Home ›

QBS eNewsletter - Issue 20

in

 
 
Issue 20                                                                               
17th February 2012
 
   
 
Dear Parents,
 
QBS Review
Next Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday we will host a team of colleagues from across the ESF as part of a school review process. When a new principal is appointed to an ESF school, a teaching and learning review takes place. The purpose of the review at QBS is to support the on-going work and development of a school community. The ESF colleagues involved in the review process next week include:
 
• Mr David Fitzgerald (Primary Adviser, ESF)
• Mrs Pam Ryan (Director of Education, ESF)
• Mr Chris Durbin (Secondary Adviser, ESF)
• Mr Xiaoping Wang (Chinese Adviser, ESF)
• Mr Perry Tunesi (Principal, Sha Tin Junior School)
• Mr John Brewster (Principal, Beacon Hill School)
• Mr John Marwick (Learning and Teaching Adviser, ESF)
• Mr Allan Howells (Principal, Jockey Club Sarah Roe School)
 
I would like to extend an invitation to any parents who are interested in coming along to school and joining in a discussion group as part of the review next week. A parent focus group session with some team members is scheduled for next Tuesday 21st February from 1.55pm – 2.40pm here at school. Please click here to register your attendance.
 
Celebration of Learning Day
On Friday 9th March we will hold our annual Celebration of Learning Day at QBS.  This day is an opportunity for you to come along to school with your child for approximately an hour and a half and participate in a range of learning experiences with your child. During this period of time you will also meet up with the teacher in a three way conference. On Friday 9 March, students will only attend school for their scheduled Celebration of Learning session. Please mark this date in your diary as your involvement is critical to the process.
 
Further details will follow next week. Please monitor your email for information on your child’s Celebration of Learning Day.
 
Every Child Reading, Every Night
Does this happen in your home? I encourage families to read with their child each night. Home reading is important. In the early years of school children often need support with their homework reading (e.g. the levelled home readers which come home from school). As children grow older they often prefer to read independently and there is less focus on reading aloud. When this transition happens, the discussion of what is being read and what the text means sometimes decreases. It is very important that children of all ages are discussing their reading. Parents can support this by asking their child to explain what the text is about, describe details of characters or events and identify challenging vocabulary and discuss the meaning of words. ‘Every child reading every night’ is a positive way to develop your child’s comprehension skills and capacity to describe and explain their reading.
 
Action Assembly
Please ask your child to talk with you about our Action Assembly which was held on Monday. The Green Team promoted the ‘pick it up’ motto and the Golden Boot Award. Ask your child to explain what these things are.
 
There are many ways a child can take some personal action and make a difference.  I have had several children tell me about their action this week – going snorkelling and learning to love and appreciate the underwater world, reminding a friend to use the left side of the stair case at school and sharing play equipment so everyone can have some fun. These are simple personal actions which can make a difference.
  
Regards,
 
PYP News
 
International Mindedness – Expressed through Mother Tongue
Being internationally-minded means being a global communicator. We are communicators in English and Chinese – our school languages – but many of us also have other mother tongues that are spoken at home. UNESCO’s twelfth annual International Mother Language Day celebrates this linguistic diversity on February, 21st, 2012.
 
                
  
As UNESCO describes, “Languages are the most powerful instruments of preserving and developing our tangible and intangible heritage.” On this day, we honour our mother tongues and the linguistic and cultural heritages we are able to share with each other at school.
 
Why not also honour this at home on Monday, February 21st? We encourage families to speak about and read in their mother tongues on this day, to inspire awareness and develop tolerance.
 
To learn more about UNESCO’s International Mother Language Day, please visit their website:
btm
Readathon
 
Readathon
We are pleased to announce the results for the Readathon Event:
 
 
Each winning class will be awarded with $1000.00 Paddyfields Gift Voucher to purchase recommended books for their classrooms.
 
Please remember:
Deadline for sponsorships is: Monday, 20th February 2012
 
All sponsorships for the “Readathon” are to be sent in via Crossed Cheque, payable to “QBS PTA LTD”, and submitted to the PTA Office as soon as possible.
 
The total proceeds raised will be announced in next week’s newsletter.
btm
Learning Centre
The Kelly Yang Project's 7th Annual SPELLBULARY
For more information about this fun, annual spelling and vocabulary event please click here to view the PDF brochure.
 
School magazine - Write Away
Calling for submissions for Volume 2 of our school magazine “Write Away”.
 
The demand for copies for volume one far exceeded our expectations and after and amazing launch party we have decided to start preparing for Volume 2. This volume will be all about poetry and stories so get your pencils sharpened and your brains into gear. This time you can choose any topic you like but be quick as submissions need to be in by Monday, 12th March.
 
If you need some ideas take a look at our last issue which is now on Qoodle. Come on all you authors out there, start writing ‘Write Away!’
 
Mrs. Gilchrist and Mr. Boon
btm
ICT Dept.
As of 23rd March, Microsoft will cease to offer the current Student Select Software program. If you are interested in purchasing any of the software, please see the details on the order form.
Please note, this offer is not co-ordinated through QBS but through the vendor listed on the form, all inquiries should be directed to them.
 
btm
Educational Services
ESF Football
Well done to Lucas Dale and Ching Kan Yu for representing ESF Lions u10's in their 14-3 victory against M.I.L.K (Hong Kong national development team). Lucas and Ching Kan both scoring a goal.
 
ESF run football sessions on Monday, Thursday and Friday afternoons at QBS.
 
ESL Spring Sports Camps/Clinics 10 –14th April 2012
During the spring break, ESL will be offering Multi-sports Camps at Discovery College, Sha Tin College and South Island School. These highly popular camps are great way for children to try a range of sport activities, with qualified instruction.
  • A fantastic variety of sports/games
  • Professional coaches
  • Age specific groups
  • Excellent facilities & equipment
  • A safe, supportive environment
Over 95% of parents rate ESL Sport camps 'Good' or 'Excellent'!
 
For those who specifically want to spend time on their swimming and tennis techniques ESL also have a number of clinics to choose from. Please check our website www.esf.org.hk or contact our friendly customer service administrators on 2711 1280 for more details.
 
Sports Section
ESF Educational Services Limited
btm
Chess
There are 2 competitions coming up soon. Click the following links for more information.
 
 
btm
The Open Classroom
The Open Classroom has just launched the 2012 summer leadership program for middle school students. This 10-day program provides a fun and engaging environment for students to strengthen leadership skills, gain practical career-related knowledge and implement a service project!
btm
Coming up in Term 2
Tuesday 21st February
Beach Touch Rugby. DBIS Beach.
School Review - Parent Focus Group Session
1:55pm ~ 2:40pm
 
Wednesday 22nd February
Basketball - Boys & Girls. RCHK.
 
Wednesday 29th February
Year Two Presentation of Learning to parents
 
Thursday 1st March
Touch Rugby. CIS.
 
Friday 9th March
Celebration of Learning Day
 
Saturday 10th March
CIS Road Race. CIS.
 
Friday 16th March
Mixed Tag Rugby. Kennedy School.
Parent Lunch
 
Friday 23rd March
Popcorn Sale
 
Wednesday 28th March
Mixed Basketball. Beacon Hill.
 
Friday 30th March
End of Term. School closes 12noon
 
You can check upcoming dates on the www.qbs.edu.hk calendar and also on the Gateway calendar.
btm
Quarry Bay School, 6 Hau Yuen Path, Braemar Hill, North Point, Hong Kong