N e w s l e t t e r No. 1 Academic Year 2010/2011 Nairobi, 8 th of September 2010 Dear Parents, friends and students of the German School Nairobi Welcome – Karibu to the new academic year . The School Management, teachers, and all members of the administration staff join me in greeting you. And a special welcome to our new students and parents, as well as to our new members of staff. We are looking forward to a new academic year. Healthy optimism, mutual trust, positive thinking, transparent communication, and openness to criticism, in addition to a certain amount of composure and tolerance of frustrations should be the motto of the coming year! He who knows nothing and knows not that he knows nothing, is a fool – shun him. He who knows nothing and knows he knows nothing, is modest – teach him. He who knows something and knows not that he knows something is asleep – wake him. He who knows something and knows that he knows something is wise – follow him. Socrates Our new students and teachers. Deutsche Schule Nairobi German School Nairobi P.O. Box 978 00621 Nairobi, Kenya Telefon: (+254-20) 7120 192 (+254-20) 7120 371 (+254-20) 7121 400 mobile telephone: 0733-445685 0721-258417 Fax: (+254-20) 7120 236 e-mail: [email protected]Internet: www.dsnairobi.de Hallo Guido mit Familie, vielen Dank für Deine lieben Zeilen aus Übersee. Es freut uns, dass es Euch allen soweit gut geht. Mit einem bayrisch grantelnden Vater ist es manchmal nicht so einfach, ich kann mitfühlen, mein Vater (Wandinger) ist auch nicht anders.
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N e w s l e t t e r No. 1 Academic Year 2010/2011 Nairobi, 8th of September 2010
Dear Parents, friends and students of the German School Nairobi
Welcome – Karibu to the new academic year .The School Management, teachers, and all members of the administration staff join me in greeting you. And a special welcome to our new students and parents, as well as to our new members of staff.
We are looking forward to a new academic year. Healthy optimism, mutual trust, positive thinking, transparent communication, and openness to criticism, in addition to a certain amount of composure and tolerance of frustrations should be the motto of the coming year!
He who knows nothing and knows not that he knows nothing, is a fool – shun him.He who knows nothing and knows he knows nothing, is modest – teach him.He who knows something and knows not that he knows something is asleep – wake him.He who knows something and knows that he knows something is wise – follow him.
Hallo Guido mit Familie, vielen Dank für Deine lieben Zeilen aus Übersee. Es freut uns, dass es Euch allen soweit gut geht. Mit einem bayrisch grantelnden Vater ist es manchmal nicht so einfach, ich kann mitfühlen, mein Vater (Wandinger) ist auch nicht anders.
Boarding:There are currently 3 girls from the school, 4 boys and girls from neighbouring international schools and 7 apprentices at the Boarding House. The facility is thus being well utilized.
Looking Back
Hello Germany – July 2010I was surely not the only one who was waiting the return of “our Kenyans” with mixed feelings of curiosity and worry! After long planning and preparation, everything was finally ready, and the conditions for the trip to Germany for our boys and girls from Classes 5- 9 seemed almost too ideal: Heiko Sehrig had managed to find a host family for each child. It was agreed with the Friedrich-Hecker Gymnasium in Radolfzell that the children could attend their school. Heiko would pick them up from Zurich, and the Bodensee and its beautiful environment was waiting to be discovered by the students. Everyone in Germany was looking forward to welcome them. Still, something unpredictable can always happen. Harman our youngest student was only ten years old; one or the other of the students had never been in a plane before…
But our worries were unfounded: based on the students own comments and the extremely positive feedback we got from the parents, our fifteen students had, without exception, a happy and interesting holiday, perhaps even an unforgettable time in Radolfzell am Bodensee. The three weeks were packed with school and private activities: school excursion to Technorama Science Centre in Switzerland, meeting the Mayor of Radolfzell in the town hall of the city (evidenced by a group photo in
the local press!), boat trips, barbecues, swimming and cycling, excursions to nearby and not so nearby areas. The photos of the Castle Neuschwannstein , as well as the Folk Festival in Radolfzell will be kept forever, as will the memories of the perpetual ice in the Swiss mountains – a five hour mountain climb is perhaps not every young man’s ideal way of celebrating a 15th
birthday. But then, when you see the breathtaking view of snow and ice for the first time in your life, isn’t this quite cool?
