27 Nov 2015

Newsletter 14/2015-16

Quarry Bay School’s latest newsletter is available to read now. Find out the latest news around the school and upcoming events.

 Principal’s Comments
 Cub Scout Camp Weekend
 Parent as Partners Coffee Morning
 Charity News
 Expressive Arts News
 Head Lice
 2nd Hand Winter Uniforms
 PTA News

Principal’s Comments

It has been another busy week at QBS. Our new play spaces seem to be having a positive impact. The students seem to be enjoying the variety of spaces available to them for different types of play. The renovation of the front section of our school should be completed in the near future and this will also be available for the students. On Thursday I watched a group of Year 3 students play football on the new pitch and I was impressed by their levels of cooperation and organisation during the game together. Students are permitted to bring cards (eg football cards), Shopkins and Rubik’s Cubes for use in this quiet area of the school.

We enjoyed the 4S and 4J assembly this week. It was a wonderful trip in space! Thank you to all parents for supporting the students and wearing the special glasses. We have observed that the class assemblies are something the students really enjoying doing for their parents so your continued support is a valuable part of this experience.

Next Friday evening will be the annual QBS PTA Christmas Fayre. We hope to see everyone there as it is always a very successful community event organised by our hard-working PTA. All proceeds raised by the PTA will be invested into the school’s renovations.

Student Safety

I continue to be concerned that some children are being left alone in the playground waiting for extra-curricular clubs after school. This is not appropriate and thank you for your cooperation in this safety matter.

Regards,

MinaD2

Cub Scout Camp Weekend

The 26th SJD Cub Scout Pack enjoyed an action-packed weekend of activities on our Explorer Camp last week. We got to sleep in a dormitory and in a tent on this occasion, although thankfully not in the torrential rain that threatened to wash us away on the Friday as we left school!

We had the chance to have a go at archery, bike riding, rock climbing and roller skating. This was followed by activities to allow us to gain our Explorer Badge- fire-lighting, cooking over fire, shelter-building and orienteering. We all had an exciting time, from the torchless night hike to the barbeque and singing at the campfire, everyone had lots of fun!

campgirls dorm

Parent as Partners Coffee Morning

Dear Parents and Carers,

We have a Parents as Partners Coffee Morning scheduled for Wednesday 2nd December at 8:30 am in the Amphitheatre in the Learning Centre. At this meeting we would like to share key aspects of our professional development this term on enhancing our teaching of reading strategies and challenging all students through a problem solving approach in Mathematics. The second half of the session will be a chance for us to enjoy some refreshments, answer any questions and network.

Mr Andy THOMPSON

Charity News

We are very lucky here at Quarry Bay School because we can do lots of different things. West Morninghope School is located in Chai Wan. It is a school for disabled children. The school helps the students develop self respect, self discipline, self confidence and independence. They also teach the children life skills such as, personal hygiene, how to cook, how to dress, safety and how to communicate in English.

At QBS we all like to help. So the student voice would like to take action and ask all the students to donate a small Christmas gift so that they can deliver these gifts on Monday 14th December to the children there for them to have a very merry Christmas.

The types of gifts that would be great to give are: stuffed toys, simple puzzles, easy children books or easy duplo/lego packs.

Once you have bought the gift, please wrap it, attach a note to say whether it is suitable for a boy or girl (or both) and what age it would be good for. Then bring the gift to school, place it under the Christmas tree in the school hall and Santa’s big helpers from year 5 and 6 will deliver the gifts on everyone’s behalf.

From Ernest Yeung, Avi George and Destiny Lung.

Expressive Arts News

Orchestra

The Orchestra had been busy practising and getting ready for their Orchestra Jam Day. The QBS Orchestra joined many other ESF Primary Schools for the day where the children worked on three pieces in their orchestral groups and then joined together in the afternoon for a mini-performance. All the children had a great experience. Please find some highlights of the Orchestra Jam Day from here.

Orchestra Jam_small

QBS Orchestra are already working on their next performance and are looking forward to playing in the school Christmas Pantomime, Aladdin. Please note that due to the Aladdin rehearsals, the Wednesday club sessions have now been extended to 4:15pm. A more detailed email regarding rehearsal dates and performance times will be sent in the near future.

QBS Christmas Fair Friday 4th December performances

Senior choir, Junior choir and the rock band are looking forward to entertaining you and getting you into the Christmas spirit at the Christmas fair next week. Please can the children from all these groups come back to school at 5:30pm. Junior choir needs to meet in Miss Hill’s room. Senior Choir in the multi-purpose room and the Rock band in Mr Lee’s room. Please can the children wear their normal casual clothes and some Christmas tinsel or a hat.

The performance will start at 6:30pm outside on the field by the pond. We look forward to seeing you there.

Christmas Pantomime – Aladdin, Wednesday 16th December 6pm

Drama club are busily rehearsing for this years Pantomime, Aladdin, which will be performed to parents on Wednesday 16th December. Please note that the Tuesday club sessions have now been extended to 4:30pm.

Senior choir, Orchestra and Rock band will also be performing in the Pantomime. More details will be emailed regarding rehearsals in the near future.

Miss Ceri Hill
Expressive Arts Teacher

Head Lice

We have had a few cases of head lice in school. It is important, when this happens to ensure that students who are affected are kept apart from other students, so that the risk of spreading the infestation is limited.

