sgls logo 50 years

50 Years and going strong

Celebrate with us

50th Anniversary Gala

50 years ago, Mrs. Ruth Berndt and a small group of parents met to pass on the German language and cultural values to their children.
This core idea is still alive today and we would like to commend everyone involved with the Surrey German Language School over the years for their hard work and dedication. As Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says in his message:  “You can take pride in your contribution to Canada’s cultural mosaic.”.

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gala invitation

Celebrate in Style

50-Year Gala

The Surrey German School GALA will be remembered for years to come. For the 50th anniversary the board of directors supported by lots of volunteers organized an evening filled with celebration and fundraising. 

The venue at the Hazelmere Country Club was perfect for the GALA and offered ample space for the extensive silent auction with over 30 items and the public gallery walk ahead of the event. 

Multiple speakers honoured the 50th anniversary of our school before the German Gourmet Buffet was opened.

Soon after the German eclectic band S-Bahn played a myriad of German songs some of them even featured an Alphorn musician.  

gala guests 4
gala guests 2
gala tischdeko
gala s bahn band

Selfie Fun

Photo Booth German Style

Masterly organized by Gita Matthew, the Photo Booth was  running all evening and was visited by so many guests. It presented an opportunity to create a lasting memory of the evening German style. 

Find more images of the evening in the blog article of the Westcoast German News by Elke Porter, a former student of our school.

photo booth board
SGLS Board Members

Coming Together

Award & VIP'S

gala konsul award

Consul General of Germany Dr. Klaus Schmidt presented the German Friendship Award to Principal Axel Rechlin.

gala vip 2

From left to right: Surrey City Councillor Allison Patton, Consul General of Switzerland Andreas Rufer, Surrey Mayor (Bürgermeister) Doug McCallum, Consul General of Germany Dr. Klaus Schmidt, President of the SGLS Gisela Schulte, Principal of the SGLS Axel Rechlin, Head of Press and Communication for the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Ottawa Christin Furtwängler, President of the German Canadian Business Association Beatrice Schreiber, Administrator of the SGLS Nathalie Currie.

Fundraising

Silent auction

The Silent Auction was organized by the SGLS Board Members and featured over 30 items. Throughout the evening the guests were able to put in their bids. We are very grateful to our many donors for their contribution. Thank you!

gala donors

Making the Cut

Sauerkraut & Kuchen

gala cake

The extensive buffet featured German dishes like Potato and Cucumber Salad. The main course consisted of Sauerkraut Salmon and German Sour Roast with red cabbage.

The cake was of course a Black Forest Cake (without the Kirschschnaps), deliciously created by the Hansel & Gretel Bakery in Maple Ridge. 

gala cake cutting

For the cake presentation all current and former principals and presidents of the SGLS were called on stage. From left to right: President of the SGLS Gisela Schulte, Former Principal Dagmar Cox, Principal of the SGLS Axel Rechlin, Former President Christiane Clark, Former President Klaus Schmitt.

Oktoberfest Vibes

S-Bahn in the house

The Live Band at our Gala was The S-Bahn Band with its diverse and eclectic repertoire.
Usually found at Oktoberfests in our area and this time at our Gala. Their Alpenhorn was definitely an accoustic highlight of the evening.
The dance floor was busy all night and the music right up our alley with lots of German songs like ’99 Luftballons’, ‘Marmor Stein und Eisen bricht’, ‘Fliegerlied’ and many more.

Our History

50th Anniversary Video

Our History

Read our Anniversary Festschrift

German Festschrift

English Festschrift

sgls logo web

Any more questions?

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