Monthly Newsletter (September 2023)
> Principal’s Message
> Recent Happenings
> Upcoming Events & Information
> Phase Year 7-9
> Phase Year 10-11
> Phase Year 12-13
> Student Celebrations
> Friday Fun!
> September Weekly Newsletters
> Key Dates & Reminders
Principal’s Message
Principal’s Vlog
Dear South Island School Parents,
Happy Mid-Autumn Festival! It is hard to believe we are at the end of September already. It has been an incredibly busy month for the community and I am very pleased to share many of the highlights with you.
Today we welcomed Belinda Greer, the CEO of ESF, to South Island School. Her visit included visits to Year 7 classrooms, and meeting new staff and other community members. The students were very excited to have Ms Greer in their classrooms. They shared how they were settling into South Island School and their favourite aspects of secondary school life. The visit was a great example of how connected we are as an organisation and the special experiences our students receive in ESF.
This community spirit was also evident during our visit to Hong Kong University (HKU). Forty students had the opportunity to learn about HKU’s medical program, thanks to the university’s generosity. The highlight for me was meeting SIS alumni, witnessing their commitment to supporting current students and seeing how happy they were to share their experiences.
I take great pride in our students and their collective efforts to make a positive impact. Throughout this newsletter, you will find more examples of their hard work and achievements, showcasing the exceptional qualities of the South Island School community.
I hope you enjoy the Mid-Autumn Festival with family and the three day weekend, and I look forward to welcoming our students back on Tuesday October 3.
Thank you for your continued support in our lovely South Island School community.
Carolyn Andrews
Interim Principal
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RECENT HAPPENINGS
(1) A VISIT FROM ESF CEO, BELINDA GREER
This morning, we had the honour of hosting ESF CEO, Belinda Greer, for a short visit. Principal Andrews guided her around our campus, showing some of the site work that was done over the summer, visiting some of our Year 7 English and Year 7 Science classes. As the students were reading excerpts of Malala Yousafzi’s autobiography in Mr Hingorani’s Year 7 English class, they were particularly excited to hear of Ms Greer’s story of meeting Malala. Ms Greer and Ms Andrews also popped in to a couple of our Year 8 and Year 9 Chinese classes as they were celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival with various activities. The short visit ended with more chats with our Year 7 students during break time and welcoming in our new teachers to South Island School.
(2) HKU SCHOOL OF MEDICINE VISIT
We had the privilege of being invited by the University of Hong Kong Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine for a short visit this past week. With a group of around 40 students, we had the chance to meet some of the faculty of HKU Medicine department, received a short tour of the facilities, and experienced first hand, some of the state of the art technology that HKU offers their students.
The highlight of our visit was by far having some of our most recent South Island School Alumni giving up their time from their busy schedules and spending time with our group. They happily took questions and shared with our students their experiences at HKU and university life, showed us around their campus, and assisted our students with the AR technology that they use in their learning.
Special thank you to the faculty and staff at HKU that arranged the event and hosted us: Margaret Wong, Amber Chan, Esther Cheung, Director of Student Affairs Dr Kendrick Shih, and Clinical Associate Professor and SIS Parent Dr. Gordon Wong, and a massive shoutout to our alumnus: Anson Ho (Class of 2023), Eun Cho (‘23), Anjelica Law (‘23), Justin Lam (‘22), Samuel Wong (‘22), Anakin Wan (‘22), Jacob Yu (‘22), and Zoe Lu (‘21). We are so happy to see you all thriving in your new environment and continuing to live out the South Island School ethos, making a difference wherever life takes you.
(3) SENIOR INTER-ESF DEBATE
The South Island School senior debating team excelled at the Senior Inter-ESF Debating Competition over Zoom on 23 September. Our students demonstrated their mastery of public speaking, critical thinking, and persuasive argumentation. Aiden Teng (11K2) placed an incredible 3rd overall, Joshua Wong (13K1) followed closely in 8th, and Adyya Tiwari (11M1) rounded out the top individual rankings in 10th place. On top of these standout individual performances, our two squads scored highly as well, coming in 5th and 6th out of 14 teams – way to represent SIS!
Beyond the team’s successes on stage, Utkarsh Goyal (12N2) and Atree Sinha (11B1) played a crucial role off stage as members of the convening team. They helped ensure the tournament ran smoothly from beginning to end.
All of our representatives conducted themselves with poise and professionalism. Their achievements display the benefits of our vibrant debating program. We are extremely proud of how our seniors promoted respectful discussion and demonstrated their communication talents. Congratulations to everyone involved!
