Frequently Asked Questions

Children will be placed into classes according to their age and ability; our teachers understand that some of their students may be a bit shy about speaking German

While most children in the school have some ties to the German language or culture, the school welcomes children from all backgrounds and language levels. There is currently an acceleration class for school age children who can read and write who have no German language experience. Once children have mastered the basics in this class, they can then be streamed into a regular class suitable to their age and abilities. This class can also be taken by students who need to brush up on their language skills before rejoining the regular classes.

Please use the contact form to express your interest. The school will be contacting you.

If there is a place available in a class suitable for your child it may be possible to start midway through a term, or partway through the year. This will be at the discretion of the principal

The kindergarten/prep class will most likely only need a notebook or folder. Their teachers will advise you what is required.  In the rest of the classes students are required to provide their own notebooks and pens and pencils etc. Class 5 uses the textbook Tambutin 2 and 3 Class 6 uses the textbook Genau. These can be purchased from the school

Most class levels have some basic revision and vocabulary to learn each week, however this will not require a great huge time commitment.

The school is run by the Parents Committee. Membership of the committee is open to all parents. The committee meets approximately once every 4-6 weeks. There are also events throughout the year, such as the Annual German Breakfast, and Christmas Concert where all parents can play a part if they wish.

All teachers at the German Saturday School are native speakers.

Classes are determined loosely by age, but also ability. There are multiple age groupings in each class. Therefore unlike at their regular school, children at the GSS may not necessarily move to a different class level at the end of each school year.

There is an Open Day each year, usually in September, that prospective students and their carers are very welcome to attend. Tours can also be arranged by contacting the Parents Committee President. Please use the contact form to contact us.

The fees for 2009 are $650.00 for the year per child. There is a DEET subsidy available to primary and high school registered children. The full years fees are due at the beginning of term one. For info on the fees please check the enrolment page.

At present the GSS teaches up to Year 10. It does not have a relationship with VSL.

The GSS is in contact with the organization that runs the Deutsche Schule Melbourne (DSM), so we are following the development of the school. At present however there is no formal relationship with the school.

Children receive a written report at the end of the school year. Parents are encouraged to discuss and monitor their child’s progress throughout the year by taking the time to talk to teachers either before or after classes.

School runs from 9am to 11.30am. Children have a short break during the morning when they can have a snack (bring one from home) and spend some time in the playground. Children are supervised at all times.

The school is located at Clifton Hill Primary School, 185 Gold Street, Clifton Hill.

There are usually a couple of excursions each year with German themes. Past excursions have included the Goethe Institute to the Fussball exhibition and the Melbourne Museum. The school has a well stocked video/DVD rental library where movies can be rented (in German of course) for $2.00 a movie. The Annual Christmas concert and lunch is usually held at the Austrian Club in Heidelberg and is open to friends and family.

Class sizes vary, from 8 to 12, with the maximum class size set at 14. The younger classes have an assistant in addition to the class teacher.

All teachers and assistants are required to have a valid police check.

The principal and teachers are interviewed and selected by a panel from the Parents Committee.
Membership of the Parents Committee is open to all parents. There is an AGM in first term and office bearers are then elected.

Bayswater Boronia Templer School Tel: 9887 0713 and
Templer Society Bentleigh Moorabbin Tel:9557 6713
see also this webpage at the German Consulate Melbourne