GISS Junior Secondary opens the world to our diverse student body, leading to the IB program in years 11 and 12. We help our students to pursue tertiary studies at some of the most renowned institutions worldwide.
GISS Secondary School has been ranked as one of the top 3 secondary schools on the Northern Beaches and No. 66 in New South Wales, based on our academic results as ranked by Better Education. It is important to note that we do not prepare our students specifically for standardised testing. Our scores reflect our students' academic acumen, not their ability to memorise test questions.
We encourage our students to become creative, lifelong learners and globally aware citizens during their junior secondary years.
Curriculum
Individual Care & Wellbeing
Student Progress
Communication
Behavioural Guidance and Student Management
Curriculum
Years 5 to 10 students can study certain subjects in either English or German. Geography, Physics, Chemistry and Ethics are taught in English, whilst Art, Music, Religion and Sport are taught in German.
German is offered as a second language subject for students who join us with little or no knowledge of the German language. While students can transfer to GISS at any grade level, we recommend transferring in Year 6 or 7 for those new to the German language.
From Year 6, French is offered as an additional foreign language. French needs to be continued up to year 10 for students wishing to undertake the German Year 10 exams. All other students can elect Spanish from Year 9.
The Junior Secondary School's internationally recognised academic standards enable students to transfer smoothly to our IB Diploma Programme or other national or international schools.
The Junior Secondary school day starts at 8.40 am and finishes at 3.15 pm.
Co-curricular elective activities (we call them "Arbeitsgemeinschaften") are part of the curriculum up to Year 7 and are timetabled on Thursdays from 1:40 pm to 3:15 pm. "Arbeitsgemeinschaften" gives our students a chance to engage in various sporting, arts, and outdoor activities.
The Year 7 ICT Digital Literacy course builds upon prior learning from Primary school. The aim is to ensure that all students have a thorough basic understanding of ICT and learn how to use computers effectively and safely. The course is a mix of ICT and Computing topics including but not limited to file management, document creating and editing, data management, animation, programming, podcasting databases and search engines.
Individual Care & Wellbeing
At GISS, we want our students to be part of a community that values fairness, caring and accepts students for who they are, no matter their social, cultural or economic background.
Teachers ignite a passion for learning in our students, presenting various learning strategies to develop an awareness of which methods are best for a supportive and multi-cultural atmosphere, offering a global perspective based on Australian and European traditions.
Student Progress
Student assessment is provided regularly, in both formal and informal formats. A comprehensive report detailing academic marks for all students across all subjects is provided on completion of terms two and four. Our teachers consistently analyse and evaluate their students and provide feedback on oral contributions and add written comments on submitted assignments.
In addition, parent-teacher interviews are held twice a year.
We participate in The National Assessment – Literacy and Numeracy Program (NAPLAN). The performance and progress of our students in Years 5, 7 & 9 are assessed in English and Maths. GISS is currently ranked as a top 100 school in NSW based on our NAPLAN scores for primary and secondary school. Our Secondary School ranks 3rd best on Sydney's Northern Beaches.
Communication
We foster active, open-minded and respectful communication between parents and teachers. We consider the communication between the parents and the school an essential component of successful schoolwork. It is also vital to the effectiveness of the educational work of the school and parents. We encourage parents to participate in school life.
Behavioural Guidance and Student Management
At GISS, we provide a nurturing environment and support our student's social and emotional development within our academic program. Our students are challenged and supported on their path to becoming independent and lifelong learners.
Positive and responsible student behaviour is essential to the development of a supportive and cooperative school environment. Our code of conduct places significant emphasis on positive behaviour and mutual respect. Parents are kept informed and are encouraged to assist in the development of their child's behavioural performance.
