Newsletter #10 - 10th February 2012

Dear Parents,

Welcome back to everyone after our Chinese New Year break.  Although it was very cold in Hong Kong I am sure everyone enjoyed this special time with family and friends.  Welcome to the Year of the Dragon.

CNY Assembly
Our China Day and CNY assembly was amazing and the event seems to grow bigger and better every year.  The most significant thing for me is that five years ago most of our assembly was in English, now most of it is in Mandarin. This is a testament to the Mandarin program at BHS.  Congratulations and a big thank you to Ms Lynn, Ms Yu, Ms Pu , all the EAs and parents who helped organise this fabulous day.  A special thanks to the PTA for funding our Lion Dance performance.

Sports Day
Last Friday 3rd we held our annual sports day at the Hong Kong Football Club.  It was a fabulous day and from all reports the new venue was very popular.  We are considering using the same venue again next year and dividing it into two days.  If you have a view on whether we should stay at HKFC or return to KCC, please let me know.  A large thank you to Mr Teahan for organising the day.

5H Assembly
Well done to Mr Hubbard and 5H who treated us to their assembly on 2nd February. The children certainly enjoyed the opportunity to share their work.  A fabulous performance and a wonderful opportunity to show how clever they are!

 Year 2 Sharing Unit
Today the children of Year 2 amazed us with their sharing "through the Arts" of their unit on "Sharing the Planet" – plants are connected to all living things.  The work in the foyer, the classrooms and the presentation in the hall were fabulous and the depth of the children's understanding and knowledge was very impressive.  Well done to all the teachers and EAs who helped get the show on the road!

Parent Tip of the Week
"Domestic Helpers are not our children's parents."
Those of us with children know that it is very easy to place many "parenting" responsibilities on to our domestic helpers.  We must remember our children are not "their" children so it will never be the same relationship as that of a parent and child.  A good rule to "try" and follow is that as soon as one parent comes home from work… your helper is off duty as a parent i.e. anything to do with entertaining or interacting with your children, this is when mum or dad should take over.  Creating that strong relationship with your children now, will certainly help you when they are sixteen!

Have a great weekend.

Yours sincerely,
John Brewster

Principal

1. Invitation to Vision Screening from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, the School of Optometry.
   
   This year, the invitation is opened to Primary 5 and 6 Students only.  You will receive the information and application form this week.  *If you are interested, please complete the consent form and return it to the School Nurse at Beacon Hill School via the Class Teacher on Tuesday, 14th February 2012.  As soon as we know the total number of participants, we will inform you of the date(s) of the study to take place at BHS.
    
2. Immunization (Part 2).  For Primary One Students:  Combined Diphtheria, Tetanus, acellular Pertussis & Inactivated Polio Vaccine (DTaP-IPV).  For Primary Six Students:  Combined Diphtheria, Tetanus, acellular Pertussis (reduced dose) & Inactivated Polio Vaccine (dTap-IPV).  We will give the information and the application form to your child this week.  If you have not received one, please let me know as soon as possible.  *Please return your reply to the School Nurse via the Class Teacher on or before Friday, 17 February 2012.
    
3. Sickness.  There are a few students with the common cold and stomach flu.  *Please do not send your child to BHS until he / she has "fully recovered" and to prevent the spread of infection to other children and staff.  Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD):  We had one confirmed case just before the Chinese New Year holidays.  Typhoid:  Also, a child was sick just before the CNY holidays, had treatment and returned to BHS as advised by the doctor.  Typhoid is a bacterial disease and the mode of transmission is by ingestion of food or water contaminated with the faeces of an infected person which contain the bacterium Salmonella enterica.  Symptoms:  fever, gastro-enteritis.  Chickenpox:  "A student" is diagnosed with chickenpox, is resting at home and sick leave applied as advised by the doctor.  Chickenpox is "extremely contagious".  It is transmitted through direct contact with the infected person and through droplets.  Symptoms:  low-grade fever, rash on the scalp and body and the vesicles are itchy.  If you suspect that your child has chickenpox, please confirm with the doctor promptly.  If confirmed, please return to BHS when fit to do so as per doctor's advice.

*Always keep hands clean, maintain cough manners and remain vigilant against other   Communicable Diseases.*
Thank you.
School Nurse:  Rosalind.chen@bhs.edu.hk