Dear Parents and Guardians,
I hope this message finds you and your families safe and well during the challenges posed by Typhoon Saola. As I look out of my window, the weather does not seem severe enough to suspend classes, but with the unpredictable nature of this typhoon, it was a sensible decision. The safety of our students must always be a top priority.
While our students are physically distanced due to the school closure, our commitment to their education and well-being remains unwavering. In adapting to the situation, we have moved our learning online to ensure minimal disruption to learning. Our priority is to keep our students connected to each other and their teachers during this time.
We understand that some students may have faced difficulties logging in and participating in online classes today. Our dedicated teachers are aware of these challenges and will support those students when we return to campus on Monday.
For our Year 7 students, we hope that completing their work-from-home packs has been a productive experience. Being very new to secondary school and having to complete the work independently, we understand the potential difficulties they may have faced. We are very excited to see what they have accomplished and to celebrate their accomplishments.
If you have any feedback or insights to share regarding the organisation of the day, please take a moment to fill out this Google Form. Your input is invaluable as we continue to improve our procedures.
Reflecting on the start of this school year, we have emphasised our core values during assemblies, reminding our students how living these values fosters the best possible learning environment for everyone at South Island School. This newsletter highlights fantastic examples of our students living these values every day, as well as future opportunities both within our school community and beyond.
We are also pleased to announce that our flu vaccination program will be offered again. The details of this program can be found below. Spaces are limited, so please sign up quickly if interested.
Stay safe, take care and have a lovely weekend.
Carolyn Andrews,
Interim Principal
(1) 2023-2024 INTERHOUSE
With a new school year, the quest for the coveted Interhouse Cup is well underway!
Last week, our Y9 students took to the floor in their first Interhouse competition of the year, Y9 Benchball!
Our Y9 students showed great energy, whether competing on the court or spiritedly cheering on their houses. After the round-robin matches, Maison and Casa placed in the top 2 and met in the finals. The Coyotes held off the Minotaurs and emerged as the 2023 Y9 Benchball Champion.
Great effort to all our students who participated and everyone who filled the Sports Hall with great enthusiasm.
Kuca is set to defend its amazing House Cup run to the championship last year. Will the other houses be able to find their way to the throne, or will Kuca’s reign continue? Follow the SIS_Interhouse IG for the latest interhouse competition results.
**Due to the T8 signal, Y8 Interhouse Benchball will be postponed to Term 2. More information will come.**
(2) HONG KONG SCHOLARSHIP FOR EXCELLENCE SCHEME 2023
Hong Kong Scholarship for Excellence Scheme (HKSES) was launched in 2014 to support outstanding local students to pursue studies at world-renowned universities outside Hong Kong. This year’s award winners included 3 South Island School Alumni.
Massive congratulations are in order for the following:
Chloe Jazzy Lau (SIS Class of ‘22 13B1, Brown University, BA)
Jaime Harvey (SIS Class of ‘23 13K1, University of Manchester - Masters in Aerospace Engineering with Management)
Bosco Yeung (SIS Class of ‘23 13S1, University of California, Berkeley - BS in Chemical Engineering)
Selected on a criteria that includes academic and non-academic achievements such as leadership and community service, Chloe, Jaime, and Bosco were among the 70 awardees chosen out of a pool of 723 highly deserving candidates. With this scholarship, our alumni will be able to pursue in greater depth their studies and make a difference in their communities overseas, emerging as leaders and ambassadors of Hong Kong anywhere their education may take them.
A huge thank you to Ms Sharman, our Head of Post Secondary Engagement, and her team for their tireless efforts in supporting our candidates’ applications.
(3) INFLUENZA VACCINATION PROGRAMME 2023
South Island School is pleased to inform our community that the Influenza Vaccination Programme 2023–2024 is scheduled for South Island School students on Tuesday, 14th November 2023. The Hong Kong government is providing the influenza vaccine free of charge to all students from Year 7 to Year 13. If you would like your child to receive the vaccine at SIS, you will need to sign up by Monday, 25 September. Details about how to sign up can be found HERE
As mentioned in the message earlier this week, we have noticed a rise in student absences due to Influenza/URTI illnesses. Please continue taking personal hygienic precautions, and if your child feels ill or has symptoms, please make sure they remain home until they have recovered.
(1) ESF INTERNATIONAL EVENING 2023
The ESF International Evening is back again! Yes, you read that right, the ESF International Evening is BACK and will be held IN PERSON this year!
If you are interested in sharing and representing your culture, sign up as a performing act NOW! This is a perfect opportunity for YOU to shine on stage and showcase your culture under the spotlight.
Details:
Performances:
An audition video is required to apply (max. 3 minutes)
Performances can be, but are not limited to, (group/individual) music performances, dance performances, etc.
The performance should represent a culture/country of your choice.
Selected performers will be informed by 13 October 2023. The deadline for signups is on 30 September 2023.
Please sign up HERE!
If you have any questions/concerns, please contact Mrs Sanker (sankers1@rchk.edu.hk) or Joi Lam Chow (chowj20@rchk.edu.hk).
