Newsletter #6
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
SEN News
PTA News
Other News
Dear Parents, Family and Friends,
Today all our Year 4 students and parents participated in our first Sharing Morning, where the children got to share some of the learning about their ‘Who We Are’ Unit of Inquiry, looking into the central idea ‘Beliefs and values can influence our attitudes and behaviour’. Our ‘Sharing Units’ offer the opportunity to learn through various arts and this year we are using the specialist skills of Ms Cassie Chan who has worked with all the children developing ceramic skills whilst producing some wonderful art pieces that were displayed in an environmentally friendly way! Through talking with the children I can tell that they have developed their understanding of our individual beliefs, of where our values come from and about our behaviours and attitudes. Well done to all the children and big thanks to all the teachers and EAs who have been involved and also thank you to parents for being so supportive. For photos, click HERE.
Today was a busy day (which ones aren’t!) with our Year 6 students and a range of teachers being involved in our first ‘Grow Your Mind’ day, which provides an opportunity to try something new providing a sense of accomplishment, helping to build resilience and enjoyment. There were a range of activities to choose from, such as creative dance and Zumba routines, drumming, juggling, learning to build a fully working computer inside a cardboard box and our very own ‘BHS Bake Off’ where ‘bread’ was the technical challenge! The experience was great for everyone involved and it is something we hope to make available to more students next time. For photos, click HERE.
Earlier this week our Year 1s had a great excursion to ‘Fun Zone’ and I am reliably informed they certainly did have a fun time. Thanks to parents for volunteering to help. For those who may consider helping on other excursions, we normally request that ‘Helpers’ are not sent in lieu of parents.
Dress Casual Day in Support of the Hong Kong Community Chest
As we have done in the past, we are asking all students to make a donation to come dressed in casual clothes in aid of the HK Community Chest. The date for this at BHS is Wednesday 5th October. We ask that each child donate a minimum of HK$20 – perhaps this could come from their pocket money, or they could help out with some chores at home? We look forward to your continued support with this.
Japanese Mother Tongue Programme
This afternoon we welcomed a small group of parents to an Information Session, led by Hisako Sugami and Michelle Kwak who are from the ESF Language Centre. In previous years some of our Japanese speaking parents have volunteered to run sessions for our Japanese speaking students to support their mother tongue. We are keen for this to continue and perhaps even grow. We are delighted that ESF Language Centre is able to support this. We are keen to also offer a similar programme for our Korean native speakers – if you are interested in helping out, please email me.
Individual Educational Plan Meetings
This week we have held IEP meetings for a number of parents with more than 40 students having their needs catered for through this process. These IEPs are designed to ensure that our students have specific targets they are working towards and so that parents and those in school who work with the children are clear about the expectations.
Year 1 Applications for 2017-18
If you or any friends you know are wishing to apply for a Year 1 placement for the 2017-18 academic year, an online application must be completed. You can find all the information you need to know on our website: https://www.beaconhill.edu.hk/year-1-applications/
IMPORTANT DATES
BHS SLT Awards
Here are the recipients of this award this week:
| Rei Kitamura 3M | For the wonderful, caring way she took care of a new student, showing true BHS spirit! |
| Justin Chan 6D | For an improvement in his ability to overcome adversity |
| Thomas Yuan 2G | For great listening and discussion skills and making connections between what we read and his own experiences. |
Congratulations to them!
Student Achievement Beyond School
Natalee Evans (6H) was asked to play at the “CUP OF NATIONS”, held at Kings Park organised by the HKRFU last weekend. Basically, they got together many rugby kids from around HK and held a mini WORLD CUP.
Natalee was selected to play for Scotland. She scored four tries, which was a great achievement making her the side’s top scorer. This was made more special, as she was the only girl in the team and demonstrated, “girl power”! She enjoyed the event so much, and made her love for sport all the greater. Well done Natalee!
BHS Community Choir
Last January we held the inaugural meeting of the BHS Community Choir and went on to perform at the International Food Fair, the Chinese New Year show and the Summer Music Concert. The choir will re-form this year, starting on Thursday October 20th at 7pm. Everyone is welcome – no experience necessary! New and existing members are very welcome. Please click on this link to register: https://goo.gl/forms/fERvdJNghaaC1YYa2
Best wishes,
_
James Harrison
Principal
News from the English Team
Celebrations
It was a time of celebration last week in the library. Mid-Autumn festival was marked with a special information and book display. It was lovely to hear the children sharing how they would celebrate with their friends.
