Upcoming Dates

Click to download the 2022-23 Hillside Calendar. You can also access the school calendar via the ESF App.

14-15 March: School Photo Days

17, 24 March: Vision Screening

21, 23 March: K2 Tai Tam Excursion (Children only)

22, 23 March: K1 Discover Dome Incursion

28 March: Parent Webinar: Parenting using Emotional Coaching

31 March: Staff Meeting Day (School Closed)

3-14 April: Spring Break (School Closed)

17 April: Term 3 Commences

17-21 April:  K2 Beach Clean up (Volunteers needed, details to follow)

25 April: School Photo Rerun absences)

9 May: Parent Webinar - Why Sleep Matters

2 June: K2 to Y1 Transition Day

12-15 June: Save-the-date for K2 Celebration of Learning

 

Principal's Message

Dear Hillside Families

It's hard to believe that we are more than halfway through Term 2 already! As a PYP School, we are committed to an Inquiry, Play-based Approach. Here at Hillside, we ensure that 'the play' benefits children's learning, and we do this by planning for 'purposeful play'. Creating a well-ordered environment communicates a sense of structure and order. The provision of open-ended materials helps to encourage children's imaginative use of materials in multiple ways to develop their creativity and problem-solving skills. In addition, the teaching staff enhances the children's play experiences and makes them more meaningful by being on hand and asking questions that challenge the child's theory or help facilitate them in their thinking through prompts and guidance. These interactions between teacher and child allow us to find out more about what the children are thinking and the meaning of what they are doing. When children play, they construct meaning and, most importantly, learn. 

With this said, we continue to plan fun and engaging experiences for the children. Please take note of the upcoming excursions and incursions listed under the upcoming dates, and we will keep you posted on any other new events to come. Do ask your children about them so the learning can continue at home!

Warm regards
Audrey

K1 Incursion - Discovery Dome

The children are currently inquiring into the unit “How the World Works”. In continuing to develop their learner profile attribute of being open-minded to scientific concepts and new perspectives, we have invited Discovery Dome to bring their mobile planetarium to Hillside! Each class with be experiencing the dome together with their teachers and making new discoveries together!

22 Mar - Frog & Monkey class

23 Mar - Dolphin & Panda class

We are so excited about this upcoming incursion, and we are certain it will be a positive learning experience for everyone!

ESF Calendar 2023/24

ESF head office has reviewed the 2023/24 calendar (LINK). The calendar will need to go through Hong Kong government gazetting for 2024, typically completed in May. At this point, we do not anticipate any issues.

That time of year……………… Mosquitoes are back!!

At Hillside, we are incredibly fortunate to have a large outdoor play space that backs onto a lovely natural 'green' space (which is quite rare on the densely populated HK Island. The only downfall of this area is that those mosquitoes begin to cause issues for us at this time of year.) Unfortunately, some children are more susceptible to being bitten by mosquitoes. 

We work with an exterminator year-round, including weekly fogging in the playground, drains, and other common breeding grounds. We also have mosquito-repelling lanterns and industrial fans, but we highly recommend that everyone apply insect repellent before school.

Upcoming Parent Webinar

To better understand your child's emotions and improve your child's emotional regulation, please join this upcoming parent workshop.

Title: Parenting using Emotional Coaching (如何運用 "情緒教練" 育兒方法)

Audience: Parents of 2 to 5-year-old children

Speaker: Dr. Helen Ko, Registered Clinical Psychologist (and an ESF parent)

Organised by: Childpsy Assessment & Learning

Language: English (Powerpoint in Chinese and English)

Date: 28 Mar 2023 (Tue)

Time: 1:30-2:30pm (Online)

To Register: WhatsApp: [Web Link]

On behalf of ESF Sports and Language

Spring Sensation (Spring Camp) & Taster Day

Spring into life and join ESF Sports & Language for some fun and adventure, where they have a variety of courses and workshops on offer for students of all ages. From playgroups to kindergarten to swimming and outdoor adventure camps, we really do have something for everyone!  With week-long programmes or one-off seasonal workshops for your flexibility, we’ll keep your children busy and engaged this Spring.

Check out our Spring Camp brochure HERE！

Not sure which programme is the right fit for your children? Join our Taster Day on 1 April and experience the magic of our language classes.