1 EARLY2022–23YEARS K2 HANDBOOK
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Dedicated, creative and experienced teachers deliver an intellectually rigorous curriculum in order to feed curious little minds. We value each child as a unique individual and ensure that all relationships are based on mutual respect. All staff take special care to ensure that children settle down quickly and happily into School. They are also eager to get to know parents and give you a chance to become actively involved with the School. Harrow Hong Kong is an extraordinary place where pupils are offered support and encouragement to develop their potential to the full. I hope that this booklet will help you to prepare for this new, exciting chapter in your little one’s life. I look forward to meeting you soon and seeing your child flourish as they move through the School.
WELCOMEHEAD FROM THE HEAD
Dear Parents, I am delighted to welcome you to Harrow Hong Kong and, in particular, our Early Years Department. This is an important and precious time in a child’s educational journey and we are committed to ensuring your son and daughter’s first years of a formal school experience are full of learning, curiosity and fun. Our School has an outstanding reputation for academic excellence and is a School with courteous and considerate pupils who are confident, positive and happy. It is our aim to nurture and guide boys and girls to become well-rounded, healthy and resourceful individuals who will relish a challenge and have the confidence to seize life’s opportunities.
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Ann Haydon
During your time with us we aim for pupils in the Early Years to develop their independence and confidence in all areas. We create an environment where pupils feel safe, secure, happy and motivated to learn through a variety of stimulating and challenging experiences which develop the whole child in line with our School values of honour, humility, courage and fellowship. We believe that young pupils learn the skills and knowledge they need for life through play. When pupils direct their own learning they figure how the world works out for themselves, take calculated risks and find innovative ways to think about the world around them. Pupils learn to overcome obstacles, solve problems, communicate their needs and feelings effectively and work independently and as part of a team.
At Harrow Hong Kong we are especially proud of the environments we create, which encourage investigation and exploration to take place. Our resources are open ended, reflect real life and are organised to enable our pupils to access them independently. I hope the following information gives you an insight into life in the Early Years at Harrow Hong Kong. Ms Bliss Brabiner Early Years Leader
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WELCOME TO EARLY YEARS
5 WELCOMECONTENTS 3 AN INTRODUCTION TO K2 8 AN EXPLANATION OF THE 7 AREAS OF LEARNING 11 - Communication & Language 12 - Physical Development 12 - Personal, Social & Emotional Development 13 - Curriculum Subjects 14 SPECIAL EVENTS, DRESS UP DAYS & OUTINGS 17 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 19 DAILY ROUTINE 25 USEFUL CONTACTS 26 PREPARING YOUR CHILD FOR EARLY YEARS 27
6 OUR SENIORSTAFF STAFF
are a number of key personnel in the Early Years Department, who have leadership responsibilities and work closely together to provide a network of support for the pupils, and to ensure the smooth running of this phase of the School. HEAD OF SCHOOLLOWER DEPUTY HEAD OF LOWER SCHOOL (PUPIL WELLBEING) DEPUTY HEAD OF LOWER (TEACHINGSCHOOLANDLEARNING) MRSHANAHANBRENDAN MRSBERNERLAURENMR HANCOCKGARY
There
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The Class Teachers are responsible for the day to day pastoral care of the K2 children in their classes. They plan and deliver a range of exciting lessons and plan open-ended activities for your children to explore by themselves. The Class Teachers are the first point of contact with the parents and are available to discuss any aspect of your child’s education with you.
OUR CLASSSTAFF TEACHERS K2TEACHERDOLPHINSK2 TEACHERSEAHORSESK2MSTEACHERTURTLESAMBERWRAY MR PANGCALVYN MRSPURNELLSOPHIE
THE EYFS In the EYFS there are seven areas of learning. There are three prime areas, which support development in all other areas.
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TO K2
The K2 classes are part of the Early Years Foundation Stage known as the EYFS. The EYFS sets the standards to ensure that children learn and develop well and are kept healthy and safe. It gives children a broad range of knowledge and skills that provide the right foundation for good future progress through school and life. At Harrow Hong Kong, we provide a broad and balanced curriculum for our youngest pupils, aged 3 to 5 years, based on the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum. Pupils learn new skills, acquire new knowledge and demonstrate understanding through 7 areas of learning and development.
EARLY ANYEARSINTRODUCTION
Communication and Language Development involves giving pupils opportunities to speak and listen in a range of situations and develop their confidence and skills in expressing themselves. Physical Development involves providing opportunities for pupils to be active and interactive, and to develop their coordination, control and movement in gross and fine motor activities.
These prime areas are those most essential for a pupil’s healthy development and future Personal,learning.Social and Emotional Development involves helping our pupils develop a positive sense of themselves and others: to form positive relationships and develop respect for others; to develop social skills and learn how to manage their feelings; to understand appropriate behaviour in groups; to have confidence in their own ability.
