Newsletter-Friday, 23 February 2024
WIS Bazaar is
ONE WEEK away!
Excitement is building as we draw closer to one of the year's most anticipated events: the 2024 WIS Bazaar! With just ten days left until the big day, we want to remind you about this incredible event and provide you with a sneak peek of what's in store.
Click here to read the PTA's special newsletter about the bazaar.
Final Extension! Grab Your WI$ Coupons for the Bazaar Now!
Pre-purchase WI$ Coupons the deadline has been extended to 10am the 26 February. To take advantage of this extended deadline, simply fill in this form.
By purchasing coupons, you contribute directly to the success of the WIS Bazaar and support the various educational initiatives, resources, and enhancements that benefit our students. It's a win-win situation—enjoy a fantastic bazaar experience while making a positive impact on our school community.
The WIS Bazaar aims to be a cashless environment, only WI$ Coupons will be accepted for transactions (including international food stalls, books, toys, and games, etc) except the external market stalls where they will accept their own payments. All pre-purchased WI$ Coupon invoices need to be paid by midnight on the 27 February, otherwise they will be cancelled.
Make a Big Impact in Just One Hour! Volunteer at the Upcoming School Bazaar
We understand that life can be busy and finding time for volunteering can be challenging. That's why we have created special "One-Hour Volunteer" slots for parents like you. By dedicating just 60 minutes of your time, you can actively contribute to the success of the Bazaar and support our fundraising effort for the school in a meaningful way. Sign up here.
Thank you to all those volunteers who have already worked tirelessly planning and organising stalls - we all appreciate your efforts! See you next week!
Dear West Island community,
How many new words are created in English every year? Would you happen to know?
Over 5,000 words are born in English each year, and many are borrowed from other languages. As such, we truly are in the day and age of multilingualism, seeing languages evolving and changing.
Just like the perimeter of the English language grows every year, so too does West Island students’ language learning. This Wednesday was our school's first International Mother Language Day celebration. Activities included students chatting with other students about their first languages, taking Zumba in Spanish, learning yoga in multiple languages of instructions, and singing along with others in a Karaoke session!
As an IB school, we value international-mindedness, which includes multilingualism, intercultural understanding and global engagement. With over 47 languages spoken at WIS and over 47 per cent of students being bilingual or multilingual, language diversity is one of our school's strengths. Our language faculty members said:" Although everyone has a mother tongue, our fathers, adopted parents, extended families, host countries, and their communities are equally important when contributing to our bilingual and multilingual identity."
Thank you to Ms Shanice Welsh, Ms Emma Cerrone, Mr Tony Fryer, the EAP team and the language faculty for your contributions to the International Mother Language Day. Thank you to students Yuzhe Wang, César Rocher, Ira Ratnaparkhi, Krishiv Khatri, Bori Gibb, Chloe Young, Euan Butler and all the many other students who contributed to the day.
We look forward to seeing everyone with their family and friends at next Saturday's WIS Bazaar!
Best wishes,
Clare Haworth
Interim Principal
Table of Contents
International Mother Language Day
Our staff speaking their mother tongues in a video
Student activities on International Mother Language Day
Sports Day photos
Photos by student photographer Christopher Teoh, Oscar Yan and WIS staff
Sign up for Mental Health Week parent workshops and Q&A panel
West Island School will be recognising the importance of looking after our wellbeing as part of the Mental Health Week from Monday, 26 February 2024 to Friday, 1 March 2024. We are excited to host an evening of parent workshops, facilitated by experts health professionals followed by a Q&A panel. Please see the details below. This event will take place on Thursday, 29 February 2024 from 6:00pm - 7:30pm at West Island School.
Please sign up here. We look forward to seeing you in person at the parent workshops next week.
Evening schedule
6:00pm to 6:45pm: Parent workshops
Choose one of the four excellent workshops delivered by community mental health professionals.
7:00pm to 7:30pm: Q&A panel
Our professionals will answer your questions about children, young people and their mental health and wellbeing, how to support your child and parenting.
Former student signed by Edingburgh Rugby
Former WIS student Rob Carmichael has been signed by Edinburgh Rugby on a three-year deal. A media reportage can be found here.
