The Black Kite - Issue 10

September 7

Back-to-School Night (Secondary)
Year 7 EOTC Experience

September 8

Principal's Lunch with Scholarship Students

September 10

RAPT Function

September 13-16

School Photographic Days

September 21

ESF Orchestra and Choir Concert

September 23

The day following Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival (No School)

September 24-25

IBAP Workshop (No School)

September 28

University Fair

September 27-30

Year 7 EOTC Experience

Gentle Reminder Regarding Parking
A message from Dr. Harry Brown, Principal

Please be reminded that parking on Sai Sha Road in front of the Ma On Shan Methodist Primary School next door is strictly prohibited. The police regularly patrol that area to verify that it is clear for buses to safely pick up and drop off passengers and they will likely ticket violators. If you need to park we encourage you to use the public lot with access from the cul-de-sac on Hang Kin Street.

Please also be aware that traffic on Hang Ming Street will be especially busy now that our neighbouring school is also back in session. If at all possible, secondary students in particular are encouraged to utilize the MTR or other forms of mass transit.

Jane Goodall's Roots and Shoots

Primatologist Dr. Jane Goodall has a simple wish. She hopes a critical mass can be formed among the young people today, so that in the future they can play an active role to combat climate change and protect the environment.

Goodall was the keynote speaker at the Roots and Shoots programme of the Asia Pacific Youth Summit. She argued the destruction in environment is due to the "disconnect between the heart and the brian [of human beings]."

"We've lost our wisdom," said Goodall.

She reminded the audience to be proactive when it comes to saving the environment: "Each one of us can make a difference every day." 

Edward Yau, Secretary for the Environment was also at the summit. He said we can cut down our carbon footprint by making changes in our lifestyle. 

ESF Orchestra and Choir Concert

The 2010 ESF Orchestra and Choir Concert will be held on September 21 at the Hong Kong City Hall. This year, participating schools include Renaissance College, Discovery College, Island School, King George V School, Sha Tin College, South Island School and West Island School. Tickets are now on sale. Please click here for the booking form.

Microscopes from RAPT
A message from Brian McCann, Head of Science

The Science Department would like to thank RAPT for the generous donation of $60,000. This money was used to buy 12 microscopes with x100 magnification, which allows Biology students to observe and measure objects at the sub-cellular level.

College Wide Photo-taking Sessions
A message from Janice Lam, Personal Assistant to Business

The college wide Photographic Days will be held from September 13 to 16 at the PAC. All students (as an individual and with their class) and staff are invited to have their photos taken.

Preliminary Schedule:
Primary: September 13 and 14
Secondary: September 14 and 15
Staff Group Photo: September 16

This year, there will be "sibling photo" sessions held after school. Students can come with their RC siblings (or family) to have their photos taken. Secondary classes can also take a funny version in addition to the regular class photo.

Please check the school website for the latest information and schedule.

Make your own Mooncakes 
A message from Ana Chan, Social Worker

This year, the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival will fall on September 22. Ever thought of making your own mooncakes and share them with the seniors who live alone in Ma On Shan Village? 

Come and join our mooncake making class. Not only you will learn how to make it but also sending love and best wishes to the seniors in this important Chinese Festival. If you are interested, please email our school social worker Ana Chan.

New Girls Only Basketball Team

ESF Educational Services (ESL) is starting a new Girls' Only Basketball programme in this term. Classes will run at Renaissance College. Please refer to the flyer for more information.

RCHK PE Shirts
A message from Jim Morgan, Head of PE

Please be advised that the white RCHK PE shirt will no longer be part of the PE uniform from October 1 this year. The white shirt has been in phase out over the last 12 months. Only House coloured PE shirts will be considered as official school uniform from this date.

Sports Teams Coaches Announced
A message from Tim Ross, PE Teacher

We have finalized the coaches list of our season 1 sports teams. The names are:

Football
U12 Girls - Coach: Tim Ross
U12 Boys - Coach: Seth Levine
U14 Boys - Coach: Jorgen Mortensen

Volleyball
U14 Girls - Coach: Merv Newhook
U14 Boys - Coach: Asha Day
U16 Girls - Coach: Janice Lam
U16 Boys - Coach: James Diamond
U20 Girls - Coach: Catherine Broome
U20 Boys - Coach: John Hogan

Swimming - Coaches: Chris Molnar, James Morgan, Kathryn Bignold

Cross Country - Coach: Shane McCann

Rugby
Senior Boys - Coach: Alex Broome

Fundraising for Pakistan Flood Victims
A message from Grace Lee, Student Council Vice-President

RCHK students are going to raise funds to help the flood victims in Pakistan next week.

The massive flooding in August was the deadliest on record. According to international media, more than 1,500 people were killed.

There will be several fundraising activities including:

• Sep 7: Student's Revenge Day - Students throw water sponges at teachers
• Sep 8: Bake Sale during lunch time. (Cupcakes will be delivered to primary classes)
• Sep 9: Hot Dog Sale during lunch time (for secondary students only)
• Sep 10: Green and White Dress Casual Day. Both colours represent the national flag of Pakistan.

Please show your support and thanks for your generosity!

