Newsletter 20/2015-16
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
Parent / Teacher Consultations – Thur 18th and Thur 25th Feb – Reminder
X-Country at KGV
Parents as Parnters
ESF Information Seminars for Prospective Parents
PTA News
Principal’s Comments
Whilst Ms Dunstan is away in the UK on recruitment, I will be acting Principal and Andy Thompson will be Acting Vice Principal for Years 1 to 3 and as usual our door is always open to parents and we welcome contact about your child and school life.
The school has been buzzing with activities this week .The Year 1 went on a Dim Sum trip and had a great time experiencing eating altogether in the local restaurant. The Year 6 children spent all day Tuesday participating in their Arts taster day, which exposed them to all different ways of expressing themselves ready for their Exhibition. The Year 5 has had a great morning, exploring Light and Sound, as a provocation before their unit of inquiry (Please see today’s blog). Year 2 enjoyed their “Superhero” day in preparation for the start of their new unit of “Celebrations” and Year 4 went off to the Theatre to see “Room on a Broom”. During the assembly today it was lovely to have some Year 3 students explaining why it is so cold in HK, which links to their unit of inquiry all about the “Weather”. All the children thoroughly enjoyed these exciting experiences.
School uniform during the cold weather
Hong Kong is experiencing unusually cold weather at the moment and we would like to provide some guidelines for parents with regard to the uniform. We are fortunate to have designed a uniform that can be layered with shirts, knitted vests, sweat shirts, fleece and the QBS Fleece Jacket. Many children wear vests under their shirts and we recommend that children wear long sleeved, white, round necked, thermal T-shirts under their school shirt, whilst the weather is cold. Girls are allowed to wear black or navy blue leggings or thick woollen tights under their skirts. Non uniform hats and scarves and gloves can also be worn.
We are mindful that the classes are very warm and the children may become too hot inside the classes and may remove some layers of clothing, however all children will be reminded to put on coats and fleeces to go outside. The staff will ensure that the children are warm and well cared for during this cold period.
Celebrating birthdays at QBS
We are happy to celebrate children birthdays at QBS and every birthday is shared on Qoodle, however we would request that parents consider the following so that learning is not disrupted.
- We cannot cut whole cakes so we encourage individual small cakes to be brought in which have to be NUT FREE.
- We are happy to pass out party invitations and these should be given to the EA in the morning and they will be placed in school bags/diaries.
- If parents wish to attend school, to celebrate a birthday, they should ask to come in before play time 10.15 am, although photographing and videoing of groups is not advised.
- Parents should not bring in party bags and gifts for the whole class but are encouraged to take action or make a donation to a charity instead.
Whatsapp communication
We are aware that there are some Whatapps groups amongst some parents and would like to remind you that the most reliable information about school life is found through the newsletter or by contacting the school directly. Please use the correct lines of communication found through the newsletter or the website to update yourselves about life at QBS.
Upcoming Parent Teacher Consultations
Parents have received communication about the Parent Teacher Consultations which will take place soon after the Chinese New Year holiday. Please be aware that school will close on Thursday the 18th of February at 12.00 noon to allow the consultations to commence at 1.00pm. These consultations are for parents and teachers only. Students do not attend.
- Thursday the 18th of February – Parent Teacher Consultations (school closes at 12 noon)
- Thursday the 25th of February – Parent Teacher Consultations
It is with sadness that I have to report the passing of Mr Gerry Morris. Gerry was a senior teacher and once Vice Principal and his wife, Lynn, was a long term member of staff at QBS. He left approximately 10-11 years ago.He contributed much to the face of the school and was a well respected member of our community.We send condolences to his family in the UK.
Regards,
Parent / Teacher Consultations – Thursday 18th and Thursday 25th February – Reminder
Dear Parents and Guardians,
As was communicated earlier this week, shortly after the Chinese New Year holiday, parents are invited to attend parent teacher consultations in school. We are looking forward to meeting with you.
The meetings will take place on Thursday 18th February from 1pm – 6:30pm, and on Thursday 25th February from 3 – 6pm. As on previous occasions, meetings with class teachers will last 15 minutes, and those with specialist teachers will last for 5 minutes.
