Newsletter #16
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
Sports
PTA News
Other News
Dear Parents, Family and Friends,
Important Dates
It was wonderful to see so many of you at our Christmas Concert on Thursday evening. Thank you to all of our performers, both young and slightly older and thank you to the PTA and the many volunteers who made the night such a lovely event. It certainly feels a lot like Christmas now! For photos, please click HERE.
Our Chamber Choir have been performing all over Hong Kong and have not finished yet. They will be at IFC, Central on Saturday at 5pm, at Tai Koo City Plaza on Sunday and finally, Festival Walk on Tuesday 13th at 2pm. Well done to the children for sharing their singing with such a wide audience, for their stamina and to Mr Gibson, Ms Kannis, Mrs Blair and Mrs Yau for their time to enable this to happen. For photos, please click HERE.
Staffing Update
I would like to welcome Mrs Rosie Fletcher to Beacon Hill School. She will take over Ms Davis’ role as Year 5 and 6 Learning Support teacher from January 3rd to the end of the academic year. Rosie used to work at BHS a few years ago and knows us well so she will be able to support our students from the moment she arrives.
Achievement Beyond School
Rachel Shin (4F) and her sister Linda (3D) recently participated in the 2016 ESF Shark swimming gala and they did really well as these results show:
Rachel’s results
-Girls 8 & Under 50 SC Meter Parent/Child Relay ; 3rd place
-Girls 8 & Under 50 SC Meter Freestyle ; 2nd Place
-Girls 8 & Under 50 SC Meter Butterfly ; 2nd place
-Girls 8 & Under 100 SC Meter IM ; 3rd Place
Linda’s results
-Girls 7 & Under 25 SC Meter Backstroke ; 2nd place
-Girls 7 & Under 25 SC Meter Breaststroke ; 1st place
We often have children participating in Speech Festivals. Zedric Wong (3D) has recently taken part in performed very well, winning 1st place for the Solo-verse speaking under the non-open group for Primary 1& 2 boys. Congratulations to him.
Box of Hope Update
House Points
Here is the result of last week’s House Points:
The red house, Xìn xīn (confidence) 信心 is extending a small lead, but each week the results are points totals are quite close.
The purpose of the house points is to:
- Encourage a sense of belonging and a collective spirit
- Provide opportunities for positive competitive spirit
- Strengthen pastoral care – especially vertically (Y1-6)
- Provide opportunities for students to develop social and leadership skills
- Develop school pride, involvement and participation
It is NOT a weekly report for parents and we don’t track the areas that each child is getting house points in each week and therefore we advise parents to resist the temptation to view the system this way.
Today the children came to school dressed in their house colours and they had the opportunity to get a sense of belonging. The House Captains are working on some ideas to further develop and strengthen the team spirit and we look forward to these ideas coming into fruition next term and beyond.
Uniform – New Shoes
At the start of this year you may recall I shared information about some BHS parents who operate a company that sells high quality shoes and offer a special discounted service to all BHS parents. Nearly half way through the school year some of you may be wishing to buy some new school shoes. Karaso has kindly agreed to donate 10% of the proceeds from sales to BHS parents, to the BHS PTA meaning you can get school shoes for your child whilst supporting the school. A special promo code needs to be used when ordering: BHSKARASO. They have an online store but you can also visit them to try out the sizes. The company is Karaso: https://www.karasoflex.com/ We have some samples available to look at outside our PTA Shop. Please note that this is an extra option available to parents and that the PTA is not able to provide assistance with any orders or questions about the shoes.
(Please note that this is an external company not affiliated to BHS or the BHS PTA).
Leavers
In addition to Mrs McKinnon who will be leaving us to return to Australia and Mrs McLaughlin who will be taking up her new position as ESF SEN Adviser we also have some students leaving at the end of this term:
Queenie Klama who is relocating to Germany;
Jayda Ngan who is relocating to Fiji;
Ethan Han who is transferring to Quarry Bay School where he will join his brother and;
Anupransh Sharma who is relocating to India.
I would like to wish them and their families well – please keep in touch if you can.
This is the final Newsletter of this term. BHS is still in session next Monday and finishes at 12pm on Tuesday 13th December. We reopen after the holiday on Tuesday 3rd January. May I take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas.
Best wishes,
_
James Harrison
Principal
Assessment & Reporting
At BHS, we believe that good communication between teachers, students and their parents plays an important part in improving student learning and growth. Reporting provides information about what students know and can do, along with recommendations for their future learning.
The mid-year progress report reflects the teaching and learning of the PYP, Mathematics and English. The outcomes for Mathematics and English are expectations for the end of the year and this report indicates their level of understanding at this point in time. The level of your child’s attainment, understanding and overall effort is indicated in the achievement boxes where applicable.
Mid Year Reports & Portfolios
Year 1 via the Beacon
A separate email will be sent to Year 1 Parents on how to access your child’s mid-year report on Tuesday 13th December.
In addition to the paper based portfolio, the Year 1s this year are trialling an online e-portfolio which again will be accessed through the Beacon. You will see evidence of learning from their units of inquiry as well as from some single subject teachers. We would welcome any feedback you may have on this new system. Please email susan.chung@bhs.edu.hk
Years 2-6 via the Gateway
Your child’s mid-year report, which include their 2nd Unit of Inquiry, Mathematics and English outcomes, will be open for viewing on the Gateway on Tuesday 13th December. To do so, you will need to:
- Log on to the Gateway – tg.esf.edu.hk
- Click on the ARR tab and Click on ARR Report
- Click on the Printing Tab
- Select the current year (2016-17)
- Select your child’s name
- Select Mid-Year Report 2016-17
Please remember to share this with your child also.
