Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Welcome Back

It’s been such a pleasure to be part of the Kennedy School community. Thanks for your warm wishes and for making me feel so welcome. Seeing all of the students back at school this week learning and playing has been fantastic and watching our Year 1s and new students settle smoothly into school life has been very encouraging.

It is such a pity that school has been closed today. We hope your child was able to access some of the learning set for them and that you or your child reached out to the teachers if you required any support. The children can bring in any of their learning to school tomorrow if they would like to. We know each family has different circumstances on days like this which is why we don’t make the learning compulsory. However, we do encourage the children to try some of the activities.

The staff have been thoughtful in their planning and preparation for the students' return and are focusing on getting to know each child so well that they will know exactly how best to meet their needs. I’ve now met almost all of the students, as a reminder they will call me Ms Brenda. I’m looking forward to getting to know them by name…quite a challenge!

A huge welcome to our new staff - they have had a great start to the year and are already making valuable contributions to their teams and to the school in general. You can see their introduction notes here (shared in June 2022) and here (new).

Meet the Teachers via Zoom

These sessions will take place next Thursday, 1 September 2022.

• Years 1,2,5 parent/caregiver session will run from 5.00 to 5.45 pm

• Years 3,4,6 parent/caregiver session will run from 5.45 to 6.30 pm

The session format will change slightly this year with the teachers in the year group hosting a joint ‘Meet the Year Group’ session with all of the parents from the year group. This will be a chance to meet the teachers virtually, find out about routines, organisation, curriculum and any events special to the year group. Please mark the date on your calendar and a Zoom invite will be shared with you early next week.

COVID-19 Requirements

We have really appreciated your vigilance in continuing to follow all requirements - Thank you! Please keep up the daily routine of RATs and loading information into the ESF APP.

Vaccination Rates

Have you updated your child’s vaccination information on the ESF APP? Please do so as soon as possible. Our current vaccination figures as of 24 August 2022 are as follows:

We notice we have 10.41% who have had one vaccination. We would urge you to get the second vaccination as soon as possible and to update your records.

We also notice that we have 4.96% of students whose records on the ESF APP are incomplete and therefore can’t be added to our statistics. Please go back and check that your child’s information is current. As most of you will know, when the school achieves 90% double dosed vaccination numbers we can revert to lunch eating and a modification of the current timetable.

Thanks everyone. I look forward to seeing you all soon - whether that’s online or in person.

Kind regards,

Brenda

顧仁達

Calling for Parent Volunteers

Parent volunteers for snack time supervision at Stanley Ho Sports Centre

Children from Year 3 and Year 6 will have the opportunity to go across to Stanley Ho Sports Centre during their first snack time from Monday 5 Sept 2022. This has proved to be hugely popular with the children.

To enable us to supervise the children, we need some volunteer parents who are willing to come across with us one or more days a week. The time commitment is 10.40 am to 11.20 am each day. If we get 2 or 3 mums/dads who can commit to a day or a few days each week that would be fabulous.

For the safety of the children, we will request that parent helpers must be fully vaccinated and complete a Rapid Antigent Test with a negative test result on the morning before coming to school. All parent volunteers would need to complete the Child Protection declaration in the Gateway in advance. Kindly note that parents with an Amber Code in the Leave Home Safe App will not be able to enter the school premise and volunteer.

Please fill in the Google Form if you are able to help and your help is much appreciated. Thank you!

Year 1 Applications for 2023-24

Year 1 Applications for the Academic Year 2023-24 will commence on 1 September 2022.  Siblings of current Kennedy School students can apply for Year 1 through the ESF website. Applications close on 30 September 2022 (Friday).

Year 6 students applying for Year 7

Parents who wish to transfer their child from an ESF primary school to an ESF secondary school need to submit a transfer application for Year 7 (available only on Gateway) from 1 to 16 September 2022 (Friday). More details will be sent to Year 6 parents soon.

PTA Newsletter 25th August

A warm welcome from the PTA Office and your PTA Committee.

As we all settle into the school routines, here is a welcome back from our PTA Chair, Natasha Petit O’Connor and a few key reminders from the PTA Office:

PTA Chair Welcome

On behalf of the PTA and myself, I want to extend a warm welcome to the whole Kennedy School community this week. I hope everyone has had a fantastic first day of school!

