Dear Parents and Guardians,

I hope you had a good week. There is a lot going on at KGV in the last three weeks of term. The students seem to be settled and engaged and are back in the swing of full-day schooling after the previous few months.

COVID Changes from 1 December.

Because we are above 90% of students with three-dose vaccination (or equivalent), from 1 December, we no longer need to eat in designated areas. This will free up our Canteen space and allow our canteen vendor Sodexo to serve meals all day. We hope to see full canteen service resume over the next three weeks to be back to full operation by the beginning of term 2.

IB 5-Year Review

Our staff at KGV work in partnership with our students and parents to provide the best possible school experience. Our International Baccalaureate (IB) Evaluation visit next year is part of this process. In the coming weeks, we will ask for your input and feedback on our current policies and guidelines. We can learn from each other to make this experience valuable, with your child’s learning at the centre of this process. Please look out for feedback opportunities in the coming weeks.

Summer Holiday Planning

This is a while away yet, but some families may be looking to start planning the summer holidays that begin on 1 July, 2023. To confirm, the first day of the school year for 2023/24 will be on 16  August 2023

Learning Reviews

We had great feedback from parents regarding the value and positive experience of the Learning Reviews. This a reminder that the appointment system is open again until Tuesday next week for any further bookings or changes to current bookings. Students will work from home next Thursday, 1 December, with work being set on Google Classroom. Our final Learning Review is on 6 December, which will only take place in the evening.

Sports Day

Monday 28 November is our Sports Day. Years 7 & 8 will compete at school.

Students should come to school, as usual, dressed in PE kits. They must bring a packed lunch and do not need any equipment for normal lessons. They will all be involved in the event all day until our usual 2.05 pm finish. Here is the programme of events can be found below, along with the sign-up for parents who wish to attend.

Sports Day Programme 2022.

https://forms.gle/zJkru5jDv2AmoWRRA

The year 9 to 13 students will be at Kowloon Tsai Sports Ground. Students will need to swipe in using Octopus at Kowloon Tsai. School buses will drop off and pick up students from KGV. School at normal times. Year 9 to 13 students who arrive at school in the normal will be guided by teachers to and from the Kowloon Tsai Sports Ground.

9-13 Sports Day Programme 2022

Creative Arts Week

The 5 - 9 December is our Creative Arts Week. Students will have the opportunity to experience a wide range of events. It is not too late to sign up for 8 December, 4.30 pm -7 pm. From 4.30 pm -6 pm, we have a wide range of events planned; then 6 pm – 7 pm is our Carol Concert. Your children have been asked to organise a games stall, one per tutor group. They will then organise who will run the booth. I hope many of you can join us to celebrate our first full face-to-face Term 1 in many years. Please sign up below if you would like to come along

KGV Community Celebration Parent Sign Up

EDB Survey

The EDB has requested that we share the following with our parents.

Policy 21 has been commissioned by the EDB to conduct a survey questionnaire for parents in Hong Kong, and KGV parents have been selected to complete the survey. The study results will help the Hong Kong SAR Government review the provision of international school places in Hong Kong and the support measures for the international school sector.

The information gathered in the study will be kept strictly confidential and used for overall statistics only. No reference will be made to the identity of individual respondents. Please complete the survey here.

Have a good weekend

Mark Blackshaw

Principal, KGV School

Year 11 Message

The options deadline for indicating Year 12 choices is 30 November. Subject presentations for students are ongoing during tutor time here at school. If you require any advice or help, please contact your child's tutor in the first instance.

For sports day on Monday, Year 11 students will be at Kowloon Tsai Sports ground.

It was great to see so many parents engaging in the learning review on Wednesday. The booking system is open again now for parents who are yet to make bookings. The next days are Thursday, 1 Dec (all day) and Tuesday, 6 Dec (evening).

Many assessments will take place in the last few weeks of the term. Please look out for any signs of stress or anxiety and let us know if we can help in any way.

