Glenealy School Newsletter
14th August 2019
Message from Chris
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
Welcome to the new school year and our first Newsletter. We are sure the year will be a successful one, and we are looking forward to a year of achievement and excitement for all the children across the school.
This is such a great time of year to be in any school - with a fresh start, and real anticipation of all the opportunities that lie ahead for our students. Welcome back to all our children who are moving into their new Glenealy classes. I also want to extend a special welcome to all those children and families starting with us in year groups across the school - welcome to ‘the small school with the big heart’. I know that today, and over the past two weeks, I have been made to feel very welcome by staff, parents and children. It was lovely to meet so many of our welcoming community on the Playground this morning. I look forward to meeting many more of you over the coming weeks and months.
The children started the first day with great energy and enthusiasm, in their new classes with our fantastic teaching team. It was a pleasure to welcome a group of our new Year 1 starters today, and we look forward to seeing another group tomorrow.
If I didn’t get the opportunity to meet you today, I look forward to meeting you in the near future.
My door is always open. If you want to talk about anything, discuss an issue with your child, or find out more about our school, then please do not hesitate to contact me.
We have compiled some important messages here for the start of term, and there are details below of some coffee mornings along with the Meet the Teacher Evening, where I hope to see many of you in the near future.
Staffing Update
It is a pleasure to be welcoming a number of new staff to the school community. We have two new very important site team members joining the school, Danny and Ting. I would like to thank the site team for their hard work over the summer in preparing the school for the children today. We also welcome two new Educational Assistants to the Mandarin Team, Katherine Bu, and Yushuang Pu. Abbey Wiggins will be joining Year 3 and Madhavi Rao will be joining Year 2, both as EAs. Finally, we welcome two new teachers to the community; Kirstin Or in Year 5 and Himali Chainrai in Year 2.
I am also writing to you today to let you all know that Dave Buckley, Vice Principal, will be taking a period of compassionate leave for Term 1 (starting next week) helping him to support his family. As you all know, Dave is a valuable member of our Senior Leadership Team and forms an important part of the Glenealy community. We know the community will wish Dave well as he supports his family during this temporary period of leave.
As a result of this change the school has put in place some plans for the period of Dave’s absence. I am pleased to announce that Jennine Harding will be the Acting Vice Principal for the whole of Term 1. Jennine, as many of you will know, is an extremely experienced school leader and has a comprehensive understanding of the Glenealy community. Over the last two weeks, Dave, Jennine, Phil and myself have worked together to ensure that we are well placed for Term 1 and the school is well set to continue to thrive as the new year gets into full swing.
Dave, along with the rest of the leadership team will be available this week in the mornings and afternoons on the Playground. He will also be available on Friday morning 8.30-9.00 at the Parent Coffee Morning (see below for more details).
If you have any questions about this or anything else, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Welcome Coffee Mornings
As you will know, I am new to the Glenealy community, and I want to provide you all with the opportunity to come and say hello and to informally chat about the school. This will help me to get to know you, and to build a stronger understanding of the school community.
You will no doubt see me on the Playground each morning and afternoon, and can arrange to meet me any time at all via the School Office - my door is always open.
I am also arranging a series of Coffee Mornings where you can come and meet myself and the rest of the Leadership Team.
The first of these Coffee Mornings are listed below:
- Friday 16th August - 8:30 to 9:00 am - (In the Library - with the whole Leadership Team)
- Wednesday 28th August - 8:30 to 9:00 am (PTA Coffee Morning - in the Playground)
Meet the Teacher Evening - Thursday 22nd August - 6:00 pm
The first big evening of the year is the Meet the Teacher Evening. This is a great opportunity for you to find out more about your child’s new year group and meet the class teacher.
This is an adults only evening. The format involves two parts and different time frames for different year groups. If you have a number of children, you will have to decide which presentations you will attend.
The Senior Leadership Team will also provide a school overview for the year in The Centre, should you wish to find out more. We will also be reporting on the successes of the previous year.
Please see details below:
Years 1, 2 and 3
6:00-6:40 pm
Meet in The Centre (2nd floor)
Senior Leadership Team presentation:
Strategic Overview - key focus areas and initiatives for 2019/2020 - celebrating success of previous years and building upon this success.
6:45-7:30 pm
Meet in the classroom with the teacher to find out everything you need to know to start the year off positively. The teachers will share information with you that will enable you to understand the way the classroom will work, partnerships between home and school and the school wide philosophies that embed the learning and teaching at Glenealy School.
Parent of Years 4,5 and 6 students will do these sessions in reverse order as outlined below.
Years 4,5 and 6
6:00-6:40 pm
Meet in the classroom with the teacher to find out everything you need to know to start the year off positively. The teachers will share information with you that will enable you to understand the way the classroom will work, partnerships between home and school and the school wide philosophies that embed the learning and teaching at Glenealy School.
6:45-7:30 pm
Meet in The Centre (2nd floor)
Senior Leadership Team presentation:
Strategic Overview - key focus areas and initiatives for 2019/2020 including; celebrating success of previous years and building upon this success.
