2 Dec 2018

Year 1 Update – Week 16

  • Tuesday 11th – Year 1 Party Day – children can wear their own clothes. Please send in a reusable cup and plate for lunch and cancel DCK if needed.
  • Wednesday 12th December – Christmas Concert
  • Friday 14th December – school finish at 12:00 for the holidays
  • Monday 7th January – back to school for Term 2

The children really enjoyed the PTA disco they had great fun connecting and celebrating the end of their first term with their new friends. There was some amazing dancing and lots of festive fun.

Friday was the first BHS whole school wellbeing day. This was an opportunity for the students to connect with others across their school and develop a few areas of the wellbeing focus. They had choices of activities which teachers designed to enhance their experiences within the areas of, Keep Learning, Be Active and Take Notice. Over the weekend take a little time to talk through the different experiences they had a chance to take part in.

Thanks to all those who have contributed to our stock of recycled materials for junk modelling. We now have enough to inspire our budding creative minds. Please do not send in any more. We will ask again when we need more in term 2.

How We Express Ourselves

Central Idea:   Thinking helps us to imagine and create.

                            

This week the children will be applying their imaginative thinking to suggest solutions to Christmas related problems. For example, how can they help Santa deliver a forgotten present?  We will encourage them to think of the different thoughts and feeling of those involved and help them record their ideas ready to share with others.

End of Year Reports

Next week you will be able to access the mid year reports for your child. You will need to do this through The Beacon and will need to use the logins which were given at the start of term in the starter pack.

Please keep in mind that the outcomes and levels are based on where they are at the end of Term 1. The outcomes you will see are what we expect the children to achieve by the end of Year 1. Term 2 and 3 will provide many opportunities for the children to continue building their knowledge and understanding in these areas. The levels you see may not be their final Year 1 results.

Christmas Cards

The festive period is upon us and it is nice for the children to send each other Christmas cards. If they do wish to write and send cards to their friends, please ensure that they write the child’s name and class on the envelope. We will encourage the children to post their cards in the school Christmas post box and each day the Year 6 monitors will empty the box and deliver the cards to each class.

maths

   Next week the children will begin to think about weights and lengths. They will be measuring out wrapping paper, weighing parcels and creating decorations of different lengths and sizes to fit around the classroom and shared area.

Mathletics: – All Mathletic topics are now open for this calendar year.  After Christmas, there will be some more topics for the children to do at home.

Please help the children to complete the Mathletics tasks that have been assigned to your child. The children can also enjoy Maths Live and play other children live across the world.

Continuing with our Christmas theme we will apply our visualising skills to create illustrations for Christmas stories, write letters to Santa and imagine ourselves as elves. When writing we are explaining and practicing the importance of finger spaces, correct letter formation and starting to add details.

Unit  3 Phonics:
Our phonemes for this unit are: v, w, y, j, n, k, e
Our camera words for this unit are: all, is, me, no, they, said
Please support your children in learning to read and write the camera words from unit 1 and unit 2.  When you are playing the suggested phonic games please use the letter sounds rather than say the name the letters of the alphabet.  If you need guidance about how to pronounce the letter sounds this link should help you  http://www.getreadingright.com.au/phoneme-pronunciation/

1L – Scott Wong

1P – Henry Leung

1W – Audrey Shy

SLT Award – Hillary Tsang

Congratulations to all our Golden Book and SLT Award children!

Hong Kong’s Best Parks
Play, Learn, Scoot, Explore!

Pack a picnic, something to sit on, a few toys and plenty of sunblock – it’s time for a day at the park! Hong Kong has dozens of beautiful Parks, so go out and explore with the family and check them out! Little Steps has rounded up family-favorites from Kowloon to The Peak with perks including playgrounds, views, unique picnic spots and more. Go on now…get out and enjoy the fresh air!

Hong Kong: Quarry Bay Park

Quarry Bay Park lies between the waterfront and Tai Koo, and it has a wicked biking trail that loops around the park, absolutely perfect if you are planning on teaching the little ones to learn how to ride their first bike. The park has great facilities for the kids to play in, bonus for the jogging parents, the running trail goes directly around the park making it ideal to keep an eye out on the playing munchkins! After all that exercise, there are plenty of kid-friendly places to go have a drink and a quick bite eat, such as the Starbucks and Frites a stone’s throw away. You can also head to the waterfront and visit a real fireboat – a kid-favorite for sure.  Click here for the Little Steps Biking Adventure at Quarry Bay Park!

