Newsletter- 08/09/23
Kowloon Junior School’s latest newsletter is available to read now.
Dates for Your Diary
13-14 September ‘You Tell Us’ Meeting (3-6pm)
2 October Public Holiday
18-20 October Y5 Camp
23-30 October Mid Term Break
6-9 November School Photo
5-8 December Y6 Camp
11 December Holiday after Local Election
15 December Last Day of Term (school ends at 12:00)
8 January First Day of Term 2
Principal’s Message
Dear KJS families,
I started to write this week’s email yesterday afternoon with the following introduction.
Last Friday’s typhoon was a very new experience for my family and I. Although we were well aware we may experience one, we weren’t expecting such a fierce one quite so soon.
Little did I know that a few hours later we would be in a similar situation with the Black Rain announcement.
For both of these events, I would like to thank the support staff who were able to get the messages out to you all, clearly, quickly and efficiently as well as the site staff who were able to ensure the site was safe and cleared to ensure a productive Monday this week and hopefully next.
This week at KJS we finally saw the launch of our new lunch provider ‘Chartwells.’ The process of delivery to school and then on to the individual classrooms was incredibly smooth.
I took time to walk around the classrooms during lunchtime to get some instant feedback from the pupils, which overall was incredibly positive. The PTA, who as you know, have led the process were on hand as always to support. They have been open to receive feedback and with that I know a few minor changes have already taken place, particularly in terms of portion size. Tying in with our focus on being a leading sustainable school.
It was a pleasure to welcome prospective parents from the kindergartens earlier this week. Taking them on a tour around the school site is an immense honour and privilege, as well as a reminder of how lucky we are to have such amazing learning spaces and facilities here at KJS.
I wish you all a safe and happy weekend.
Mr Gavin MacGregor
Principal
Overnight Camps (Year 4, 5 and 6)
This year’s Overnight Camps are scheduled on the dates below:
Year 4 – 29 February to 1 March 2024 (2 days 1 night)
Year 5 – 18 to 20 October 2023 (3 days 2 nights)
Year 6 – 5 to 8 December 2023 (4 days 3 nights)
These camps are of such importance that they are required for successful learning to occur and are an integral part to our delivered curriculum, and students are expected to attend. An invoice covering all camp expenses was issued and sent to parents of students in these year groups. Please settle the total via our Payment System on or before Sunday 24 September 2023. For any questions regarding the invoice, please contact our Finance team at finance@kjs.edu.hk.
KJS Parent Volunteer 2023/2024
We will start recruiting parent volunteers for this year’s field trips and in-school events. Interested parents please log in to the Gateway, sign the eNotice called “KJS Parent Volunteer 2023-2024” and submit your reply slip to us on or before Monday 11 September 2023.
If you forget your password to the Gateway, please refer to this document. For other questions regarding your login, please contact our IT Team at ictsupport@kjs.edu.hk.
Face-to-Face ‘You Tell Us’ Meeting
You can sign up via your gateway login, looking for ‘You tell us.’ Bookings will close at 12pm on Monday 11th September.
For details, please refer to this letter.
Application for Year 6 to Year 7 transition
Parents wishing their child to transfer from Kowloon Junior School to an ESF secondary school will need to submit a transfer application form on Gateway before Friday, 15 September 2023.
For details of the application process, please refer to the below document and link:
Year 7 Transfer Application document
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at admissions@kjs.edu.hk or 3765 8700.
KJS and Crossroads Foundation
Upcycle old sports shoes and sports kit by bringing them into school.
KJS will be collecting used footwear and sports kits over the coming months for the HK Crossroads Foundation. Crossroads help distribute such items to those in need; both in Hong Kong and across the world. There will be a collection box just outside the school office for items.
*Please note; all donated items MUST be in good condition.
Getting ready for school Workshop for Year 2-6 Parents
As we start the new school term, some families may experience challenges in getting their children ready for school. This workshop will focus on establishing and maintaining structure throughout the school year in order to help their children develop healthy routines and schedules. Teaching children key social skills are an important component of their social development as they progress with their formal schooling. At KJS, our teachers, educational assistants and support staff work hand in hand to ensure the smooth transition as the students begin their new school year. The student counsellor will facilitate the discussion.