Portfolios (Paper Based)
Your child’s portfolio is evidence of their learning journey this term. Your child has demonstrated ownership of their own learning by selecting and reflecting on some of the pieces of work. Some pieces were chosen by the teachers. The work in the portfolio was chosen to show:
successes, growth, higher order thinking, creativity and reflection from all aspects of the curriculum. Constructive feedback and reflection, by your child, demonstrates that the portfolio is a valuable celebration of an active mind at work.
The children will bring these home next Tuesday and we would appreciate your help in returning the portfolios to school by Tuesday 3rd January. There will be another opportunity to view this again later in the year.
Please share and enjoy the portfolio with your child.
Chamber Choir
ICHK HLY Under 9 Girls tournament
Well done to the Under 9s football team who won the recent ICHK HLY Under 9 girls football tournament. The girls played amazingly well considering for 5 of the 7 players this was their first ever football tournament. The team improved their performances throughout the tournament. They played 7 matches on the day winning 6 and drawing the first game. The final game was their best performance as they beat a strong DBIS A 3 nil in the final. Rei was chosen as player of the tournament for scoring an incredible 11 goals in seven games. Thanks to the parents who came to support us as well.
Results
| BHS vs DBS A | 1 – 1 | Rei |
| BHS vs DBIS B | 4 – 0 | Kaeli 2, Angelina, Rei |
| BHS vs Hong Lok Yuen | 2 – 0 | Rei, Kaeli |
| BHS vs Kellett Kowloon Bay | 1 – 0 | Rei |
| BHS vs DBIS B | 3 – 1 | Rei 3 |
| BHS vs Hong Lok Yuen | 2 – 1 | Rei 2 |
| Final BHS vs DBIS | 3 – 0 | Rei 2, Kanna |
Kowloon ESF Football
Yesterday it was the last football tournament for the boys team. Two teams participated in the Kowloon ESF Schools football tournament. The A team had some mixed results and finished fourth. The B team played some good football and improved throughout and in the final match finally were able to score goals and they finished third in their competition. Well done to both teams for playing some very entertaining football and thanks to the wonderful support of the parents who cheered us on.
A Team Results
| BHS vs Kowloon Junior | 0 – 3 | |
| BHS vs Shatin Junior | 3 – 0 | Jotaro, Kaden, Jovan |
| BHS vs Clearwater Bay | 0 – 0 | |
| Semi-final BHS vs Kowloon Junior | 2 – 2 (p0 – 2) | Isaac, Jotaro |
| 3/4 Playoff BHS vs Shatin | 1 – 1 (p0 – 1) | Jovan |
B Team Results
| BHS vs Kowloon Junior | 0 – 0 | |
| BHS vs Shatin Junior | 0 – 1 | |
| BHS vs Clearwater Bay | 0 – 1 | |
| Semi-final BHS vs Clearwater Bay | 0 – 4 | |
| 3/4 Playoff BHS vs Shatin | 3 – 0 | Natalee 2, Tyler |
Term Two Clubs
The following sporting clubs will be on offer next term.
Tuesdays – Years 4 to 6 running club with Mr Thompson, Mrs Panjabi and Mrs Fuchsluger.
Wednesdays – Year 5 and 6 hockey club with Miss Barr.
Wednesdays – Year 5 and 6 basketball club with Mr Teahan and Miss Wu
Thursdays – Year 5 and 6 tag/touch rugby club with Mr Teahan and Mrs Wu
Please contact the teacher in charge if you want any more information.
Calling all gymnasts
Thanks to the parents who have already contacted me about the gymnastics competition. Just to clarify your child should be in a gymnastics club and your child’s coach would need to recommend they enter the competition. It is not for beginner’s level. I will be submitting the entry forms early January so the deadline for contacting me is December 31st.
Mr Teahan
Christmas Concert
Congratulations to the 5 family Xmas Carol Concert Hamper Draw winners!
(Each hamper is worth HKD$2000 in goodies donated by our community and sponsored by BHS PTA)
Thank you for the great support of all the children choristers of the Junior Choir & Chamber Choirs, Staff Choir, BHS Community Choir, Mrs. Dale, Mrs. Mulligan, Mrs. Yau, Mrs. Blair, Miss. Kannis, Mr. Gibson and BHS Alumni for the Xmas cheer singing & music! Behind the scenes our fabulous BHS teachers helped to mind our children, Mr. Gabriel, Mr. & Mrs. Lowe & Mr. Peter & Ms. Ada supported photography, lights, set-up and SNOW! At the refreshments and door were our dedicated Executive Committee members with Ms. Janley. Photos from the night can be found HERE.
Our BHS Community is wonderful and I think you would agree, our annual Xmas Carol Concert is very heartwarming. We had over 600 people attend last night. We are blessed to have such a supportive community and I thank you each and all for your volunteered time, effort and donations. The BHS PTA in Xmas spirit will in turn donate HKD$1500 to Operation Santa.
Reminders:
- All DeliFresh lunch orders for January 2018 will be due on Monday 12 December 2017. Any orders not received will need to be directly received with payment and confirmed by DeliFresh Ltd.
Enjoy planning for your Xmas holidays!
Rowena Chow
Chair, BHS PTA
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.
