Monthly Newsletter (February 2024)

> PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE

> RECENT HAPPENINGS

> ESF COLLABORATION

> UPCOMING EVENTS & INFORMATION

> PHASE YEAR 7-9

> PHASE YEAR 10-11

> PHASE YEAR 12-13

> STUDENT CELEBRATIONS

> SIS SPORTS!

> FEBRUARY WEEKLY NEWSLETTERS

> KEY DATES & REMINDERS

Principal’s Message

Principal’s Vlog

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Happy Lunar New Year! I hope the recent break gave you and your families a chance to recharge and enjoy some well-deserved relaxation. We only have 4 weeks remaining in the term, and if this week is any indication of what to expect, it will be an exciting end to the term! As usual, our students are doing amazing things. As usual, our students are doing amazing things. As you read through the newsletter, you will find numerous examples, but I wanted to highlight a few.

The first example is the creation of an inter-house challenge led by a group of Year 11 students. They have created an engaging project focused on sustainability, aiming to educate our school community on the importance of environmental responsibility – ‘Plant-a-thon’. Through this challenge, students learn about sustainability and foster teamwork and a sense of responsibility by creating a care plan for a plant. Their efforts exemplify the values we strive to instil in our students.

The second is the success of our recent SIS TedX event. This student-led initiative provided a platform for our learners to showcase their creativity and enhance their communication skills. Witnessing their confidence and passion as they shared their ideas and experiences with a larger audience was incredible. Such events empower our students and reinforce the importance of effective communication in today’s world.

Lastly, I want to acknowledge the students involved in Code(H)ers, an initiative addressing gender disparity in STEM subjects. It is encouraging to see a growing number of students engaging in these important events. I encourage more students to get involved and contribute to breaking down barriers in the field of STEM. Further details can be found in the newsletter.

Our dedicated teachers and supportive parent community make these incredible opportunities possible. We are truly fortunate to be part of such a caring and inclusive environment where students are at the heart of everything we do.  Our recent International Baccalaureate (IB) evaluation report echoes this, which reflects our school community’s exceptional commitment and dedication to our children.

Thank you all for your continued support, and I look forward to the exciting weeks ahead!

Carolyn Andrews
Interim Principal

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RECENT HAPPENINGS

(1) YEAR OF THE DRAGON LION DANCE

 

Early today, we welcomed the Year of the Dragon on campus with a mesmerising Lion Dance performance. Sponsored by the South Island School PTA, our students, teachers, and staff were treated to a vibrant and lively production as we celebrated Chinese culture and wrapped up the Lunar New Year celebration season.  The lions enthralled our community as they acrobatically moved throughout the Lower Playground before making their way to the foyer area to celebrate with our Supporting Staff.  Teachers and students were captivated by the beauty of the lions and were delighted to be up close with them.  A big thank you to the SIS-PTA for organising this exciting event and bringing our community together! 

From the PTA:

“We are thrilled to welcome the Year of the Dragon and sponsor today’s captivating Lion Dance performance for our SIS Community! As we celebrate this festive and cultural tradition, we would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Happy Chinese New Year, filled with prosperity, good fortune, and happiness. May the Year of the Dragon bring abundant blessings to each and every one of you.”

(2) TEDxTSIS

Last night, we marked the return of TEDxTSIS! With 7 speakers, ranging from students, teachers and parents, making their way on stage, our community was encouraged and inspired by stories and insights from our speakers.  From talks on self-development through setting goals and handling the emotional journey of growing up to harnessing technology for the good of humankind, our speakers took on various topics on how we, as humans, can move towards the world ahead. 

If you missed the chance to see the talks, they will be made available at a later date. We will share them with the community once they are ready.