I had the pleasure of greeting our Year 1 children and their parents this week. It was so wonderful to be back and see everyone’s smiling faces. We also want to welcome Brenda Cook as interim principal and our other new members of the teaching staff.

Our PTA committee will be hard at work in the next few weeks putting together a fun filled calendar of events for both parents and children. You will see these updates posted on the ESF APP so please keep an eye out. Have a lovely week.

Natasha Petit O’Connor - PTA Chair 2022/23

Updates from the PTA Office

1. Class Parents

We are looking for a parent in each class who would be willing to support our Kennedy Community by becoming “Class Parent” for their child’s class this academic year.

The class parent forms an additional link between parents and school, someone who can help find information when parents are unsure - and also help bring the parents of the class together.

No experience necessary - open to new parents and existing - full guidance provided!

We have a few classes already filled - but would love every class throughout the school to have the support of a class parent. Thank you to parents in 3R, 3S, 4J and 5T for coming forward to volunteer for this already.

Please contact Fiona in the PTA Office now if you would like more information or to volunteer for this - pta@kennedy.edu.hk

2. Gateway Declaration - Sharing of Contact Details with Class Parent

Please ensure you complete this important declaration on the ESF Gateway. Once this permission has been granted, we are able to share contact details with your class parent so they may communicate with you. Currently the majority of families have not completed this.

3. School Bus

For new bus user applications, please contact our school bus provider, Kwoon Chung, directly at kennedy@kcm.com.hk

If your child will not take their normal school bus on any day, please ensure you let Steven Chen know at bus@kennedy.edu.hk as well as your child’s teacher in advance.

This ensures that the bus does not wait for them unnecessarily - impacting all other children on the bus.

4. Uniform

We have samples of the new style uniform available for children to try on in the PTA office. However, please contact Steven first to arrange a suitable time for this. schen@kennedy.edu.hk

All purchases must be made through the school uniform website: https://www.schooluniform.hk/collections/kennedy-school

5. PTA Fees

As part of the ESF Ordinance, it is mandatory for every family at Kennedy School to pay PTA Fees each academic year. The fee of $475 for Kennedy School families will be invoiced to you via the school ePayment system soon.

6. What’s On?

Our plans for the year are forming - but watch this space - we will hold our rescheduled Quiz Night for parents in the next few weeks (date tbc) and have a few fun events planned to excite the children. In November, we will hold a sponsored Chinese-a-thon - which will be a chance to further showcase our Chinese Programme.

Dear Parents,

CHINESE CLASSES 2022-23

Following the yearly grouping review, some Chinese classes were shuffled this year. This means some children have a different Chinese teacher from last year. Please speak with your child about who his/her Chinese teacher is and what learning materials are being used.

At Kennedy school, we value the diverse linguistic backgrounds and experiences of all students, and aim to help all students to become the best they can be in Chinese class.

Our Chinese programme is designed for students of varied backgrounds, abilities, interests and perspectives to learn the Chinese language and culture. All Chinese teachers at Kennedy are committed to inclusiveness and diversity in a dynamic learning environment.

Click here for information about CAL (Learning Chinese as an Additional Language)

AFTER SCHOOL CHINESE CLUBS

1. Putonghua Solo Speech Club

Teachers will help children with pronunciation, volume, intonation, expressions and actions. As the activity has one-to-one personal speech training sessions, the maximum number of students we can take for the activity is 30. A letter will be sent to the children who are invited for the activity next week. Parents may contact your child’s Chinese teacher for more information about the Speech activity.

2. Lion and Dragon Dance Club

This club is a fantastic opportunity for children to learn traditional Chinese Lion Dance and Dragon Dance. This special workshop is great fun and part of the total cost is subsidised by ESF Centre. The club is open for Year 5 and Year 6 students. We will form a team of 28 students. The club will be taught by coaches from HK Leisure & Cultural Services Department on every Wednesday from the 14th of September, 2022 to the 18th of January, 2023.

