Primary Principals' Newsletter
English Version November 2024
Wow, November was quite a month! Open Day, sports competitions, Drum Jam, Box of Hope, sporting competitions, student club action, parent and student workshops, mini exhibitions, musical performances and more! We hope you will enjoy this month’s review of some of the major events that took place in the last 30 days!
Open Day 2024
Thank you to all families who attended the Kingston Open Day on November 9th! It was a successful celebration of our community and a great chance for our families to gather and get to know each other! It was a very active day for members of our SRC, Newspaper Club, Orchestra and Choir (see ‘Club News’ below)! We hope you had a wonderful time!
Drum Jam!
On November 11th and 12th, Kingston hosted an exciting musical adventure featuring the amazing Hong Kong-based group, Drum Jam! We were thrilled to provide a fantastic opportunity for our students to explore the vibrant world of African cultural music, dance, ensemble playing, and singing.
Every class at Kingston participated in exhilarating African drumming workshops led by the incredible percussionist Kumi and her talented team. Additionally, we held lively Jam sessions for both our lower and upper primary campuses. It was a joyful celebration of music and rhythm that our students truly enjoyed!
Box of Hope
We are very pleased to share that this year the Kingston Primary collected 233 Boxes of Hope! Thank you to all participating families, your gifts will be much appreciated by the young recipients who receive them. We would like to give a special mention to the Wong family: Y4.2 Kimmy and Y1.2 Keily brought in a total of 100 Boxes of Hope for donation!
IBPYP Approaches to Learning
At Kingston International School, we emphasize a holistic approach to education that extends beyond academic knowledge. Our goal is to develop essential skills that prepare students for lifelong learning. The IB-PYP Approaches to Learning support this holistic education by focusing on five key areas: thinking, social, communication, self-management, and research skills. These approaches foster independence, critical thinking, and collaboration among our students.
One of the main benefits of the Approaches to Learning is that they encourage students to take ownership of their education. For example, by developing thinking skills, children at Kingston learn to analyze information, make connections, and solve problems creatively. Our emphasis on social skills promotes teamwork and effective interaction, allowing students to work successfully in diverse groups. Additionally, communication skills help children express their ideas clearly and confidently, both verbally and in writing.
Self-management skills are also crucial, helping students develop personal organization, time management, and resilience as they navigate their educational journey. These skills are vital for overcoming challenges throughout their schooling. Furthermore, research skills empower our students to inquire deeply into subjects, fostering curiosity and a lifelong love of learning. By integrating these approaches into our curriculum, we nurture well-rounded individuals who are not only academically proficient but also prepared to thrive in an ever-changing world.
The Approaches to Learning in the IB-PYP are essential for equipping our children with the skills necessary for success beyond the classroom. By focusing on these skills, we prepare students to become active, engaged learners ready to tackle future complexities. As parents, your understanding and support of your child's journey through these approaches can greatly enhance their educational experience and personal growth.
At Kingston, we develop the Approaches to Learning at each grade level, integrating them into our curriculum. Each unit of study focuses on specific Approaches to Learning. To see which approaches your child is focusing on, please refer to the Unit Newsletter shared with you at the beginning of each unit. This resource will keep you informed and engaged in your child’s educational journey.
Table Tennis
On November 9, Y4.1 Peterson Hui participated in the "I'm a Star Athlete" series, organized by the Kowloon Chamber of Commerce, the Asia Sports Technology Development Association, and The Rotary Club of Hong Kong. PetersoHui showcased exceptional skill and sportsmanship in the table tennis competition.
The opening ceremony was attended by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare and the Under Secretary for Education. The event was held to celebrate the integration of technology and sports and encourage young people to participate in the growth of sport in Hong Kong.
Basketball
Congratulations to (Y4.2) Alvis Lun, (Y5.2) Andrew Ho, (Y6.1) Jason Huang, (Y6.2) Ethan Chong and (Y6.2) Alisdair Kirmani, who played in the AXA/ASA Elite Youth Baller Invitational Tournament on November 23!
The tournament was a fantastic opportunity for students to showcase their skills, teamwork, and sportsmanship while competing against players from Hong Kong, Macao and the Mainland.
Halloween Candy Jar Estimation Contest/ SRC Open Day Popcorn Sales
We are pleased to share that our SRC has been very involved in good causes already this year. With the help of the Kings community, members of the SRC have raised a total of $6175.00 for the Crossroads Foundation. They raised $2485 through their Halloween Candy Jar Estimation Contest and $3690.20 through popcorn and drink sales on Open Day.
Newspaper Sales
The Newspaper Club published their first edition of the 2024-2025 school year. Members of the club took turns selling copies of the Open Day Edition and raised a total of $2355 which was donated to Feeding Hong Kong. Thank you to everyone who purchased a copy and supported this very important cause!
