While our Danish community may be small in the overall GESS population of more than 70 nationalities, it does not deter the group from making their presence felt at some rather significant events, such as being invited to perform at Gardens by the Bay’s 10th Anniversary celebrations. We speak with teacher Sadaf Safraz, on what our Danish-speaking students have been up to at GESS.
Hi Sadaf, tell us about yourself, how long you have been at GESS, and what do you do here?
Hi, I’m Sadaf Samreen Sarfraz! If I have to pick two words to describe my motivation in life, they’d be change and challenge.
I grew up in Copenhagen, Denmark, and after completing my Bachelor’s in Education with a focus on Danish, Art, Religion, and English as an Additional Language, I started my career as a teacher and project manager at a school right in the heart of Copenhagen.
I was fortunate to work at an amazing school where my colleagues were incredibly passionate about making a positive impact on society and involving the community in school life. As a project manager, I had the opportunity to develop and implement a parent education programme aimed at engaging families in their children’s academic journeys. It was so fulfilling to see the project grow and witness the tangible impact it had.
Over the 12 years I spent there, I found myself drawn more and more to leadership roles. I was given multiple opportunities to lead new initiatives, challenge the status quo, and push boundaries. One of the projects I’m most proud of was overhauling the school lunch programme. As someone with a passion for healthy living, I led the creation of a new lunch programme that focused on nutritious food, social bonding and sustainability. We even built a brand-new kitchen and café for the secondary students to hang out at, and they had the chance to cook healthy meals with the help of a professional chef.
In addition to this, I served as a coordinator for Danish, secondary education, conflict management programmes, and was part of a think tank that brainstormed and implemented fresh, exciting ideas for the school.
In 2014, I was offered a chance to pursue a Diploma in Head of School. As I began to explore leadership opportunities, I came across a position at GESS in Singapore, with a chance to build and grow the Danish Mother Tongue programme. The adventure of moving to a completely new country, combined with the professional challenge, was too exciting to pass up. So, I made the leap — and haven’t looked back since.
I’ve now been at GESS for almost 9 years, and the experience continues to be incredibly rewarding. I started as a full-time Danish Mother Tongue teacher, and over the years, I’ve taken on additional responsibilities, including my current role as a Visible Learning Coach. It’s been an exciting journey, and I’m thrilled to continue growing and contributing to the school community here in Singapore.
How big is our Danish/speaking student community at GESS now?
I believe the majority of Danish-speaking students in Singapore are at GESS. Currently, there are approximately 70 students in our community.
students and had a great exchange activity over reading and chatting in Danish.
Despite being a small group, we know that the Danish/speaking students have been in the limelight at some rather important occasions. Such as our Danish choir being invited to perform at Gardens by the Bay on more than one occasion. How did such opportunities come about and why do you feel it is important for our students to be involved?
Music and singing hold a special place in my heart. In Denmark, singing together is such an important part of our culture, and some of my fondest memories from childhood revolve around joining in on community songs. So, when the opportunity to bring that spirit to GESS students came along, I was all in! Before we even began performing at Gardens by the Bay (GBTB), I organised a small “Santa Lucia” performance at our old campus, which was a beautiful way to share a piece of Danish tradition with our school community.
As for the GBTB performances, the connection started through a chance encounter with Dorte Vizard, Danish Ambassador to Singapore at the time. I got to know her quite well, and one day I was invited to a social gathering, where I met their Head of Communications. We hit it off instantly, and we started brainstorming ways to collaborate.
One idea that emerged was to have our students perform. With Christmas being such an emotional time for many – especially for those feeling a bit homesick – singing traditional Danish carols seemed like the perfect way to bring that Danish warmth to the community. The Royal Danish Embassy had partnered with GBTB to launch an exhibition called “Nordic Christmas,” where each Scandinavian embassy contributed something unique to represent their country’s traditions. The Embassy asked if I would like our students to open the exhibition by performing Christmas songs, and I was absolutely delighted.
That was back in 2019, and since then, our students have been invited to perform annually at GBTB. This opportunity isn’t only a wonderful way to showcase the talents of our Danish-speaking students, but it also helps build bridges with the larger community, giving our students a chance to shine on a larger stage.
I truly believe it’s important for our students to be involved in these events. It gives them a sense of pride in their culture, helps them build confidence, and provides them with a meaningful connection to the broader world. Plus, it’s just great fun for them to share something like this with one another!
GESS celebrates diversity and so many different cultural festivities. What are the iconic Danish events celebrated at GESS and how do our Danish students get involved? How do you feel the Danish spirit is kept alive at GESS?
Over the years, I’ve been fortunate enough to highlight and share many key aspects of Danish culture with our students here at GESS. One of the most beloved celebrations, of course, is Christmas. It’s the heart of Danish culture, and celebrating it with our community is always a special experience. While it can be a bit of a challenge to pull off events year after year, especially with all the excitement and activities around it, I’ve managed to organise the GBTB performance every year. It’s a highlight for both the students and the audience!
But Christmas is far from the only Danish tradition we celebrate at GESS. We have previously brought the Danish spirit to life through events like Fastelavn, a traditional Danish carnival, and Santa Lucia, which is a beautiful and meaningful celebration of light during the dark winter months. And let’s not forget the world-famous Royal Copenhagen pottery, which we’ve explored with our students, connecting Danish craftsmanship to the broader cultural heritage.
Beyond the festivities, we’ve visited the Danish Embassy and the Danish Seaman’s Church in Singapore, where students had the chance to immerse themselves in the local Danish community, participate in welcoming events, and build strong connections to their roots.
At GESS, the Danish spirit is kept alive through a combination of cultural events, performances, and meaningful connections to our traditions. It’s not just about celebrating these occasions, but about embedding a sense of pride and belonging in our students. They’re not only exposed to the traditions but also actively involved in them, enabling them to take ownership of their cultural identity and share it with others. It’s this hands-on approach that really helps preserve and pass on the true Danish spirit.
What is your favourite part of the Danish culture? What is the one Danish thing you’ll recommend to non-Danish at GESS?
Culture is a vast concept and there’s so much I love and miss about Danish culture. One example is the Danish straightforwardness. There’s something refreshing about people being direct and honest, no beating around the bush. It’s all about clarity and openness.
I also appreciate that we don’t take ourselves too seriously. There’s a beautiful sense of humility and humour in everyday life, which makes everything feel more laidback and real. Then, of course, there’s the deeply rooted respect for work-life balance which is so ingrained in the culture. People prioritise family, personal time, and enjoying life outside of work.
And the seasons! The very long, bright summer days and the cozy, dark winter months with their own kind of magic. The crisp, cool air in between makes it feel like a perfect balance of nature. Oh, and the dairy products! Danish cheese, butter, and yogurt — everything tastes just a little bit better there. Definitely a treat that anyone visiting should try!
If I have to recommend one quintessential Danish experience to anyone at GESS, I’d say embrace Hygge. Whether it’s a cozy cafe, a nice stroll, or sharing time with friends, the art of finding comfort in simplicity is something everyone should experience.
