Dear Families,

Please sign up for Extra Curricular Activities.

We want to provide our students and families with consistent and reliable extracurricular activities that will allow children the opportunity to develop a range of skills.

• Activities will be led by external providers.

• Activities may have to be supported by adults from home, and the level of support required will be based on the needs of students and the type of activity. We will contact individual parents after the sign-up is closed to confirm arrangements for their child.

• If we have more students signing up for activities than places, we will randomly allocate places.

• We are not able to provide a bus service for students who take part in activities before or after school.

• Drop-ins will not be possible.

Sign-ups for activities will be available on Gateway from 9 to 11 December 2025. The activities offered are as follows:

• Monday 2.45 – 3.30 pm: Short Tennis (Special Sports – HK$1200 for 8 sessions)

• Tuesday 2.45 – 3.30 pm: Short Tennis (Special Sports – HK$1350 for 9 sessions)

• Thursday 2.45 – 3.30 pm: Soccer (Asia Pacific Soccer School – HK$1080 for 9 sessions)

• Friday 2.45 – 3.30 pm: Taekwondo (Jesse Chow – HK1350 for 9 sessions)

You can find the guide on how to sign up here. Sign-ups will close on Thursday, 11 December, and places will be confirmed by Monday, 15 December.

Kind regards,

JCSRS Team

Dear all,

As we continue to process the tragic fire in Tai Po as a community, many have expressed a desire to offer practical support to those affected. In response, the English Schools Foundation (ESF) is organising a system-wide fundraising day this Friday, 5 December, to support the HKSAR Government’s official relief efforts.

At JCSRS, we will mark the day as a normal school uniform day. For those who wish to contribute, we are providing two simple options:

• Cash donations – students can bring a cash donation to school on Friday. Collection boxes will be available in the reception area.

• Digital donations – parents and family members can make direct donations using the Faster Payment System (FPS) QR code below.

Our primary goal is to maintain a calm, supportive, and stable routine for all our students. The school day will proceed as normal. We know that some students are aware of the fire, and our staff are ready to offer support and answer any questions.

If you have any questions about fundraising, we hope the FAQ below will provide the answers you need.

Thank you for your support.

Warm regards,

Anna

FAQ 1: In addition to the FPS QR code, can we send cash for donations to the Tai Po tragic fire?

Answer: Yes, students can make donations using cash through a donation box. The money collected in the donation box  will be deposited directly into the “HKSAR Government Support Fund for Tai Po.” Here are the details: HKSAR Government Fund.

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FAQ 2: Is a donation receipt available for contributions to Tai Po through the ESF school channel?

Answer: Since ESF is not the beneficiary of the donations, and all funds will ultimately be transferred in full to the HKSAR Tai Po Fund, a donation receipt is not available.

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FAQ 3: Where will the donation money go?

Answer: Donations collected through all ESF channels, including ESF schools, PISs, kindergartens, ESFC, and ESF Explore, via various payment methods like FPS QR codes, cash, coins, and Octopus payments, will be deposited into a Bank of China account in the name of the “English Schools Foundation.” All donations will ultimately be transferred in full to the designated account established by the HKSAR Government for Tai Po. For official details, visit: HKSAR Government Fund.

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FAQ 4: Is the FPS QR code donation tax deductible?

Answer: The FPS QR code payment is similar to a bank transfer via an ATM. This method does not allow us to trace the donor, meaning we cannot provide a receipt for tax-deductible purposes. Furthermore, since ESF is not the beneficiary of the donation, we are unable to issue a receipt for tax deduction purposes.

If a donor wishes to receive a tax deduction for their contribution, we recommend donating directly to the HKSAR Government Tai Po Fund. The donations we collect will ultimately be transferred to the HKSAR Government's support fund for Tai Po. For more information, visit: HKSAR Government Fund.

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FAQ 5: What’s the deadline of 28 Feb 2026 on the FPS QR code invoice?

Answer: This date indicates the expiry of the QR code. It does not mean that all donations are transferred on that date. Instead, donations collected through the FPS codes will be transferred to the Government's support fund for Tai Po in phases, likely in mid-December, late December, and once the account reaches a critical mass. Donation results by school will be released shortly after 28 February 2026.

Dear Families,

We have decided to postpone the whole-school picnic trip to Inspiration Lake this week. The new date will be Thursday, 8 January. A new eNotice will be issued soon.

We recognise that this is a difficult time for many people in the wider Hong Kong community, and we wish to be respectful of people experiencing loss and uncertainty. The visit to Inspiration Lake is an important opportunity for us to come together as a community, but we also recognise that this is not the right moment for celebration.

We appreciate your understanding.

Best wishes,

JCSRS Team

Dear all,

We are deeply saddened by the devastating news of the tragic fire at Wang Fuk Court. The rising death toll and the scale of this incident have left our hearts heavy. Our immediate thoughts are with the victims, their families, and all those affected by this heartbreaking incident.

Our first and foremost hope is that every member of our JCSRS community is safe and secure. As a community, it is in moments like these that we must come together to support one another. If you or your family have been affected and need assistance, please know that you are not alone. We are here to provide support in any way we can.

We are writing to share how we are supporting our students and to offer advice for the days ahead. Many of our students may be unaware of the event, and our primary goal is to maintain a happy, stable, and secure environment for them. However, we recognise that some may sense the emotions of the adults around them, and we want to inform you of the steps we are taking as a school community.

How the School is Responding

• Safety and Routine: Our first priority is to help children feel safe. We are maintaining our structured and familiar environment, as staying in a normal routine with friends and teachers provides essential comfort and stability.

• Emotional Support: Our staff are here to offer calm and reassurance. We will not be initiating discussions about the event, but are prepared to respond with sensitivity and care if a student raises it. We offer additional support for any student who may need it.

How You Can Help at Home

Children often look to adults for cues on how to react. Your role at home is invaluable.

• Model Calm: Your calm presence is the most powerful source of reassurance for your child. It is okay for them to see you are sad, but try to reassure them that they are safe and that things will get better.

• Limit Exposure: We strongly advise restricting television and social media viewing of the event, as repeated images can be disturbing and confusing.

• Maintain Routines: Stick to your family's normal routines for meals, homework, and bedtime as much as possible. Predictability is comforting.

• Offer Comfort: Stay close to your child and offer comfort through physical contact or quiet, calming activities.

• Monitor Wellbeing: Watch for any changes in behaviour, appetite, or sleep patterns, as these can indicate anxiety. If you have any concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us.

Supporting the Wider Community

We understand that while our students may be shielded, the adults in our community may be affected. If you or your family need support, please reach out. Furthermore, for those who wish to help the victims, we are gathering information on reputable charities and volunteer efforts and will share these details soon.

40th Anniversary Show

Regarding our 40th anniversary show, we have decided to proceed with today’s show as planned. We believe that continuing with this celebration of our community's spirit can be a source of comfort and stability. We also don’t want to disrupt the students' routine, as they are anticipating sharing their success with you, their parents. We will, of course, inform you immediately if anything changes.

Please take care of yourselves and each other.

Warm regards, 

Anna