Principal's message

Dear Parents and Guardians

In last week’s newsletter, I shared some of the findings from the recent ESF KGV Stakeholder Survey. This feedback lets us consider what we need to keep, stop and start doing more at KGV. The overall results were very positive, with an average score of 4.0 out of a maximum of 5.0 across all the questions.

This week, we move from the parent feedback to share some main themes from what over 1500 students had to say. 

The scores that rated the highest for our students included:

• I am making progress at school

• I feel safe at school

• I understand the school’s vision and values

• Teaching and learning at my school is preparing me for the next phase of my education and life

The scores that were lower than others on the satisfaction scale included:

• I feel listened to when I suggest ways to improve the school

• I feel informed about what is happening

• I am given a chance to suggest ways to improve learning and teaching at my school

We are now looking through all the comments to identify the major themes we can focus on, ensuring we continue improving the school for the students, parents, and community. 

Some of the strongest positive themes identified so far are:

• Quality of Teaching: Students appreciate the clear, engaging teaching methods and the understanding, patience, and well-prepared teachers. They also value the support and feedback they receive.

• Learning Environment: Students feel safe, comfortable, and encouraged in the school. They highlight the positive atmosphere, cleanliness, and convenience of the facilities.

• Inclusivity and Diversity: Students value the school's focus on inclusivity, diversity, and support for all students.

• Diversity of Subjects and Activities: Students appreciate the wide range of subjects and extra-curricular activities, as well as the CAS programs and specific clubs.

• Supportive and Friendly Staff: The kindness and support from teachers and staff are valued, including the individual attention students receive.

Some of the strongest themes identified by students to improve upon include:

• Dress Code/Uniform: This was a common issue across all years, with students suggesting relaxed rules and more opportunities to wear casual attire or P.E/Drama kits. 

• Facilities: Students across all years indicated dissatisfaction with toilets and changing rooms. 

• Time Management: Longer break times, more time for transitioning between classes, and teachers managing class time more efficiently were issues raised. 

• School Meals: Students had suggestions about the canteen food regarding price, variety, and quality.

We are using this data ultimately to inform our broader review and reflection process for the improvement planning priorities for next year. Next week, I will share a summary of the feedback data from students.

Congratulations Year 12

A shout-out to our Year 13 IB students who have completed all their IB exams. The last exam finished this afternoon! Congratulations also to our BTEC students who have been working hard to finish off all their coursework to complete their qualifications. We look forward to seeing all of them at our Graduation Ceremony on Wednesday, 31st May, and the Graduation Dinner on Friday, 2nd June.

Art Exhibition

Our Year 13 BTEC Art & Design students are holding an exhibition on Wednesday, 24th May. All parents are welcome to attend the GLT from 4-7 pm to celebrate the work of our students. Please take a look at the below flyer for this exciting event.

Leaving KGV?

If you are withdrawing your child at the end of this academic year, please submit the student withdrawal notice via the ESF App by 1 June 2023. Otherwise, ESF will assume that your child is returning after summer, and parents will be liable for the tuition fees for September 2023, even if the student does not return to school.

Should you have any queries regarding the above, please contact our Admissions Team at admissions@kgv.edu.hk

Let’s support Hong Kong’s urgent appeal for blood donations

Hong Kong’s blood supplies are at extremely low levels, particularly blood types A, B and O-negative. These shortages put lives at risk, and I know many of us will want to take action and help those in need by giving blood. Some good news is that more of us are now eligible to donate blood. This is due to the lifting of restrictions that prevented some former UK, Ireland and France residents from giving blood in Hong Kong; the ban, which was due to concerns around the variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, ended in December. While blood types A, B and O-negative are the highest priority, donors of all blood types are urgently needed to replenish Hong Kong’s heavily depleted stocks. Our CEO Belinda Greer is a lifelong blood donor, and ESF continues to support the Red Cross appeal with blood drives happening across the organisation. Those wanting to take immediate action in response to the city’s critical shortages can find information on how to donate on the Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion website.

I hope you have a good weekend.

Regards.

Mark Blackshaw

Principal, KGV School

Year 10 Message

1:1 conversations will begin between tutors and students, connecting their academic progress, how they are feeling about school and any other issues or opportunities.

This week has been mental health awareness week and students dressed casually today, making donations for the school charities.

It is good to see students getting engaged in competitive inter-house events such as dodgeball.

Year 11 Message

This has been a big week of exams. Year 11 students have been brave and have appeared to be in good spirits despite the demands of multiple exams and with the exam today not finishing until 9 pm.

Next week we have:

• Monday: Business, Mandarin Chinese and Chemistry double and triple award.
• Tuesday: Music French and RS
• Wednesday: Mandarin Chinese and Economics
• Thursday: Physics, double and triple award
• Friday: Drama, German, Further Pure Maths and Psychology

Access the full exam timetable here

The following week (Monday, May 29th to Friday, June 2nd) there are no exams.