Quarry Bay Park And Cycling Track, Quarry Bay Park (near Hoi Tai Street), Quarry Bay, Hong Kong, +852 2513 8499, Website

New Territories: Velodrome Park

Velodrome Park is located in Tsuen Kwan O, ideal for folks living around the area (Clearwater Bay & Sai Kung!) looking for some outdoor fun. This park is one of Hong Kong’s largest park, and it is great for multi-aged kids as there is something for everyone from tots to teens. There is a skatepark, a children’s play area, a mini climbing wall, and an amphitheater. This park is another fantastic location for teaching the kids how to learn to ride their mini bikes.  There is a new restaurant as well near the entrance for hungry families. Click here for Little Steps’ Biking Adventure at Velodrome!

Hong Kong Velodrome Park, Po Hong Road, Tseung Kwan O, Hong Kong, Website

Kowloon: Dinosaur Park

Located on a small hill in Choi Hung, this hidden park leads kiddos into an exciting and adventurous world of the dinosaurs. The park’s unique design features pseudo-archaic fossils and decorative totems which kids will definitely love! The playground is also richly planted with vibrant and fuzzy flowers and trees your little ones won’t be able to keep their paws off. Click here for the Little Steps Adventure At Dinosaur Park!

Ping Shek Playground, Choi Shek Lane, Choi Hung, Kowloon. A 10-min walk up hill through Ping Shek Estate from Choi Hung MTR Station Exit A1.

Islands: Discovery Bay Central Park

Kids will be impressed with the cool secret paths, big rocks and waterfalls. Don’t forget bread to feed the hungry fish and friendly turtles swimming in the ponds! This park has great playground facilities and boasts botanical beauty. There is a lot of green space for running, ball games and picnicking! Click here for more info!

Discovery Bay Central Park, Lantau Island. Accessible via ferry at Central Pier 3 or MTR on the Tung Chung line to Sunny Bay-and then a bus ride into DB.

Kowloon: Kowloon Park

Picturesque Kowloon Park is a great place to learn about Hong Kong history, as it was once the Whitfield Barracks during British colonial times. There’s a spacious playground with a cool watchtower, plus indoor and outdoor pools! The Chinese Gardens is packed with animals and plants, and Bird Lake with 200+ birds, including flamingos. What a great day out with the kids! Click here for the Little Steps’ adventure to Kowloon Park!

Kowloon Park, 22 Austin Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong, Website

New Territories: Tai Po Waterfront Park

Roll up the picnic blankets and pack up the scooters, it’s time for a Sunday Funday in Tai Po! Located along the Tolo Harbour, this family wonderland of outdoor adventures is the largest park in Hong Kong.  The perfectly manicured gardens and open green lounging areas along the water make for a perfect day of kiddy entertainment. Plenty to do at this park highlights includes a children’s playground, a jogging trail, an insect house, 1.2km waterfront promenade, a 600-seater amphitheater and much more. Click here for Little Steps Adventure at Tai Po Waterfront Park!

Tai Po Waterfront Park, Dai Fat Street, Tai Po, New Territories, Hong Kong, +852 2664 2107, Website

Hong Kong: Ma Hang Park

Just a few steps away from Stanley’s main drag is a hidden gem called Ma Hang Park. Head down the waterfront promenade for a breath of fresh air before heading to the thoroughfare of packed restaurants. The stroller-friendly, dog-friendly boardwalk is lined with lush vegetation and ends at quaint Pak Tai Temple overlooking the water. Bring the camera! Click here for the Little Steps’ adventure to Ma Hang Park!

Ma Hang Park, Main Street, Stanley, Hong Kong, Website

Islands: Inspiration Lake Park

The 1,500m paved path around this lovely man-made lake is a treat for parents with strollers and tykes needing to blow off some steam. There’s a big playground with a splash pad to cool off, picnic spots throughout, a snack bar, and bathrooms with baby changing facilities. You can also rent paddle boats and quad bikes to ride around the perfectly manicured, spacious park. Click here for the Little Steps Adventure At Inspiration Lake!

Inspiration Lake, Disneyland Resort, Lantau Island, Hong Kong, www.hongkongdisneyland.com

New Territories: Hong Kong Wetland Park

Bring your mini explorers to The Wetlands for a day of exploring Hong Kong’s ecosystem. Not only is it educational, but it’s also plenty of fun as your kids will see a cornucopia of wildlife, particularly if you go during the cooler autumn and winter months when thousands of birds migrate to the park for the winter. There’s a butterfly garden, crocodiles and a maze to run around in. Click here for the Little Steps’ adventure to Hong Kong Wetland Park!

