Dear West Island community,

There are moments when we feel motivated to take a step towards our future goals,  when possibilities start to shape into a potential reality.  Yesterday’s University Fair was such an event.  Well done to our student community; you engaged wholeheartedly with this opportunity, and walked away with lots of inspiration and ideas.  A huge thank you to all the parents who attended; we were delighted to see you.  

In this week’s special edition of the newsletter, we hand over to our school’s Higher Education and Careers team to get their insights and advice. More information can be found on their website here. We also asked three students about their aspirations regarding their next steps after graduation. Please read on to find out what they said.

Finally, do read our weekly bulletin below.  Our Post 16 students initiated a call to action in June with the aim of gathering 100 volunteers to help package 1800-2000 Sunshine Fortune Bags to be distributed to 16-25 charities around Hong Kong.   Read below about how they got on last Saturday.

And Year 8, you were amazing during Wednesday’s year group walk down the Peak.  You should be proud of the kindness you showed to each other and the positive way you represented the WIS community.  I know your tutors and Ms. Kelly, your Head of Year are very proud of you.  

Best regards

Clare Haworth

           Interim Principal

• Dynasty Day

Next Friday, we will come together as a community to enjoy our first Dynasty Day. The day is about connecting with others across Dynasties as well as learning and caring about the environment. Throughout the day, students will be involved in a range of activities such as hiking, listening to guest speakers, critical thinking games, as well as competitive options for dynasty members to enjoy.

The Dynasty spirit is encased in caring for others and as an IB world school, we have a commitment to service and will act to make a positive difference to the lives of others.  On this day, we will raise funds to support the victims of the Maui Fires, Libyan flooding and the Moroccan earthquakes. 

Let’s come together to raise funds to help these communities; students should bring in $20, (they are welcome to bring in more if they wish) and it will be collected by tutors. During tutor time, students will learn how people in these countries have been affected by these disasters and also how our donations may be able to help those in need. Thank you to some of our students who prepared this resource.

• Sunshine Action

On Saturday 16th September, West Island School held a packing event for students, working with Sunshine Action. Sunshine Action is a humanitarian organisation based in Hong Kong whose main charitable mission is the relief of poverty, provision of emotional and psychological support to those who need it and protecting the environment.

Students had to form production lines and pack bags of supplies, canned food, noodles, rice, pasta and vitamins that would later be distributed to those in need.

Our students were incredible and packed solidly for 4 hours and produced 2000 gift bags. The bags were taken to over 200 charity centres targeting the elderly, Some kindergartens and care homes and centres offering refuge to people in need.

Heartfelt thanks to the following students who organized this event: Aurelian Toucas, Alex Wu, Tom Hall, Mateus Jowharsa, Anshul Kumar and Hyeon Woo Kang. Excellent work!

• Staff’s photography of toddler daughters wins awards

Michael Tsang, Digital/Media Resources Technician, won 3 Bronze awards from Superior Culture annual photography contest 2023. The winning photos’ subjects are his two young daughters.

“I quite like the pictures that capture the pure and joyful moments of the siblings when they were growing up together (crawling with you, helping you to walk) , which will be a beautiful history for them and the family.”

• Call to vote for students in The Sovereign Art Foundation Students Prize 2023

Four of our art students have been shortlisted for The Sovereign Art Foundation Students Prize, Hong Kong 2023.  Below are the nominated students and their works. 

The student with the most support from the public will be awarded the Public Vote Prize. The public voting will close on 10 November 2023 at HKT12nn. Please click here for voting details and cast your vote to support our students.