Principles and Objectives

As illustrated by the bridge motif on the special stamp issued in Austria for our centenary, St. Georg Austrian High School is committed to bringing different cultures together.

The Catholic Lazarist community, which founded the school, seeks to put this encounter between cultures and religions into practice in various areas. Guided by this understanding, our school serves to create and develop a shared environment among students and future graduates, particularly in education, culture, religion, language and social awareness.

Education

The educational programme we offer is primarily intended for Turkish students. In exceptional cases, it is also open to Austrian citizens and students of other nationalities whose first language is German. Our school enjoys a respected position in education and cooperates closely with other institutions providing German-language education in Türkiye.

Our students receive an education encompassing the key elements of the Turkish and Austrian systems. With this broad general education, they can enter universities in Türkiye, Austria and other countries by successfully passing the Turkish university entrance examination or the Austrian school-leaving examination. Drawing on Austria's extensive experience in vocational education, our Commercial School provides a solid foundation for students' future professional lives.

Approximately one-third of our teaching staff are Turkish and two-thirds Austrian. Like our teachers, our students come from different cultural and religious backgrounds. 99% of students are Turkish citizens, 99% are Muslim and 1% are Christian or Jewish. Our aim is for students to learn about different cultures and religions and approach these differences with understanding and tolerance.

Languages

Language is both a key means of sharing knowledge and a vehicle for culture and communication. German and Turkish are therefore given equal importance at our school, ensuring a sound understanding of both countries' cultural backgrounds. Students also acquire a strong command of English. Latin and French may be offered as electives when there is sufficient demand.

Social Awareness

Social awareness is particularly important to our school. This commitment is reflected both in our carefully developed scholarship system and in the education we provide. We aim to develop students' social awareness so that it shapes their thinking and behaviour, helping them become socially responsible members of their country. The relief project carried out jointly by students, graduates and teachers after the 1999 earthquake is a successful example of this solidarity.

Alumni

Our school wishes to maintain its relationship with graduates after they leave. To this end, the school, together with the Alumni Association and Alumni Foundation, organises various activities in Türkiye and Austria. St. Georg Austrian High School helps alumni establish many cultural and professional connections. Annual alumni gatherings in Türkiye and Austria, known as Strudeltag, further strengthen these ties. An alumni directory prepared by the school enables graduates from different generations to contact one another easily.