Naturally new friendships were formed, and last but not least, a lot of German was spoken. In fact, upon request now, a few can even imitate the Swabian dialect!(R. v. Dessauer)
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First school day, Class 114 children in Class 1 were warmly welcomed on their first day to school, not only by the Class Teacher, the Headmaster and the parents, but for the first time also by their “mentors” from Class 6. The role of these older students is to assist the “little ones” to find their way around school.Children from Class 2 presented a befitting and highly entertaining play – they presented dwarves and bunnies, finally ready to learn their numbers and alphabet. Ms. Pichler, the Class Teacher of Class 2 successfully managed to put together the play in the very short time after the beginning of the semester. Musical entertainment was provided by the Class 3 Choir, under the guidance of Mr. Semjank.
After this celebration in the Sports Hall, parents of the little ones met in the Cafeteria, while the children themselves had their first lesson with the Class Teacher, Mr. Matthias Haße. Finally, the children released balloons in the air, which carried the best wishes of their parents into the Nairobi skies….
Kindergarten
Construction Work in the KindergartenThe first part of the Kindergarten project has now been completed. The toilets, kitchen and storage room have been demolished, a new wall has been built, the playground equipment has been stored away and temporary toilets have been built (more economic than portable toilets). A lot of hard work was involved in removing the cables and tree stumps along the hedge, in preparation for the new construction, which will hopefully start in the next 2 weeks.
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Pictures of the progress of these works, starting from the first hammer stroke, can be found on our website.
Security Statements
To all pupils, parents, teachers, staff and visitors of the DSN
⇒ We are having a construction site on the grounds of the Kindergarten!⇒ It is strictly forbidden for anyone to enter the building site!⇒ Trucks will be using the Boarding House entrance and drive over the running track to the site!⇒ Therefore we strongly advise the use of the other left half of the sports field during break
times, or on the way to the Boarding House and after school acitivities!⇒ The contractor will try to deliver mostly in the afternoons!⇒ Places used to store building materials are no places to play! These areas will be clearly
marked!
Together we can achieve to build the new kindergarten in a safe and accident free way!Please find attached the security draft of the school compound.
Sports News
Football – League (Boys under 19)The sporting year at the German School Nairobi begins with the football league matches. Our under 19 team has a total of 7 matches to play, with three games “at home”. These will be played on the football pitch of the Kenya Teachers Training College (KTTC – near UN compound). All games start at 4.00.p.m.
1Wednesday 08.09.10
Rosslyn German School awayfriendly
2Wednesday 15.09.10
German School ISK home KTTC
3Monday20.09.10
Strathmore German School away
4Wednesday 23.09.10
Rosslyn German School away
5Tuesday28.09.10
Premier German School away
6Friday08.10.10
Braeburn German School away
7Wednesday27.10.10
German School Aga Khan home KTTC
8Tuesday09.11.10
German School Oshwal home KTTC
Other age groupsU14 Wednesday
22.09.10German School Strathmore Home
(friendly)
U14 Wednesday 06.10.10, 3.30 p.m.
German School ISK home
U13 Saturday30.10.10
Strathmore German School away
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New Football shirts for the Primary School Football TeamThe Sports Department, as well as the School Management would like to sincerely thank the Company Panocal (Wekesa Family), who have sponsored 15 football shirts for the Primary School Team in the design of the German National Team, with the words, “German School” printed on them.
Swimming pool, Tennis and Adult sports The swimming pool is not only available to our students, but to all parents and employees of the school during times when there are no lessons or extra-curricular activities taking place. An additional fee is applicable for this. If you are interested, please contact Virginia Gachku or Rachel Muchira at the reception. The times when the pool is being used for the students from Monday – Friday has been posted on the notice board. On Saturday and Sunday, the pool may be used at any time.You also have the opportunity of using the tennis courts at the German School Nairobi. Further information can be obtained from Ms. Night Kagoni, or by e-mail from [email protected] cordially invite you to join us in our sports activities for adults. At the moment, we offer the following activities:Monday, 6.00 p.m. – 7.00 p.m.: Back training, gymnastics roomTuesday, 7.00 p.m. – 8.30 p.m.: Volleyball, sports hallWednesday, 6.30 p.m. – 8.00p.m.: Badminton, sports hallThursday, 6.00 p.m. – 7.00 p.m.: Super fit sundowner: general workout, sports hallSaturday, 8.30 a.m. – 10.00 a.m., Badminton, sports hallPlease feel free to come and test a class. If you then want to sign up for a course, you can buy a membership card at the school’s reception.
