Newsletter issue 33

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

 Student Withdrawals

 Hong Kong Juniors Rapid Chess Championships 2015

 Parents as Partners

 PE News

 PTA Events

 PTA Vacancies

Principal’s Comments

New QBS Website

In the near future we will launch a new QBS website. We hope its refreshed pages and photographs will be well-received. One of the key aspects of this new website will be its potential to share news more frequently and in a more user-friendly format. It is our intention to move to the new website soon and gradually improve the presentation of news updates for parents. One of the benefits of the new website will be its ‘mobile’ device viewing capacity. ESF have reported that over 60% of all communications from our schools are read on mobile devices so we are trying to be more responsive to this fact.  We will inform you when the new web site is available to all parents.

School Closure

Please be reminded that QBS is closed to students on Friday the 22nd of May through until Tuesday the 26th of May. The school is closed due to the public holiday and the QBS/ESF staff professional development schedule.

Uniform Reminder

Thank you for your continued attention to your child’s presentation for school. Quarry Bay School students proudly wear their uniform. This is an expectation. It is always pleasing to see the students so well presented in their uniform as it fosters an ethos of high standards in our school community. Summer uniform is now being worn to school. Please remember the following:

• ‘Play tattoos’ should not be worn to school – please ensure they are removed.
• Wristbands from events (eg sporting events, amusement centres/parks) should not be worn to school as accessories – please ensure they are removed.
• Socks – need to be visible and not hidden below ankles so it appears no socks are being worn at all.
• PE kit requires white trainers – coloured trainers are not uniform attire.
• Black school shoes are worn with uniform.
• Hair accessories are to be blue or black.
• A QBS hat is mandatory for outdoor play.

White trainers with PE kit       Black shoes with uniform

Important Date for all Parents – Friday 12th of June

The annual Celebration of Learning Day will be held on Friday the 12th of June. This is a student led event. All parents will be invited to join this event with their child for a specified period of time and an appointment booking will be necessary via Gateway. More details to follow in the near future.

Farewell to Miss Evie Lant

Best of luck to Miss Evie Lant who will be leaving QBS to resume her medical studies. Miss Lant has been working as an Education Assistant in 2L and will be missed by the students and staff.

Regards,

Student Withdrawals

If you are withdrawing your child at the end of this academic year, please complete the student withdrawal notice and return it to the school office via email by 1 June 2015. Otherwise, we will assume that your child is returning after summer and parents are liable to the tuition fees for September 2015 even if the student does not return to school. Please contact Miss Frances Lai (Admissions Secretary) if you need assistance with this matter. Miss Lai’s email address is: frances.lai@qbs.edu.hk

Hong Kong Juniors Rapid Chess Championships 2015

Toby Mak won 4th runner up at the Hong Kong Juniors Rapid Chess Championships 2015 held at the German Swiss International School on Sunday May 10.

Well done Toby!

Come join one of the BIGGEST The Chess Academy Event of the School Year!

Battle, win and bring home Cash Prizes (over $3,000) and Trophies from:

The 6th Annual Hong Kong Scholastic Championship!
Interschool Teams and Individuals Championships

Date: June 7, 2015 (Sunday)

Time: 9am – 5:00pm
Venue: Kellett School, 7 Lam Hing Street, Kowloon Bay

Special Event – “Simul challenge” with International Masters

Sign up now to enjoy the Early Bird Discount! (Before May 17)

Registration/ Enquiry: Email to Info@ActiveKidsHK.com , Call 3480 4199 or Fax to 8143-0070

Parents as Partners

Upcoming Workshop: Importance of Play: 26th May 12 to 1pm

Sharing the importance of play and the role it can play in learning. I will be bringing in maths, art, language and motor control through play.

Workshop for parents, carers and domestic helpers of QBS families.

Please click here and complete form for attendance.

SUGAR: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly!

Hidden sugars find their way into so many of the foods that our children eat. With childhood obesity, type 2 diabetes and other related diseases a real concern for our children and the clear association between increased sugar intake to risk factors for overall health, it is our responsibility to keep added sugars to a minimum in our children’s diet.

Come along to this informal talk on how to keep our children’s food sweet enough without the unnecessary added sugars!

A presentation by Janie Grant for all QBS parents and carers on Thursday 4th June from 11 to 12. Please come along to the amphitheatre in the Learning Centre.

‘Reading with Young Children’ Workshop

Many thanks to all the parents and carers who came along to the workshop on Reading this week. We had a good turn out and everyone left with plenty of ideas to try at home. We are now looking forward to our next workshop for parents and carers: The Importance of Play (26.5.15)

Textile Arts at QBS

As you may have noticed at QBS, there is always a lot of art included in our daily routines. This includes performance arts and visual arts. Here is a little request: if you have any unwanted wool (yarn), embroidery threads, buttons, sequins, ribbons, knitting needles, crochet hooks etc  at home which you would be happy to donate to school, please send them in to Ms Abidi. They can then be used and enjoyed by all of our students.

PE NEWS

Splash and Dash Race 2 – South Bay

We were sorry to hear that Race 1 has been cancelled. We hope to see many of our Year 3-6 students at Race 2.

