Dear all,

Over the last two weeks, we had many opportunities to share and celebrate the Happiness, Engagement and Learning of our students.

Our Secondary Sports Day was another great success. Watching students having fun, socialising and taking pride in their successes makes all the hard work of our team worthwhile. The icing on the cake was having parents, family members, and KJS students share this experience with us. I felt really privileged to be able to hand out ribbons to primary and secondary students and celebrate their sporting achievements. Once again, huge thanks go to our PE Teacher Mike and PE EA Katrina for such skilful organisation and for leading both Primary and Secondary Sports Days.

As always our Parent Teacher Therapist Conferences were well attended. Conferences are great opportunities to share how we are supporting students learning both at school and at home. Thank you all parents for taking the time to speak to our staff about your child’s learning. As we have made some changes to the organisation and arrangements for the meetings, we would appreciate your feedback. We will send a short feedback form next week.

Our students had an amazing time on their school trips to the Hong Kong Science Museum. It was a real pleasure to talk to students about what they saw and how much they enjoyed the visit. Please read on to find out more about it. My thanks go to our Curriculum Leader Karen for organising and leading this trip and to our staff and volunteers for making this such an unforgettable experience.

Our Maker’s Wonderland NPDL project and Christmas Show are well on the way. Alfert, our Expressive Art Leader and Emerald class teacher, has once again outdone himself and created the Makerspace in our Art Room. Please watch out for more posts on Seesaw of students sharing their wonderful creations.

I would like to thank all parents that attended yesterday's bus consultation meeting. I will collate comments, feedback and questions and share the requested information with everyone in the next couple of weeks. I will also organise a follow on meeting in Term 2 to facilitate information sharing, discussion and feedback. Parents, please be reassured of my commitment to supporting the welfare of your children, and our students, which includes supporting them in safe and smooth travel to school.

Warm regards,

Anna

It's always a delight to be part of JCSRS Secondary Sports Days and last week was full of great memories.

Whether it was students working their way through the parachute, sack-jumping at the end of the obstacle course or jumping further than ever imagined, we saw many smiles and determination.

The level is always a bit more serious from some students and the focus is something to behold. The one-lap race of 200m pushed everyone to their limit, so it was fortunate that students could rest for at least ten minutes until their 15m, 25m, 50m or 100m race.

The relays saw great camaraderie from all and some surprise winners. It was high fives all around from students and staff.

Thank you to the parents who attended; it's always lovely to see you at our school events. And thanks for all the support from our JCSRS staff, be it the therapy team, admin or support staff, for their assistance in prep and on the day.

KJS were again out in force supporting the day and we are very thankful for their continued participation. Please enjoy the superb photos taken once again by Jeff, our ICT technician. He really captures the day.

Yesterday we had the prize presentation in the school hall with prize ribbons presented by Anna and Belinda. It was great to take ourselves back and remind us of the great times had by all last week.

Last Friday, the Primary classes plus Emerald class had a wonderful morning at the Hong Kong Science Museum. This was particularly special as it was the first Educational Visit that many of our students have ever been on at JCSRS and we are so pleased to say that it was a ROARing success!

Students enjoyed the “Big 8” Dinosaur exhibition as well as the more interactive and hands-on activities on offer. The Energy Machine had students captivated and the sensory tunnel was a firm favourite. Thanks to all the volunteers who supported students on the day. Families are encouraged to go back and visit on the weekend or Christmas break.

We recognise that off-site visits can be lifelong memories for students and serve to enhance their learning in the classroom. We are currently planning many more opportunities for all our students this year.

Teachers put a great deal of thought into how to maximise the engagement and learning for our students. One of the key elements of learning design that we have been focusing on recently is Learning Environments. Our aim is to create both classroom conditions and physical spaces that promote learning.

A section of the Art Room has been designated our Makerspace. This is a real-life workshop for students to create, tinker and explore. In this space they are free to solve problems in a safe and fun way. We are delighted by the way students have responded.

We warmly welcome families to our annual JCSRS Christmas performance.

This year students will be showcasing their learning in a whole school performance titled ‘Alice in Maker’s Wonderland’. Please look out for an ESF App message to express your intention for tickets.

Up to 3 tickets per family will be available. The deadline for booking tickets is 6th December.

There will also be an opportunity to make donations for items made by post-16 students and JCSRS student artwork gift cards/wrapping paper. Proceeds will be used to purchase musical instruments to support the expressive arts curriculum.

We look forward to you joining us to celebrate the culmination of your child’s learning this term.

The past weeks have seen us welcoming students from West Island School, South Island School, Renaissance College and KGV as part of their service learning experience. Having the opportunity to open our doors and connect with students across our schools is a valuable and enriching experience for all. Our student visitors summarised their experiences as unforgettable, enlightened and engaging.

Other reflections included:

I enjoyed every moment of this week. The first day was overwhelming but then I got a feel of the atmosphere.

I loved learning how to interact with the students by observing the teachers. I overcame my anticipated challenge of communication by learning how to speak slowly and clearly. 

Everyone was so friendly and helpful. I will come back whenever I can.

Max and Stephanie (RCHK)

Katie (SIS), Sadi and Allie (KGV)

Michelle and Lauren with their WIS teacher Vivian Tsui

I was so excited to go to Burberry for my vocational training yesterday. Dad dropped me off at Burberry in Alexander House in Central to meet Boris and Robyn. Then we met with the shop manager and were given some tasks to do. First  Boris and I folded up the silver plastic paper and we put it in the brown bag, made it ready for the customers to take home what they have bought. Next Boris and I used the brown Burberry bag to hold the brown string and put the brown handle inside the bag. We learned from Robyn how to do it and she said we were doing well.

Then we had a snack. Boris had a biscuit for snack and had water to drink. Boris and I also tore the white Burberry label with the ruler to put it in the box. Then we had lunch. We had pasta, bananas, a sandwich and water to drink with. In the afternoon, we folded up some clothes. They were red, blue, brown, black t-shirts.

We finished all our work at around 1pm and Boris and I and Robyn took the MTR back from Central Station to Yau Ma Tei Station on the train and we took a taxi back to school.

I enjoyed it and I felt happy. I have learned to do tasks and how to communicate with the staff at Burberry. Staff there was kind and helpful. I felt really good about myself and I am proud to wear their uniform as a member of Burberry staff. I want to go back to work again next week.

By Jessica (Jade class)

Click to open as PDF and access YouTube links!

World Cup Fever has gripped Sapphire Class (and the rest of the school!)

We’ve got the winning teams: Australia, Portugal, USA and France! We’ve designed new kits which reflect the multicultural diversity of the nations. We are watching each day who's still in, to win!