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QBS Newsletter - Issue 02

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Issue 02                                                                               
2nd September 2010 
 
   
 
Dear Parents,
 
I am looking forward to meeting you all this evening at our ‘Meet the Teacher’ sessions and curriculum presentations. Please check the timings once again and build in some extra time for any traffic coming up Braemar Hill as our timings for the evening are very tight. Chinese International School have very kindly offered us some parking spaces so there will be some parking available, but as always this is limited. If you are unable to attend the curriculum presentations, we will be posting our presentation on the website tomorrow, for your reference.
 
Our extra curricular activities provided by external companies have now begun. Each year we have some difficulties with unsupervised students at the end of the day and the risk of accidents does concern me. Due to after school commitments our staff are not available to supervise students once the school buses have left, they are often involved in planning meetings and preparation activities. If your child has a club that starts after 2.50pm they must be supervised by an adult and that adult must take responsibility for their behaviour and their safety. If children do not have an activity after school then they should leave promptly after the bell. 
 
Thank you for your support with this.
 
Kind Regards,
Debra Gardiner
Principal
 
PYP News
Tonight you are invited to attend a presentation about our curriculum before the meet the teacher evening.
 
We will be sharing lots of information and examples of learning in action during the presentation, but I wanted to bring to your attention where you can access all of this information and resources to look through at your leisure.
 
On our school website: www.qbs.edu.hk
If you choose the tab ‘learning at QBS’ you will see links to various aspects of the curriculum and an overview of the Primary Years Programme.
 
On Qoodle:  http://qbs.lg.esf.edu.hk
Click on the ‘Links and Groups’ icon, you will  see a link to the PYP page which is where you can download any parent information packs and power point presentations we have shared with parents.
 
IBO Website: www.ibo.org
Has information about all three programmes; the Primary Years Programme (PYP), The Middle Years Programme (MYP) and The Diploma Programme (DP).
 
You can also email me at donna.morley@qbs.edu.hk if you have any questions about the curriculum at QBS.
 
Donna Morley
PYP Coordinator
 
ICT at QBS
Firstly I would like to say how excited I am to be working at QBS and that I am looking forward to working with students, teachers and parents in developing the school’s ICT provision. I have been made to feel very welcome by staff and students and hope to get a chance to meet parents throughout the year.
As you will be aware, in recent years ESF has introduced several online systems across both primary and secondary schools. These systems are designed to provide learning and communication facilities to children and adults. I would like to provide a brief outline of the main systems that you and your families will encounter.
 
School Website (www.qbs.edu.hk)
This is Quarry Bay’s ‘public’ online area (does not require a login). The purpose is to provide an overview of the school community, access to QBS newsletters, general news items and links to key online systems. Primarily it is intended for new or prospective parents.
 
Gateway (https://qbs.tg.esf.edu.hk)
This is a community-wide communication and administration system used by staff and parents. Staff use it to register student attendance each day, for email, calendar and other internal communication. It will also be used to keep records of student assessment and reporting (still being developed). Currently, parents will be able to access basic student data such as attendance records as well as assessment data when it becomes available. This system requires a login and password (new parents received a letter this year with usernames and passwords, existing parents should use the ones sent out last year).
 
Qoodle (http://qbs.lg.esf.edu.hk)
This is an online learning environment for students and teachers to use to support the learning that is presented in class. The software that runs this is called Moodle and allows teachers to edit content and upload resources for their class or school-wide use. Currently parents may access Qoodle via their child’s account (usernames and passwords are located in the ‘Notes’ section of the student diaries) providing you with an insight into your child’s learning. Student homework will also be posted on each year groups Atrium.
While it is possible for students to change their passwords, it is not advised as it makes it difficult for teachers to work with children at school when they forget. Forgotten passwords cannot be retrieved so will need to be reset.
 
I hope you find all of these systems of use throughout the year and that they meet your needs as parents. Later in the year I will organise some information sessions for parents to provide further details about these systems, however, should you have any questions please feel free to contact me by phoning the school office or by email.
 