(4) THE SECOND INTER-SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY COMPETITION
This week, 6 students from our Year 11 Psychology classes represented South Island School on Day 2 of the Inter-School Psychology competition. There were schools from within and outside the ESF foundation and SIS came first, impressing the judges panel with the best evidence-based campaign to promote pro-social behaviour in the school community.
Centred on the goal of developing empathy in students, the SIS team identified a relevant issue at SIS after the kickoff day earlier this month, came up with a campaign to combat the issue, conducted their campaign through primary and secondary research, gathered and analysed their data from their campaign and presented their findings and conclusions to the adjudicators. They were also asked to evaluate their campaign and are excited to roll out their ideas at SIS and hope to make a difference at our school by putting Psychology into Action.
In a statement from the team, they share the following,
“Our 6-member psychology team could not be more honoured to have won the ESF Inter-school psychology competition! This enriching experience allowed us to apply what we’ve learned in class practically. While the victory was and still is incredibly exciting, the knowledge and memories we gained along the way are invaluable. We highly recommend current and future psychology students participate in this competition, regardless of the outcome. We’d also like to express our gratitude to Ms. Kripalani for guiding us throughout this journey, and Mr. Sama and Mr. Reed for giving us their precious class time to carry out our psychological research.
We could not have done it without our team’s collaborative effort and support from teachers. Thank you all for making this experience so rewarding.”
Congratulations to Adyya Tiwari, Matthew Leung, Bernice Ng, Selina Daswani, Victoria Lu and Andrea Lau, our 2023 SIS Psychology Team!
(5) IGCSE FINE ART
Year 11 Fine Art students recently submitted their final portrait paintings as part of their GCSE personal portfolio submission. They initially investigated the work of Stanley Spencer and his dramatic use of light to enhance the atmosphere of an image. The paintings were then personalised by adding an element linked to the students’ culture to create visual interest. The whole class produced fabulous work. Please see below a selection of our student’s pieces:
Chloe Ho (11B1)
Ciel Noma (11S2)
Crystal Ling (11N2)
Olivia Lee (11C2)
Shell Ma (11C2)
The Fine Art students also visited Tai Kwan Contemporary in preparation for their Mock Exam that they began this week. They had the opportunity to view installations, sculptures, video art and drawings by the artist Patricia Piccinini whose work explores the impact of science on humanity. The students will use this as their initial starting point for their exam theme of metamorphosis.
UPCOMING EVENTS & INFORMATION
(1) APPROVAL OF NEW ANNEX BLOCK
It is with great excitement that we are sharing with you all the approval of a new annex block at South Island School.
With this new 6-storey Annex Block, ESF and South Island School look to secure the learning space vision for SIS in the long term and to ensure that the educational, personal and social needs of students, staff and community can be met in a safe, secure, welcoming, and inclusive environment. Community is at the heart of our school and this new annex will be designed to foster deeper connections to the spaces and the people of our SIS community.
This exciting new project is a joint-funded collaboration between ESF and South Island and will provide additional learning spaces, communal areas, and specialist facilities for all our students and staff. We are working with the Project Team at ESF Centre now on the appointment of the lead consultant team who will work with us to deliver the building.
(2) MaD WEEK BUSES
With MaD week on the horizon, please note the below school bus schedule for MaD Week.
Dates: 16 Oct 2023 (Mon) – 20 Oct 2023 (Fri)
- Morning arrival time: before 7:55
- Afternoon departure time: 15:30 (Bus 15: 15:25)
Please note, there will be no late start on Tuesday and no early dismissal on Friday. Tuesday morning/after-school activity buses will also be stopped for the week as there are no activities during MaD Week.
(3) MUSICFEST
The Music Department has been buzzing for the last week or so with students auditioning for their House Captains in preparation for Music Fest 2023! Whether it be soloists, duets or groups of students preparing pieces together as a band, it’s been great to see so many people getting involved with Music. The House spirit has also been evident with many students coming up to support their friends.
Music Fest will take place on Wednesday October 11th in the Hall with years 7-9 during period 1A/B, years 10-11 during period 2A/B and years 12-13 during period 3A/B.
We certainly can’t wait to sit back, relax and enjoy the performances!
(4) ELECTION OF PARENT MEMBERS TO THE ESF BOARD OF GOVERNORS
We are extremely fortunate to have such dedicated parents in our community. We are very pleased to announce that we have three South Island School parents nominated for the parent member on the ESF Board of Governors Iris Chow, Anne-Maree Soon and Sabriny Tong. Parents should have received the ballot papers and the personal statements of all the candidates. Reading the personal statements from our parents filled me with a sense of pride in being part of the South Island Community and the drive of each member to make a difference to our students and beyond. We wish our nominated parents the best of luck in the election.
