9 Oct 2020

Principal’s Message

Upcoming WIS Parent Webinars

Monday 12 October

This webinar will provide an overview for parents of the West Island School MYP Community Project in Year 9. Naomi Darling will introduce the philosophy behind the Community Project and outline the four objectives of the community project that will be demonstrated holistically throughout the process as well as in the final presentation. This webinar will also explore the Approaches to Learning that students will develop through this opportunity as well as the routes students can take to pursue service learning in the community.

Thursday 15 October

Year 10 Parents’ Assessment Forum

Assessment in Y10 at WIS. Learn about the data our school uses to inform assessments in school and assessment information available on the FARM.

Message from Mr Sammons

Dear Students, Parents, Staff and Friends of WIS,

I have decided that facing the first lockdown for Covid was easier than this transition phase. The common enemy was in sight, we knew what we needed to target and there was at least something to galvanize around, however uncomfortable.

In this transition phase, finding muscle memory, accepting routines are not the same, remembering what used to work and wondering why we can’t have it all back is ruminating in most of our minds. Worry does serve a useful function as it keeps us alert to danger, however, it can be really preoccupying and if we don’t unclutter our minds we might just miss some wonderful things that are happening right under our noses.

Enter Kamakshi.

I have seen this young lady do some courageous things over the last few years and also had the privilege of teaching her all too briefly. Sometimes a student comes along that is just making things happen because they have passion, positive intent and humility. They also understand that sometimes leadership is actually 90% rolling your sleeves up and putting one foot in front of the other and pushing on as others push back or sit back.

Kamakshi will be speaking at the TedxEncompassHK Countdown on 18 October at 2pm to talk about the charity she has founded. Her presentation titled “Passion, Purpose and Pursuit” is about how it is up to citizens of earth to take charge of the planets and reasons for why the human race cannot rely on people in positions of power to take the lead. I am right behind her as I know you will be too. She shares a very impressive stage as one of the youngest presenters amongst Professors and experts in their fields. Please click here to register. You can learn more about Kamakshi and the TEDxEncompassHK project here.

I also wanted to let you know that we are beginning to think that the school model we are working with currently is the best we could imagine in meeting EDB requirements, but there are a number of small tweaks we can make to get it better. I emphasise small and am considering how we don’t become complacent heading towards the winter season.

To that end, there are a few things we would like your help with:

1. To avoid the possibility of overcrowding on entry to the school, we will move to using your ESF parent app for recording temperature at home which is still a responsibility of parents and a requirement for you to have this record should you be contacted by a track and trace team from the Hong Kong government. Young people will no longer need to bring their paper records.

If your child takes the school bus provided by Kwoon Chung, they must have their bus pass or QR Code for scanning before they board the bus. A few students are regularly delaying buses by having to root around in their bags and this means the whole bus is not arriving on time or starting their lessons promptly at 8.15am. Unfortunately, students who do not have a bus pass or QR Code will not be allowed to board the bus moving forward

And the better news, EDB STUDENT GRANT 2020-21. The worst news is that what looks devilishly simple still trips many parents. We didn’t design the process and are not responsible for any errors made when you complete the form – please take care with the following notes we think you should be paying attention to:

- - - Year 8-13 Parents: You will receive a pre-filled application (Form B) in the post next week. Please check the form thoroughly. If all the information is accurate, please tick the confirmation box at the bottom part of the form, sign, date and submit the application form to the main office.
  - - If you find that some of the information on the pre-filled application (Form B) requires updating (information other than Student’s Name in English, Name of Day-school and School Level), please make amendment(s) in the space above the relevant information in BLOCK letters using black or blue ball pen, leave the confirmation box blank and submit your application form to the main office.
  - If the Student’s Name in English, Name of Day-school or School Level on the pre-printed application (Form B) requires amendment, please complete a new application (Form A) for your child and submit to the main office.
Year 7 and students new to WIS will receive a blank form (Form A) on Monday 12 October during Tutor period. Read the instructions which include complete details on how to fill in bank account details correctly. It is vital that all information is filled in correctly and is not double checked by us as this is your form.

A copy of Form A can be downloaded from here and paper copies are also available in the main office.

We have to adhere to a deadline set by the EDB and in order for us to complete processing, all completed forms must be submitted to the main office by Friday 23 October. Forms can be handed in to the main office in person or post. If you choose to post your form, please add “STUDENT GRANT FORM” on the envelope.

UPCOMING UNIVERSITY WEBINARS

9 October 20:00

Study in Singapore Virtual Sessions

Singapore Management University (SMU) will be partnering with Yale-NUS College and the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD). Students will be able to learn more about the diverse range of undergraduate programmes, admission requirements, scholarships, and financial aid schemes offered by each institution.

10 October 9:30 – 17:30

PolyU Online Education Info Day 2020

Various info sessions on admissions and specific programmes are scheduled from 9:30am-5:30pm. In particular, there is a session at 11am on non-JUPAS admissions. Virtual exhibition booths and virtual campus tours are also available during the event. (All activities are conducted in Cantonese unless otherwise specified.)

10 October 9:00 – 18:00

CUHK Virtual Information Day for Undergraduate Admissions 2020

Eight Faculties—Arts, Business Administration, Education, Engineering, Law, Medicine, Science and Social Science—and the respective programmes (70+ majors), nine Colleges as well as some of administrative units will host admission talks, online written chat sessions and share videos and admissions information on that day.