Hong Kong Wetland Park, Wetland Park Road, Tin Shui Wai, New Territories, Hong Kong, +852 2708 8885, www.wetlandpark.gov.hk

Hong Kong: Victoria Park

Beautiful Victoria Park is smack bang in the middle of the shopping mecca of Causeway Bay and ends at the outskirts of Tin Hau. The park is a small oasis in this bustling part of the city, with great jogging tracks, fun parks for the kids to play in, football and tennis fields for when the weather has cooled off a bit. And let’s not forget the amazing glowing lanterns during the Mid-Autumn Festival and a vibrantly colorful flower market during Chinese New Year.

Victoria Park, 1 Hing Fat Street, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong Island, Website

New Territories: Ma On Shan Park

The Ma On Shan Park is a massive park with a total area of 5hectares. This stunning park is located on the shorefront of Tolo Harbour, not far from the town center. You will be spoiled when it comes fantastic views from the distant peaks of Pat Sin Leng to the sea melting into the sky. This park is educational too, kids can learn about the mining history at the display area! And there is a maze garden! Plus a fantastic children’s playground of novel design. The parents can jogging trail with fitness station for exercise.

Ma On Shan Park, 12 On Chun Street, Ma On Shan, Sha Tin, Website

Hong Kong: Belcher Bay Park

Belcher Bay Park is located in Kennedy Town and it spans a vast area of 30,000 square meters. It has a nautical theme with an amphitheater, a green lawn, fantastic jogging tracks, a pavilion, and fun facilities for the kiddos, all featuring a nautical style, due it being so close to the Bay which was called after Edward Belcher who surveyed the outlining water in 1841. This park is a favorite among the KTown dwelling families!

Belcher Bay Park, Kennedy Town, Praya, Kennedy Town, Website

Kowloon: Kai Tak Park

This park is located just above the cruise terminal offering lovely views of the approaching cruise liners. The landscaped gardens make for a pretty setting for picnics, and there is a large central lawn and great water features, making it an ideal spot for a nice afternoon picnic or lie down with the wee ones.

Kai Tak Park, 33 Shing Fung Road, Kai Tak, Kowloon, Hong Kong, Website

Hong Kong Central / Admiralty: Tamar Park

Who says that Hong Kong is a concrete jungle? Right in the heart of downtown beside the LegCo building, Tamar Park boasts an expansive open grassy area with hard-to-beat views of Victoria Harbour – it’s as good as it comes. Stretch out on the open field of green grass and if you’re nippish, grab light snacks from the iBakery kiosk.

Tamar Park, Harcourt Road, Admiralty, Hong Kong, Website

Hong Kong: Hong Kong Park

Hong Kong Park is a green slice of peace and quiet in the mayhem of Hong Kong’s urban jungle and a great place to grab a breath of fresh air amongst its landscaped gardens. The park has plenty of features to keep the family entertained such as an aviary, the Hong Kong Teaware Museum and in the middle of the park, visitors can see artificial lakes and waterfalls converted from old military camp tennis courts.

Hong Kong Park, Rawlinson House, Cotton Tree Dr, Central, Website

Hong Kong: Mount Austin Playground & Park

Head up to The Peak and let the kiddos play to their hearts’ content at the huge playground complete with fun slides, swings and multiple play castles for every age. After they run wild and play, you can hit the grassy park for a picnic. Or, merely park yourselves at one of the many restaurants at The Peak. Further up is Victoria Peak Garden, one of the most tranquil grassy spots in the city, with a view!  Click here for our video!

Mount Austin Road Playground & Park, Mount Austin Road, The Peak, Website

Hong Kong: Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park

Picnic, scooter, jog, and play… Sai Ying Pun’s waterfront oasis has been discovered. This massive piece of green is a favorite amongst Hong Kongers for sunny days and comes complete with a harbor view, making it ideal for a picnic on the weekend! The park includes an open lawn, plenty of scooter-friendly sidewalks, a soccer pitch, basketball courts, and a playground for family fun.

Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park, Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong, WebsiteTake Sheung Wan MTR exit D and walk along the water for 5 minutes. Parking is also available.

Kowloon: Jordan Valley Park

It’s hard to imagine this park was once a massive landfill in Kwun Tong. Nowadays, it’s an enormous park with a plethora of fun activities, including a large children’s playground, agricultural learning center, three gardens and two lawns complete with tables and parasols. Plus, there are four jogging tracks and two radio-controlled model car racing lanes: one for children and one for adults.

Jordan Valley Park, New Clear Water Bay Road, Kwun Tong, Kowloon, Hong Kong,

http://www.littlestepsasia.com/hong-kong/articles/play/hong-kong’s-best-parks  6/11/2018