Newsletter- 15/8/16
Kowloon Junior School’s latest newsletter is available to read now.
General News
New Staff
Uniform
Weather reminder
Extra Curricular Activities
Sign up for Welcome Meeting
New Year 1 Enrolment
Secondary School Placement for Current Y6 Students
Important Dates
School Musical Auditions
Lantern Festival / PTA AGM
General News
Dear All,
I trust you have enjoyed the holidays and hope that the children are as excited as we are about the new school year. We have been in school this week making sure that everything is ready for Tuesday morning at 8.30 am. We are looking forward to seeing all the children again and hearing their holiday stories and to welcome all the children and families who are new to the school. The KJS community is very special and I know everyone will make a big effort to make sure that those who are new to the school will feel very welcome.
As you can see, we now have a new website and therefore a new format of newsletter. Please take time to browse through the information we have uploaded for you.
Karen Thomas
Head of School
Message from Dr Wickins:
Dear Parents
Welcome to all new KJS families and welcome back to more familiar faces. We have had another successful summer period and I am really impressed by the preparations the school has made for the new academic year. The next chapter of the KJS adventure starts soon and it will be great fun to be working with you to ensure we achieve the best possible outcomes for your children.
Best wishes
Dr Ed Wickins
Executive Principal of the ESF Kowloon Learning Campus
(King George V School, Kowloon Junior School, Jockey Club Sarah Roe School)
New Staff
I am delighted to welcome the following staff who have joined the KJS team this year:
Sarah Robertson Burd (Y6 teacher)
Greta Holmes (Y1 teacher)
Sunny Lau (Learning Enhancement EA)
Linda Tsoi (Mandarin)
Valina Moolchandani (Library EA)
Ruby Chung (Y2 EA)
Nisha Bhojwani (Y3 EA)
Wasal Khan (Y5/Y6 EA)
Uniform
The PTA shop has been very busy this week with uniform sales. It is an expectation that KJS students proudly wear their correct uniform to school. It is always pleasing to see the students so well presented in their uniform as it fosters an ethos of high standards in our school community. Please look at the General Information section under ‘ Communication’ tab on the school website for more details.
Weather reminder
As we all know, the weather at this time of year is unpredictable. Information about bad weather procedures can be accessed on the General Information section under the ‘Communication’ tab on the school website. If there is an unexpected school closure we will publish information on the front page of the newsletter as soon as we are informed.
Extra-Curricular Activities
At KJS we run many opportunities for students to join extra curricular activities. Information about the sign up for these clubs will be issued on the website in the next couple of weeks.
For more information, please see the attached brochure and enrolment form. To
reserve a place or arrange for a trial class, please email Ms. Hong: flourhk@hotmail.com
See the Junior Bakers in action by clicking on the link below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOW88jsc8A0
Welcome Meetings
On Monday 29th August there will be no classes for students. Instead parents are invited to come in for an appointment with their child’s class teacher and to talk to them about your child. These meetings are extremely important. I do hope you will all be able to attend. Appointments can be made on Gateway from 8.30am tomorrow (Tuesday).
New Year 1 Enrolment (Children born in 2012)
The ESF will be welcoming applications for children born in 2012 from 1st – 30th September. Enrolment is on-line through the ESF website: (http://www.esf.edu.hk/Yr1_central_application_dates for key dates). Please remember to print a copy of your application and post this with the required documents to:
Year 1 Enrolment, English Schools Foundation, 25/F, 1063 King’s Road, Quarry Bay, Hong Kong
Once you have completed the on-line application you will receive an e-mail with a reference number. Should you have any query regarding the on-line application please contact the Admissions Hotline no. 3762-2411.
Secondary School Placement for Current Year 6 Students
ESF Y7 enrolment will shortly take place for our Y6 children. Parents are asked to sign into Gateway and complete the on-line application. This will be available from 5th to 16th September 2016. Please contact the office if you have difficulty signing into the Gateway Portal. Further detail on Y7 placement can be found on the following URL link www.esf.edu.hk/node/5470.
