DBIS News 
Keep up to date with what's happening in the school with our fortnightly newsletter.
End of year newsletter
Dear Parents
End of the Year: We are nearly at the end of another wonderful year – shared with our students, with you as supportive and positive parents and with each other as a staff in our very special Discovery Bay International School community. I am delighted with the efforts of our students, in every facet of their development. As a school we constantly seek to build on our achievements and to continue to provide high quality learning experiences. Having read through the latest reports on our students, I am particularly pleased to note the progress and achievement outlined for your information. Congratulations to all of our 852 students!
Our school has continued on our journey of development and growth – looking to be Better than Before. We are full with waiting lists throughout our school. Our Secondary School development is progressing to the next stage with Year 8 having been successfully established along with a range of co-curricular activities (rock climbing, golf, surfing and tennis) added to our Secondary experience.
Amongst our many changes this year, the Ruth Misken programme (RWI) has extended to Nursery and to Year 1 and our Netbook programme is working well in Year 5. The International Primary Curriculum has been added to our Early Years programme. We have had a record number of students participate in a wide number of sports. Our orchestra has grown markedly on the strength of our peripatetic programme. Our rock group and recently formed brass ensemble complement our choirs and baroque group.
Our initiatives will continue next year to include: the start of our new Secondary building; the opening of our Boardwalk Café; the extension of RWI into Year 2; the respective extension of our Reception, Primary School and Secondary School days; the addition of further computer adaptive assessment and testing facilities; the start of Year 9; a Secondary School production; a new sound system in our Globe theatre as well as the continued refurbishment of the theatre changing rooms. 2010 / 2011 promises to be another year of fun and development in our school, for our students.
A huge thank you to our outstanding staff in every capacity throughout our school. You all make a real difference with and for our students, everyday and of course into their respective futures. Thank you for your commitment, hard work and for being such a pleasure to work with.
Thank you to all of the members of our School Advisory Committee and our School Council. The people in these groups always give so thoughtfully of their time to consider the best interests of our school, with the continued focus on providing a quality education for all of our students.
To all of our students leaving our school tomorrow – thank you for all that you have given to other students and to the staff of your school. DBIS is your school and will forever be a part of your lives. I am sure that it will always be a special place in your lives along with the wonderful friendships started at your school.
To the families who end their direct association with DBIS tomorrow, with your child or children moving on to other schools in Hong Kong and around the world, please accept the warmth of our school community wishes and our thanks for your continued and valued support. As noted above, DBIS will always be your school and so much the better for your contributions and participation.
Thank you to all of our students and families who are ready for a summer break. We have enjoyed another fine year of discovery, creativity, achievement and fun together. I hope you all enjoy your holiday time and the take time to relax with your family and friends or simply with the company of a good book. If you are traveling, be safe and smile your way through your adventures. We look forward to the return of our amazing current and new students at the beginning of another outstanding year.
Staffing: Once again, the end of year means the departure of some teachers as they head to new experiences. This year we say our sad goodbyes to another quality group of people who have worked with our students. All have given to our school and to the lives of our students and colleagues.
We say farewell to Elaine Crawford who is retiring with Bob to their delightful home in Thailand. Jane Engelmann and Kris Stanhope will be transferring to positions here in Hong Kong. Gill Hadley is leaving to continue her work in Africa. Liz Tait is taking a break and will be working with us in a supply capacity next year. Jayne Gonzales is likely to be relocating to the United States. Leanne Demmitt moves back to Australia and Kate Hopewell will continue to work with us as a supply teacher. Keith Thorogood is returning to the United Kingdom.
Thank you all for the gift of your time, your commitment and care for our students. Thank you all for the many special memories you leave with us. Your work and your friendship will be treasured.
Year 6 Graduation Ceremony: A final reminder that our Year 6 Graduation Ceremony is set to be held tomorrow afternoon, starting at 1:00 pm. All parents of Year 6 students have been invited to attend for this special time. Please be seated in the Globe theatre at 12:45 pm. Year 5 students will attend Graduation Ceremony as well.
The ceremony is a formal farewell to all of our very special Year 6 students, recognising all of their respective contributions to our school community and their ongoing involvement as part of our school family. It is also a time when we can formally thank our families, in particular those families who will no longer have a direct involvement with DBIS. All students at the Graduation Ceremony will be presented with a Graduation Certificate.
We will also be presenting two awards that were started four years ago. The Principal’s Awards will be presented to a Year 6 girl and a Year 6 boy at the Graduation Ceremony. The criteria for these awards focus upon:
• academic application and success;
• citizenship – interactions which exemplify the qualities we espouse at our school;
• cultural involvement, application and enjoyment;
• sporting involvement, application and enjoyment.
End of Term: Our last day for this school year will be tomorrow, Friday 25 June. All Kindergarten classes, including Starlight Nursery will finish at 12:00 midday. All Primary and Secondary classes will finish close to 1:45 pm. The actual finish time at Primary School may vary slightly, and is dependant on the completion of our Year 6 Graduation Ceremony, the ‘clapping out’ of our Year 6 students and the final bell ringing.
Starting Back Next Year: A reminder that school starts back for all Primary and Secondary students on Thursday 19 August. Year 1 to 6 students will start at 8:25 am and finish at 3:00 pm. Our Secondary students will start at 8:15 am and finish at 3:15 pm. All Reception students also start back on 19 August at 9:00 am. Remember that Reception classes go through to 2:40 pm next term.
Reports: The end of year Reception through Year 6 reports are being sent home today along with your child’s finalised class list for next year. Our Year 7 and Year 8 reports will be sent home tomorrow as our Secondary students are not in classrooms today.
Library Books / Guided Reading Books: Could you please have a further check through your child’s books to see if there are any library or guided reading books accidentally mixed together. Please return any school books as soon as you can.
Uniform Shop: The Uniform Shop is now closed and will reopen on 11 August on the following special opening dates and times:
11 – 13 August 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
16 – 18 August 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
With effect from 19 August, the Uniform Shop will resume its normal operating hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 8:15 am to 11:00 am. We suggest that you take advantage of our ordering system. Please fill in our attached order form and return it with a cheque payment to either the Kindergarten or Primary / Secondary School office. Orders can be collected from 16-18 August at the uniform shop.
Kind regards
Grant Ramsay
Principal