Thank you to our speakers, Ashley Bertagnoli (12B1), Rudransh Gaur (11K2), Kriti Tutika (12B2), Agastya Rekhi (10N1), Kristie Lee (13B1), Mr Kenneth Chan, and Ms Caroline Chow for sharing with us your insights and inspiring us as we move forward to the world ahead.  A great big shout out to our TEDxTSIS Heads Tisya Gupta (13B2) and Paul-Antoine Joly (13B1), along with help from Vedika Bangur (13S1), Charlotte Lee (13S1), Beatrice Lui (13N1), Alicia Koo (13M1), Sean Lee (13N2), Chloe Cheung (13N2), Jason Choi (13C1),  Enoch Chu (13C1), Arim Lee (13M1), and Anson Li (13C1), for their help behind the scenes and Ms Bou for her guidance and support in organising this marvellous event!

(3) SUSCO UNIFORM RECYCLING INITIATIVE

For phase 2 of their Uniform Recycling Initiative, the Sustainability Council (SusCo) held their second-hand uniform sale just before the break.  After collecting SIS hoodies and ESF jackets in Term 1,  SusCo washed and packed together 30 pieces of outerwear just before CNY’s chilly weather.  In selling these uniform items, SusCo had raised almost HKD 1000 for their charity partner Redress and, more importantly, gave a second life to garments that would have otherwise ended up in landfill and negatively contributing to the environment.

Co-Head of SusCO Sophie Chan (12M1) shares,  “Although the amount of money raised was not a big number, raising awareness on how our community can minimise uniform waste and providing a platform for us to take action to limit our carbon footprint was a big first step.  We hope through this initiative, students can learn that making a difference and living a greener lifestyle can be applied to different parts of our daily lives, including our uniform choices.”

SusCo looks to bring back the Uniform Recycling Initiative next academic year!

(4) HK YOUNG WRITERS AWARD 2024

We are pleased to announce that 2 South Island School Students have been shortlisted for the HK Young Writers Award 2024 – a big congratulations to Jennifer Kim (08S1) and Brandon Wong (10N1).

This year’s theme was “New Tales of China’s Inventions.” Jennifer’s piece “China’s Enduring Legacy of Inventions” is shortlisted in the Non-Fiction category and was inspired by China’s history, stories and artefacts.  

The legacy of China’s inventors serves as a reminder that the spirit of innovation knows no bounds and that the pursuit of new wonders continues to shape our world.

Brandon’s piece, “The Gift of Paper”, is an ode to one of the most important inventions in history, paper, and is shortlisted in the Poetry category.  

‘Mulberry bark, hemp

old rags and fishing nets too

With hands bare, he pulps

and presses’

Both students encourage others to challenge themselves to write in future competitions.  Shares Jennifer, “Writing competitions are important because they offer opportunities for skill development and growth in writing.”  Brandon expresses, “Writing is a way to share your abstract thoughts and concepts onto a piece of paper for others to see. It’s great to enter competitions now and then to really push yourself and take it as an opportunity to grow and learn.”

The HK Young Writers Award Ceremony will take place on 20 March 2024.  Amazing job Jennifer and Brandon!

ESF COLLABORATION

(1) LS FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT

Just before the Lunar New Year Break,  ESF King George V School hosted a football tournament, bringing together ESF students from SIS, West Island, and Jockey Club Sarah Roe School. The tournament provided an inclusive and supportive environment for students to showcase their football skills and compete against each other.

The students demonstrated their passion for the game and determination to excel on the field throughout the tournament. The matches were marked by impressive teamwork, perseverance, and a strong sense of sportsmanship.

Among the participating teams, SIS stood out with their exceptional performance. The SIS players displayed great skill, coordination, and tactical awareness. Their precise passing, solid defence, and accurate shooting earned them well-deserved victories against their opponents and impressed spectators and their fellow players. Ultimately, SIS secured a remarkable second-place finish in the tournament. 

The football tournament hosted by KGV not only provided an opportunity for students to engage in competitive sports but also fostered a sense of camaraderie and inclusiveness among the participants. The event celebrated the talents and achievements of these students, emphasising the importance of teamwork and perseverance in overcoming challenges.