Important Dates
The calendar is available on the front page of the website. Key dates for your diary are:
Term 1
Tuesday August 16th 8.30am: Term 1 starts
Thursday 25th August 5pm: Year Ahead Meeting 5pm (all parents)
Monday 29th August: Welcome Meetings – no classes for students
Friday 9th September: PTA Lantern Festival/AGM for all the family
Wednesday 14th September: School closed – Staff training
Thursday 15h September: School closed – Staff training
Friday 16th September: School closed – Public Holiday
10th – 15th October: School closed – Half term holiday
Monday 17th October: School closed – Staff training
18th – 21st October: School photographer in
Friday 28th October: Diwali Assembly 9am
Friday 4th November: PTA Quiz Night for all the family
Tuesday 1st November: Parent Teacher conferences 3 – 6.30pm
including meetings with Mandarin, PE and Music for Y1 and Y5 parents
Thursday 10th November: Parent Teacher conferences 3 – 6.30pm including meetings with Mandarin, PE and Music for Y1 and Y5 parents
Thursday 17th November: KJS Musical
Friday 18th November: KJS Musical
21st – 23rd November: Y4 Camp
22nd – 25th November: Y5 Camp
28th November – 2nd December: Y6 Camp
Friday 9th December: School Disco for all the family
Tuesday 13th December: Term ends at midday
Term 2
Tuesday 3rd January: Term starts at 8.30am
Tuesday 10th January: Sports Day Y3 (am) and Y4 (pm)
Thursday 12th January: Sports Day Y5 (am) and Y6 (pm)
Thursday 26th January: Chinese New Year Assembly 9am
27th January – 3rd February: School Closed – Half term holiday
Thursday 23rd February: Y3 and Y4 Parent meetings Mandarin/PE/ Music
13th – 17th March: Maths Week
Friday 17th March: ESF 50th Anniversary Choral Concert
Saturday 18th March: KJS School Fair
Thursday 23rd March: Student Led Conferences 3 – 6pm
Friday 24th March: No classes, Student Led Conferences
Tuesday 28th March: Y1 and Y2 Sports Day am
Friday 31st March: Term ends at midday
Term 3
Tuesday 18th April: Term 3 starts at 8.30am
Wednesday 26th April: Y2 and Y6 Parent meetings Mandarin/PE/ Music
Friday 28th April: ESF Dance Festival
Monday 1st May: School closed – Public Holiday
Tuesday 2nd May: School closed – Staff training
Wednesday 3rd May: School Closed – Public Holiday
Thursday 25th May: PYP Exhibition
Tuesday 30th May: School closed – Public Holiday
Friday 30th June: Term ends at midday
Parents will be informed of any date changes in the school newsletter.
School Musical Auditions
Auditions for the school musical will be held this Wednesday 17th August from 3 – 5pm in the school hall. As shared in the holidays, auditions for acting roles will include one section of any of the selected Annie Jr. script extracts:
Children should prepare one of the following songs from Annie as part of their audition:
- It’s a Hard Knock Life
- Tomorrow
- You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile
- Little Girls
- I think I’m Going To Like it Here
- Maybe
Children must be registered on Gateway to audition. Parents are reminded to ensure that class teachers and bus companies are informed in advance should there be a change to your child’s usual home time arrangements.
Lantern Festival / PTA AGM
Have you decided what sort of lantern to make for the Lantern Festival on the evening of Friday 9th September? Please remember each child’s lantern should be homemade and safe to bring in to school – no glass or candles please. Each year group will have their own parade so we have a chance to see their creations. Last year I thoroughly enjoyed seeing lanterns in the shape of flowers, insects, cars and robots – I wonder what you will come up with this year? The Lantern Festival runs on the same evening as the PTA AGM so you will have a chance to support our amazing PTA as well as have great fun with your family. Details to follow soon – in the meantime, happy lantern making!
