12 May 2017

Newsletter #32

Beacon Hill School latest newsletter available to read now. Find out the latest news around the school and upcoming events.

Other News

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Dear Parents, Family and Friends,

Thank you to everyone in Year 1 for their Sharing this morning. Unfortunately I was not able to be there but I have since spoken with the children and teachers and they are very proud of what they did. I hope you enjoy the amazing clay models that you took home after the event. Click HERE for more photos.

Last Friday our Year 3s held an Action Day with a variety of activities and events for the whole school to get involved in. The children did a great job and as well as raising awareness, they also raised over HK$6000 which will be donated to the various charities they are supporting. Well done to them.

The Year 6 Exhibition is progressing well and this week the students have embarked upon various types of action. One example is a group who are campaigning to support the Global Goal on climate action (find out more about the Global Goals here – http://www.globalgoals.org/#the-goals ). One idea they have been promoting is a ‘car free day’ for staff and this will be happening on Friday 19th May. It would be fantastic and show support to the group if parents who normally drive their child to school could find alternative means of travel.

Another exhibition group is called ‘Paper Patrol’ and they have asked me to share the following notice:

Dear Parents,

My name is Hugo and I am from the Exhibition group, “Paper Patrol”. We are concerned about the excessive use of paper at Beacon Hill School. We would like to replace the paper letter system by posting newsletters on the Gateway or emailing them to you directly.

We believe it would save a lot of money, time and trees! Shatin Junior and Renaissance College have already moved to a similar system which has been very successful. Money that we save from paper wastage could go to improving facilities and educational resources that will improve our learning.

I have designed a survey regarding this matter which I would be most grateful if you would complete. It will only take 30 seconds of your time. Please click HERE for the survey.

Thank you very much.

Kind regards

Hugo Hellen – Paper Patrol

Peter Sullivan workshop cancelled – due to the poor health of Peter’s wife, he has had to cancel his visit to us next week. We will be working with him closely in the coming academic year and we will notify you of a new date for this parent workshop.

Recently we have had one or two instances of parents using social media to find out about minor incidents that have happened at school involving their child. This has led to misinformation, confusion, exaggeration and simply incorrect ‘facts’ being shared (dare I say ‘alternative facts’!) which could potentially tarnish the school’s reputation, let alone cause issues between parents. Please, please always contact the school first – we have the first hand knowledge and accurate information and are much better placed to help with any concerns. Whatsapp groups can be a great help but please use them mindfully.

The calendar for the 2017-18 academic year is complete. Please note that it is subject to Government gazetting of 2018 general holidays. The start date for 2018/19 is shown for indication only and families should avoid making travel plans for 2018 until the school start date and back-to-school work date are confirmed. Click below to download a copy.

BHS Calendar 2017-18.pdf

No hat – no play – please be reminded that we have a ‘no hat, no play’ policy. At this time of year the sun is now quite strong, so if children wish to play outside, then must wear a school hat, that has their name clearly marked on it.

IMPORTANT DATES

50th Anniversary Water Bottle

To celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Beacon Hill School, special edition water bottles will be available to buy, in the four house colours. The children are currently voting on their preferred design (see the two options below – there will be a space on the bottle to write your child’s name and class). We hope to have these available before the end of this term and we will send out a pre-order form in the next couple of weeks. We are expecting the cost of an individual bottle to be around HK$35.

Achievement Beyond School

Zedric Wong (3D) is one of the players in the mini squirt division for Penguins and he recently took part in the 2017 Hockey 5’s. He really enjoyed participating in the games and it was an invaluable experience for Zedric. Zedric is the one in blue on the left of the photo. Well done Zedric!

Wishing you a wonderful weekend.

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James Harrison

Principal

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Battle of the Books Semi-Final

Last Thursday Beacon Hill School Battle of the Books team spent the morning at Renaissance College competing in the group Semi-Finals for the Hong Kong BOB Competition.

Beacon Hill competed against four other schools from across Hong Kong and put in an amazing performance.

The Hong Kong wide competition invites the children to read twenty books by respected authors and then they are expected to answer a series of questions about the titles that they have read.

In preparation for the competition the children have worked incredibly hard over the past six months and they put their hearts and souls into the competition last Thursday. We would like to say big well done to all the members of the BOB team and all of the children who attended the lunchtime club.

The new book list for Battle of the Books 2018 will be announced shortly and the BHS Battle of the Books club will start again early next year.

Year 6 Exhibition Book Drive

Dear Parents and Students,

From May 8th to May 22nd, the Year 6 Literacy is a Necessity’ PYPX Exhibition group will be organising a book drive. Can you please take part in this by donating some of your old books. These books that you donate will be sent to Lai Sing Tai Hang School, Please bring them to the school foyer where there would be a box to drop the books in.

Thank you for your support and have a nice day!

Tammy, Avina, Nicole, Kirsty

Literacy is a Necessity

Reminders:

Monday 15 May 2017 DeliFresh lunch order due for June. There will not be extra lunches provided without paid orders or for those whom payments are in arrears.
Wednesday 17 May 2017 Quiz Day notice due.
Tuesday 23 May 2017 Y1 Bake Sale
Friday 2 June 2017 Quiz Day
Tuesday 6 June 2017 Y2 Pizza Day
Tuesday 13 June 2017 Y3 Bake Sale
Monday 19 June 2017 BHS PTA Uniform Shop will be CLOSED until reopening on Friday 11 August 2017, Monday 14 August 2017 & Tuesday 15 August 2017 before start of 2017-18 School Year on Wednesday 16 August 2017.

Have a great weekend!

Rowena Chow

Chair, BHS PTA

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Health

School Dental Care Service (SDCS)

The appointment slips have arrived (only for parents or guardians who have consented for their child to join this service).

We have passed them to your child’s class teacher (for you) this week (from 8 May 2017 to 12 May 2017) and if, you have not received it (from your child), please could you let us know a.s.a.p.

Reminder

If you cannot keep this appointment, please could you let them know (i.e. there is a 24 hour automated enquiry and appointment re-scheduling hotline at the back of the appointment slip).
If you can attend, please be “punctual” because if you are late for 30 minutes or more, your appointment may be cancelled.
Your appointment will be cancelled if typhoon signal No. 8 (or above) or black rainstorm signal is hoisted. Then, please could you call the clinic on or after the next working day to arrange a new appointment.

*Please bring the appointment slip, your child’s toothbrush and the school dental care service handbook (if you have one), when you attend.*

Fever

Children with fever higher than 37.5°C (via oral temperature) or higher than 38°C (via ear temperature), with or without respiratory symptoms, should not be allowed to attend school. They should seek medical advice and they should avoid school till 48 hours after the fever has subsided.

The above is strongly advised by the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) to prevent outbreaks of influenza and other respiratory infections.

Please check the child’s temperature (prior to coming to school), if you suspect that the child has a fever.

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.