RCHK Swimming/Triathlon Squad Update
A message from Chris Molnar, Swimming Coach

More than 60 primary and secondary students participated in the RCHK Summer Swimming/Triathlon Squad programme.

Edwin Chung (Y11) and Jamie So (Y10) participated in the Learn to Coach Programme.

Results from RCHK students during the summer races are:

Aquathlon: July 11 in Repulse Bay

Individual results:
Boys born in 2002 - 3rd place: Nigel Wong (Y4)
Girls born in 2000 - 2nd place: Clarisa Huang (Y6)
Triathlon: August 1st in Science Park

Team results:

• Boys born in 1999, 2000, 2001, & 2002
• 3rd place: RCHK A Team Boys - Alvin Chung (Y6), Takman Wong (Y6), Anthony Cheung (Y6), Jason Ho (Y5), & Isaac Chan (Y5)
• Girls born in 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002
• 1st place: RCHK A Team Girls - Aliss Chan (Y5), Clarisa Huang (Y6), Chloe Palmer-Smith (Y7), & Sabrina Palmer-Smith (Y7)

Individual results:

• Boys born in 2002 - 1st place: Nigel Wong (Y4)
• Girls born in 2001 - 2nd place: Aliss Chan (Y5)
• Girls born in 2000 - 1st place: Clarisa Huang (Y6)

Squad members are training and preparing for the following upcoming races:

• ISSFHK Secondary School Invitational Swim Meets: Weekly meets in September and October.
• HKSSF Shatin & Sai Kung Swimming Championships: October 7 & 8
• Aquathon Race: September 12
• Duathlon Race: September 19
• Triathlon Race: September 26
• Open Water Swimming Race: October 3

The squad is considering offering out of Hong Kong swim meets and training camps later this school year. Please check the school website for regular updates.

Friday Afternoon Campus Permission
A message from Nick Cotton, Secondary Vice-Principal

Please be reminded that all secondary students should leave the campus before 1:30 pm on Friday afternoon.

If you would like your son or daughter to accompany a sibling in the primary school home at the end of the day, please complete the permission form which is available from the Secondary Office. These students who have permission to remain on campus are expected to work in the library where they are supervised.

Year 12/13 Induction Event
A message from Rhys Thomas, Head of Year 12/13

To welcome students back, Year 12 and Year 13 students had to complete an innovative task in their new advisory groups. They were tasked with making a costume for one male and one female in their respective house colours out of only recycled materials. This allowed students to get to know each other in their new advisory groups while also having to come up with music to accompany their models as well as a presenter to highlight the concept and features of the designs.

Students worked within their advisory groups and scavenged what they could find while coming up with some very creative designs. On Friday August 20, each advisory displayed their designs to the rest of the two year groups while the House Directors judged according to a strict criteria. Winners were chosen within each house, for the best overall house and for the highest scoring advisory group. Ming House scored the highest total out of the four houses, while Song 13 was the best overall advisory.

All the designs were then showcased in the first House assemblies of the year.

Community and Services (C&S) Programme
A message from Louisa Yen, MYP C&S Coordinator

Satisfactory completion of C&S requirements is necessary for students in order to gain their MYP certificate. Last year, 98% of Year 10 and Year 11 students met the C&S requirement successfully with support from teachers and families.

Year 10 and Year 11 students are now ready to start their C&S requirements for this year with great enthusiasm!

To support students with the appropriate C&S opportunities outside of the classroom, teachers and staff at RCHK offer a number of C&S activities within the school community. Students are also encouraged to use their own initiative to identify and take part in appropriate C&S activities in the local community.

Available C&S opportunities are posted and updated in the Student Bulletin and on the C&S notice board outside the secondary office (4/F) regularly. It is essential that students obtain a parent signature on the school Activity Proposal Form when planning to participate in any C&S activities inside or outside of school.

Please visit the school website for more information on C&S requirements. We are confident that students will be much enriched through their C&S experiences. 

The MYP Personal Project
A message from Brandy Stern, Personal Project Coordinator

MYP students will complete the Personal Project as their culminating activity. The project is focused on one of the five Areas of Interaction (Approaches to Learning, Human Ingenuity, Community and Service, Health and Social Education, Environments) that are the foundation of the MYP. The final project consists of a Process Journal, a Product and a written Personal Statement.

All Year 11 students at RCHK are required to complete the Personal Project and their MYP teachers and other members of the school community work as their supervisors, helping to support them during the process. 

At the completion of the students’ projects RCHK will host an exhibition to showcase all over the products and to allow students to outline the various process they used to reach their goals. Also there will also be a "Work in Progress" fair in November that will allow students to showcase their work to date.

The final project is graded by several teachers through a moderation process. Students need to gain an achievement level of 3 or above to be eligible to receive an MYP Certificate to mark their successful completion of the programme.

Michi Lo Wins Violin Competition

Year 8 student Michi Lo won the first prize at the Inter-School International Performance Challenge that was held on July 19, 2010.

Michi played grade 8 violin in the competition.

Congratulations Michi!

University Applications
A message from Gigi Lam, FE Coordinator

Year 13 students are reminded that the FE office can support a maximum of six university applications per student. Please refer to this document for the deadlines.

