Dear parents and caregivers,
 
The Island School Council, chaired by Mr Alec Tong, is the governing body of our school and as such they oversee the preparation and implementation of the host of plans which guide our school direction and improvement agenda.
 
One of the key advantages of being part of ESF is the collaboration that occurs across the foundation which ensures that all ESF schools remain focussed on delivering the best possible learning outcomes for every student.
 
A few weeks ago our senior leadership team hosted Mr Alan Miliken, ESF Director for Strategic performance and quality assurance. The purpose of the meeting was to review the school’s approach to improvement and focussed around:-

• Examining our strengths and priorities for improvement against international standards.
• Clarifying the high expectations for leaders and school performance.
• Reviewing our performance against important ESF policies such as child protection and financial management.
• Learning about specific research identified practices that improve classroom learning.
• Discussing the return to Borrett Rd, with emphasis on the new programs that have been introduced.

The meeting was robust and the collegial discussion was very valuable. It will lead to adjustments to plans and projects and stronger collaboration between other ESF schools. 
Our school routinely achieves high standards however we owe it to every student to continually strive to be even better.

Vaccination Status

Thank you to those of you who have updated your child’s vaccination status through the ESF App. As a reminder, it is important for the school that we have over 90% of our student population vaccinated. This ensures that we avoid any further restrictions. With this in mind, we would be very grateful if you could update your child’s records on the App, should this have changed. 

School Food Service

Following the relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions, we have been able to revert to our planned timetable for lunch and break. We recongise that this change has affected students and staff, who would previously purchase hot meals during the first break, including those involved in ECAs at lunchtime. Thank you to those of you who have provided feedback on this matter by either speaking with teachers or through your parents and the PTA.

We recognise that we need a settling-in period to assess the viability of our schedule. We are optimistic that students and staff will adapt and develop routines in accordance with this timetable, as was the case at the beginning of this year. We will evaluate the system after 4 weeks; and make adjustments as appropriate at this time. 

Thank you in advance for your ongoing support

Message from the Middle Phase

Middle Phase Leadership Team 

Over the past term, students in the Leadership Team ECA have been developing their leadership skills at weekly workshops with Island School Teacher Leaders and guests such as: business leaders, medical professionals, and NGO leaders. We are indebted to our PTA who helped connect us with such prestigious speakers. Students gained insights into real-life applications of leadership and characteristics such as resilience, empathy, and critical thinking during crisis management. 
 
The Middle Phase Leadership Team (IS Leadership Program) aims to provide leadership knowledge and opportunities for year sevens, eights, and nines. Next term will include even more practical leadership activities, such as students starting their very own initiatives. 

 Congratulations to all the Merit winners this  week
 Mark Jobling, Vice Principal Middle Phase

Message from the Senior Phase

Year 12 Group 4 Project 

This week, Year 12 Diploma Programme lessons were suspended for two days for the Group 4 project.  Students worked to investigate scientific myths, including: can a penny dropped from the Empire State kill? More information in Highlights of the Week, below.

It was fantastic to see students so engaged in data collection and analysis and working collaboratively with students who study different Science subjects.  The winning group will be announced on the final day of the term. 

Year 12 BTEC Hospitality Smoothies

On Tuesday this week, the BTEC students served a range of delicious smoothies to the teaching staff.  This was an opportunity for the group to demonstrate their culinary and customer service skills and to receive feedback from their clients.  I highly recommend the Green Goddess smoothie - healthy and refreshing! 

Year 13 CAS Exit Interviews

In Phase Time this week, Year 13 students heard about the final stage of CAS, the Exit Interview.  Mr Cooper, the CAS Coordinator, explained the purpose of this interview and how they can begin preparing for it.  The Exit Interviews, which will begin in term 2, are an opportunity for students to reflect on their achievements and to check that they have met the CAS requirements. It should be a chance to celebrate a job well done.  Every year, CAS Supervisors enjoy hearing about the outstanding commitments, participation and leadership our students, demonstrate through their CAS.

Beth Hall, Vice Principal, Senior Phase. 

