Newsletter #13
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
ESF News
Other News
Dear Parents
Year 3 Camp
The Year 3s had a lovely 2 day camp at Sai Kung this week. The children arrived back to school this afternoon happy and tired. I was impressed with the way they adapted to their new environment and supported their classmates. I was able to spend time with them and enjoyed chatting about their experiences and new adventures. I think everyone (including the staff) will sleep soundly this weekend. Thank you to all the staff for leaving their own families behind to accompany our children on this camp. Photos can be found at facebook.com/BHSYear3Camp
Box of Hope Final Reminder
We have already received an incredible number of Boxes of Hope. If you are still preparing one at home. Please send it in by Monday morning as they will be collected that afternoon.
ESF Christmas Card Design
This year, ESF Centre is preparing an ESF Christmas Card, and would like to invite students to submit artworks for the cover. If students are interested and would like to submit their artwork for consideration, please send an email with the JPG file of the artwork to susanna.chiu@esfcentre.edu.hk by the deadline of 23 November.
CIS Preparatory Evaluation
In March 2019, BHS will be hosting a preparatory visit from the Council of International Schools. They are an accrediting organisation who supports schools in their journey to continued excellence. As part of this process, I will need to gather views from our Parents, School Council, Staff and Students as to how appropriate our Vision and Mission is for the students we serve. I would be grateful if you could spare a few minutes to complete the google forms linked here.
Wellbeing Focus
This week, Crystal of Happiness house shared how being active is an important way she looks after her wellbeing. Crystal shared the many benefits of maintaining an active lifestyle.
Health & Safety
The Centre For Health Protection (CHP) has reported an increase in the outbreaks of acute gastroenteritis in Hong Kong.
Acute gastroenteritis is usually caused by norovirus or rotavirus infection. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever and malaise. These viruses can be transmitted by consumption of contaminated food, contact with vomitus or excreta of infected persons, contaminated objects and aerosol spread via infectious droplets.
To prevent outbreaks of viral gastroenteritis (and seasonal influenza which is currently circulating in Hong Kong), please could you speak to your child about the importance of strict personal, food and environmental hygiene:
- Remind children to maintain strict personal hygiene, especially proper hand washing with liquid soap before meals and after going to the bathroom.
- Please keep affected children away from school until their diarrhea or vomiting has subsided for at least 2 days or as advised by their doctor.
- Ensure all food is adequately cooked, especially high risk food such as shellfish.
- Cleaning and disinfection of the school environment has been enhanced.
Student Council
Thank you for all the support we are having with our Impact HK Drive. As you can see, we have already made an excellent start to our collection. Please donate towels , tinned or dried food and adult clothing so we can support families in Hong Kong who are struggling with poverty.
Mandarin Mondays
We have been reading stories from the famous Chinese novel “Journey to the West” in our Mandarin Club every Monday. Many of you are very familiar with Sun Wukong (or “Monkey King”), his master Tang Sanzang (or “Tang Tripitaka Master”) , and the other two disciples of Master Tang, Zhu Bajie (or “Pigsy”) and Sha Wujing (or “Monk Sandy”). However, do you know there is another important member in the fellowship? Without this member, it would be impossible for Master Tang to travel such a great distance on the journey. Can you guess who this is? He appears to be a white horse. But wait, is he really a horse? Actually, he is a little white dragon and son of the Dragon King of East Ocean. So, why did he become a horse? After all, isn’t he a prince? Well, come join us on Monday, the 19th, and you will find out. We will read together the story of Little White Dragon.
Student Achievement
On Saturday November 10th, Marcus Chan from 4A participated in the 2018 The 5th Hong Kong Youth Piano Competition, organized by the Hong Kong Classical Music Promotion Centre. This was the first time Marcus participated in a piano competition and was proud to win the 4th place in the grade 2 piano category with a final score of 90.5. Marcus enjoyed sharing his favourite Mozart piece, “Allegro in B Flat K3”, in the competition and had a great experience playing in the City Hall Recital Hall. Well done Marcus!
Nathelie Yau (6H) took part in a music production titled ‘Beauty and the Beast’ last summer. It was an eye-opening experience for her to join a production of such scale and they have to rehearse almost every day. Nathelie is also very happy to share that she received “Trinity College London – Musical Theatre in Production Grade 7 – Distinction Award”. She received her certificate from the Head of Examinations of Trinity last Thursday. Bravo!
Kiri (4A) and Cactus (4W) join the Kung Fu competition on November 11th. Kiri performed very well at the Wing Chun – Xiao Niantou “小念头” and Cactus showed with great confidence at the Wing Chun – Gang Roy Quan “刚柔拳”. They both got the golden medals. Well done boys!