All Year 13 students need to make an appointment by September 30 to see Ms Lam and Ms Rossiter regarding the final draft of their application essays and university choices.

University Fair
A message from Gigi Lam, FE Coordinator

We will hold a university fair on September 28 from 12:20 pm to 2:00 pm at the Performing Arts Centre. This will give our MYP and Diploma students a chance to meet with representatives from overseas universities and colleges.

This is a good opportunity for our students to learn more about the education system of other countries and to find out about various degree programmes and the specific admissions requirements.

Parents of MYP and Diploma students are also welcome to attend the fair.

Upcoming Further Education Activities at RCHK
A message from Gigi Lam, FE Coordinator

Please be reminded that from September 8 through September 28, there will be a series of activities on further education. Some activities will be held at RCHK while others are external events. Please click here for more details.

Primary School Information
A message from Max Muller, Head of Primary

Back-to-School nights

It was wonderful to see so many parents and guardians took the opportunity to join us at school for the Back-to-School nights. We value the contact with parents and see the home-school partnership as integral to supporting the development of the children.

Butler University students

We are fortunate to have with us two students on teacher placement from Butler University, Indiana, United States. Kathryn Cartabuke and Chad Wood are currently working with Year 1 and Year 3 respectively. They will be with us until December.

Assessments

During the coming month, students in the primary school will be engaged in various diagnostic adaptive assessments. PIPS (Performance Indicators in Primary School), InCAS (Interactive Computerized Assessment System), ISA writing and a host of teachers assessments. The purpose of these is to provide invaluable data for teachers so they are able to provide optimal learning experiences for all students in their class. The best way to support us is to ensure your child has plenty of sleep and arrives at school on time.

Uniform

We would respectfully ask that parents and guardians assist us in maintaining the school dress code.
Please ensure that the children:

• are wearing the correct footwear when they leave home. Track shoes/trainers/basketball boots should only be worn on days when the students have physical education.
• bring an RCHK hat to school in this weather.
• have ALL THEIR CLOTHING NAMED.

Parents/guardians at school during school hours

A couple of additional friendly reminders:

• once you have delivered the children to school aim to leave promptly.
• please refrain from filming or taking photographs at school.
• continue to provide healthy and wholesome snacks for the children.

Primary After School Activities (ASA)
A message from Max Muller, Head of Primary

In the primary school we have revised our approach to the way in which we offer additional or extra activities for the students.

Where possible we have integrated and embedded activities that had a clear curricular focus into Year level programmes. In particular, in Years 1 and 2 “Studio Time” provides the students with a range of opportunities to engage in activities that both enhance and introduce new skills and experiences within the context of the school day.

We do, however, have external providers who offer programmes after school. These providers utilize the school facilities and parents have the option of enrolling their children. In each instance there is normally a cost involved payable to the provider. We will continue to develop the ASA programme throughout the year.
 

Elite Figure Skater Picked as Best Student 

Year 4 student Nicole Chan loves to skate on the ice. Her talent was recently recognized at the Hong Kong Top Ten Outstanding Students Recognition Ceremony.

Together with nine other outstanding students, Nicole vowed to strive for the best and would not follow the examples of those Hong Kong youngsters who rely on their maids and unable to complete simple tasks by themselves.

Congratulations Nicole!

RCHK Students in Korea for Soccer Competition

Year 4 student Ryan Chan and Year 6 student Brian Cheng were in Korea to take part in the YMCA World Kid's Cup that was held on August 20. Both students were part of the Hong Kong Squad in the tournament.

The team played hard and won the third place in the competition.

Congratulations Ryan and Brian!

Parent Volunteers Needed
A message from Davina Lloyd, RAPT Co-Chair

Once again the time has come for the college wide photo-taking sessions. For the past few years we have asked parent volunteers to assist the college with these sessions and you have helped. Once again we need your help.

Can you spare a few hours during any of the days to help us September 13-16 between 9 am and 3 pm in the PAC?

Please e-mail dlloyd@renaissance.edu.hk if you can help and I will contact you directly.

Recycle Bags
A message from Davina Lloyd, RAPT Co-chair

This month we are looking for donations of recycle bags for our college fair. You may have extra ones that you are willing to donate to the fair. We need them especially for the bookstall. Please leave them at reception marked for RAPT. Thank You!

"Welcome to Hollywood" – RCHK Fair
A message from Charron Robertson, RAPT Committee

The RCHK Fair will be held on November 27. In order to have a raffle draw on the fair day, we need to apply for a license by the middle of September. Although we already have some amazing prizes, we still need more. Otherwise we cannot proceed with the application process.

We are urgently appealing to the RCHK community for prize donation. They can be anything, for example: laptops, television sets, mobile phones, art or book vouchers, watches or wine etc. Your donated item, labelled prize for raffle can be delivered to the school reception.

We also need parents and teachers to help coordinating the following areas of the fair: programme, decorations, haunted house, prizes, donations and other areas.

If you want to volunteer or to donate a prize, please contact Charron Robertson.

Our next meeting will be on September 13 at 6:30 pm in the Black Box Theatre.