Monthly Newsletter (August 2023)
> Principal’s Message
> Recent Happenings
> Upcoming Events & Information
> Phase Year 7-9
> Phase Year 10-11
> Phase Year 12-13
> Student Celebrations
> August Weekly Newsletters
> Key Dates & Reminders
Principal’s Message
The energy and enthusiasm that filled the halls of South Island School this week have been fantastic. As we wrap up the first full week of school, I am pleased to share the wonderful experiences and achievements that have started the year so well.
Throughout the week, our students have put our core values that define our school community into action. Right from the start, many of our students eagerly participated in various activities, including trying out for sporting clubs and our upcoming musical. The unity and support they have shown towards one another reflect the deep sense of belonging we foster at South Island.
Amidst these positive moments, our Year 12 students have received their (I)GCSE grades. As expected, they have been received with mixed emotions—some students are celebrating their accomplishments, while others are grappling with disappointment. It is important to remember that these grades are not labels but stepping stones. In an assembly today, I encouraged our Year 12s to channel their reflections toward the behaviours and efforts that contributed to their results. Challenges are opportunities in disguise and serve as catalysts for growth and progress.
What truly sets our senior students apart is their dedication to creating positive change. They are not only focused on academic excellence but also on leaving a meaningful impact on our school community and beyond. Their commitment is heartwarming and speaks volumes about their commitment to put our values into action.
This week has set the tone for the year, and what an exciting year it will be! Please enjoy the highlights captured in this newsletter of each of our Year Groups.
Thank you all for your support, and I look forward to working with you throughout the year.
Wishing you a restful weekend.
Carolyn Andrews
Interim Principal
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RECENT HAPPENINGS
(1) ESF Chairman’s Awards
On August 10th, we had a chance to celebrate a few of our recent graduates one last time at the ESF Chairman’s Award. Honouring them for their excellence during their time at SIS, over 30 of our most recent graduates were recognised for their achievements in leadership, service, spirit, creativity, athletics and academics. It was an amazing night of celebration and gave us one last chance to cheer on and say farewell to some of our Year 13s before they set off on their next adventure in university.
SIS Alumni Lara Brown and Aashika Mamgain were asked to share their reflection, aspirations and inspiration in this VIDEO put together by ESF.
Please read more from the ESF Website for details of the night’s festivities!
(2) SIS Sports Trials
With the new school year underway, our PE department has been busy running school team trials in Tennis, Volleyball, Swimming and Basketball for the upcoming season. Almost 300 students from all years came out for trials this past week across the four sports. Congrats to those who made the team, especially those who have been cut in previous years. Your resilience is admirable, and your hard work has paid off. For those not selected this time, we encourage you to continue playing and practising. We have recreational basketball and tennis activities for those interested in playing and honing their skills. Sports trials continue next week for Badminton and Football. Good luck to you all!
(3) SIS-PTA Update
The SIS-PTA Committee would like to announce the elevation of two members, Mr. Harsh Agarwal (Parent of Aashi Agarwal (10K1)) and Ms. Sandy Tse (Parent of Ethan (10S2) & Gianna Lui (9S2)) to Interim Co-Chairpersons. They will hold this position until the next Annual General Meeting in October, when a new Chairperson will be voted and appointed. Please check your ESF App or your emails for the latest newsletter from the SIS-PTA welcoming you all to a new school year.
UPCOMING EVENTS & INFORMATION
(1) Extra Curricular Activities Sign Up
The Activities sign-up window will close this coming Sunday at 11:59 pm. While the activities are not allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, please note any student who signs up after the window has closed will be placed on the waiting list for the chosen activities subject to space availability. Please encourage your child to sign up for their desired activity before the window closes to ensure they have the best chance of being placed into it. A list of the available activities for Term 1 can be found HERE
(2) School Drop Off & Pick-up
We have received reports from some parents who have received tickets for traffic violations during school drop-offs and pick-ups. While we understand some may find the school’s drop-off access to be a minor inconvenience, the school would like to remind and encourage parents to utilise other available transport options such as our school bus system, which drops students off on school grounds, or the public bus (Routes 41A & 76), which safely drops off students steps away from the school. Pick up and drop off at the Main Gate on Nan Fung Road is unavailable, and if not followed, drivers will be subjected to fines from HK Police.