Please click here to view the race details and entry form. If you do register please remember to let Mr. Schroder know.

All children who have entered are welcome to attend the Thursday lunch time club, where we will practice the run and discuss race tips and strategies.

We currently have over 40 students registered so far, which is fantastic. Please get your registrations in quick as places will fill up soon.

World Athletics Day 2015

Congratulations to all our students from Year 3 and 4 who participated in the World Athletics Day at Wan Chai Stadium last Sunday.

Please see a photo of all the children who participated by clicking here.

Inter-Schools Primary Athletics Competition

Last week we had a group of Year 6 Students who represented the school at a Primary Inter-School Athletics Event. The children have put a lot of time and effort into practicing for the day and we were really proud of their achievements on the day. They also looked superb in the new look Q.B.S Athletics kit.

Please click here to see a photo of our team

Saturday Rugby Training on the CIS Field

Meninga Rugby Training

Josh Meninga has started up his own rugby coaching company with a number of HK first team rugby players. Last year he worked with the U9’s from the HKFC which really paid dividends for the players. There was a huge improvement in their ability in tackle, in their individual rugby skills and the enhancement of their knowledge of the game. The sessions are fun and enjoyable.

Training will resume on Sat 13th June and continue throughout all of next season.

• 14:30 to 15:45 hrs. on Saturday, at the Chinese International School Field
• 14:30 to 15:45 current U7 – U12’s

Price per session is HK$200

Please bring rugby uniform, mouth guard, water and sunscreen.

In order to book your place please send an email tojoshua.meninga@gmail.com as soon as possible.

Saturday Football Coaching – QBS

Show De Bola Brazilian Soccer School at QBS

Coach Jorge played for the Brazilian National Team at U17’s. He also played with the legendary Ronaldo. He currently is the head coach with Citizen Football Club in HK and also runs his own soccer school at the Peak and QBS.

Both my children have greatly benefitted from the expertise that Jorge and his team have passed onto them over the last 2 years playing at the Peak School.

For more information please click here.

PTA Events

Thursday, 28th May 2015:  New Year 1 Student Induction Day

Parent Volunteers – Induction Day
This is a great opportunity for you to meet new parents and families joining QBS in the next academic year, as well as familiarise them with the school and help them and guide them with uniform ordering and school bus service etc. If you would like to be a parent volunteer at the event please email us at mona.diwan@qbs.edu.hk, stating:

• “Induction Day – Parent Volunteer”
• Your child’s name / class number / your name and contact number and we will contact you with further details of arrangements accordingly.

Wednesday, 10th June 2015:  QBS Quiz Night

• Timings:  6:00-8:00pm
• Quiz will be hosted by a professional compere
• Quiz questions will be mixed both for children and adults
• Teams will consist of 6 members per team
• $600 per team of 6 / or $100 per person (to be grouped into a team)
• Food: there will be an option to pre-order pizza
• Bar: drinks, beverages and snacks will be available for purchase
• Prizes :  Prize hampers will be awarded  to the 1st / 2nd & 3rd teams

Look out for further information on booking your table next week.

If you are interested to help organise the event as a volunteer, please email us at mona.diwan@qbs.edu.hk with your child’s name, class number, and your contact
number.

PTA Vacancies

Honorary Treasurer

We are looking for a parent representative to fill an urgent vacancy for the role of “Honorary Treasurer” on the PTA Committee in the next academic year (2015-2016). We wish the best for our current Treasurer, Ms Amy Au, who will be retiring as her son moves onto year 7 at South Island School.

Serving on the Executive Committee is considered a privilege by parents and teachers, especially those who have interest in being involved in the PTA’s affairs and operations. As well as serving as a good opportunity for social experience, it serves as a great platform to put forth your valuable experience, insight and views towards “making a difference” to your child/ren’s learning at QBS.

Criteria:

Have basic accounting knowledge, some free time and the interest to be involved.

Obligation:

You will be required to attend and give a financial update at our bi-termly PTA meetings (7 meetings per academic year), work with the PTA Co-ordinator to prepare the accounts for audit and then present the audited accounts at the AGM. The PTA Co-ordinator is very knowledgeable about the information needed for the annual audit as she handles the day to day finances and book-keeping.

In addition to all our committee members, you will have guidance and assistance from our Chairman, Mrs Michelle Saad, who has served as Honorary Treasurer for 1 year prior her role as Chairman.

If you are interested, please feel free to contact Mona Diwan, PTA Coordinator by email mona.diwan@qbs.edu.hk or by phone on 28871004, she will be happy to answer any further queries you may have.

Parent Representatives

This year we will be having a few of our current committee members retire as they move onto to senior schools with their child. We would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their dedicated hard work and contribution towards the success of the PTA during their tenure.

We are now inviting dynamic parents to stand as Parent Representatives on our executive committee in the upcoming school year.

If you would like to be involved, in any of the above positions, and contribute your expertise both to the development and enhancement of the PTA and the school, please feel free to contact Mona Diwan, PTA Coordinator by email onmona.diwan@qbs.edu.hk or by phone on 28871004. She will be happy to answer any further queries you may have.