Welcome to GIST’s 25th Anniversary

Dear Families, Friends, and Supporters of Our School,

Do you remember who you dreamed of becoming when you were a child? It’s a question you’ve likely been asked countless times. And now, as parents, educators, or mentors, you might find yourself asking the same of the children in your life:

What do you want to be when you grow up?

This simple question, with its ever-changing answers, captures the essence of growing up. It’s a journey of dreaming, discovering, and becoming—one we celebrate together as we mark 25 years of our school’s story. We want to use this anniversary to celebrate and reflect on who we are, where we have been, and where we aspire to go. Fittingly, we have chosen the theme “Growing Up” to guide our celebration.

An undated picture from our archives.

At its heart, growing up is about transformation. It is about children stepping into the fullness of their potential, guided by teachers, parents, and the experiences that shape them. Over the past 25 years, we have had the privilege of accompanying countless young minds as they discover who they are and dream of who they want to become. We have witnessed their challenges, their triumphs, and their growth.

As a school, we, too, are in a constant state of evolution. The lens of growing up invites us to celebrate how far we have come—from our humble beginnings with five students to becoming an IB World School with more than 100 students. The theme also challenges us to ask: Who do we want to be when we grow up? What values and visions will shape the next 25 years of our journey?

And then there is you, dear reader. We invite you to ask yourself once again this year who you want to become when you grow up. Whether as a student, parent, teacher, or supporter, your presence shapes our school community. Together, let us dream boldly about the future we want to create, grounded in the values that have guided us for 25 years: curiosity, collaboration, and building character.

As for now, we want you to mark your calendar: On May 31st, we will host a celebration in our school building at 25 Burnhamthorpe Rd.

Here’s to growing up—together.

Warm regards,
Rouven Hollmann, Principal
Thomas Pfanner, Business Manager and Project Leader “25 Years GIST”