Choir and Orchestra Performances
We were very pleased with the first public performances of the school year by the Kingston Choir and Orchestra on Open Day! Mr. Jason led our talented Music-Makers in an entertaining and engaging show, featuring the following performances:
Shen Yixuan (Piano) - Mozart - Rondo Alla Turca (Turkish March)
Kingston Orchestra - Barrier Reef
Kingston Orchestra - Dragon Slayer by Rob Grice
Kingston Choir - This Is Me - The Greatest Showman Musical
Kingston Choir - Dynamite by BTS
Mr. Jason has a track record of pushing the envelope and for this performance he invited a number of ‘Guest Players’ from the KIS student body, including Y3.1’s Leonard Yang and Daniel Fung and Y2.1’s Sherry Jin!
If you missed the show, or would like to revisit the atmosphere of the day, Kingston Y5 parent Chiho Man created this wonderful moment beautifully in his video, which you may view here: Open Day Orchestra and Choir Video
Y6 Beijing Study Trip
Our Y6 learners had a wonderful trip to Beijing on 18th November to 22nd November,2024.They explored the Great Wall, the Palace Museum, the Summer Palace, the Meilanfang Opera House, the Siheyuan and Tiananmen Square. They experienced immersive learning in a Putonghua environment and the broad and profound history and culture of Beijing!
Y4 Mini Exhibition
On November 20 our Y4 students held a Mini Exhibition where they demonstrated their understanding of their third unit and the central idea: The human body is an interconnected system influenced by social, environmental, and technological factors. While this was just a warm-up for future Unit Exhibitions and was limited to visitors from Y4 and KIS staff only, the Y4 students’ research and presentation skills, as well as their knowledge of biology was very impressive!
Y1 Parent Workshop
Y1 Chinese Parent Workshop - Pinyin Learning and Teaching was successfully held on November 27th. Our parents experienced how students are learning Pinyin through fun and interesting learning activities. They also explored the application of Pinyin in their daily learning and the use of pinyin for children’s future reading and writing.
Y1 Kung Fu Workshop
Y1 students participated in a Chinese Kung Fu Workshop on November 27th where they were shown the fundamentals of Kung Fu moves and techniques that allow for the expression of emotions and personal identity through this captivating art form. They even followed the master to perform Kung Fu!
Sports Day!
Sports Day is coming up on Wednesday, December 11! It should be a very memorable day of teamwork, fun and spirited competition! If you have missed the details for Sports Day, please see our memos from November 27th and November 28th. The November 28th memo includes details for Mr. Dan’s Sports Day Poster Contest and the words for the various team chants. You may also find the chants in the photo below!
Kylie and Liana
We are very excited to report that two Kingston Alumni co-wrote and published a multiple-award winning Young Adult novel entitled Stuck in Her Head. Kylie Wang is based in San Francisco and Liana Tang is living and writing in Toronto. The novel is about a near-fallout when two lifelong friends in Hong Kong find themselves competing in the same coding contest. The book is targeted toward an older audience, but parents may want to have a look: https://www.amazon.com/Stuck-Her-Head-Kylie-Wang-ebook/dp/B0CCK2Y9GY
Ernest Chung
Kingston Alumnus (Class of 2018) Ernest Chung dropped by on Open Day to have a look around his old stomping grounds and to chat with some of his previous teachers. He is now in Y13 at Malvern College HK, where he leads the Drama Club and is also in a band called ‘Inside Joke’, who are releasing an album soon!
The Power of Play
Play is an essential component of the school experience for primary-aged students, serving as a powerful tool for learning and development. In a school setting, play goes beyond mere recreation; it is integral to the educational process. Through structured and unstructured play, children explore ideas, test their understanding, and engage with their peers, all of which enhance their learning.
In the classroom, play fosters collaboration and communication skills. When children participate in group activities or games, they learn to work as a team, share responsibilities, and resolve conflicts. These social interactions help them develop important interpersonal skills that are vital not only for their academic success but also for their future relationships. Moreover, imaginative play encourages critical thinking and creativity, allowing students to approach problems from different angles and come up with innovative solutions.
It is important for parents to remember that play remains valuable even for upper primary students. As children transition to more complex subjects and responsibilities, play continues to support their emotional well-being and social development. Engaging in play helps them manage stress, build resilience, and maintain a balanced perspective on learning. By prioritizing play in the school environment, educators can create a dynamic learning atmosphere that not only makes education enjoyable but also promotes holistic development, preparing children for lifelong learning and success. Emphasizing the importance of play throughout all stages of primary education helps ensure that children remain engaged, motivated, and well-rounded.