Parent Support
As a community focused school, GESS offers a variety of programmes and services to support our families. Please also view the Help for students page to find out about the services and programmes available for your child.
Parent Portal
Help for Parents
Parent Committee
Parent Committee
The Parents' Committee is an important link between GESS parents and the school. The Committee conveys the views and interests of the parent community to the School Management and the Board of Governors, promotes collaboration throughout all sections of the school and upholds and enhances the GESS Community Spirit. You can contact the Parents' Committee via email Parents.Committee@gess.sg.
Buddies Committee
Buddies Committee
The Buddies Committee helps new families with settling into life in Singapore and GESS. Our Parent Buddies are GESS parent volunteers who can answer your questions about living in Singapore as well as organising new family social events. You can contact the Buddies Committee by email at buddies@gess.sg.
For our new students in Primary and Secondary, another boy or girl will be assigned as your child’s Student Buddy.
Parent Representative
Parent Representative
Each class at GESS has a nominated Parent Representative who is the link between parents and the school. Parent representatives are elected by the parents once a year. You can contact the Parent Representative if you need any help or support with school problems.
Community Club
Community Club
The Community Club is designed to bring parents, staff members and students closer together and to meet people who share the same interests, be it in sports, current affairs or just about anything. To contact the group leaders or coaches, or to ask a question, you can contact communityclub@gess.sg
Homeroom teacher
Homeroom teacher
The student’s Homeroom teacher is the main point of contact for academic and class questions. The Homeroom teacher’s contact information will be shared with parents before the start of the new school year, once the class is allocated.
School Services
School Services
The School Services department is the main point of contact for parents regarding all administrative questions and requests. Parents should also contact School Services if their child is not feeling well and cannot come to school. School Services can be reached at +65 6469 0801 or via email at school@gess.sg.
Changes in address, contact details or other personal information such as renewed passport/immigration pass can be updated online via Myinfo.
Office Hours:
- Monday - Friday: 8 am - 5 pm
- Monday - Friday: 9 am - 4 pm (School Holidays)
Communication / Portals Guide
Communication / Portals Guide
GESS Engage
GESS Engage is an app that is used for parent and school communication. You can see your child’s timetable, attendance, school reports, school news and contact your teacher all in one app. It is accessible via the app or desktop: https://engage.gess.sg/
User Guides: Desktop / Mobile App
GESS Myinfo
Use the portal GESS Myinfo, if you want to update your basic profile information (name, phone number, email address, postal address) or to top up your child’s student ID card. You can access the portal via this link: https://myinfo.gess.sg/
managebac
Managebac is a Learning Management System used exclusively by our IB Secondary students and their parents to view in class information such as assignments and class materials. You can access the portal via this link: https://gess.managebac.com/login
PARENT PORTAL
All forms, policies and useful information for parents are available online in the Parent Portal. You do not need a username or password to access the Parent Portal. Please visit: www.gess.sg/en/parent-portal
SCHOOLSBUDDY (New CCA Portal)
SchoolsBuddy is where you register your child for our after-school programmes. On this site you can register your child for:
- After-school activities (CCA)
- Senior Sports Programme
- After-school language programme for Primary (LEP)
- Afternoon programme for German primary students (ENP)
Please visit: https://gess.schoolsbuddy.net/
SEESAW
Seesaw is an app used by our Preschool and European Section Primary School. You can see information about your child’s learning, classroom activities, photos, videos and project work. The app provides a window into your child’s school life and can be shared with family members. Each class has their own log in details for SeeSaw and you will be sent the QR code to register for your account.
SPORTS PORTAL
Find all the latest news about our sport teams like for example match reports, fixtures & results, photo & videos as well as the sport calendar here in the Sports Portal: http://sports.gess.sg/
First Aid
First Aid
The GESS First Aid team supports our students with all their healthcare needs. There are three state of the art First Aid rooms located in Preschool, Education block and Sports block. There is always a qualified nurse on campus during school hours, including during after-school activities.
Please feel free to contact the First Aid Department via firstaid@gess.sg.
OPENING HOURS & LOCATION
| Location | Opening hours | Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Office: | Room H201 | 7.30 am – 4.30 pm | +65 646 10 807 |
| Pre-School: | Room C110 | 7.30 am – 3.00 pm | +65 646 10 897 |
| Sportshall: | Room K201 in Sports Block | 8.00 am – 6.00 pm | +65 646 14 619 |
Lost & Found
Lost & Found
LOST & FOUND
Any general items found will be left in the Lost and Found area outside the School Shop. All the lost items will be disposed on the last Friday of each month, or on the last day before school holidays. If students are missing something that is more valuable, they can also check with the Parent Service Centre in B201.
