Sha Tin College 沙田學院

Sha Tin College
Year 6 Newsletter
2015 - 2016
Welcome from the Principal
Dear Year 6 students
I am writing to welcome you to Sha Tin College and wish you well during your final weeks of primary school.
We are very busy preparing for your arrival in August and making sure that all the necessary planning is done
to make you feel welcome and happy here at your new school. We know that it can be a very exciting time but
also that we all worry sometimes about new situations and change. I promise you that everyone here is looking
forward to your arrival, to making you feel valued as a Sha Tin student, and to helping you through the settling
in period.
Life at Sha Tin is very exciting and busy - there are plenty of challenges and opportunities - there are lots
of people to help you and we are confident that you will be very happy here. No one can ever ask or
expect for you to do more than your best - our expectation is exactly this - that you try to do your best
at all times. We hope you expect it of yourselves and know that it is what your parents hope for in your
approach to school and education.
I look forward to welcoming you in person when you visit Sha Tin on induction day.
Mr. Marc Morris
Principal
The Year 7 Team
Tutors
Mr. Jim Lewis
Head of Year 7
Ms. Kathryn Reed
Deputy Head of
Year 7
Tutors
Mr. Martin Astill
Tutor Griffin 2
Ms. Alex Daw
Tutor Pegasus 1
Ms. Danielle Yang
Tutor Dragon 1
Ms. Laurie Stein
Tutor Dragon 2
Mr. Kim Yip
Tutor Griffin 1
Mr. Jonathan Ma
Tutor Pegasus 2
Mr. Andy Service
Tutor Phoenix 1
Mr. Joe Travers
Tutor Phoenix 2
What will you study?
We want students to have lots of choices of subjects and also access to a wide
variety of teaching and learning styles. In Years 7 – 9 the curriculum is designed so
that everyone can fulfil their potential. You will have many opportunities and choices
which will mean your future is the best we, together, can make it. You will exerience
different types of academic subjects and learn more about your own strengths.
All Year 7 students study these subjectin your
first three years at the College:
Art
Drama
Design and Technology
English
Food Technology
Geography
History
Mathematics
Music
Philosophy and Religious Studies
Physical Education
Art
Drama
Science
Global and Social Thinking Skills
Information and Communication Technology
Spanish/French or Mandarin
In Years 8 and 9, you may choose an additional
foreign language to go with the one you chose in
Year 7. Options currently available are French and
Spanish.
History
Food Technology
What will you study?
Philosophy and Religious Studies
Science
Geography
Music
Information and Communication Technology
Mathematics
Spanish
Learning Chinese through various activities
French
What will you study?
English at Sha Tin College
There are lots of ways you can get involved in English at Sha Tin College both inside and outside of the classroom.
This year we had our first pen-pal writing club and students from Year 7 have been handwriting (not typing!)
letters to Year 7 students in a school in England and receiving letters back from their new pen-pals. You would
be surprised at how different life is for a student your age in England! If you are interested in what life is like
the other side of the world, want to experience the old-fashioned way of communicating by writing letters with
pen and paper or simply want to meet new students your age then this is a club to look out for next year.
Pen-pal writing Club
Carnegie Club members
VOiCE
VOiCE is a student publication that
showcases the best of students’
writing each year. This year’s theme
was ‘Temptations’ and students
from all years submitted short
stories and poems linked to this
theme. The student editorial teams
had a very difficult job deciding
on which pieces to publish in this
year’s publication. Students are also
encouraged to take part in Hong
Kong Young Writers’ Awards and
this year two of our students, Yoki
Chan of 7D1 and Elin Chan of 10X1,
had their pieces shortlisted and
published in the HKYWA anthology.
Digital story-teller winner Jaden Shek
and his class 7D1
Every year, English and
ICT run a digital storytelling competition and the
winning entry is shown at
our Young Film-Makers’
Awards. This year, three
Year 7 students had
excerpts of their digital
stories shown at the YFM
Awards and Jaden Shek of
7D1 won the competition
for his digital story about
Community.
Hong Kong Young Writers' Awards
Elin Chan Year 10 (left) & Yoki Chan Year 7 (right)
DEARing during music
English at Sha Tin College
What will you study?
