The Black Kite - Issue 7

June 4

Primary Reports (Year 1 - 5)

June 6

Year 13 Graduation Dinner

June 7 – 11

Year 8 EOTC Camp

Year 11 Work Experience

June 10

Scholarship Award Ceremony

June 14

Year 9 Science Fair (8.50am – 10.50am)

June 15

Year 8 Science Fair (8.50am – 10.50am)

June 16

Public Holiday (School Closed)

June 17

Year 11 Graduation Ceremony

Primary Student-Led Conferences 

June 18

RAPT End of Year Party 

Year 6 Reports

Primary Student-Led Conferences

June 21

Primary School Step-Up

June 23

Final Day of School

June 24 

Summer Holidays Begin

Timetable Changes
A Message from the Senior Leadership Team

Last month we surveyed parents on proposed timetable changes for the 2010-2011 academic year.

Parents clearly supported the move to an 8.30am start and a longer lunchbreak for Secondary students. These changes have been approved by the College Council.

When classes resume in August, our school day will start at 8.30am, and both Primary and Secondary Schools will enjoy a 50-minute lunchbreak. The dismissal times will remain the same.

These changes will help us accommodate an increased student population at RCHK next year and an expressed desire by parents, students and teachers to increase the length of the Secondary lunchtime.

For more information, click here

Report Cards
A Message from the Senior Leadership Team

Please be advised that report cards will only be released to families who are up to date with their tuition fees.

Yearbook Orders

A Message from Louise Crossen, Comms Manager

Students who pre-ordered yearbooks will be able to collect their copy on June 14. Collection tables will be set up outside reception before / after school and at lunchtime. Please remind your child to come by and collect their yearbook.

If you forgot to pre-order a copy, you can buy the Yearbook at the RCHK Book Shop after June 14 for $175.

LIRC End of Year Arrangements
A Message from Andrea Walker, Head of LIRC

Primary
Please note the following important dates
4 June : last day to borrow books
7 – 11 June: return all books
14 June onwards: no more library classes
14 - 18 June: return Unit & Year level resources

Secondary
4 June: last day to borrow books
7 – 11 June: return books

ESL Summer Sports Camps
A Message from ESL Sports

This summer, ESL is offering multi-sports camps at Renaissance College.

We will hold weekday sports camps in the morning and afternoon at Renaissance College from July 5 – August 14.

Our Summer Sports Camps are especially aimed at children, helping to keep them active and entertained throughout the holiday. This is a great opportunity for children to try a variety of sports, enhance physical abilities, social development and self-confidence in a safe and energising environment.

For children who would like to work on specific sports, there are several choices of specialist clinics at different sites. Please check our website www.esf.org.hk or contact us at 2711 1280 for further details about the Summer Sports Programmes.

Renaissance College Laptop Purchase Program
A Message from the Renaissance ICT Team

In preparation for the 2010-2011 academic year we are pleased to announce the launch of our annual RCHK Student Laptop Purchase Program. All students entering the Secondary section of the College are expected to bring a laptop for use in class.

The RCHK Student Laptop Purchase Program is a collaborative initiative established between Renaissance College, Apple and Senco-Masslink Technology Ltd. Specifically this program allows you to buy a laptop and benefit from Apple’s special discount. Senco-Masslink Technology Ltd. will manage your order, install school based software and settings for email, printing and internet connection.

The deadline for ordering is 23 June 2010. RCHK will organise an OpenBox Event on August 17-18 for students and parents to collect their laptops. Unlike previous years we are unable to provide an early collection service. Any orders received after the closing date will be processed and distributed at a later date.

For further details about the program and order forms we invite you to visit our College website. Please visit the Parent Information menu or use the following link

Uniform Shop - Clearance Items
A Message from Arthur Yau, Uniform Shop

We are offering a bargain on our black two-in-one Windbreaker - sizes 46 & 48. These were originally $275 each, and are now selling for just $220. These are adult sizes and are good for travelling to countries in the Southern hemisphere over the summer vacation.

Snakes Alive!

Our Head of Secondary, Robert Stearns, hit the headlines this week after rescuing his pet dog from the jaws of a 4-metre python. To read the SCMP article, click here

Commencement Pack

Planning for the next school year is well under way.

For all the information you need to make a smooth start to the new school year, please click here

Graduation Ceremony of the Class of 2010
A Message from Carol Larkin, DP Coordinator

On Friday 28 May, the College celebrated the Graduation of the Class of 2010.