LOST ID CARD
If the GESS identification card is lost, please report immediately to School Services at school@gess.sg. The card holder bears the replacement cost of SG$30 for lost and/or damaged cards. The costs for the new ID Card can be paid at the School Shop or at the Parent Service Centre.
Events & Calendar
Events & Calendar
PARENT EVENTS
There are different events for parents at GESS that enable parents to get informed, become an active part of the GESS community and make friends with other parents.
Please check the school calendar below for more information on upcoming parent events.
JOIN THE EVENTS TEAM
The Events Team plays a major role in strengthening the GESS spirit, as well as, supporting school projects and adopted charities. Each year, the Events Team organises two major events to bring the school community together: Christmas Bazaar and International Summer Party. If you would like to get involved, please contact the Events Team at eventsteam@gess.sg.
Calendar
The GESS school year starts in August and ends in June. Find below the dates of the semesters, school breaks and public holidays for 2020/21.
| School Semester / Holidays | Dates |
|---|---|
| Semester 1 | 17 August 2020 to 22 January 2021 |
| Semester 2 | 25 January 2021 to 24 June 2021 |
| Mid-term break | 12 to 18 October 2020 |
| End of year holiday | 18 December 2020 to 10 January 2021 |
| Chinese New Year break | 12 to 21 February 2021 |
| Mid-term break | 5 to 18 April 2021 |
| Summer break | 25 June to 15 August 2021 |
| Public Holidays | Dates |
|---|---|
| Deepavali | 14 November 2020 |
| Chinese New Year | 12 February 2021 |
| Good Friday | 02 April 2021 |
| Labour Day | 01 May 2021 |
| Hari Raya Puasa | 13 May 2021 |
| Vesak Day | 26 May 2021 |
School Bus
School Bus
If you would like your child to take the school bus, please contact the School Bus office and then complete the bus registration form.
GESS offers a door-to-door school bus service for students in Kindergarten to grade 12, from most areas of west and central Singapore and a shuttle bus service from the East Coast and Sentosa.
School bus fees are calculated by distance and are invoiced for each semester. The fees include the after-school bus at 16:30.
For route timings and availability, please check with the School bus office:
Email: bus@gess.sg
Phone: +65 6461 0873
Canteen
Canteen
Lunch is included in the school fees for Preschool students. For Primary and Secondary a range of hot and cold meal options is available in the main canteen. Meals cost 5-6 SGD and students pay at the canteen using their student ID card. Your child may also bring their own lunch from home.
If your child has dietary restrictions or allergies, please let your homeroom teacher know.
School Material
School Material
School materials and workbooks can be purchased in the School Shop. Please find here the full school shop price list.
Click the link below to find the workbooks, schoolbooks, reading lists and school materials lists.
School Shop
School Shop
School uniforms and school materials (including workbooks / textbooks) can be purchased in our school shop. The school shop is located at H224 next to the VIP office and near the canteen area. Please note that visiting the school shop is by appointment only. You must book a date and time via MyInfo (see below the video tutorial) or contact the school shop.
Email: shop@gess.sg
Phone: +65 6461 0880
Location: H224
Opening Hours:
- Monday - Friday: 7.30 am - 3.30 pm
- Monday - Friday: 9 am - 1 pm (School Holidays)
Invoicing & Payment
Invoicing & Payment
School fees invoices
School fee invoices are sent twice a year by email for each semester. 50% of the annual tuition fees and development levy will be invoiced in each semester. You can find information about the school fees here.
For payment methods available and information on GIRO monthly payments, please visit the payment methods page.
If you have any questions about school fee invoices, payment options or to change who the invoice is sent to, please contact our Accounts department.
Email: accounting@gess.sg
Phone: +65 6461 0838
Student contract
Student contract
Student contract
All families must sign an annual student contract for their child. The contract is sent electronically in April and must be signed within 14 days.
Withdrawing your child
Withdrawing your child
There are two withdrawal deadlines each academic year:
- 15 October for leaving at the end of semester 1
- 31 March for leaving at the end of semester 2
To withdraw your child from GESS, you must complete the online withdrawal form by the deadline or the next semester’s fees may be due. Notifications by email, phone call or note to teacher will not be accepted. There is no proration of school fee invoices for students leaving partway through the semester.
