Parent Update - 23 September 2016

Message from the Principal

Dear Parents,

Another busy and exciting week where I attended the first meeting to kick off arrangements for the new campus with the architects and contractors. It is at this point when it seems to become real! We are also interviewing for a Project Manager who will oversee the whole operation. Meetings are being held with the authorities so we will give more details as soon as we can.

Preparations, too, are being made for our Year 9 students to choose which subjects to study for IGCSE exams next year. Mr Cross, our Key Stage 3 Co-ordinator, has been developing a timeline to take them through the process. Thank you to all the parents who have generously volunteered their time to come into school and talk about their careers – we are very much looking forward to that part of the programme.

More immediately, we are getting ready for the International Schools Fair, which is being held on Saturday at the Renaissance Hotel, Harbour Road. We will have the chance to showcase what makes our school special and what makes it successful.

Finally, in the Secondary assembly this morning, Mr Cross talked about International Peace Day, which was on the 21st September. He introduced Ghandi's famous quote, “An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind”, discussing it in the context of pupil relationships and forgiveness. A message I think from which we can all learn.

Enjoy your weekend.

Mr Cooklin

Principal

UPCOMING EVENTS:

26 September – Community Choir 4pm

27 September – Parent Workshop: The House System Explained, 8.30am in the cafeteria

30 September – Staff Inset Day: School Closed

3 October – Closing date for entries into the Global Campus Photography Competition

4 October – Parent Workshop: Assessments at NAIS Hong Kong, 8.30am in the cafeteria

6 October – Year 5 Performance to Parents

7 October – 3D Class Assembly

7 October – Year 9 Geography Trip

10 October – Public Holiday, School Closed

SURVEY MONKEY REMINDER

Last week the Music department sent out a short survey asking for your feedback. The information gathered will be used to ensure that every student is involved as much as possible in the musical life of the school, so please take the time to fill it in.

Follow the link below to complete the survey.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/X3BTPW6

PARENT WORKSHOP - The House System Explained

Learn more about what makes our House system so unique, the benefits and opportunities it provides students, and why it underpins everything we do at NAIS. Led by Head of Pastoral Care, Mr David Sheehan.

COMMUNITY CHOIR

We had a great start to the choir last week but we’d like to see even more people join us. It’s not too late and we will also be sending out the music so you can practise at come, so don’t worry if you can’t commit to every Monday.

For more information, please contact Miss Rowan on naomi.rowan@nais.hk

MUSICAL INSPIRATION –THE AFTER SCHOOL ARTS PROGRAMME

As part of our collaboration with The Juilliard School, this week at NAIS Hong Kong, our students have been fortunate enough to receive demonstrations from local performance artists and Juilliard alumni who have visited the school with a view to being part of our 'After-School Arts with Juilliard' programme, which will launch in January.

The After School Arts with Juilliard Programme will provide additional specialised private and group lessons with Juilliard Artists and Affiliated Artists in our local community. This will complement our existing peripatetic lesson scheme and enable us to meet higher demand for tuition whilst nurturing small ensembles. We have many exciting plans for this programme and details will be available in November.

Watch this space!

GLOBAL CAMPUS PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR COMPETITION DEADLINE – 3 OCTOBER 2016

The deadline is fast approaching for entries for the Global Campus Photographer of the Year competition. Make sure your submit your photos on or before Monday, 3 October.

If you have any questions, please email global.campus@nordanglia.com.

INTER HOUSE FOOTBALL RESULTS

Congratulations Windsor House for winning both Key Stage 1 and 2 of the Inter House football competition. Tensions were high but so was the children’s enthusiasm as they gave it their all in the hope of claiming the sought after trophy. Let’s see who the next proud winners will be for Key Stage 3.

See our winners here. https://www.facebook.com/NAISHongKong/

INTERNATIONAL DAY

Flags, food, costumes and music at the ready! Yes, it’s time to prepare for this year’s International Day. Taking place on Thursday 10^th November 2016, this is always a day to remember as we celebrate the diversity within our school, and share what makes each and every culture and tradition special.