Joe Butler
Learning Technology Facilitator
joe.butler@qbs.edu.hk
 
 
SEN Department
Parent Helpers needed for Sensory Motor Programme
The SEN department are looking for parent helpers to assist with our sensory motor programme ‘Good Morning Tune Up.’  Sessions are held Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 8.30 – 9.00.  We are looking for parents who are available from 8.15 – 9.15 to help with set up and pack up and assist in the programme.  If you are available to support in any way please contact Marcus de la Mare, Individual Needs Coordinator at school.
This program supports children who have occupational therapy, attention and learning difficulties.
 
 
 
Music
Instrumental Lessons
Individual instrumental lessons are available after school hours and/or on a Saturday morning. Please download, complete & return the reply slip and we will make every effort to place your child. There are very limited places for some instruments at the moment. If the demand is high enough we will try to engage our teachers for extra days.  Please be aware that this may not be possible.
Insufficient demand for certain instruments will result in an inability for QBS to offer that option.
• Most individual, half-hour lessons cost $250-$300 each, payable in advance usually by the term (though longer terms could be divided into 2 or 3 payments).
• A small number of instruments are available for hire at a reasonable fee, through the school. 
• Parents are expected to liaise directly with the teacher once lessons have begun. For this reason it is imperative that all communication options are exchanged.
 
Please note these lessons are available for Years 2 – 6 only. 
Some lessons are available from Y4-6 only.
Students already involved in lessons should expect to continue on the same day and need not respond again.
 
Download the 'Return Slip'
 
School Orchestras
Senior Orchestra will recommence on Thursday, 2nd September, after school as there will be an interschool orchestral event towards the end of September! Please note that the activity bus service may not yet have started. Children with sufficient skills on an orchestral instrument, who are not ready for the Senior Orchestra, may join the Friday lunch-time “Really Wild” Orchestra which begins on Friday 3rd September.
Any children wishing to join either group for the first time should arrange when to play for Mrs. O’Rorke to find out which group they are ready for.
Current members can continue as usual.
School Band
This year, for the first time, we are able to offer a band experience for interested children. Children who have already returned their forms will begin next week on Thursday 2nd September. Mr Lee is happy to begin with all children who are able to find their own way home for the first two weeks as the extra-curricular activities buses will not begin until later in September. He will inform members which Mondays to attend well in advance.
Each band will run for the duration of half an academic year ie a new band will begin in January.
The extra-curricular activity booklet describes this group in detail. One extra point to note is that there will be a number of Mondays when the group will meet after school so both Thursdays and Mondays should be kept free.
 
School Choirs
There are two choirs, one for Years 3 and 4 and another for Years 5 and 6 which both meet on a Monday at lunchtime. The Y5/6 choir will be performing for the YAF Festival in October/November so we will begin next week on Monday 30th August! Membership is a commitment for at least one term at a time and children should expect to rehearse and/or perform on a small number of weekends.
Lunchtime Recorder Groups
Tuesday and Wednesday lunchtime recorder groups will cater for three different levels. All interested children in Yrs 5 and 6 should see Mrs O’Rorke to confirm their day.
We will begin next week (31st August and 1st September). New children to QBS also have the chance to learn this instrument.
 
Meet the Teacher Evening
Our Meet the Teacher evening will take place tonight (2nd September). This is an opportunity for you to see your child’s classroom, meet the class teacher and have an overview of areas of learning, the routines and expectations and to hear more about the main events planned for that year group.
 
For the last 4 years we have been reviewing and developing our curriculum in line with PYP expectations and following our successful authorisation visit in May 2010 we are now officially an IBO World School. On the evening of ‘Meet the Teacher’ we will be running two curriculum presentations for parents so that we can outline what learning looks like in a PYP school.
 
You should have received a letter with further details via the students last week. You can also view a copy here.
 
Clubs
QBS Clubs
There are some changes for the QBS clubs.

- Battle of the Books will be on WEDNESDAY not Thursday
- Showtime, Music Drama will be on TUESDAY not Thursday
 
The deadline to submit Term 1 applications is 17th September.
 
They will be no Beavers Scouts on the 8th September.
 
The After School Activity Bus will commence on 13th September. Please submit your application as soon as possible. The form is available in the After School Activities booklet but can also be downloaded here.
 
 
External Clubs
This advert was mistakenly left out from our extra curricular activities booklet.
 
