Dear families, partners and supporters,

Many can’t wait until Christmas is here. I've heard many people say over the last few days, in anticipation of Christmas Eve and with the expectation of a little peace and relaxation.  The beautiful things that have always been part of Christmas are shared with each other: good wishes, presents, special food. Some may sing Christmas carols or simply enjoy being together.

Christmas is also a time to meet up with people you don't see every day: relatives who live further away, old friends, neighbours. And it's also a time to tell each other how the past year has been for everyone.

But there will be many other topics of conversation: what is happening in our country and in the world, and what that means for us. I can imagine that there are many things that cause you concern – great concern, even! And I feel the same way: there is still war in Ukraine, in the Middle East, in far too many places around the world.

Christmas also means exchanging small gifts and kind gestures. At the start of this school year, the GIST once again received a gift – unfortunately, not a pleasant one. Once again, the Central Agency for Schools Abroad sent us Knecht Ruprecht instead of Santa Claus, just like last year.

And despite this fact, we have achieved many of the specified goals, such as establishing the high school, introducing the International Baccalaureate, which can be used at many universities around the world, including, of course, in Germany and Canada, as a door opener, and the German Language Diploma. Growing up for 25 years was the motto at the end of last school year, and this gift was the thanks we received?

Despite all the opposition, we will not give up so easily and will fight for our status. We should be supported in this by those who have benefited from a German school in Toronto for many years. I am referring in particular to the German companies whose employees chose Toronto for this very reason. If that is not enough, I can assure you that there are various alternatives, and the school will certainly not close.

This year, we Germans are celebrating 35 years of reunification, and next year we will celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations between Canada and Germany. There is much that connects Canada and Germany, and we should be proud of this and continue to strengthen our alliance. Allies are particularly important in a world that is changing rapidly, and unfortunately, not only for the better.

As part of the German-Canadian community here at the German International School Toronto, we face further challenges in the coming year. We hope to continue to impress with our quality and our values.

I look forward to continuing our excellent cooperation with parents, as well as with our board members and Islington United Church.

And finally, I would like to thank my colleagues, our administration, and our cleaning staff, who create a safe space for learning and growth with dedication and professionalism.

Dear readers, Holidays such as Christmas give us a little break from our everyday lives. Let's use this interruption to keep alive what connects us: our family, our friendships, all the relationships that give us strength and in which we ourselves can do so much good.

With this in mind, I wish you all a beautiful holiday season, a relaxing vacation, and a hopeful start to the new year 2026.

Thank you very much.

Sincerely,

Rouven Hollmann, Principal