Year 11 Mock exams are scheduled for the two weeks beginning Monday, 30 January, immediately after CNY. We are working with students now to finalise a schedule for these mock exams. Also available is a provisional timetable for the FINAL GCSE exams in April/May/June next year. We do not yet know the time of the day for each exam, only the dates. You will notice that there are several days when students may have multiple exams, this is normal and the mocks will help students prepare for this experience. 

Congratulations to Esmee Mook in Year 11, who recently attended a gymnastics competition in Thailand, representing Hong Kong. Her team won the gold medal while Esmee was overall number 4.

Year 10 Message

It was great to see so many parents engaging in the Learning review on Wednesday. The booking system is open again now for parents who are yet to make bookings. The next learning review days are Thursday, 1 Dec (all day) and Tuesday, 6 Dec (evening).

For sports day on Monday, Year 10 students will be at Kowloon Tsai Sports ground.

1:1 conversations are ongoing between Year 10 students and their tutors. 

Many assessments will take place in the last few weeks of the term. Please look out for any signs of stress or anxiety and let us know if we can help in any way.

Dear Parents and Caregivers

Thank you to those parents who joined us for this week’s Learning Review. This a reminder that the appointment system is open again until Tuesday for any further bookings or changes to current bookings. Students will work from home again next Thursday, 1st December with work being set on Google Classroom. Our final Learning Review is on 6 December, and this will take place after school.

Monday 28th November is our Sports Day. Years 7 & 8 will compete at school. Students should come to school as normal, dressed in PE kits. They must bring a packed lunch and do not need any equipment for normal lessons. They will all be involved in the event all day, until our usual 2.05 pm finish. Here is the programme of events can be found below, along with the sign-up for parents who wish to attend.

7&8 Sports Day Programme 2022.            

https://forms.gle/zJkru5jDv2AmoWRRA

An App message was sent yesterday with further details.

5th - 9th December is our Creative Arts Week. Students will have the opportunity to experience a wide range of events from puppetry to Art “Big Draw” and from Interhouse Photography to African Drums. We are really excited to have you coming to KGV School to be part of this event and have already 300+ families set to attend. It is not too late to sign up for 8th December, 4.30 pm -7 pm. From 4.30 pm -6 pm, we have a wide range of events planned and then 6 pm - 7 pm is our Carol Concert. Your children have been asked to organise a games stall, one per tutor group. They will then organise who will run the stall. I am hoping as many of you as possible can join us to celebrate our first full face-to-face  Term 1 in many years. Please sign up below if you would like to come along

KGV Community Celebration Parent Sign Up

Have a great weekend.

We thoroughly enjoyed our House Assemblies this week where our Colours awards were given out to our senior students who have made considerable commitments to co-curricular activities.

Our Senior School tutors will continue their 1-1 meetings with your child. In these conversations, your child’s tutor seeks to understand your child's situation, progress and experience. Our tutors are trying to guide and support your child in order to help them meet their goals over the course of Years 12 and 13.

We are looking forward to our KGV Sports Day on Monday and can’t wait to see our House Spirit in action once more as we cheer on our superb KGV athletes. For sports day on Monday, Year 12 students will be at Kowloon Tsai Sports ground.

Wishing you a great weekend.

Year 13 Message

Please see below our Year 13 Mock Exam timetable commencing Monday 9th January and finishing on Friday 20th January 2023.

Year 13 Mock Exam Timetable January 2023

We thoroughly enjoyed our House Assemblies this week where our Colours awards were given out to our senior students who have made considerable commitments to co-curricular activities.

Our Senior School tutors will continue their 1-1 meetings with your child. In these conversations, your child’s tutor seeks to understand your child's situation, progress and experience. Our tutors are trying to guide and support your child in order to help them meet their goals over the course of Year 13.

We are looking forward to our KGV Sports Day on Monday and can’t wait to see our House Spirit in action once more as we cheer on our superb KGV athletes. For sports day on Monday, Year 13 students will be at Kowloon Tsai Sports ground.