Kind Regards,
Chris
Dates for your Diary
Wednesday 14th August
Start of Term 1
Friday 16th August 8:30 am to 9:00 am
Coffee Morning to meet Chris Briggs and Leadership Team- Library
Thursday 22nd August 6:00 pm
Meet the Teacher Evening
Wednesday 28th August 8:30 am to 9:00 am
PTA Welcome Coffee Morning - Playground
Thursday 5th September 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
PTA Bingo (Save the date, more information to follow)
Friday 20th September 3:00 pm
PTA Year 6 Bake Sale Fundraiser - Playground
Thursday 26th September
PTA AGM (Save the date, more information to follow)
Monday 30th September
ESF CPD Day- no students in school
Tuesday 1st October
National Day public holiday
Wednesday 2nd October 3:30 - 7:00 pm
Three Way Conferences
Thursday 3rd October 3:30 - 7:00 pm
Three Way Conferences
Monday 7th - Friday 11th October
Mid Term Holiday
Friday 22nd November
PTA School Fair
Friday 29th November
Sports Day
Friday 13th December
End of Term 1 - school closes at 12:00 noon
PTA News
Welcome Coffee Morning
The PTA are hosting a Welcome Back to School Coffee Morning on Wednesday morning, 28th August. New and returning parents are warmly encouraged to join us in the playground to celebrate the new school year and to welcome Chris Briggs to the Glenealy community. Join us for tea, coffee and a chat straight after drop off.
Family Bingo Night
Family Bingo night is coming! The PTA will host a Family Bingo Night in The Centre on Thursday 5th September from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Ticket information will be in next week’s Newsletter – watch this space for details.
School Uniform
The school uniform ordering web site (www.schooluniform.hk) is taking orders for uniform for the new school year. Please note that all children must be wearing the new style uniform from the first day of this term. The old style uniform is no longer in use. If you wish to arrange a uniform fitting session please contact Becky via email to pta@glenealy.net.
Old School Uniform
Donations of old uniform for re-use and recycling can be dropped off at the PTA Uniform Shop on Friday 23rd August - 8.15am.
The PTA has moved
The PTA office has moved. We are now located next door to the Nurse’s Room on 1st floor. Do feel free to drop by if you have queries or questions about any aspect of the school or uniform. Alternatively email Becky at pta@glenealy.net.
Looking to get involved? Opportunities in the new school year
One of the things that makes Glenealy such a special school is its sense of community. There are many ways in which you can contribute. Why not become a Class Parent, join the PTA or help at one of the many events and fundraisers held over the course of the year? We welcome all new ideas and thoughts. Please contact Becky at pta@glenealy.net if you are interested in hearing more.
a) Join the PTA
Bring your skills, ideas and enthusiasm to the heart of our school community. This highly rewarding role offers the opportunity for you to provide your input and help organise some fantastic events.
b) Become a Class Representative/Parent
This is a great opportunity to be the central contact point between the PTA and your child’s class. Class Parents volunteer for their role and have a fun job to do. In addition to communicating important information between the PTA and the class, Class Parents get to organize meet-ups for the parents/caregivers of all students in their class. You will work as a team of 2 per class.
Tetra Paks Recycling
Extra Curricular Activities
Note:
Mr Mok's Tae Kwon Do class is offering a special free trial lesson on Friday 30th August 2019 from 3:00 - 3:30 pm.
Important Reminder
Has your child's visa status changed?
As a reminder, all children attending an ESF school need the appropriate and valid visa status to do so. Please inform the school if your child's visa status changes. For more information, you may refer to the Immigration section on the ESF website.
Useful School Forms
Medical Authorisation Form - required should your child need to take medication whilst at school, on a school trip or camp
ESF Calendar for 2019-20
Extra Curricular Activities Term 1 2019-20
Disclaimer Notice: Glenealy School does not endorse or represent the accuracy, truthfulness or reliability of these advertisements placed by outside agencies.
- ESF EDUCATIONAL SERVICES - Soccer
2711 1280
- BANANA ART CLUB (Art)
Michelle - 6020 5476
- FOUNDATION ACADEMY (Film Makers)
Vivian Chan -3107 8810
vivian.chan@foundationge.com
TUESDAY
- ESF EDUCATIONAL SERVICES - Tennis
2711 1280
Website: http://www.esf.org.hk/index.asp
- Brownies
Penny Donowho - 9181 7318
- CHESS CLUB
Yin Ping Ho 2884 1420 / 9215 2682
- CENTER STAGE STUDIOS (Musical Theatre)
Imogen Taylor - 5236 7960
admin@centrestagestudioshk.com
WEDNESDAY
- ESF EDUCATIONAL SERVICES - Basketball & Gymnastics
2711 1280
website: http://www.esf.org.hk/index.asp
- THE CLASSROOM BY MG (Litteracy)
Mary Godridge - 9103 4378
THURSDAY
- ESF EDUCATIONAL SERVICES - Tennis
2711 1280
Website: http://www.esf.org.hk/index.asp
- ACTIVE KIDS (Science Adventures)
Elsie - 3480 4199
FRIDAY
- ESF EDUCATIONAL SERVICES - Tennis & Gymnastics
2711 1280
Website: http://www.esf.org.hk/index.asp
- MOK'S TAEKWONDO SELF-DEFENCE (Tae Kwon Do)
Charles Mok - 9494 7636
- ACTIVE KIDS (Stormy Chefs)
Elsie - 3480 4199
- APPDEV-X (Coding)
- BRILLIANT LEARNING (Sanskriti)
Geetnajali Dhar - 9830 0612
geetanjali@sanskritiglobal.org
SATURDAY
- ESF EDUCATIONAL SERVICES - Tennis, Gymnastics & Fencing
2711 1280
Website: http://www.esf.org.hk/index.asp
- READ FOR MEANING (Reading)
Mary Barker - 2523 0062 / 9401 4559