Overall, the tournament was a resounding success, showcasing the passion, skill, and determination of students from SIS, WIS, JCSRS, and KGV. SIS’s impressive performance and second-place finish underscored their commitment to the sport and highlighted our student’s abilities. The event served as a reminder of the power of sports to unite and inspire individuals, regardless of their unique learning needs.

Big thank you to Mr Trevor Wong for organising our South Island Team and our players!

(2) LEARNING WALKS

This week, we hosted two ESF Sha Tin Junior School colleagues for Learning Walks.  Ms Andrews and Ms Percival gave a tour of our campus. They visited multiple classrooms, sharing with Vice Principal Mr Aaron Van Borek and Year 3 Leader Mrs Lily Lam what primary students can expect when they enter secondary school.  These learning walks are great opportunities for all schools within the ESF network to build close relationships and collaborate, ensuring all ESF students are given the best opportunities to be the best they can be. 

(3) ESF UNIVERSITY FAIR – UCL, King’s, Imperial College

In addition to the ESF University Fair earlier this month, this past Tuesday, South Island School played host once again to representatives from University College London, King’s College London and Imperial College London. With university applications coming up next year, over 150 year 12 students and parents from South Island School, Island School and West Island School meet with university reps to discuss the application process, school offerings, university culture, and more. Big shoutout to our Higher Education Team for their planning and prepping over break to ensure the success of this event. Such events are important for our community and wider ESF network as we continue to prepare our students for the next step of their education journey and for them to learn more about the plethora of options across the globe.

(4) CPD DAY

To wrap up the Lunar New Year Break, our teachers attended their fourth Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Day.  For this CPD Day, teachers from the ESF network attended subject-specific workshops at different ESF schools to share insights and collaborate with one another as an ESF family.  Our school warmly welcomed over 100 secondary teachers across the ESF network and hosted workshops in Maths, Food Tech, Media, and Sustainability, while our other teachers visited other ESF secondary schools to explore their campus and share insights with one another. We are very grateful for the numerous teachers from South Island School who chair the curriculum groups and prepared such valuable sessions for the foundation.

(5) ESF STAKEHOLDER SURVEY

ESF will launch the annual Stakeholder Survey next week, and we encourage all of you to participate!

The survey will be emailed to you next week and is relatively short, taking approximately ten minutes to complete. Staff and students will also receive the survey. We want to offer the best learning environment for our children, and your feedback is essential to make this happen. Thank you in advance for your support.

(6) ESF PARENT WEBINAR – Lights Out, Sweet Dreams: a Practical Webinar on Sleep for Parents and Caregivers

In this webinar, we will explore the fascinating world of sleep science and provide valuable insights into understanding sleep needs across different ages. ESF Educational Psychologists Dr Rachael Edwards and Dr Steff Ho will share practical strategies to promote healthier and more restful sleep for children, young people and families. Better sleep leads to better physical and mental health, increased focus, and improved academic outcomes. We want to highlight the importance of sleep in supporting your child to be the best that they can be.

Date and Time: Thursday, 14 March, from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm. 

Registration Link

If you have any questions or require more information, please do not hesitate to contact ep.service@esfcentre.edu.hk

UPCOMING EVENTS & INFORMATION

(1) COD(H)ERS

Code(H)ers is a student-led event for girls organised by 9 international schools in Hong Kong that addresses gender disparity in STEM subjects.  We aim to challenge the stereotypes that persist in this traditionally male dominated field and to empower women to pursue their interests in these areas.

Code(H)ers will take place on Saturday 9th March 2024, from 11 am to 5 pm, at Chinese International School. Your daughter will have the opportunity to meet with more than 250 like-minded individuals from different schools across Hong Kong.

The content of the event will consist of:

• Guest speaker presentations 
• Workshops & seminars on technical and non-technical topics
• Exhibition with the latest Interactive technology demonstrations and displays

Lunch and snacks will be provided (should your daughter have any dietary restrictions, they are free to bring their own food).  Code(H)ers is an entirely cost-free event.

