19 Feb 2016

Bradbury Newsletter 19 February 2016

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE

Dear Parents

Maths has been a curriculum focus for us over this year. This means that we have directed our professional development towards this area and have done ‘stocktake’ of where we are and where we need to go in terms of developing and enriching maths for our students. Part of this process is informing you, our parent community about maths in Bradbury School. To this end, we will be holding two parent information sessions on ‘Mathematics in Bradbury School’.

The first will be on March 10 at 5pm (time tbc) taken by Professor Peter Sullivan, who will be leading staff through our CPD day on March 11. Professor Sullivan is currently Professor of Science, Mathematics and Technology Education, at Monash University, Australia and has extensive experience in research and teaching in teacher education.

Professor Sullivan will be speaking to you about the general trends in maths teaching and learning and why this may look very different from what you experienced as a student at primary school. For example, the move away from ‘ teacher telling’  to children working things out for themselves (in other words, inquiry in maths).

The second evening will be on March 17 at 5pm and will be led by our Maths Curriculum Team, which has a representative from each year group on it. Together, we will be sharing our vision for maths at Bradbury and demonstrate to you how concept progression works and the importance of mastering each step of understanding along the way. It will look at why we value the process and not just a correct answer, as well as the importance of the practical application of knowledge.

So, in this way, we hope to give you a broad brush view of maths, followed by a more specific and in depth look at what your child is experiencing here at Bradbury.

We hope you can all come along! While it is preferable to come to both sessions, if you can only make one session, that is fine.

Can you please RSVP to  Miss Fritzi on fritzi.yu@bradbury.edu.hk

My latest blog is entitled ‘Standardised Assessment in Bradbury’ and talks about the ISA and how we use it to improve student learning outcomes.  Please have a read. Path – Home – About Us – Principal’s blog.

SWebste-Signature

Sandra Webster

Principal

IMPORTANT DATES

DATE

EVENT

TIME

18 February  2016 (Thursday) ACTION IN THE P.Y.P. 8.30 a.m. – 9.30 a.m.
26 February 2016 (Friday) Deadline for Parent Teacher Consultations Booking (Gateway) 12.00 noon
26 February 2016 (Friday) Quiz and Curry Night 6.00 p.m. – 10.00 p.m.
29 February 2016 (Monday) Deadline for DTP Consent Forms 3.00 p.m.
01 March 2016 (Tuesday) Feeding the Homeless (3) 5.30 p.m.
03 March 2016 (Thursday) Parent Teacher Consultations (Day 1) 3.00 p.m. – 6.30 p.m.
08 March 2016 (Tuesday) Parent Teacher Consultations (Day 2) 3.00 p.m. – 6.30 p.m.
O8 March 2016 (Tuesday) Year 6 Exhibition Action Day a.m.
09 March 2016 (Wednesday) Y1 & Y6  D.T.P. Immunizations 9.00 a.m.
10 March 2016 (Thursday) Maths Parents Information Session – Professor Sullivan 5.00 p.m.

(Time TBC)

11 March 2016 (Friday) CPD Day School Closure for students (NO CLASSES) —–
17 March 2016 (Thursday) Maths Parents Information Session – Maths Curriculum Team 5.00 p.m.
22 March 2016 (Tuesday) YEAR 6 P.Y.P. Exhibition 5.00 p.m.
24 March 2016 (Thursday) Last Day of Term 2 (early dismissal) 12.00 noon
25 March 2016 (Thursday) –

08 April 2016 (Friday)

Easter Holidays (NO CLASSES) —-
11 April 2016 (Monday) First Day of Term 3 8.30 a.m.
02 May 2016 (Monday) Public Holiday – Day following Labour Day (NO CLASSES) —–
03 May 2016 (Tuesday) CPD Day  – NO CLASSES —–
     

UNIFORMS

A part of our school culture and pride is wearing the correct uniform.  With the cold weather we have at the moment we understand that you want your child to be warm.  Our P.T.A. shop has a range of uniform clothing items that will suit this purpose: fleecy jacket, cardigans and vests.  If you would like your child to wear an extra layer of clothing under their uniform, please wear the winter uniform.

At the moment, we are seeing short sleeves with long sleeved undergarments as well as a variety of non-uniform sweaters.

