St. George's The British International School Cologne

What a Year. What a Journey. 🏫💙

From first day smiles to heartfelt goodbyes, the 2025/26 academic year has been filled with unforgettable moments that remind us what it truly means to be part of the St. George’s community.

We welcomed our newest Year 1 learners, celebrated together at our traditional Summer Party with an English Tea theme, explored the world through inspiring educational trips from Belgium’s Battlefields to Africa, Switzerland, Vienna, the Eifel and many more - and created memories that will stay with us for years to come.

We shared the magic of the festive season with performances, celebrations and our wonderful Christmas community events. Our Boarding House welcomed the Year of the Dragon with Chinese New Year celebrations, while our Year 12 students made history by hosting our very first student-led Auction Gala.

We cheered each other on during Sports Days across all year groups, celebrated the achievements of around 60 graduates as they crossed the stage, and watched our students inspire audiences at TEDxYouth@StGeorges - this year also welcoming Year 6 speakers to the red carpet for the very first time.

We also pause to remember our dear colleague Craig Gamble, who always brought joy to our school community. His kindness and passion continue to be part of the memories we cherish.

And finally, we said goodbye to our long-serving School Director, Russell Sanderson. His dedication, leadership and lasting impact have shaped generations of students, colleagues and families, and his legacy will remain an important part of St. George’s.

These are just a few highlights of a year filled with learning, laughter, friendship, courage and growth. So many stories, so many achievements, and so many moments that simply cannot fit into one post.

Thank you to every student, parent, colleague and member of our community for making this school year so special.

Have a wonderful, well-deserved summer break. We can’t wait to welcome you back for another exciting year in 2026/27! ☀️

An Evening of Gratitude 🙏🌱

As part of this year’s Summer Send-Off, our staff came together yesterday evening to celebrate the end of another successful school year - and to honour a truly remarkable member of our community.

As Russell Sanderson’s time at St. George’s draws to a close, the evening offered a special opportunity to reflect on his extraordinary journey with the school. Russell was delighted to welcome not only current colleagues but also former members of staff who returned to celebrate this milestone with him. We were equally honoured to welcome the Principal of our sister school, St. George’s School Düsseldorf Rhein-Ruhr, together with representatives of the International Club and Round Table, reflecting the many friendships and connections Russell has built throughout his 19 years at St. George’s.

One of the most meaningful moments of the evening was the presentation of an apricot tree, gifted by the school as a lasting symbol of gratitude and appreciation. Russell planted the tree himself - a fitting tribute to someone who has spent nearly two decades helping our school community grow. Just as a tree takes root, blossoms and bears fruit over time, Russell’s leadership, kindness and vision have left a legacy that will continue to flourish for generations of students, staff and families.

Thank you, Russell, for your dedication, friendship and unwavering commitment to St. George’s. We wish you every happiness in your retirement and hope the apricot tree will stand for many years as a reminder of the community you helped to shape and the lives you have touched.

🎓 Outstanding IB Results 2026 🎓

Some achievements are measured in points. The most important ones are measured in confidence, resilience, curiosity and the courage to embrace what comes next.

Today, we celebrate our Class of 2026 and an extraordinary chapter in their journey.

Their hard work, determination and ambition have led to outstanding results, including:

⭐ Average IB Diploma score: 35 points

⭐ Two students achieved 44 points - a remarkable accomplishment reached by fewer than 0.5% of IB students worldwide.

⭐ 30% of students achieved 39 points or more.

⭐ 63% of graduates were awarded the IB Bilingual Diploma, reflecting the international outlook that defines our school community.

📚 One particularly outstanding achievement came from a graduate who earned a perfect 34/34 in the IB Extended Essay – the highest possible mark in one of the Diploma Programme’s core components. An exceptional demonstration of intellectual curiosity, independent research and academic excellence.

As our graduates prepare to begin the next chapter of their lives at leading universities in Germany and around the world, we couldn’t be prouder - not only of the results they have achieved, but of the young people they have become.

To our teachers and families, thank you for the encouragement, care and belief that helped make this journey possible.

And to the Class of 2026:

Congratulations. Your story with St. George’s doesn’t end here - we can’t wait to see where life takes you next.

From Student Initiative to Lasting Impact.

What happens when young people are empowered to turn an idea into action? For our Year 12 CAS students Maelys, Mael and Titus, it resulted in something truly extraordinary.

What began as a student-led initiative became St. George’s first Charity Art Gala, bringing together students, parents, staff and our wider community with one shared purpose: supporting our partner schools, Mangetti Dune Combined School and Grashoek Primary School in Namibia.

This week, the students proudly presented a cheque for 7.645€ to Hand in Hand for Africa e.V.. The funds will help provide access to clean water, contribute to the construction of a protected school hall, and support a sustainable school feeding programme - creating opportunities that will have a lasting impact on the lives of many children.

This achievement is about far more than fundraising. It is about young people recognising that they can make a difference, taking responsibility, inspiring others to join them, and seeing first-hand how compassion, creativity and determination can create meaningful change.

To everyone who supported this initiative - our students, families, staff and partners - thank you for believing in the power of education, collaboration and community.

⚽ One of the world’s most recognised youth football development programmes is coming to St. George’s School Cologne this July!

We are delighted to host the Barça Academy Summer Camp, giving young football enthusiasts the opportunity to train with official Barça Academy coaches and experience the renowned Barça methodology right here on our campus.

At St. George’s, we believe learning doesn’t stop at the classroom door. Through sport, young people develop confidence, resilience, teamwork, leadership and character - qualities that stay with them far beyond the pitch.

The Summer Camp is open to both St. George’s families and the wider community, and we look forward to welcoming aspiring young players for an unforgettable week of football, learning and fun.

📲 Interested in joining?

Simply scan the QR code in this post to find out more and secure your place. We can’t wait to welcome you!

Many Voices. Shared Values. Lasting Impact. ✨

A heartfelt thank you to our student speakers and our host for making the evening so memorable. Special thanks to our guest contributor for sharing a beautifully written original poem, as well as to our School Orchestra and Choir for their wonderful performances.

Congratulations to our student Marketing and Organiser Team, whose dedication and hard work helped bring this event to life. Special appreciation goes to our teachers Mr. Cocksworth and Ms. Gierden, and everyone behind the scenes who contributed to the success of the evening.

Because at St. George’s, we don’t just speak our minds – we live our values. 💙

TEDxStGeorgesCologneYouth returned for its 3rd edition 🎤

This year, TEDx at St. George’s School Cologne celebrated the richness, diversity, and power of collective thought. Ten student speakers took to the iconic red carpet, sharing ideas that inspired reflection, challenged perspectives, and sparked meaningful conversations.

For the first time, three Year 6 students stepped onto the TEDx stage, delivering their talks with remarkable confidence and courage. We could not be prouder of their achievement!

Another milestone: a record audience of 250 guests made this our biggest TEDx event yet.

At St. George’s, we don’t just educate, we empower 🚀! TEDx provides young people with a platform to share their voices, ideas, and ambitions, reminding us that innovation and progress begin when different perspectives come together.