Dear Parents and Guardians,
I am delighted to update you on the latest happenings at South Island School. Despite it being a short four-day week, the energy and enthusiasm amongst our students and staff are palpable as we prepare for MaD Week and our senior students focus on their internal assessments and extended essays. As we reflect on the past eight weeks of the school year, I'm pleased to say that the positive buzz within our school remains high.
At South Island School, one of the key pillars of our success is our strong and supportive School Council and its Subcommittees. These dedicated individuals serve as our critical friends, celebrating our achievements and challenging us with thought-provoking questions that keep us aligned with our goals. In the past two weeks, we held our first School Council meeting and our first Learning and Professional Development subcommittee meeting. These committees consist of a diverse range of stakeholders who generously volunteer their time to make a significant difference at South Island School. Their contributions are invaluable, and we are immensely grateful for their commitment to our school community. Their involvement ensures that South Island School remains a wonderful learning environment, and their support is crucial to our continued success.
In addition to our School Council and Subcommittees, we had the privilege of hosting members from ESF (English Schools Foundation) this week. They assisted us in reviewing our goals from the previous year and helped us set new goals for the year ahead. Their expertise and guidance will undoubtedly contribute to our ongoing growth and development as an educational institution.
We take great pride in the achievements we have made thus far, and our dedication to building upon them remains unwavering. South Island School is a place where students thrive, explore their passions, and develop the skills they need to succeed in an ever-changing world. The unwavering support of our committees and caring individuals plays a significant role in fostering this environment of excellence.
Moving forward, we will continue to seek ways to enhance our offerings and provide the best educational experience for our students. We have already hosted two highly successful Open Days since the beginning of the year, which exemplify how the entire community can contribute to the future development of SIS. I encourage you to stay engaged with our school community and take advantage of the opportunities to contribute your ideas and feedback, as your input is crucial to our continued success in serving all students.
Thank you for your unwavering support, and I wish you a delightful weekend ahead.
Carolyn Andrews
Interim Principal
(1) NEW PARENTS OPEN HOUSE
This past Wednesday we had the opportunity to host over 70 new parents for a tour and introduction around the school. While many have seen the school previously, this open house gave them a chance to see the school as students were on campus and in lessons. Our Leadership Team and Y9 Prefects led tours through our campus and shared with our new parents the many parts that make their South Island School experience special. Parents also had a chance to chat with our leadership team on questions ranging from curriculum to school life. Thank you to all the parents who took time out from their morning to join us. We are grateful for the chance to meet and chat with all of you.
Special shoutout to our Y9 Prefects: Keshav Mathur, Athena Kwan, Doris Hsu, Viktoriya Vasilyuk, Vuihuo CHAN, Charlotte CHU, Emma Soon, Viviette Sze, Cameron Lee, Paeonia Leung, Owen Chow, Hannah Wong, Lauren Cheng, Ernest Ho, Mia Gardener. Thank you for showing your hospitality. You all made a difference for our guests!
(2) SIS INSIGHT
The first issue of SIS INSIGHT is now available! SIS Insight is the new student publication at South Island School. Put together by a team of 11 students, including Editor in Chief, Amaanat Rekhi (12N2), Agastya Rekhi (10N1), Felix Lim (12K2), James choi (12N2), Jacqueline Chung (12C2), Michelle Yuen (12M1), Michelle Wong (12N2), Sophia Yim (11M2), Sophie Rumble (11B1), Yu Tsun Lam (12M2), Jay Jay Li (13M2), and our Head of Film & Media Mr Iain Williamson, SIS Insight will look into what makes our South Island School special, through the lens and voice of our students.
From Editor in Chief, Amaanat Rekhi:
“I was inspired to create SIS INSIGHT because I wanted to create a publication that is emblematic of the diversity of South Island School. Every member of our school community, through his or her efforts, has contributed to the weaving of this rich tapestry of South Island School collaboration. Through the magazine, we hope that we can reflect who the student body is, what they care about, why they care about it and how they care about it. We want it to be their voice and contain their stories. In my opinion, the magazine is collectively determined. It is more than a passive reflection of events. On the whole, as this magazine shapes you, you shape it right back. In future editions of the magazine, we hope to include more content on a variety of different subjects/topics, including opinion pieces, features, current events, sports, teacher interviews etc.. We will also be publishing excellent student work from the English and Art department.”