Children who are interested in the club can sign up for trial held on Thursday the 7th of September through the following link:

https://forms.gle/EHfxGWHSaxr5Wrii8

An email will be sent to the parents of the children who are selected to join the club. Parents may contact Ma Laoshi max2@kennedykidshk.com for inquiries about the Dragon and Lion Dance Club.

MID AUTUMN RECYCLED LANTERN COMPETITION

2022 Mid-Autumn Festival is fast approaching, Kennedy children are welcome to join a recycle lantern competition to show your appreciation for local culture and the environment. Entries should be given to your class teachers by 2 September 2022. Winners from each year level will receive a trophy!
 

Denggao Zeng

Head of Chinese

dzeng@kennedy.edu.hk

PE

Welcome back to all students in what we hope will be an action packed year of sport. During Term 1, the children will experience Swimming and Games lessons alongside the regular PE Programme.

In accordance with EDB and ESF Health and Safety policies, all jewellery must be removed prior to lessons and long hair tied. Please ensure religious threads are covered with a sweatband. Stud earrings are permitted however hooped earrings must not be worn during lessons. Watches should be left at home on PE/Games days as the school is not responsible for the safekeeping of these items.

After School Clubs

There will be opportunities for Year 3, 4, 5 and 6 children to attend Football, Netball, Australian Rules Football (AFL) and Hockey Clubs after school. You will be able to sign your child up for these events next week.

Swimming

The Autumn Term school swimming programme has commenced. All children are required to attend these essential life skill lessons. Please provide a valid doctor’s note if your child is unable to swim.

In Term 1, swimming caters for children from Year 2 to Year 6. Year 1 will swim in Term 3.

Year 2 pupils will have two swimming lessons a week in Term 1, receiving 14 lessons in total. Year 3 to Year 6 children will receive 7 lessons.

In case of inclement weather, the swimming teachers will teach water safety to the younger students and simple, practical water safety techniques to the older children.

To be prepared for swimming every child requires:

1. Swimming kit appropriate to school use - plain one piece swimming costume or shorts/jammers.

2. Swimming caps are strongly recommended and compulsory for ALL children with hair below the tops of their ears. This is their safety as well as making children easy to spot while in the water.

3. Large white T-shirt or swim robe

4. Waterproof shoes, crocs or sandals for walking to and from the pool.

5. Large towel, preferably a beach towel or sports towel.

6. A strong waterproof bag.

A limited number of swimming kit, swim caps are all available from HERE.

A rash vest is highly recommended for sun protection. Swimming goggles are also recommended. Goggles should be measured to fit children prior to their lesson to avoid losing pool time.

Students can wear their PE kit to school on swimming days to speed up getting changed time.

Rest assured, the swimming provider will be following the COVID-19 protocols as set out by the EDB, ESF and HKU.

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

Week commencing 29 August:

Week commencing 5 September:

Click the link below for the Term 1 swimming schedule:

Term 1 Swimming Schedule

Please click on the links below for the children's Chinese learning for Term 1. These links will be updated on a weekly basis. You may also bookmark the relevant pages for future reference:

As part of the extensive and diverse Music and Performing Arts programme here at Kennedy School, we would like to offer you the opportunity for your child to learn a musical instrument on a one to one or small group basis.

If you would like to start lessons, you should contact the teachers directly. The lessons are FEE PAYING and will take place during snack time or directly after school. Fees depend on the group size and the teachers. Some lessons can be delivered in different languages.

If you would like more details, contact the teachers.

School Orchestra

The school orchestra is looking for enthusiastic players eg; violin, cello, clarinet, flute, percussion, with at least one year playing experience or attained Grade 2!

Orchestra rehearsals are held Thursdays in the hall after school 2.15- 3.15 pm. Please contact Mrs GG (jgg@kennedy.edu.hk) for more information.

School Choir

Reminders:

Junior Choir…. Tuesday 2.15 – 3.00 pm.

Senior Choir…. Wednesday 2.15 – 3.15 pm.

We are looking forward to making Marvellous Music this year!

Mrs GG and Mrs Mak

Music Teachers

Disclaimer: Kennedy School and the English School Foundation do not recommend or endorse any external events in this newsletter. There is no contractual arrangement between KS/ESF and the organisers.