Book Week is always popular at Sha Tin College and this year STC students chose the theme of ‘The Edge
of Tomorrow’. All Year 7-9 students designed their own ‘The Edge of Tomorrow’ T-shirts and wore them to
school on World Book Day. Next year, you will be able to vote for Book Week’s theme and you will also design
your own T-shirt and wear it to school. Many of you will remember coming to STC during Book Week and
listening to Marcus Alexander talking about his action-packed fantasy series, ‘Keeper of the Realms’. He was
one of many authors who visited STC during the year and next year the English Faculty and the Library will
work closely together to bring just as exciting a programme of authors for you to look forward to. During
Book Week there are a whole range of fun activities to take part in: an inter-house book quiz (either join one
of the teams to earn house points for the House Cup, or watch and cheer on your house as loudly as possible
to earn house points for the Spirit Cup); reading flash mob; Drop Everything and Read (even if you are in
the middle of a PE or a Science or a Music lesson…); book mark and other competitions; speed dating with
books...and much more.
Marcus with Year 7 Literature Circle
Inter-house book quiz
Finally, if you like reading you can join the Carnegie Reading Club where you read the eight books that have
been short-listed for this prestigious prize and try to guess which book the judges will vote for. This year’s
winning book hasn’t been announced yet, so we don’t know whether we will agree with the judges’ choice
or not! Before the announcement, we meet up with other ESF Carnegie Reading Clubs and this is a fun
afternoon where we can share our views on who we think should win. The discussions can get quite heated!
Ms Tandy
Head of English Faculty
STC and KGV Carnegie Book Club
members discussing their favourite book
Other Important People
In addition to Ms. Purves, the Acting Senior Leader, Head of Lower
School (Year 7-8); Mr. Lewis, the Head of Year 7; Ms. Reed, the
Deputy Head of Year 7; our counsellor, Lasrissa and Joanna;
the school health professional; and the social worker, Roseman
Tsim, we have knowledgeable Senior School students who can
support you and sugggest practical skills, if you find this useful.
Our Student Council and Year 12 Student Leaders visit tutor
groups regularly so you can feel reassured that the divide between
young and older students is not a barrier. You will also have other
trusted people on campus as friends or advisers.
Support Staff you must know
• Ms Lorna Gomes is Mr Morris’ (the Principal's)
Secretary. She can help you if you need to see the
Principal for any reason or you have a question
which no-one else can answer. You can find her in
the General Office.
• Mr. Keith Lam is the Learning Technology expert. He
can help you with your timetable or any problems
with logging on, accessing our school intranet, the
SMART/website and ‘Gateway’ such as emailing,
etc. You can find him on in the IT Resources Office
up in Room 335.
ers
dent Lead
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Phoenix S
Communication
If we didn’t listen to students, the College would be dreadfully unhappy and unsuccessful. Student
‘voice’ is an important part of our Mission and Aims. We try to make student participation across the
spectrum of school life one of our priorities.
The Student Council is one powerful way students share student ideas and suggestions, but in every
aspect of school life, student voice is linked to our purpose as teachers.
If you are looking for information about what is happening every day and planning ahead so you
are organised, look out for the electronic bulletin boards around the campus. You can find one in
Reception, one in the Library, and one outside the General Office on the Ground Floor, for example.
The Daily Bulletin provides you with essential notices and reminders about all events and activities.
Go to SMART. There are lots of interesting things there, including
a copy of the Daily Bulletin. You will have your own email account
which will allow you to ‘be connected’ in the school and beyond.
It’s clever to check these every day.
Tutor Time is another chance for communication with your fellow
House members, student leaders, your Head of Year at assemblies
and, of course, your Tutor.
Principal’s newsletters are regularly published – these are
electronic – so you can see what has been going on around
the school in numerous areas. If you get involved, it might
be YOU we celebrate in a newsletter soon!
The Tutor Role
We believe that positive relationships between
students and teachers have a strong impact
on academic success. Not only that, but
also their emotional, social and psychological
wellbeing, too. We aim to build strong,
respectful and supportive relationships so
that the transition from primary to secondary
school is free of anxiety and an adventure, if
possible.
