Newsletter #21
Beacon Hill School latest newsletter available to read now. Find out the latest news around the school and upcoming events.
Principal’s Words
Important Dates
Around BHS
PTA News
Other News
Dear Parents, Family and Friends,
I trust you enjoyed the Chinese New Year holiday and managed to spend time with loved ones.
We now have seven weeks remaining leading up to the Easter break to build on the students’ achievements so far. As usual, there are lots of ‘extras’ happening on top of the regular school life. Here are some of the upcoming events to note:
IMPORTANT DATES
In addition we also have our Year 3 Sharing, Book Week, Year 5 Market Day, the ESF Primary Choral Concert, our own Spring Concert and of course our major fundraiser of the year, the PTA International Food Fair. You should already be aware that we are asking for your support to sell as many raffle tickets as you can. The two classes that sell the most tickets will win a day out of their choice! All money raised from the selling of the raffle tickets and money raised on the evening itself will all go to funding improvements at BHS.
4W shared their learning with us this morning in their class assembly, all about exploration and discovery. Part of the assembly included vlogs, which gave us a good idea of the inquiries and student-led learning that has taken place during the Unit of Inquiry. It was evident that the children genuinely love learning and have so much enthusiasm. Well done to the children and thank you to all the adults who assisted.
Learning and Teaching at BHS
Earlier this academic year the staff spent time discussing and examining what we believe excellent learning and teaching means for us at Beacon Hill School. We have finally come to an agreement of the ‘Beacon Hill School Shared Philosophy of Learning and Teaching’- please find a copy of this HERE. This underpins our entire approach and guides our decision-making. One example of where this can apply is in a review of our Homework policy (we now use the term Home Learning) which we have recently begun. Later this term I will be asking parents for views and opinions about home learning – pros and cons with a view to us publishing an agreed, revised Home Learning policy which will come into effect from August 2017. In the mean time, here’s just one article which you may find interesting – https://www.edutopia.org/blog/research-trends-is-homework-effective-youki-terada
Sports Days
Our annual sports days are coming up – Years 3 to 6 next week and Years 1 and 2 the following week. We have decided to split the events over two days this year to avoid the rush that has always happened in the past. As always, we will see how this works and welcome feedback from parents.
Community Choir
Community Choir resumes next Thursday – 7pm in the Music Room (6/F). New members very welcome.
Student Achievement Beyond School
Katelyn Lee of 5Y participated in the 4th Asia Pacific Outstanding Youth Piano Competition during the Chinese New Year and won first prize in the Piano Exam Grade 4 Class. Clearly her parents as very proud of her achievement as are we! Well done Katelyn.
Best wishes,
_
James Harrison
Principal
Storytelling at BHS
If you have a love of children’s stories and enjoy reading stories to children we would like to hear from you. We would like to create an opportunity for our students to listen to stories read by keen parents in their mother tongue. If this interests you and you have the time between 12:45 and 1:30 during a weekday please sign up via this Google Form. Once we have collected the interested parents I will arrange a brief meeting at school to explain in greater detail.
Andy Thompson
Vice Principal
BHS Dance Off 2017
A few weeks ago in our assembly the Student Council launched the first ever dance competition at BHS. Your child may choose to enter. If they are interested here is the important information:
- have fun
- you can perform in groups or solo
- the dance should be around 1 minute
- heats for the competition will take place at lunchtime in the next few weeks
- sign up sheets are in every classroom
- there will be a lower school and upper competition
You can support your child by helping them create and rehearse their dance.
Click HERE for a short video clip from a similar TV show.
Happy New Year of the Rooster! Gong Xi Fa Cai!
International Food Fair
Our 2017 IFF Grand Raffle Lucky Draw HK Lottery license has been Approved! We have prepared 2 sets of Raffle Tickets to go home with each BHS student to sell to friends & family for 8 weeks until Friday 24 March 2017 Fair Day. Please check with your child that they have brought the tickets home & ensure all tickets & monies are safe guarded and correct balances returned to BHS PTA as all numbered tickets & monies are Audited under requirements of the HK Lottery License. All proceeds from Raffle ticket sales will be directly donated to BHS for “school garden enhancement”, an Art project involving our students for the 50th Anniversary of BHS this coming 2017/18 Term 1.
Reminders:
- IFF Food and Hall Game Prize donations & volunteering form for the Fair Day on Friday 24 March 2017 has been sent home. Appreciate your support to run a fun & successful fair.
- Deli Fresh hot lunch order is due Tuesday 14 February 2017.
- Tuesday 14 February 2017 Y2 Bake Sale
- Tuesday 28 February 2017 Y5 Pizza Lunch
- KGV PTSA is welcoming BHS parents interested in attending their “Talking about Bullying with your Child” Parent Workshop on Thurs 16Feb2017. Please contact Rishika at ptsa@kgv.edu.hkor 2760 6660 for registration. See attached poster.
Wishing you a healthy & prosperous year,
Rowena Chow
Chair, BHS PTA
Health
Chickenpox
Further to our Chickenpox Note to Parent or Guardian, we would like to inform you of the fact that we have a few students on sick leave diagnosed with Chickenpox.
- The common symptoms include low-grade fever and skin rash (itchy vesicles).
- It is very contagious in the early stage of rash eruption.
If you suspect that your child has Chickenpox, please consult the doctor for confirmation of diagnosis.
The sick child/ren should refrain from school and to return to school as per doctor’s advice.
Please closely monitor other children in the family.
Always Keep Hands Clean.
Thank you.
Ms Chen
Disclaimer: Beacon Hill School and the English School Foundation do not recommend or endorse any external events in this newsletter. There is no contractual arrangement between BHS/ESF and the event organisers.