World Book Day
WIS will celebrate World Book Day on March 8th!
In addition to author talks and DEAR (drop everything and read), students are encouraged to come to school dressed as a literary character on Friday March 8th.
ID points will be awarded for participation and bonus points for most creative costume.
IB Visual Arts Exhibition 2024 Invitation
Please see below for the IB Visual Arts Exhibition 2024 open evening's schedule.
Event: IB Visual Arts Exhibition 2024 - Open Evening
Date: Thursday 14 March
Time: 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Venue: WIS Auditorium
The students are really looking forward to showcasing their artworks - we hope you will be able to join.
Students connect the Learner Profile with The Hunger Games' characters
Year 7 students celebrated the end of their second MYP unit - The Hunger Games by presenting at a Thursday assembly at the school auditorium. One student from each Dynasty spoke passionately about how the IB Learner Profile was linked to their chosen character from the novel, and how they have specifically exhibited the learner profile in their own lives.
Year 11 graduation and formal dates
Please see the posters below for the 2024 Year 11 graduation and formal dates.
Sports
WIS individual needs students win ESF Wide Learning Centre Football Tournament
On Wednesday Feb 7th, Our Learning Centre Department was invited to participate in an ESF Wide LC Football Tournament hosted by KG5 and their brilliant BTEC student leaders who created the event. We arrived with 9 players and proceeded to compete in the Football Skills events (Passing, Shooting and Timed events). Subsequently we arranged ourselves into 4 school teams which included KG5, Sarah Roe Jockey Club School, South Island School and Us. There was 3 games in the round robin event followed by the Semi-Finals and Finals.
West Island proceeded through the round robin with 2 wins and 1 loss....subsequently finding ourselves in the Finals Match, where we won a close game versus SIS.
We were crowned Champions in both the skills competition and the Finals Match. Taking home all the hardware!
The squad was composed of the following students:
Amaan Panakat
Salvador McQueen
Robyn Clarke
Baveen Rekhani
Tyler Robb
Wai Jin Wong
Andrea Case
Ben Roscoe
Finlay Clough
ISSFHK Cross Country Championships
The ISSFHK Cross Country Championships is the last race of the season and a time for International Schools to compete against each other. The hard work and commitment of the WIS runners was evident as WIS dominated once again being crown ISSFHK Champions!
It was a day to celebrate not only the success of our runners but the teams camaraderie and sportsmanship. WIS runners supported each other and could be seen cheering and encouraging all schools. The older students being fantastic role models to the younger developing runners.
Results are as follows:
U14 boys champions
U16 boys and girls champions
U20 boys and girls champions
Overall school champion
A full list of results are available here.
Individual medals were awarded to the top 3 finishers in each age group:
U20 boys: 1st Jiro Loasby 2nd Simon Carmichael
U20 girls: 2nd: Charlotte Work 3rd: Naia Magrath
U16 boys: 1st Koppany Szentes
U16 girls: 1st Tea McMahon 2nd Safiya Gilham
U14 boys: 1st Tomos Williams
Student wins in HKCSA SC Aged Championship 2024
On the weekend of 2-4 February 2024, Jody Lee (13S1) competed in HK Short Course Swimming Championship 2024 at Victoria Park swimming pool. Jody won a Gold Medal in the 50m Butterfly and Silver Medal in the 100m Butterfly, where he currently ranked 1st and 2nd for Butterfly respectively in Hong Kong for the 17 & under age group.
Student wins in the Hong Kong Artistic Gymnastics Open Competition
Student Ila Chan, a WIS High Performance Student Athlete, competed in the Hong Kong Artistic Gymnastics Open Competition. She achieved 1st place for bean and floor and 4th place overall.
Student wins in Asian Junior Fencing Championship
Student Haidi Wu ranked No.5 in individual competition, and won bronze medal in team competition, in Asian Junior Fencing Championship in Bahrain (country in the Middle East).
Welcome-back activity after CNY holiday
With a box of candies in hand, our staff Mr Hin Yeung and Mr Simon Tai, in dragon dance and God of Dance costumes, welcomed students back to school on Tuesday during registration after the Chinese New Year holiday. Thank you to Ms Miyuki Lau, Ms Angie Hui too for supporting this welcome-back activity.