Message from the Head Students 

Connected Communities Week

This week saw students invited to write thank you cards to the Sha Tin community and participate in a variety of exciting challenges in Connected Communities Week.

Led by the Connected Communities Committee and in collaboration with the Creative Arts, Culture and Social Action Committees in the Student Council, the week aimed to celebrate and strengthen our relationships with our neighbouring ShaTin community from our 2018–2022 decant.

A Connected Communities Open Day took place today. Over 40 Sha Tin residents enjoyed an afternoon tea, games, and activities prepared by the committee.

As a student leader stated, “We believe the Sha Tin years are not a closed chapter in our history. They are the beginning of a new era, and we believe they should be instrumental in shaping us as individuals and as part of a wider HK community.”

We would like to congratulate the Committee for organising this event!

Our New Student Leadership Page

The new Student Leadership web page was launched in last week’s newsletter, find it under the Life at IS header on the school website. If you haven’t had the opportunity to read this yet, please do take a moment to do so, we’d love any feedback. 

Please don’t hesitate to contact us at headstudents@online.island.edu.hk with any questions, queries or concerns.

Have a great weekend!

 
Kind regards,
Fiorelli Wong (13R), Sam Hui (13W), Angela Chen (13D), Charlie Lam (13E), Head Students

Key Dates Next Week

• 12th-17th: Christmas Celebration Week

• 12th-17th: LOTE Oral Practice Exams

• 12th & 13th: Y11 Art Practice Exam 

• 13th: ISPTA Christmas Food Decorating Masterclass

• 13th: U20 Girls Basketball Finals - Sports Hall @13:00

• 14th: Business Trade Fair 

• 14th: Forensic Medicine trip to the Museum of Medical Sciences

• 15th: Senior Phase Christmas Quiz in Thrive

Assemblies

• 16th: Community Assembly (08:20 - 09:40)

• 16th: Final Assembly (12:00 - 12:45)

Sports Fixtures:

• 12th: ISSFHK GirlsTennis @HKIS - 14:15 departure (17:30 return) -

• 12th: ISSFHK Boys Tennis @Bowen Road

• 13th: ISSFHK U14 Boys BB @SIS - 14:30 departure (16:30 return) -

• 13th: ISSFHK Boys Tennis @Hong Kong Country Club - 14:00 departure (17:15 return) 

• 13th: ISSFHK U16 Boys Football @ YMCA - 14:30 departure (17:15 return) 

• 13th: ISSFHK U16 Girls Football @ YMCA - 14:30 departure (17:15 return)

• 13th: ESF BASKETBALLL Finals @ IS 13:00

• 14th: ISSFHK U20 Girls BB @YMCA - 15:30 departure (18:00 return) 

• 15th: Division One Boys Tennis @Hong Kong Tennis Centre 14:50 return (19:00 return) 

• 15th: ISSFHK U20 Boys BB @GSIS - 16:00 departure (18:00 return) 

• 15th: ISSFHK U16 Girls Football@KSHK (KLB) - 14:00 departure (16:15 return) 

• 16th: HKSSF B Grade Football@ Po Tsui Park (Artificial Turf) - 13:30 departure (17:15 return)

The countdown to Christmas has begun! ISPTA is supporting several student activities next week.

Christmas Food Decorating Masterclass 

Limited spots left!  Get ready for the festive season and celebrate the holiday with style! ISPTA continues its Masterclass series by holding a Christmas Food Decorating Masterclass on 13th December. Please register here to attend.

ISPTA EGM - 1 December 2022

An Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) of the Island School Parent Teacher Association Limited (ISPTAL) was held on Thursday 1^st December 2022.
 
The resolution relating to the transition of the Island School PTA from a limited company to an association was passed.
 
Thanks to all who attended.

To contact ISPTA please email pta@online.island.edu.hk

To learn more about the ISPTA visit https://island.edu.hk/pta-home/

You can see previous news items at http://island.edu.hk/island-news/. 

Don’t forget to Like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/islandschool/ for more photos and videos of school life.