We also celebrated the life and works of the amazing storyteller Roald Dahl who would have been 100 years old on the 13th September. The children happily spent their lunchtimes doing a range of activities all linked to the characters and events in Dahl’s stories, such as quizzes and drawing in the style of Quentin Blake.
Art competition
We also launched a competition in the library for the children to draw themselves and their favourite Roald Dahl characters. They can use any media and it can be any size. If your child wants to get involved their entries should be given to Mrs Lowe, in the library, by the end of September. There will be prizes for the best art work in each year group.
Family borrowing
Does your family have a library card? Here is a reminder about our family borrowing times. You can find the registration form on the school website: https://www.beaconhill.edu.hk/letterspage/
| Before school | After school | |
| Monday | 8.30-9.00am | 2.45-3.00pm |
| Tuesday | 8.30-9.00am | |
| Wednesday | 8.30-9.00am | 2.45-3.00pm |
| Thursday | 8.30-9.00am | |
| Friday | 8.30-9.00am |
As always if you have any questions and queries about English at school or the library contact me Emily Jeves at jevese2@beaconhill.edu.hk
ISA Assessments for Years 4, 5 and 6
Dear Parents,
I am writing to notify you that students in Year 4, 5 and 6 will sit the International Schools’ Assessment (ISA) next week. The ISA assessment has been specially developed to measure skills in mathematical literacy, reading and writing of students in international schools. The ISA has been developed by the Australian Council for Educational Research.
ESF students will complete the writing, reading and mathematical literacy components of the assessment. (Students in Year 6 will also take the INCAS assessment at the end of Year 6.) We will receive the results of the assessment early Term 2 and individual reports will be accessible via the Gateway. This will give you a detailed record of your child’s performance in mathematical literacy, reading literacy and writing.
Your child will complete a reading literacy test, a mathematical literacy test and two writing tests, each of which takes between 45 minutes and one hour to administer. The tests include both multiple-choice and open-ended tasks. The children will take part in the assessments during their class lessons and do not need to do any preparation for the tests as the process will be similar to tasks they experience as part of their normal day to day work.
Please contact me at susan.chung@bhs.edu.hk if you have any questions.
Susan Chung
Vice Principal
Parent Workshops 2016-17
Term 1
| Date | Workshop |
| 27 & 29 September | Parent Teacher Conferences |
| 3 October | Gifted & Talented – John Hopkins Centre for Talented Youth |
| 4 & 5 October | Camp Information Evenings |
| 27 October 6pm | Year 1 Maths |
| 27 October 6:45pm | Year 3 Maths |
| 27 October 7:30pm | Year 5 Maths |
| 18 October 6:30-8pm | Positive Parenting Workshop
Marie Marchand – Sibling Rivalry |
| 26 October | The Power of Play |
| 8, 10, 22 November – Day Appointments
24, 30 November – Evening Appointments |
Mandarin Parent Teacher Consultations |
| 9 November | English Reading Workshop for Helpers |
| 9 November | English Reading Workshop for Parents |
| 29 November | Introduction to PYP (Year 1 parents and new parents) |
Sibling Rivalry – parenting workshop with Marie Marchand
‘How to help your children live together so that you can live happily too!’
October 18th from 6.30 – 8.00pm in the BHS hall.
Please click HERE to sign up.
Reminders
1. DeliFresh hot lunch order deadline for October has lapsed. Please contact DeliFresh directly for order & payment confirmation. There will not be extra lunches provided without paid orders.
2. Winter Uniform Pre-Order Forms will be distributed before Half Term Break 5 October 2016. The BHS PTA Uniform Shop will close between October 18 – 28 2016 to process New Student and Year 1 Pre-Orders, then Year 2-6 year groups. Please pay attention to sample sizing (displayed outside Uniform Shop) and correct payment by cheque to avoid delays in order processing.
3. To find out more about what we do and how you can get involved or support us to enrich your child’s experience at BHS, please visit www.beaconhill.edu.hk/pta-2/. Our Annual General Meeting for voting of the 2016/17 Executive Committee members will occur on Tuesday 4 October 2016. Notice of AGM and Executive Committee Member Nomination Forms have been distributed.
