Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Mid-term is approaching quickly, and we have had a fantastic and eventful half-term of learning. Now it is time for some well-deserved rest and relaxation. Just a reminder that school will close at the usual time on Friday afternoon. We look forward to seeing everyone back in school on Tuesday, October 31st.

Fun-O-Ween

By popular demand, Fun-O-Ween dress-up day is confirmed for Tuesday, October 31st after the mid-term break. Children should wear fun costumes or fancy dress costumes - any theme is fine, avoiding anything too scary. Ensure costumes meet the criteria to avoid frightening younger children. No money or sweets/candies please.

After-School Activities - Shuttle Bus Service
We regret to inform you that the shuttle bus service to Kennedy Town for after-school activities will be put on hold due to insufficient sign-ups. We received 12 sign-ups for the Tuesday bus and 6 sign-ups for the Thursday bus. Additionally, we have noticed an increase in the number of #58 buses in service between 4:00 pm and 4:30 pm, following our request for more buses with the location bus company.

We will continue to monitor the bus waiting line and work closely with the transportation company to address any issues.

Road Safety

Please use the controlled crossing with lollipops when catching minibuses across from the school entrance.

A Diwali item to share?
We invite all children and families to actively participate in sharing important occasions, fostering an open-minded learning environment where we can learn from one another. With Diwali approaching, it's a great opportunity for children to share a practised item or tell us how their family celebrates. We'll include these Diwali contributions in our assemblies during the week of November 12th. The same applies to other occasions. Simply contact your classroom teacher or one of the SLT members to let us know what your child or family would like to contribute.

School Uniforms

We have noticed an increasing number of children wearing random sweatshirts, cardigans, or multi-coloured jackets to school. Please order your winter garments online from the school uniform shop to ensure preparedness for the seasonal change. Click on this link to place your order.

If you would like to try out the cold weather optional uniform items before ordering them online, fittings are available from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm and 3:30 to 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday during term time.  Please email Steven to schedule a fittings appointment at uniform@kennedy.edu.hk.

HKU lunchtimes for Years 3 & 6

This will start immediately after mid-term. Children should bring water, a hat, and their own lunch as we'll be playing in the fields across the road at the HKU grounds. Some children like to bring a small picnic blanket to sit on, as well as sports equipment or outdoor games to play with. They should be able to carry everything themselves. It will be a fantastic time for them! A huge thanks to the parents who have volunteered to help us on these days.

Warm regards,
Brenda
顧仁達

Festive Fair

Don’t forget to mark your calendars and join us at school on the evening of Friday 17th November from 6.00 pm to 8.30 pm.

Over half term, please take a look at home and see if you have any books in reasonable condition that you would consider donating to our Second Hand Book Stall.

If you are able to volunteer your time to support the running of the event, please fill in the volunteer form.

Kennedy School PTA Greeting Card Competition RETURNS!

As announced in the newsletter two weeks ago, please see attachment for the competition rules and guidelines.

Card Competition

Deadline is Tuesday 31st October.

Hint: This could be a perfect family activity to complete over the Half Term break!

PTA Annual Quiz Night

17 teams took part in a lively and entertaining quiz night last week at El Charro. With subject rounds ranging from superstitions, sport, weather, general knowledge, HK themed picture round, music and movies. A huge thanks to our quiz masters Matt King and Rudi Dray. Congratulations to team “HOJ” from 1MB who came in first place.

The evening raised a wonderful $20,000 - this money is being put towards funds PTA will donate to school to contribute to the school playground revamp later this academic year. Thank you.

We would like to thank the sponsors of our prize draw gifts Bom Bom Spa, El Charro, Party Mate Cakes, Big Bang Academy, Brune Blonde, Maths Concept and El Charro.

A huge thanks to Noel and the team at El Charro for hosting us and for the delicious food and drinks.

Quiz Night Album

PTA Reminders:

PTA Fees

Every family will have received an invoice via ePayment last Friday in respect of PTA Fees.

