How GESS Combines Academic Rigor with Student Wellbeing

Edarabia had the opportunity to interview Joram Hutchins, Vice Principal of the GESS – International School. In this interview, Mr. Hutchins discusses GESS’s plans for 2025, their educational approach, and the challenges and opportunities in the field of education.

1. What are GESS plans for 2025?

GESS’ primary focus for 2025 – and the next few years – is the continued implementation and refinement of our Strategic Implementation Plan – or what we refer to in our school community as the Limitless Learning plan.

This plan has been developed over multiple years with input from all stakeholders — parents, students, staff and management – including board members who are also parents of GESS students — to ensure we fully embody our mission, vision, values, and guiding statements.

The core of GESS is a German European School Singapore with deep cultural connections to Europe, partnering families as a community school that prioritises relationships, sense of belonging and holistic education. Holistic education at GESS encompasses not only academic excellence, but also social and emotional wellbeing, real-world learning opportunities, and extracurricular engagement in areas such as outdoor education, sports, theatre, drama, science, technology and innovation.

Eight Limitless Learning pillars guide our strategic direction, with high-quality teaching and learning and student wellbeing as the two most critical areas. These pillars serve as the foundation for academic excellence and personal growth, ensuring that every student experiences meaningful, well-supported learning.

2. How does the GESS leadership team decide what to focus on academically each year, and which new ideas are you pursuing?

At GESS, we believe academic success is built on strong foundations, consistency and sustainable development, rather than constantly shifting trends. Our focus is on ensuring:

• The curriculum is well-structured, with a clear scope and sequence.
• Educators employ evidence-based teaching strategies that foster student engagement and growth.
• Learning is individualised, allowing each student to progress at their own pace.
• Collaboration among educators enhances lesson planning and instructional quality.
• Educators receive ongoing professional development to refine their practice.
• Student wellbeing is prioritised, as emotional stability is directly linked to academic success.

Educational research, such as that by education academic John Hattie, highlights that not all teaching methods are equally effective. Our commitment is to implement strategies that yield the highest impact, including structured feedback, clear learning objectives, formative assessments and differentiated instruction. At GESS, our goal is to empower a year or more of learning progress for each student, with every year of teaching.

3. What challenges do you anticipate in the field of education over the next 5 years?

Education is evolving in response to societal and technological shifts. Some of the key challenges we anticipate include:

1. Balancing Academic Rigour with Emotional Wellbeing
As stress levels among students rise, there is an increasing need for schools to integrate mental health and resilience-building programmes into the curriculum to support our learners in managing academic and personal pressures.

2. Changing Job Market Demands
Employers increasingly prioritise soft skills such as collaboration, communication and adaptability — areas that traditional academic structures may not always emphasise. Schools must focus on future-proofing students for real-world interactions and workplace dynamics.

3. The Impact of Social Media on Learning and Wellbeing
Research has shown that excessive social media engagement increases anxiety and negatively affects both academic performance and social development. Schools must address this challenge through digital literacy education and support structures for students.

4. How do you keep students interested in learning, especially those who struggle or seem unmotivated?

Student motivation is not about forcing engagement — it is about creating an environment where engagement naturally happens. The most effective educators are those who:

• Are passionate about their subject.
• Demonstrate care for their students.
• Are highly knowledgeable and experienced in their field.

When students feel supported and see clear progress in their learning, they remain engaged and motivated. Educators who provide clear learning goals, constructive feedback, and opportunities for success help students stay invested in their education.

5. How does the school ensure all students feel welcome and have the same chances to succeed?

GESS is a non-selective, inclusive community school that embraces diversity. With students from a wide range of cultural and academic backgrounds, we emphasise acceptance, openness, and individualised support.

Research suggests that students who establish friendships early in their school experience adjust more successfully. At GESS, we focus on creating welcoming environments where students can build strong peer and teacher relationships, ensuring they feel at home from day one.

6. How proactive is the school in matters of student stress and bullying?

At GESS, we view all behaviours — both positive and negative — as learning opportunities. Young people are in school to grow, which means they should be allowed to make mistakes and learn from them. Our goal as educators is not just to address misbehaviour but to educate and guide students toward better choices.

Our approach includes:

• Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), where homeroom teachers serve as the first level of guidance.
• Dedicated school counsellors to help students develop coping strategies.
• Clear policies on behaviour and bullying, with investigations and appropriate consequences when necessary.
• Restorative practices to repair relationships and promote emotional growth.

Bullying and student wellbeing are taken seriously at GESS, and proactive intervention is key. With a dedicated team of four counsellors and a highly involved leadership team, we work closely with students and parents to ensure a supportive and respectful school environment.

7. How involved are parents and the community in making the school better?

GESS is widely recognised as a closely-knit community school, where family and belonging play a central role. Though we are a medium-sized school, we foster a “communities within communities” model, ensuring that students and parents remain connected and engaged.

Key aspects of how we ensure our community is involved in our students’ learning journey include:

• Non-profit school status, which means GESS is governed in the best interests of families, rather than shareholders.
• Parent representatives for each class or department, with their voices heard in school management discussions.
• Retaining quality teaching staff, many of whom have been at GESS for over 10 years, contributes to stability and continuity.

We strongly believe the engagement of parents and the wider school community is integral to GESS’s development and continuous improvement.

8. Do teachers at your school have growth opportunities for leadership roles?

The best educators are drawn to schools with vision and direction. At GESS, we attract and retain excellent educators through:

• A strong strategic plan that is actively implemented rather than just a paper exercise.
• A culture of professional growth, offering opportunities for leadership and skill development.
• A collaborative and innovative environment that allows educators to make an impact.

From experience, we know great teachers want to be part of a school that is progressive, evolving and supporting both students and educators. This is what we set out to do as an employer of choice in the education sector.

9. Which after-school activity would you say has the biggest positive impact on a student’s future?

There is no single “best” after-school activity — each student is unique. I believe the key to success lies in offering a broad range of high-quality extra-curricular opportunities that allow students to explore their interests.

Some students may find fulfilment in STEM clubs, while others thrive in the arts, athletics, or leadership programmes. The most successful and happy individuals are those who pursue their passion, and GESS creates platforms for students to do exactly that – we have an amazing suite of after-school programmes for the pick.

10. How do you help students build the skills they need for life after graduation?

As an educator, I personally believe that success is measured by progress rather than just achievement. A school’s impact is not simply in producing high-achieving students, but in ensuring that every student makes meaningful progress in the following areas:

• Academic growth: A year of teaching should result in at least a year’s worth of learning.
• Social-emotional development: Students should grow in confidence, resilience, and interpersonal skills.
• Holistic experiences: Engagement in extra-curriculars and real-world opportunities enriches learning journeys.

These skillsets and traits are what our graduates take with them beyond their chapter at GESS. A school is truly successful when all students, regardless of their starting point, are continuously growing and reaching their full potential.

11. If you had the opportunity to inspire the world in one sentence, what would that sentence be?

Education is the great equaliser and the most powerful tool for positive change in the world.