Places are limited! Registrations close on Saturday 2nd March, or when all 300 tickets are allocated, whichever comes first. Please use the link HERE to register. 

For additional information, please visit our website https://codehershk.org/ or refer to these slides HERE.

To stay up to date with information, check out our Instagram: https://instagram.com/codehershk. If you have any enquiries, feel free to contact codehershk@gmail.com. 

(2) FAMILY BAUHINIA FOOD DRIVE

Family Bauhinia MAD Council Food Drive is taking place next week! We are working with Impact HK to create this opportunity to host the food drive and help those in need of food.  

The Food Drive will be open for collections from 26 February to 1 March. The collection will be held in the Foyer. 

The Family Bauhinia MaD Council shares, “Our food drive aims to collect canned, packaged, and non-perishable items with long expiry dates (preferably until late 2024 or 2025). The collected food will be donated to ImpactHK, an organisation that directly supports people in need. The collection will take place next week.  Students can drop off their donations at designated collection boxes in the Foyer near the PTA office. We kindly request that donors refrain from donating products that may cause allergies or clearly label them if they contain allergens. Your generous contributions will greatly benefit those in need through ImpactHK’s efforts.”

(3) HONG KONG ASPIRING MEDICS & SCIENTISTS CONFERENCE – 3RD EDITION

The 3rd Edition of the Hong Kong Aspiring Medics & Scientists Conference will take place at South Island School on Sunday, 3 March 2024.  Organised by students for students, this conference aims to educate, inspire and bring together tomorrow’s future healthcare professionals and scientists, inspiring them through some of the world’s greatest speakers and academics.  In addition to speeches, there will be interactive workshops and networking sessions for future medical professionals looking to learn more about the medical industry.

For more information, including the plenary, please see the conference programme HERE or visit the website at https://www.medefine-hk.com/hk-conference 

*Note: ESF South Island School is not an organiser of the event. For any enquiries, please contact the hosts at info@medefine.org.  

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PHASE YEAR 7-9

Message from Head of Phase Year 7-9:

We are excited to share some positive outcomes from our recent International Baccalaureate (IB) review reports. These reports have highlighted commendable aspects of our school. 

Here are the specific highlights and recommendations related to our Middle Years Programme (MYP) phase:

• Our Year 7 students receive valuable support and guidance in digital literacy from their senior peers in Years 10-13 through the ICT Induction, DLC Licence, and Responsible Use (RUP) peer and parent support program. This approach enhances their learning experience and fosters collaboration and mentorship in our school community.
• The reports acknowledged the well-being support provided to all students and praised the implementation of quality inquiry processes observed in lessons.
• The integration of diverse media and information technology has significantly contributed to the quality of student learning, enriching their educational journey and increasing engagement in their subjects.

We also welcome the recommendations that will further enhance our students’ learning experience:

• We will review qualitative feedback and improve communication with parents to deepen their understanding of their child’s education and actively involve them in the learning process.
• We aim to better integrate the IB learner profile in our teaching practices by allocating more collaborative planning time for our teachers and promoting interdisciplinary learning and skills development.
• Additionally, we will review our transition programs, particularly the transition from the Primary Years Programme (PYP) to the Middle Years Programme (MYP), to ensure a more focused and comprehensive experience for our students and parents.

The MYP review concluded that our school’s program implementation closely aligns with the IB program standards and practices, reinforcing our commitment to providing a high-quality international education.

Before the Chinese New Year break, Mr Thums, Mrs Stringer, and Ms Lewis organised the FB Assembly, which celebrated our school’s philosophy of success and building good habits. We received heartwarming feedback from teachers and parents about the positive actions displayed by our students, such as helping one another and taking responsibility. The assembly provided a platform for students to cheer on each other’s achievements inside and outside school. We appreciate the valuable comments shared by teachers and parents, as this feedback supports our students’ growth and development.

Looking ahead, we have exciting events planned for March, including the FB MaD Council Food Drive and Talent Show. These activities offer our students opportunities for meaningful community service and to showcase their talents, fostering social responsibility and creativity.