Also, a reminder that white sports shoes are our preference and are to be worn with the P.E. Kit only.  With the dress uniform, black school shoes are to be worn.  This means no party, slip on or soft soled shoes are to be worn.

Sandra Webster – Principal

GATEWAY PARENT TEACHER CONSULTATION BOOKING: TERM 2

Parent Teacher Consultations for Term 2 will be organised on Thursday 03 March and Tuesday 08 March 2016 (3pm-6.30pm). The Gateway Parent Consultation Booking system will be open for Parent bookings from 05 to 26 February 2016.

If you wish to secure an appointment please log onto Gateway and book a time that is convenient for you through the Communication tab (Parent Consultation).

John Ainsworth – Vice Principal/Middle Phase Leader

YEAR 6 ACTION – BEACH CLEAN UP

Hello Bradbury School Community! We are the Water Pollution Group from 6D and we would like you all to do your bit for our environment by participating in a beach clean up.

Here are some schedules. Please do take some time to spend the morning with your family and friends to help make a difference to our world and community. http://www.plasticfreeseas.org/beach-cleanups.html

We are aiming for 20 March 2016. However, you are welcome to join on any other date mentioned in the poster if the 20th is not convenient for you.

If you would like to join this wonderful cause, please email us at harida1@mybradburyschool.com before 14 March with your name and the number of people participating.

Thank you for your kind attention! We look forward to meeting with you on 20 March and join hands to take action!

beach clean up

Arhaan Haridas – Water Pollution Team Leader

REPORTING ABSENCES

We have mentioned before in previous newsletters that full time attendance is mandatory for all students.

Please inform the teacher and the school office either by email or phone call if your child is going to be absent for the day.

We are also aware that some of you will go on holidays earlier than the prescribed school holidays.  To this effect may we remind families that if you leave earlier than school holidays to please inform the teacher,  the school office and the P.T.A. office by email or thru the diary if your child is going to be away for a longer period of time.

Please note, schoolwork will not be provided for students whose parents remove them from school during term time for holidays.  Thank you.

Sandra Webster – Principal

P.T.A. NEWS

CURRY & QUIZ NIGHT

Friday 26 February 2016

6.00pm – 10:00pm  (Quiz starts at 7.00 sharp)

$250 per person- includes a delicious Indian Buffet Dinner and Quiz entry. There will also be a cash bar available.

Get a team together and join in on the fun!!!

Come and take part in this exciting team quiz that will test your knowledge of music, geography, science, nature, Hong Kong and popular culture!

Gather your friends, family and class parents to form your team of up to 8 people, or just come along and join a team on the night!!

Registration forms have been sent home in your child’s diary but are also available from the PTA shop.

The deadline for registration is MONDAY 22 FEBRUARY.

Bradbury School PTA Presents: Curry and Quiz Night

Friday, February 26 , 6:00pm-10:00pm

Bradbury School

The PTA’s Annual Curry and Quiz Night is BACK!

 Quiz Master – Bradbury’s Own Surjit Mahal

Come and take part in this exciting, team quiz that will test your general knowledge – music, geography, nature, science, popular culture and Hong Kong.

Form your own team (maximum of 8 people) or just come along and join a team on the night.

Indian Food Buffet by Jashan Indian Cuisine

Bar from 6:00, Quiz to begin at 7:00 sharp

Entry fee is $250 per person, includes buffet and quiz.

Prizes awarded to the winners and runners-up!

Please complete the attached slip and return it to your child’s class or the PTA shop by Monday 22 February.

(Pre-booking is essential to confirm numbers for the buffet).

Payment is preferred by cheque, made payable to Bradbury School PTA Limited

————————————————————————————————————————

CURRY AND QUIZ NIGHT

 

NAME:  __________________________________________

 

CHILD’S CLASS:  ______________

 

NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS @ $250 EACH:  ________________

 

TOTAL AMOUNT PAID:  _______________________

 

THE BRADBURY FACTOR UPDATE

Unfortunately, for reasons out of our control we will be unable to hold The Bradbury Factor Talent Showcase this year. I know this will be a big disappointment to many children but we hope to have a fun event to make up for it towards the end of the year. The Bradbury Factor will be back bigger and better next year!

