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Dear all,

We hope you found the recent Parent Teacher Therapist Conference (PTTC) to be a valuable and productive experience. It was wonderful to see such strong attendance, with our teachers and therapists meeting with the parents of almost all our students. This collaboration is at the heart of what we do, and we are grateful for the opportunity to work together in support of your children's learning journeys.

We were also delighted to welcome a group of Year 12 CAS students from KGV last week, who generously volunteered their time to support our students. It was a wonderful example of collaboration and inclusion in action. We encourage you to read their reflections on their placement, as they share powerful insights about their experience working within our community.

In fantastic news, we are bursting with pride for our very own Natalie Ireland, a PE Educational Assistant at JCSRS! Natalie has been selected for the Hong Kong China Women's Select 15s squad, which won its match against Germany last Saturday and will play against Belgium next weekend. This is an incredible achievement and a testament to her dedication and skill. On behalf of the entire JCSRS community, we send a massive shoutout and wish Natalie and the entire team the very best of luck!

And finally, a gentle reminder to help our afternoon dismissal run smoothly. Please collect all students from the playground, entering and exiting via the playground side gate only. Your cooperation in using this entrance – and not the main front door – is crucial in ensuring a safe, calm, and consistent routine for all our students. Thank you for your support in this matter.

Warm regards,

Anna

The Student Council at JCSRS wanted to help classmates build friendships – and one clever member suggested creating 'Buddy Bags' for every class. Student Council members developed colourful, fun resources, including a Communication Board, Bingo cards, a joke book, and activity cards.

They visited each classroom to share the Buddy Bags, where students greeted them with excitement. These bags are set to make playtime and classroom activities more inclusive, playful, and friendly.

A big thank-you to the Student Council for spreading kindness and helping everyone feel welcome!

KGV Challenge Week placements at JCSRS provided an insightful experience for our four Year 12 students, whom we welcomed for the first week of November. Here are some highlights from them:

• Communication is a whole system, not just words. It was all about non-verbal cues, clear and short directions, graphics, and even learning cool tricks like using the AAC iPads.

• Empathy is a superpower: we got a masterclass in problem-solving. The biggest lesson? It's not always about the actual problem (like a 'rock in the shoe' that wasn't there) – it's about the feeling and the anxiety behind it. We learned to look for the 'why' behind behaviours.

• You gotta be firm, but chill: balancing being nice and encouraging with having clear boundaries was tough at first, but watching the teachers showed us how to be clear, firm and respectful to build trust.

• New life goals unlocked: getting to witness progress and bond with the staff and students made it the most rewarding activity ever – we're leaving with serious respect for the whole field!

On a bright morning in King's Park, students from Builders 1, 2, and 3 traded their regular learning for a spirited time of fun and participation. The enthusiastic group attended the Special Olympics Hong Kong Fun Day, taking part in various sport stations designed to offer participants a taste of the different sports and skills celebrated by the Special Olympics.

"It was fantastic to see the energy and smiles on everyone's faces right from the start of the day," said Mike Watson. "It really showed us the power of sport and inclusion."

The morning was a powerful reminder of the joy and camaraderie that come from giving back and supporting athletes of all abilities. A huge thank you to the students for their wonderful efforts and for representing our school with such dedication! We would also like to thank all supporting adults who helped make the morning possible.

Please remember to sign up for tickets to the JCSRS 40th Birthday Performance by Thursday, 20 November.

For more details and the sign-up form, please refer to the ESF App message shared on 7 November.

A Magical Tour Through Time: Celebrating 40 years of JCSRS

• 27 November: Families of Foundation, Builders 2, Explorers and Life Skills 2

• 28 November: Families of Builders 1, Builders 3, Life Skills 1 and Vocational

A gentle reminder to family members and carers that, on dismissal, students can be collected from the playground. Please proceed directly to the playground via the side gate. Please refrain from entering the campus from the front entrance.

We’re excited to celebrate the school’s 40th Anniversary Fun Day on Saturday, 24 January, from 10 am to 2 pm. This special event is supported by the PTA, and we rely heavily on the amazing help of our parent volunteers.

From booths and fun activities to game stations and even a DJ, there are so many ways to get involved. If you can spare some time, please sign up here to tell us your preliminary availability.

And don’t forget, our next PTA meeting will be held this Wednesday at 5.30 pm at school. It will be in-person. Sign up here, come along and be part of the excitement! We’d love to see you there!

The world is rich with diversity, which is reflected in the observances celebrated by its various cultures and populations. We hope that knowledge of the holidays and celebrations for diversity in this calendar can enhance our school's diversity and inclusion efforts.