Enjoy some weekend reading! DOWNLOAD and read the first issue of SIS Insight today!
(3) Y10 FOOD & NUTRITION
This past week our Y10 GCSE Food & Nutrition classes held a practical assessment on nutrition. They were tasked to design, prepare, and make a salad suitable for a teenager’s diet. We saw many different creative salads utilising different techniques and ingredients. We saw well tossed salads and deconstructed ones. We even saw a medium rare steak! The students were assessed on their knowledge of nutrients with a focus on vitamins and minerals within their dish. They had to present and explain how their salads provide these nutrients and what the function of these nutrients is within the context of teenage dietary needs. Students were also assessed on their organisation, presentation, and skills used.
(4) GOING MAD FOR MaD WEEK
MaD Week is just 10 Days Away!!! Today was the second MaD Week Student Briefing. Our SIS students found out more details about their trips and excursions. The Year 7s were tasked to come up with a group name for their Y7 Camp groups. Ms Voce shared with our French Cultural Exchange Trip students their itinerary, including a time slot at the Fontainebleau Market to purchase cheese to bring home! Looking forward to all the amazing experiences and memories our students will be making later this month!
(1) MaD WEEK BUSES & EATING AREAS
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)
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.
During MaD Week, food will be available for purchase only at Refectory and the Cafe.
(2) STUDENT GRANT APPLICATIONS 2023/2024
The 2023/2024 Student Grant application is now available. Students should have received their forms from their Tutor earlier this week. Please complete, sign and submit the application form back to your child’s Tutor by 31 October 2023 to claim this year’s subsidy. For more information, please refer to the ESF App message or email sent to parents earlier this week.
(3) Y7 LAPTOP DISTRIBUTION & INDUCTION
Please take note of the following details regarding the events and their purposes:
Program Overview:
The Year 7 Laptop Induction Program aims to introduce parents and students to the appropriate use of laptops, digital literacy skills, and familiarise everyone with the school's expectations regarding technology usage. The program consists of two key dates.
PARENTS EVENT:
Laptop Distribution on October 10th - House Bahay, Casa, Shtepi (5:30-7 pm) - Space - HERE
Laptop Distribution on October 11th - House Maison, Namas, Kuca (5:30-7 pm) - Space - HERE
Use the corresponding Google Form above to indicate your attendance and, if you are unable to attend, your preference for an alternative collection time in the school day, either by yourself or your child.
We will not be recording the evening, but the presentation slides from the event will be sent to parents at the end of the week.
IMPORTANT NOTICE - Please bring/ provide the Order Confirmation letter to collect the laptop.
There will be very limited parking available, we encourage parents to use alternative methods of arriving and leaving the site.
STUDENT EVENT:
Student Laptop Induction on October 12th - House Bahay, Casa, Shtepi (P2b, P3a/b) - Hall
Student Laptop Induction on October 13th - House Maison, Namas, Kuca (P1b, P2a/b) - Hall
Please make sure your child brings a fully charged laptop on the day that their Induction is running.
(1) EDB GIFTED EDUCATION FUND
Congratulations to Max Miller (11N1) who has spent the past 14 months collaborating with academics from City University's Department of Biomedical Engineering. Under a grant from the EDB’s Gifted Education Fund, Max devised and executed an original research project focusing on bacteria that have grown resistant to antibiotics. His work could help doctors determine more quickly which antibiotics will or will not be effective in fighting a particular bacterial infection. Using nanoparticles, Max created tiny structures that detect and bind with genes responsible for antibiotic resistance, making it easier to determine suitable medications. He will be interning at City U over MaD week to finalise his research write-up and submitting it for a possible publication in a scientific journal. Well done Max!
(2) HKSF 29er and ILCA 6 Selection Regatta 2023
Over the weekend, Raphael Mak (10M1) participated in the HKSF 29er and ILCA 6 Selection Regatta 2023 organised by The Sailing Federation of Hong Kong, China. In the 29er race, with Raphael at the helm, he and his partner Louis found the right wind and sailed away to a 3rd place overall finish and 1st place victory in the U16 category. Great job Raphael!