Sakurako Watanabe (5F) participated in the ISI Skate HK Championship. She won 2nd place in the freestyle 1, 9 years old. That’s fantastic Sakurako!
At BHS we value the importance of developing the ‘whole’ child and this means valuing their achievement and interests outside of school. If your child has achieved something special, we would be happy to share that with the BHS community through this newsletter. Please email details and a photograph to kannis.tsui@bhs.edu.hk
Important Dates
Kind regards,
Susan Chung
Acting Principal
Camp Season Begins
As camp season begins, we are looking forward to the Year 3-6 residential camps. Excitement is building and many children will report that camp is one of the highlights of their year at BHS. Please refer to the camp letters for information to help your child pack what they need. As much as possible, please guide them to be independent so that they know what they have brought with them and recognise their own belongings.
Whilst we endeavour to keep you updated on the camp adventures with photographs, our teachers’ main responsibility is ensuring our children are safe and getting the most out of the camp experience.
Scholastic Book Club
Don’t forget that our latest Scholastic Book Club is now online at http://world-
Please place your order online by November 23rd, 2018.
Many thanks,
The BHS English team
School Council
Social Thinking Workshop at ESFC
Using Social Thinking to Understand Social Communication Challenges
Jean McPherson and Belinda McLaughlin (ESF SEN Advisory team) will be offering a parent workshop this term ‘Using Social Thinking to Understand Social Communication Challenges’
This 60-minute session aims to increase parent understanding of the ways in which children with social communication differences experience the social world. Parents will be guided through the Social Thinking framework around ‘The Four Steps of Communication’ with opportunities to reflect on their own child’s level of social communication and how best to support them.
Dates for sessions are – Kowloon November 20th at KJS and HK island November 28th at ESFC. Both sessions will run from 5.00 – 6.00pm.
Parents should sign up using the link : https://goo.gl/forms/nbjMdp1Aspaect7q1
Colette Davis
Head of SEN
Football Club Training Schedule
Boys Training Schedule
Tuesday 20th November – no training – all students on camp
Tuesday 27th November – King’s Park – 4.30pm pick up from King’s Park
Girls Training Schedule
All sessions will be held at Kowloon Tsai Park. 4.45pm pick up at school.
Wednesday 21st November – no training – all students on camp
ICHK Girls Football
Well done to the under 8 and 9 girls football teams who participated in the ICHK girls football tournament on Wednesday. The Under 8s finished the tournament as champions and the Under 9s finished fourth. For nearly all the players this was their first ever football tournament so well done to them all.
Under 9s
The under 9s started slowly and improved throughout the day and were unlucky to not end up finishing third. All their games were very close and the team chased and ran all day long. Highlights were Ingrid’s strong tackles, Kylie and Sophia’s energy in the midfield and Tammy’s positional play. Thanks to Kylie’s dad, Terence, for helping coach the team on the day.
Results
| BHS vs GSIS | 0 – 2 | |
| BHS vs Harrow | 1 – 2 | Ingrid |
| BHS vs All Stars | 3 – 0 | Tammy 2, Ingrid |
| BHS vs ICHK | 0 – 0 | |
| 3rd/4th Playoff BHS vs Harrow | 1 – 2 | Kylie |
Under 8s
The Under 8s were all making their Beacon Hill footballing debuts and what a way to make a debut by winning the tournament. They started strongly with goals from Stephanie, Veda and Megan in their first three matches. With one minute left in our last game it looked like we would miss out on the cup final and we were given a penalty which Janice expertly put away. In the final our goalkeeper Araya was playing superb and saved many ICHK shots. With one minute left a great break from our midfield was finished with an amazing goal from Veda and Beacon Hill were crowned champions!
Results
| BHS vs ICHK 3 | 3 – 0 | Stephanie 2, Megan |
| BHS vs ICHK 1 | 5 – 0 | Stephanie 3, Veda 2 |
| BHS vs GSIS | 1 – 0 | Stephanie |
| BHS vs ICHK 2 | 1 – 2 | Veda |
| BHS vs Harrow | 1 – 1 | Janice (p) |
| Final BHS vs ICHK 2 | 1 – 0 | Veda |
Thanks to all the parents who attended for cheering on both teams and thanks to Sin Lam’s dad for taking photos which can be viewed HERE.
Y1 Pizza Lunch
Well done to all those who brought their own plates. Every little bit counts to reducing waste and raising our awareness on environmental issues. Enjoy the photos.
