Creating Connections – Sister Schools Many cities and towns around the world take part in ‘twinning’ or ‘sister city’ programmes in which they are matched and connected with another town or city somewhere in the world. The programme’s goals are to foster global understanding, respect and responsibility across borders as well as to form commercial ties and encourage trade and tourism.
Many schools also choose to connect themselves with another school, either within their local community or abroad. With the similar aim to broaden students’ views and understanding of the world, the hope is to also establish a collaborative partnership that benefits the learning goals of both schools. At Kellett School, we have been keen to make links with other schools, both within Hong Kong and beyond. As we strive to help our students ‘develop a global outlook’, building relationships with other schools provides a relevant and accessible way for even our youngest students to enahnce their appreciation of the similarities and differences between their lives, values and beliefs and those of other children. At Kowloon Bay Prep we enjoy connections with three other schools. Xin Xian School - Beijing Kellett School’s relationship with the Xin Xian school has been ongoing for many years, and time spent with their students is central to our Year 5 visit to Beijing. Kellett children have the opportunity to form friendships whilst trying out their Mandarin and helping their Chinese peers test out their English skills. A trip highlight is time spent playing together at The Summer Palace. Skipping ropes, footballs and hacky sacks quickly cut through any shyness, and fun games provide an instant connection and common ground. Last year, Kowloon Bay Prep were delighted to host a small group of students for a reciprocal visit, and we enjoyed showing them our school, playing board games and creating art together. Buddhist Chi King Primary School – Hong Kong With a large number of English medium international schools in Hong Kong, it could be very easy for us to interact only within the expatriate community and for our students never to connect with students from the local school system. We want our students to really know and understand the country they are living in and become a real part of our local community. Last year, we began our link with Buddhist Chi King Primary School – a school located a mere five minutes walk away from us! Already, through a series of reciprocal visits, students
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KELLETT DRAGON NEWSLETTER ISSUE Fifteen may 2016
HIGHLIGHTS - KOWLOON BAY PREPARATORY
PREPARATORY
HIGHLIGHTS - KOWLOON BAY
School council This term has been a busy one, seeing us planning the future of the School Council. We have established links with a local charity, with whom we will support financially as well as socially. A whole school questionnaire was designed, and all students had their chance to say what they felt about the school. From this we have thought about an event that we will hold, and what can be developed further around school. A pyjama day topped the table, with playground equipment also a priority for students. All these things will be taking place next term so watch this space!
have enjoyed reading, crafts and sports together. Recently, we were invited over to celebrate Chinese New Year and shared food, crafts and were fare welled with an energetic Lion Dance performed by their older students. ICM Jumpstart School – Bacalod, Philippines. With many of our families having helpers from the Philippines, its great to have a connection with Jumpstart School in Bacalod, Philippines. Through International Christian Ministries, our Kellett Cares fundraising helps them financially. We also provide second-hand uniform and donate equipment. Our students are able to see the results of their fundraising efforts through photographs shared in assembly. A yearly visit is organised for families. Recently, some of our students visited Jumpstart and were delighted to be able to meet students and deliver some of the school resources personally. We look forward to our connections with our sister schools going from strength to strength and to the growing benefit they bring our students in terms of their understanding and appreciation of others.
Jo Laufer Head of Preparatory School,Kowloon Bay
RECEPTION Looking after our future This term we have focused on the world around us. The beginning of the term took us to the corners of the world, focusing on different countries and their cultures, music, art and landscapes. We were also lucky enough to have a large number of parents volunteer to come and speak about different places, and the children presented their own projects about those countries that are important to them. We then started to think and learn about how we can look after our own planet, and we became mini environmental activists! Experiments about rising sea levels, the effects of green house gases and constructing our own inventions to save our planet, have helped us to focus on how each of us all have a part to play in looking after our world. Our term ended with learning about growing, particularly focusing on plants, before moving on to people during the start of the summer term. In between all this great learning, we have also had a visit from the police to talk about road safety, an interesting presentation by a wildlife photographer and a trip to the Leap Van to learn about staying healthy! This term, the buddy programme between Reception and Year 6 children has gone from strength to strength. With joint collaborative work being our focus, we have seen the communication skills of our Year 6 children develop as well as the listening skills of our Reception children! The term finished with a great Easter egg hunt and bunny ear making extravaganza, all organised by our buddies.
KELLETT DRAGON NEWSLETTER ISSUE Fifteen may 2016
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