Geckos Inc. German Community School Melbourne

Thanks for your interest in our German Saturday School!
GECKOS Inc. is a not-for-profit incorporated association. Geckos Inc. was founded by engaged parents and teachers to provide high quality German classes and cultural/community experiences for interested people of all ages.
The school runs on Saturdays from 9 to 12 o'clock during normal school terms. Additional activities are planned according to the interest and needs of the school community.
The teaching team consists of registered, experienced teachers. The little ones can start in the playgroup; the kindergarten program is based on immersion for 3 and 4 years old children and provides fun filled activities following a program developed from the Goethe-Institute. From school age on we run two streams, one for native speakers and one for children with German as a second language. Both streams are based on the latest research of language learning and will lead to the DSD exams. We also offer adult classes for interested adults and/or parents (e.g. the English speaking part in the family).
We believe that studying a community language or a second language has immense benefits for your child, like:

• Provides an opportunity to develop high levels of skills in a student's background community language;
• Improves performance across the curriculum through enhanced literacy skills which are transferable to English
• Helps maintain rewarding relationships with parents, grandparents, relatives and other community members
• Promotes a sense of cultural identity, resulting in heightened self-confidence and self-esteem
• Places students in a better position to take advantage of employment opportunities.

Location of the School:
We are located at the Pavilion, Preston.

School Structure:
We offer:
• A German playgroup for 0-3 year olds
• A kinder group for 3 & 4 year olds
• From school age onwards we offer two streams, native speakers and non native speakers
• Adult classes (depending on interest)

Fee structure:
School fees are our most vital source of income. It covers salaries for the teachers, material for course work, books, audio and video and the rental of classrooms. The school board is responsible for running fundraisers and identifying potential grants and would welcome your help and input.

Who is part of GECKOS:

Principal:
Alexander Murer:
Alexander has a Master in music education and is currently obtaining his PhD in Musicology. He is an accomplished opera singer, voice and ensemble teacher as well as a German Speech coach at the Music Conservatory/Victorian College of Arts at the University of Melbourne; he is a member of the AGTV committee (Association of German teachers of Victoria); Alexander brings his previous experience as a principal, his leadership and networking skills to the school.

Head teacher:
Eva Murer:
Eva has a Master of Educational Science and is currently working as a teacher and cognitive behaviour therapist in different schools in Melbourne and regional Victoria; she will teach grade 3-6 non-native speakers; Eva brings her great enthusiasm and love for curriculum development to the school;

Other teachers:
Kerstin Keller:
Kerstin is an experienced primary and secondary teacher of German. She has accreditation for Content and Language Intergrated Learning (CLIL) from Melbourne University and currently teaches secondary German at a grammar school in Melbourne."

Martina Thaler:
Martina is currently teaching German to primary children in the Knox area

Monika Cruz:
Monika has a Bachelor's degree in Translation, NAATI-certified German-English translator and founded a German playgroup in Doncaster. She will run our Kindergarten program; native speaker.

How to enrol:
If you would like to register your child/children please contact Alexander (mureralexandermathias@gmail.com) for a registration form;
In the future the enrolment forms and information will be available on our webpage;
Once your new enrolment application has been completed and signed please send it to Alexander Murer by email or mail (details on the enrolment form);
We will then send you detailed information how to pay your school fees.

Please also take a close look at our homepage (www.geckos.org.au) and our Instagram page (https://www.instagram.com/geckosincgermancommunityschool/)