(3) HKFC RUGBY TEAM IN SINGAPORE (U12, U14, U15)
Representing the Hong Kong football club, a group of South Island School Students across multiple years made their way to Singapore and played in the Rentokil Initial TRC Cup Rugby 15s Tournament over the holiday weekend. We had 21 students across 4 teams. Our boys got to play against clubs from Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong and the UAE.
Two U12 teams were fielded and well represented by SIS students, including Naoise Martin (8M1), Liam Booth (07B2), Andre Cusack (07S2), Anton Cusack (07S1), Xander Lee (07N2), Declan Tsui (07M1) and Alasdair Wong (07N1). Both teams were playing in their first full 15s match while battling the torrential rain and muddy conditions. U12A went undefeated with clean sheets through pool play and finished as runners up in the Cup division. U12B finished as runners up in the plate division.
The U14 team included SIS Students Ludhaig Martin, Owen Chow, Callum Hulme, Leon Lane, Noa Lane, Cameron Lee, Ryan McDermott, Andrew McQuhae and Dylan Tao. In a field of 9 other teams, the U14 team played well, and with a record of 3 wins, 2 ties and only 1 loss to the eventual Cup winner, they came in 3rd in the Cup pool.
The U15 boys, represented by SIS students Aleric Hall (11M2), Nicholas Keeley (11K2), Reshaan Kulkarni (11K1), Oliver Philips (11M1), Hugo Teng (11N1), Jayden Wei (11S2), and Aidan Wong (11N1), finished third in the U15 division. The boys conducted themselves admirably on and off the field as they played a gruelling schedule over the course of the weekend and in wet and muddy conditions
Great job and efforts all around to our SIS Rugby players.
(1) U20 BOYS VOLLEYBALL
The penultimate ISSFHK league game for the U20 Boys Volleyball team, against KGV, turned out to be an exciting, three set thriller. KGV took the first set 25-18. SIS bounced back in the second set, showing resilience and determination and gutting out a 25-22 win. The two ESF schools went back and forth in the final set but small errors made the difference and KGV won 15-11 to secure their spot in the playoffs.
Our U20 Boys played their best match yet, displaying lots of composure throughout the match and limiting unforced errors. It was a great team performance with all players contributing to the team’s successes.
Hardit Singh was excellent at the net, blocking powerful spikes from the KGV front line. Gary Ho also produced some excellent attacks, putting KGV under some real pressure. The final gorup game will be played next week against undefeated ICHK. SIS is still in a strong position of making the playoffs.
(2) U16 BOYS VOLLEYBALL
It is the final Division 1 group match before playoffs begin, the SIS’s U16 Boys Volleyball team took on International College Thursday at KGV.
Our boys faced a tough challenge against undefeated ICHK. SIS came out with great focus and energy taking an early 20-14 lead in the first set by applying ongoing pressure on ICHK. However, ICHK started a strong comeback and narrowly taking the first set with a score of 25-23.
The momentum continued for ICHK as they took control of the second set early and cruised to a 25-9 second set and finished off group play with another victory. Despite the loss, our boys are very proud of their effort and performance, especially the limited hours of training leading up to the game.
Ethan Lui stood out in the game with solid blocks and accurate spikes, putting ICHK under constant pressure. Aiden Hong played a crucial role in defence, adeptly receiving tipovers and serves. Zac Leung's accurate serves also posed significant challenges early in the match for ICHK's reception.
(3) GIRLS TENNIS
SIS Girls Division 1 Team played their first match of the season Wednesday on an extremely hot afternoon heat at Hong Kong Tennis Centre against perennially strong Good Hope School. A good turnout for the girls with great debuts from Year 7 Claire Kiu and Year 11 Bernice Ng. SIS battled well with the doubles team of Tamao Oyama and Charlotte Chu gaining a 6-0 set. However, the Good Hope girls singles players were on top form and hard to break. The girls put up a great effort but were unable to build upon last year’s draw against the formidable Good Hope girls and pull off the victory in a 1.5-5.5 loss.
As a run up to World Mental Health Day (10 October) and Mental Health Awareness week (30 October - 3 November) at South Island School, we would like to introduce to our community a few of our Well-Being Personnel here at SIS. This week we would like to introduce to you our Social Workers, Ms Kamy Yeung (L) and Ms Stephanie Wan (R).
October
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
31st Box of Hope Collection Begins
Please access the latest school calendar HERE
—
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