The highlights of the Information Day include:

– “Brave New Normal – College Attendance and the World of Work in Future” (at 11.30am HKT)

o Featuring guidance on university education, application to CUHK and Q&A

o Please register for the thematic talk via this link (https://cuhk.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_-bzhzeZvRAW3npvu-WofGA)

– Question and Answer Session for Local Non-JUPAS Applicants with international qualifications (from 2pm to 6pm HKT)

o Real time written chatroom where all questions on application to CUHK are answered

o Participants who register for the Virtual Information Day will find links to this session via the event portal

10 October

CU MEDICINE x VIRTUAL INFO DAY 2020

CU MEDICINE x VIRTUAL INFO DAY 2020 is committed to providing students with ample opportunity to explore CU Medicine’s 9 undergraduate programmes through interactive LIVE admission talks and chats, videos of refurnished teaching facilities, and introduction of the latest and first-hand programme information at our virtual booths. Needless to say, the most sought-after activity of the Info Day must be the MBChB and GPS programme admission talk via ZOOM where passionate professors and well-rounded students will share with the audience the unique PERSONALISED MBChB curriculum as well as their captivating journey in studying medicine

12 October 19:00

Wake Forest Information Session

12-16 October

Study in the UK: Virtual Week

Throughout the week, a group of more than 20 UK universities will be running a series of free webinars, live chats and Q&As aimed at offering information, advice and guidance to prospective undergraduate. These sessions will include top tips on applying to university and preparing for university life, and a range of academic subject talks to give students a taster of their favourite subject in a university setting.

13 October
Meet Sydney

Introduction to University of Sydney and a 3-hour virtual Q&A session about studying at the University of Sydney in 2021 and beyond. You can register for multiple sessions.

Introduction to University of Sydney (5:00pm – 5:15pm)

Arts, Social Sciences, Music and Law
(5:30pm – 8:30pm)

Medicine, Health and Science
(5:30pm – 8:30pm)

Business
(5:30pm – 8:30pm)
Register by clicking here

Architecture, Engineering and IT (5:30pm – 8:30pm)
Register by clicking here

13 October 20:00

UC Santa Cruz & the UC Application Webinar (ESF)

15 October 13:00

College for Creative Studies, California College of the Arts, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and Maryland Institute College of Art Virtual Presentation (ESF)

15 October 16:00

The University of Melbourne Information Session

15 October 16:30
UC San Diego Information Session

15 October 18:00

The University of Hong Kong Zoom Admissions Talk

Rundown:

4:50-5:00 : Housekeeping **PLEASE ENTER THE MEETING AT 4:50pm**

5:00-5:20 : General admissions information + Application tips

5:20-6:00 : Parallel mock lectures + Q&A (Medicine/ Business/ Social Sciences/ Science)

6:00-6:30 : Chitchat with Student Ambassadors from different programmes

Zoom meeting link: https://hku.zoom.us/j/98529297797?pwd=M2lVb1FMY0RvOWNYSmJtS0dYNkkzUT09

Meeting ID: 985 2929 7797

Password: 128539

15 October 20:00

Study in Singapore Virtual Sessions

17 October 12:00 – 20:00

HKUST Virtual Information Day

● Admission talks on all existing and new programs as well as interactive live student sharing

● Virtual booths of all departments and programs with full downloadable materials

● Individualized admissions consultation to ask HKUST faculty, admission officers and students real-time questions

● Campus 360 virtual tour for students to explore our stunning campus anytime, from anywhere

● Video vault featuring all range of student and campus life that define HKUST

17 October 10:00

University of Southern California Information Session

17 October 23:00

UC for You (for Non-Resident/International Students

You will have the opportunity to discover the nine UC campuses and can take the time to chat with admissions representatives in individualized meeting rooms. This is your chance to ask questions about admissions requirements based on their state or country, selection criteria, majors, pre-professional programs and more.

20 October 16:30 – 18:00

University Arts London Portfolio Advice

Limited places are available on a first come, first served basis. Please provide the information below and email: sharonwan@chamberlain-edu.com

First name:

Last name:

Date of birth:

Email address:

Phone number:

Level of interest: All / Foundation / Degree / Master (You may choose more than one)

Year of Entry: 2021 / 2022 / 2023

Place of Residence: (e.g. Hong Kong)

Please contact: sharonwan@chamberlain-edu.com

21 October 20:00 8:00

Meet Admissions Directors from Bates, Davidson, Oberlin, and Occidental Colleges!

24 October 10:00-17:00

HK Baptist University Virtual Information Day for Undergraduate Admissions

24 October

CityU Virtual Information Day for Undergraduate Admissions

24-25 October

King’s College London Health & Life Sciences Virutal Open Days

Topics include:

● Subject sessions

● Applying & personal statement talks

● Accommodation talks

● Student Services sessions and Q&As

● Dedicated parents & carers talks

● Social media Q&As with current students.

26 October 20:00

US Northeast Public Universities Information Session

Universities include: University of Delaware, Binghamton University, Stony Brook University, University of Maryland, University of Pittsburgh, Penn State, University of Connecticut, and Rutgers University

5 Nov 9:00

CSU Virtual High School Fair

Meet with counselors from the 23 California State University campuses and get your admission questions answered!

8 Nov 17:00 – 20:00

Virtually Orange: The online Dutch University Festival

Participating Universities of Applied Sciences: Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences | Hanze University of Applied Sciences Groningen | Hotelschool the Hague | HZ University of Applied Sciences | NHL Stenden | Rotterdam Business School, part of Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences | The Hague University of Applied Sciences | Windesheim University of Applied Sciences | Zuyd University of Applied Sciences

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