Wishing you a great weekend.

Year 8 Message

A reminder that Sports Day will take place on Monday 28th November. Year 8 will be based at KGV. Details have been shared with students. School buses will run to and from KGV as normal. Please note that ALL students will need to bring snacks, a packed lunch and something to drink as there is no school canteen available on this day. 

It was great to see so many parents engaging in the Learning Review on Wednesday. The booking system is open again now for parents who are yet to make bookings for Learning Review Day 2 and 3. The remaining days are Thursday, 1 Dec (all day - school closed for students) and Tuesday, 6 Dec (evening). Students will be set independent work to complete at home on these days. Your child is strongly encouraged to attend each online Learning Review session with you and their teacher.  

December 5th to 9th will be Creative Arts Week. There will be a number of events during the week and a Community Celebration and Carol Concert on the afternoon/evening of December 8th. Additional information regarding this event has been posted in the App. 

As of 2 December, all students can eat their snacks and lunch in any suitable location around school. Therefore from next Friday there will be no snacks during tutor time. 

Please remind your child that Mobile Phones should be in their bags and on silent between 07:30 am and 3:20 pm every day (2:05 pm on Mondays). 

Have a great weekend! 

Year 9 Message

A reminder that Sports Day will take place on Monday 28th November. Year 9 will be at Kowloon Tsai Sports Ground. Details have been shared with students. School buses will run to and from KGV as normal and teachers will assist students to make their way to and back from Kowloon Tsai if they are catching a school bus. Please note that ALL students will need to bring snacks, a packed lunch and something to drink as there is no school canteen available on this day. 

It was great to see so many parents engaging in the Learning Review on Wednesday. The booking system is open again now for parents who are yet to make bookings for Learning Review Day 2 and 3. The remaining days are Thursday, 1 Dec (all day - school closed for students) and Tuesday, 6 Dec (evening). Students will be set independent work to complete at home on these days. Your child is strongly encouraged to attend each online Learning Review session with you and their teacher.  

December 5th to 9th will be Creative Arts Week. There will be a number of events during the week and a Community Celebration and Carol Concert on the afternoon/evening of 8 December. Additional information regarding this event has been posted in the App. 

Options Deadline for Year 9 is at 23:59 today. Please can you check that your child has entered their option choices and if not, encourage them to complete during tutor time. This a reminder that this is only provisional at the moment and they will have an opportunity to confirm/change in February. 

Please remind your child that Mobile Phones should be in their bags and on silent between 07:30 am and 3:20 pm every day (2:05 pm on Mondays). 

Have a great weekend! 

Monday 28th November 2022 Whole School Sports Day for all.

Year 7&8 Sports Day

Date: Monday 28th November 2022

Venue: KGV School

Start Time: 8:15am

Finish Time: 2:05pm

Schedule: 7&8 Sports Day Programme 2022

Swipe in Octopus at School

ALL Students should;

Wear PE kit all day. (Students not selected for the Athletic events will still be participating in House activities on the day)

Bring a snack and lunch and two water bottles (Named).

Bring clothes to stay warm, a hat and suncream (please look at the weather)

Should not bring their laptops or school books

Leave any valuables in their lockers.

Check their emails from their House captains this weekend to see if they have been selected and be ready to fill in for a sick or injured teammate. Athletes can be changed on the day.

Parents Attending must complete the following Google Form in order to attend the Year 7&8 Sports Day at KGV School.

https://forms.gle/zJkru5jDv2AmoWRRA

Travel: School buses will drop off students and pick up students at the end of School at the regular times.

Year 9-13 Sports Day

Date: Monday 28th November 2022

Venue: Kowloon Tsai Sports Ground

Start Time: 8:15 am

Finish Time: 2:05 pm

Schedule: 9-13 Sports Day Programme 2022

Swipe in Octopus at Kowloon Tsai and use Stay Home Safe App and have a Blue Vaccine Code.