THE THREE PRIME AREAS
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As pupils grow, the Prime areas will help to develop skills in the 4 Specific areas. As active learners, our pupils acquire skills and knowledge in many different ways. We believe that for learning to be effective the focus must be in ‘how’ they learn. This ‘how’ then drives the personalised planning of the learning activities and environments in our Early Years Centre.
There are then four specific areas of learning that are essential skills and knowledge which are required for children to participate successfully in society.
Personal, Social & Emotional Development
Communication&Language DevelopmentPhysical
Literacy Mathematics UnderstandingoftheWorld Expressive Arts & Design
THE FOUR SPECIFIC AREAS
THE CHARACTERISTICS OF EFFECTIVE LEARNING
The Characteristics of Effective Learning describe how children learn in the Early Years and can be divided into three groups:
PLAYING AND EXPLORING
Having their own ideas, making links and connections with previous knowledge and deciding how best to approach challenges.
Finding out and exploring, being able to ‘have a go’ and experience new opportunities alongside playing with what they know.
Being involved and concentrating, learning to persevere and taking pleasure from what they do.
ACTIVE LEARNING
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CREATING AND THINKING CRITICALLY
AN EXPLANATION OF THE 7 OFAREASLEARNING
As swimming is a very important life skill, we place great emphasis on learning to swim in K2. All children in EYFS will participate in weekly swimming sessions assisted by a number of adults. We have dedicated, qualified swimming teachers, plus Class Teachers and Teaching Assistants who will all be in the pool with the children. Swimming is compulsory. If children are unable to swim they must have a doctor’s note to explain why.
SWIMMING
12 PRIME
The development of communication and language is at the heart of young children’s learning. It involves giving children opportunities to speak and listen in a range of situations and to develop their confidence and skills in expressing themselves. Children are encouraged to listen to stories attentively, listen carefully to each other and ask relevant questions. Throughout the year, we actively encourage children to follow instructions, often involving several actions or ideas, and answer ‘how’ and ‘why’ questions about what they are learning and their experience. The children participate in class and group discussions, learning to talk clearly and confidently and, through role-play, they learn to create their own stories or recreate familiar experiences, stimulating further language development. Communication and Language is split into two strands. Listening, Attention and Understanding, and Speaking.
DEVELOPMENTPHYSICALPRIME&COMMUNICATIONAREASLANGUAGEAREAS
This aspect is about how young children learn to get along with other children and with adults; how they can see something from somebody else’s point of view and take that into account when they play and work with other children. It is also significant in developing friendships.
BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS
PERSONAL,AREAS SOCIAL & DEVELOPMENTEMOTIONAL
This aspect is about how children come to develop confidence in who they are and what they can do and in expressing their own ideas. We want the children to feel valued and special and have a sense of self-worth. This in turn leads to them being confident with others and knowing when they need support from other people.
SELF-CONFIDENCE & SELF-AWARENESS
This aspect is about how children can understand their own feelings and other people’s feelings, and how they learn to manage their feelings without letting them spill out at every small annoyance they meet. It also links to how they learn and can follow simple rules which operate in different places such as home and a setting or a play area.
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PRIME
MANAGING FEELINGS & BEHAVIOUR
Expressive Arts & Design involves supporting pupils to explore and play with a wide range of media and materials, as well as providing opportunities and encouragement for sharing their thoughts, ideas and feelings through a variety of activities in art, music, movement, dance, role play and design.
Mathematics development involves providing pupils with opportunities to practise and improve their skills in counting, numbers, calculating simple addition and subtraction problems and recognising numerical patterns.
Understanding of the World involves guiding pupils to make sense of their physical surroundings and their community through opportunities to explore, observe and find out about people, places, technology and the environment.
Literacy Phonics, Reading, Writing. Mathematics Number, Shape, Space and Measure. Understanding of the World People and communities, The world, Technology.
Exploring and using media and materials, Being imaginative.
We have Music specialists who teach two lessons per week. The children learn exciting new songs, how to distinguish between different pitches, play musical instruments and how to put movements to music.
Literacy development involves teaching pupils to read and write, both through listening to others reading and being encouraged to begin to read and write themselves. We offer a wide range of reading materials - books, poems and other written materials, to ignite pupil interest.
Expressive Arts & Design
SPECIALIST MUSIC LESSONS
14 SPECIFIC CURRICULUMAREAS SUBJECTS
Compassion
REWARDS
During weekly assemblies, children from each class are awarded ‘Leader of the Week’. This is given for a number of reasons that reflect personal progress on an individual basis and are also linked to the Leadership Attributes of the School. At lunchtimes one child from each table is awarded ‘Marvellous Manners’. The behaviour expected at lunchtimes includes using ‘please’ and ‘thank you’, eating a sensible amount at an appropriate time, keeping elbows off the table, using cutlery or chopsticks with control, using an indoor voice during after dinner conversations, helping friends to clear up etc.
