the colour wheel based on the work of Johannes Itten. Starting with the three primary colours, they independently mixed additional colours and created their own colour wheels. While some worked very precisely and others more freely, all gained valuable experience in colour mixing and design.
Creative and critical thinking were also central in German lessons. Using the tall tales of Captain Bluebear, students first took on the role of the three little bears and asked targeted, critical questions to uncover the lies. They then switched perspectives and, as Captain Bluebear, had to invent convincing answers to avoid being exposed. This activity fostered imagination, expressive skills, and attentive listening.
Overall, it was a successful and varied start to the new calendar year, sparking curiosity and enthusiasm for the weeks ahead.
In Ethics lessons in Grades 7/8, the focus was on emotions in conflict situations. The students explored which feelings can arise during conflicts and why it is important to recognise and reflect on emotions when resolving disagreements.
After the Christmas holidays, German lessons in Grades 7/8 began with a personal and reflective approach. During the first lesson, time was taken to talk about ourselves and our experiences over the holidays. This exchange created space for personal impressions and helped the students ease back into everyday school life together.
The focus then shifted to the formal features of a personal letter. The students immediately put this knowledge into practice by writing letters about their Christmas holidays to classmates from the DaF classes. In the following lesson, the letters were delivered in person, and we are now eagerly awaiting the reply letters.
Another highlight was a shared visit to the library with Grade 3/4. Working in small mixed-age groups, the students exchanged ideas about their reading experiences and habits. Together, books were selected, presented, and discussed. This age-spanning exchange not only strengthened reading motivation but also fostered social interaction and showed how powerful and connecting reading can be.
In Social Studies, the classes examined the question of what nature really looks like. They reflected on their internal images of nature and landscapes while also addressing environmental damage. The students critically discussed how idealised views of nature compare with reality.
In Mathematics, Grade 7 revised key geometric concepts. These included constructing the circumcircle of a triangle using perpendicular bisectors and identifying the centroid formed by the medians. A student presentation introduced the topic of triangle heights and the orthocentre.
Grade 8 revised the calculation of area and perimeter for squares, rectangles, and parallelograms. Through a hands-on approach — cutting a triangle from a parallelogram and rearranging it into a rectangle — the formula for the area of a parallelogram was developed together. The students then practised and consolidated the calculation of areas and perimeters of triangles.
In Biology, students learned about unicellular organisms, using the paramecium and the amoeba as examples. Structure, way of life, and especially the differences between the two organisms were examined.
During a historical image analysis of a portrait of Louis XIV, students learned about symbols of power and the political system of absolutism. Connections to contemporary political figures were also discussed.
In Geography, the classes used the “outsider method” to identify different forms of tourism and their typical characteristics through image analysis. A particular focus was placed on Alpine tourism. Guided by the question “Alpine tourism all year round – what is the price?”, students critically examined mass tourism and its impact on nature, the environment, and local communities in the Alps.
German as a Foreign Language (DaF)
After the holidays, the classroom itself sparked amazement as it is gradually being transformed into a small DaF laboratory. New learning stations, a cosy reading corner, and a table for playful German learning now enrich the learning environment and invite exploration.
To support a smooth return to German after the break, lessons began with a revision of the previous topic, focusing on the formation of the past participle. Working in pairs, students independently selected and completed tasks at the newly established learning stations.
To consolidate learning, a short progress assessment took place on Thursday, which the students approached with great anticipation. Afterwards, they demonstrated their skills in a challenging letter puzzle.
Next week, we will begin a new topic and develop an overview of the different verb tenses together.
In the GA-AFRO-GANZA project, students revisited the story of Agorkoli. When practising the dance, understanding the historical background and the meaning of the story plays an essential role.
In addition, the students continued practising the song sung by the villagers during the dance. In the coming week, dance and singing will be combined to bring the story to life in a joint performance.