ALL Students should;

Athletes must wear PE kit, Non-athletes respectable house colours and a touch of festive spirit.

Bring snacks and lunch and two water bottles (Named) There is no opportunity to get a delivery or leave the venue.

Bring clothes to stay warm, a hat and suncream (please look at the weather)

Should not bring their laptops or school books.

Look after valuables or leave them in their locker at school if feasible.

Check their emails from their House captains this weekend to see if they have been selected and be ready to fill in for a sick or injured teammate. Athletes can be changed on the day.

Travel: Students make their own way to Kowloon Tsai in the morning and their own way home.

Follow this link for a Walking Map from KGV School to Kowloon Tsai Sports Ground Athletics Track

If students take the School bus they will be dropped off at KGV School and will need to walk to Kowloon Tsai.

Teachers will be positioned along the walk and at crossings to support students. They should look at the map (see schedule) so they are familiar with the walking route.

Students will need to then walk back at the end of the Sports Day at 1:30 pm (see schedule) to collect their School bus.

Creative Arts Week

We would like to welcome parents and caregivers to an afternoon celebration at KGV School. On Thursday,  8 December, we are opening our gates to parents and students to come and celebrate some of the amazing work our students have been doing across the term. With a particular focus on ‘creative arts’, we have music, drama, art, media, sport, Business, ICT and DT events for you to see in action between 4.30 pm – 6 pm. At 6 pm, we will be holding our Carol Concert and would love you to join us.

To help us prepare for the event and meet COVID requirements, we need you to sign up to acknowledge your attendance. All parents and caregivers must have a blue code on their Leave Home Safe App and be able to show a negative RAT result on the day. We will also ask those attending to donate a nominal charity donation of HK$20. All proceeds go to our school charities.

Please can you complete this form to let us know you will be attending.

Link to Creative Arts Week

KGV Colours Awards

This week we have been able to celebrate the achievements of Senior Students in a series of Colours Award ceremonies.

The KGV School Colours were established in the year 2000 as a means of recognising students who make outstanding contributions and demonstrate excellence in the extra-curricular program. Colours represent and reflect the very best achieving students within the school and should be seen as a real challenge, difficult to achieve and for students to aspire to. Colours are awarded in the following categories: Sports, Performing Arts and general/other CAS areas.

The criteria for winning a Colours award are clearly established as a student that demonstrates the following:

• Excellence - A student must have represented the school with distinction at the highest level for a sustained period of time.
• Exemplify the school values - A student must have presented themselves and represented the group or team and the school with respect to:
  • Honesty: academically honest, punctual and have a positive attitude towards KGV, their studies, all KGV staff and themselves
  • Courage: has gone beyond the ordinary effort and performance and shown dedication and a sustained commitment to their chosen activity.
  • Empathy: have demonstrated the ability to focus on what other people are thinking and understand how other people see things to ensure the progression of the others in their activity.

The following students were deserving recipients for 2022.

At KGV we encourage students to take part in a range of extension activities both in school and outside of school.  Throughout the year, each subject department may organise events and/or nominate students to take part in internal and external events and competitions.  We also support students who want to join external extension courses for secondary school students run by universities and other organisations.  These are great opportunities for students to extend themselves within their areas of interest and strength.  They also provide students with the opportunity to connect with other students from around Hong Kong who share a similar interest and give students insights into possible future university courses and career pathways.

The list below has the names and websites of extension programmes that some of our students have taken part in previously.  Each provider offers a wide range of courses targeting different ages and topic areas.  These courses may take place in person and/or online and may start at various times throughout the year.  Each provider also has different entry requirements and application procedures, such as minimum scores on standardised tests, open applications, school recommendations, or school nominations.  Each provider may also charge a fee for their courses, and/or offer scholarships.

University of Hong Kong

Academy for the Talented

https://talented.hku.hk/

The University of Hong Kong's Academy for the Talented school nomination process begins on Thursday 1st December and I will submit KGV's list of nominated students before the end of term.  If you would like to be considered for a school nomination, please email me before the end of school on Monday 5th December.  You will also need to submit your own application directly to HKU via their website.  Please note that having a school nomination does not guarantee that you will be accepted into the Academy and that HKU has their own selection criteria.