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Congratulations to the KGV Battle of Books team, who earned themselves 2nd place in today’s competition. They answered every question correctly and only lost out to International Christian School on “pass over” questions which this team earned in their earlier rounds. We are extremely proud of this group of students! Well done, team! 

Next week the Creative Arts Faculty will be talking to students about Year 8 options with regards to Media, Music, Art and Drama! Students have studied all 4 subjects this year and in Year 8 they are given the opportunity to continue studying 3 out of the 4 Creative Arts options. Please have a conversation with your child about their passions and interests in Creative Arts. Once you have made a decision, your child will register their option in LIONEL. Your child’s tutor will ensure this is completed by Monday, 29th May. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please ask your child to speak to their tutor and Creative Arts teachers. 

Have a great weekend and a reminder that next Friday is a Public Holiday.

Year 13 Message

Year 13 Graduation Ceremony 2023

Our Graduation Ceremony will be held on Wednesday, 31st May at 6 pm.

Parents are welcome to arrive in school from 5pm where they can visit our BTEC & GCSE Art Exhibition in the GLT, avail of photo opportunities with our Year 13 Graduates and enjoy light refreshments in our LRC before taking their seats for a prompt start to the ceremony at 6 pm.

Year 13 Graduation Meal 2023

We are delighted to be able to host our Year 13 Graduation dinner for the first time in 4 years!

The venue is Hotel ICON in Tsim Sha Tsui and the date is Friday, 2nd June.

The cost of each ticket is $550 per student. Our students and parents are welcome to arrive at the hotel from 5.30 pm. The actual event is for students only and begins at 7 pm. The event is due to finish at approximately 10.45 pm.

Many thanks and we look forward to seeing you at hotel ICON on 2nd June!

Year 12 Message

Year 12 Term 3 Assessment Schedule

Please find the Year 12 term 3 assessment schedule below (Tuesday 6 – Friday 9 June):

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1IkBm5yh0gtLttNR7sNonId5t7GXrpdkV/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=109859845404906024290&rtpof=true&sd=true

We request that our students please check with their subject teachers regarding specific details regarding content of each assessment.

A reminder for students who are studying a subject in Group 6 (the Arts), there are afternoons set aside for specific work to be completed. Monday 5th June is an additional study day. IB students do not need to come into school unless they have an assessment or are completing work for their group 6 subject. BTEC students will need to continue to attend lessons as normal. If BTEC students have an IB assessment then they will have study leave the day before the assessment.

Wishing you a great weekend!

Year 8 Message

Last week I encouraged you to support your child by checking their assessment schedule. Having a schedule reduces surprises and assists your child's preparation as they know when submission deadlines, tests, oral presentations, and other assessments happen. Please review the information below on accessing your child's map of topics and assessments. This is where you can get the information for a schedule. 

You can see what your child is studying in CAT 

• CAT shows you a map of the topics across the year for your child. The link is on the parent landing page of Lionel when you log in with your parent account. 

• Clicking a topic shows you a summary of the topic, assessment information and a link to Lionel's teaching and learning materials.

• You can see a map of just the assessments by changing the mode at the top of the screen, although in MYP, these are often projects and will go for the length of the unit.

Feedback and assessment results are live throughout the year

• Teachers provide feedback at an early stage in each unit of learning. They will indicate the effort your child is making and whether they are meeting the learning expectations or not. This will always be accompanied by feedback that offers advice on the following steps to take. 

• At the end of each unit of learning, teachers publish a level(s) for achievement and an indicator of the final level of effort. 

• You will receive a notification in the App when this new data is available.  

• In the App, tap Lionel 2 followed by the CCF link on the parent landing page, to see everything completed this year.

This is a friendly reminder that next Friday is a public holiday. 

Have a great weekend.

Year 9 Message

Last week I encouraged you to support your child by checking their assessment schedule. Having a schedule reduces surprises and assists your child's preparation as they know when submission deadlines, tests, oral presentations, and other assessments happen. Please review the information below on accessing your child's map of topics and assessments. This is where you can get the information for a schedule. 

You can see what your child is studying in CAT 

• CAT shows you a map of the topics across the year for your child. The link is on the parent landing page of Lionel when you log in with your parent account. 

• Clicking a topic shows you a summary of the topic, assessment information and a link to Lionel's teaching and learning materials.

• You can see a map of just the assessments by changing the mode at the top of the screen, although in MYP, these are often projects and will go for the length of the unit.

Feedback and assessment results are live throughout the year

• Teachers provide feedback at an early stage in each unit of learning. They will indicate the effort your child is making and whether they are meeting the learning expectations or not. This will always be accompanied by feedback that offers advice on the following steps to take. 

• At the end of each unit of learning, teachers publish a level(s) for achievement and an indicator of the final level of effort. 

• You will receive a notification in the App when this new data is available.  

• In the App, tap Lionel 2 followed by the CCF link on the parent landing page, to see everything completed this year.

The deadline for handing in the Year 10 Maths/Science/WIN Pathway choices to the Year 8/9 Office is the end of school on Monday, 22 May. 

