ESF News (December)

ESF Subvention review We told you in previous emails that the issue of ESF’s Subvention review would be discussed in the Legislative Council Education Panel meeting on 9 January. However, we have been informed that the agenda for the day is full. The issue will be discussed in a meeting later on, but the date is not confirmed yet. We are really grateful to those of you who have written to legislators, to EDB and to the media. The stream of messages will have a cumulative effect so your efforts are very much worthwhile. We will let you know once we hear from the government about a date for the meeting. Please keep up the pressure in every way that you can. We will make a special push when we have a date confirmed. In case you did not see the SCMP's clarification of our Chairman, Carlson Tong's position on the subvention, we attach the news clipping from Thursday, 15 December. Please click here to download it.

Board members' visit to ESF schools

Over the past month ESF schools have been hosting visits by members of the Board co-ordinated by the Education Department. There were altogether five trips, covering ten schools. Board members have observed classes in action, spoken with students, viewed facilities and have had the opportunity to discuss school and ESF priorities with Principals.  As well as seeing a range of curriculum areas, some of the programmes that members have been able to see in particular have been Learning Support Centres, Chinese and Applied Learning, all of which have been ESF focus areas.  Both schools and members have clearly enjoyed the experience.

New Principal at Clearwater Bay School

Following a two-month recruitment process with the combined effort of different members of the ESF community, we are delighted to announce that Mr Chris Hamilton has been appointed as Principal of Clearwater Bay School. He will take up the post in April 2012. Chris has more than 30 years of experience in Education. He is currently the Principal at Red Hill school in Canberra, Australia.  Red Hill is an IB World School offering the PYP curriculum to 685 students from pre-School to Year 6. Prior to that Chris was principal of two other schools in Canberra and New South Wales in Australia.

We are confident that Chris will provide excellent leadership at Clearwater Bay School and contribute significantly to ESF.

During Term 2, Howard Topper will continue as Acting Principal and Tracey Salter as Acting Vice-Principal. 

ESF Schools' Christmas Performances

Children from ESF schools have been spreading the holiday spirit around town! Choirs from our primary and secondary schools peformed in St John's Catherdral, the IFC Mall, City Plaza, the Hong Kong International Airport, Festival Walk and many more. Every performance attracted a large crowd, including proud parents (and grandparents!), shoppers and travellers. Stay tuned for new photo galleries on our website!

ESF published its first Alumni News

The first issue of ESF Alumni News is now available online and at school offices.  In this issue we have three interviews with alumni who attended Island School, King George V School and Sha Tin College. They tell us their stories and how they have been participating in school activities that foster alumni relations and development. 

The publication provides a platform for students, alumni, current and former staff to establish networks and share their experience.  The electronic version can be viewed here.

Performing arts at schools

Cabaret @ South Island School

From 29 November to 1 December, students of South Island School performed the musical Cabaret. Auditions and rehearsals for the show began in the summer term. It was Sam Mendes’ gritty version of Cabaret, which had been conceived in 1993 and had transferred successfully to Broadway in 1997.  The SIS community enjoyed the show and we want to offer big hands to everyone involved - members of staff who appeared “angel like” at difficult times, the technical team and stage management crew and all of the front-of-house people.  Finally, thanks to the cast and company - for their hard work and commitment. 

West Island School's Gala Concert @ Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts

On Thursday, 1 December , West Island School ushered in the Festive Season with a magnificent Gala Concert at the HK Academy for Performing Arts, the first of several events planned to celebrate 20 years of West Island School. The concert continued the tradition of applauding the fine achievements of West Island School musicians with a programme that showcased their brilliant versatility under the creative direction of Leigh Dalgarno and Canice Gleeson. Over 240 enthusiastic, dedicated and talented students performed live on the night in front of an audience of 600. In addition, several hundred more West Island School students, past and present, appeared in the ESF’s first “virtual” performance, the result of collaboration between the West Island School Film, IT and Music departments.

Bugsy Malone @ Sha Tin College

‘Bugsy Malone’, is a slapstick, comedy musical and was the latest production by the Sha Tin College Arts and PE Faculty. There was a cast and crew of hundreds of students supported by teaching staff both on stage and behind the scenes.

‘Bugsy Malone’ was performed at Sha Tin College on 28 and 30 November, 1 and 2 December.  The last show was a gala night and the audience was dressed up as gangsters and molls!  Congratulations to the students on stage, in the orchestra and behind the scenes who gave four amazing performances and to everyone involved for their hard work and commitment.

