Principal's Message

Dear KGV Families,

Throughout this week, students have been prompted to consider how they take care of their wellbeing. This includes focusing on 3 questions:

• Are you getting enough sleep? It is recommended that teenagers get between 9 and 11 hours of sleep per day. Regular sleeping routines are key to their success.

• Are you taking enough steps? Being involved in a range of physical activities and ensuring enough movement each day is so important for both physical and mental wellbeing.

• Are you socialising? Our students are quite rightly dedicated and aspirational in their studies. However, it is also important to balance this by having some time to meet friends and socialise as appropriate. This is also important for their wellbeing.

By ensuring this balanced approach to their lifestyles, our students will be developing the foundations for future success. We will also support these approaches through the curriculum in areas such as ‘Thrive.’ It is also important for our students and your children to know how to get help if they need support. Our counselling team and the ‘We Talk Hub’ are there to support students if they need a quiet space or someone to talk to.

Next week also brings on the highlights of our year, with the annual KGV Swim Gala on Thursday. Please look out for further details.

Thank you for your ongoing support and have an enjoyable weekend ahead.

Best regards,

Mark

Year 10 & 11 Message

Year 10 students made their option change requests this week. These are being processed now. We cannot guarantee all will be possible, but we make our best effort.

Our annual swimming gala is next Thursday. This is a fantastic moment where we support our houses as the whole school comes together in friendly competition. Students should come straight to Kowloon Park swimming pool at 8 am and will be dismissed from there at approximately 2 pm. All the details are in a separate post in this newsletter.

CAS activities start next week and also on Monday we have the Year 11 solo drama assessment, so good luck to students involved in that.

Year 12 & 13 Message

The window for students to change their Year 12 subject choices has now closed. All requests are currently being processed by our timetable team and students will receive an email with their new timetable if change request has been successful. 

All year 12 students will complete their ALIS testing during the week beginning 15th September. They will do this during either one of their ToK or IBCP Core lessons. ALIS is a baseline assessment like MIDYIS in year 7 and YELIS in year 10. More detailed information about this will be sent to students and parents next week.

Student Leadership 

In an effort to promote a positive environment for all senior students, our head prefects are taking the initiative to address the proper use of the senior student study areas, known as SSC1&2.  Originally designed as a study area conducive to collaboration—while still allowing for a lively atmosphere—the space has increasingly been used as a relaxation area, leading to concerns about its upkeep and functionality.

To better understand the challenges students face in adhering to the intended use of this space, the head prefects are conducting a survey. Their goal is to gather feedback on how we can reposition the room to better serve its original purpose while still accommodating the needs of our students during lunch and break times.

We encourage all students to participate in the survey and share their thoughts. Together, we can ensure that the common room remains a valuable resource for study and social interaction. Thank you for your support in this important initiative.

Student Achievement 

Finally, I’m happy to share that Max Chan from 12N23, won first place in the Drum Kit Amateur Youth Group at the 2025 IPEA International Percussion Competition. Please find attached a photo from that day.

Wishing you all a great weekend.

Years 7 | 8 | 9

Activities 
These will start on Monday 8th. Please check what your children have been assigned and make sure you have signed off on it.

Swimming Gala
We are looking forward to Swimming Gala on Thursday 11th! Details are being shared with students via tutor group - for any queries, students should check in with their tutor.

PE Kit
In the event your child forgets their PE kit for a PE lesson day, they should go to their PE teacher to discuss, and do not need to come to the office to report this.

Use of facilities
We are noticing increasing instances of vandalism in the bathrooms and changing rooms, and behaviour which does not live up to KGV values. We would welcome your support in addressing this in conversations with your children, and connecting with your child’s tutor with any specific concerns.

Student Health Services 2025-26 Online Enrolment

Dear Parents/Guardians,

We are pleased to inform you that registration for Student Health Services for the 2025-26 school year will begin via Online Enrolment from 08 September to 21 September 2025.

Please register online using the Designated Access Link or QR Code provided below.

** If you are unable to register online, please wait for further instructions from Student Health Services in late September. **

Important:

• READ carefully both the “Letter to Parents/Guardians” and “Notes for Parents/Guardians.”

• You can also refer to the Registration Guide (For Parents and Secondary School Students).

