Dear Parents and Caregivers,

It’s been a great couple of weeks seeing classes going out on excursions in this glorious weather and watching the children relish in all the activities they are involved in. There is never a dull moment with children keen to chat about their learning and the fun times they are having at school and in the outdoors.

Last night, a group of us watched the Year 6 students perform at the ESF Festival of Dance held at West Island School. What a treat it was to see our students perform their own choreography and to be so polished in their presentation - not to mention having a great time doing it. Well done Kennedy - it is fabulous to see everyone embracing all these varied opportunities to learn and thrive.

Playground Routines

For those of you who drop children off in the morning, you will have noticed that the morning routines are a little more structured during the 8.10 to 8.20 am timeslot. We have created a calmer environment downstairs which is enabling the children to have a much smoother start to the day.

Similarly, we have brought in more consistent guidelines and expectations in the playground around student behaviour, tidying up equipment and lining up before returning to class. We have been focusing on ‘keeping our hands feet and objects to ourselves’ as we were finding that at times, the children were being overly physical with each other. The reinforcement of these routines is really working and we are impressed that the children are making more positive choices.

Smart Watches

We are having increasing incidents of children using smart watches inappropriately in class, in the playground or on school buses. This is disrupting learning and teaching and causing issues socially. From tomorrow we will no longer be allowing students in years 1-4 to wear smartwatches to school. If your child is found with a smartwatch - the teacher will keep the watch safely until the end of the day. We will discuss with the Year 5 and 6 children the importance of using their watches appropriately if they are choosing to wear one to school.

Masks

It has been great for the staff to be able to offer quality education without wearing their masks. This has made such a huge difference in teaching and learning and it feels that we are finally able to get back to the style of teaching that is collaborative and interactive.

We are noticing children are gaining more confidence day by day to remove masks or pull their masks down at certain times of the day. As you know from my previous newsletters, quality education can be delivered at its best when masks aren’t worn.

The latest EDB circulars state that 'parents can arrange for their children to wear masks if necessary'. If you believe it is necessary for your child to continue to wear a mask at particular times even after March 20th, please let your child’s teacher know so that together you can work out the best ways to manage this. We are supportive of having some special arrangements for students if mask-wearing is necessary for a child's health.

EDB guidelines for parents (issued on 1 March 2023)

Please note the sign-up form below in the PTA section to attend the Zoom session on Anxiety related to Masks On and Off on Wednesday, 15th March. This will be a very helpful session led by a renowned psychologist.

Celebration of Learning and Three-Way Conferences on March 24

All bookings close on Friday 10th March.

Important timings for the day:

• The school will be open from 8.10 am to begin at 8.15 am.

• Teachers will be taking a snack break from 10.45-11.15 am and lunch from 1.45-2.15 pm. Classrooms and areas around the school will still be open at this time and supervised by EAs so you are still welcome to do the activities at this time with your child.

• If you have one of the later appointments in the day, please arrive 50 minutes before your appointment time so you can see all of the other activities in the school and classroom before your 3-way conference.

• All classrooms and learning areas around the school will close at 4 pm.

If you would like to contact any members of the leadership team, you will find us in the playground or you can locate our emails on the ESF APP. You can email me at bcook@kennedy.edu.hk.

Kind regards,

Brenda

顧仁達

Principal

Reminders for Bus Users

To help all school buses run on time, please ensure to arrive 5 minutes in advance of the scheduled pick up / drop off time every day.

If your child will not be taking the afternoon bus home, please ensure you email Steven Chen at bus@kennedy.edu.hk before 12 noon that day so he can ensure the bus mother is fully aware.

Yearband Led Dress Up Day

Next Friday 17th March, Year 3 have decided that the whole school should come to school wearing green. The aim is to use what you may have at home already - green top, green shorts/skirts, green wigs, green hats…..

We will collect voluntary donations of $20. Students may hand their donation in as they arrive at school that day. Year 3 will use the funds raised for something extra special! Watch this space!

PTA Wellness Talks

Kennedy Community Cares - Webinars for Parents & Staff

As announced in last week’s newsletter, we have three Webinars arranged for our parents and staff providing support in areas emerging following three years of COVID restrictions.

The first webinar takes place next Wednesday, 15th March 6 to 7 pm. Brenda Cook and Dr Scarlett Mattoli will discuss the impact the mask mandate has had on learning and how to address anxiety which may be evident following the removal of the mask mandate.

Sign up HERE if you have not done so already. The link will be shared with those who have registered.

The subsequent webinars will take place after the Easter holidays.

• 20 April, Thursday, 6 to 7 pm: Social Skills led by Carrie Spaeth-Raine, Speech Therapist, SPOT Therapy.

• 4 May, Thursday, 6 to 7 pm: Self Regulation & Emotions - led by Brownyn Timson, Speech Therapist, SPOT Therapy.

PTA AGM - Reminder

A reminder that the PTA hold its Annual General Meeting on 28th March, Tuesday at 5 pm. Every family automatically becomes members of the PTA and you are all cordially invited to attend this important meeting.

Register to attend here.

Tag Rugby

Congratulations to all of the Kennedy students who competed in this year's HKPSSA Island Tag Rugby Jamboree at Happy Valley on Wednesday, March 1st.

We are very proud of both Kennedy teams for their outstanding performances on the day! All of our players demonstrated excellent rugby knowledge and skill, confidence, teamwork, and mental toughness on a very hot day, and we couldn't be more proud as a school. The sportsmanship and encouragement shown to one another throughout the morning was once again a personal highlight. Go Kennedy Rugby!

HKPSSA Tag Rugby Jamboree Photos

Tennis

On Friday Kennedy hosted a Doubles Tournament at HKU Sandy Bay Tennis Courts. Our tennis players showed grit, determination and lots of skill in matches against students from GSIS, ESF Quarry Bay School and Chinese International School. All games were played in a competitive yet friendly spirit. It is fantastic to see the variety of sporting opportunities on offer to our students.

Tennis Tournament Photos

Hong Kong Young Writers Awards (HKYWA) 2023: New Tales of the Judge Pao

Congratulations to Liam Wu (6RI) whose fiction submission was shortlisted at this year's Hong Kong Young Writers Awards (HKYWA). We wish him all the best of luck at the prize-giving ceremony later this month. We also want to celebrate students whose pieces were awarded Honorable Mentions and Certificates of Participation. Well done everyone!

Birthday Books

Thank you for celebrating your birthdays with us! By ordering a Birthday Book for the library, your child will have a lovely legacy for other students to enjoy for years to come.

How to order a Birthday Book

Draft ESF School Calendar 2023-34

Kennedy School Health Guidelines - When to keep your child at home 

Chinese learning links this week:

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