The following specialist teachers will be available: Expressive Arts – Miss Hill and Mr Lee, PE – Mr Schroder and Mr Atkinson, Mandarin – Miss Ong, Miss Wang, Mr Yu and Mr Yao. In addition, Mr Purton (Leader of learning Technologies) and Ms Trunkfield (Teacher Librarian) will be available on a drop-in basis in the learning centre / ICT room should any parents wish to meet with them.
Bookings for the meetings opened today at 12noon on Gateway, and will close on Monday 1st Feb at 9am.
To book an appointment please log into Gateway using a computer only (not a smart phone) and then go to the tab called Communication and choose Parent Consultation in the drop down menu to go ahead with the booking. Please click here for more details.
If you need assistance with access to Gateway or booking an online appointment please contact Mr Ken Lee on 25664393 or email him on ken.lee@qbs.edu.hk
Please note that on the 18th February, school will close at 12noon for students so that consultations can commence at 1pm. Thursday 25th February is a normal school day and all consultations begin at 3pm.
X-Country at KGV
Quarry Bay School were very well represented at last weekend’s ESF Fun Run at KGV, with over 70 enthusiastic QBS runners taking part in the various age groups.
We were all very proud of all of the runners, no matter how fast or slow they ran. They all completed the challenge and can be proud of their efforts and achievements.
What was really impressive was to see the students all supporting each other before and after the race and this created a really nice team spirit.
We will look to continue the snack time runs at school in preparation for the next X-country race hosted by Chinese International School on Saturday March 12th.
The Snack Time Fun runs are on hold until February 15th (due to track availability) but we will continue to meet children who are keen to exercise in the gymnasium at snack (10.30 – 10.45 am).
Parents as Parnters
Stories From Around The World
Exciting news! Each Thursday lunchtime, we will be having story time for our Y1 and Y2 students in the Learning Centre. The stories will be read in a different language each week. Last year, our younger students loved this weekly session and enjoyed hearing their favourite stories in a variety of languages. The message we want the students to get is that we value their Mother Tongue.
Would you like to come to school from time to time to read a story to our youngest students? Please email me to get involved in our Mother Tongue Story time.
mona.abidi@qbs.edu.hk
Coffee Morning on Wednesday 27th January 8.30 to 9.30
The Importance of our Mother Tongue
I would like to invite you to our next coffee morning which will focus on the value of our mother tongue language. This session will provide a chance for us to share why developing our home language is crucial. I will also share how our QBS parent community can support our students in their home language both at home and at school.
Of course, there will be time to have a coffee and a chat too!
Please come along to the amphitheatre in the Learning Centre
8.30am on 27th January 2016
Please contact me with any questions: mona.abidi@qbs.edu.hk
ESF Information Seminars for Prospective Parents
7pm – 8pm, Friday, 29 January 2016
ESF Centre 25/F, 1063 King’s Road, Quarry Bay
We warmly invite you to join our information seminar to learn more about ESF’s curriculum, educational
philosophy and admission policy.
Explore how ESF secondary schools bring out the best in every student through our personalised approach to learning and by inspiring curious minds.
Sessions on primary schools and kindergartens will be conducted separately at a later date. Everyone is welcome. Please reserve your seats via the online registration form at:
http://www.esf.edu.hk/info-session-2016-1
Please click here for more information.
PTA News
Upcoming Events – Term 2
Term 2 will feature a host of exciting events, as below, so please mark your diaries accordingly:
- QBS Balloon Show: 27th January 2016
Online registration will go live on Monday, 11th January 2016.
Please login via: http://brilliantballoons.com/qbs - Paddyfield’s Bookclub: February / March 2016
- Popcorn Sale: 23rd March 2016
- QBS Afternoon “THEMED DISCO”: To be confirmed
Details of all the above events will be given in upcoming newsletters in Term 2.
School Buses
Change of Bus Travel Arrangement
We still have many parents who do not inform the PTA if their child/ren have a change in afternoon travel arrangements on the buses. The above results in a delayed departure from school, as buses waiting while PTA are looking for the missing students. We request for your co-operation in this matter, as it is imperative for PTA and class teacher to know if you child is not going home on the bus or not. This is in the best interest and safety of all student bus riders. (Parents are requested to inform PTA via email at pta@qbs.edu.hk as well as copying the message to the class teacher/school.)
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”.