CWBS Newsletter – Friday 15 November
Principal’s News Diary Dates Library News Wellbeing Techniques to Manage Anxiety Student Achievements Adverts Disclaimer
Principal’s News
Dear parents
It is certainly troubling times and this week in particular, has been very difficult and stressful for everyone. Classes have been suspended from Tuesday for the rest of the week and the timing of our ‘camp week’ added another level of worry and concern for staff and parents. We were able to successfully hold two camps but have had to reschedule two others that were due to start mid week. I would like to thank everyone in the school community for their understanding and support at this time.
Year 4 – 6 camps
This week was our camp week, with all Year 4-6 students supposed to be away at camp for part or all of the week. In spite of the widespread disruption across Hong Kong on Monday both Year 4 (4R & 4G) and Year 6 were able to get off safely to camp. Students had a wonderful time and returned to school safely later in the week, without incident. However, we did have to postpone the Year 5 camp to Treasure Island on Lantau and the other Year 4 camp (4E & 4H) to Bradbury Camp on Cheung Chau which were both scheduled to begin on Wednesday.
Both of these camps have been rescheduled as we do want students to enjoy the wonderful learning experience of going to camp. The Year 5 camp will now be held from 3-5 December 2019, with the Year 4 camp to be held from 10-12 February 2020. Further details to be provided later.
PTA School Fair
Our school fair on 2nd November was a very successful community event. Great weather ensured that everyone had an enjoyable time. A huge thank you to Kerensa Heywood, our fair organiser, the fair committee, the PTA committee and all those parents, staff and students who helped out in various ways to ensure the fair was a resounding success. It raised over $100,000 which will be used to purchase STEAM maker equipment, tools and materials (STEAM = Science/Technology/Electronics/Arts/Mathematics), upgrade the microgarden and host several author visits during the year.
Parent coffee morning – introducing the Primary Years Programme (PYP)
We have decided to postpone the coffee morning about the Primary Years Programme (PYP) scheduled for next Monday 18th November. We will look to hold this when things are a little more settled, hopefully after Christmas in early term 2.
Author visit
Earlier in the week Years 1-3 students enjoyed having well known children’s author Rosemary Throng here to share her books. See further details and photos in this newsletter.
Principal selection process – school visit
The final candidates for the new Principal’s position at CWBS, commencing in August 2020 will be visiting the school next Tuesday 19th November. Candidates will meet and talk to panels of students, staff and parents and will give a community presentation later in the evening. All staff and parents are invited to attend and hear these presentations, giving feedback as part of the overall selection process. Presentations will be held in the hall from 6.30pm – 8.00pm. Parents were sent a separate email and link to RSVP on a google form earlier in the week. Here is the link again if you wish to attend. https://forms.gle/Bb1RSbTKYB5gp6Pf9
Years 1-3 sports day
Our Year 1-3 Sports day is fast approaching. It is booked to be held at the HKUST Sports Ground from 9.30-1.00pm on Monday 25th November. Given the current shutdown at HKUST we are currently checking to confirm whether we will be able to go ahead with this event as planned and will notify parents next week.
If we have to postpone, we will certainly try to reschedule the event as the sports day is usually a great school community event with many parents attending as spectators. All year 1-3 students participate in a variety of athletic and novelty events led by our Year 6 leaders and house captains.
Best wishes to all families in these difficult times and please keep safe!
Chris Hamilton
Principal
Diary Dates
Tues 19 Nov Principal candidates visiting CWBS & community presentations at 6.30-8.00pm
Fri 22 Nov Year 4-6 assembly 2.50pm (Year 6 hosting)
Mon 25 Nov Year 1-3 Sports day at HKUST sports track. 9.30-1.00pm
Mon 25 Nov PTA meeting 5.15pm
Fri 29 Nov Years 4- 6 Assembly 2.50pm (Year 5 hosting)
Mon 2 Dec Year 4-6 Sports day at HKUST sports track 9.30-1.30pm
Tues 3 – Thurs 5 Dec Year 5 camp at Treasure Island, Lantau
Library News
Roseanne Thong leading children’s author, writer and educator visited our school early this week to present and talk to our Year 1-3 students about writing, being an author and making connections with the students inquiries and her books. The students had many interesting questions answered and hope to send her some of their creative work in the future.
Wellbeing Techniques to Manage Anxiety
We are aware that the ongoing unrest in Hong Kong has an impact on the well-being of our students. As a school, we will be working with teachers to put strategies in place to support students re-entry to school when classes resume.
Additionally, we have selected a range of resources that parents may find useful to support discussions with your child about how they are feeling, and assist in managing their anxiety. These are in addition to the previously shared document Parenting during troubled times, and Dr Mark Gandolfi’s parent presentation on Wellbeing techniques to manage anxiety, uncertainty and worry.
It may become apparent that your child needs some additional support from a professional counsellor. We have a professional St John’s counsellor one day a week at school. Please do not hesitate to get in touch with myself or Kathy Derrick Vice-Principal (Individual Needs) if you have concerns, questions or wish to discuss counselling options.
Online Resources
Talking to children about violence (with Chinese translation) a resource from the National Association of School Psychologists.
Talking to kids about current events website from the Jadis Burton Family Centre Hong Kong
Once I Was Very, Very Scared – Story (PDF) and webinar for parents by Chandra Gosh Ippen (YouTube) There is an introduction before the story which starts at 5:02. Following the story, there is information about the ways in which children may respond to trauma and how to support their healing and recovery.
Student Achievements
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Disclaimer
Clearwater Bay School (CWBS) reserves the right to accept or reject any advertisement submitted for CWBS publications and on its websites. However, CWBS does not attempt to investigate or verify advertisements appearing in CWBS´s publications and on its websites. The appearance of advertising in CWBS´s publications and on its websites in no way implies endorsement or approval by CWBS of any advertising claims or of the advertiser, its product, or services. CWBS disclaims any liability whatsoever in connection with advertising appearing in CWBS´s publications and on its websites.