Letter To Parents/Guardians

Notes for Parents/Guardians

If you have any questions on registration, please contact Student Health Service Centre directly at 3572 0727 or  3572 0757

Swimming Gala

11th September Whole School Event - Swimming Gala Finals 2025

An exciting whole-school event on Thursday, 11th September 2025, 8 am - 2 pm at Kowloon Park.

Read through all the slides carefully; Swimming Gala Slides 2025 Link HERE. This will provide you with all the necessary information and links.

Important reminders:

- This is a School Day so you must register with your Octopus card at the pool venue.

- Wear PE kit House colours and accessories.

- Bring a refillable water bottle and Food. No one can leave the venue or collect food delivery.

- Plan your transportation carefully. School buses will drop off and pick up at Kowloon Park Swimming Pool. End of the Day School Bus pick times.

- Sign up if you want to take a Free bus after the event back to KGV School, so you can walk home from school. Sign up for the Free Bus to school.

- Parents and caregivers are welcome. Please sign up to be allowed access to the venue, and bring your HKID card. Parent / Caregivers Sign Up

Thank you to everyone who has participated in PE lessons and lunchtimes. The Swim Heats atmosphere has been outstanding. We are so proud of everyone's participation. Check slide 10 for the finalists who will take part in the Swimming Gala Finals. The list will be finalized on 8th September. You can email your House captains and also make changes on the day, but no lane should be empty - bring your swim kit!

Play Safe, Play Fair, Play Hard, Have Fun! (KGV PE Department)

At KGV it is our responsibility to be proactive against the spread of infection among staff, students, and families. If your child is ill (fever, chills, rash, sore throat, cough, headache, vomiting, and/or diarrhea) he/she should not be sent to school. If a student develops these symptoms at school, the parent/guardian will be asked to pick the student up from school and it is recommended that the student sees a doctor.

It is of utmost importance that children with fever, regardless of the presence of respiratory symptoms, are not allowed to attend school. ESF fever policy states a student must be fever free for 48 hours before returning to school. When a student no longer has any fever (without the help of medicine), you can begin to count 48 hours (two complete days). When this 48 hour is up, your child can return to school.

Students should maintain personal hygiene:

• Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before meals and after toilet use.
• Use alcohol-based hand sanitizers when handwashing is not feasible.
• Avoid sharing food, drinks, utensils, and personal items.
• Cover mouth and nose with tissue or elbow when coughing or sneezing; dispose of tissues properly.
• Wear masks when symptomatic or during outbreaks as advised by CHP and EDB.

KGV has implemented enhanced cleaning and sanitization protocols for high-touch surfaces throughout the school. Surfaces such as door handles, desks, and railings are cleaned and disinfected at least daily. Toilets and washrooms undergo frequent cleaning and disinfection. Our facility staff use a 1:49 diluted household bleach solution for disinfecting, ensuring a safe and hygienic environment for our school community.

KGV is currently in the planning stage of offering influenza vaccinations to students, and further details will be shared once a date has been confirmed.

CAS Activities - Term 1

It’s great to see the excitement building around the campus with the CAS Activity program starting next week. Allocation has happened, so we hope the students have managed to get something to engage in this term. Please see some notes about what happens next 

• If students don’t get a space in their chosen activity, they will remain on the waitlist and be notified when a space becomes available
• There are a number of activities that still have spaces available, and students are able to browse Lionel and sign up anytime from today. 
• Students can find out information about when/where their activity takes place (on Lionel), but if they are unsure, I recommend they reach out to their teacher supervisor.
• For activities that require an additional fee, students and parents will be notified of what that fee is and how to pay the provider. 

New activities are often added to the program as we progress through the term, so please remind students to check the student bulletin and the activity section on Lionel.

Finally, if students have changed their mind and/or their circumstances, which means they cannot take part, please encourage them to contact their teacher or student leaders directly, as there could be someone sitting waiting who could take their place.

I look forward to seeing the school campus buzzing with activity next week. 

Dean Beard

CAS, Service-Learning and Activities Coordinator

Higher Education & Careers

HIGHLIGHTS

ESF University Fair @ King George V School

Tue, 23 Sep, 15.30-18.30
Around 160 institutions from around the world have already registered to join us at the event. All our Y13 & Y12 students and parents are invited to attend. Parents from Year 11 to Y13 can pre-register via this link.

Alumni Talk – Medicine & Neurosurgery (1 Sep)
We had a very successful session by Dr. Peter Woo, Clinical Associate Professor. Dr. Woo has kindly given our student an opportunity to assist in his research. Students are informed of the selection process.

