 New Principal for Quarry Bay School
Mina Dunstan took up her new role as Principal of Quarry Bay School on 3 January. Mina has more than 20 years of experience in education. She has been Vice-Principal of Sha Tin Junior School for 5 years. Before joining ESF, Mina was the Principal of two schools in Queensland, Australia for six years. Mina was also an Education Officer with special duties in the Queensland Education Department.
We wish Mina and Quarry Bay School all the very best for the coming years.
New Kindergarten Adviser appointed
We welcome Chris Duncan to the role of Kindergarten Teaching and Learning Adviser. Chris’s role is a six-month secondment and involves supporting our four kindergartens as they head towards PYP Authorisation. Chris’s substantive position is Vice Principal and PYP Coordinator at Bradbury School and his vast experience with the PYP will be greatly appreciated.
Island School parents evening - redevelopment project
Planning work for the Island School redevelopment project has started.
In addition to thinking about the design of the new school, challenges such as the impact in school zoning, possible temporary accommodation and traffic issues are being investigated and considered. We are fortunate enough to be working alongside local architects Ronald Lu & Partners and want to ensure that whatever design we develop reflects the real needs of all groups within our school community.
A crucial part of this stage in the planning is understanding the opinion and needs of the wider school community. Discussions will be taking place over the coming months with the Island School community on a wide range of matters. To that end there will be opportunities to be involved in developing the vision for the new school.
To kick off this process we will be holding an Information Event for Parents at 7.00pm in the School Hall on Wednesday 18 January 2012. Please join us to hear about the project in more detail and to find out how you can contribute your ideas and views.
Higher Education events across ESF
Career Evening with a focus on opportunities for students with individual needs
17 January, 4.30 - 6.30pm
Jockey Club Sarah Roe School
Enquiries: Tel 2761 9893
Representatives from companies and organisations such as the Nesbitt Centre, Rock Foundation and the Vocational Training Council will attend the event to give students useful information and guidance on higher education, vocational training and potential career choices.
Information Evening for ESF students and parents
8 February, 6pm - 8pm
West Island School
Enquiries: Tel 2819 1962
Topic: World Class Study: London.
Representatives from three of the leading universities in London will be giving a presentation on the study opportunities at undergraduate level as well as the application process, entrance requirements and student life in London.
Information Evening for ESF students and parents
15 February, 6.30 - 8.30pm
Island School
Topic: US Universities: Rankings and Making the Decision That Is Right For You
ESF University Fair
23 February
Island School
Enquiries: Tel 2234 9682
It is open to Year 12 students and parents across ESF. Schools go at specific times and are led by Higher Education Counsellors and tutors.
Kennedy School's 50th birthday
Kennedy School just turned 50. First opened in 1961 at a site in Kennedy Road, the school was first known as Kennedy Road Junior School. It became part of ESF in 1979 and moved into its current site in Sha Wan Drive in 1989.
On 20 January, students and staff of Kennedy will be joined by Heather Du Quesnay, CEO of ESF, to unveil a plaque to commemorate this special year.
Renaissance College teacher received IB’s Jeff Thompson Research Award
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Congratulations to Renaissance College teacher Ellen Mason, who was awarded the prestigious “Jeff Thompson Research Award” by the International Baccalaureate (IB) Organisation with her research project “writing to enhance learning and inform teaching in mathematics”. The award was created to honour the contributions of Professor Jeff Thompson to the IB. It provides practitioners within IB World Schools with incentive grants in recognition of researches conducted on IB programmes. Individual awards are granted up to a maximum of US$5,000.
Preference will be given to researches which are relevant and important to the IB in areas such as the development and assessment of IB programmes, the impact of programme implementation on school improvement, the impact of IB programme study on subsequent academic success as well as on the acquisition of international mindedness and the attributes of the learner profile.
Click here to find out more about Ellen's research. |
ESF Annual Report 2010-11 Coming soon
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The ESF Annual Report 2010-11 is available now on the ESF website. Printed copies will be delivered to schools after the Chinese New Year break. In this Annual Report, ESF-wide achievements and initiatives in 2010-11 such as those in education, infrastructure development, human resources, fundraising and alumni relations and ESL activities are highlighted. This year we have also included the full sets of audited accounts of ESF and ESL together with a financial report.
Please click here to see the full report. |
Admissions update (August 2012 entry)
Year 1
All primary schools are conducting the first round of interviews for Year 1 this month. The interviews are a major undertaking for schools, involving a significant number of staff who work hard to ensure that the interviews are conducted fairly and consistently. Letters informing parents of the interview results will be sent on 7 February; deposit and Refundable Capital Levy (RCL) payments for those children offered places will be required by 17 February, 2012.
Year 7
Deposit and RCL payments from external applicants offered secondary places were due on 16 December, 2011. ESF Year 6 primary students transferring to an ESF secondary school have been sent an Enrolment Form for completion. The deadline for return of the Enrolment Form along with deposit and RCL payments is 31 January, 2012.
Corporate Surety Scheme
Corporate Surety scheme applications may be made from now until 30 June, 2012.
The scheme is for companies to assist their expatriate employees in securing a school place before their arrival in Hong Kong over the summer months. There are limited surety places available for Years 2 to 12 (excluding Year 11).
KGV broke world record for planking
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In December 2011, 1549 studens of King George V School attempted to break the world record for planking simultaneously. Planking, often referred to as the “planking craze”, refers to the act of lying face down with arms to the sides in unusual public spaces and photographing it to share online. It was intended to be a fun way to farewell the chairs that served the school for more than 40 years. Participating students were given training sessions beforehand.
Just a few days before this newsletter was published, KGV has received the certificate confirming that it broke the world record, smashing the previous record of 206 people. A big hand for students and staff of the school. |
ESF Educational Services update
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ESL Sports
ESL Sport kicks off another year with a fun and exciting range of sports activities for children of all ages. Keep your child active and engaged, whether by trying a new sport or improving an activity they love.
To find out what’s on offer, visit the ESL website, www.esf.org.hk. We are taking enrolments for Term 2 now! |
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IESL Language – English and Spanish Courses
If you want to give your child’s English a boost, take a look at ESL’s English programmes. Language learning starts with playgroup classes for very young children. We offer a structured English language curriculum that is linked to Cambridge English examinations for children from kindergarten to the primary years, and a programme for secondary students.
If your child is interested in a new language, take a look at our Spanish classes.
The new programme begins on 2 February and we are taking enrolments now! To find out more about the programmes, classes and venues, visit the ESL website. www.esf.org.hk.
Cambridge English Examinations and Preparation Courses
ESL is an authorised centre for Cambridge English examinations, the world’s leading range of certificates for learners of English. To find out more about Cambridge English exams and preparation courses from ESL, visit us here. |
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IB Finals Revision Courses Easter 2012
Help Year 13 students prepare for their IB finals with an ESL IB Revision course during the Easter holidays.
These structured two-day courses in selected core IB subjects provide an intensive review ofthe syllabus and a focus on examination techniques. The courses will be held at West Island School from 2 to 13 April. A bus service is available. For information on the courses, please click here. | |
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