Hillside Newsletter 19 January 2018
Hillside Kindergarten’s latest newsletter available to read now. Find out the latest news from around the school and upcoming events.
Important Dates
Click HERE for the Full Hillside Calendar and instructions to subscribe.
| 26 January | School Closed for 2018-19 K1 Admissions Play-Visits |
| 14 February | Last Day of School before Chinese New Year (Lion Dance Party) |
| 15 – 23 February | Chinese New Year Break |
| 1 – 2 March | Hillside Book Fair |
| 6 – 7 March | School Photo Days |
| 28 March | Last Day of Term |
| 29 March – 13 April | Easter Break |
Principal’s Message
Dear Parents
As this is our first Newsletter of the year I would like to wish you all the very best for 2018 – Term 2 has started very smoothly and we are pleased to have all our full complement of staff back in place (as we had a number of Hillside staff out for periods of time last term due as they were on maternity leave).
As Educators, it’s important that we believe in and truly value the program that we are delivering to our students. We need to have the confidence to share and promote what we do with other educators. Just before the Christmas break commenced, Vice Principal Audrey Tang and I presented at the Asia-Pacific International Schools Conference (AISC) held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The Asia-Pacific International Schools Conference (AISC) provides school leaders at international schools with an annual opportunity to meet and discuss topical issues relevant to their international school communities. The objective of AISC is to bring together the international schools community to explore education issues that educators within Asia Pacific international schools are keen to debate.
The focus on Early Years pedagogy continues to be a major area for discussion within the world-wide Educational community – with Play-based learning and Inquiry always being hot topics for debate. Hillside was selected to prepare and present a (90) minute session for the conference titled: Inquiry and Play-based Learning – utilising the IB PYP Curriculum Framework. This was a unique opportunity to showcase some of the innovative approaches to learning that are utilised at Hillside (particularly through our innovative ‘open-play’ program that the children at Hillside enthusiastically participate in each day).
We are proud of the high-quality program that we have developed at ESF Hillside International Kindergarten over a number of years and it was a rewarding experience to be able to share our learning with teachers and leaders across the Asia-Pacific Region and to receive positive feedback from conference participants.
CHINESE NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS: Lion Dance Performance at Hillside – Wednesday 14 February 2018
On Wednesday, 14 February we will be celebrating Chinese New Year at Hillside. As part of our celebrations, we have secured the services of the outstanding Lion Dance troupe that entertained and amazed us last three years at Hillside. To assist in covering the costs of having this very child-friendly Lion Dance troupe, it would be appreciated if each child could possibly bring in a $30 cash donation (no cheques please). Donations can be placed in an envelope in the message book any day over the next two weeks and sent in with your child. Many thanks in advance for your support in securing this important cultural performance for our children.
Year 1 ESF Primary Admissions
During the month of January, the majority of our K2 students will be attending Admissions Interviews for a Year 1 Primary position. I know this is an extremely stressful time for all involved; however, it is important to ensure that your child is relaxed about this process.
Remember to keep this interview process ‘low-key’ with your child as I know from my own experience when interviewing children for a Year 1 ESF place, that added stress from parents does not help the child at all when they are taking part in the interview process. When talking with staff in the Primary school it is always best to be open and honest about the needs of your child. We have an excellent success rate at Hillside in regards to our children gaining Year 1 places at ESF Primary schools and I am sure we will continue with this pattern again this year.
Hillside 2018-19 K1 Intake admissions Play-Visits
We will be conducting our play visit/interviews for our 2018/19 K1 intake on Friday 26 January 2018. Please note that this will be a school closure day for current Hillside students. All ESF Kindergartens will be closed on this day to conduct their K1 play visits/interviews. The reason for having a school closure day is to enable us to conduct the majority of our K1 play visits / interviews on one day, rather than spreading them over a three-week period as this causes major disruptions to regular classroom programs (as teachers need to be constantly released from teaching duties to conduct the play visits/interviews). This interview process has been extremely successful in recent years and we thank you for your understanding regarding the need for this school closure day.
School Closure Days and Professional Development Days
To ensure that we offer the highest quality educational programme here at Hillside, it is essential that we provide high quality and regular professional development for all staff. Please make note of these dates as the Kindergarten will be closed on each of the following days:
- Friday 26 January 2018 (2018/19 K1 Admissions Interview Day – the Kindergarten will be closed for current Hillside children as all staff will be involved in the Admissions Interviews for the 2018/19 K1 intake.)
- Thursday 15 Feb 2018 (CPD Day)
- Monday 30 April 2018 (CPD Day)
- Monday 21 May 2018 (CPD Day)
School Photo Days
We have scheduled Peter Inglis, a professional photographer, to come on the 6 and 7 March 2018. We have worked with Peter in the past and he has been wonderful with the children. Peter has a selection of puppets and tricks along with lots of patience to make the children smile. The children are now developing their confidence and characters; I’m sure there will be lots of fun sessions throughout the day. Peter will be taking photographs of individual children and their class.
**Please note that we will not force children to be photographed against their wishes. Siblings will also get an opportunity to be photographed together. A whole school photograph will also be taken.
When available, you will be able to view the proofs online. More details will follow. There is no obligation to purchase.
The Gruffalo Theatre Trip – Kids Fest 2018
We would like to thank all parents for your support off the Theatre trip that was held on Monday. It was a great day and the production of The Gruffalo was again of an extremely high standard and well targeted to the age group of our children. We believe live theatre is a great experience for the children and we thank you again for your support in enabling our whole school to have the opportunity to attend this wonderful show.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Kind Regards
Chris
Principal
Class Blogs
Please click on the links below to visit our class blogs on the Hillside Learning Hub for your child’s latest class news and photo gallery. Please contact kinder@hillside.edu.hk if you cannot access the Learning Hub.
| Dolphin | Dragon |
| Frog | Gecko |
| Monkey | TigerAM TigerPM |
| Panda | Turtle |
| Chinese | |
| Parent Volunteer Sign-up | |
Inspiring Futures
Data Privacy The information we collect from you is in accordance with the ESF Personal Data Handling Policy and its related Personal Information Collection Statements (“PICS”). Our PICS statement is available online. http://www.esf.edu.hk/privacy