To ensure school buses arrive and depart on time, please be reminded that there is no car entry during the following times:
- Mondays – Fridays: 7:20 am – 8:00 am, 2:45 pm – 3:40 pm
- Tuesday: 9:20am – 10:00am
- Fridays: 12:45 pm – 1:30 pm
We kindly ask all parents to observe all traffic laws and school guidelines during drop-off and pick-up. This ensures our children are safe as they arrive and depart from school.
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Phase Year 7-9
Message from Head of Phase Year 7-9:
We hope this month’s newsletter finds you and your family in good health. We have some exciting updates and events to share with you, so please read on for all the latest news from Family Bauhinia.
Last Friday, we had the pleasure of bringing together all three year groups for our start-of-year assembly. The focus of the assembly was on embodying SIS’s core values, and we were delighted to hear messages from our Senior Leadership team and the Heads of Year. It was heartwarming to see the entire cohort demonstrating core communication skills while having fun playing Simon Says. It was a great way to start the year on a positive note!
We would like to extend our best wishes to all Year 9 students as they prepare for their first Inter House competition, taking place this Friday, August 25th. We encourage all houses to give their best efforts and showcase their talents. Let’s foster a spirit of healthy competition and sportsmanship among our students.
On Tuesday, August 29th, we have a special assembly planned. Led by Ms. Bosson and the team from Limitless, this assembly will provide details about an upcoming and thrilling opportunity exclusively for Year 9 students. Stay tuned for more information during the assembly – it’s an opportunity you won’t want to miss!
We are pleased to acknowledge the seamless transition of our Year 7 students into secondary school life. Their positive and enthusiastic approach has been truly impressive. They have quickly organised themselves, found their classrooms, and prepared for lessons with great zeal. Well done, Year 7! Let’s continue to build upon this excellent start and make the most of the exciting opportunities that lie ahead.
The newly installed equipment in the Space for break and lunch play has been a huge hit among our students, including Year 7. Thanks to the generous donation by the PTA, these additions have significantly enhanced the social choices and activities available to our students during these important times of the school day. It has also provided a wonderful platform for making new friends across the Family Bauhinia community.
This week, Year 7 students enjoyed a fun-filled assembly that addressed some of the common challenges they face during the transition period, such as losing items and seeking help. As part of the assembly, some students were invited to act out a story, and they did so brilliantly, much to the amusement of their peers. It’s great to see our students engaging and enjoying themselves while learning important life skills.
We also had a fantastic turnout of Year 7 students at the Joseph auditions. It’s wonderful to witness their enthusiasm, participation, and willingness to try new things. They are taking risks and putting their hands up for roles, which is truly commendable. We encourage this spirit of exploration and involvement among all our students.
We extend a warm welcome to all new students joining us in Year 8 and Year 9. It has been a joy to witness your enthusiastic engagement in lessons and the friendships you have already formed across different year groups. We are thrilled to have each and every one of you as valuable members of the SIS community. Welcome aboard!
We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to all the Y8 &9 Prefects who dedicated their time and efforts to help with the New Student Induction Day on Wednesday, August 16th. The Y9 Prefects did an outstanding job of welcoming and supporting the new students throughout the day’s schedule. Teachers across the school have commended them for being excellent representatives, and the Family Bauhinia team is immensely proud of their achievements. We eagerly look forward to witnessing their further accomplishments throughout the year. The Yr.9’s have been buddied up with our new Yr.8 Prefects to take on their new Space Prefect Roles.