(5) COMMUNITY OPEN DAY
We are always excited to share with parents what makes South Island School a great place to learn and grow. This coming Wednesday, 4 October we will be hosting a Community Open Day for our current parents. During the visit, we will provide you with some general information as well as take you on a tour of our fantastic campus. For those who have missed the sign ups for this time, do not fret! We will provide other opportunities throughout the year for more parents to join.
(6) COMMUNICABLE DISEASES
South Island School is committed to maintaining a healthy school environment for everyone, therefore we work very closely with the Department of Health, and the Education Bureau, to ensure that the school is up-to-date with all the latest Government guidelines. Community issues do require a community effort if we are to keep infection at a minimum and have control measures to keep our school safe and healthy.
We wrote to parents earlier this week regarding the monitoring of certain diseases. We have since updated it with new information. Please read the updated letter HERE
We encourage you to read the letter and continue to take preventive measures to protect your family and our community.
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Phase Year 7-9
Message from Head of Phase Year 7-9:
Curriculum
Exploring New Experiences
One of the most rewarding aspects is visiting the classes and witnessing our students trying out new experiences in their subjects. Mr.Thums has been visiting the Year 7 students embracing these opportunities and showcasing their enthusiasm for learning.
Values In Action
Sportsmanship in Action
A group of talented Year 9 students from Family Bauhinia are taking their sporting skills to the global stage. They will be representing the HKFC U14 Rugby team in a tournament held in Singapore this weekend. We wish them the best of luck and know they will make us proud!
Year 7 Interhouse Event
Our Year 7 students recently engaged in their very first SIS inter-house event, a thrilling game of dodgeball. It was a fantastic display of sportsmanship and fun. Congratulations to all participants for a great start to the inter-house competitions!
Extra-Curricular Activities
Our students have been actively participating in our after-school activities program. We have spotted Family Bauhinia students enjoying various activities, including sailing lessons at Middle Island. The teamwork and fun they displayed were outstanding. Here are some moments captured during their sailing adventure
Year 8 Prefects – The Space
The Space continues to be a vibrant hub of activities for students across different year groups, with some Year 10s even joining in. Our Year 8 prefects are doing an exceptional job of managing the resources, assisting fellow students, and creating connections with their charming approach. We appreciate their dedication and leadership.
We are proud of the achievements and engagement of our Family Bauhinia students. We look forward to witnessing their continued growth and success throughout the academic year.
Year 9 Prefects: Ambassadors of our School
On September 15th, our Year 9 prefects had the honour of serving as ambassadors during the Open Day for Prospective Parents. They represented our school with pride and professionalism, showcasing the vibrant learning environment we offer to potential families.
Furthermore, our Year 9 prefects will be accompanying parents of Year 7 and new Year 8-12 students on guided tours to witness their children’s learning in action. These tours provide parents with valuable insights into our educational practices and the exceptional experiences their children are immersed in.
We commend our Year 9 prefects for their dedication and commitment to representing our school community. Their role as ambassadors is instrumental in fostering a positive and welcoming atmosphere for all visitors.
Well-Being
Last Friday saw the first ever whole Family Bauhinia vertical tutoring session, focusing on the upcoming MaD week. We had year 8 and 9 students answering questions from the year 7s about their camp experiences. As well as year 9 students giving top advice to the year 8s for some of their trips. It was great to see students working collaboratively across years and houses to share their knowledge and experience of how they Made a Difference.
Today we had a Pizza Party celebration for our new Year 8-12 students and it was a resounding success! The event provided an opportunity for our students to connect, reflect on their experiences, and enjoy delicious pizza together.
Led by our dedicated Family Bauhinia Prefects, along with the Head of Year 8 and 9, and Alison Taylor, our Transition Coordinator, the Pizza Party was filled with fun activities and support for our students.
Thank you for your continued support and involvement in our vibrant community.
The Family Bauhinia Team
Syrita Nicholas
Head of Phase (Year 7-9)
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Phase Year 10-11
Curriculum:
Our dedicated I/GCSE students are fully immersed in their courses as they work towards their terminal examinations. To provide additional support, both Year 10 and 11 students have had the opportunity to participate in study sessions with the external agency, Elevate. These sessions, held during their enrichment lessons, have undoubtedly enhanced their learning experience. We are thrilled to announce that more study sessions are planned for term two. Additionally, we are excited to offer a revision workshop with Jared Cooney on Friday, 10 November, which will be a valuable opportunity for our Year 11 students in their preparation for the Mock Examinations, starting the week of Monday, 28 November. Look out for further communication regarding both the workshop and exams.
