Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Thanks for your Generosity

It was so heartwarming and uplifting to see the incredible action that our community took to provide donations for the people of Turkey and Syria. We thank you enormously for your swift action and to the staff and parents and ex-parents who made this happen so efficiently - we are so grateful.

Fire Evacuation

We undertook a fire evacuation to HKU on Tuesday for everyone on campus. This was a planned drill and children were told in advance so that they were aware of the procedures and were calm throughout. We are pleased to report that we were able to evacuate and account for everyone in 13 minutes. For your interest, you might like to watch the drone coverage of the drill. Our next drill will be spontaneous to make sure we can follow procedures under all circumstances.

Fire Drill by Drone

Stakeholder Survey

We hit 440 parent responses for our stakeholder survey - thank you so much! We will analyse the findings with our Senior Leadership Team and School Council Community Engagement Team and share these with you over the next few weeks. Your feedback is greatly appreciated.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)

At our weekly assemblies, we have been sharing how small acts of kindness can help others feel included and feel like they belong. We talked about the importance of diversity and that our differences make the world a better place. To help reinforce these ideas, you might like to watch and listen to this story with your child.

A Little Spot of Belonging By Diane Alber READ ALOUD

School Uniforms - We have Mountains of Lost Property!

There are so many articles of clothing in our lost property area that are unclaimed. We will display these in the playground each day this week and will encourage children to look for their jackets, water bottles, trousers, etc. If you or another adult is collecting your child - please take a look too.

Yearband Led Dress Up Day

I look forward to seeing the children coming in their creative outfits tomorrow, 17 February, on the theme “Clash of the Patterns”.

If you want to contact any leadership team member, you will find us in the playground or email me at bcook@kennedy.edu.hk.

Kind regards,

Brenda

顧仁達

Books for Birthdays

We are excited to introduce a new Birthday Book initiative at Kennedy School. This is a great way to recognise a student’s birthday. Parents may choose to donate a book of their child’s choice to the school library in honour of their child’s birthday.

How will this work?

• Parents simply let the library staff know via email, one week before their child’s birthday and donate $150 via Gateway.

• The student will be able to choose a book from the library from a special ‘Birthday Book Box’ on the day of their birthday (or a day close to their birthday).

• We will have special bookplates which will be completed and adhered to the book so that future readers will know this is a book that has been donated by another student.

• The student can take the chosen book to share with classmates. For younger students, the teachers could even read it aloud, if time allows.

• Photos of students with their birthday books will be shared on a monthly basis, through a link in the school newsletter.

• Please contact our School Librarian, Ms. Chan (library@kennedy.edu.hk), with any questions.

Yearband Led - Whole School Dress Up Day TOMORROW!

Final reminder, Year 4 have decided that on Friday 17th February, the whole school should come to school wearing the theme “Clash of the Patterns” - everyone can be as creative as you like! We look forward to seeing spots, zig zags, stripes, squares, dots, blocks, flowers - any kind of pattern - but try and make the top different to the bottoms! And bring $20!

Lunchtime Food Service - update

We are moving forward with the formal tender process required to introduce a lunchtime hot food service at Kennedy School.  This is a formal requirement of the EDB.

Since introducing the concept, we have welcomed a high level of interest across the school community, and are targeting appointing a provider so parents may sign up at the end of March for the service to commence at the start of Term 3.

Kennedy School PTA - Taxi Decoration Photo Competition

We challenged students and staff to be creative and take photos of their Kennedy School Taxi Decorations “on holiday” over Chinese New Year.  The taxis were busy socialising, shopping and travelling around Asia. Our favourite photo was taken by Rachel Kwok, 6RI - she captured not just one but two taxis enjoying a festive Chinese New Year Dim Sum together. Rachel is photographed receiving her prize for such fun creativity!

Volunteer Opportunities with Hands On Hong Kong

如何和家人幫助香港有需要長者 [Learn how your family can support Hong Kong's elderly]

Even before the pandemic, more than half of Hong Kong's elderly reported feeling lonely. Our Charity Partner, HandsOn Hong Kong is calling for Cantonese speaking families to bring kindness and compassion into the life of a lonely elderly person through their GENERATION CONNECT programme.

Sign up for their Zoom information session to learn more: Saturday 11 March (10-11.30am). Create a HandsOn account here first.

This session is for parents and children. You will hear about the challenges Hong Kong seniors face, tips for communicating with empathy and compassion – and get a taste of this life-enhancing social support program! There are many other programmes on the HandsOn calendar.

Community News - HKU Sandy Bay Club

The Kennedy School PTA supports our local community. We are lucky to have the HKU Sandy Bay Club across the road from school who not only have active Mini, Youth and Adult rugby teams - but they also offer a growing Netball section.

Recently, the U10 and U12 netball teams have increased from 1 to 2 teams in each age group and would welcome more players aged 8-11 years old to join them - all skill levels welcome. Boys are also welcome at the U10 level.

Training takes place at Stanley Ho. U12 training is 5 pm on Wednesdays and U10 training is 5 pm on Thursdays. Matches are played on a Sunday afternoon in Term 2.

For more information regarding netball, please contact Yvonne McMahon on 6117 9450 or complete the expression of interest form.

The mini rugby club always welcomes new players of all ages from U5-U12. Training takes place on Sunday mornings at Stanley Ho until the end of March. Fitness and rugby skill camps will be available during the Easter holidays in addition.

For more information, contact admin@hkusandybayrfc.org

Disclaimer Notice: This is a message from an outside agency. Kennedy School cannot be held accountable for the accuracy, trustworthiness or reliability of this message.

ESF Calendar 2023-24

Here are this week's learning notices from the Chinese Department:

Year 1 Weekly Learning Notice

Year 2 Weekly Learning Notice

Year 3 Weekly Learning Notice

Year 4 Weekly Learning Notice

Year 5 Weekly Learning Notice

Year 6 Weekly Learning Notice