4. Now is the time of year when we ask for our BHS Community support for the Grand Raffle Prize donations towards our International Food Fair (“IFF”) Lucky Draw which will take place Friday March 24 2017. In the past we’ve received over HKD$60,000 worth of prizes or donations, offering wonderful anticipation and sales for our IFF Grand Raffle Tickets which is governed by the HK Home Affairs Office under an approved HK Lottery License. All IFF Grand Raffle Ticket Sales proceeds are donated directly to BHS. Our BHS Community has benefited directly from these proceeds with a new playground, ICT equipment, new library, new ICT room and new playground equipment, overall improved environment for teaching and learning Appreciate your donations and support to BHS PTA and BHS and our thriving children.
Enjoy your weekend!
Rowena Chow
Chair, BHS PTA
Prospective Parents of Island School for 2017-18
Gifted and Talented
Dear Parents,
We have spent the last year developing a Gifted and Talented policy which can be viewed on the Gateway, and outlines how we may go about identifying who those students are. Beacon Hill School is at the early stages of identification and developing a Gifted and Talented register.
As part of this development, we are offering an information evening at Beacon Hill School from a representative of the John Hopkins Centre for Talented Youth on Monday 3rd October at 6.30pm for Year 3-6 parents only. Please see details below.
Susan Chung
Vice Principal
RE: JHU-CTY 2016-17 Fall Information Session at BHS (Oct 3)
Dear Parents,
Greetings from the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY)! As part of the Johns Hopkins University, CTY conducts the oldest and most extensive university-based Talent Search by offering an above-grade level testing to the 2nd to 8th graders (year 3 – 9 students) worldwide. For academically advanced students who qualify, CTY offers challenging summer and online programs.
In the coming fall, we will host an information session at Beacon Hill School (BHS). The schedule is as below:
| Date: | October 3, 2016 (Monday) |
| Time: | 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. |
| Venue: | BHS – Main Hall |
| RSVP: | https://centerfortalentedyouth.formstack.com/forms/bhs_information_session_rsvp
(Please RSVP on or before September 26) |
During the session, we will provide first-hand information about CTY summer and online programs, including their benefits to the students and how to qualify. Come and check us out! We look forward to seeing you on the day!
Best Regards,
East Asia Office (EAO)
Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY)
Health
Student Sickness
We would like to inform you of the fact that the school is continuing to experience difficulties with students coming to school when they are obviously unwell which necessitates parents or guardians being contacted to take their child home.
Similarly, students often return to school when they have not completely recovered from illness. This means that germs are passed onto both other students and the staff.
Please may we ask that you do not send your child to school until he or she has completely recovered from illness and would you, also, please inform the school via e-mail explaining the reason for the absence.
ESF Drug Administration Policy
Just to let you know that a few parents have entered “Yes” to the question, “Is medication kept with the school nurse or teacher? (ESF recommends keeping emergency medication with the school nurse/teacher).
This information is via Gateway, Medical Information of Students.
Please Note:
The ESF Drug Administration Policy can be found at www.beaconhill.edu.hk
- About us.
- Other information.
If, you would like to have emergency medication (prescribed) to be kept with the school nurse or teacher, please can you adhere to the above named policy.
Chickenpox
Also, to keep you informed that we received an e-mail from the parents whose child is on sick leave suspected to have Chickenpox.
Symptoms include fever and itchy skin rashes.
If, you suspect the 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 to prevent the spread of this disease.
Please closely monitor other children in the family.
Always Keep Hands Clean.
Thank you.
Ms Chen
69th Hong Kong Schools Music Festival
The application form for entering 69th Hong Kong School Music Festival will be ready on Monday 26th September. If your child/(ren) want to participate in this competition, please return the application form and application fee (cheque payable to “Beacon Hill School”) to the school office on or before Friday 7th October, 2016. This is the deadline set by School. Any late application received after the deadline will not be accepted.
Please note that ESF school education level is not equivalence to the local school system. If you enroll the year group programme, please cross check with the following table for the correct age group. HKSMSA is based on the local system for enrolment.
| ESF Level | Local School System |
| Y1 | K3 |
| Y2 | Y1 |
| Y3 | Y2 |
| Y4 | Y3 |
| Y5 | Y4 |
| Y6 | Y5 |
School Office
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.