Values in Action:
I have been truly impressed by the diverse range of activities our Year 10 and 11 students have been participating in. One particular highlight has been the Interhouse events, which never fail to bring excitement and enthusiasm to our students’ week. While our Year 11s unfortunately missed out on recent activities due to bad weather, our Year 10 students had a fantastic time engaging in handball and water polo. It is also exciting to see the anticipation building for the upcoming MaD week trips. Many of our Year 10 and Year 11 students have chosen to explore service-learning opportunities abroad, and they have already attended meetings to learn about expectations. The next meeting is scheduled for Friday, 6 October, and I look forward to hearing about the transformative experiences they will have.
Well-Being:
At South Island School, we prioritize the well-being of our students, and it’s heartening to witness the active involvement of our Year 10 and 11 students in the Wellbeing Council. I would like to extend our appreciation to Alexis Liew 11C1 and Jerri Wu 11S1, who recently attended a staff briefing and shared an important message about Kindness Week. Their efforts in spreading the message of looking after one another and engaging in small acts of kindness truly make a difference within our community.
Laura Beaumont
Head of Phase (Year 10-11)
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Phase Year 12-13
Curriculum
For Year 12 students, the beginning of their life at Senior School is an exciting time of exploration. They have been engaging with the many new IB and BTEC subjects they have at this level and reflecting further on how these subjects match their interests and goals after South Island School. Naturally, this has been accompanied (for many students) by subject changes as they decide what courses fit them best. As a reminder, the deadline for subject changes is Friday, 13 October, after which it will be difficult to catch up with a new subject and there is a risk of not meeting IB-mandated teaching hours.
Our Year 13 students may have thought the pace was frenetic at the end of last academic year, but the workload and expectations continue to increase as they start the final year of their secondary school lives. Internal Assessments are now starting in many subjects, and deadlines are approaching in others. For the IB DP Core, the Extended Essay will be due at the end of this month. Students have been exploring the Theory of Knowledge essay questions in class and engaging with them in our school foyer with the essay question banners.
The first Progress Check Card was released on 22 September, which will form an important part of many Higher Education applications. This process will continue during MAD Week, where students will participate in university application workshops depending on what countries they are interested in.
Values in Action
A key part of being a senior school student at South Island School is making the most of the leadership opportunities and taking real ownership of the school community. I have been tremendously proud to see the Year 12 students begin their House Leadership roles, particularly in the recent house assemblies. The Year 13s have made fantastic starts to their prefect roles, helping with duties during break and lunch. They also had a crucial role in the Higher Education Fair and running tours during Open Day. We heard a great deal of feedback from our visitors saying that they were the highlight of the event!
Well-Being
At the beginning of every year, we ask students to complete a well-being survey, because we know that happiness is an important factor in academic achievement. This survey was followed up via 1-1 conversations with tutors and Heads of House to help address concerns and make sure students are aware of the large support network we have here at South Island School.
Hin-Hey Lam
Head of Phase (Year 12-13)
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Student Celebrations
(1) ISSFHK SWIMMING MEET
Congratulations to Sophie Wong, Angela Lee, Ashley Koh, Natalie Chow, Katelyn Chiu, Gabby Lai, and Kate Tsang for qualifying for the ISSFHK Swim Gala finals. Finishing in the top three in their respective heats, our girls are now training for the finals in November. Keep up the great work girls and good luck!
(2) KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT (14-15 Y/O LEVEL) TABLE TENNIS COMPETITION
Adding to his Third Place finish over the Summer, Rylan Yip (11B1) won third place at the Kowloon City District (14-15 y/o level) Table Tennis Competition this past weekend. The start of the school year hasn’t stopped Rylan from rallying and smashing his way to success at the ping pong tables.
Great job Rylan!
(3) KOREAN JUNIOR ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS
Battling the rainy weather in Korea, Chaemin Jun took home Silver in the 100m event at the Korean Junior Athletic Championships held in Boeun, South Korea. On a wet track, Chaemin ran a personal best of 11.12. He is in a good position to be chosen for the Korean Junior National Team later this year. Good luck Chaemin and continue the hard work!
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FRIDAY FUN!
A couple of fun photos to wrap up the month of September!
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SEPTEMBER WEEKLY NEWSLETTERS
- Linked below are this month’s weekly newsletters:
KEY DATES
OCTOBER
- 2nd – Public Holiday – Day after National Day
- 4th – Open Day [Current Parents]
- 6th – MaD Week Student Briefing #2
- 10th – Y13 Student Led Consultations
- 10th – Y7 Laptop Distribution
- 11th – Interhouse MusicFest
- 12th – 13th – Y7 Laptop Induction
- 13th – MaD Week Student Briefing #2
- 16th – 20th – MaD Week
- 21st to 30th – Mid-Term Break
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If your child 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