Your Tutor is the person you will have one of
the most meaningful relationships with.
Language we teach and EAP* Support
We are proud of the varied cultural and ethnic
backgrounds of our student population. This is one
of the reasons that students are guided to speak only
English during lesson time (except in Modern Foreign
Languages classes) and we encourage you to use
English to communicate during breaks and lunchtimes.
This provides you with valuable chances to practice
and hear lots of different types of English. We have
wonderful experts in EAL (English as an Additional
Language) to support anyone who may need it.
You may be asking yourself what a Tutor does.
There are details here, but you will find out
more soon. Remember; it’s not what they do
which is most significant but the relationships
they build with you. The Tutor is the person
in the school who will probably get to know
you best. This is the person that all other
teachers, parents and the Head of Year will
ask if they have any questions about you. So,
amongst loads of other things, the Tutors are
responsible for Tutor Time with you each day
Checking attendance, giving you messages
through our Daily Bulletin, helping you plan,
get organised, taking an interest in your
academic achievement, discussing targets with
you, accompanying you to, and organising,
your tutor group to lead assemblies,
coordinating charity events and… countless
other activities throughout the year.
* English for Academic Purposes
What Year 7s say
You will definitely enjoy Year 7... Enjoy
little homework while you can!!
College will take a little time to get
used to but it’s really cool. There’s a
school cafeteria where you can choose
what to buy like rice, pizza, fish and
chips, salad and more! Lots of things
are gonna change so have fun in
College!!!
Year 7's great, and there's a lot more
freedom about what you want to
do. CAS Week is amazing, (it’s like
camp). There is also Sports Day, the
skiing trip, etc. Everything at STC
is a little confusing at first but you'll
soon get used to it. There's so much
homework compared to junior school,
but I promise it's fun, though!
In the beginning of Year 7 I was really
scared when the Year 6 teachers
described it. After a while of being
here, I realised that Year 6 was way
easier. Enjoy it while it lasts and don't
be scared to come here. It's really fun!
It was kind of scary on the first day
and it’s probably best to get a group
of friends on the first day and go into
the College together. It’s not that scary
after a while, though.
Sha Tin College is amazing! You can
make new friends easily and there are
many great teachers. The first few
weeks were scary but when you’re
here for a while you learn how to
survive. I barely got lost because of
this rule. There are three numbers on
each door: the first one is the block,
the second one is the floor and the
last one is the room. Have fun.
There is so much to do at Sha Tin
College! There’s no need to be scared
about going to College - the teachers
and Tutors are very nice to you and
will make your thoughts about school
change completely. STC is the best
place for education. Hanging out
with friends and enjoying life. Never
underestimate, though, how your
entire life will change there. You can
enjoy delicious food and drinks at STC
at a reasonable price. The tests and
homework aren’t always that hard
and complicated, you just have to get
used to them. When you understand
the curriculum at school, it will be easy
for you to follow the rules. It will be a
lot easier if you just stick to these tips:
Tidy your locker regularly because the
• Tutor will be checking it.
• Make sure you hand in your
homework on time or else…
detention.
• Never eat above the ground floor.
When you follow these rules, life at
STC won’t be such a threat to you,
it’ll just be a big whoop!
What Year 7s say
Sha Tin College is an awesome school!!! You just have to get used to it first. I remember on
my first PE day my friend and I had to wander around for a really long time before deciding to
ask a teacher. So just don’t be shy and just ask a teacher if you realise you don’t know where
you are or think you’re lost somewhere because if you don’t you’ll be late for your lesson.
There are lots of good things
about STC so you’ll enjoy it. For
example, getting to know new
friends (I now have a load), the
huge cafeteria and other things
such as awesome lessons such
as Food Technology. Be warned there are some pretty bad things
like a load of homework, stairs…
and more stairs. So, enjoy your
last months of freedom before
you move on to STC. (I think I
exaggerated a bit but, you get
the idea right?) Just remember
it’s not that bad, so good luck!!!
And there are a lot of sports to choose from
like cricket, hockey, football and the list just
goes on forever. Best school in the world.