Thank you, and we look forward to receiving your submissions!
(2) ESF Limitless - Learning Through Living
For the first time since 2019, the ESF Limitless Programme is returning in Term 3. This 6-week experiential learning programme is offered to our Year 9 students and aims to develop independence, leadership, social skills and a commitment to positive action. It takes place in rural Australia. From the 2019 programme, the research that took place into outcomes for students, and the reflections of the programme participants, it is clear that this is a life-changing experience for those who take part, so it is fantastic that the programme is returning.
Ms Bosson, our SIS Limitless Lead, introduced the programme to our Y9 students in an assembly this past Tuesday. For parents interested in more details, please check out the Limitless website HERE. We invite you to attend a Parent-Student Info Session on Tuesday, 19 September, at ESF Centre (further details to follow). For any questions, please contact Ms Bosson at nbosson@sis.edu.hk.
(3) ESF Update - Additional School Holiday - Monday, 11 December 2023
A Message from ESF Centre:
Dear Parents,
You may be aware that when there are certain elections in Hong Kong, the Education Bureau (EDB) requires all schools to be closed the day after the election. Doing this allows schools, where required, to be used as polling stations.
There will be District Council elections taking place on Sunday, December 10. As a result, EDB has notified us that all schools in Hong Kong should be closed on the following day: Monday, December 11. This impacts all of our schools, whether they have been selected as polling stations or not. Therefore, this date will be an additional holiday day on the ESF calendar. You can access the 2023/24 calendar HERE.
If you have further questions, please contact South Island School (sis@sis.edu.hk)
(4) SIS-PTA Nominations
The SIS-PTA would like to invite interested parents to come forward and volunteer some of their time for our students. Parent volunteers are needed to organise various activities, both big and small. We encourage you to fill out THIS nomination form to declare your interest.
(1) The 5th Phoenix Cup Dance Competition
Andrea Chan (11C2) competed in The 5th Phoenix Cup Dance Competition over the summer holiday. And took home the gold medal! Having been involved with Chinese folk dancing since she was 6, Andrea loves to dance. Additionally, Andrea and her dance company performed 5 shows over the summer holiday at their annual dance gala at Sha Tin City Hall.
Great efforts Andrea! May you continue to pursue your love for dance!
(2) Summer Chess Tournament by Hong Kong Chess and Go Academy
“Checkmate!” was all Lucas Wong (9N1) said this past Sunday when he was crowned Champion at the Summer Chess Tournament by Hong Kong Chess and Go Academy. Lucas calmly and strategically took down king after king in each of his matches, scoring the highest amount of points and going undefeated in the whole tournament. In addition to his school work, Lucas trains diligently in chess and continuously develops the discipline and analytical skills necessary at school and on the chessboard.
Looking forward to more knightly news of excellence from you Lucas!
(3) Asian Junior Tenpin Bowling Championships 2023
Welcome home to Jimmy Lee (11C2) as the Hong Kong team returns home from the Asian Junior Tenpin Bowling Championships in Singapore. Competing against 80 participants from 13 Asian countries, this was Jimmy’s second time representing Hong Kong overseas. Improving on his results from last year’s bowling championships, Jimmy looks forward to further developing his bowling skills and continue to proudly represent Hong Kong in international competition.
(4) Hang Seng New-Gen CEO Incubation Programme
Abigail Lau (12N2) was one of 50 participants selected as a finalist for the "Hang Seng New-Gen CEO Incubation Programme" during the summer holidays. Hang Seng Bank initiated the programme to provide about 450 students from universities and senior high schools across the Guangdong-Macau-Hong Kong Greater Bay Area (GBA) with opportunities to learn from different business leaders on various topics such as finance, globalisation, data mindset, AI/ ChatGBT and entrepreneurship.
Participants submitted a business proposal at the end of the programme, with the top 50 being invited to a tour around the Hang Seng Bank headquarters and a chat with the Chief Executive of Hang Seng Bank.
Additionally, Abigail took home the Bronze medal at the Challenge Cup Fencing Championships on 20 August. Competing against athletes over the age of 20, Abigail was able to parry her competition and lunged her way to 3rd place.
Amazing job Abigail! Way to slay it in the boardroom and on the piste!
With the Interhouse season in full swing this month, we would like to introduce the SIS Community to our House Captains and Heads of House in the weekly newsletter. This week, please meet House Leaders from Casa, Captains Winnie Ng (12C1) & Samriddhi Rana (12C2) and Head Ms Janna Chan and House Leaders from Maison, Captains Viera Yip & Bianca Lo, and Head Ms Gemma Mackintosh.
Please read about House Casa HERE.
Please read about House Maison HERE
September
Friday, 1 Sept - ESF Swim Gala (Postponed)
Thursday, 7 Sept - Y13 Field Trip - HK Film Archive
Friday, 15 Sept - South Island School School Tour
Wednesday, 20 Sept - University Fair, 13;30 - 17:00 @ Space
Tuesday, 26 Sept - Open Day
—
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