This fun event really comes together because of the collaboration between the school and parents, and we would welcome your involvement. So, if you want to teach others about your culture, give a traditional performance, or can volunteer to organise a country-specific stall, then we’d love for you to get involved.

Please reply to ricky.auyeung@nais.hk by Friday 30^th September 2016, to let us know which country or region you would like to represent. We will connect you with other families interested in the same country or region.

Check out the photos from last year’s fantastic event here. https://flic.kr/s/aHskyhV5Kd

OCTOBER SCHOOL LUNCH MENU REMINDER

If you haven’t done so already, please remember to send in your lunch forms ASAP.https://naishk.fireflycloud.asia/school-life/school-lunch

IMPORTANT ECA INFORMATION - COLLECTION ARRANGEMENTS

Please be reminded that all pupils must be collected at the end of their ECA, or go home by bus. If they need to wait for a sibling to finish a later ECA, [for example from football on a Monday], then a parent or helper must supervise them, as we are unable to offer any supervision at that time.

STANFORD SWIMMING LESSONS

If you are looking for options for swimming lessons whilst our pool is under repair, please check out the following link provided by Stanford. Here you will find information regarding where you can sign up for paid classes.

The pool venue: United Christian College (Kowloon East)
Address: 2 Lee On Lane, Kwun Tong

Monday: 16:00 - 16:45 (Quota: 5)
Wednesday: 16:00 - 16:45 (Quota: 15)
Friday: 16:00 - 16:45 (Quota: 15)

All time slots are available for both Primary and Secondary student enrolment.

Price: $140 per 45 minutes (same as our ECA course fee)

Please kindly check the link below for online enrollment;

http://goo.gl/ExvXRI

Please note that applications close at 12 midnight on Monday 3^rd October.

SWIMMING POOL UPDATE

Our engineers are in the process of locating the pipes causing the leak and will open the deck pool next week for testing. Once this has been done we should have a clearer picture of the repairs required. As always, we will keep you posted regarding progress. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

PRIMARY ASSEMBLY – 4E

4E led the assembly today, focusing on the important topic of deforestation and saving the rainforest! Thank you 4E and Mrs. Amy Beedham for organising such an informative assembly.

Check out our Facebook to see some great photos https://www.facebook.com/NAISHongKong/

STARS OF THE WEEK – Maths

Big congratulations to the following students for being nominated by their teachers:

Year 1 Summer Cooper, Jaden Cheung, Lukas Boekhorst, Jasper Lau, Yago Fransen-Serrano

Year 2: Alyssa Lundgren, Rito Hamanaka, Pippa Marwood, Wincy Li Leo Charlier

Year 3: Howard Tan, King Tong Ngai, Alfred Oliver, Adrian Lau, Katherine Kerr

Year 4: Antje Singson, Josse Knapp, Julian Winterer, Hans Chiu, Serena Lau

Year 5: Charissa Kwok, Cayden Lock, Jude Wong, Sophie Abrahams, Henry Zheng

Year 6: Sam Hellyer, Freya Mackness, Michelle Lo, Cheney Sang

Year 7: Ebee Lee

Year 8: Austin Ma

Year 9: Anni Hangasjarvi

Photos can be found at https://www.facebook.com/NAISHongKong/

KEY CONTACTS

Quick list guide of who to email for what:

Bus related - bus@nais.hk

ECAs - Tom.Ferguson@nais.hk

Homework related – Class Teacher

Pastoral related - david.sheehan@nais.hk

School Lunches - katherine.chan@nais.hk

Admissions and Marketing related – admissions@nais.hk

]General enquiry - receptionist@nais.hk

Absences - Class Teacher and receptionist@nais.hk if your child is sick or for medical reasons, andSarah.Harley@nais.hk (Primary), Christian.Bishop@nais.hk (Secondary) to request a leave of absence.

Please do not use the info@nais.hk for any of the above queries.

Have a great weekend.