Newsletter- 22/8/16
Kowloon Junior School’s latest newsletter is available to read now.
MESSAGE FROM HEAD OF SCHOOL
WELCOME MEETINGS DATE CHANGE
LETTER FROM BELINDA GREER
UNIFORM
ANNIE JR AUDITIONS
EXTRA CURRICULAR CLUBS
MUSIC CLASSES AND CLUBS
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT
NEW YEAR 1 ENROLMENT
SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACEMENT FOR CURRENT YEAR 6
ESF SPORTS AND LANGUAGE PROGRAMMES
PARENT WORKSHOP
FAMILY EVENT – LANTERN FESTIVAL
FAMILY EVENT – PTA QUIZ NIGHT
FAMILY EVENT – SCHOOL DISCO
DIWALI ASSEMBLY
BAKING CLASS DEMO
IMPORTANT DATES
Message from Head of School
Dear All,
What a rainy week we had for the first week back! Despite the challenges brought to us by the inclement weather the children have all settled well into their new classes. It has been a pleasure to meet all our new students who have been coming in to school with big grins on their faces in the mornings! In order to ensure that drop off and pick up times are smooth and safe and to avoid irate neighbours I remind parents that the area outside school should be left free for the school buses to park. There is plenty of room further down the road to drop off your children. Thank you for your cooperation.
On Thursday at 5pm all parents are invited in to our annual Year Ahead meeting. This is your opportunity to find out about your child’s classroom routines and the expectations in their new year group. We run two sessions to support families with more than one child. The evening is divided into a welcome address from the new leadership team and a classroom visit with the teachers. Timings are as follows:
5:00pm: Y2, Y3 and Y6 parents in the hall. Y1, Y4 and Y5 parents in classrooms.
5.40pm: Y1, Y4 and Y5 parents in the hall. Y2, Y3 and Y6 parents in classrooms.
This is the combination which enables the majority of parents with more than one child in school to attend both classroom sessions. I apologise if you are unable to make both sessions – if this is the case, please contact the class teacher for any key messages you may have missed.
Please note children will not be in school next Monday 29th as we have the Welcome Meetings running all day.
Warmest regards,
Karen Thomas
Head of School
Welcome Meetings 29 Aug 2016
This week we noticed a mistake on the Gateway sign up for the Welcome Meetings. Please make a note that all these appointments will be on Monday 29th August, the day that the children are not in school. There is no need to rebook any existing appointment you have made – we will keep to the time slots already allocated.
Letter from Belinda Greer
Message from Belinda Greer (click HERE)
Uniform
Please ensure your child has the correct uniform for school. School shoes should be black, P.E. shoes should be white. School hats must be brought in every day.
Annie Jr. Auditions
This week we enjoyed listening to 60 incredibly talented students auditioning for our annual school musical – Annie Jr. All students who auditioned should come to the read through this Wednesday from 3 – 5pm.
Extra Curricular Clubs
This term there is a range of clubs available to students beyond those already advertised for music. In term 1 the clubs on offer are as follows:
Please be mindful that places are limited and that children benefit from both organized activities and free play opportunities.
Sign up on Gateway will open on Friday at 9am.
Separate information regards sports clubs will be circulated to parents of Y4/Y5 and Y6 students this week. Sign up for sports clubs will be managed within school. Confirmation letters regarding placement in sports clubs will be sent home with students.
Music Classes and Clubs
We actively promote the arts at KJS and have an extensive range of music clubs and classes available for students. Please refer to the letter posted on the website should you wish you child to participate. Please note that for paid clubs with external providers the fees are set for the term and refunds will not be available for classes missed. Sign up for music clubs is already open on Gateway.
Student Achievement
During the holidays Quentin (Y5) reached great heights! Here he describes his amazing achievement!
During the summer holiday I climbed Mt. Fuji! (3776m). I went to Japan with Daddy, Mommy and my bigger brother, Hayden. Mt. Fuji is the highest peak in Japan. I used two days and one night to finish climbing Mt. Fuji. At the top I got altitude sickness,my head was throbbing and my ears were roaring. So then I took some pain killers and felt better. I saw the sunrise, it was surprisingly bright and blazing! The fluffy clouds were surrounding me with the fog making me practically blind!
I can see that Quentin was courageous and showed great commitment despite the challenges he faced. Well done Quentin!
Please let us know if your child has enjoyed success outside school – we would be delighted to share their news with the rest of the community.
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.
ESF Sports and Language Programmes
Dear All,
Welcome back! Hope you had a great summer.
ESF Sports Term 1 will be starting on 29th August and ESF Language & Learning Term 1 will be starting on 6th September. It would be great if you could include us in your school newsletter. Thank you!
ESF Sports
29th August – 13 December 2016
Our enthusiastic approach combined with expert coaches with a passion for sport, enables every student to develop a broad spectrum of acquisition skills to increase their self-confidence in a range of activities, both individual and within a group or team dynamic. This year, we are introducing our new Multi Sports programme, which is a development programme for ages 2-5 in building skills and abilities to better position themselves in entering a specialist sport(s). We are also introducing many new locations for Football and Gymnastics. Enrol online www.esf.org.hk
ESF Language & Learning
6th September – 12th November 2016
ESF Language & Learning is the premier provider of extracurricular English language and enrichment education in Hong Kong. Our nurturing, friendly approach enables students to flourish as they develop their skills and interests. Suitable for all pre-school and school age students, our small group courses are run by our friendly, qualified, English speaking teachers. Enrol online www.esf.org.hk.
