A very warm welcome to the exciting new academic year here at South Island School! The start of this year has been nothing short of fantastic, and I am thrilled to share some highlights of our incredible community so far.
We started the year by opening our doors to a new Year Group – the spirited and enthusiastic Year 7 students – alongside their equally enthusiastic parents and guardians. The energy they bring to our school is infectious, and their presence has already begun to shape our dynamic South Island School family.
Equally exciting is the warm welcome we extended to the families of our new students joining us in Years 8 through 12. It's a testament to our strong community that these students seamlessly integrated into the South Island School family.
But the joy doesn't stop there. Our returning students have grown and matured over the past few weeks and have filled the corridors with life and energy. We are so happy to welcome all students back for the new school year.
Over the summer, our previous Year 13 students received their IB grades, a testament to their hard work and dedication. Our Year 11 students are eagerly receiving their (I)GCSE grades, reflecting their commitment to excellence. We are incredibly proud of their accomplishments, but what sets our students apart goes beyond their grades. It is their character, their values, and their commitment to making a positive difference in the world that truly shine. I am pleased to report that our students have been putting our values into action, nurturing, respectful, self-aware, open-minded and committed to making a difference every day. As we venture into this new year, I have challenged each of our students to be brave enough to be themselves and seize every opportunity to make a positive difference.
As parents and guardians, your role is crucial in shaping this journey of growth and learning. I am excited to work with you throughout the coming months to ensure that this year is the best one yet for our students. Together, we will continue to foster an environment where our young minds can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
Thank you for being an integral part of the South Island School family.
Carolyn Andrews
Interim Principal
1. INDUCTION DAY
This past Wednesday, we welcomed our new students and parents to our campus for Induction Day. While almost all of them have had a chance to visit our campus before, this is their first time to catch a glimpse of life at SIS with students and teachers present. Our Y7 students met their tutor and tutor groups, forging new bonds that will last with them for the next 7 years at SIS and beyond.
Many thanks to our current students who volunteered on the last day of their summer break to guide our new students and parents around the school and welcome them into the SIS community. Many of them recalled their experience when they had started and the importance of other students supporting them to have a positive start to their SIS experience.
Our Y12 Students also joined us on campus on Wednesday for their IB Induction. As they enter the last phase of their SIS experience, they too will be going through a bit of change. Whether starting a new curriculum or deciding what to wear each day, our teachers and staff will continue to guide them through this last phase and prepare them to make a difference wherever they go.
2. FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL 2023-2024
It was great to see our students back on campus yesterday. Our House Mascots braved the hot and humid weather and welcomed everyone as they entered the school for the first time this school year. The teachers and staff are encouraged by the smiling faces and breath of energy our students brought with them on the first day. From Y7 students excitedly starting their first day of classes to Y11 students joyously lunching together for the first time since the break, everyone in the SIS community is eagerly anticipating the amazing year ahead.
3. ESF BOARD OF GOVERNORS ELECTIONS - PARENT MEMBERS
From ESF Centre:
Three vacancies for parent members on the ESF Board of Governors will be available this year.
An ESF-wide election will be held from 16 August to 11 October 2023 to appoint three new parent members. Parents of ESF primary, secondary and all-through schools are invited to stand for election. If you would like to contribute to the ESF community by joining the ESF Board, please do not miss this opportunity. For more information on how to stand for election and the voting process, please refer to the ESF message titled ‘Election of Three Parent Members to the ESF Board of Governors' via the ESF App.
To know more about the role and function of the ESF Board, please visit this link HERE.
1. SOUTH ISLAND SCHOOL BOYS & GIRLS TENNIS TRIALS
If students are interested in joining the SIS tennis squad (Boys or Girls) this year, they are invited to join our upcoming Tennis Tryouts.
Please e-mail Mr Thums (athums@sis.edu.hk) to register for the tryouts or ask questions about tennis at SIS. We are looking to strengthen our squad this year. These tryouts are intended for those who are regular active tennis players. For those who are new and interested in tennis, there will be an option to join an afterschool tennis later this term.
Please note there are no after-school buses on this day. Students must make their own way home or be collected. Year 7 parents, please indicate the leaving arrangement by e-mail to Mr Thums.
Those attending the tryouts, please bring your own racquet and PE clothes.
2. EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES SIGN UP
We are pleased to announce that the sign-up window for our Term 1 Extra-Curricular Activities will open on Tuesday 22 August at 9:00am to Sunday 27 August at 11:59pm, with the programme due to commence on Monday 18 September 2023 and finish on Friday 1 December 2023.
We have a comprehensive programme with various sporting and non-sporting activities run by SIS teachers and external service providers. As in the previous terms, on-site and off-site activities will be held. We hope that all students find at least one activity to do in this term!
Please note, Year 7 students and parents will receive further information in a separate communication on how to access the information on the VLE.
Please read the EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES LETTER for more information.
1. THE 13TH ANNUAL HK THE CHESS ACADEMY SCHOLASTIC CHAMPIONSHIP
Congratulations to Lachlan Leung (9M1), who placed 5th in the Division IV Individual section at the 13th Annual HK The Chess Academy Scholastic Championship.
Division IV was by far the strongest group, with more than half the field rated by the International Chess Federation (FIDE), including Lachlan. Lachlan held his own in the tournament, matching up against older players throughout Hong Kong, securing 5th place in his division, and being honoured by the tournament organisers for his outstanding play.
Great job Lachlan!
2. HONG KONG U14 FOOTBALL NATIONAL TEAM
A big cheer to Owen Chow (9K2), who was called up by the U14 Hong Kong National Team over the summer holidays. Since the beginning of the month, Owen has been in intense training sessions with the HK National Team and will balance the start of school and high-level football training until the end of August. We trust that you will honour not just South Island School but also Hong Kong well on and off the pitch.
Further news, during the summer transfer window, Owen moved to Kitchee and will begin playing with them in the upcoming HK Youth Premier League season.
We’re all rooting for you Owen!
3. HONG KONG U15 FOOTBALL NATIONAL TEAM V MANCHESTER UNITED U16
In other HK National Team Football news, Matteo Ng-Brett (11B2) was called up to the HK U15 National team for their match against the Manchester United U16 team this past Saturday. After training with the U15 team over the summer in Thailand, Matteo saw his hard work and dedication be rewarded with this prestigious honour.
The game was played under the bright lights at Mong Kok Stadium in front of over 6000 football-loving fans. The boys from Hong Kong made a valiant effort against some of the world’s top prospects but unfortunately fell short, going down 2:3 against the youths from Old Trafford.
After the match, Matteo had the honour of sharing his experience with SCMP. You may read more about the match HERE (a subscription may be required)
Matteo will join the U15 team in Qingdao in early September for the East Asian Football Federation U15 Men’s Championships. Go Matteo Go!
4. 25TH WORLD SCOUT JAMBOREE, KOREA 2023
A huge welcome home to Nasya Tse (11K2) (second from the right), who attended the 25th World Scout Jamboree, Korea 2023, from 1 - 12 August in Saemangeum, South Korea.
With over 43,000 fellow scouts from 153 different countries, Nasya braved the unrelenting climate during her 12 days at the event, dealing with the hot summer sun and Typhoon Khanun. Throughout her time at the Jamboree, Nasya enjoyed meeting scouts from all over the world and participating in the time-honoured tradition of badge swapping and souvenir exchanges.
Nasya has been part of the 36th Scout Troop since 2018 and has learned practical skills, such as orienteering, tying knots, marksmanship, creative problem solving, pitching a tent, lighting a fire and cooking over an open fire. Along with these practical skills, Nasya has learnt to be perseverant, patient, and collaborative, skills necessary to make a difference at SIS and beyond.
We can’t wait to hear more of your scout adventures Nasya!
5. SHING MUN REGATTA III
Adding to her gold medal finish in early June, Hailey Tang (11B2) and the Shatin Grace Rowing Club took home the gold in the Women’s 4x 2000m race at the Shing Mun Regatta III on 6 August.
At 8:25.43, the STGRC team finished 17 seconds ahead of the 2nd-place team in the women's competition.
Cheers to Hailey and the crew from STGRC on your strength and synergy!
6. INTERNATIONAL CODING ELITE CHALLENGE 2023 GRAND FINAL
Congratulations Cayden Kan (10N1), on your Gold Award in the CodeCombat Competition at the International Coding Elite Challenge 2023. Competing against secondary students from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan, Cayden coded his way through one battle after another to reach the top 30% of the competition.
This week, we would like to introduce you to Mr James Lewis, our new Vice Principal of Teaching and Learning. Click HERE to hear from Mr Lewis.
August:
—
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