Weeks of planning are complete, and now students are ready for the Community Project Action Phase, which begins next week. We are excited to see the action unfold from Monday to Thursday.  

This is a friendly reminder that next Friday is a public holiday.

Friday, 16 June 2023, 10.30-11.15 am

We are committed to supporting our parents through their journey at KGV, therefore have created several opportunities for you to engage with the school.  ‘Feedback Friday‘ is one such opportunity for you to engage in a personalised, small group session on a Friday morning, to chat with the Principal, Mark Blackshaw on various topics or areas you would like to discuss.

Our upcoming sessions will be on: 

Friday 16 June 2023, 10.30-11.15 am

Once you sign up for a session/s, a link will be sent to you closer to the time of the meeting.

If you would like to attend this or other sessions this term, please sign up on this form.

For enquiries contact Kiran at kiran.budhrani@kgv.edu.hk

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.

HE Resources via Google Classroom for Y12 & Y13. All resources for higher education applications are available via Google Classroom, including internal deadlines. Students should look out for announcements & reminders. Y13s should ensure they are keeping their paces with applications.

Year 13

• IBO Result Service. Deadline: 25 May. Students doing IBDP or IB courses are recommended to subscribe to the IBO Result Service that sends student’s final results to the institution they specify. Our Exam Office is coordinating this service and an email was sent to Y13 students about subscribing to this service. For queries about IBO Result Service, please email exam@kgv.edu.hk.
• KGV Final Transcript Collection Day: 7 July, 08.00-15.00 at the Careers Office.
• 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.
• Close communication with HE Counsellors. Apart from keeping to internal deadlines, students should work closely with their HE Counsellors and keep informed of their HE application status & offers. Any missed communication may result is a delay in providing necessary support for applications, which may result in missed offers.
• Official IB Diploma & BTEC Certificates: Look out for correspondence from our Exam Office.

Year 12

• 1-1 session with HE Counsellors. The 1-to-1 meetings are completed, except for those who missed their schedule appointments. These students should reach out to their individual H.E. Counsellor before the end of May.
• Higher Education Presentation Series. We have covered: UK apps., Personal Statement, HK apps, Oxbridge, Medicine, Dentistry & Vet & USA apps. Upcoming topics: USA Personal Essay, Canada apps, Non-mainstream, UCAS setup, and Summer Action Plan. Detailed presentation schedule is shared to all Y12 students via their H.E. Google Classrooms.
• Y12 – Parent presentation on Wednesday, 28 Jun (via Zoom). This session for our Y12 parents on how the Careers & H.E. Team supports our students and students’ action plan over the summer break. The meeting link will be emailed to all Y12 parents on the morning of 28 Jun.

KGV School References – All KGV students
The KGV Careers Office is coordinating all references (except extension/gifted & talented programmes) for students. KGV School has a closed reference policy. School references are treated with the strictest confidentiality and are sent only to the institution that makes a request. Students and their families do not get to see their school reference.

• Reference for Y13s’ higher education application: All current Y13 students have a school reference in place as one of the support school documents. There is no need for students to make a request. Students should work closely with their H.E. Counsellor for their applications.
• References for non-higher education purposes, including potential exit, summer school, scholarship, etc.: Parents should inform the Careers Office by email, providing purpose and contact for sending the reference. The normal lead time for teachers to work on school references is 4-6 working weeks.

Planning for the summer?
If you are looking at enrichment programmes over the summer break, Our Careers website has a long list of programmes listed. That would be a good starter for ideas.

University Events on the KGV Careers Calendar list known H.E. events. KGV is not responsible for the quality of any external events. All information is subject to change by event organisers.

Highlight of upcoming events:

U.K.
25 May: BridgeU Webinar: A Beginners Guide to UK Liberal Arts Degrees
13 Jun: Northumbria University: International Webinars Series
23 Jun: U of Strathclyde Virtual Info Session
30 Jun-1 Jul: UCL Undergraduate Open Days (in-person)

U.S.A.
22 May: Engaging Distinctive Universities (Emory, Michigan, Rice & Washington)

Europe
20 May: Bocconi Open Day (Italy)
22 May: Amsterdam U of Applied Sciences Webinar on Housing (Netherlands)

KGV Careers & H.E. Team

Thursday, 25 May 2023 - 2.15-3.15 pm

Join us for a tour of the KGV Gardens, guided by our expert horticulturalist, Paul Melsom from ‘Eagle Owl on Lantau’. This exclusive tour of our school gardens will take you around the campus, unveiling the secrets of our diverse plant-life. From fascinating flowers, captivating herbs, unique and exotic plants to important native plants supporting the local biodiversity., Paul's wealth of knowledge and passion for horticulture will provide you with a deeper understanding and appreciation for the botanical world.

Please register here if you would like to join. Spaces are limited. 

Enquires contact Kiran, kiran.budhrani@kgv.edu.hk

For 22-25 May