Dear West Island community,

Spring can inspire hope; and so can our students' efforts in taking actions about climate change.

This week, students from WISustain arranged daily activities for Eco Week at the school. 

WISustain, formed during spring 2023, is a chapter of the ESF Sustainability Alliance. The alliance is a student-led group aiming to increase sustainable initiatives across ESF secondary schools, and the alliance's student members come from seven of these schools.

In WISustain students' presentation this week, they explained the importance of the UN Sustainable Development Goal 'Climate Action' by giving staggering statistics. For example, 0.2 billion people could be displaced by climate change by 2050. Therefore, it is every one of us' duty to effect changes that help save the earth.

At this time of the year at West Island, as we enjoy the green sprouts from trees and a host of blooming flowers on Mt Davis, our proximity to nature can be good reminders for us to give back to the gifts nature has bestowed us.

Thank you to all community members for your contribution to Eco Week, whether it is through signing your names on the pledge board, creating sustainability-related artwork, or donating for fundraising. And thank you to WISustain students and Mrs Helena Murchie for their work on Eco Week. Over 14,000 HKD was raised on Friday. 

Please read on to see what the students have to say about Eco Week. 

In addition, this past week has been eventful, including Year 13's graduation ceremony, sports team photoshoots, GCSE art final exams, GCSE language oral exams, and sports team matches. 

Class of 2024 - we are proud of how far all of you have come, and we look forward to seeing your potential develop further as you step into the next chapter of your life. Thank you to Ms Rujuta Sitlani, Ms Sara Ellison and Ms Anna Ravenscroft for your support of these students and their graduation. 

Sports teams' members - thank you for your patience and cooperation for participating in the school sports photoshoot. The photos will appear in the upcoming school yearbook, and should you wish to order your team's photos, you can pick up an order form from the drawer by the reception and follow its ordering instructions. Thank you to Mr Owen Cobley, Ms Kirsten McNeil and all sports faculties for helping arrange the photoshoot. And thank you to the sports teams' captains for getting your teammates ready for the photoshoot.

For next week, Monday will see CAS starting this term, and a blood drive will take place for those who have signed up. IGCSE Art exhibition will take place on Tuesday, and Year 11 graduation will be on Wednesday.

Last but not least, thank you to the PTA and parents for preparing for and supporting the Teacher and Staff Appreciation Day today. Your weeks of preparation and hard work gave all teachers and staff a great treat and a chance to celebrate the work they do at West Island. 

Have a lovely weekend.

Vicki Hallatt

Principal

Boys football(U20A) won the ISSFHK Football - Cup Semi Final on Thursday (April 18), competing against Victoria Shanghai Academy, scoring 4-0. 

Year 10 Anya Law had competed in the EFHKC Interschool Equestrian Competition Finals 2024 on behalf of WIS last Saturday  (13th April 2024) and won the 2nd place overall for Dressage.  

The ID Just Dance took place on Wednesday and Thursday last week with finals on the Friday. An open competition for Yr7-10 and then Yr11-13 (including staff). An opportunity for dancers and those that just fancy throwing a few shapes on the dance floor to let loose at the start of Term 3. 

Thank you to everyone who contributed to the gift card collection for the Center for Refugees, another one of our Community Partners. We collected a total value of $4500 HKD in gift cards for clothes stores which means 45 clients at the Center for Refugees will now be able to go shopping for themselves. Thank you for your generosity. 

The first WIS Staff Pickleball took place on Thursday. Staff dropped their compasses, red pens, calculators or other necessities to pick up paddles and do battle!

Fantastic participation with the final results (which are worth double points to the Dynasty Cup):

Han - 5th/Last

Ming - 4th

Qing - 2nd

Song - 1st (Joint)

Tang - 3rd

Yuan - 1st (Joint)