Deutsche Schule Melbourne has been created out of an initiative between different parties. In 2004, when the tenure of German International School Sydney's principal, Klaus Steinmetz came to an end, he visited Melbourne as part of a trip planned in conjunction with the German Consulate in Melbourne and spoke to more than 200 members of the German-Australian community. In this talk, he planted the seed for a German-Australian bilingual school in Melbourne.
Out of those in attendance, the group of individuals that established the school formed and the Deutsche Schule Melbourne School Association was established. The group was supported in their plans to set up Deutsche Schule Melbourne by the German Lutheran Trinity Church, the German Catholic St Christophorus Church as well as the German Consulate in Melbourne.
When Deutsche Schule Melbourne finally opened its doors in 2008 for the first composite Prep, Grade 1 and Grade 2 class with around 15 students, its vision was clear:
Deutsche Schule Melbourne aims to foster German language and culture, but it doesn’t want to be a German island in Melbourne. Instead, the school aims to be tightly integrated into the Australian community – welcoming families from any language and cultural background with or without any prior German knowledge.
Students graduating from DSM should be able to communicate in German and English and to feel at home not just when they are in Australia, but also when they are in Germany – or any other German-speaking country - for a visit or longer stay. This ability should enable them to seamlessly transition from the Australian education system to the German education system and vice versa – whether it’s primary, secondary or tertiary education.
Foundation of Deutsche Schule Melbourne following an inspirational lecture by Klaus Steinmetz, then Principal of the German International School Sydney, and initiated by a group of senior members of the German Consulate General, Goethe-Institut Melbourne and Victorian State Government.
Incorporation of Deutsche Schule Melbourne as a not-for-profit organisation.
Establishing of an educational model and school concept. Partnership agreements with the German-Lutheran Trinity Church and the German-Catholic St Christophorus Parish.
Signing of a lease for a building on the campus of the former St Joseph's college in North Fitzroy. The Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA) gives regulatory approval for Deutsche Schule Melbourne.
Deutsche Schule Melbourne's first operating year. 14 students with different mother tongues start school. In May, the school's playground is inaugurated.
Deutsche Schule Melbourne is officially recognised as a 'Deutsche Auslandsschule' (German School Abroad) by the German Federal Government. Furthermore, the school establishes a program for teachers in training.
Achievement of a full primary school registration with the VRQA. Construction works for new toilet facilities, an outdoor learning area and further infrastructure improvements are completed.
In our fourth operating year, 37 students from Foundation Year to Grade 5 are enrolled at the school. The school employs two full-time teachers and five part-time teachers. The school starts a cooperation with the Froebel Group who plans to open up a bilingual kindergarten in Melbourne.
Expansion of the team by a deputy 'head teacher', implementation of a new format for the occupational development for teachers as well as an improved HR-process which lives up to the growing team of Deutsche Schule Melbourne.
The school installs SmartBoards in all classrooms, thanks to a successful grant application to the German government. Furthermore iPads are integrated into the classroom activities.
Deutsche Schule Melbourne operates a full primary school with grade levels Foundation Year to Year 6. The Foundation Year class of 2008 has reached Grade 6.
Our first Principal, Bernice Ressel, joins the school and officially opens our new sportsground. We commence with our first instrumental program.
Deutsche Schule Melbourne proudly welcomes 100 students for this school year. We open our state-of-the-art Music Pod.
Deutsche Schule Melbourne celebrates its 10-year anniversary.
Deutsche Schule Melbourne is now offering its very own before and after school care service. Construction of the new Foundation Year room.
Deutsche Schule Melbourne successfully - and quickly! - transitions to Remote Learning during the COVID pandemic. The First Foundation Year class moves into the new Foundation Year room.
The pandemic still has a huge impact on school operations with remote learning still in place for a large part of the year.
Deutsche Schule Melbourne's new Principal Jörg Dopfer starts on the 1st of June 2022.
Deutsche Schule Melbourne announces Secondary School plans for 2025.
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