West Island School - Newsletter (May 24 2024)

Walking across halls adorned with colourful IB Learner Profile’s attributes’ signages, engaging in the classrooms, the IB Evaluation that took place this past week was proof of all the hard work our staff have put in to make us an IB World School!

Thank you to all teachers and staff who have consistently made the school the fantastic learning environment it is today.

In this week’s newsletter, we celebrate the diversity of teaching our teachers have shown - from a trip in Australia, using augmented reality in art-making, role-playing in a “court trial” class, to TOK exhibitions, we embody a variety of learning strategies to support students become the best they can be.

Thank you for some of the feedback I have already received about the timing to the school day next year. I appreciate this is a change, but it does bring us in line with the other ESF schools which have a later start rather than an early finish. We carefully looked at the latest research, which demonstrates that teenagers do focus more effectively later in the morning. I have had to make some quick decisions about next academic year, and in doing so, I have missed an opportunity for consultation with the wider school community.

Thank you for your support.

Please read on for more news around the school over the past week.

Have a lovely weekend!

Vicki Hallatt

Principal

Year 13 Formal

Photos by Multimedia Display&Events Coordinator Ivo Lipanovic

IB Evaluation Visit

Celebrating Y12 TOK Students

Year 12 IBDP students completed their TOK exhibitions earlier this month, showcasing critical thinking skills and engaging in stimulating knowledge discussions in small groups. With passion and intellect, they challenged assumptions, made links through real-world objects and presented their commentaries with clarity. The exhibitions fostered a spirit of collaboration, as students actively participated in dialogue, offering insights and feedback to their peers, exemplifying the importance of critical thinking in a complex world. We congratulate our Year 12 IBDP students on their remarkable achievements this year and anticipate their future impact as they continue on their IB programme.

Chinese speech wins

WIS students have achieved a wonderful result in the 75th Hong Kong Schools Speech Festival (Chinese Speech). This is a well-regarded annual competition attracting entries from across Hong Kong schools and is very challenging for International School students because the majority of competitors are from local schools. This year our students achieved the following positions and awards:

- Alexa SANTOS- Second place

- Rylee SANTOS - Third place

- Muyao XING - Merit

- Aimee YUAN Merit

Their amazing achievement not only showcased their talent for the Chinese language but also reflected our school's core values.

Inter-dynasty events

Inter Dynasty Coin Challenge:

The return of the Inter Dynasty Coin Challenge took place on Wednesday during P3 and students successfully brought in a combined total over $5000! Some fantastic coin collecting and all loose change adds up and supports our six community partners. Well done to SONG who officially collected the highest total value of loose change and won the competition.

Inter Dynasty Big Fat Quiz:

Alongside the Coin Challenge the ID Big Fat Quiz took place on Wednesday with 60 questions about our six Dynasties and their history challenged students in Yr7-10 + 12 to score as many points via the Kahoot quiz! The highest scoring tutor group was 8H1 and the overall winners were HAN!

Inter Dynasty Netball:

A week full of high paced netball took place in the Sportshall with both Junior and Senior competitions taking place side by side. A fantastic collaboration of year groups with boys and girls in combined teams saw high scoring games and a fantastic spectacle for all those watching from the balcony. When the Junior and Senior league results were added together the winning Dynasty was...MING!

Y8 "Humans" vs "Aliens" Trial

Over the last few weeks, Individuals and Societies year 8 students held courtroom trials to determine whether the human race should be punished for the way they had treated and damaged the Earth's environment and species.

"Alien judges" from distant galaxies heard evidence from various endangered animals skillfully presented and cross-examined by lawyers. A jury made up of these "aliens" and "animals" will ultimately decide the fate of the human race and whether they should be completely removed from planet Earth. This trial is the finale of the Y8 I&S Philosophy unit "Taking Action" which has been looking at both human and animal rights. The students were fully engaged in their various roles and should be congratulated for their professional approach to the proceedings as well as for having some amazing costumes.

Year 9 WIS students in Limitless program

Year 9 WIS students engaged in a variety of activities in rural Queensland, Australia this past week in the ESF's Limitless program. Limitless is an inspirational project for Year 9 students in ESF Schools. It takes our unique approach to Education Outside The Classroom (EOTC) into the dramatic and exciting environment of rural Queensland.