Inspection of the German School Nairobi (BLI)
The BLI Inspection will be carried out at the German School Nairobi from the 8th of November to the 12th of November. The aim of the inspection is to assure and develop quality in the school, and will be an important milestone in the development of our school. We would thus like to welcome you to the “Information Evening on the BLI”. During this presentation, we will give you more precise information on the BLI, and how it will be carried out our the school.The information evening will take place on:
28th September 2010 at 5.00 p.m. in the small gymIn order to keep the time factor as brief as possible, we have scheduled the information evening one hour before the Annual General Meeting, so that you only need to come to the school once. Should you be unable to make it to the school on this day, you are welcome to attend the same event for the students, which will take place on
27th September 2010 at 12.00 noon in the sports hall.If you would like to find out more information on the BLI, please visit our website (www.dsnairobi.de/Schule/Schulentwicklung), where you can download an information brochure on the BLI.(H. Mink)
The “old” SER met for the last time on the 31st of August 2010, in order to briefly review the events of the last year, and to put together a dossier of duties for the incoming SER, which will be elected on the 23rd of September 2010. Information, both on the goals of the SER, as well as their activities is available on the school website.
Especially for the “new” parents, we would like to look back to the following activities:
- Social learning based on the Lions Quest Programme will become an integral part of teaching in Classes 5 – 8.
- The Board members and members of the SER agreed that married couples can be elected to both the Board and the SER, if 2/3 of the parent representatives vote for them in a secret ballot.
- 15 Kenyan Scholarship students flew to Germany on the 6th of August 2010. Two of them, who did not have sufficient financial means were supported with donations from parents and teachers.
- Communication between parents and teachers has been improved through the introduction of one Parents’ Day per semester, fixed consultation times with teachers, as well as a homework / information diary.
- All meetings will be henceforth carried out bilingually.- One parent representative of the Parallel Programme students is permanently co-opted into
the SER.- The students have been busy participating in sporting competitions, and the German School
Nairobi is having more and more success, e.g. in Swimming and Football- We look back fondly on two very successful events during this academic year – the 40th
Anniversary in October 2009 and the Fashion, Food & Fun-Party in April 2010.
And a quick look ahead at forthcoming events:
September Parents‘ Evenings- 23.09.2010 Parents‘ Council Meeting- 28.09.2010 5.00 p.m.: Information on BLI for all parents
6.00 p.m.: Annual General Meeting - Assistance in the preparation of a Swimming Gala in October, assistance in
preparation of the BLI (8th – 12th November 2010), ideas for the development of Parents’ Evenings, active participation in the cultural exchange programme, updating of the “Yellow Pages”, organization of a Fun-Food evening in the second semester, as just a few examples.
Yours sincerely,
SER(E. Tenambergen)
Board
Dear Members of the German School NairobiWe, the Board members, hope that you were all able to enjoy the summer holidays, and have had a good start to the new academic year. We warmly welcome the new members to the German School, and wish them a good start too.You must have noticed that a lot of renovation work has been carried out at the school during the holidays. We now have a renovated Science Room, freshly painted walls, new tiles, but to mention a few things. The Kindergarten project has also been started, and we are pleased with the progress so far. You can up-to-date information on the intranet on the school website. (www.dsnairobi.de/Intranet). If you have either forgotten or not received the login details, please get them from the reception.
Looking for new Board MembersAs we have already mentioned in the Year Book for last year, participation in the Board is mostly “painless”. I would like to request any school society members who would like to become a Board Member to either send me a brief e-mail, describing themselves (if possible in English and German), or leave the same at the reception. These will then be made available to all society members at the AGM on the 28th of September. If you have any questions regarding what Board work entails, please do not hesitate to contact me ([email protected])And finally, a few lines on communication: every so often we have questions on who can ask whom for clarification, and when etc. In this age of e-mail, we copy several people into our mails, often when some of the recipients have nothing to do with the controversial issue of the mail. One word or an e-mail makes its rounds, and soon we have a mountain out of a mole hill! My personal request to all of you is to directly deal with the person concerned at the time of the issue, regardless of whether these are teachers, parents, students, colleagues, school management or administration. If the problem is still not solved to your expectation, and you need to speak to someone else, please consult the next person- in- charge. In this way, in my opinion, we can solve problems faster and more professionally.
On this note, I would like to wish all of you a great and successful academic year 2010 / 2011.
Thomas ItenBoard Chairperson
From the School Nurse
Head-lice are a recurring problem. Teachers could probably write a song about it! In particular, children of Kindergarten and Primary School age – and their families – are plagued by this problem, especially during colder seasons.There is, however, a small solace: even though fighting against head-lice is a complete nuisance, they are not dangerous, as they do not transmit disease. Nor is it a sign of lack of hygiene in families, as they can really strike anyone and everyone!On our website (www.dsnairobi.de) you can find more detailed information on how you can detect head-lice yourselves, and how you can deal with them quickly. You can also get this information directly from me, or collect a copy from the reception. It would be of enormous assistance to us, if you could regularly check your children’s hair for head-lice, so that they can be dealt with promptly if necessary.
