Principal's Message

Dear KGV Families,

I hope this message finds you well. This week we have been encouraging students to take the time to share moments of kindness as this is a key part of our wellbeing. Acts of kindness such as messages of appreciation are so important. They put a smile on people’s faces and by doing good for others, it helps us to feel good. Thank you to the wellbeing team, including our Social Workers, for putting together these activities and I would encourage everyone to continue with their acts of kindness.

The 101st Speech Night was another memorable occasion, with so many proud parents and happy students. As well as celebrating outstanding achievements, it also provided us with the opportunity to recognise the stories behind these successes. The perseverance, resilience and support from others are all part of this success and shape our students as wonderful human beings. I would encourage all students to take the time to reflect on their own stories of success and the stories they can tell as they strive to be their own remarkable.

Next week, all students will be expected to wear their school tie as part of their winter uniform. Also, the temperature is forecast to drop so please ensure your child wears ESF KGV warm clothing as needed. The uniform website shows what is available. 

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

Best regards,

Mark Poulsum

Year 10 & 11 Message

It was wonderful to see and hear about our Year 10 and 11 students involved in activities across Hong Kong and around the world for Challenge Week last week. With many Year 11 students engaging in language immersion. Every year, we see gains in language acquisition and motivation following these experiences.

Option choices for Year 11 are due today. We will start working with those who need additional guidance next week. Tutors are ready to have conversations with any student who wants to explore the four pathways we offer for Senior School.

In tutor time we have been collecting fot the Box of Hope. Students bring in household items to donate to families in need. Monday is the last day for contributions.

Our annual Speech night was last night, where we saw many Y10 students awarded MYP prizes.

Kindness week ran this week and we have seen many thank you notes and supportive comments around the school.

Colours assemblies also ran this week, where students received awards for participation in extracurricular activities and sports.

Work is underway to transform the Hall ready for our school production of Animal Farm. Students can purchase tickets at school for the shows on 26th to 28th November are now on sale

The school is closed for lessons next Friday 21st November as we conduct Learning Reviews for Year 10 students. Year 11 Learning Reviews (unless specifically invited) are scheduled following their mock exams.

Dear Parents and Caretakers,

A reminder that the school calendar has been updated. Monday, 23 February 2026, which was previously designated as a CPD day, will now be a normal school day.

All students are expected to return to school on Monday, 23 February, after the Chinese New Year break.

Thank you for your attention, and please update your calendars accordingly.

Challenge Week 2025

Challenge Week finished late on Wednesday night when the last group returned to Hong Kong from the Philippines. This group had been unable to travel due to the typhoon that swept through the Philippines last weekend.

Overall, we had more than 50 activities with 18 outside Hong Kong. Students have engaged in experiential learning that deepens their skills in communication, leadership, collaboration, and cultural understanding, while developing specific skills and empathy. Challenge Week is an essential complement to our classroom-based learning, and we look forward to offering a range of activities for 2026.

Our first Learning Review is next Friday, 21st November. School will be closed for classes that day.

Learning Reviews this term are for students in Years 7, 8, 9, 10 and 12. Students in Year 11 and 13 will have Learning Reviews following their mock exams. If it is urgent, Year 11 and 13 students may have Learning Reviews this term instead of following the mocks, but not both as we have limited time for teachers to see all their students.

Students in Years 7, 8, 9, 10 and 12 will have some work set for the Learning Review days, acknowledging that they may be involved with a number of meetings. Students in Years 11 and 13 will have work and guided revision set for them to complete in preparation for their fast-approaching mock exams.

The booking system is open now and will close the day before each Learning Review, allowing teachers to plan and prepare. The system will reopen at the end of each batch of Learning Reviews.

The guidance sent last week for making and conducting Learning Reviews is repeated below.

Learning Reviews are a chance to meet with your child's subject teachers to discuss their progress and challenges.
Meetings are 10 minutes in length and online, so you can attend from anywhere.
The meetings this term target students in Y7, 8, 9, 10 and 12. Meetings for Year 11 and 13 will be scheduled after their mock exams in February, unless the teacher requests a meeting with you now.

KGV teachers have 120 students on average, so this process takes multiple days.
For students in Years 7, 8, 9, 10 and 12 the Learning Reviews will be:

• Friday 21st Nov 8.30 to 5pm
• Monday 24th Nov 2.30 to 6pm
• Tuesday 2nd Dec 8.30 to 5pm

We recommend that your child joins your meeting.
Classes will not run on Friday, 21st, and Tuesday, 2nd.

You can book for any of the three days.
Click any time slot and the teachers available will be listed. If a teacher is not shown, it is because they are already busy for that slot.

Return to the booking system to find the meeting link and a function to email your list of meetings and links.

Access the booking system in Lionel through the ESF App.
ESF App > Lionel 2 VLE > Make/Check Teacher appointments

See more detailed guidance here.

Last night we held our 101st KGV Speech Night. It was a wonderful occasion. At this event, Mr Poulsum launch our new KGV Ezra-Abraham Scholarships. These are new awards, where successful students will be awarded substantial grants to further their studies and develop their passions in a wide range of areas, including STEM, Innovation and Leadership.

Current Year 9 students are eligible to apply for an Academic Scholarship, as they come to the end of their MYP studies. Please click on this link to read details of these new Scholarships.

