Newsletter #7
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
Sports
PTA News
Other News
Dear Parents, Family and Friends,
Thank you to those parents who attended the Parent-Teacher-Student consultations this week. I hope that the meetings were helpful in understanding your child’s progress and next steps. There have been other extra events happening this week, including the first demonstration lesson for our Japanese students and parents and I would like to thank them for giving their time to this important aspect of our students lives. We have a similar programme beginning for our Korean families and both of these programmes are being led by the ESF Language Centre.
Last Saturday I was attending the International Schools Fair, representing ESF, fielding many questions in a packed hotel function room. This meant I was unable to witness the wonderful achievements of our football teams. Our boys won the cup final and our girls were runners up in the cup final. You can read more about the successful event later on in the newsletter. Thank you to all the teachers who have give their time coaching and supporting and to our parents who always support the children.
Next week we have our annual PTA AGM – 5pm on Tuesday 4th October. If you can attend please do. The Year 3 Camp Information Evening follows this at 6pm and the Year 5 Camp Information Evening begins at 7pm.
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.
IMPORTANT DATES
BHS SLT Awards
Here are the recipients of this award this week:
| Aidan Chan (3A) | For looking after the classroom environment by making sure all the stationery is put away neatly. |
| Sean Sham (1F) | For helping his classmates at lunch time |
Congratulations to them!
BHS House Teams
After the mid-term holiday we will begin our brand new House Points system, with all of our children being allocated into one of four houses. We are introducing a House system for the following reasons:
- to encourage a sense of belonging and a collective spirit
- to provide opportunities for positive competitive spirit
- to strengthen pastoral care – especially vertically (Y1-6)
- to provide opportunities for students to develop social and leadership skills
- to develop school pride, involvement and participation
I introduced the concept and how it will work to the children in assembly this morning and they are very, very excited – especially with the exclusive app that Mr Lowe has created which will be used to award and record points. After much discussion and deliberation last year we have decided on the names of the houses – they reflect the values of our vision and mission and also the importance we place on Chinese language. Hence we have names which I believe are rather distinctive. They are:
Every child has been allocated into one of the houses and they will know which one next week. Silicone bracelets will be given to each child so that teachers know which House they belong to. Siblings will be in the same house and if new siblings begin the school at a later date then they will also be in the same house as their older brothers or sisters. At the end of each week the house points totals will be calculated and then shared in Golden Book assembly on Mondays where the House with the most points that week will be presented with the House Trophy. Students will be encouraged to earn points through four different aspects of school life. They are called BEAC points (because we are BEACon Hill School!):
- Behaviour
- Effort
- Attitude
- Caring
Self-improvement will be encouraged, with the children striving to better themselves rather than compete against friends. However we think the friendly, competitive element is important hence the recognition of the House Trophy each week. We will have two House Captains for each House and Year 6 children who are keen to be these representatives will be sharing their thoughts with Year 5 and Year 6 children after the mid-term holiday and the eventual captains will be decided upon through a ballot. We are looking forward to introducing and developing this initiative over the coming years.
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
Parent Workshops 2016-17
Term 1
| Date | Workshop |
| 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 |
| 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.
Mind, Mouth and Movement
You are invited to the following event:
Event to be held at:
Date/Time: Thursday, October 6, 2016 at 6:00 PM – to – Friday, November 25, 2016 at 9:00 PM (HKT)
Venue: Chinese International School & Island Christian Academy, 1 Hau Yuen Path, Hong Kong SAR, China
Click HERE to attend.
ESF Football Tournament
Saturday 24th September
This day will go down in the history books for Beacon Hill football as possibly the greatest football day in Beacon Hil school history. Two teams entered the boys and girls competition and both teams made the finals with the boys team winning the cup and being crowned the best ESF football team and the girls narrowly losing on penalties to be the second best team in the ESF. Both teams played outstanding football and thanks to the parents and teachers who came down to support both teams. For photos, please click HERE.
Boys
The boys started slowly with a loss against Bradbury 2-1. But they had played some good football and just needed to fix their mistakes. They fixed them for the next game and won convincingly against Quarry Bay. Our next game was against the always strong Kennedy School and we lost 3-1 with two outstanding goals being scored by Kennedy. The team had played well and qualified for the main cup competition. The team stepped it up and beat Glenealy 4-0 and then in the semi final played even more excellent football in a two nil win over DC2. In the final it was a tense game and it ended up going to penalties with Darryl saving two penalties and scoring the winning goal. Praise was chosen as Beacon Hill’s best player. Well done to all the players!
Results
| BHS vs Bradbury | 1 – 2 | Praise |
| BHS vs Quarry Bay | 3 – 0 | Ronny 2 Jotaro |
| BHS vs Kennedy | 1 – 3 | Praise |
| Quarter Final BHS vs Glenealy | 4 – 0 | Praise 3 Jotaro |
| Semi Final BHS vs DC2 | 2 – 0 | Praise 2 |
| Final BHS vs Discovery College | 0 – 0 | 4 – 3 on penalties |
Girls
The girls started their tournament strongly with a 5 nil win over Shatin 1. Our next game was going to decide the group and despite most of the attack being at our end Kennedy held on to draw 1 all with us. The next games were goal feasts with a 3 nil victory over DC and a 6-0 in the local derby against Kowloon Junior. Our semi final against Shatin was mostly spent in front of the Shatin goal but we couldn’t find a way to score. So it was down to a penalty shoot out and we won 4-3 which put us in the final for the second year. The final was close and once again we just couldn’t score despite having the most shots. Just like the semi final it went to penalties and Discovery College managed to win 2-1. A tremendous effort by the girls team and Kirsty was chosen as player of the tournament.
Results
| BHS vs Shatin 1 | 5 – 0 | Natalee 2 Katie Rei Tammy |
| BHS vs Kenedy | 1 – 1 | Alyssa |
| BHS vs DC2 | 3 – 0 | Natalee 2 Katie |
| BHS vs Kowloon Junior | 6 – 0 | Natalee 3 Rei Tammy Katie |
| Semi Final BHS vs Shatin 2 | 0 – 0 | 4 – 3 on penalties |
| Final BHS vs Discovery College | 0 – 0 | 1 – 2 on penalties |
Our Annual General Meeting for voting of the 2016/17 Executive Committee members will occur on Tuesday 4 October 2016 at 5.00pm in the 7/F Conference Room, just before Yr 3 and Yr 5 Camp Info meetings. All PTA members are welcome. Notice of AGM and Executive Committee Member Nomination Forms have been distributed.
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 24 March 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.
Have a great weekend!
Rowena Chow
Chair, BHS PTA
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
Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD)
We would like to inform you of the fact that one student is on sick leave with HFMD.
Symptoms include fever, sore throat, (painful) mouth ulcers and skin rash with vesicles on hands and feet.
If, you suspect that the child has HFMD, 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.
Scarlet Fever (SF): An Update
Following our newsletter #4 dated 9 September 2016, we would like to inform you of the fact that there have been a few students suspected to have Scarlet Fever.
It is a bacterial infection caused by Group A Streptococcus.
Signs and symptoms include fever, sore throat, a rash (usually the upper trunk and neck which spreads to the limbs).
If, you suspect that the child has Scarlet Fever, please consult the doctor for confirmation of diagnosis.
To prevent the spread of this disease, please do not send the affected child to school.
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.
