Newsletter- 08/11/17
Kowloon Junior School’s latest newsletter is available to read now.
Dear Parents,
Thank you for your support for staff by keeping your children at home on Monday while we focused on “Success for Every Child.” The day was very constructive as staff continued to focus on the five steps for success we have identified as we work to make KJS the best it can be. The five steps involve:
- Having clarity about what “Success for Every Child” means and how we will achieve this
- Developing consistency of practice and aiming for consistently ‘better practice’
- Harnessing collaboration to achieve our goals
- Striving for professionalism and ensuring we are working to the highest professional standards
- Utilising the art of inquiry to investigate our effectiveness
We delved into the five characteristics identified by the community through the survey earlier this term and through the existing information gather by the school over recent years. Together we worked to define these characteristics of Achievement, Agency, Respect, Opportunity, and Wellbeing. We then initiated the process of identifying specific actions and strategies which will support our children to progress in each of these areas. We asked:
What do we mean by achievement at KJS and how will we know if a child is achieving?
We know agency means “Children who take ownership of their learning and empowered to take action,” so what do we need to do to make sure this happens?
What does respect mean at KJS and how do we support our children to be respectful to self, others and the environment?
What ways are we supporting children to have opportunity to learn in different ways, with a range of people in different places and times?
What does wellbeing mean at KJS and how do we support children to have positive wellbeing?
The team made a good start on this process and the work will continue this term.
Additionally, the team broke into smaller groups throughout the day with three schooling improvement teams coming together (Schooling Improvement Teams in Literacy, Maths and Wellbeing) and the Educational Assistants having targeted professional development. We also sang some songs, shared an amazing potluck lunch and did some physical team challenges. All in all a very successful day!
I was delighted at the passion, collaboration, energy, creative ideas and knowledge evidenced during the day. We are so fortunate to such a great team at KJS.
It was excellent to see so many of you at the parent teacher evening last Thursday. It was especially pleasing to see how many of you took up the invitation to have your child present at the meeting. My experience in over 27 years in education is that once parents have their child present at a meeting like this they never want to return to the previous system of leaving their child out of important conversations about their learning. Do give it a go you will be pleasantly surprised!
I look forward to seeing more of you this week.
Neill O’Reilly
Principal
Year 6 Vaccination Notice
Information concerning the combined measles vaccination issued by the Director of Health has been sent home with your child this week. Please read the consent form very carefully and complete all the sections by ticking as appropriate. Forms and original immunization records should be returned to school by Friday, 17 November 2017.
Parent Teacher Consultation – 9 November
Parents please be reminded teacher consultation will be held on Thursday 9 November. Please come at the slots you have registered in advance on Gateway. Please note that after school activities on Thursday will go on as usual, except for Senior Choir, which will be cancelled.
Madagascar Jr
Save the date! Our school musical ‘Madagascar Jr.’ will be performed at 6pm on the 14 and 15 November. Tickets are $50 and will be on sale to those from Tuesday 7 November from the school office. Please note that we are not able to accept cheques for the sale of tickets and DVDs of the performances. The order form (click here) and cash should be returned to the school office in a sealed envelope.
Christmas Sale
Thanks to the generosity of Suzanne the PTA have an amazing array of Christmas goods to sell again this year!. The sales will be next week on Tuesday and Wednesday from after school until the start of the school musical (2.45 – 5.50pm). don’t forget to bring your money on these days! Parents who are happy to volunteer a little time to help selling the wonderful merchandise are asked to contact the PTA directly.
PTA Update
We are in the midst of gathering sponsorship and donations for our school fair, which will take place on Saturday 17 March 2018. A big thank you to all the parents who have already donated prizes in cash and kind.
If you would like to support this event, through cash sponsorship or prize donations, please approach the PTA office directly or you can fill out the form here . We need volunteers for the school fair as well. This link will also lead you to the Volunteer Sign Up Sheet.
Disco Night will take place on Friday 19 January 2018 from 5pm to 7pm. Our theme this time will be Red and Gold. Do come in your best dancing clothes with a touch of red or gold. Tickets for Disco Night will be on sale from the first week of December.
We also need volunteers for this event. If you will be coming to the disco and will have some time to spare, we would appreciate your help. Please sign up at the PTA office. Volunteers can help in 30-minute or 60-minute time slots.
Thank you
Student Success
Moe (4MC) participated in the 2017 Global Art Competition in Hong Kong held by Global Art and won 1st Runner-up prize in Group B (7-9 year old children). She did one and half hours colouring work to show her skill and imagination. Moe would like to share this with the KJS community. Congratulations Moe!
Suie (4R) finished the 2km Spartan Race. She said that it was so much fun and that she wants to complete this challenge every year! Congratulations Suie!
Aaryan Prince from 4R preparing for his camp by hiking in Clearwater Bay. Congratulations Aaryan – achievers train and prepare to succeed!
Aylin (3A) won 2nd prize in 2017 ISI Skate Hong Kong, Character spotlight event held on 4th November. She practised hard to get this result and would like to share this with the KJS community. Congratulations Aylin!
ESF and Other Notices
ESF 50th Anniversary Commemorative Book
To mark ESF’s half-century, we are publishing a commemorative book: ESF The First 50 Years. This volume will chronicle the ESF story, highlighting key events over the last 50 years. It will also celebrate the successes and contributions of our students and staff, both past and current.
The book will be published in November 2017. Place your online order NOW at http://www.esf.edu.hk/50th-book/
Enquiries: 50book@esfcentre.edu.hk
ESF 50th Anniversary Gala Dinner
Please click here for more information of the ESF 50th Anniversary Gala Dinner.
Dates for Your Diary
Thursday 9 November 3-6:30pm Parent Teacher Meetings (including Y1 & Y4 Chinese classes)
14 & 15 November Madagascar, KJS Musical
20 – 22 November Y4 Camp
Thursday 23 November Kowloon Netball Tournament
Thursday 30 November Y6 Immunization
28 November – 1 December Y5 Camp
4 – 8 December Y6 Camp
Wednesday 13 December Y3 & Y4 Sports Day
Thursday 14 December Y5 & Y6 Sports Day
Friday 15 December Term ends at midday
Disclaimer:
Kowloon Junior School, English Schools Foundation and its affiliates shall take no responsibility for any activities, events and services that are organised by other organisations or individuals and are mentioned in our newsletters..
