Early Years Campus Weekly Update 24 Aug 2026

Dear Parents,

It has been wonderful to welcome our returning families back to campus, alongside the many new families joining our Sai Kung community this year. The start of a new school year is always filled with excitement, anticipation and opportunity, and it has been a joy to see our campus come alive once again with happy, curious learners.

Last week, all children began settling into their new classes, meeting new teachers, reconnecting with friends, and building relationships with new classmates.

Our Year 1 children have settled very smoothly into their new learning environment and are already enthusiastically engaging with their first topic, Super Duper You! They have been exploring their classroom spaces, building new routines, and developing their independence. The Tinker Lab has been especially busy, with children eagerly investigating, creating and experimenting as they begin their learning journey for the year.

Our Reception children are also settling beautifully. For many, this has been a smooth transition from Nursery, while for our new students, last week focused on becoming familiar with their classroom, teachers, and new friends. It has been lovely to see growing confidence as children begin to feel comfortable within their new environment.

Meanwhile, our Nursery students are doing remarkably well. They have been busy playing, exploring and learning alongside their new friends, both indoors and in the Nursery garden. These early weeks are focused on helping children feel safe, secure, and confident as they build new relationships, establish routines, and develop a strong sense of belonging.

 

Building Strong Foundations

At the beginning of each academic year, we focus on helping children develop a sense of place, a sense of belonging, and a sense of ownership.

A Sense of Place

Children first learn the routines, expectations and spaces within their new environment. When they feel safe and secure, they are able to approach learning with confidence and growing independence.

A Sense of Belonging

Strong relationships are at the heart of a successful start to school. Feeling connected to teachers, friends, and the wider school community helps children develop confidence, resilience, and a positive attitude towards learning.

A Sense of Ownership

As children become more familiar with school life, they begin to take ownership of their learning and environment. By making choices, sharing ideas and taking responsibility, they become increasingly engaged, motivated and confident learners.

Over the coming weeks, we will see the children continue to grow in all three areas as they explore, discover, and learn together.

Learning Beyond the Classroom: Forest School and Outdoor Learning

One of the many highlights of learning at Sai Kung is the incredible access we have to the natural environment around us. As our Forest School programme enters its second year, we are excited to continue developing and embedding outdoor learning experiences across all year groups.

Forest School provides children with regular opportunities to learn in and from nature through exploration, investigation, problem-solving, and play. Whether children are building, creating, observing, taking managed risks or simply spending time immersed in the natural world, these experiences help to foster confidence, resilience, independence, and curiosity.

As we continue to grow this programme, we look forward to sharing the children's outdoor adventures and discoveries with you throughout the year.

The Importance of Partnership

Children's personal, social and emotional development remains our key priority during the first weeks of the school year. When children feel safe, secure, and valued, they can build positive relationships, develop confidence, manage challenges, and fully engage in their learning. By working together in partnership, home and school can ensure that every child feels supported, develops a strong sense of belonging and flourishes throughout the year ahead.

Looking Ahead: Key Parent Events This Term

We are looking forward to welcoming parents to a number of important events during the term ahead. Please save the following dates in your calendars:

Parent Teacher Conferences

• ECAs begin Monday 21^st September
• Wednesday 23rd September 3:00pm to 5:00pm (On Campus)
• Thursday 24th September 4:30pm to 7:00pm (Online)

These meetings provide an important opportunity to discuss how your child has settled into the new school year, celebrate their successes, and share next steps in learning for the months ahead.

• Thursday 1st October - Public Holiday - National Day
• Friday 2nd October - School Holiday

Christmas Concerts

• Monday 7th December 9:15am: Year 1 Concert
• Tuesday 8th December 9:15am: Reception Concert
• Wednesday 9th December 9:15am: Nursery Concert

These special performances are always a highlight of the term and provide a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the children's learning, confidence and growing sense of community.

 

Supporting Children's Wellbeing and Settling

As we continue through these first important weeks, please remember that every child's settling journey is unique. Some children quickly embrace new routines and relationships, while others need a little more time to build confidence and feel secure. Both experiences are entirely normal and an important part of child development.

Our priority during this period is to nurture children's personal, social and emotional development. When children feel safe, valued, and connected, they can take risks in their learning, develop independence, and build positive relationships with others. These foundations are essential and will support all aspects of their learning and development throughout the year.

Should you have any questions, concerns, or simply wish to talk about how your child is settling, please do not hesitate to reach out. We are very much here to support you and your child.

We are excited for the year ahead and look forward to sharing many wonderful learning experiences, adventures, and celebrations together.

Yours sincerely,

Ruth Hanson
Head of Campus
Sai Kung Pre-School