General

Dear Parents,

Thank you for your support this week and welcome back to the new school year. I would like to extend a very warm welcome to the 145 new families (Year 1 to Year 6) joining the community and bringing with them 152 new students to all these year groups. A special welcome is extended to all of our new Year 1 students who have been happy and confident this week at school. 

On Wednesday it was lovely to see so many smiling faces when we returned from the summer break.  This week the students have had a calm, settled and positive start across the classrooms. The Kennedy staff continue to work very hard to transition all students back into their daily learning routines. I have been visiting the classrooms and prioritised getting to know the students, staff and school routines. 

As you know, Kennedy School is an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School and the high quality learning and teaching practices were commended during the school’s May 2021 5 Year Evaluation Visit. This visit involved external IB colleagues appraising the standards and practices mandated for all IB schools. This year your child will continue to receive the highest standards of primary education within an IB curriculum framework. Given the extended period of school disruptions over the past 14 months all staff will be prioritising the daily teaching of core skills in literacy and numeracy to ensure your child’s foundation for long term success are robust, extended and consolidated. In addition to these crucial core skills, the exemplary provision of specialist subjects will be an integral part of their daily learning.

In the next newsletter, the new staff at Kennedy School will introduce themselves to you. Like me, these colleagues are feeling warmly welcomed within the community.

School uniform expectations are high and wearing the Kennedy uniform proudly is part of being a member of the community. All students are expected to be wearing their Kennedy School uniform with pride each day and this includes appropriate footwear. All students are to be in proper uniform (as outlined below) from Monday 30 August. 

Please be reminded of the following standards expected daily:

• Sturdy black leather style school shoes are to be worn with school uniform

• Black trainers, canvas sneakers or ankle boots are not to be worn with school uniform

• Trainers may be worn with PE kit

• Hair ties and accessories are to be either purple, grey or black. 

• Jewellery should not be worn to school, with the exception of watches and small stud earrings. If your child wears a watch that receives calls or notifications, it must be disabled during school hours.

• All students are expected to have a school hat and raincoat. Please do not pack umbrellas.

• An ESF school bag or a KS/ESF school bag is preferred for your child.

As always, please do not hesitate to contact me about any aspect of your child’s daily school life at Kennedy. Have a restful weekend everyone.

Mina

25 August: Gateway opens for After School Staff Run Clubs registration

27 August: Year 1 Meet the parent session via Zoom (No Year 1 at school)

31 August: Gateway closes for After School Staff Run Clubs Registration

2 September: Meet the teacher evening via Zoom 

                        Year 3, 4, 6 (5 - 5.45 pm)

                        Year 1, 2, 5 (5.45 - 6.30 pm)

Leave Home Safe App

All adults coming into school premises need to scan the Leave Home Safe QR code. Please ensure that this app is downloaded and make sure you bring your phone to scan the QR code on arrival. These will be checked as you enter the school. 

 

Election of Parent Members to the Kennedy School Council

We have two vacancies for Parent Representatives to the Kennedy School Council.

We are inviting nominations for election of two parent members for a 3 year term and the deadline for nomination is 9.00 am Monday 30 August 2021.  Please click the links for more details :

Election of Parent Member

Nomination Form

Personal Statement of candidate

If you have any questions about the role of Parent Representatives, please contact Ms Mina Dunstan at mdunstan@kennedy.edu.hk

Term 1 Staff Run After School Clubs

Registration for staff-run after school activities for next term will open on Wednesday 25 August 2021 at 12 Noon.  All registration will take place on Gateway. Please see the following important notes before registering:

 

• Registration for a club is complete when payment is made on the epayment system.
• Please note that activities and fees are for one term only. You must register every term for an activity.  Some activities are offered in both Term 1 & Term 2 (e.g. Junior & Senior Choir) and you must register your child for activities each term, unless it is specified otherwise.
• Please note we are unable to accommodate any late registrations or extend club sizes. Please be sure to register promptly for any clubs for your child(ren).
• Some clubs are “By trial”. A link will be provided to trials on the Gateway. If you are interested in those activities or if you have any questions about registration, please contact the teacher in charge.
• Some clubs are “Invitation only”. If you are interested in those activities or if you have any questions about registration for those activities, please contact the teacher in charge.

The Schedule of After School Staff Run Activities are HERE and below:

 

PE Updates

The Physical Education Department would like to extend a warm welcome back to all of our students. We are excited to be able to offer a broad and diverse PE Programme.

Please review and bookmark the following reminders:

Attire for Physical Education and Games Lessons

 

Kennedy School Swimming Programme.  

All children are required to attend these essential life skill lessons.  Please provide a valid doctor’s note to the class teacher and school nurse should your child be unable to swim.

Please review the 

Details about the Kennedy School Swimming Programme

Term 1 swimming caters for children from Years 2 to 6. Year 1 swimming will commence in Term 3.

The swimming schedule for the next 2 weeks is as follows:

 Please click HERE to access the full Swimming Timetable for Term 1.

Please bookmark and refer to this schedule at the beginning of each week.

 

Chinese Department Updates

Please click on this LINK for details about the:

1) Chinese Language Pathways

2) After School Chinese Clubs:

• Putonghua Solo Speech Club
• Lion and Dragon Dance Club. Sign up for the trial HERE

Buses and Uniform Orders

For changes in bus routine: It is really important that you inform the class teacher, PTA and bus mum if your child is not on the bus the next day.  Bus@kennedy.edu.hk

School Uniforms: All Kennedy School Uniforms are ordered through http://www.schooluniform.hk.

All orders are processed as quickly as possible and they will be delivered directly to the child to bring home.

Swimwear cannot be exchanged and samples are available in the School Reception.   

 

Kennedy School Cub Scout Pack

Calling all adventurous Year 4, 5 and 6s!  The Kennedy School Cub Scout Pack has been running for more than 10 years and meets every Saturday morning with an emphasis on fun, adventure and independence.

Please email kennedycubshk@gmail.com with your child’s name and class if you would like them to join.

Please note that spaces are limited and that Cub Scouts is a volunteer organisation reliant on Mums and Dads to lend a hand. Your help and support is needed to make the Kennedy Cub Scout Pack a success!