Though it’s only been a term since Adhly and Musheera’s sons joined German European School Singapore, the couple is impressed with how the school prioritises both academic excellence and student wellbeing. Read their full review of the school here.
There are loads of excellent international schools in Singapore, something that has motivated Adhly and Musheera to make the big move from Maldives to the Little Red Dot. The couple moved to Singapore for their children’s education, in search of one that doesn’t just help the children achieve great exam scores, but equips them with real-life skills to thrive in the future while making sure they are supported and seen.
After visiting several schools, Adhly and Musheera decided that German European School Singapore (GESS) is the best fit for their family. “We felt the school’s sincerity and care from our very first interaction with it,” the couple shared. But that’s not all – the school continues to impress them with how well it balances academic rigour with warmth and kindness, as well as a focus on equipping children with real-world experiences.
What are the most important things you are looking for in your children’s education?
We want our children to receive an education that provides them with a strong academic foundation, as well as real-life experiences and practical skills. After all, the world our children are living in is changing rapidly, so academic excellence alone may not guarantee success.
On top of that, we want our children to learn in an environment that is warm: a place where they feel seen, supported, and safe. While encouraging them to pursue their ambitions, education should also be ‘human’. It should be a school with a values-driven community, and a place where our children can form lasting friendships.
How did GESS fit what you’re looking for in a school?
We find that GESS offers a truly international education through the International Baccalaureate (IB) framework from preschool to high school. Following the IB curriculum also means that our children won’t just be memorising textbook content, but are taught how to think, collaborate, and lead.
The fact that GESS allows high school students to choose between the IB Diploma Programme or the vocational Careers-related Programme tells us that the school values real-world experiences and skills as we do. We like that it provides multiple pathways for growth, combining real-world learning and personal development.
What particularly stood out for us was our interaction with the admissions team. Ms Manimala and Isha were patient, kind, and genuinely invested in helping us understand the school, curriculum, and how our children might fit in. Their sincerity stayed with us as it didn’t just feel like an admissions process, but a welcoming handshake into the GESS community. We could already envision the warmth and kindness our children will be treated with prior to enrolment.
How was your children’s first term in GESS – did they feel welcomed?
Our children were made to feel valued from the very first day. We appreciate that the teachers took time to get to know them, their classmates welcomed them warmly, and the school staff extended the little gestures of kindness. All these helped ease their transition into GESS, and the boys have settled in faster than we imagined. The school also kept us well-informed of their settling-in progress.
We especially want to give a shout-out to Ms Prama and Suchin from GESS Preschool. We thank you for your patience, creativity, and genuine love for the children, which we witness every single day. As parents who are familiar with international schools, we can confidently say that they are exceptional, warm, and caring educators.
Besides that, GESS has a few Maldivian families and students whom we already knew. So this made the relocation and new school environment even more comforting. We felt like a piece of home was here with us too.
What do the boys like about their new school?
Our 12 year-old son, Dhiyan, loves the independence and friendships he made in GESS. He is learning to take responsibility, manage his own time, and make thoughtful choices. Above all, he enjoys the trust that comes with being in a well-structured, student-led environment, as well as being treated with the respect of a young adult.
Our youngest child Nayel loves the outdoor spaces and play areas in GESS Preschool. He has lots of opportunities to learn through movement. We’re all excited about the upcoming forest school experience as it’s exactly the kind of nature-based, exploratory learning we value.
Do they enjoy the facilities at GESS?
Yes, they do. Nayel thrives in the open, exploratory spaces; while Dhiyan likes the public areas on campus, where he can collaborate and spend time with friends.
Overall, we find that the GESS campus is well designed for learning. The classrooms are bright with plenty of natural light. The shared spaces – like libraries, labs, and sports facilities – are nicely designed and well maintained. When the school is in session, every area feels vibrant and full of life.
Is there a community for parents in this school?
There is, and we find that GESS puts genuine thought into making it a strong parent community. Parents are regarded as partners in their children’s learning and schooling experience. We are currently involved as parent representatives and members of the school association. In these capacities, we get to help other families connect, raise concerns, and offer input to the school in a collaborative way.
Even in our short time here, we can see how GESS gives parents a gentle and meaningful way to shape their children’s experience in school.
How would you rate the level of communication between the school and your family?
The school gives clear, thorough, and timely updates. We can easily keep track of everything, from classroom updates to school-wide news. As we have children in different grade levels, we get a lot of information coming from multiple sources. But they’re all very well-structured. The school has also responded to our questions and concerns in a quick, professional manner. We feel both respected and well supported as parents.
What do you value most about GESS?
There are so many things we appreciate about GESS!
Programmes and offerings wise, we value the balance between academic rigour and emotional wellbeing, as well as internationalism and a strong sense of community.
We value the authenticity in how the school operates, and could see that there’s an honest commitment to helping every child find their rhythm and thrive. Seeing Dhiyan and Nayel walk into school with joy, laughter, and a sense of safety reassured us deeply. This is especially so on the days that they miss our home in the Maldives, seeing our boys adapt happily to their new school means everything to us.
Though it’s still early days, we’ve seen how thoughtfully the school is run. GESS shows a deep sense of care, which we’ve seen through its teachers, leadership team, and even the way it communicates with parents.
As parents, we don’t want our boys to feel pressured to succeed; but know that success should come from internal motivation. GESS has taught our children that. Our positive experience with the school so far has convinced us that we made the right choice for them.
Thank you for speaking to us, Adhly and Musheera!
This post is in partnership with GESS – International School.