Computer Coding (Middle & Upper Primary)
Parent Workshop
SOCIAL THINKING
Michelle Garcia Winner, founder of Social Thinking, will be working with teachers across ESF next month. As part of this, ESF are offering a parent workshop which you may well be interested in:
Date: Thursday 8 September
Time: 6.30-8.00pm
Venue: ESF Centre, 25/F 1063 King’s Road, Quarry Bay
Cost: Free for ESF parents
Workshop description:
The Social – Academic Connection Through The Lens Of Social Thinking
We will explore how social cognition lays the foundation for the development of critical thinking and our social competencies. Having social emotional learning challenges is not just a problem of making and keeping friends but can also impact a student’s ability to engage in reading comprehension of literature, written expression, narrative language, organisational skills and working as part of a group.
Lessons in perspective taking and executive functioning can be helpful to guide a student’s better understanding of others’ points of view as well as to self-manage their own assignments. Today’s challenge of our students’ desire to engage in screen time will also be touched upon. We will discuss a few ideas on teaching students about how they can set goals, explore related action plans and what it means to self-regulate their behaviour in order to achieve their goals.
Find more information about Social Thinking at www.socialthinking.com
Sign up is via a Google Form via the following link:
Please note that spaces are limited and offered on a first come first served basis.
Y1/Y2 LEARNING TO READ
On Tuesday 6th September at 1.30pm we are running our annual reading workshop for parents. This workshop is suitable for all Y1 and Y2 parents who are new to the school.
Please sign up on Gateway for this workshop.
Y1/Y2 LEARNING TO WRITE
On Tuesday 4th October at 1.30pm we are running a writing workshop for parents. This workshop is suitable for all Y1 and Y2 parents who are new to the school.
Please sign up on Gateway for this workshop.
AN INTRODUCTION TO THE PYP
Parents new to the school are invited to attend this workshop to develop understanding of the Primary Years Programme – the framework upon which we build learning in the school.
Tuesday 20th September 5-6pm
Please sign up on Gateway for this workshop.
HEALTHY BODIES, HEALTHY MINDS
Getting our children (and ourselves) to eat better and be healthy and happy can be stressful and overwhelming! We are constantly being bombarded by information (a lot of which comes with confusing, mixed messages). It doesn’t have to be that hard – come along and listen to a balanced, simple approach toward living better – one that you create around a lifestyle that suits your family. This will be perfect for parents, but also helpers or other family caregivers, as we are all the gatekeepers to our children’s health and wellness!
Tuesday 25th October 8.45am – 9.45am
Please sign up on Gateway for this workshop.
Family Event – Lantern Festival
This year the PTA Lantern Festival and AGM will be on Friday 9th September. Children are encouraged to make their own lanterns and join our beautiful lantern parade. Details to follow but please save the date!
Family Event – PTA Quiz Night
Our second Family Quiz night will be on Friday 4th November. Pit your wits against one another in a fabulous fun packed evening for all the family. Details to follow soon!
Family Event – School Disco
Our end of term disco is always lots of fun at the end of the long first term. This year it will be held on Friday 9th December. Details will follow nearer the time.
Diwali Assembly
Our Diwali Assembly will be on Friday 28th October this year. There will auditions for children wanting to dance, sing and present later in September. Details to follow soon.
Baking Class Demo
Mrs Hong will be running a baking demo in the playground this Thursday lunchtime (weather permitting). Details of Mrs Hong’s class are as follows:
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
Important Dates
Please note that the school calendar is available on the school website.
Term 1
Thursday 25th August: Year Ahead Meeting 5pm (all parents)
Monday 29th August: Welcome Meetings – no classes for students
Thursday 1st September: Dentist visit for students in last year’s 4M and 4MC
Friday 2nd September: Dentist visit for students in last year’s 1W
Tuesday 6th September: Parent Workshop – Y1 Learning to Read 1.30pm
Friday 9th September: PTA Lantern Festival/AGM for all the family
Wednesday 14th September: School closed – Staff training
Thursday 15th September: School closed – Staff training
Friday 16th September: School closed – Public Holiday
Tuesday 20th September: Parent Workshop – An introduction to the PYP 5pm – 6pm
Tuesday 4th October: Parent Workshop – Y1 Learning to Write 1.30pm
10th – 15th October: School closed – Half term holiday
Monday 17th October: School closed – Staff training
18th – 21st October: School photographer in
Tuesday 25th October: Parent Workshop – Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds 8.45am
Friday 28th October: Diwali Assembly 9am
Friday 4th November: PTA Quiz Night for all the family
Tuesday 1st November: Parent Teacher conferences 3 – 6.30p 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 Nov – 2nd Dec: Y6 Camp
Friday 9th December: School Disco for all the family
Tuesday 13th December: Term ends at midday
Parents will be informed of any date changes in the school newsletter.