It was really intimidating when I first moved to Sha Tin College but after a while, I
realized it wasn't that bad. I enjoyed CAS Week especially because we had one week of
everything fun and we experienced things with our friends. It’s been the highlight of
my year here so far!
Life here is fun. There are lots
of different activities all the time
at STC. Try to remember to
never leave it until the last day
to do your homework. The bags
here are like ten times heavier
than what you have so I insist
that you use your locker. You
also don’t wear your PE uniform
to school - you have to bring it
to school. A lot of the teachers
here are nice. STC is also more
fun because you have a lot more
subjects and every subject has
its own teacher. Good luck!!
In Term 1, you will get to have a
week full of really fun activities.
This week is called CAS Week.
But remember, there will be lots
of homework at Sha Tin College
so enjoy your time in junior
school. Please note that there
will be lots of stair walking.
The first day at STC can be very
exciting because of your Tutor.
Mine made my experience the
best.
from the Vice Principal
Welcome Messages
One of the ways to think about life is as a bold
adventure. Another is as a story - your own
unique story. This idea is appealing for lots of
reasons.
It’s tough to find anyone who isn’t attracted
by the offer of being told an intriguing story.
If you doubt this, think of all the occasions
you’ve been captivated by being read to and
the thrill of reading your own stories.
Narratives, or stories, (if they are good),
contain elements of unpredictability. Positive
things happen and when anything challenging,
for example problems or difficult decisions
arise, the reader learns about the variety of
ways it’s possible to face difficulties and overcome obstacles. This mostly
happens because of the characters…
Yes; it’s the people or characters in the narrative who work through
the conflicts, figure out ways to become better people and who grow
(emotionally, socially, behaviourally and physically) because of what happens
to them and what they make happen as the story unfolds. Readers learn
fast to really like or dislike the characters. Characters can even become
favourites who we admire and copy. What’s the name of a character you
try to be like?
By now you might be wondering why I am writing to you about stories and
making connections between stories and you moving to Sha Tin College.
You also may have already figured it out.
Coming to secondary school will provide you with ideas for at least one
chapter of your life story. This period of transition will be one you will
remember, even when you are indescribably old, like about 40. It is one of
those times that you will vividly recall, a bit like travelling in a plane overseas
for the first time.
So, if we know the journey from primary to secondary school is a special
one and we’re aware it will be unforgettable, too, how can you make sure
it will be the best it can be? After all, this is YOUR life. What can you do so
that all the elements of your story are remarkable?
Well, here are my "top tips".
Start with a genuinely positive attitude towards learning and towards building
relationships. In my experience, these are the students who gain the most from
their time at Sha Tin College. They are the ones who will be able to write the
most exciting and fascinating life stories. You want to actively look for ways
to build upon the strengths you already have, to get involved in a range of
activities, to volunteer and to cooperate with the development of our school
community. We want you interested, not just in yourself, but in teams, projects
and the ethos of the school. If you are brave, generous, kind, hard- working
and demonstrate you have empathy with those around you, lots will happen,
every day, so your story grows, like you do. Feed your curiosity through reading
and talking to people from different friendships and age groups to yours.
We are excited that you are coming to our school. We want you to have a
treasure trove of glittering memories about your transition from primary to
secondary school, for YOUR story to be captivating. Don’t wait to make your
story captivating – begin now!
I have an old friend, someone I met at this school, who I respect very much.
His perspective on education is fresh and creative. Yesterday, I found this quote
from a Professor of Psychology at Stanford University, Carol Dweck. The quote
appealed to me and I think you’ll like it, too. It's at the bottom, in the pink text
box.
See if you can spot me on August 17 and tell me how you plan to make this
next phase of your life….astounding.
Mrs Rowlands
Vice Principal
“…successful individuals … love learning; they seek challenges, they value
effort, and they persist in the face of obstacles."
from the Head of Lower School
Welcome Messages
Dear Y6 students,
A new experience awaits you at Sha Tin College, and we are all very
much looking forward to welcoming you here. You might be feeling a
mixture of excitement, but also nervousness. But rest assured that we are
a very happy school with many talented staff who are all eager to guide
you through. My advice is to step out of your comfort zone, seek out new
opportunities both inside and outside the classroom, and immerse yourself
in the vibrant house spirit! And if you are ever in doubt about anything,
then we will all be happy to help you. We will see you soon!