Fast and Full Speed into the New Year – The GISA Racing Reporters
The new calendar year has started just as energetically for the GISA Racing Reporters as the last one ended! Once again, we are out and about, asking curious questions, reporting from projects, and gathering exciting insights from everyday school life.
Our first assignment took us to the VIP Workshop. Mohai was right in the spotlight there – although she initially had other plans and tried to dodge our Racing Reporters a little! But our reporters were not discouraged and eventually managed to catch all the answers. The workshop focuses on learning about Ghana’s most important personalities, and Mohai told us how exciting it is, even though Classes 1 and 2 sometimes make a bit of noise during learning time. In the end, she rated the project an impressive 90 out of 100 points.
Interview 1 – VIP Workshop
Reporters: Papa Oti & Barima | Date: 13 January 2026
Question: What do you learn about in the project?
Answer: About the most important personalities in Ghana.
Question: Why did you choose this project?
Answer: To learn more about VIPs in Ghana.
Question: Why do you like this project?
Answer: Because you get to learn about many exciting people.
Question: Is there anything you don’t like?
Answer: Sometimes Classes 1 and 2 make noise while we are learning.
Question: How would you rate the project?
Answer: 90 out of 100 points!
Our second highlight took Levi and Felix to meet Wolf from Grade 7. The two reporters filmed him and then wrote down the interview. Wolf had plenty to say:
Interview 2 – Student Interview with Wolf
Question: How do you like the school?
Answer: It’s okay – it has advantages and disadvantages.
Question: How do you like the teachers?
Answer: Mostly quite good, but it depends on the teacher.
Wolf was also lucky enough to get his favourite project – something not everyone can say! About the school lunch, he commented: “It’s okay, but it could be much better.”
This week, Sarah, Frieda, and Arcani also visited a project: the Weaving Workshop. They interviewed the participants and gained some interesting insights:
Interview 3 – Weaving Workshop
Question: What are you doing here?
Answers:
• Weaving – Luke
• Drawing – Noah
• Using fabric – Luc
Question: Do you like the project?
Answers:
• Yes – Catherine
• Yes – Dina
• Yes – Noemi
Question: Why did you choose this project?
Answers:
• Because I couldn’t do it before – Dario
• I have no idea – Prince
• Because I wanted to try something new – Riva
Question: Why did you run this project?
Answer:
• “Because I can’t fully do it myself. I wanted to see if I could learn something, and I found it exciting.” – Ms Schoechert
Question: What is the goal of the project?
Answers:
• Nothing – Nana
• I don’t know – Dania
• To make the GISA flag – Olivia
In addition, Levi and Felix also interviewed and filmed Mrs Sara. We will report on that interview next week, so stay tuned to hear what she has to say about the school.
Whether workshops, interviews, or small everyday stories – the Racing Reporters are back on the move and keeping you up to date. We are already looking forward to the next exciting projects and stories from GISA!
Dates & Outlook
⚽ Saturday, 24 January 2026
Gerald Asamoah Cup 2026
Football tournament for children aged 9–12 as part of the Excellence Scholarship selection process
💻 Thursday, 29 January 2026, 5:00–6:30 pm (online)
Information session for the school community regarding the upcoming Federal–State Inspection (BLI 3.0)
📄 Friday, 30 January 2026
Distribution of mid-year reports
End of the first school term
🎭 Friday, 13 February 2026
School Carnival
🎉 60th Anniversary – Event Framework
🇬🇭🇩🇪🇨🇭 Thursday, 26 February 2026
Ghana Day – Three nations celebrating together
🏆 Saturday, 28 February 2026
GISA Cup
🏆 Monday, 2 March 2026
GISA Cup – Kids Edition
⚽ International Friendly Match of the National Teams
Monday, 30 March 2026, 7:45 pm
Germany 🇩🇪 vs. Ghana 🇬🇭
International friendly match
Location: Stuttgart
Excellence Scholarship Program
🇬🇭🇩🇪🇨🇭 Ghana Day – Celebrating Three Nations Together
🏆GISA Cup 2026