PTA FACEBOOK PAGE

To make it faster and easier to find out about PTA events and fundraising activities, we have started a Bradbury School PTA Facebook page. The link can be found below and will also be on the PTA page of the School website.

Please take a moment to visit the page and click LIKE so that you will automatically receive updates on your Facebook feed.

https://www.facebook.com/BradburyschoolPTA/

We would like to put some photos from past (and future) events on the page. If you would NOT like your child’s photo to be used please email me at juliaedunn@gmail.com or pta@bradbury.edu.hk.

Julia Dunn – PTA Chairperson

MINDSETS – REPETITION, WITH PERSEVERANCE AND FOCUS

Repetition is the best way to learn a new skill as it grows and then strengthens neural pathways.

Use the different senses  – auditory, visual, kinesthetic, to increase brain growth.

Famous Failure: Abraham Lincoln

Carol Farrington – P.S.E. Leader

CHINESE NEW YEAR CELEBRATION AT BRADBURY SCHOOL
IMG_9355

IMG_9420

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YEAR 1 AUTHOR VISIT

Year One had a visit from author, Gail Clarke this week as part of our Unit of Inquiry on ‘How We Express Ourselves’. Gail had a captive audience as she used puppets and images to tell her stories ‘Patrick’s Birthday Message’ and ‘The Chamelon Who Couldn’t Change Colour’. If you are interested in purchasing any of Gail’s books, this can be done directly through her at www.gailclarkeauthor.com or by emailinggail@gailclarkeuthor.com

gail clarke

Nerida Kiprotich – Year 1 Leader

YEAR 5 ART GALLERY WALK

Year 5 recently held a gallery walk for parents and invited guests to showcase the work they have been doing around the central idea “People can create emotive messages to influence an audience”. Students shared poems, drama tableau, dance choreography, clay faces, photos, weaving, videos and masks all related to a chosen emotion.

Year 5 art

Amanda Bremner – P.Y.P. Co-ordinator

YEAR 2 ART INSPIRED BY OUR ‘FORCES’ UNIT OF INQUIRY

 

 IMG_6623 (1)  IMG_6625
The children produced this art work using a push force.

IMG_6624 (1)

A textured background was scored into a sheet of tin foil which was then painted. The children then printed this on to paper.

After investigating different printing patterns using objects from around the classroom the children chose their favourites and printed them on to coloured paper using black paint.

The coloured paper was turned in to balloons of different sizes and stuck to the background to give perspective.

The children produced this art work using Gravity.

IMG_6626

After investigating the force of Gravity on different liquids the children produced artwork using this force.

 

Different coloured liquids where dripped down a piece of paper and left so Gravity could work its magic.

 

After the paint had dried the children used their imagination to turn their drip pictures in to a work of art.

 

 

Katie Phillips – Year 2 Leader

BUYING DR. MICHAEL CARR-GREGG BOOKS?

Last night a group of Bradbury teachers went to hear Dr. Michael Carr-Gregg speak about “20 Things You Need to Know! Raising Happy, Resilient Children and Teenagers.”  It was fantastic, with many practical pieces of advice such as the importance of setting boundaries, children getting enough sleep,  the importance of parents spending time with their children and many others.  Dr. Michael has written a few books and I thought it might be useful to us if school bought  and loaned them out to parents.  Before I buy them, can you please email me if you think this would be useful?

Sandra Webster – Principal

ROSARYHILL SCHOOL  CHINESE NEW YEAR VISIT
A group of Year 3 and Year 4 students visited Rosaryhill School to take part in their Chinese New Year celebrations. The students participated in games, enjoyed purchasing goods in their Chinese New Year market and participated in their school Lion Dance and festivities.

Amanda Bremner – P.Y.P. Co-ordinator

cny at rosary

GLENEALY SCHOOL P.T.A.  EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

 

Glenealy School PTA is currently recruiting for a PTA Administrator, Part-time (17.5 hours per week). For further information or to apply, please visit the ESF website https://recruit.esf.edu.hk/joblist.asp. Applications close 29 February 2016.

If you have any queries, or need further information, please give me a call on 9042 5560. Thanks you.

Christine Meaney – Glenealy School PTA

WEST ISLAND SCHOOL FAIR

wis fair

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