Weez Walk
Well done to West Island staff and students who have finished the Weez Walk, including Ms Emma Goodwin, Mr Guy Hewson, Ms Jayne Cunliffe, Ms Katrina Wong, Ms Saffron Brown, Ms Charlotte Ho, Ms Leigh Dalgarno, Mr Kenny Chan, Mr Paul Blake, Mr Alex Murchie, Mr Steve Rudall and Mr Ben Jolly; students Sonny Richardson, Tommy Hall and Christine Pudwell.
Ms Leigh Dalgarno did the walk with Tony Bruno, founder of Weez Walk.
HKAYP students hike
The HKAYP (Hong Kong Award for Young People) Silver students went on their first hike together on Thursday. Year 12's Gabby Chen, Andy Lau, Charlotte Leung, Melody Liang, and Tasha Ngan, joined by Ms Minter hiked over 13 km from Violet Hill, through Tai Tam Resovoir, to Tai Koo.
Higher Education and Careers
University Visits @ WIS: Open for students only (only for the Year 11s, 12s and 13s)
University of Waterloo
23 February 2024 - Time 01:20 pm to 02:05 pm | Venue: C402
CUHK - LLB Session
28 February 2024 - Time 01:20 pm to 02:05 pm | Venue: C402
University of Twente
8 March 2024 - Time 01:20 pm to 02:05 pm | Venue: C402
Durham University
18 March 2024 - Time 01:20 pm to 02:05 pm | Venue: C402
University of Calgary
20 March 2024 - Time 01:20 pm to 02:05 pm | Venue: C402
Keele University
21 March 2024 - Time 01:20 pm to 02:05 pm | Venue: C402
For details on University Visits and Webinars, please click Here
For more details on External events and Summer programmes please visit the school website
Year 13
Our students are receiving conditional offers from universities in the UK, New Zealand, Hong Kong, the US, and other countries.
Year 12
The Higher Education team has commenced careers lessons with the Year 12 students. These lessons are being conducted once per cycle and are designed to support and prepare students for their university applications and the transition from high school to post-secondary.
Cycle 1: We introduced the students to the department, provided them with the timeline for Years 12 and 13, outlined the objectives of the course, and discussed how to research universities and courses. The slides have been shared with students via the google classroom and to parents on email.
Cycle 2: We gave an overview of international applications and the application procedure, and platforms and ways to do research for countries such as The UK, US, Hong Kong and Canada.
Cycle 3: We introduced students to choosing universities and factors to consider when choosing one. We also introduced them to the Reach-Match-Safety strategy.
The Higher Education team supports students with applications to all countries. Students are requested to reach out to their Higher Education Counsellors for any advise or support required.
The Higher Education team will be meeting with all Year 12 students after the Easter break for a one-to-one meeting to discuss the university application process.
Year 11
The Higher Education team has met with most of the Year 11 students and families. Requesting all parents to please book their meetings if you have not already done so.
Additionally, if a student has a class scheduled during the meeting time slot and cannot attend, they must send an email to their teacher and copy their counsellor.
ESF webinar on sleep
Lights Out, Sweet Dreams: a Practical Webinar on Sleep for Parents and Caregivers
In this webinar we will explore the fascinating world of sleep science and provide valuable insights into understanding sleep needs across different ages. ESF Educational Psychologists Dr Rachael Edwards and Dr Steff Ho will share practical strategies to promote healthier and more restful sleep for children, young people and families. Better sleep leads to better physical and mental health, increased focus, and improved academic outcomes. We want to highlight the importance of sleep in supporting your child to be the best that they can be.
Date and Time: Thursday, 14 March from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
If you have any questions or require more information please do not hesitate to contact ep.service@esfcentre.edu.hk
ESF Explore-Spring Camp 2024
Spring to life and join ESF Explore for a thrilling adventure! From 25th March to 5th April, we offer a variety of courses and workshops for students of all ages. With morning classes and afternoon workshops and even outdoor adventure camps in Mui Wo, we'll keep your kids engaged and entertained this Spring. Discover our Spring Camp programmes here.