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We Never Give Up Facing Challenges with Determination We Work Together SolvingCollaborativelyProblems We Are Problem Solvers SolvingCreativelyProblems We Like to Help Contributing Positively to the Community We Are Fair Making Fair & Just Choices We
Others Applying Knowledge
LEADERSHIP ATTRIBUTES Care For with
THE NATIVITY
SPECIAL EVENTS, DRESS UP DAYS & OUTINGS
Every child in the EYC takes part in the Early Years Christmas Nativity. This takes place at the end of the Autumn Term and parents are all invited to come and watch. Dates and timings of the performances will be sent out closer to the time.
CHINESE NEW YEAR
Children take part in an Easter Hat Parade and an Easter Egg Hunt at School. They create their hats at home and bring them in for judging on a date which will be emailed to all parents. It is a light-hearted and fun event for all the EYC children and their families.
SPORTS DAY
SCHOOL TRIPS Out of School experiences are very valuable. These will be arranged as appropriate and will support the curriculum. Further details will be sent out before any trip, outlining what the children will be doing, where they will be going and what support will be needed.
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The School organises a celebration of Chinese New Year. This is a colourful and vibrant occasion and has a special place in the School calendar.
All children in the EYC take part in a competitive Sports Day at the end of the Summer Term.
EASTER
LEAVING YOUR CHILD
If you have any changes in circumstance such as illness in the family or anything that might unsettle your child during the day, please let us know. Even if it seems very trivial, it could help us to support them.
When bringing your child into School, please encourage them to be involved in their morning routine.
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INFORMATIONADDITIONAL
For the first week of School you are very welcome to come into the classroom and settle your child. When we start the carpet session with the whole class we ask that you please say goodbye and leave at this time. We are very sensitive towards the needs of the children and will support them accordingly. If you are at all worried, please let us know and we will give you a call later to let you know that all is well.
Put their bag into their cubby hole Put their water bottle in the tray Put their diary into the basket Say ‘Good Morning’ to their teacher
SUN PROTECTION
PUPIL DIARIES
Please ensure that you have applied sun screen on your child before arriving at school each day during the summer months. It is advisable to purchase a longer lasting sun cream so that it will last the entire day. Children are also required to wear hats outside during outdoor play.
Every child will have a Pupil Diary, which will be checked by a member of the EY team each day. We will write in any information regarding what your child may need to bring in or remember for a forthcoming event in School. Please check your child’s bag and diary every night.
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Please see the uniform list that you have been sent for the full list of items that your child will need in the EYC each day (also available on the website). Please can all clothing and other uniform items be clearly named. This helps us to identify items and also helps your child to be responsible for their own belongings. Sun hats, mosquito repellent, a spare set of clothes, a pair of wellies and a raincoat are also required and should be kept in School.
CLOTHING
Children all eat lunch together in the Early Years dining area. We have a family approach to dining and staff sit with the children to eat. A healthy meal is provided by the School for your child. The EY staff will encourage your child during lunch and monitor closely what they eat. We are sensitive to children who find mealtimes difficult and will work with parents to ensure that they are eating enough to sustain a busy day at School. Most children will eat well at School because they can see their peers eating and many will try new foods with confidence as a result. Please let us know of any special dietary requirements. Details of meals being served in the EYC can be found on the School website.
PARENT/TEACHER MEETINGS & REPORTS
There will be a ‘Meet the Teacher’ meeting in the first half of the Autumn Term where the K2 Curriculum will be outlined to parents. There will also be a Parent/Teacher consultation where you will be able to discuss how your child has settled and what progress they have made in that first term. At the end of the Autumn Term you will receive a short report outlining progress and areas for development. In the Spring Term, we will hold a Celebration of Learning Day where you will be invited into the classroom to participate in a session with your child and have an informal meeting with your child and the teacher to update you with progress and targets.
LUNCHTIME
SNACKTIME
We provide all children with a healthy snack in the morning. A range of snacks is available including fresh fruit, healthy sandwiches, milk, raisin buns and cheese with crackers.
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If there is a change in childcare arrangements, we would encourage you to write changes/ play arrangements in your child’s diary or directly contact the EYC Office. In the event that someone unfamiliar to the Class Teacher comes to collect a child, parents will be contacted to check before the child is allowed to go. Informing us of any changes in advance makes this process as smooth as possible for everyone involved.
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ILLNESS
COLLECTING YOUR CHILD
It is good practice to check your child’s temperature before they come to School each day. Any child with a fever (oral temperature higher than 37.5°C or ear temperature higher than 38°C) should stay off School for 24 hours.