I wish all parents and students a pleasant and lice-free start to the year!
Ron Kirsch
Other Information
Year Books:The School Year Books from the last academic year are still available for sale at the reception for 1000/= Ksh/
Sticker für Ihr Auto You can collect your car sticker for the academic year 2010/2011 immediately from Rachel Muchiru at the reception. Please give us your number plate details and place the sticker where it is clearly visible on your car wind screen. For security reasons, you will only be allowed to access the school compound with your car, if you display this sticker. We thank you for your co-operation.
Cafeteria The Kindergarten children eat at the Cafeteria from Monday to Friday at 12.00 noon. The price per meal is 220 KSh. The registered Primary School children eat at the Cafeteria from Monday to Thursday at 1.10 p.m. The price per meal is 270 KSh. Children who have not been registered for meals in the Kindergarten or the Primary School, but wish to eat in the cafeteria on a particular day are requested to fill in their name on the list in the Cafeteria at least one day in advance by 1.00 p.m. You may also request to have lunch in the cafeteria on a particular day each week. The kitchen needs to know the exact number of people who will be having lunch in school, in order to prepare enough food.Price per meal for students (classes 5 - 12): 270Ksh; card for ten meals: 2500KshPrice for meal for adults: 370Kash; card for ten meals: 3450 Ksh.
Opening hours of the Administration The reception is open from 7.20 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. Any payments can be made between 8.00 a.m. and 1.00 p.m. or between 2.00 p.m. and 4.00 p.m. In case you wish to make an appointment with Mr. Cattaneo (Administration Manager) or Mrs. Ohany (Accountant) please contact our staff at the reception.
Reduction of school feesThe Finance Committee of the German School Society grants a reduction of school fees under certain circumstances. Applications for a reduction of school fees are to be handed in at the very latest by Wednesday September 15, 2010. Please note that applications handed in after the deadline will not be considered.
Renovation As usual, renovations were carried out during the summer holiday. This year, we carried out the following works:
- The corridor on the ground floor was tiled.- All rooms in the Boarding House were painted and one bathroom was renovated.- The Biology / Geography room was re-structured, so that group work is now possible.- 2 classrooms received a new coat of paint and new flooring.- Termite nests in the grounds were exterminated.- 40 new pigeon holes have been built.-
Parking spacesPlease note that the parking spaces on the left hand side of the main entrance gate are for short term parking, and are mainly reserved for visitors to the school. In the interest of the safety of the children on the school compound, please note that speed in this area should be at an absolute minimum. Please inform your drivers accordingly.
Weekly PreviewDuring term time, you will receive an e-mail from Ms. Night, informing you of the events coming up in the following week. If you do not receive this e-mail regularly, please send an e-mail to [email protected], or leave your e-mail address at the reception, so our records can be updated.
AdvertisingPlease note that the advertisements of our donors which have been attached to this newsletter (not only) finance the printing of the newsletter.
Holiday Plan 2010 / 2011The holiday plan is enclosed with this newsletter.
New Teachers in the KindergartenCornelia Ambord comes from Switzerland, and will start her job with us in September as the teacher of the Play Group (2 – 3 year olds), replacing Steffi Birichi who goes on maternity leave.Miriam Rohde is a qualified Sports Teacher for the Primary School and the Kindergarten, and from September, she will taking over from the teaching assistant LIlian Singili, who also goes on maternity leave.
Our new teachersSusanne Kruse and Michael Fischer (both come from Kiel. Ms. Kruse used to teach their in a Primary School, and Mr. Fischer at a Gymnasium. Prior to that, they both lived for several years in Hamburg. Ms. Kruse will be the Class Teacher of Class 3 at the German School Nairobi (German, Mathematics and Science). Mr. Fischer will be teaching Mathematics, Physics and IT, and is also the Class Teacher of Class 6. Erika and Karl Schick come from Baden-Württemberg. Ms. Schick‘s subjects are Chemistry and Geography. She had been teaching in a private school in Schriesheim (near Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg) forthe last nine years. Her husband, Karl Schick is a Gymnasium teacher and teaches Biology and
(left to right: Susanne Kruse, Karl Schick, Chemistry. Prior to coming to Nairobi, he was teaching Erika Schick, Michael Fischer) in a Gymnasium in Hemsbach / Bergstraße. For the
Schick couple, the German School Nairobi is a second Foreign School Abroad – in the 1990s, both of them worked for 8 years at the German School in Marbella.