We will be holding an Online Parents Session to provide further information on the application process. This Information will take place on 2nd December for current Year 9 students. Please click the link here to sign up to attend this online session.

Last night we held our 101st KGV Speech Night. It was a wonderful occasion. At this event, Mr Poulsum launch our new KGV Ezra-Abraham Scholarships. These are new awards, where successful students will be awarded substantial grants to further their studies and develop their passions in a wide range of areas, including STEM, Innovation and Leadership.

Current Year 11 students are eligible to apply for all Scholarships. Please click on this link to read details of these new Scholarships.

We will be holding an Online Parents Session to provide further information on the application process. This Information will take place on 2nd December for current Year 9 students. Please click the link here to sign up to attend this online session.

A reminder to our families that KGV operates a Gate-to-Gate policy with regards to mobile phones. All students should;

• Turn off phone before entering the School Gates.
• Keep phones in their bags throughout the day
• Only access phones if directed to by a member of staff
• Only access phones once outside the school gate (or when the school buses depart, if students are remaining on-site for a CAS activity).

Should students not meet these expectations, mobile phones will be kept locked away in Year Offices.

Parents/Caregivers can support students by not messaging them during the day and expecting responses. If you need to contact your child, in an emergency, please message the General Office and we will support your child through the emergency.

According to Health Protection (CHP), the local seasonal influenza continued to increase recently. As a community, we must heighten vigilance and take appropriate personal protection measures against influenza and other respiratory infections.

To prevent the spread of illness, we kindly ask the parents to keep their child at home for treatment and observation if they have any of these symptoms:

• Fever (tympanic temperature is higher than 37.5°C )

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Frequent congested or croupy cough

• Very stuffy or runny nose with yellowish or greenish discharge

• Pink eye with abnormal secretion

It is of utmost importance that children with fever, regardless of the presence of respiratory symptoms, are not allowed to attend school. This measure is critical in preventing outbreaks of influenza and other respiratory infections. 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.

KGV continue on deep cleaning and sanitization of high contact surfaces throughout the school. We will continue to monitor our school's sickness level closely and liaise with the CHP if necessary.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the school nurses. Thank you for your continued support and cooperation in keeping our school community safe.

YEAR 13

Link of the week: UCAS: Advice for parents, guardians & carers on your child’s next steps

YEAR 12
Link of the week: Harvard article on What Role Should Parents and Guardians Play in College Admissions?

HE Visits @ KGV (Students ONLY)
Cornell @ KGV on 13 Nov

We had the pleasure of having Cornell's Senior VP for Enrollment and Undergraduate Education on 13 Nov to share insights about applying to this esteemed institution. More H.E. visits lined up include:

14 Nov – University of St Andrews
18 Nov – Brunel University
30 Nov - ie University

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.K.
15 Nov – Hang Seng University Info Day
29 Nov – HKU Live Moot Court Showcase
22-24 Jan 2026 – Hong Kong Education & Careers Expo
29 Nov – HKU Arts & Business Mock Interview Workshop
29 Nov – HKU Live Moot Court Showcase

U.K.
Various dates from Nov onwards– University of Bath – Parent info webinar series
19 Nov – Leeds Arts University: Portfolio & Audition Tips

U.S.A.
Various dates in Nov – USC UG Academic Virtual Info Session
Various dates in Nov – UCLA Student Webinar series
Various dates in Nov – UC San Diego Student Webinar series
20 Nov – Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Webinar
25 Nov – Cornell University for HK Students & Parents – Virtual Session

CANADA
6 Dec – University of Toronto (HK) Foundation Scholarships Info Session

EUROPE
19 Nov - University of Twente - Online Bachelor Open Day
29 Nov – ie University Undergrad Admissions Day in Hong Kong
29 Nov – SciencesPo – Virtual Undergraduate Open House Day

IRELAND
Various dates in Nov – RCSI webinar series

JAPAN
19 Nov – Japanese College Fair 2025 Fall

SINGAPORE
15 Nov – NUS – Admissions & Faculties Sharing 2025

KGV Higher Education & Careers Team

School Reference for Potential Exit & Summer Programmes

Due to student privacy protocols, we require parental consent before releasing student information to external organisations. Please complete this form to make a formal request.  Requests will only be processed upon receipt of parental permission.

KGV’s standard lead time for teachers to prepare references is four working weeks from the date parental permission is received.

This process does not apply to higher education applications (i.e. university admissions).  Those references are managed separately by the H.E. Team.  

Gifted & Talented Programmes
Students interested in external extension programmes for specifically designed for gifted & talented students outside of KGV should refer to this website for guidance: https://sites.google.com/kgv.hk/kgv-extension-opportunities, instead of using the request form.

We’re happy to announce that the third iteration of TEDxKGV School Youth is recruiting speakers! We're looking for any student, alumni, teacher or parent with an idea to share - regardless of whether you've had speaking experience, if you've got the fire, then we're here to bring your idea to the stage.

The event will be held in KGV, and is tentatively scheduled for end of February - March 2026. If you're interested in speaking, please fill in this application form:

https://forms.gle/rLUZzHHdberdUp4w8

17 - 21 November 2025

Level Up This Winter: ESF Explore Winter Camp

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