If your child says they have an itchy head please check for nits, eggs or the actual bug. It is important that you treat your child’s hair with medication from your doctor or from a local pharmacy. (Quellada, Hair Clear 123 and Lindane are some brands that are available.)

Please follow the directions on the shampoo carefully, and please do not send your child to school until you are certain that the infestation has been eradicated.

Also please wash all your linens and towels, so it will prevent from spreading. Check other family members as well.

If you need any further advice please don’t hesitate to call me.

Thank you for your help.

Delia Guastella Monti
School Nurse

2nd Hand Winter Uniforms

The weather is starting to change and becoming a bit chilly…

We have a large quantity of 2nd hand winter uniforms for sale. Please come have a look. Nurse Delia has more uniforms in her office as well. Remember that all proceeds will go to one of our school charities.

PTA News

UPCOMING EVENTS

“Christmas Fayre” : 4th December 2015

Our biggest, festive and fun event of the year is coming up soon and preparations are under way.

COUNTDOWN BEGINS NOW : 14 DAYS TO GO!

[Proceeds raised at this event will go towards the Pledged donation to the school renovation
project.] View 2015 QBS Christmas Fayre poster.

Donations:

Thank you to all parents who have sent in your donations already. If you would like to contribute with a donation by cheque (proceeds of which will be donated to school and used for the enhancement of school facilities), please download the donation form here. Please complete and send it into the PTA office. All donations above $100 are subject to tax exemption for which a receipt will be issued.

Preparations are in full swing for our biggest event of the year. We welcome you all to join us in organising (as a parent volunteer), or participating, or contributing in any of the below:

INTERNATIONAL FOOD STALLS: We will be having Korean, Malaysian, Chinese, Indian, Japanese and Filipino Food Stalls at the event (as confirmed by parent volunteers). If you would like to assist please contact us on mona.diwan@qbs.edu.hk. We will liaise with you and assist you closely to make all the arrangements of supplies for the event.

BAKE STALL: are you a good baker? If yes, register to bake for our bake stall now at: mona.diwan@qbs.edu.hk.

TOMBOLA: Donate an item for the Tombola Stall (new items only please)…..Please bring them directly to us at the PTA Office.

COMMERCIAL VENDOR STALL: If you would like to apply for a vendor booth – please contact us now at mona.diwan@qbs.edu.hk to reserve your space. Deadline extended till Tuesday, 1st December 2015. Download your vendor application form.

2ND HAND BOOKS (in usable condition): Please drop off items in drop boxes outside the PTA Office NOW!

WHITE ELEPHANT STALL (items donated are to be in usable conditions): Please drop off items in drop boxes outside the PTA Office now! If you would like to help to run the stall – please contact us at mona.diwan@qbs.edu.hk.

PARENT VOLUNTEERS – CHRISTMAS FAYRE: We will require support and assistance of parents to make this event a success, as in past years. So if you would like to support or help in any way, please contact us at mona.diwan@qbs.edu.hk, or send in the parent volunteer form.

PARENT VOLUNTEERS – GIFT HAMPER WRAPPING (will be done on 2nd December at 9:45am – outside the PTA Office): We request help from parent volunteers who would like to help in wrapping the
class hampers. Please email us at mona.diwan@qbs.edu.hk if you are interested asap.

COURTESY SHUTTLE BUS SERVICE – Please click here to download the shuttle bus schedule.

[ALL proceeds raised at PTA events will be given as donation to school to enhance learning facilities for the betterment and benefit of all the students to make a difference! ]

PTA Shop

Shop Enquires

Please contact Mrs Rathi via ptashop@qbs.edu.hk for any shop queries.

Winter Uniforms

Are available for purchase now (during shop hours only). You may download the order forms from the PTA Section of the website, to place your pre-orders.

  • Commencing 1st December, all students will be required to come to school in proper winter uniform.

[Please remember to ‘bring your own bag’.]

[Pre-orders: All parents with pre-orders can collect their available items on Tuesday 1st December 2015. Please remember to bring along confirmation of payment slip or coloured number tags, and please ‘bring your own bag’.]

Out-of stock Items

Due to a slight delay in the delivery of our orders by our suppliers, the PTA Shop does not have stock of the below items:

  • Eco-Friendly School Bag
  • Raincoats: Size S & M

We are experiencing a slight delay in receiving our bags as we wait to obtain proper certification of RPET fabric from the supplier mill. The tentative delivery date is now scheduled for end of next week. We apologise for the delay, and will inform you once the stock is available.

Notification of status of arrival of stocks will be given in the upcoming newsletters.

PTA School Bus

Term 2 School Bus Fees – Cheques

All Term 2 school bus fee cheques will be deposited commencing 20th November onwards! We request you to ensure you have sufficient funds to cover the payment.

[All returned/bounced cheques will be applicable to a $100 surcharge.]

Feedback or Suggestions

If you have any feedback or suggestions you would like to give on our event or services provided, please email directly to: ptasuggestions@qbs.edu.hk. Your email will directly be received by our Chairman who will reply you at the earliest available moment.

HELP US – IN OUR DRIVE FOR A GREENER ENVIRONMENT

We request all parents to support a greener environment by BYOB “bring your own bag” when you come to purchase items from the shop.

[With immediate effect the PTA Shop will no longer provide any shopping bags].

Please contact us on 2566 4242 (ask to transfer to PTA), or 2887 1004 for further queries, or by email to pta@qbs.edu.hk, during operation hours.

“Click here for PTA Office and Shop Operation”.