We are also pleased to announce that our Bauhinia tutors had a special session in the Atrium with a guest speaker, Mr Sudesh Thevasenabathy, who is the DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) lead for Manulife Asia and a parent at SIS. The session focused on encouraging students to embrace diversity and promote inclusion, with support from our tutors. We extend our gratitude to Mr Andy Thums for organising this session.

Thank you for your continued support and involvement in your child’s education.

Best regards,

Ms Syrita Nicholas
Head of Phase Year 7-9

PHASE YEAR 10-11

Message from Head of Phase Year 10-11:

I am looking forward to attending the Pearson Award Ceremony in April, where we will celebrate the exceptional achievements of our IGCSE students from last year’s examinations. We were thrilled to note that some of our students have attained the highest world rankings in Science, as well as the highest rankings in Hong Kong and China for Global Citizenship. This is a testament to their hard work and dedication.

While academic success is important, I also want to emphasise the diverse range of activities available at our school that contribute to developing practical and interpersonal skills. Over the past few months, our students have been actively involved in various practical experiences to enhance their academic learning.

Our Year 11 Geographers explored the rivers and coasts of Lantau, while our Year 11 Food Technology students have been enthusiastically designing and preparing practical dishes, receiving valuable feedback from our staff members. Additionally, our Year 10 students had the opportunity to refine their design skills at an ESF-wide Design Day. They will soon be venturing into central Hong Kong to investigate aspects of Economics and Business. These experiences complement the extensive extracurricular and sporting opportunities already available to our students.

I am proud to share that a significant number of our Year 10 and 11 students have been representing our school in various sports, particularly the ISFHK athletics, and we have a group of 80 enthusiastic Year 10 students actively engaged in the HKAYP (Hong Kong Award for Young People) program, which offers them valuable personal and leadership development opportunities.

Lastly, I want to remind you that all our Year 11 students will have the chance to attend the Dinner Dance on 20 April 2024 to celebrate and commemorate a busy and fulfilling two years.  Please refer to the emails sent before the CNY break for more information. 

I firmly believe that this diverse range of activities will help our young people develop into well-rounded, internationally-minded individuals who will make a positive impact on the world.

Ms Laura Beaumont

PHASE YEAR 12-13

Message from Head of Phase Year 12-13:

South Island School recently completed the 18-month IB review process, which included self-reflecting on how we feel we are doing as a school and culminating in a review visit, where a team from the IB had the opportunity to speak with teachers, staff, students, parents, and other members of the community. We thank everyone who contributed to the process. It was very clear to the reviewers how passionate everyone is about the school and making it the best it can be.

The final report praised South Island School’s philosophy, particularly how our school mission of “Making a Difference” is embodied in the leadership work of our senior students. They highlighted student-led events such as MUN and TEDx and how international-mindedness is developed through celebrating Diwali and Languages Week. Of particular note was the varied ways the school instils social responsibility in students. In particular, our students positively contribute to the community through House MaD Weeks and the variety of activities completed for the service element of CAS.

Staff and leadership at the school were commended. “The school leadership and staff are qualified for their assigned responsibilities, are committed to the school’s purpose, and engage in ongoing professional development that promotes student learning. […] Further, the teachers at SIS work with teachers from other schools within ESF to share resources and good practice. The school utilises the expertise of examiners and assessment authors within the group.”

Like we ask our students, we as a school are always looking at What Went Well and Even Better If. The IB provided some ideas for opportunities for further development, including more explicit integration of the IB Learner Profile and Approaches to Learning skills in our daily teaching and learning. 

The IB review process highlighted the many strengths and strong development of our IB programmes in the Senior School. It was a valuable opportunity for our teachers to reflect on the past five years and continue to make the programmes the best we can for our students.

