June 2024 marks the end of Mr Stefan Pauli’s role as Principal of GESS. His decision to leave was not easy and came earlier than he planned. We chat with Mr Pauli on his thoughts about his chapter at GESS, and what’s next for him.
How would you define your years in GESS, having served as Principal since 2021?
My time at GESS has been the most impressive and challenging time in my working life as a principal, and I am very grateful to everyone involved. I started out in the COVID era as the principal of a school I had never seen in person before, and to work with staff I knew only from online meetings. But very quickly, I realised GESS is an excellent school, where all employees give their best in all areas and are willing to go the ‘extra mile’.
Unfortunately, I was only Head of School at GESS for three years, but we experienced many highlights together. In my very first year, we celebrated GESS’ 50th birthday, successfully passed the federal and state inspections and achieved CIS accreditation. A milestone of my time at GESS was certainly being awarded the German School Prize in Berlin in 2022. In terms of teaching development, I believe we have made great progress in the last two years. All teachers, from preschool to high school, are involved in further training as part of the Visible Learning initiative. The development of a new 5-year strategic implementation plan named ‘Limitless Learning’ has also made it clear that GESS is more than just a German school abroad. GESS is a community made up of many committed people, students, parents, teachers, staff and all stakeholders, including a very committed Board of Governors. I am also very pleased with the development of our BeyondClassrooms programme. We have now created a wide range of opportunities for our students to gain practical experience.
In the essence of Limitless Learning, what do you feel are your best learning from GESS?
GESS to me is so much more than a school. GESS is a community made up of all stakeholders. The development of the new 5-year strategic implementation plan was a long process, but we have successfully tried to involve and include all stakeholders. The role of the Executive Board, which has always played a supporting role in strategic planning in the background and ultimately providing the financial resources, should also be emphasized here.
At the same time, he celebrated achievements of our students, big and small.
What would be the 3 things you miss most about leaving GESS? What are your best 3 takeaways from GESS?
What I will definitely miss: my colleagues, my pupils and the commitment of all the staff.
What I will take away from my time at GESS: it’s not easy, but I will definitely take away the fact that school development is possible if you work with a great, motivated team. I will also remember that I once won the German School Award with the school I was principal at, and that I was part of a taskforce that has an excellent development ahead of it over the next five years.
What do you anticipate in your next career chapter?
I’m going to be the principal of an industrial vocational school in the tranquil town of Freudenstadt in the northern Black Forest, back in Germany. It’s just as green there as it is in Singapore, but everything else will be different. I will have to adjust to a completely new life and I will have the often described “laughing and crying eyes”. I am looking forward to the new challenge, but I will leave GESS with two crying eyes.
Lastly, what are your wishes for GESS and our community?
Please all remain as committed as ever for the benefit of our students!