As always, we appreciate your continued support. We wish everyone a successful and fulfilling academic year ahead. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
The Family Bauhinia Team
Syrita Nicholas
Head of Phase (Year 7-9)
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Phase Year 10-11
Message from Head of Phase Year 10-11:
I am delighted to begin this year by celebrating the remarkable achievements of our Year 11 students from last year. Over the past two weeks, these students have received their results, which truly reflect their hard work and resilience. Despite facing challenging and disrupted schooling conditions, they have demonstrated a real determination to be their best. It is inspiring for our current IGCSE students to witness their peers’ successes and set their own goals for this phase of learning.
The IGCSE phase holds significant importance as a bridge between the MYP and IBDP/CP. It provides students with a valuable opportunity to explore a wide range of academic subjects, discover their passions, and foster independence. Our primary aim is to nurture well-rounded individuals, rather than focusing solely on achieving an extensive list of A*/9 grades. By exposing our students to diverse subjects, we aim to prepare them to make informed choices that align with their future aspirations. I am personally excited to be part of this journey with them.
As mentioned, our goal is to develop students into well-rounded individuals. At the beginning of this year, our IGCSE students have been presented with an array of enriching opportunities. They have already selected their enrichment activities, enrolled in HKAYP (Hong Kong Award for Young People), registered for MaD week experiences, and been given leadership roles within their tutor groups. I encourage you to support and motivate your children to engage in extracurricular interests beyond the academic curriculum. For more information about the leadership opportunities offered in the school, please look HERE
The I/GCSE phase of learning can sometimes evoke stress among students, as they may feel a lack of control given the impending terminal assessments at the end of the two-year period. However, students can regain a sense of control by practising organisation and proactivity in their learning journey. Find HERE a selection of articles that specifically address exam stress, which may prove helpful to your child.
Additionally, it is crucial for students to be aware of the support network available to them. Alongside our tutors, Heads of House, and counsellors, I am pleased to introduce our Higher Education (HE) Counsellors. The HE team are here to assist our Y10 and 11 students, providing guidance on the exam process and education beyond the IGCSE phase. To learn more about our HE counsellors, please click HERE
Laura Beaumont
Head of Phase (Year 10-11)
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Phase Year 12-13
Message from Head of Phase Year 12-13:
It has been a fantastic start to the school year! As I begin my second year at South Island School I continue to be impressed by how our senior school students strive to make a difference for themselves and in the wider community. Our start of year assembly on Friday, 18 August focused on this, as Ms. Andrews spoke to the students about the values of our school community and reminded the Year 12s and 13s that our younger students are always looking at them as role models. Ms. Purves introduced students to the new South Island School Positive Support Framework, which outlines how these values should be lived out in our school setting. The assembly concluded with a short reading from “Green Eggs and Ham” by Dr. Suess, which reminded our senior school students about the importance of academic integrity and proper citations.
Wednesday, 16 August was the first day of school for Year 12s. Ms. Bosson and I spent the day introducing them to the senior school, and some of the responsibilities and privileges that come in this new stage. This included CAS (Ms. Elliot), Sports and Leisure (Mr. Taggart), thinking about Higher Education (Ms. Sharman), and much more! As Year 12 students become acquainted with their new subjects over the next few weeks, a reminder that the subject change deadline is Friday, 13 October, the last day before MAD Week.
Our Year 13 students have slightly less time to get settled in. Their classes and assessments start right away, as they begin the very busy second year of this two-year programme. Students should be meeting with their EE supervisor now for a progress check-in meeting in preparation for handing in their complete first draft on Friday, 1 September. As a reminder, the first PCC will be released the week of 18 September, which will provide valuable feedback for students, parents, and teachers about student progress and higher education applications.
