Click to download the 2021-22 Hillside Calendar. You can also access the school calendar via the ESF App.

27 January: Theatre Trip (Cancelled/ Postponed TBC)

28 January: Lunar New Year Dress Up Day (Optional)

31 January - 4 February: Lunar New Year Break

7-10 February: K1 Parent-Teacher Conferences (Sign-ups coming)

14-17 February: K2 Parent-Teacher Conferences (Sign-ups coming)

Dear Parents,

Unfortunately, that week is starting with more uncertainty due to the increasing number of COVID cases. I must admit that the possibility of further disruption has been looming over my head, and for this reason, we must continue to make every minute in school count throughout the new term. Please take a few minutes to read the tightened health and safety measures below and help us create a safer ‘school bubble’ for our community.

Several compulsory test notices (CTN) have been issued over the weekend, with the most recent CTN signalling a change in the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) protocols for COVID testing (multiple tests over a few weeks). This is in direct response to the increasing threat of local transmission of the Omicron Variant within Hong Kong.

EDB has confirmed that any staff or student who is subject to a “multiple-tests” CTN must wait for a negative result from each test before returning to work/ school. For example, if a person is subject to three tests, the person should wait for the test result after the first test and if the result is negative, the person can return to school until the second test, when again the person is to stay away from school before the negative test result is known.  This cycle is repeated until all tests under the Compulsory Testing Notice have been carried out.

Any staff or student affected by a “multiple-tests” CTN who are at work/ school between test results shall wear a mask at all times and observe proper personal hygiene measures until their final test result is negative. If this is the case, please contact us via the App or kinder@hillside.edu.hk to confirm the situation and keep us updated on the test result.

The COVID management situation in Hong Kong is fluid and may be subject to rapid change. We will do our best to keep our community posted on any new developments.

We thank you for your cooperation and support in staying vigilant and keeping our community safe.

Warm regards
Audrey

• Health & Safety 1, 2, 3s: 1) Face masks on at all times; 2) Handwashing between class transitions; 3) Avoid overcrowding at learning stations.
• "Year group bubbles" continue to be in place where K1 and K2 children will not mix, except for school buses.
• Snack time will be optional* This is mainly for children with long bus journeys, but other children can skip snack time if they wish. Baby yoghurt drinks might be an alternative option instead of a full snack. Water breaks will also be under the supervision and assistance of school staff.
• We will suspend the following until further notice:
  • All in-person visitors (parent storytellers, parent meetings, school visits...etc).
  • Library book borrowing.
  • Collage materials, e.g. boxes, from home.
  • Bradbury/ Hillside PE lessons.
  • Any shared sensory play.
• As recommended by the Centre of Health Protection (CHP), surgical face masks are required on school premises. Please prepare spare masks as children might easily misplace them. 
• Keep sick children at home until symptoms have improved and the fever has subsided. Then, take a rest for at least 2 more days before returning to school.
• Cooperate with schools by picking up children not feeling well from school and consulting the doctor immediately. Please refer to our medical guidelines on our website for more details.

*Snack time considerations - CHP shared that mask-wearing would not be a considering transmission factor if 1) the persons wearing face masks were in close proximity to each other, or 2) the persons have been in the same space for more than 2 hours. Hence, snack time is optional as it would not make a difference under the above conditions.

Please save the date for the upcoming PTCs. The PTCs will take place over Zoom, similar to last time, and the sign-ups will be available by next week. 

K1 PTCs: 7-10 February

K2 PTCs: 14-17 February

To celebrate the Chinese New Year, we would like to invite the Hillside community to share your artwork for the ESF Year of the Tiger Virtual Card Gallery. It is a fantastic opportunity for the children to show their artistic talent and appreciation for local culture. A selection of artworks from Hillside will be showcased in the ESF Year of the Tiger Virtual Card Gallery, which will be open for public viewing.

Format: The submission will be an original artwork with a Chinese New Year blessing message in Chinese or English. Children may use watercolour paint, coloured pencil or crayon as the medium.

Submission: Please submit high-resolution images in jpg/peg format, at least 300dpi. 

Deadline:  Monday 17 January, 2022

Hillside Year of the Tiger Virtual Card Gallery