Newsletter 25/2015-16
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
ESF Stakeholder Survey (14th – 24th of March 2016)
QBS Book Week 2016
QBS Exhibition – Student Action
Peter Sullivan Mathematics Workshop for QBS Parents
Parents as Partners
Virtual Learning Environments – A New Qoodle
Flu Precaution
PTA News
Principal’s Comments
Important dates for your attention:
- Book Week at QBS – 7th to 11th of March (please see this newsletter for details)
Digital Citizenship
We live in a technological age where devices and being online seem to be constant. From a young age students become aware of how technology is used to learn, communicate, be creative and socialise. It is very important that students develop an understanding of their digital reputation and footprint too. There are some very good resources available on Qoodle for parents about digital citizenship. I would encourage parents to access these resources and browse the contents. Please click here to see the parent resources on Qoodle.
Here is an example of the quality resources about digital citizenship available to parents via Qoodle:
https://www.esafety.gov.au/education-resources/parent-resources
Recently the extended senior and middle leaders revised the QBS Responsible Internet Use Policy which sets out the expectations for all students when using technology and Internet. Please click here to read the policy. Infringements of this policy are taken very seriously at QBS.
The Internet, its application to daily life and the way we can use it to communicate effectively requires cooperative support and understanding between home and school. At QBS it is our belief that we can achieve success for our students in this area of learning if we work in partnership.
Looking Ahead
Next week I am looking forward to Book Week. There are plenty of exciting things happening all week including book character dress up day next Friday. We’ll also welcome Mr Peter Sullivan in school next week to work with our staff on the teaching mathematics. Peter will support planning and also teach lessons next week as part of his professional development program at QBS. Please consider attending Mr Sullivan’s parent workshop on Tuesday evening. See this newsletter for details.
Exploring in the Country Park
This week I enjoyed a trip up into the hills near QBS with the Year 4 children. We were pond dipping for living things, sketching and studying plants. There was great parental support during the trip and we managed to find all manner of interesting creatures. The students appreciated the positive action they were able to take too, thanks to Mr Glencross. QBS is lucky to have such a wonderful natural resource so close to our students.
QBS Sporting Teams
It is great to hear our students have been enjoying recent hockey and basketball tournaments. Mr Schroder and the various coaches at QBS continue to encourage our students to participate with enthusiasm and give their best no matter the result on the scoreboard. The rugby team also competed very well in the CIS Tournament this week. Thank you to parents for their continued interest and support for sport at QBS.
Regards,
ESF Stakeholder Survey (14th – 24th of March 2016)
In the near future all QBS parents will be invited to participate in the ESF Stakeholder Survey. The information about this survey will come to parents from ESF via email. I would encourage parents to complete this survey so that QBS can continue to strive to be the best it can be for your child.
QBS Book Week 2016
March 7th -11th
QBS Book Week is rapidly approaching and the children have got lots to look forward to.
Book Fair
Pollux Books will be coming in on Wednesday 9th March for a book fair. The children will have an opportunity to go and visit the fair, with their class, to buy a book. The cost of the books range from $40-$100. If you would like your child to buy something, please send them with no more than $100. The money should be in an envelope with your child’s name on and be stored in a safe place. Pollux will finish the fair at 3:45, so if you would like to come and browse yourself, please feel free to do this after school.
Visiting Authors
Each year group will have a visit with an author. Most of these will be via Skype in our Learning Centre. The children have been sharing a range of books created by their author so they are inspired and prepared with some questions.
Book Character Dress Up
On Friday 11th March the children are asked to come to school dressed as their favourite book character. There will be a special assembly on that day to celebrate the week.
Competitions
There will be plenty of fun competitions over the week. One of these will be the Extreme Reading competition. Your child can enter by sending in a picture of themselves reading in an extreme (but safe) situation. Please ensure that they include their name and class with the entry and send it to this email address: bookweek@quarrybaykids.com
QBS Exhibition – Student Action
Peter Sullivan Mathematics Workshop for QBS Parents
Tuesday 8th. March, 6 – 7:30 p.m. in the school hall
Peter Sullivan is Professor of Science, Mathematics and Technology Education, at Monash University in Australia.
He is the immediate past President of the Australian Association of Mathematics Teachers and was the lead writer of the Australian Curriculum: Mathematics.
Peter is one of the world’s leading authorities in mathematics, and will be visiting our school from March 7 – 9th., to work alongside our teachers.
The workshop for parents will focus on a problem solving approach to the teaching of mathematics, alongside the importance of conceptual understanding.
This would help parents to understand how they may be able to help their children, in the development of mathematical thinking.
If you would like to attend, click here to register.
Parents as Partners
Our Children’s Health and Wellness Presentation
Getting our children (and ourselves) to eat better and be healthy and happy can be stressful and overwhelming! We are constantly being bombarded by information (a lot of which comes with confusing, mixed messages). It doesn’t have to be that hard – come along and listen to a balanced, simple approach toward living better – one that you create around a lifestyle that suits your family. This will be perfect for parents, but also helpers or other family caregivers, as we are all the gatekeepers to our children’s health and wellness!
Monday 14th March from 11:00 to 12:00
Click here to register a place at this free presentation
Virtual Learning Environments – A New Qoodle
All ESF schools will be upgrading their Virtual Learning Environments in the coming year which should make them easier to use on mobile devices and easier to upgrade. A new Qoodle will come online early in the new school year. We are taking this opportunity to review how we use it and the structure and looks of our platform. We would like to freshen up the banners and graphics on the site and would welcome support from our community in this task. We are looking for an individual or company with graphic design skills who would be prepared to volunteer to assist us with this task. The project might also suit a university student wanting to build up a portfolio or use this as part of course work.
If you are able to help please contact keith.purton@qbs.edu.hk
Flu Precaution
The Education Bureau and the Centre for Health Protection have jointly issued advice for taking precautionary measures against the spread of influenza in schools. This is the peak season for the flu in Hong Kong. Parents should not send children with fever to school until the fever has subsided for 48 hours.
For the latest information on influenza activity, please visit the website of the Centre for Health protection. (www.chp.gov.hk)
Please call Nurse Delia if you have questions.
PTA News
Upcoming Events
Term 2 & Term 3 will feature a host of exciting events, as below, so please mark your diaries accordingly:
- Popcorn Sale: 23rd March 2016
- QBS “Themed Disco”: 21st April 2016
- Pizza Sale: 13th May 2016
Request for Parent Volunteers
All parent volunteers who would like to help out with our popular Popcorn Sale (held at breaktime) are requested to send an email to mona.diwan@qbs.edu.hk, titled “Popcorn Sale – Parent Volunteer”, to enable us to send you further information by return email. Looking forward to your support.
PTA School Buses
Early School Closure – Half Day School
School will be closed early at 12:00noon on Thursday, 24th March 2016 for Easter break. Please click here for the bus schedule
PTA Shop
Winter uniform – last day of sales:
Last day of sales of winter uniform will be Thursday, 17th March 2016.
Summer uniform – purchase:
Will be available for purchase from Monday, 21st March – Thursday, 24th March 2016..
The PTA Shop will opened from 8:15am – 12:15pm during those days.
Transition Period:
Transition period for changing uniforms will be April. Students can opt to either wear summer or winter uniform depending on the weather.
Commencing Wednesday, 4th May all students will be required to wear only summer uniform to 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”.