Year 7-9 Education Outside the Classroom (EOTC). Our Geography and Economics students went on an excursion to see two multi-national companies in action on Monday, 21st October. Led by Ms Ranger and Mr Donkin, students were taken first to listen to a presentation by our very own Mr Fu. There, they learned some of the workings of Intel and all the very talented Intel employees from many countries who are behind the technology so ubiquitous to modern life. After thanking Mr Fu and some of his team members for their time, the group went to McDonald's (another multi-national company with branches in Xi'an) for lunch. In the afternoon, we were welcomed by Mr and Mrs Jauhiainen to the Finnish multinational corporation, Metso, and their factory in Xi'an. Hanova students were given a tour of the factory that makes the machines that produce many kinds of paper. This included one that takes three months and many millions of dollars to be assembled, just so that it can be dismantled and shipped to the buyer! A very special thank-you from all of us at Hanova to Mr Fu, Mr and Mrs Jauhiainen and their prospective teams for so kindly volunteering their time and effort for us to receive this very worthwhile educational experience.
The State University of New York, Korea. This week we were delighted to welcome two representatives from The State University of New York, Korea who came to talk to our Year 10 - Year 13 students about their University programmes and admissions. The State University of New York, Korea opened in Spring 2012 and is the first American University established in Korea. It is associated with the State University of New York (SUNY) and offers graduate and undergraduate degree programmes in Computer Science, Technology and Society, Technological Systems Management and Quantitative Finance. Students graduating from this university receive the same diploma as offered at SUNY. If any parent or student is interested in finding out more about this university please visit the website www.sunykorea.ac.kr where you can find information on programmes, accommodations and scholarship programs.
Duathlon for Y1 to 3. The Y1-3 Duathlon consisted of a running and a walking challenge. It was built into the students’ normal class lessons this year. This enabled them to use their time more efficiently enabling them to focus on their own goals.
With the help from some teachers and parents the students all met their goals and some even pushed a little further. It was refreshing to see some parents getting on the course, walking with their child and giving them support along the way. Thanks for your support as all the students had a great time.
The top three students in each event (Run and Walk) will receive a certificate in their homeroom classes.
Extra Curricular Activities (ECAs)
Wizard of Oz. The extended first round of ECAs has finished this week. You should have received the next selection of ECA options on Wednesday (23rd). The next round of ECAs begins next Tuesday (29th). The second round has been structured and timed in such a way that the students involved in the Christmas Wizard of Oz can use the ECAs to practise. Auditions have been held and parts allocated to this production. We will soon be contacting some of our parent volunteer group who have been keen to help with the preparations. This enthusiasm is much appreciated. A lot of the students were keen to take part in this production, so the play is currently being modified to accommodate extra age groups, students who expressed a desire to take part, and to add a touch of humour from the pen of Ms Cowper.
Chess Club. There were many activities undertaken in the first round of ECAs. One of these was Chess Club. Students learned about the basics of international chess though most could already play. We learned basic rules about sportsmanship. We also covered strategic and tactical play at a fairly basic level including simple check mates, stalemate, basics of opening play, knight forks and bishop power across the board. There were 20 participants in this club and a league of matches has been held over the six weeks of the club. The top division was won by Ben Lee (Y12) and the second division by Tae Heon Kim (Y9). Many of the students improved their play over the time of this club.
Parent School Association (PSA). Thank you to all the parents who attended on of the pre PSA meetings last Friday or the full PSA on Tuesday. There were a total of 50 attendees at these three meetings and we really appreciate the commitment and involvement our parents show to our school. We discussed a number of matters ranging from lunches, the Student Council shop, snacks, school buses, newsletters, parent consultations, English language teaching, and various events amongst some other items.
Parent Volunteer Group. Our next volunteer group meeting will be on Thursday, October 31st at 4pm in the staff room. Please join us if you are interested in learning more about the Christmas Production and how you can help. We will be discussing props, costumes, stage design, and similar. We hope to see you there.
Student welfare and parents. We would like to ask for your cooperation in a couple of areas that assist us in making our students a little better cared for.
It is important that the children are properly seated and belted when travelling on the school bus. This means that if parents wish to use the bus they must make arrangements with May Liu in advance. This is to ensure there is enough room on the bus. Having your child on your lap is not a recommended safe action. Also the driver is in danger of losing their licence if they allow such overloading on their bus.
The toilets in the school separate those for the students, at the East end of each floor, and those for adults at the West end of floors two and three. The toilets on the first floor are exclusively for the use of the children on the first floor – that is students from Nursery to Y3.
Halloween. Some cultures celebrate Halloween and others do not, but we thought it would be fun for the PYP (Year Nursery through 6) to have a small child friendly celebration for Halloween and the fall season. The students may choose to come to school in a costume on October 31st. They will enjoy a parade through the school beginning at 9:00 am on the first floor and proceeding to third and second floors. At 2:00 pm they will enjoy a special shared snack time and a Halloween dance in the dance room and auditorium. Clubs and bus times will carry on as usual. If you have any further questions, please contact your child's homeroom teacher.
Best regards,
Martin Hughes
Forthcoming events
Friday, 25th Duathlon/Triathlon Y4-6
Tuesday, 29th Second round of ECAs begins
Thursday, 31st Halloween for Primary students
Thursday, 31st Parent volunteer group at 4pm – Christmas Wizard of Oz
November
Saturday, 2nd Xi’an City Wall Run
Thursday, 14th School closes
Friday, 15th Saturday, 16th IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) training for staff
Wednesday, 20th School reopens to students