In accordance with ESF ordinance, every family is automatically a member of the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) and must pay an annual PTA fee.

At the AGM last week, it was announced that Kennedy School PTA Fees are being reduced to $200 per family with immediate effect.

Zebratasty Hot Lunches - November Menu Now Available

The November 2023 hot lunch menu is available to order at the standard price of $46 for a small and $48 for a regular box.

Make sure you place your November order before end of day on Tuesday 24th October otherwise you will be charged a late order fee of $8 per meal.

Please be mindful of school trips when ordering. We do work with the Zebratasty team to advise of the school calendar but welcome your help here also.

Details of how to order, FAQs and the latest menu can be found on the Kennedy School Website under “Life at Kennedy”.

Hot Lunch Details

PTA Office Opening Hours

The PTA Office will be open daily from 8:30 am to 12 noon with immediate effect. Queries can also be sent to pta@kennedy.edu.hk

On Wednesday 1 November 2023 5.00 to 6.00 pm, we will be hosting a webinar ‘The Primary Years Programme: an Overview.’ This webinar is designed for all parents who are interested in knowing more about the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IBPYP). It will include the different elements of the PYP programme; approaches to teaching and learning in the curriculum and how you can support your child in their primary years journey and beyond.

To help us prepare for the workshop, please register your interest here.

The joining link for the webinar will be sent out after the mid-term break.

I hope you are all looking forward to the Year 6 Swim Gala tomorrow morning at the HKU Stanley Ho Swimming Pool! All Year 6 parents who signed up to help should meet at the swimming pool at 8.20 am. Please remember that no outdoor shoes can be worn at the poolside.  Please click on the link below for the complete details of the event:

Parents Copy of the Swim Gala

The first race is at 9.00 am so parents coming to watch should arrive before then. The students have been selected for their races based on their abilities shown in this term's swimming block. The Gala will finish at 12.15 pm at the latest.

As the students are scoring points for their House, we are encouraging all swimmers to wear swim hats in their House colours.

Games begins after October half term

The Term 1 swimming programme has now completed. It will resume in Term 3 in the summer months. The Games programme will commence after the mid term break on 31 October 2023. The children will need to wear their PE kit on the following days:

Girls Football Tournament

Congratulations to the Year 5 and 6 students who competed in this year's annual Peak School Football Tournament on Saturday! We sent a squad of nine girls to this event, and we are very proud of them all. This was the first football tournament of the season for our girls team, and they demonstrated excellent football knowledge, skill, confidence and teamwork. It was wonderful to see the sportsmanship and encouragement the girls showed to each another throughout the morning. Well done to everyone involved!

Thank you to all the children who donated a Birthday Book to the library. If you are interested in this programme, please find out more HERE. 

A group of Year 2, 4  and 5 students participated in the Hong Kong Junior Rapid and Inter-School Chess Championships last weekend where they played in the lower and upper primary divisions. The competition was fierce and long, with several rounds that required the students to stay focused for long periods. Super duper well done to Zayne Tong (2E) who was the youngest participant from Kennedy School. And congratulations to Team 4-Leaf Clovers made up of Zachary Tong (5M), Patrick Wong (5M), Oliver Chan (5T) and William Sit (4K) who took home the Bronze Medal!

Bradbury School would like to invite all Kennedy School students to participate in the ESF Primary Schools Chess Tournament, which will be held on Saturday 11 November 2023 at Bradbury School. The competition is organised by Ho Yin Ping Chess (who run the popular after school chess club) and is open to students of all skill levels, from beginners to advanced players. Our goal is to create a fun and competitive environment that promotes good sportsmanship and encourages students to develop their chess skills.

Please click on the links for detailed information and the poster about the event.

If you have any questions, please contact Ms. HO Yin Ping at 9215 2682 or hoyinpingchess@gmail.com.

1. School Uniform Guide

2. School Uniform Shop

3. Here are the Inclement Weather Procedures which is also located on the school website.

4. Updated Kennedy School Calendar 2023-24