Bradbury Newsletter 19 February 2016
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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.
Sandra Webster Principal |
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IMPORTANT DATES |
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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 |
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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 |
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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!
Arhaan Haridas – Water Pollution Team Leader |
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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 |
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P.T.A. NEWS |
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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 |
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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 |
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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
Nerida Kiprotich – Year 1 Leader |
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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.
Amanda Bremner – P.Y.P. Co-ordinator |
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YEAR 2 ART INSPIRED BY OUR ‘FORCES’ UNIT OF INQUIRY |
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Katie Phillips – Year 2 Leader |
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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
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GLENEALY SCHOOL P.T.A. EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY |
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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 |
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WEST ISLAND SCHOOL FAIR
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