ESF IB Philosophy Conference with Dr. Peter Vardy

On Thursday 8 December our IB Philosophy students attended a workshop at South Island School. Led by Dr Peter Vardy, a globally recognised and widely admired Philosopher and Theologian, the workshop offered sessions on a variety of thought-provoking and challenging topics. They discussed business and environmental ethics and learnt about the effect of the development of Nanotechnology. Students also examined their perceptions of Art and Postmodernism. At the end of the day students took part in a rigorous debate on “Genetic profiling for reproduction is morally wrong.”
As part of the conference all IB Philosophy students were collaborating in groups to discuss the topics examined at the conference. Each group created their own Philosophy Google site where they debate issues on forums and post their opinions on the role of Philosophy in society. There will be an ESF prize given to the group for the most creative and engaging Google site.

Discovery College launches new scholarship scheme

Discovery College (DC) is offering a Scholarship Programme to students entering the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in the 2012-2013 academic year. According to Brian McCann, Diploma Coordinator, the programme at DC is a self-contained, two-year course which provides the best possible preparation for further study. A full range of subjects will be included to maximise student choice and cater for a wide variety of interests and talents. Academic scholarships are open to students who show a range of advanced analytical, critical and creative thinking skills essential to achieving success in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme. Scholarship candidates should show evidence of participation in rigorous learning and enrichment experiences both within and beyond the classroom.

Applications are being accepted from students across Hong Kong, Kowloon and the New Territories for entry into the Discovery College Diploma Programme for the 2012-2013 academic year.
Scholarship applications and more information regarding Discovery College, and the Diploma Programme can be found online at www.discovery.edu.hk.

 
Kennedy School PYP Authorisation and Sha Tin Junior School CIS Accreditation

We are pleased to announce that Kennedy School has now been authorised to offer the Primary Years Programme (PYP) of the International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO) while Sha Tin Junior has received the CIS/WASC accreditation.
Congratulations to Perry Tunesi and Paul Hay and their teams for this achievement.

Send your Season's Greeting with ESF's e-Christmas card

Click the image to send the animated card with a personal message, or click here to download the still image. 

To view the animation, click here.

Aspiring Leaders Programme

The Aspiring Leaders is a programme designed for staff who hold and/or aspire to leadership positions within schools and kindergartens. The programme revolves around a series of seven Workshops all run by current ESF Principals and Education Team members.

The aims of the programme are to:

•  develop an understanding of the opportunities and challenges in school leadership;
•  explore the skills required to be an effective leader;
•  prepare for the application and interview process;
•  acknowledge and share experiences and knowledge within the group of participants and facilitators.

This year we have 24 staff members signed up for the course and so far have had four workshops. These workshops have explored the following topics:

• Vision (Debbie Graham and Graham Silverthorne)
• School Culture (Chris Binge, Charles Caldwell and David Fitzgerald)
• Leading Learning (Vania Tiatto and Ed Wickins)
• Strategic Planning (Pam Ryan, Bill Garnett and Emma Navin)

The workshops have received excellent feedback from the participants and are another example of ESF using the strengths and talents of existing staff to support and enhance the learning of others.

ESF Educational Services update

ESL Sports – Winter Camp and Term 2
ESL’s ever-popular sports camps are on offer again this Christmas holiday. There is a choice of multi-sports camps or of more specialist clinics that focus on different sports.  So if you are looking for some active fun for your children over the holidays, take a look at the camp and sports clinic schedules on the ESL website.

We are also accepting applications for after-school sports classes in Term 2.  There is a wide range of sports for children of all ages and abilities at ESF school locations across Hong Kong. Visit the ESL website for more information.

ESL Language – English Language Classes

If you would like to give your child a language boost this winter, ESF Winter Camps offer a diverse range of courses that will ensure the language needs of your child are met. We are offering general language support programmes as well as classes which focus on developing a particular skill such as writing, phonics and Cambridge English exam courses.

For more information or to enrol your child, please click on the following link to the ESL Website.

IB Finals Revision Courses – Spring 2012
ESL is pleased to offer a programme of IB Finals Revision courses during the Easter 2012 holidays. The two-day intensive revision courses are offered in some of the most popular IB subjects. To find out more, follow the link to ESL’s IB Revision pages.