GIBS is a bilingual (German-English) senior secondary school for students aged 10-18. At present the school comprises more than 600 students and over 60 teaching staff. The rest of the team is made up of the French-, English- and Spanish-speaking co-teachers and the administrative staff. The language of instruction is English in the form of “flexible monolingualism”.
The first three months of Year 1 take the form of an intensive phase of language acquisition after which the students have reached a level of language competence which enables them to participate in lessons conducted in the target language. Following the intensive phase, linguistic back-up for other subjects is provided when required in the English class.
In Year 7 History is taught in English/French/Spanish. During the first five school years in particular, different subjects collaborate on broad projects that supplement language instruction. Between Year 6 and Year 8, the upper level course system ensures the interconnection and deepening of learning material. Students from non-German speaking countries receive instruction in German as a foreign language. Their evaluation is in accordance to § 18/12 of the School Instruction Guidelines which allows students to select either German or English as their first language of instruction and be thereby assessed accordingly (Note: this does not apply to the final exam/Matura due to legal regulations).
Using a wide range of learning strategies to acquire skills and academic knowledge as a basis for life-long learning.
Developing autonomy and team qualities through taking responsibility for one`s actions.
Teaching, learning and communicating in several languages.
Encouraging respect for cultural diversity.
Developing critical awareness and constructive ways of dealing with criticism of oneself and the world at large.
Careers advice is integrated in teaching in Years 3 and 4, in particular in German, Religion, English and Geography classes. In the upper school, there are elective courses dealing with the working and professional world which can help students decide on their future careers. These courses offer practical work experience in line with the particular interests of the students. Students are advised by tutors on their choice of courses. Group and individual activities are carried out to help students become aware of their skills and talents.
The school direction as well as entire staff are continually attentive to international contacts concerning, on the one hand, projects within Europe and, on the other hand, student exchange programs.
Current projects:
Several Comenius Projects have already taken place within the European Union.
The acquisition of key skills such as team competence, time management, conflict solving strategies, presentation techniques and use of new media is practised in all classes but is given special emphasis in such courses as Public Speaking, Academic Writing, Presentation Techniques, Computing and Business.
The following pilot projects are taking place in the areas of modern languages:
At GIBS we aim to maintain a harmonious school climate based on mutual understanding and respect and a working atmosphere conducive to study. The staff make every effort to work with commitment and motivation and in return we expect students to do likewise in order to derive maximum benefit from what our school has to offer them. We also expect our students to show a certain self-discipline in their behaviour and in their attitude towards school property and to treat all members of the school community with respect.
Our code of conduct is drawn up with the above principles in mind.
Students who neglect their duties or disrupt the school climate through uncooperative behaviour and who do not respond to discussion of their problem with the teacher involved must be prepared to face consequences.
On starting school, Year 1 students are looked after by “companions”, older volunteer students, which have been proven to be very successful.
We feel that the cultural diversity at our school is a true enrichment. This is reflected within and throughout each school day, especially by means of a respectful interaction with one another. Moreover, a positive learning and working atmosphere is encouraged by weekly staff meetings, by the close contact between staff and parents as well as by the particular working interaction with the students in class.
We aim to use a broad range of methods. According to the criteria of the new Austrian curriculum, projects and cross-curricular teaching are an integral part of classes. Further methods include workshops, task sheets, portfolios and response journals. Methods are discussed, ideas are shared and new and young members of staff receive support from more experienced colleagues.
We make every effort to organize home-to-home exchanges with countries whose languages are taught at our school. If this proves impossible, a trip abroad with instruction at a language school and accommodation with host families is offered.
However, it is our aim to find schools in the English- and French-speaking countries for long-term exchange partnerships.
The purpose of this code of conduct is to ensure the safe and efficient running of the school, the comfort and well being of all students, staff and visitors to the school and the protection of the school premises.
To provide opportunities for relaxation and study outside class time in a safe and orderly environment.
Students are expected to be punctual for every class and latecoming minutes are recorded. When a student has a total of 45 minutes, he is asked to make up the time lost by attending Compensation Time. In order to avoid disruption to lessons, students who arrive at school in the morning after the 08.00 bell are not allowed to enter class (unless they have a note explaining why they are late). The number of minutes they are late is recorded as usual and they are directed to the communal area on the ground floor, where they spend the remainder of period 1.
A teacher may send a student to Compensation Time for any reason agreed upon with the student`s parents (eg latecoming, unexplained absences, uncooperative behaviour, missed homework). Compensation Time is held every Thursday from 16-17.30 by volunteer staff. A teacher seeks written/telephone parental consent before sending a student to Compensation Time. If the student`s parents confirm that he cannot attend at the usual time, the teacher may make a private arrangement with him.
A teacher may send a student on Transfer when, in spite of being warned, he continues to disrupt the lesson by disturbing other students or the teacher. The student is provided with work to do and sent to the staffroom, where he is supervised till the end of the period, when he must report back to the class teacher.
At GIBS, it is an important concern that no student should be excluded from participating in school events for financial reasons.
(See Guidelines for Supporting Students during School-related Trips Abroad.)
Regular students whose parents receive family allowance in Austria are entitled to subsidised school text books, dictionaries etc. Books are supplied by the school and pay slips (minimal fee) are issued by the class teacher.
Regular students whose parents receive family allowance in Austria are entitled to subsidised school text books, dictionaries etc. Books are supplied by the school and pay slips (minimal fee) are issued by the class teacher.