Faculty and graduating students were joined by parents, siblings and grandparents. We also welcomed special guests including ESF CEO Heather De Quesnay, ESF Post-16 Advisor Diane Bohm, College Council Chair Benny Ng and RAPT Co-Chair Davina Lloyd.

Guests enjoyed a reception sponsored by RAPT and were entertained by several of our music scholarship students, including Year 8 student Viviana Siu and Year 9 student Zac Pau. Our Year 6 Rock Band, BandAge, also kept the crowd entertained.

Our Salutatorian, Louis Kang, and our Valedictorian, Samantha Ho, ably summed up the thoughts of the graduating class in their speeches, reflecting on the past and their aspirations for the future.

We wish the Class of 2010 the very best of luck for the future, and welcome them as our most recent alumni.

Year 12 Business Competition
A Message from Rhys Thomas, Business Teacher

On Wednesday 19 May, a team of Year 12 students took part in a business competition at South Island School.

They had to come up with a product for children and convince the judges that their idea would sell.

Students began the day with a current affairs and logo recognition quiz over breakfast, before listening to presentations from various business experts. The panel included Virginia Morris of Bamboo Difference and Rhys Bradley from Toys R Us.

The RCHK team, Mash Up, was led by Linn Erixon. They competed well throughout the day, coming an admirable 7th in both their share price and overall competition. Congratulations to Linn Erixon, Ryan Smith, Tim Wootton, Michelle Ng, Joanne Law, Michelle Wong, Carmen Cheng, Christian Romano, Alison Yeung and Clevin Ling.

World Schools Debate
A Message from Ray Young, Debating Coach

Congratulations to all the debaters who represented Renaissance College at the World Schools Debate last week.

It was a baptism of fire for our students and we walked away taller for enduring the challenge.

We defeated teams from Discovery College and Chinese International School, and look forward to another Junior/ Senior Competition in September.

RCHK 1:Jack Lau, Grace Tsang, Rebekah Brasher, Kevin Chung

RCHK 2: Rachael Man, Shannon Koh, Vincent Zhao, Jamie Ma and Marcella Chan

SAT Test Registration
A Message from Gigi Lam, FE Counsellor

To register for 2010-2011 SAT tests, please click here. Remember to enter Renaissance College’s CEEB Code – 670 868.

Test Dates                       Registration Deadlines

October 9, 2010               September 10, 2010

November 6, 2010           October 8, 2010
December 4, 2010           November 5, 2010

January 22, 2011             December 23, 2011

May 7, 2011                     April 8, 2011

June 4, 2011                    May 6, 2011

Swimming Gala
A Message from Tim Ross, Athletics Director

RCHK held its inaugural Swimming Gala on May 14. This was an important step in the development of the sports/house programmes at the College, and a wonderful opportunity to showcase the exceptional swimming talent we have at the school.

The day featured plenty of colour and vocal support, with our four School Houses vying for bragging rights as the inaugural swimming champions.

The carnival produced a number of standout performances (aside from Mr. Coventry and Mr. McCann swimming the intermediate girls relay for Song), however special mention should go to our age division champions.

Junior Boys: Arran Au
Junior Girls: Catriona Royds
Intermediate Boys: Zachary Pau
Intermediate Girls: Jamie So
Senior Boys: Jake Huddart
Senior Girls: Keiko Kubota

The race for House honours was a tightly fought contest, but in the end Qing house that was victorious. Congratulations to all students and staff involved on the day. We look forward to making this a showcase event on the sporting calendar for years to come.

Congratulations…

The RCHK Girls Aquathon Team took out third place at the 2010 Aquathon Series at Repulse Bay on 30 May. Well done, girls!

Year 8 student Grace Yau participated in the Hong Kong Gymnastics For All Festival last month. Grace helped the Sportscene Ltd Team win a gold medal for Best Acrobatics.

Year 9 student Jocelynn Chu was selected to perform with local singer
Teresa Carpio at a series of concerts at the Hong Kong Coliseum last month. This opportunity gave Jocelynn the chance to pursue her passion for singing and dancing.

Year 11 student Yasodara Karunaratne was recently evaluated by the head tennis coaches from Wellesley College & University of Chicago and received offers from both universities. Later this month Yasodara will travel to the USA for a tennis showcase at Yale University, and meet coaches from Harvard and Cornell. We wish her luck!

Congratulations to Year 12 student Dianne Yang who has been accepted to the Berkeley Summer Select Program. This 6-week program is designed for secondary school students who want an intensive learning experience in a specific subject area such as Economics, Physics, Statistics and Language.