Goal: To provide support and assurance to KJS families, This workshop is for parents with year 2-6 students. The presentation will reinforce positive messages and strategies in which parents can establish at home with their children. We’ll discuss the significance of developing clear norms and expectations. We’ll also discuss and dissect the difference between rules versus norms as we teach children important life skills at home and at school. Lastly, I will highlight how the presentation dovetails with KJS AAROW’s of success.
Date: 27 September
Location: Kowloon Junior School Library 1st floor
Time: 3-3:45pm
Attendees: KJS parents
*Registration through the gateway will open at 4pm on Monday 11th September and close on Friday 22nd September at 4pm (Under “Activity” on Gateway)
75th Hong Kong Schools Speech Festival (2023)
(Enrolment Deadline: 17th September)
Online entry forms for the 75th Hong Kong Schools Speech Festival (2023) are now available. Parents who wish their children to participate in the Speech Festival must submit their application forms online on the HKSMSA website and pay the enrolment fee via ESF app on/before Sunday, 17th September at 11pm. For details, please refer to the eNotice called “75th Hong Kong Schools Speech Festival (2023)” on Gateway.
News from the PTA
Hello KJS Community,
Amazingly, we are at home again this Friday due to severe weather! We hope everyone is safe and dry.
Staff Appreciation Day
The PTA, on behalf of all the parents and students of KJS, were so happy to be able to show appreciation to all the school staff by surprising them with doughnuts on Tuesday 5 Sept.
First week of lunch service!
This time last week we were anticipating the start and now, we can happily report back that it has been very successful. We have had a few initial logistical issues, but are solving them all, one by one.
The food has been well received and the PTA Team have been monitoring the quality, delivery service, timings and community responses. We have shared our feedback with Chartwells on a daily basis and worked together to ensure healthy and appetising meals for our students.
The sign up rate went up every day with more and more parents subscribing to the service, a very positive sign!
If you have any questions, you may contact Chartwells directly on
Hotline and Whatsapp: 9551-6983 (Mon-Fri, 8:00-17:00)
Email: kjs@compass-hk.com and keep an eye out on their App for relevant and up to date messages.
Upcoming events
The response for the Google form for getting involved in the school has also been very positive and we will be contacting the respondents next week for their involvement.
As always, we welcome parents to reach out to Rekha Mahbubani in the PTA office to connect with us.
Email: pta@kjs.edu.hk
T: 3765-8709
Let’s hope the weather and roads clear in time for everyone to enjoy the weekend!
Best wishes,
The KJS PTA Team
Student Success
Thank you for sharing your child’s achievements with us over the past year.
While individual achievements are undoubtedly significant and provide a source of pride for both the student and their family, sharing every student’s accomplishments on our social media channels is no longer feasible. Our intention is to create an inclusive environment where all students, regardless of their individual accomplishments, feel valued and celebrated.
That being said, we encourage you to share your child’s achievements with their teacher and peers, as well as within your personal social media networks. This way, your child’s accomplishments can be recognized and celebrated by those who know them best.
We appreciate your understanding and support as we continue to navigate the post-pandemic educational landscape. Our school community’s strength lies in our collective efforts to celebrate the diverse talents, achievements, and experiences of all our students.
Disclaimer
- Kowloon Junior School, English Schools Foundation and its affiliates shall take no responsibility for any activities, events, and services that are organised by other organisations or individuals and are mentioned in our newsletters.
- Our newsletters may contain direct marketing materials that are related to students’ daily school activities and the KJS community. Parents who choose not to receive such materials should use their own discretion.
- In accordance with our Personal Data Handling Policy, Kowloon Junior School and English Schools Foundation may place your child’s photos, name, school work, activities and accomplishments in our newsletters or other publications (including but not limited to our websites and social media sites). If you would like to opt out, please email the school office at office@kjs.edu.hk.
