Well Prepared and Stronger Together – Our Induction Week 2026/27

Before the new school year begins for our students next Monday, the past week at GISA was all about arriving, connecting and preparing together.

From 10 to 14 August, our teaching staff came together for Induction Week. Following a shared welcome breakfast, we began by getting to know one another in our new team constellation and focused on roles and responsibilities, our mission statement, key educational concepts and communication within our school community. A joint BBQ also provided an opportunity to spend time together beyond the formal programme and to continue growing as a team.

An International Teaching Team

In the 2026/27 school year, our students will be taught and supported by a team of 17 teachers. Eight come from Germany, five from Ghana, and one each from Belgium, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Switzerland. This international composition reflects what GISA stands for as a school of encounter: bringing together different experiences, perspectives and educational traditions and using them to shape our school together.

Throughout the school year, our team will also be supported by five interns. As a training school, we consider it an important part of our role to provide aspiring teachers and educators with opportunities to gain practical experience, try out their own ideas and develop professionally. At the same time, we benefit greatly from this collaboration: young educators bring new ideas, current perspectives from their studies and training, and a fresh view of school and teaching. This “fresh breeze” is a genuine enrichment for our team and for the continued development of GISA.

A Focus on Teaching and Learning

The programme for Induction Week covered a broad range of educational topics. The teaching staff worked on areas including teaching quality and peer lesson observations, German as a Foreign Language and German-medium subject teaching (DFU), assessment and grade transparency, as well as our support and learning programmes for students with different educational needs.

Another important focus was collaboration within the school. Parent communication, faculty work and joint curriculum and annual planning were addressed alongside the preparation of classrooms and subject rooms. Within the faculties, annual teaching plans and lesson planning for the new school year were further developed and coordinated.

The continued digital development of our teaching also played an important role. Active Floor, tablets, e-books, digital platforms and shared working environments were introduced and explored in practice. At the same time, the week deliberately included space for individual lesson preparation, classroom organisation and professional exchange among colleagues.

To conclude the week, the team looked ahead to the events, projects and development priorities of the coming school year. A fire and safety training session rounded off the programme.

After five intensive, productive and very enjoyable days, we are now entering the 2026/27 school year well prepared and strengthened as an international team.

Most of all, however, we are looking forward to welcoming back those at the heart of everything we do: our students. On Monday, the campus will once again be full of life – and we look forward to shaping an exciting, successful and vibrant new school year together with them.