By the last day of school, the Student Release form must be completed and signed by the Library, IT and Accounts department. Please make sure you return all books and materials to the school and handover your child’s student ID card and parent ID card to the Accounts department. You can keep your parent ID card if you have another child still enrolled at GESS.
For school reports, confirmation letters, entry test invigilation or teacher recommendation letters, please contact School Services.
Email: school@gess.sg
Phone: +65 6469 1131
Complaint Management
Complaint Management
Conflicts and complaints are not unusual in the day-to-day operations of a school. Sometimes they are the result of misunderstandings and sometimes they are due to human error. With the following rules, GESS wants to support all members of the school family by providing constructive guidelines to handle conflicts and complaints in accordance with our School Vision and Mission that stand for openness, honesty and mutual respect.
In the first instance, please speak to the relevant department or member of staff. You can also submit a feedback form.
School Association
School Association
The GESS Association is a private body whose main purpose is to maintain and enhance the interests of GESS. It is a ‘not-for-profit’ society. This means that every cent is re-invested into your child’s education. The Association is registered in Singapore and runs and operates the school. The members of the Association are, for the most part, parents of our students.
FAQ - Frequently asked questions
FAQ - Frequently asked questions
1) My child has lost their student ID card
Please complete this form immediately and the student ID card will be blocked. A replacement card will need to be purchased for 30 SGD and any unused credit will be automatically transferred to the new card.
2) I am not receiving emails from my child's teacher or I cannot access a GESS portal / account
Please check your spam / junk email folder first. If you still have problems, please contact our IT Support department by submitting a support ticket.
3) How do I add money to my child's student ID card?
Students in Preschool do not use the Student ID card. For primary and secondary students, please login to your MyInfo account and top up your child's account using a debit or credit card.
4) How do I sign up my child for after-school activities?
For sports and non-sports CCAs (after-school programme), please sign into the SchoolsBuddy portal to register for after-school programmes. If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact the CCA team.
Email: cca@gess.sg
Phone: +65 64610879
For private music or singing lessons (VIP), please visit the VIP page for more information and the registration form.
5) My child has food allergies or dietary requirements. Who should I inform?
Please inform your child's homeroom teacher and also the First Aid team for food allergies.
Email: firstaid@gess.sg
Phone: +65 64610807
6) How do I update my address, phone number or email address?
It is very important to update GESS with your latest contact information. Please login to your MyInfo account and update your contact information.
7) My child has a new passport or immigration pass. What should I do?
Please update your child's details in MyInfo and securely upload a digital copy of the new passport photo page or immigration card.
8) Who is my child's teacher(s)?
If you are not sure who your child's homeroom or subject teacher is, please contact School Services.
Email: school@gess.sg
Phone: +65 6461 0801
9) Where can I find my child's timetable?
Please contact School Services for a copy of your child's timetable.
Email: school@gess.sg
Phone: +65 6461 0801
10) I have feedback or a complaint
In the first instance, please speak to the relevant department or member of staff. You can also submit a feedback form.
GESS has a complaint management policy which explains how we manage feedback from our community.
11) What are the deadlines for withdrawing my child from GESS?
The deadlines for submitting the withdrawal form are:
- 15 October for leaving in semester 1
- 31 March if your child will not be attending GESS for the next academic year
Only notifications submitted via the withdrawal form will be accepted.
Please note that there is no pro-rating of school fees for students leaving partway through a semester.
12) I have not received the school fee invoice or I have questions about an invoice
Please contact the Accounts department for questions about school fee invoices or to change who the school fee invoice is sent to.
Email: accounting@gess.sg
Phone: +65 64610838
13) I would like my child to change curriculum or study option. What should I do?
Requests to change curriculum or language stream in Preschool must be submitted by 31 March. Please discuss the change with your child's homeroom teacher and then complete this form to make an official request.
Preschool students changing from 3 half-days and 2 full-days to 5 full-days, need to submit the form no later than:
- 30 September for semester 1
- 31 March for semester 2
14) I need a school confirmation letter or a letter for a visa application
Our School Services department can send you a school confirmation letter. Please complete the Letter request form with the required information. If you have any questions, please contact School Services.
Email: school@gess.sg
Phone: +65 6461 0801
15) Can I park on campus?
There is no parking available on campus for parents. For more information on campus entry gates and drop off / pick up times, please read this page.