MYP Visual Arts Students embrace technology

Our Y9 visual arts students have worked very hard to complete their paintings after investigating and exploring systems in our built environment. This is the first interactive exhibition for our MYP students and we are excited to also showcase their digital art skills using the augmented reality app ‘EyeJack’. The QR code links to an animated photomontage that they have created using Adobe Photoshop.

Four students nominated in South China Morning Post's student of the year

Four WIS students have been nominated in South China Morning Post's student of the year competition.

Mira Chung (best devotion to school)

Téa McMahon (best devotion to school)

Chinny Kwok (sustainability advocate)

Jayden Su (scientist/mathematician)

Student selected as finalist of the Hong Kong Outstanding Students Award

Head student Chinny Kwok has been selected as one of the Finalists of the Hong Kong Outstanding Students Award (HKOSA) 2023-2024.

Since its establishment in 1985, HKOSA aims at recognizing and developing promising students with high moral standards and outstanding academic, extra-curricular and community service achievements. It fosters holistic development of students and encourages them to act as an active role model for their peers. Over the years, our past awardees have established themselves as distinguished social leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals through continuously serving and contributing to society.

Netball players won second place in Junior Netball League's U12 Premiership

Fourteen of our Year 7 and 8 students were at this year’s Junior Netball League organized by Netball Hong Kong China.

The Sonics Unicorns team, which consisted of entirely WIS students, finished runner-up in the U12 Premiership.

The team members are Amy Darracott, Holly Power, Kim Liden, Amelia Balfour, Amika Potgieter, Sophia Dannaoui, Jade Solia, Amelia Percival, Giulia Mazzucato, Charley Scher, Gianna Kwok, Qhawekazi Monin, Sahara Barickman, and Cherise Chan.

WIS Annual Sports Awards Ceremony

Tues, 18th June 2024 15:45-17:15

The Faculty of Physical Education and Sport would like to celebrate the outstanding efforts and accomplishments of WIS students in the context of Sport at the West Island School Sports Award Ceremony. We will recognise Captains, Most Valuable Players, Most Improved Players, Service to Sport, Elite Athletes, and WIS Sports team of the Year.

This most prestigious award is given for Sports Girl/Boy of the Year in recognition of athletic prowess, outstanding contributions, and invaluable impact on WIS PHE and Sport. This award recognises high levels of performance, dedication, and sportsmanship which inspires others. Congratulations to the following students who have made the shortlist for this award. Please note: All successful award recipients will receive a personal invite to the Ceremony and the Sports Award programme will be shared with the community.

Save the date for Evening of Cabarat

The Drama and Dance Department welcomes you to an evening of Cabaret (the Drama Studio D402 on Wednesday 12th June at 6 pm - 7.30 pm).

Join us for a spectacular evening of glitz, glamour, and entertainment at our highly anticipated Cabaret Evening. Prepare to be transported to a world of enchantment as our talented performers take the stage with their captivating acts. A night filled with breathtaking music, dazzling dance routines, and unforgettable surprises.

Whether you're a fan of jazz, magic, or comedy, this event promises to cater to all tastes. So don your finest attire, gather your friends, and join us on 12th June at West Island School for an electrifying Cabaret Evening.

Celebrating student creativity at our upcoming ESF Art Exhibition 2024

Colourful murals, imaginative sculptures and heartwarming portraits - these are just some of the amazing student creations featured in our ESF Art Exhibition 2024, which takes place at the prestigious arts venue Hong Kong City Hall in Central from 29 May until June 2. This year’s theme - Faster, Higher, Stronger - was inspired by the upcoming Paris Olympics and is all about humans and their extraordinary power to achieve and strive to be the best they can be. Across ESF, hundreds of our students from K1 to Year 13 have been hugely inspired and have created an outstanding collection of artwork spanning painting, digital art, photography, mixed media and more. The venue address is Exhibition Hall, Hong Kong City Hall, 5 Edinburgh Place, Central. The exhibition runs from May 29 until June 2 (10am until 7pm from 29 May - 1 June) - and 10am until 4pm on 2 June. For more information, call 2574 2351. Please do join us for this wonderful celebration of our students’ creativity and talent.

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