Hin-Hey Lam
Head of Phase (Year 12-13)
Student Celebrations
(1) PolyU Junior Researcher Mentoring Programme 2023
Last Friday, three of our Y12 students were honoured for completing the PolyU Junior Researcher Mentoring Programme over the past four months. Calista Rosboch (12N1) and Ashley Bertagnoli (12B1) joined projects from the PolyU Department of Engineering, with Calista working on the Design and Development of a Fuel Cell Toy Car and Ashley working on the Development of a Self-Driving Robot for Use in an Indoor Environment. Nellie Froidevaux (12K1) joined the Department of Biomedical Engineering team working on the Evaluation of Spine Using Three-Dimensional Ultrasound.
To hear more about their enlightening summer, please read their reflections HERE
Great job girls! We can’t wait to see you make a difference in these fields in the future!
(2) Hong Kong Challenge Cup Dance Competition
Congratulations to Alyssa Hayward (12N1) for her gold medal performance in the Contemporary Duet category and her silver finish in the contemporary solo category at the Hong Kong Challenge Cup Dance Competition. Alyssa and her partner finished with the top score in the entire division (Various Style, Solo/Duo/Trio, 16-19 y/o).
A lifelong dancer, Alyssa has been dancing since she was in Kindergarten, primarily training in ballet and contemporary dance. She enjoys all types of dances including jazz and lyrical too. With competitions put on hold for the past several years, Alyssa was excited for the chance to compete once again. She shares,
“I love the way it feels to dance and move, it’s freeing. I also love to connect with an audience and tell stories. I think dance helps me to be a better student because I’ve learned so much about myself, how to work hard for a goal, how to learn effectively and so much more!”
Marvellous efforts Alyssa!
(3) Hong Kong Junior Open Championship 2023
Congratulations to Michelle Wong (12N2) who won 1st place in the recent Hong Kong Junior Open Championship 2023. The competition was held at the Discovery Bay Golf Club with a field size of 76 golfers from Singapore, USA, Myanmar, Mainland China and India. Michelle is now officially ranked in the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR). Well done Michelle!
(4) HK Law Society Swim Gala
Awesome job to Portia Pang (9M2) for her first place finish in the 50m Freestyle & 50m Backstroke at last week’s Hong Kong Law Society Swim Gala. Not only did Portia take gold in her two races, she was crowned Overall Champion in her age group (13-14 Y/O). Looking forward to more splashing news from Portia as we kick off swimming season! Go Portia Go!
(5) The 37th North District Table-tennis Competition
We celebrate Rylan Yip (11B1)’s efforts at the 37th North District Table-Tennis competition. Rylan rallied and smashed his way to the semi-finals before taking the bronze in the 14-15 Y/O Division at the tournament. Rylan has been involved with high level table-tennis for the past 6 years, learning to balance school work with intense training sessions up to 6 times a week! Great job Rylan. We’re rooting for you!
(6) Cricket Hong Kong Annual Awards Ceremony 2022-2023
Wicket news! Last week Isley Lu (11N2) and Isaac Lu (9N2) were presented medals for their 2nd place finish in U19 and U13 T20 Cricket during the Cricket Hong Kong Annual Awards Ceremony. With brother and sister both playing for Craigengower Cricket Club, sister Isley shares,
“We have been playing for almost a year now. We got into the sport by coincidence, where it was taking place next to where I had netball training. We definitely love how cricket is about teamwork, everyone supporting each other on the pitch. We have also learnt that cricket is also for everyone on the team to grow together and gain more experiences through matches and games, improving and reflecting each time.“
Great job on a wonderful finish to the cricket season. We look forward to hearing more about both of your development and successes on the cricket pitch next year!
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AUGUST WEEKLY NEWSLETTERS
Linked below are this month’s weekly newsletters:
KEY DATES
- Sunday, 27 – Extra Curricular Activities Sign Ups close (11:59 pm)
- August 28-31 – Boys Football Trials
- August 28 – Girls U20 Football Trials
- August 28-29 – Badminton Trials
- December 11th – Day After Election Holiday – NO SCHOOL
- Click HERE to view 2023-24 FINAL Calendar
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If your son or daughter has a particular highlight or achievement you would like to share with the community, please email a short description and photo to: ebulletin@sis.edu.hk
