Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Remember it is Olympics Dress Up Day tomorrow for all students and they can bring a small donation. See below for more details in the PTA section.

It’s been a dry day here at Kennedy School! The children have loved being able to play outside and enjoy the sunshine.

We are so proud of our Year 1 students who are starting their first full day together tomorrow as a class of 30. They have adjusted to big school life so well.

Important: Meet the Year Group Session

To help you understand our organisation, routines and plans for the year, we are hosting Zoom sessions for parents and caregivers on Thursday, 29 August.

• Years 1, 2, and 5: 5:00-5:45 pm

• Years 3, 4, and 6: 5:45-6:30 pm

Please mark your calendars! We will send out Zoom invitations next Tuesday. If you can't attend, the sessions will be recorded for later viewing.

Staff-Run After School Activities

Sign-up starts today, Thursday 22 August at 8.00 pm. We have many exciting activities available for our students. Check the PE section below for more details. Please remember: :

• Each student is limited to 3 clubs per term;

• There is no after-school club school bus service - we looked into this last year and it was not feasible.

Register at 8.00 pm to secure your child's spot! Please read all the terms for payment.

Adventure Playground

We know how important the safety of our playground is to you, as it is to us. The playground has been a huge hit with the children and we are thrilled to see them enjoying it so much.

It is important to know that the new adventure playground was built to the highest safety standards, meeting European safety regulations for children of this age. We have had it inspected thoroughly, and there are no faulty parts. The soft, spongy surface is designed to provide a safe landing for children.

Unfortunately, we have had two incidents of broken arms. We understand how upsetting this must be for parents, and we want to assure you that our staff members were present at the time of both accidents. While the injuries were caused by the way the children fell, we are taking these incidents seriously.

We are in close communication with our playground supplier to review the circumstances and explore any additional safety measures that might be helpful. Our PE teachers are also working with the children to reinforce play techniques and ensure they are using the equipment safely.

Your child's safety is our top priority. We appreciate your understanding and support.

Warm regards,
Brenda
顧仁達

Kennedy Swimming - get ready!

Swimming starts next week for our Year 2 to Year 6 swimming students. Here are some general reminders about the Kennedy Swim Programme.

• Swimming lessons in Term 1 are for children in Years 2 to 6. Year 1 students will have swimming lessons in Term 3.

• All new students will need to sign up for the swimming programme.

• Please read this letter which outlines the programme and sign the e-notice on Gateway.

• In case of inclement weather, younger students will learn water safety, while older students will learn practical water safety techniques.

• We recommend that your child brings his/her swimming kit on every swimming day, regardless of the weather.

• On swimming days, students may wear their PE kit to school to save time changing.

• Students not taking part in the swimming lessons will be given tasks assigned by their class teacher.

This is next week’s swimming schedule:

Complete Term 1 Swimming Timetable

Staff-Run Extracurricular Activities (ECAs) Information

Registration for all staff-run ECAs open on Gateway at 8.00 pm this evening (22 August Thursday). Please ensure you register your child and make the payments promptly to avoid missing out on these opportunities. Remember that due to limited pitch availability at HKU, we have moved several popular clubs to before-school hours.

The affected clubs are:

• Y5/6 Boys and Girls Football Club

• Y3/4 Boys and Girls Football Club

• Y5/6 AFL Club

These clubs will now run from 7.00 to 8.00 am at HKU’s Pitch 2. Students attending these morning clubs will need to be dropped off directly at HKU Pitch 2 at 7.00 am. Our staff will then escort the students back to school in time for the start of the school day. Students should wear their PE kit for sports ECAs before school and bring an extra PE shirt if they wish to change after the session before school begins. PE kit can be worn for the day for students with a morning sports club. For students with an after-school sports club they should change from their regular school uniform before the club begins.

Staff-Run ECAs

PE Uniform Reminders

Please ensure that your child is wearing the correct PE uniform at school (see photo).

1. Tie up or braid long hair.

2. Remove jewellery, hooped earrings and watches prior to P.E. lessons.

3. Fitness tracker watches may be worn under a wristband.

4. Appropriate footwear such as black or white sports trainers to be worn in the gymnasium only.

This is a reminder to encourage parents to register for “iAM Smart+” in preparation for the E-Submission of the Student Grant 2024-25.

Year 1 and students who are new to Kennedy School should apply for the student grant by filling a paper application form (details to come).

Please refer to information from the EDB in the link below:

EDB Student Grant

Please look out for information about the 2024-25 grant application procedures which will be released by the EDB in September 2024.

For enquiries, contact the Student Special Support Section Kwun Tong Office of EDB (email: stgenquiry@edb.gov.hk; hotline: 3850 2000).

Every week, the Chinese department will upload a summary of lessons that took place that week together with resources that parents can review together at home. This term's Chinese learning links are attached below and will be shared in the newsletter each 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

We are calling for all old magazines and newspapers please. If you have any hanging around at home, we would love to have them for an art project. Please drop them into reception by Friday 30 August.

