27 October 2017
Jockey Club Sarah Roe School’s latest newsletter is available to read now. Find out the latest news around the school and upcoming events.
Principal’s Message
Indoor Rowing
Show case – Emerald Class
Show case – Silver Class
‘One plant, One Person’ project
Dates for Your Diary
Poppy Day Remembrance Appeal – 2017
ESF 50th Anniversary Commemorative Book promotion
Principal’s Message
Last Sunday many of us joined the crowds of people at the ESF 50th Anniversary Marathon and carnival. Congratulations to Brandon who came first in the 1km event.
It’s a lovely time of year to be outdoors. The students run out the doors at lunch time to ride bikes, play basketball, use the sand and water trays and spend time with their friends. They have also been enjoying getting their hands dirty by planting seedlings which they will nurture over the next few weeks, observe and measure growth and bring home to you to share. Thanks to Jackie Newman for once again organising the ‘One plant, One Person’ project.
We are always proud of our students’ achievements and receiving ASDAN awards is always worth a special celebration. Congratulations to students in Diamond, Ruby and Gold classes who felt very proud and thanks to Sally for leading the organisation of the event and all the parents who came along to support.
There were also many medals and celebrations at the Indoor Rowing event. See Mike’s comments and photos later in the newsletter.
We finished this week with an Assembly to celebrate and acknowledge Diwali. This is one of my favourite events with the beautiful costumes and lights. Thanks to Kelly, Anita and our mums Krishika and Mandiraa for supporting this.
Indoor Rowing
Last Thursday we took 20 students to the Special Olympics rowing. Many students and staff were there for the first time and it was a great eye opener for all. It was a busy time ferrying students between the warm up area and waiting area and because of the early start our first few students just made their heat with only seconds to spare. With a high level of competition it was challenging for many. However, we came away with a lot of success in both experience and medals. Sixteen students left at lunch from having a fabulous morning leaving our four relay students to do their best in the afternoon.
Well done to everyone and many thanks to the students helpers, EAs and teachers for their assistance on the day.
Show case – Emerald Class
Welcome to Emerald Class! We’ve started the year reacquainting ourselves to the routines, expectations, and to one another as we welcome a few new faces to the class and school. It’s been a wonderful opportunity getting to know one another and building new friendships.
This year in Emerald, one key learning priority is communication. We’ve been diving into the learning for our unit on “Knowing Me, Knowing You” starting first with our families. The key objective is recognising and identifying family members. Using family photos and sound bytes of family members speaking, students have been using their communication devices to express what they see in their photos or hear. Proloquo2go, BigMac switches, eye gaze, vocalisations and sign are the key tools of communication for Emerald.
Function is our other key priority for the students. Throughout the day, students have a wide range of opportunities in which to experience a variety of independent skills. One example of this has been in our cooking sessions. For the first months of school, we have explored different breakfast options that require basic everyday ingredients and minimal steps starting from getting the required equipment to tidying up. So far, students have sampled making toast with butter or jam and cereal with milk or no milk. They have enjoyed exploring the kitchen looking for where to find the different items needed to “cook” and eat.
It has been a wonderful start to to the year so far. We’re looking forward to exploring more learning in the months ahead!
Sandra Gee
Emerald Class teacher
Show case – Silver Class
Silver class has been immersed in the unit of Knowing Me, Knowing You since September. Fun activities such as ice-breaking games to get to know our friends, survey on peer’s ideal pet and social games on our social responsibilities filled the classroom every day.
Our students’ demonstrated their talents through these activities. Paloma impressed us all with her creativity and independence in painting. Raffy and Chris showed great interest in finger painting roses. Rehaan and Cindy were quick to identify their ideal pet and were extremely motivated to cut and paste pictures to make their own poster.
This unit also encourages our students to look deep into human relationships. Together with our speech and language therapist, Cheryl, Silver class students worked hard on learning how to respect each other and treasure these relationships. Renee and Darius showed their strengths in making sensible choices and think critically in social skills lessons through our “Cool vs Not cool”, “Circle of Kiss” and role playing games.
Leo demonstrated patience in waiting and turn-taking while playing speech and communication games. He also put what he has learnt in good practice, helping his classmates tidy up the classroom every day before he goes home.
Jackie Newman
Class teacher
‘One plant, One Person’ project
Dates for Your Diary
Walkathon (fundraising) – Wednesday 15 November
Whole School Sports day – Friday 17 November
Christmas Show – Wednesday 13 December
Last day of term 1 – Friday 15 December (finish at 11.30)
Poppy Day Remembrance Appeal – 2017
ESF 50th Anniversary Commemorative Book promotion
To mark ESF’s half-century, we are publishing a commemorative book: ESF The First 50 Years. This volume will chronicle the ESF story, highlighting key events over the last 50 years. It will also celebrate the successes and contributions of our students and staff, both past and current.
The book will be published in November 2017. Place your online order before 30 October to enjoy 10% off and the very special ESF 50th Anniversary Commemorative Book Jubilee Gift Set! Order link: http://www.esf.edu.hk/
Enquiries: 50book@esfcentre.ed