The current application period has already closed for the programmes listed below, but students may want to review these in case they wish to apply in the future.

Chinese University of Hong Kong

Program for the Gifted & Talented

https://www.fed.cuhk.edu.hk/pgt/

Hong Kong Academy for Gifted Education

https://www.hkage.org.hk/en/

Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Center for the Development of the Gifted and Talented

https://cdgt.hkust.edu.hk/eng/

Johns Hopkins University

Center for Talented Youth

https://cty.jhu.edu/

We encourage students who may be interested in external extension courses to review these websites and pay attention to the application procedures and deadlines.  If students are able to apply directly, they should do so.  If students require a reference/recommendation/nomination from the school, they should contact Mr Hotwani.  Please be aware that it can take 2-3 weeks to prepare the reference, so please request this early enough before the application deadline.

Please note that KGV does not have a formal partnership with any of these organisations, and does not directly benefit from any student participation or fees paid to the organisation.  Student participation in these courses is entirely voluntary.

Mr. Krishin Hotwani, RTI Coordinator for Years 10-13, krishin.hotwani@kgv.edu.hk

Wednesday 14 December 2022

6:30-7:30 pm - online

 Have you ever had a moment where you wished your teen would just grow up already? Ever felt perplexed by their choices when you are sure they know the “right thing to do”? You are not alone! Come join us for this gentle chat about realigning family boundaries during the teen years.

Dr. Scarlett Mattoli, a renowned and well learned Clinical psychologist in Hong Kong and globally, with years of rich experience working with adolescents, will be sharing her knowledge with us to help make parenting an enriching experience.

 During this talk, we hope to:

●      Refresh your memory about the basics of what happens in teenage years

●      Put this into context with what is happening in your life

●      Hopefully leave with a few new ideas about how to connect or re-connect with your teen.

●      Establish or re-establish boundaries in the family/home

●      Lower your stress levels

●      Elevate levels of communication and positivity in the home and at school.

 This informative, interactive, and imperative talk can help you as a mini-guide to navigate your way through a time of exuberant development for your teen – be brave and learn with us.

Please register here if you wish to attend.

Dear Parents and Teachers,

Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of the King George V School Parents Teachers Students Association Limited (Company no: 1258660) will be held on:

Monday, 12 December 2022 at 6.00 p.m.

at LRC2, KGV School, 2 Tin Kwong Road, Homantin, Kowloon, Hong Kong

Agenda

1. Approval of the Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on 18 November 2021;

2. Approval of the Minutes of the Extraordinary General Meeting held on 7 June 2022;

3. Chairman’s Report

4. Principal’s Report

5. Student Committee Members’ Report

6. Presentation of the PTSA Accounts and Auditors Report for 2021-2022

7. Appointment of auditors for 2022-23

8. Election of Committee members;

9. Special Resolution regarding change to legal status of KGV PTSA

To view the audited Report and Accounts for 2021-2022, please click here. To view the Minutes of the 2021 AGM, click here. To view the Minutes for the 2022 EGM click here. 

This year, in addition to the usual business of the AGM, we are asking our members to consider a Special Resolution relating to the deregistration of the PTSA limited company. Please review the following documents carefully.

·       Formal Notification of the AGM, incl. Special Resolution to be passed

·       KGV PTSA – Transition from a limited company to an Association

If you have any questions regarding the transition, the resolutions or any other matter relating to the proposed changes, please email ptsa@kgv.edu.hk

As members of the PTSA, all parents and teachers are invited to attend and vote at the Annual General Meeting. Please register your attendance in advance by emailing ptsa@kgv.edu.hk or calling 2760 6660.

To nominate for the PTSA Committee please complete the Nomination Form here and email to the PTSA (ptsa@kgv.edu.hk) no later than 6.00 p.m., Wed, 7 December 2022.