Best wishes
Miss Purves
Senior Leader Head of Lower School (Acting)
I’m the Middle School Administrator for Year 7-8. If
you lose any of your belongings, need to have an early
leave urgently or have any questions, you are more
than welcome to visit me in the Lower School Office.
I’m in Room 127. I will try my best to solve any of your
problems. It might be a busy month for you to meet
new friends and teachers in August. I hope you will
enjoy your life in Sha Tin College.
Ms. Elaine Cheuk
Lower School Administrator
from School Administrator
Hello and welcome to Sha Tin College!
Welcome Messages
Homework Club
I am so looking forward to welcoming you to our
fantastic school in August!
If you feel swamped with homework
and don’t know where or how to
begin, then Homework Club is the
place for you! Homework Club meets
every Tuesday and Friday during lunch
time. Help is available from teachers
and senior students. Come and use a
computer, get study tips, revise for a
test and/or finish all your homework.
Sign up for it as a CAS activity or just
come when you need help. Hope to
see you there.
As you begin your studies at Sha Tin College,
you will have many interesting new experiences
ahead of you. New subjects, new teachers, new
activities, but above all, new friends, will all help
to make this an exciting change for you. Along
with your form tutor and the rest of our team,
I will be delighted to help guide you through a
successful first year at Sha Tin College.
Best wishes
Jim Lewis
Head of Year 7
Dear Students,
from the Deputy Head of Year 7
I am sure you are excited about starting
secondary school and it is also natural to have
some questions about what this might be like.
You will have lots of new opportunities in your
journey from Year 7 to Year 13 and I hope
you take these up whenever you can. These
opportunities include learning new subjects,
taking up new activities, meeting new friends
and visiting new places. You are going to become
part of a larger community in which your actions
have an impact as important as the actions of
others. There will be lots of moments where you
will think about what it means to be part of this
community. As you can see in this newsletter
there are lots of people who are here to help you
and offer advice. I am one of those people and I looking forward to welcoming
you to Sha Tin College in August.
Best wishes,
Ms. Kathryn Reed
Deputy Head of Year 7
Learning Support Department
The Learning Support Department provides academic support and
enrichment activities for all students. Classes are offered to help
students develop their literacy and math skills across the curriculum
and strategies for organizing, learning, revising and remembering are
taught.
Our gifted and talented education programme includes enrichment
and extension activities to help students develop their special
abilities and talents. Departments offer special activities and
information is shared about programmes in the community.
Mrs. Laurie Stein
Head of Learning Support
from Head of Learning Support
from the Head of Year
Dear Students,
Welcome Messages
from the House Coordinator
Aladdin School Production
Hello Everyone! I am the
teacher who puts together
the Activities programme and
also coordinates all the House
events.
We w o u l d l i k e a l l o f o u r
students to join in with
activities at Sha Tin College.
We believe there is more to
life than playing on an xbox,
updating Facebook or watching
TV!
Through our CAS activities programme there are many options
to choose from and they change every term so over the course
of the year you can experience a variety of activities. The
activities take place during lunchtimes and after school and
hopefully you will be able to find something that is suitable for
you.
Jane Parry
Senior Leader
The school nurse is here to help you with
your physical, emotional, and social health
and to support your every success in the
learning process. You can come and see
the school nurse any time from 7:45am
to 4:45pm. The office of the school nurse
is located on the ground floor (Medical
Room) next to the General Office. In case
the school nurse is not in the office, please
contact any member of the staff in the
General Office and wait for the school nurse
there.
Parents/guardians can visit the school’s website for more information on medical service
by looking under “Student Support”.
School Nurse
from the School Nurse
You will be placed in one of our four houses: Dragon, Griffin,
Pegasus and Phoenix. Through your house you will also have
the opportunity to take part in many house events all of which
gain points towards the house cup which is awarded at the
end of the school year. Through your tutor group will be
involved in the annual House charity fundraising events. You
will be raising awareness as well as funds to support the four
House charities: Crossroads Foundation, Habitat for Humanity,
St Barnabas and Child Welfare Scheme.