Apprentices (from left to right)
Nora Marzinkowski (up to the autumn holidays), Lara Paschke (up to 12.Dec ) und Elisabeth Meyer (up to11. September)
CalendarAcademic Year 2010/2011
SeptemberFr 10.09.2010 holiday Idd ul FittrTues 14.09. Student Council electionsWed 15.09 3.45 p.m. Teachers’ Meetingby Fri 17.09. Execution of all Parents’ EveningsMon 20.09. 6.00 p.m. 1. Human Resource Committee MeetingTues 20.-24.09. 1. Method Curriculum TrainingThu 23.09. 7.00 p.m. Parents’ Council MeetingMon 27.09. 12.00 p.m. BLI-Information for students
Holiday plan _______________________________________________________________
07.09.2010
First day of school Mo 23.08.2010
National holiday Fr 27.08.2010
Idd ul Fittr (no lessons) Fr 10.09.2010
Autumn holidays Mo 11.10. to We 20.10.2010
Christmas holidays Mo 13.12.2010 to Fr 07.01.2011
End of the first term Fr 0 4.02.2011
Class trips Mo 07.02. toFr 11.02.2011
Easter holidays Mo 11.04. toFr 29.04.2011
Holiday (1st of May) Mon 02.05.2011
Madaraka-Day Wed 01.06.2011
Last day of school Fr 01.07.2011
180 school days________________________________________________________
Academic year 2011 / 2012
First day of school Mo 22.08.2011
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The new SWISS Business: A 2-metre bed designed to free your imagination. –
Enjoy ultimate sleeping comfort in the new SWISS Business. Sink into your full-length bed, adjust the seat’s air cushions to your preferences, turn on the massage function and let yourself drift into sweet dreams. You can personalise your space on fl ights from Nairobi or Dar es Salaam to Zurich as of April 2010 and on every intercontinental fl ight by 2011. For infor-mation or reservations visit swiss.com or call 3744045 or contact your preferred travel agent
Did you know? That Kenya imports more than 60% of its total wheat requirements? That the imported wheat is most of the time of low quality. That the Kenyan Farmers receives very little subsidies. That wheat from the highlands of Kenya has been produced with very little pesticides compared to the imported ones.As an answer to all of these issues a German citizen by the name of Martin Baumgaertner started an organic Wheat & Rye growing project in 1997 which
trades under the name of Twajenga Holdings. His goal is to improve the approach to farming in soil & water conserving methods as well as the correct use of natural fertilizers. Part of this project is to help Kenyan farmers to turn from substance farming to commercial farming and achieve fair prices for the farmers through marketing. If you want to be part of this buy bread & flour from the Amadeus Bakery & Patisserie at the Village Market food court. All the Rye and whole meal flour used in our bakery is milled the original & traditional way in a Stone Mill from Austria. What are the benefits of stone milled Flour? The fine ground bran and germ in the flour gives our final product a wealth of fibers, minerals and enzymes making it a healthy and tasty item in your diet. With using Twajenga Holdings flour or buying products produced with that flour you minimize your carbon foot print as this flour is grown around Nakuru and is not shipped around the world as most other flour products used by all other bakeries in Kenya.
Mara SiriaLuxury Tented
Bush Camp
M I G R A T I O N in MARA is STILL ON!WE’LL TAKE YOU THERE! KARIBU SANA!
3 days/2 nights road package @ 25,500/-Kes p. person3 days/2 nights flying package @ 49,950/-Kes p. person
Self-drive from 7,950/-Kes per person sharing (fly tents)conditions apply!
www.phoenix-safaris.dewww.mara-siria-camp.com
Village Market Office(1st floor, opposite Exhibition Hall)
Welcome ! To the newly renovated Amadeus Bakery & Patisserie at the Village Market food court. Amazingly steaming hot bread & bread rolls are on sale every day as from 7am until 9pm, ready to be taken home. Our new offer on organic rye breads made with pure sourdough will surprise you because of its rustic taste and long shelf live.As from the 24th of September until the 24th of October we introduce to you our newly created Coffee & Tee Menu. Order any of our hot beverages and get a piece croissant or Danish pastry of our new organic & pure butter line absolutely for free. Take a seat in our new seating space within the bakery and watch your baked product coming out of the oven.
The Amadeus team is looking forward to your visit!
