DBIS News

A round up of our news …

24 September 2009

Dear Parents

Secondary School Update:  We are now receiving applications for our 2010 – 2011 Year 7 classes.  Applications forms and procedures can be found at the school office; please ask Jean on the front desk.  Information on the Year 7 and 8 curriculum can be found on our web site at:

http://www.dbis.edu.hk/about_our_school/what_we_offer/our_curriculum/ 

Please follow the link at the bottom of the page or click below.

http://www.dbis.edu.hk/userfiles/file/Secondary%20school%20information/Years%207%20and%208%20brochure.pdf 

Current Year 6 students will be given the opportunity to have a look at the Year 7 classes in action in the near future. More information on the development of our Secondary School will follow over the next few weeks.

Notification of Absences:  A further reminder to please notify our school staff concerning any absence by your child prior to the commencement of the first day of any absence.   As indicated yesterday, our illness related absences continue to be very low.  We are hugely reliant on your assistance throughout this difficult time.

International Food Fair:  Our Friends of the School group working on our International Food Fair had a very busy a productive meeting again this week.  All of the initial organisation is coming together particularly well at this stage.  

If you are able to help, please remember to sign up for one of the food stalls on the sign up board located at the main entrance to our Primary School.  You will have plenty of good fun in the process and get to meet even more of our fantastic parents.

Remember to keep Saturday 21 November clear on your calendar for our International Food Fair.

Crossing Safety:  As many of you will already be aware, we now have security staff on the crossing in front of Wei Lun School at the beginning and end of our school day.  Our school will cover the cost of this service and, in so doing, further reduce the risk of any accident at these pressure point times of our school day.

A big thank you to Discovery Bay City Management, in particular Mr Kenneth Chan and Ms Alice Chung, for your outstanding assistance with this safety measure.

Reception Parents Evening: Thank you to all of parents who were able to come along to our Reception Parents evening.  A great time was enjoyed by everybody.  Please remember that if you have any follow up questions – all of our teachers and senior leaders are readily available to speak with you.  Thank you in particular to our Reception staff, Angel and our cleaning staff for all of your superb preparation and work on the night.

DBIS Hockey: The three DBIS hockey squads have now completed two weeks of training.  With over 80 students playing this year, we are expecting great things from our teams.  The highlight of this week’s training sessions was seeing our guest coach, Mark Kake, showing the players some new skills and assisting the other coaches.

Mark is in Hong Kong with his wife Tina for the hockey season.  They are both employed by the Valley Sports Academy.  Our school has secured their services for part of the season. We are very lucky to have such esteemed players. Both Tina and Mark have represented New Zealand, hold a level two coaching award and have coached at a provincial level.


Feel free to come along to hockey training to see the players and coaches in action!

Congratulations: I am delighted to inform you that Mrs Liz Tait and Mr Huki Tait are the very proud parents of baby girl.  Manaaki Susan Aramoana Tait arrived quite quickly on Monday. Liz and Manaaki are both well and at home.  They are being looked after by Dad and big brother Gregor.  Congratulations from our Discovery Bay School community to Liz and Huki and welcome to Manaaki.

Ajit Gidwani's Bingo Fundraiser:  Ajit Gidwani attended DBIS from Nursery through Year 6 and graduated in 2002.  After graduating from Island School this summer, Ajit has decided to take a gap year from University to work as a volunteer educator at a village school in India for a year.  You can read all about his motivations and intentions at a website he has set up http://kablijischool.wetpaint.com/ or contact him directly at 9779-0747.  Please take a moment to visit the website and find out more about this amazing undertaking. 


In order to raise money to support the Kabliji School, Ajit will be holding a Bingo night on Thursday 8 October from 7:00 pm, in the Globe (our DBIS School Hall).  We hope as many of you as possible will come and enjoy the evening and by doing so help to support this very worthy cause.

Kind Regards

Grant Ramsay

Principal

Community Notices

Disclaimer - The following notices are presented as a community service.  While the content is proofed and generally summarised, it is important to state that the information contained in these Community Notices in no way reflects Discovery Bay International School policy or practices.

Connecting with Teen / Pre Teen Courses:  Being a parent is a lifelong commitment. As our children change and grow, parents also need to evolve with them.  While the primary relationship remains the same, the role of a parent needs to change from being the manager of your child's life to becoming a coach in their life. Teen Success will be running the Connecting with my pre teen courses in Discovery Bay in October and November. Find out more here:

 <http://www.teensuccess.com.hk/pages/parents.htm> http://www.teensuccess.com.hk/pages/parents.htm

DB Lantern Festival Beach Cleanup:  Every year, DB's very own Tai Pak Beach is covered with litter after the festival.  At last year's cleanup, thousands of discarded glow- sticks, bottles and numerous other items were left in the beach.

Date: Sunday, October 4, 2009.

Time: 09:00 - 13:00.

Meeting place:  Tai Pak Beach (under the trees, on the D Deck side).

What to bring:  sunblock, a hat, a water bottle, lots of energy and enthusiasm!

Hemmingway’s will be providing the post cleanup BBQ for both events.

Thank you all.

Tracey Read – DB Green

Introductory Talk - The Journey:  You are welcome to come along on Wednesday 30 September at 7:15pm to DBIS.  Learn more about this simple yet very efficient tool for freeing yourself from emotional and physical issues.  It's practical, user-friendly and down-to-earth and it gets the deepest of results.  Upcoming Journey weekend in Hong-Kong: 10-11 October. http://www.thejourney

Penny Scallan Design:  One of DB's great local businesses, Penny Scallan Design, have just received their new Winter 2009/10 range. There are loads of gorgeous new products and designs, including upgraded backpacks & insulated lunchboxes, shopper bags, wine coolers and much, much more!  Perfect for school or even a quick (but stylish) trip to Fusion.


Penny Scallan Design are extending 2 great offers to DBIS parents!  Visit Penny Scallan during school hours at 8E Mountain View, trade in your old Penny Scallan backpack or lunchbox and they will give you a 25% discount on any replacement item!  First time purchasers can even receive 10% off when they visit the Penny Scallan office.  Order your Stuck on You labels at the same time since they share an office!


For more information call 6015 4050 or email Tania Gutteridge at for a new brochure.  Offer ends Wednesday, 30 September.  Working parents are welcome to email Tania if they are not in DB from 9-3.


Thank you - Liz Nettleton

The Stuck on You Team