If your child requires Panadol or other pain-relieving medicines to attend School without a temperature they should not be sent to School. Any child who has suffered from sickness or diarrhoea must stay away from the EYC for at least 48 hours from the last bout of illness. We will call you if your child suffers from a fever, sickness or diarrhoea whilst at School and ask you to come and collect them. This is to protect our youngest and most vulnerable children from infection. You must please inform us immediately if your child has an infectious disease. The EYC reserves the right to refuse admission to any child on health grounds and follows the whole School sickness policy.
In the Summer Term, a full academic report will be sent to you summing up your child’s achievement over the K2 year. You are always very welcome to come and chat to the K2 staff about your child and do not need to wait until the parents’ evening to discuss any queries you may have. Staff will meet and greet each morning and at home times and this may be a good time for a quick chat. If a longer session is required, please make an appointment with your Class Teacher.
TOILETING
ONLINE LEARNING JOURNEYS
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Every child in the Early years has their own Online Learning Journey. This is accessible via the internet. You will receive an email asking you to create a parent account. Then you can see observations of your child, including photos and comments. You can respond to these observations with your own comments. Your child’s work will be kept in a folder and sent home at the end of the year.
ACCIDENTS & INJURIES
Whilst every possible care is taken to ensure that your child is safe in our care, children will at some point inevitably bump or bruise themselves in the course of their play. When this happens, we will comfort a child who is distressed and deal with any minor injury in the EYC (by cleaning a graze, applying a plaster etc.). Any more serious injuries will be referred for further treatment.
Your child must be fully toilet trained, wearing underwear (no nappies or pull up pants). We encourage all children to be independent when going to the toilet. Staff can support children where needed and frequent reminders are given during the day. Please provide spare clothes and underwear which can be kept at School so that children can change if needed. A note will be added to the diary if your child has been changed.
ANY
Your child only needs to bring the items stipulated on the uniform list to School each day. Please do not send toys or snacks into School with your child as they may get lost or damaged and there is plenty at School for your child to play with and to eat and drink! There may be children in School with your child with severe allergies and this is another reason why we ask that no foodstuffs should be sent in your child’s bag.
All children need to bring a plastic water bottle to School every day, clearly labelled with their name. It should only contain water (please no juice or fizzy drinks). They are stored so that children can help themselves during the course of the day.
WATER
OTHER PERSONAL ITEMS
Please come and talk to your child’s Class Teacher initially. They will have a good relationship with you and your child and should be able to answer any queries or issues that may arise. If you feel that you would like to discuss a matter further, you may make an appointment to chat things through with Ms Brabiner (Early Years Leader).
QUESTIONS/QUERIES OR PROBLEMS
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8.00 AM Main School bell – Early Years Centre opens 8.00 AM – 8.15 AM Flexible drop off 8.15 AM Morning session begins 9.30 AM – 10.00 AM Break time 11.30 AM Lunch 12.35 PM Afternoon session begins 1.55 PM – 2.00 PM Home time – please be prompt to pick up your child between these times. 2.00 PM Buses depart We hope that these activities and the information contained here will assist you in preparing you and your child for K2 at Harrow International School Hong Kong. Should you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at eyc-info@harrowschool.hk
25 DAILY ROUTINE
26 USEFUL CONTACTS EYC OFFICE
LOWER SCHOOL OFFICE
HEALTH CARE CENTRE
2298ls-info@harrowschool.hk6122
2299eyc-info@harrowschool.hk6233
bshanahan@harrowschool.hk
2299hcc@harrowschool.hk6215
SCHOOL MR B. SHANAHAN
EARLY YEARS LEADER MS B. BRABINER
HEADbbrabiner@harrowschool.hkOFLOWER
PREPARING YOUR CHILD FOR EARLY YEARS Starting school can be much easier and happier if your child is independent and can do many things for themselves. CAN THEY : Use the bathroom independently? Dress and undress themselves for school and P.E.? (without adult support) Recognise their own clothing? (please clearly label all equipment and clothing) Feed Sharethemselves?toysandequipment with others? Listen and take turns?
BEFORE STARTING SCHOOL YOU CAN:
Encourage your child to be as independent as possible even if it takes longer to get ready.
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Allow your child to become accustomed to leaving you or being left with another adult (practise with friends)
Drawing Making Models Singing Games Encourage your child to clear up independently
Painting Cooking Puzzles Reading Playing
Talk to your child, naming familiar things and discussing what they see around them.
Give your child as many varied experiences as possible. These are particularly important for children not attending an educational setting yet:
29 Encourage your child to become familiar with Pencils Crayons Water Chalks Paints Playdough Sand
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32 HARROW INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL HONG KONG 38 Tsing Ying Road, Tuen Mun, New Territories, Hong Kong Tel: (+852) 2824 9099 Fax: (+852) 2824 9928 harrowschool.hk