Hot Lunches
A combined December & January order form will be issued on Monday 12 Nov, deadline for ordering Tuesday 20 Nov. Please submit in time as DCK will not accept any orders beyond this date. Note, order forms are customised and will only be provided to students who have ordered before. If you are ordering for the first time, blank order forms will be available at reception.
For Year 2 there is a Pizza Lunch on Tuesday 4 December and for Year 3 it’s on Tuesday 29 January. Irrespective of whether or not you order pizza, your lunch order will be taken for this day. If we receive your pizza order by the 20th November deadline we shall automatically cancel the DCK lunch order for that day and your credit will be rolled over to subsequent months.
There is a sample lunch order placed on the BHS website however the form in your child’s diary must be the one you use to order.
Please ask your child to place the completed form and cheque in the collection point in reception. Please remember to write your child’s name, class, contact number and Lunch Order on the back of the cheque.
Uniforms
The new winter order form can be downloaded from BHS website as per the following link: https://goo.gl/forms/Dw5w9CiJ7QCfE0CI3
To order, please fill in the form then your child can hand the cheque into reception. Upon receipt of cheque your order will be processed and sent direct to classroom.
Items out of stock : Unfortunately our suppliers have still not been able to deliver PE jackets & long bottoms, fleeces and windbreaker. They have advised delivery will be end November.
If you have placed order, we shall continue to process the orders. Where items are out of stock your receipt will be marked up accordingly and as soon as these items come in they will be sent direct classroom.
This also applies for exchange items which will be sent to classroom as soon as stock comes in.
Christmas Hamper Donations
An eNotice has been sent out requesting for donations to fill our Christmas Hampers which will be raffled during the Christmas Concert.
To make the raffle a success we kindly need your generous donations.
Ideal Christmas Hamper items include :
- Chocolates, biscuits, pastries
- Candies, dried fruits
- Mince pies
- Health and beauty products
- Wine
- Honey
Please note, all items must be new and in their original packaging.
Please send them into the PTA office by 30th November.
Christmas Concert on 12 December
If you wish to purchase tickets please click on the eNotice and send in the cheque, tickets are $60 each. Deadline for ordering is Friday 3rd December. Note, tickets will not be available to purchase at door and must be bought in advance. All performers will be given free pass into the event. Please remember to write your child’s name, class, contact number and Xmas Concert on the back of the cheque.
Christmas Disco
This year’s Christmas Disco will be held on Thursday 6th December. Upper and lower year groups will be on the same day but disco and snack times will be staggered as follows:
| 3:15pm | Year 1-3 Snack and Drink on the playground and play or short movie | Year 4-6 Disco |
| 4:00pm | Year 1-3 Disco | Year 4-6 Snack and Drink on the playground and play or short movie |
| 4:45pm | End | End |
In an effort to be more environmentally aware, we would like all children to bring a small resuable plastic cup and bowl to the disco so that they can have their snack and drink which adults will serve, to avoid purchasing individual drink cartons and snack packets.
If your child would like to attend please fill in the eNotice and hand cheque into reception by Friday 30th November. Please remember to write your child’s name, class, contact number and Xmas Disco on the back of the cheque.
Upcoming Events :
20 November Deadline for Dec/Jan Lunch Orders
4 December Y2 Pizza Lunch
6 December Christmas Disco
12 December Christmas Concert
29 January Y3 Pizza Lunch
Have a great weekend.
Regards,
BHS PTA
HEALTH
Scarlet Fever (SF)
We would like to inform you of the fact that one student is on sick leave diagnosed with Scarlet Fever. The child is resting at home and will resume school when fully recovered (as per doctor’s advice).
It is a bacterial infection caused by Group A Streptococcus.
Signs & 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 SF, please consult the doctor for confirmation of diagnosis.
To prevent the spread of the disease, please do not send the affected child to school.
Always Keep Hands Clean.
Students’ 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 / 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 on to both other students and the staff.
Please may we ask that you do not send your child to school until he / she completely recovered and would you, also, please send a note to school with your child or to inform the school via e-mail explaining the reason for the absence.
Reminder from the Centre for Health Protection (CHP), the Department of Health
“ To prevent outbreaks of influenza and other respiratory infections, it is of prime importance that children with fever (oral temperature higher than 37.5°C, or ear temperature higher than 38°C), regardless of the presence of respiratory symptom, should not be allowed to attend school. They should be advised to seek medical advice and should avoid school till 48 hours after the fever has subsided”.
Also, children who develop skin rash, diarrhea or vomiting are strongly advised not to attend school.
We thank you for your co-operation.
Rosalind Chen
School Nurse
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.