Click to view the advert
 
For any clubs starting after 2:50pm students must be supervised by a parent or helper while waiting as QBS playground supervision stops after 2:50pm. 
Siblings, who are not involved in clubs, should not be waiting behind after school to go home with their brother/sister.
We regret that the school cannot accept responsibility for children that are unsupervised.
 
 
 Parent Helper Meeting
Now that the children are settling in well to their new school routines, it is time for us to give parents the opportunity to come in and help in school.
 
There are a wide range of areas that parents can support with and these will be outlined at the Parent Helper Meeting on Wednesday 15th September at 1:45pm in the school hall. If you are interested in coming in to school to help then please come along. At this meeting you will be able to sign up for regular sessions to support or indicate an interest in specific areas such as the Learning Centre of supporting productions.
 
I look forward to seeing many familiar and new faces!
 
 
Medical
All the students have been given a Medical Information Form. Please return this form ASAP to the medical room.
 
I have noticed that many children have asthma. I need the inhaler/puffer in my office. If the child has an attack at school I need to be able to help them.  Also any child who needs an EPI PEN due to a severe allergy I must have the Epi Pen in my office as well.  This is very important!!
 
The Department of Health as given me the Student health/dental forms. These were sent home with the students last week.
The last day to return the form is tomorrow (3rd September)
 
 
Soaring Higher
You should have received the after-school brochure.
If not, it is available for download from the brand new website at: www.soaringhigher.com.hk

The website details all the activities and tuition services now available.
 
Points to note:
1. If you did not receive the after-school brochure, it can be downloaded from our website.
There are 5 places still available for both Tuesday and Wednesday.
2. The October and Christmas Holiday Schools are now confirmed ! Full details, including the brochure and application forms are available from the website.
3. Competition Time!
WIN free individual tuition lessons with Mr J! How?
Simple! Just go to the bottom of the home page on the website and check out the details. Do it now!
4. Mr Jordan still has 6 hours a week available for one-to-one or small group tuition, after school and/or at weekends, at his home in Causeway Bay. Visit the One to One page and contact Mr Jordan from there.
 
PTA
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

PTA  Operating Times

PTA Office: will be opened from 8:00am to 3:00pm from Monday to Friday (as per the school calendar).
PTA Shop: will be opened from 8:00am to 11:00am / 12:00noon to 4:00pm  from Tuesday to Thursday (as per school calendar).

School Bus News

1) SPECIAL TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS
OR
CHANGE IN TRAVEL ARRANGMENTS
All Parents and Guardians are strictly reminded to inform PTA as well as the School for any change in the regular travel plans of their child(ren) 1 DAY before the date and time concerned. Please note that students changing buses will not be authorised to travel on other buses without prior authorisation by the PTA – as most of our bus routes are running full.

2) AFTER-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
All Parents and Guardians are strictly reminded to inform PTA of all the after-school activities of their child(ren) for Term 1 - as soon as possible by email to pta@qbs.edu.hk

3) BUS ESCORTS  FOR  2010-2011
We have openings for the position of Bus Escorts on some of our routes. If you are interested to apply – please contact us at the PTA Office. Or send in your c.v. and application to us by email at :  pta@qbs.edu.hk.

PTA Shop News

1) SUMMER UNIFORM
Summer Uniforms are available for purchase at The PTA Shop now.

2) QBS SCHOOL BAGS & BOOK BAGS
The QBS School Bags & Book Bags are currently out of stock and we will notify all parents thru the newsletter once they have arrived.

For further queries on the above please do not hesitate to contact either Mona Diwan or Dorothy Ho at the PTA office either by phone no: 28871004, or by email to: pta@qbs.edu.hk 
 
 
Coming Up
Thursday, 2nd September
'Meet the Teachers' Evening
5.30pm - 8.30pm
 
Thursday, 16th September
Y1 Parent Literacy/Numeracy Workshop
1:30pm – School Hall and Y1 Classrooms
 
Monday & Tuesday, 20th & 21st September
School Photographer Sessions
 
 
 
 
Quarry Bay School | Quarry Bay School, 6 Hau Yuen Path, Braemar Hill, North Point, Hong Kong