End of Year Reports: Year 1 - Year 5
A Message from Max Muller, Head of Primary

Students in Year 1 - Year 5 will receive their end of year reports on Friday 4 June.

Students in Year 6 will receive their end of year reports on Friday 18 June.

Please note that report cards will only be released to families who are up to date with fee payments and tuition.

If you are a new RCHK family and arrived before 2 February 2010 your child will receive a full report.

Students who started between 1 February and 8 March 2010 will receive a partial report.

Primary Student-Led Conferences
A Message from Max Muller, Head of Primary

Year 1 – 5 will hold Student-Led Conferences on 17-18 June.

On Thursday 17 June, the SLC’s will take place from 3.15pm – 7pm and classes will take place as usual on this day.

On Friday 18 June, the SLC’s will take place from 8am – 3pm. Please note, there are no classes scheduled this day for Year 1 – 5 students. Students should arrive at school in uniform with their family for their scheduled conference.

Teachers will be sending home a schedule of possible conference times for your child.

Year 6 students made their presentations to parents at the recent PYP Exhibition, so they will not participate in the SLC’s. Please note – Year 6 students will attend normal classes on Friday 18 June.

We look forward to sharing and celebrating the learning achievements of your children.

Year 6 Transition
A Message from Ellen Manson, Year 6 Coordinator

The Year 6 Hub is a hive of excitement as our current Year 6 students count down the days until the end of the academic year and their move to Middle School.

2 June is an ESF-wide transition day for all Year 6 students stepping up to Year 7. RCHK will provide a day of activities, learning and information sharing for both new and existing students entering our Year 7 Middle School programme next academic year.

On Friday 21 June all students in Year 6 will take part in a ‘Super 6 Celebration Day’. As it is a surprise we cannot divulge what fun is in store for them!

Acting Antics Summer Theatre Camp
A Message from Acting Antics

Acting Antics is back with another fabulous production for your children over the Summer break.

It is called “The Candy Girls” and is designed for students aged 7 - 12 years. There are great roles for boys and girls, fantastic music and fabulous costumes!

For more information, please click here
 

Congratulations…

Year 3HB student Nicole Chan was crowned overall champion at the 2010 Asian Junior Figure Skating Challenge on May 25. This prestigious event attracts the best junior skaters in Asia.

Paco Chan from 3 KC recently won third place and an honourable mention at the Hong Kong Students Open Speech Competition.

Jay Chau of 4MH, was awarded a medal for “Top Defenseman” in the Mini Squirt Division at the Hong Kong 2010 Hockey 5’s Tournament. This is the largest ice hockey tournament in Asia, and attracted more than 70 teams and 1,200 players from around the world.

Holly Hou of 4AS competed in the Sportscene Gymnastics Competition at the Australian International School on May 30. Holly entered two individual events including balance beam and floor exercise. She won 5th place on balance beam and made it to the “All-round Top Ten” championship.

Year 4AS student Fabian Yiu won a silver medal in the team relay and third place in freestyle at the Hong Kong School Sports Foundation (HKSSF) swimming competition in Ma On Shan.

Year 6PB student Kaden Tsoi won gold medals for the 50-metre butterfly and 100-metre freestyle events at the HKSSF swimming competition on May 28. Kaden also received the best swimmer award for his age group.

Year 6JD student Joyce Yau participated in the Hong Kong Gymnastics For All Festival last month. Joyce helped the Sportscene Team win a gold medal for Best Acrobatics. Congratulations Joyce!

Yearbook Distribution – Volunteers Needed!
A Message from Davina Lloyd, RAPT Co-Chair

The 2010 Yearbook will be distributed on Monday, 14 June. Collection tables will be set up outside reception before / after school and at lunchtime.

We are looking for parent volunteers to check off students’ names and hand out books.

There will be four shifts to cover:

8.15am – 8.45am

12.30pm – 2pm

3pm – 4pm

If you can help, please email RAPT

End of Year Party
A Message from Davina Lloyd, RAPT Co-Chair

School’s out for summer!

Join us to celebrate the end of another successful year at RCHK and farewell staff members and families who are leaving the College.

Take a front row seat at our Trashion fashion parade, dance the night away with our live band, or simply eat, drink and be merry!

DATE:       Friday 18 June 2010 (Free entry)

TIME:        6pm – 10pm

VENUE:    PAC, Renaissance College

Food and drink will be available for purchase. To download the RSVP form, please click here