Being a teenager can be tough! It can often feel as though you are
dealing with lots of stress, which may get in the way of your happiness.
Talking to a counsellor helps as it can be a great way to explore your
thoughts and feelings about things, and even help you to find solutions
to your problems. No problem is too small or too big, so if you would
like to come and talk to someone, in confidence, please feel welcome to
contact us, Larissa Kirpichnikov on [email protected] or Joanna
Day on [email protected]. Appointments are usually held
on Wednesday and Thursday in Room H11A, just above the basketball
courts.
Looking forward to meeting you this year.
Larissa Kirpichnikov
Psychologist
Joanna Day
Counsellor
Dear Students,
August is always an exciting month during the school year because we have lots of new members
joining our school. Let me wish you a great start.
I am the social worker from Hong Kong Young Women’s Christian Association Sha Tin Integrated
Social Service Centre. I am here to work closely with teachers to help you and your families
overcome difficulties such as school adjustment, peer relationships, coping with stress, childparent relationship and other personal issues. I provide confidential counselling and group activity
support. I am stationed at the school four days a week during school term (not on Wednesdays) in
Room H11B. I am also contactable via telephone and email: [email protected]
At the same time, I organize links with outside agencies to allow you, and other students, to take
part in a range of placements and projects. These include work with local charities, the elderly
and other ‘under privileged’ groups in society. Many students have found these community service
experiences meaningful and insightful, in addition to fulfilling their CAS activity requirements. I
look forward to meeting you.
Ms. Roseman Tsim
School Social Worker
from the School Social Worker
from the School Counsellors
Welcome Messages
Welcome Messages
from the Librarian
Dear Students,
The Library and Learning Centre (LLC) at Sha Tin College provides
a warm and friendly learning environment to meet the needs of our
young 21st Century learners. Within the walls of the library you will
find a wealth of information on topics that support your classroom
studies and your recreational interests. By providing access to quality
information in print and electronic format the LLC goal is to maximise
your learning potential by encouraging you to become competent
users of information and knowledge; encourage a lifelong pursuit of
learning and help you nurture a love of reading.
Book Week Competition Winner 2015
There are a number of ways you can keep up-to-date with library news:
• The library webpage on SMART provides access to lots of useful educational links
• Our library BLOG will keep you updated with the latest library news and happenings
• Library catalogue, OLIVER, you’ll be able to find out which new book have just
arrived in the LLC as well as read author reviews.
• Select books through recommendations from online reading guides
• Access school databases and…… much, much more!
You can get involved in the library by becoming a Library Monitor or by participating in
the ‘Battle of the Books’ competition held each year against other international schools
in Hong Kong. We have also introduced the Carnegie Book Club which showcases books
selected for Carnegie Medal and the Hong Kong Golden Dragon Awards. Both the Battle
of the Books and the
Carnegie shadowing scheme is an excellent way to introduce students to books they
may not otherwise pick up and provides a great opportunity to discuss the books
together.
A moment to relax and enjoy the battle
The library is staffed by Ms Sonia Hansen, Librarian and Ms. Jill Wong, Library
Assistant. The library opening hours are from 8:00am – 4:30pm, Monday to Friday.
Students are welcome to access the library and borrow books before school, during
lunch and after school. Once a week Year 7 students come to the library with their
English class for quiet reading and borrowing.
Ms Sonia Hansen
Librarian
Our iBOB team
Co-Leader Toby Jeynes
Welcome Messages
I look forward to seeing you next year and hope you enjoy your time
here as much as I do!
Vivian Wong
Communication Officer
The End…
Well, that’s it- for now. This provides you with a glimpse into our school but the real adventure begins when you come, for
keeps, in August.
Till then, stay in touch, stay well, happy, safe… keep learning.
Farewell from everyone waiting to welcome you to Sha Tin College.
Ms. Lucie Purves
from the Communication Officer
When you walk into the main building of Sha Tin College, I will
probably be the
first person to greet you because you will find me at Reception in the
General
Office. If you have any queries, you can always drop by and ask me.
I’ll try my best to solve any of your problems or direct you to the
appropriate staff. You are also very welcome to come over and say ‘Hi’!