Transfer Application 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 (August 2025 school start).

Starting this year, the Year 7 transfer form is no longer accessible through Gateway. Parents will receive a Year 7 transfer application form via email with a link to access their child's transfer application.

The application period is from 1-16 September 2024 with the deadline for submissions on 16 September 2024. Each Year 6 student must have a form submitted to express their interest in securing a Year 7 ESF place for the next academic year. The allocation for the Year 7 place is according to the 'associated secondary school' based on the primary school. Parents may not choose their preferred school, with the exception ‘to follow a sibling’ attending another secondary school.

Year 6 parents need to look out for an email from ESF with the subject “Y6 to Y7 Transfer in August 2025” over the next week. Please be aware that Year 7 offer letters will come out in late November and deposits for this are payable by Friday, 6 December 2024.

Calling Parents of 4K, 4C, 5P

The role of class parent is what you make of it!

We had some great responses for class parents from last week’s newsletter and we thank the volunteers so much. We do still have a few spaces we need to fill.

4K. 4C, 5P

Sign up to be a Class Parent!

Coffee Included!

Role - You will be the communicator from parent to teacher, enlisting volunteers for school trips, (YOU don't have to always volunteer.) helping to guide parents in the correct direction for forgotten newsletter information (if other parents on the WhatsApp haven't already.) and running a smooth WhatsApp group (reminders of events happening from the newsletter.)

You will be given guidance and coffee before and through the role. Sign up here.

Volunteers

We are looking for volunteers for events coming up soon:

1. Friday 30 August – 9.00 am to 2.00 pm: School Open Day for Prospective Parents. For volunteers from Years 2 to 6. 

2. Friday 15 November – 5.00 pm to 8.00 pm: Festive Fair

Please email: pta@kennedy.edu.hk

The Space by the PTA

Some of you may have heard that we have a gorgeous reinvented SPACE by the PTA. It’s almost ready to launch. WATCH THIS SPACE!...

Pyjama Dress up Day – Friday 6th September.

Has it been a tough slog getting the children ready each morning? Then jump for joy as the Year 6s have decided that the whole school should wear PYJAMAS on Friday 6 September. Strut your sleepwear, stomp around in fluffy slippers and revel in your most comfortable outfit all day long! You can thank the Year 6s by donating $20 which will go towards activities or equipment that will benefit the whole year group.

Parent Coffee Morning - 6 September

We will host a fun coffee morning also on 6 September at 8:30 am for all parents. It’s a time to meet other parents, ask questions and find out about events we have coming up. Please RSVP here so we can prepare a comfortable morning for you.

***IN CASE YOU MISSED IT!***

Year 5 Dress Up Day 23 AUGUST - Theme: Olympics.

We are excited for our first dress-up day for the year tomorrow. Don’t forget it’s Olympic-themed.

For our first dress-up day of the year, Year 5 would like the school to come dressed for the Olympics! Please be inspired by these historic games and wear sports-related clothing and/or accessories. Please support the Year 5s by bringing a donation of $20 which will go towards supporting extra activities for them at school.

Hot Lunches with Zebratasty

The order window for September 2024 meals is open till 24 August. Orders placed after this date will incur late fees of $8 per meal. 

Separately, sick leave cancellation has to reach Zebratasty before 8:00 am on that day.

Register/edit your hot lunches here 

Note: Please remember to keep the system updated with your child’s new class and use the same name used in school. 

Pre-Loved Uniforms

Thank you so much for all your preloved uniforms. We look forward to receiving more, so please drop them into “The Space by the PTA”. Reuse, reduce, recycle.

PTA Opening Hours

Our opening hours are Monday to Friday 8:15 am-12:15 pm or by appointment. Contact us on PTA@kennedy.edu.hk for enquiries or for appointments.

Perform at the ESF International Evening 2024!

The ESF International Evening 2024 will take place on 18 October from 3:30 pm to 8:30 pm at Renaissance College in the Performing Arts Centre (PAC). This special event celebrates the rich diversity of cultures within our vibrant educational community. If you are passionate about sharing and representing your culture, we invite you to sign up as a performing act!

To Sign Up:

• Open to all students from Year 1 to Year 13.

• Submit an audition video (maximum 3 minutes).

• Perform solo or in a group, representing a culture of your choice.

• Performance can be dancing, singing, doing martial arts, etc.

• Complete the sign-up form by 30 September.

• Selected performers will be notified by 5 October.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Mrs. Shobha Sanker at sankers1@rchk.edu.hk.

We look forward to seeing your amazing submissions!

1. Term 1 Swimming Schedule

2. School Calendar 2024/25

3. Inclement Weather Procedures

4. Hot Lunch Service

5. Start of school Medical reminders letter

6. School Uniform Guide

7. School Uniform Shop