If you would like an item to be included on the Agenda, please email the PTSA no later than 6.00 p.m. on Monday, 5 December 2022.

Thank you and we look forward to seeing you at the AGM.

Purvi Shah                                                               Mark Blackshaw

Chair                                                                         Principal

KGV School PTSA                                                    King George V School  

Careers & H.E. Guidance

Our email address: careers.office@kgv.edu.hk.

KGV Careers Website is another platform where we share information and resources on higher education, scholarship, external events, enrichment programmes and many more.

Year 13

• Close communication with HE Counsellors. Apart from keeping to internal deadlines, students should work closely with their HE Counsellors and keeping informed of their HE applications. Any missed communication may result is a delay in providing necessary support for applications, which may result in missed offers.
• Student official full names are used on school transcripts. We would like to ask parents to check that their children’s official full name in the school record matches that on their identity documents. This is especially so when students are known in school by their preferred names which may not be their official names. Unmatched names may cause difficulties with university offers.
• Google Classroom. All resources for Y13 higher education applications are available via Google Classroom, including internal deadlines. Students should look out for announcements & reminders to ensure they are keeping their paces with applications.
• Application Status & Offers. The Careers Team is busy processing applications for our Y13s. Students should have regular communications with their HE Counsellors on their application status.

University Events on the KGV Careers Calendar

Highlight of upcoming events:

ESF University Fair 2023 (more details will be available closer to event dates)
2 Feb: ESF University Fair: Europe
9 Feb: ESF University Fair: Asia/Australia/New Zealand
16 Feb: ESF University Fair: North America

Events for ESF Students:
28 Nov: Singapore University of Science & Technology Info Session
28 Nov: Kyushu University & APU Info Session
30 Nov: Singapore Management University

Hong Kong
25 Nov: Yew Chung College of Early Childhood Education Info Day
26 Nov: HK Outstanding Students’ Association: DSE/IB Study Talk
10 Dec: University of Law (UK) – Christmas Legal Experience Day in HK

U.K.
Nov, various dates: Cambridge Applicant Webinar Series
Nov-Dec various dates: U of Bath lecture series
Nov-Dec, various dates: U of Manchester Virtual Masterclasses
30 Nov: Applying & Studying at Leeds Webinar
1 Dec: LSE Discovery Sessions – Undergraduate
7 Dec: UCL Psychology webinar

Canada
3 Dec: UBC web session: Student Panel

Australia
Nov: Charles Darwin University: various webinars

Europe
8 Dec: Virtual Study in NL Fair

Singapore
28 Nov: SUTD Info Session
30 Nov: SMU

Japan
26 Nov: Ritsumeikan University webinar: “How to apply to our English-medium undergraduate programs”
1-2 Dec Japan Consortium Study in Japan Fair & Virtual Fair

General
30 Nov: Unifrog Webinar: Searching for Opportunities: Shortlisting Universities
3 Dec: UniAssist Webifair

KGV Careers Team

Kasper (Year 9) participated in the ISIAsia Ice Skating Competition 2022.

He competed in the Figure Skating Solo – Freestyle 1 Competition and won first place. Great effort Kasper.

We are pleased to share that Momoka (Year 9) became the Champion of the All Hong Kong Karatedo Youth Game 2022, for both Girls Kumite (Sparring) and Kata (Demonstration of movements) Age 12-13. 

Congratulations to Momoka. It is the gift of her hard work.

On Tuesday, 15 November, six women made history as the first all-women relay team to swim the 45km around Hong Kong Island. The team completed the swim in 10 hours 59 mins 55 seconds and raised over HK$1 million. This will enable Splash to teach over 500 children and adults to swim and enjoy the mental and physical well-being benefits of the water.

We are grateful to share one of our teachers Hannah Wilson is in the extraordinary team for saying 'yes' to this challenge and for her motivation to share the love of the water to help hundreds of people learn to swim.