UC Application Workshop for Y13 students only (signup required)
9 Sep, 10.30-11.15
Conducted by a UC Merced representative, this workshop is essential for students applying to University of California campuses. Sign-up is required. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from the expert.

Law Insight Days (8-9 Oct) for Y12 & Y13 students
King George V School has collaborated with Lee Law Firm for a two-day law insight programme on 8 Oct and 9 Oct (during the half-term break), plus a potential of attending court during the insight days.

This is an invaluable opportunity for students who are considering a career in legal services. Space is limited.

Y13 & Y12 students interested in this opportunity need to submit a statement of no more than 200 words on why they should be considered. Personal statement should be emailed to: careers.office@kgv.edu.hk no later than 16.00 on 11 Sep.

Students who are selected for the Law Insight Days will be informed and parent consent will be required.

YEAR 13

Y13 1-1 H.E. meetings started since Mon, 18 Aug. Students are encouraged to book their appointments via Google Classrooms at the soonest.

UK Ealy applications. Internal deadline for UK Early applications for KGV students is 18 Sep. Students applying to courses such as Conservatoire, Oxford OR Cambridge, Medicine, Dentistry & Veterinary Medicine – must have their applications completed on UCAS and paid for. This will ensure that the H.E. Counsellors have sufficient time to prepare and submit all necessary documents to meet the actual UCAS deadline.

Y13 HE Presentation for Parents, Wed, 17 Sep, 1 pm. A link to join the session will be sent to all Y13 parents closer to the date – no pre-registration required.

Link of the week: Class of 2026 – Timeline Summarised

YEAR 12

All Year 12 H.E. Google Classrooms are set up for students by their H.E. Counsellors.  The Google Classroom will serve as the primary platform for sharing H.E.-related information.

In the meantime, students are encouraged to reach out with any questions related to higher education.

H.E. EVENTS shared via KGV Higher Education Events Calendar

KGV is not responsible for the quality of external events. All information is subject to change by event organisers.

H.E. Visit @ KGV
9 Sep, Tutor Time – UC Application Workshop, by UC Merced
9 Sep, lunch – Carleton University & Texas Christian University
17 Sep, lunch – San Diego State University

H.K.
13 Sep – HK Aspiring Medics & Scientists Conference
16 Sep – Goldman Sachs Asia Pre-University Insight Event Webinar

U.S.A.
Sep-Oct various dates – Discover Upstate New York Colleges & Universities
11 Sep – VirtU-8 Online Info Session
14 Sep – Norwestern, Dartmouth , Duke & Vanderbilt HK Info Session
17 Sep – NYU off-campus reception in HK
23 Sep – UCLA Information Session in HK
9 Oct – Introduction to Brown & Penn: HK

U.K.
9 Sep – University of York: Applying for Medicine or Biomedical Sciences for 2026
10 Sep – Bristol Veterinary School Applicant Briefing 2026
11 Sep – Prince Philip Scholarship @ Cambridge University – Info Seminar
Various dates in Sep & Oct – Cambridge Applicant Webinars Series

KGV Higher Education & Careers Team

School References & Grade Summary (non-higher education purposes)

The KGV Higher Education Office coordinates all school references and grade summaries, including potential exit & summer programmes.

Due to student privacy protocols, we require parental permission before releasing student information to any external party.  Requests will only be processed upon receipt of parental permission.

To request a school reference or grade summary, please complete this form,  Please allow a minimum of four working weeks for teachers to prepare the references.

NOTE: This process does not apply to higher education applications, as those references are managed separately.

Students interested in external extension programmes outside of KGV should refer to the information on this website for guidance: https://sites.google.com/kgv.hk/kgv-extension-opportunities .

KGV Higher Education & Careers Team

8 - 12 September 2025

The Limitless Programme 2026: Your Adventure of a Lifetime

Ready for a life-changing learning experience? The Limitless Programme for Year 9 students is now accepting applications! This exclusive six-week journey takes ESF students to the Australian Outback to build confidence, resilience, and teamwork. Join us for a powerful information session to learn more and hear from last year's students and parents.

• In-person session: 6.30 - 7.30 pm on Thursday, 11 September at ESF Centre
• Webinar: 5.00 - 6.00 pm on Tuesday, 16 September via Zoom

Sign up for a session here, and visit the programme website https://limitless.esf.edu.hk/ to find out more information. Apply for Limitless before 29 September and unlock your child’s potential!