GESS students have over 110 CCAs to choose from, ranging from various sporting and artistic disciplines to social activities and natural sciences that reflect the school’s diversity of talents and ideas. Have you ever wondered who made these CCAs possible? We speak with the team behind it.
Introduce yourselves, and how long you have been at GESS.
[ Atika ]
I’m Atika and I’ve been working in GESS since 2022. I collaborate closely with my colleague Imke, in planning, organising and administering the school’s CCA Programme. Additionally, I oversee the Holiday Camps within GESS, under the guidance of Melanie Simon, Head of Operations.
[ Imke ]
I am Imke and I started working for GESS in August 2023. I oversee the CCA Programme. My responsibility revolves around providing a diverse array of CCA programmes for all students, while collaborating closely with both the Sports Team and Music Team.
What is a typical day in your job like?
We make sure the CCA Programme runs smoothly every day. If a student misses a session, we tell the instructor right away. If an instructor can’t come due to illness, we find someone else. We help families sign up for CCAs and assist students who have trouble finding their activity or feel uneasy during sessions. We always look for ways to improve, including working with new providers who meet our high standards.
What are your favourite moments at work? And things you find challenging – including how you have overcome them?
[ Atika ]
Allocating a CCA to a student is comparable to discovering the right puzzle piece. Although it requires careful consideration to determine the best fit, the reward lies in observing their delight and growth as they immerse themselves in the selected activity. This brings me profound satisfaction.
[ Imke ]
At the onset of each semester, witnessing the alignment of students with their respective CCAs is highly rewarding. Seeing their smiles during these activities is the ultimate goal I strive for. However, a significant challenge arises when a CCA provider fails to meet our expected teaching standards, necessitating swift action. Through collaborative efforts with our entire GESS team and dedicated CCA instructors, we successfully navigate such challenges, ensuring optimal solutions for our students. This achievement underscores the indispensable role of teamwork in our endeavours.
In your time at GESS, what are the differences you have helped make possible?
One of our significant achievements this academic year was expanding the CCA offerings by 20%, along with achieving 85% participation of primary students in our CCA programme.
Furthermore, we have enhanced the dissemination of CCA information and overview. This improvement allows for easier access to information for parents, students, and instructors, providing them with a comprehensive overview in a more efficient and streamlined manner.
What are other changes or improvements your team has made?
Our primary objective is to cater to the students’ needs and minimise waitlists. Through our CCAs, students have the opportunity to explore new activities, hone their skills, and enjoy themselves. With a student-centric approach, we continually assess the limitations of our programme and strategise ways to address them effectively.
To expand our Sports CCAs, we’ve made the decision to introduce off-campus options beginning next academic year, utilising purpose-built facilities such as tennis courts.
Finally, tell us what are your personal interests in your leisure time?
[ Atika ]
Watching horror movies, hiking while exploring abandoned places and enjoying a beach getaway.
[ Imke ]
Vacations, baking and coffee!