Mr Hin-Hey Lam

Student Celebrations

(1)  ALFRED FONG (10M2) – 2024 29ER ASIAN CHAMPIONSHIP

Prior to the CNY Holiday, Alfred Fong (10M2) participated in the 2024 29er Asian Championships.  Alfred is relatively new to sailing, but he and his partner were able to come in third in their race. Keen to learn and gain more experience, we look forward to hearing more about Alfred’s sailing endeavours!

(2) ZASA KWONG (07N2) – DANCE WORLD CUP HONG KONG QUALIFYING MATCH 2024

Big shoutout to Zasa Kwong (07N2) for winning gold at the Dance World Cup Hong Kong Qualifying Match on 8 February in the Children Small Group Street Dance (aged 10-13) category. It was a busy day of dancing for Zasa as she first competed in the Dance World Cup before running back to school and rejoining the Chinese Dance Team during the Chinese New Year assembly. She has been training in Street Dance for this competition for over the past 3 months, and her hard work has paid off. Great job Zasa!

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SIS SPORTS!

(1) BOYS B GRADE RUGBY – BY COACH MARK WRIGHT

The B grade rugby boys got their season off to a fantastic start with two wins today at Harrow International School. The Stingrays turned up with only 11 players, but they didn’t let that stop them. With a quick pep talk and coaching session from Dr Andrew Hall, a former rugby professional, and a few back moves from Campbell Riddell, the boys were good to go, beating HKIS and the host school, Harrow. All the boys played and gelled well together, but special mention to our two new rugby players, John Leung & Max Chan, who scored on debut.

(2) BOYS C GRADE RUGBY – BY COACH ROSHAN HINGORANI

A great outing for C Grade Boys Rugby at King’s Park on Thursday, as they beat Hong Kong International School and ESF King George V, 8-0 and 6-0, respectively. Well done to Callum Hulme, who commanded the back line at flyhalf, Leon Lane for a flurry of tries and Cameron Lee for stepping up to scrum half position and doing good work. Special mention to Jungkyu Lim, who is new to rugby but willing to get stuck in.

(3) Boys C Grade Football – By Coach Greg Turner

The C Grade Football had their first match of the season against German Swiss International School this past Thursday, and it was a good opportunity to give all squad members a meaningful pitch time. SIS dominated on defence the first 20 minutes, but their lack of composure in the final third meant that it remained 0-0. GSIS scored against the run of play and then again 5 minutes later, with one of their midfielders scoring from 25 yards out, straight into the top corner of the SIS goal. SIS continued to pressure, and Daniel Lee finally put the Stingrays on board, scoring from a composed finish. Unfortunately, that would be the extent of SIS’ offensive output in this match, as the final score was 3 – 1 to GSIS. Man of the match was Jay Park, who dominated the midfield before giving way to allow other players some pitch time.

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FEBRUARY WEEKLY NEWSLETTERS

Linked below are this month’s weekly newsletters (for SIS Parents only through the ESF App):

• End of Week Student Newsletter – 02 February

• End of Week Student Newsletter – 08 February

 

REMINDERS & KEY DATES

FEBRUARY

• 09 – 19: HALF TERM BREAK
• 23: ASSEMBLIES – KUCA, MAISON, BAHAY
• 26 – 1 MAR: INTERNET SAFETY WEEK (NEW DATES)
• 26 – 1 MAR: IMPACT HK FOOD DRIVE (NEW DATES)
• 29: CURRICULUM EVENING – ENGLISH & SCIENCE

MARCH

• ASSEMBLIES – SHTEPI, CASA, NAMAS
• 1 – 2: HKAYP BRONZE A
• 8 – 9: HKAYP BRONZE B
• 13: Y12 GEOGRAPHY FIELD TRIP – AP LEI CHAU
• 13: FAMILY BAUHINIA TALENT SHOW
• 13: CREATIVE ARTS EVENING
• 14 – 16: HKAYP SILVER B
• 15: Y10 ECO/BUS FIELD TRIP
• 18 – 22: DIVERSITY WEEK

Please access the latest school calendar HERE

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If your child has a particular highlight or achievement you would like to share with the community, please email a short description and photo to ebulletin@sis.edu.hk