Upcoming Dates

Click to download the 2023-24 Hillside Calendar. You can also access the school calendar via the ESF App.

21 March: Last School Day of Term- Dress Down Day

22 March: Spring Break Commences for Children (No School)

8 April: ESF-wide Professional Development Day (No School)

9 April: Term 3 Begins. Classes Resume

21 May: Parent Webinar - Oral Health Education

22 May: RERUN Parent Webinar - Oral Health Education

23 May: Parent Webinar - Strategies for Supporting Anxious and Shy Children

 

 

Principal's Message

Dear Hillside Families

We've had an incredibly busy Term 2! It's always a delight to witness the growth of the children's self-confidence during this term and see them thrive as they prepare for Term 3. We are grateful for our dedicated community, including teachers, EAs, administrators, parents, and children. Through our shared commitment to an engaging, high-quality, play-based, inquiry-driven programme, we can make a significant difference in the children's learning experience.

While we all appreciate the importance and benefits of playing and interacting with our children, it is important to note that learning through play goes beyond simple playtime. It provides valuable opportunities for the children to discover and construct their own knowledge, nurtures their imagination and boosts self-confidence as they tackle challenges independently. 

If you're looking for more resources and articles on learning through play, the Lego Foundation's LearningThroughPlay website is a treasure trove of free materials. During the upcoming term break, try some indoor or outdoor games using everyday household items. Let's Play! If you're staying in HK over the Easter weekend, you might also want to check out West Kowloon FunFest with different Arts and Cultural activities for families and children of all ages.

As we approach Spring break, we wish you a joyful and safe time with your family. We look forward to welcoming everyone back on Tuesday, 9 April.

Warm regards
Audrey

Important Reminders for Arrivals and Dismissals

To ensure the safety and privacy of all children, we would like to bring your attention to some important reminders regarding arrivals and dismissals.

As we prepare for Term 3 and the children settle into their routines, we kindly request that you refrain from filming or photographing at the front door during drop-off time. This policy is in place to prioritise the protection of our children, as they may unintentionally appear in the background of such media without their consent. Additionally, it is essential to maintain a safe environment, as adults may not be aware of other children lining up behind them. Therefore, we kindly ask that adults dropping off their children avoid using their phones to film or take photos while on school premises.

We greatly appreciate your understanding and cooperation in adhering to these guidelines. By doing so, we can ensure a secure and respectful environment for all children. Kindly share this message with your helper and/or other caregivers to ensure everyone is aware of these important reminders. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Hearing Screening (25-26 April)

In response to the positive feedback we received from parents regarding the vision screening and recognising the importance of early intervention, we have scheduled a Hearing Screening at Hillside with ENTlaser Hearing and Speech Therapy Centre. The audiologists will visit Hillside on 25 and 26 April. 

TEST - Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE)

What it is: OAEs are sounds given off by the inner ear in response to an auditory stimuli. These sounds are produced by the hair cells and can be measured automatically by a handheld portable device. The measured frequencies are 2k, 3k, 4k and 5k Hz. These frequencies are tested as they are most susceptible to hearing loss and crucial for speech and language development.

Duration: approximately 3-4 minutes per child

Results: If a child passes, results indicate that he/she has normal hearing (or mild hearing loss at most) and do not have any middle ear issues. If a child fails, results indicate that he/she needs to have a full diagnostic test at clinic to determine whether there is a presence of middle ear issues (which can be corrected with medication) or sensorineural hearing loss and determine whether there is a need for aural rehabilitation.

The screening is optional, and registration is via this Eventbrite link: [Web Link] for parents.

If you want to sign your child up for this optional screening, please register by 19 April. 

Parent Webinar: Strategies for Supporting Anxious and Shy Children

Topic: Building Resilience Through Play: Strategies for Supporting Anxious and Shy Children

Date: 23 May, 1-2:30pm

We are excited to host an exclusive talk for our families with Dr Melissa Giglio, child clinical psychologist, anxiety specialist and author at Hillside School.

Join us on the 23 May from 1 pm to 2.30 pm online as Dr Giglio shares invaluable strategies for supporting your child when they are experiencing anxiety or acting shy. Dr Giglio's talk will focus on the power of positive interactions during play at home to reduce anxiety while strengthening the parent-child relationship. She will offer practical insights on how to foster communication skills in a fun and nurturing environment. 

This is an opportunity to gain expert advice and equip you with the tools to build confidence and resilience in children. There will also be time for Q&A. We look forward to seeing you there.

Registration Link: [Web Link]

 

Parent Webinar: Supporting Children's Oral Health

Topic: Supporting Children's Oral Health

Speaker: Dr Monica Sung from the Faculty of Dentistry, HKU, BDS, MDS

The HK Jockey Club Children Oral Health Project has arranged a Parent Talk for our parents to share details of their project and some common oral problems that parents might encounter in young children, including tooth decay, other common oral health problems in children, etc. 

It is important to note that the children will NOT receive an oral check-up at Hillside, but they will have an oral health talk and learn about the importance of cleaning our teeth!

 

There will be two repeated sessions. Parents can choose to participate in any of the two sessions. 

Session 1

Date: 21 May 2024 (Tuesday)

Time: 2-3pm

Zoom Link: [Web Link]

Session 2

Date: 22 May 2024 (Wednesday)

Time: 6-7pm

Zoom Link: [Web Link]