DBIS News

November Update

Dear Parents

DBIS International Food Fair – Saturday 3 December 2011 - Fun - Family - Food - Be sure to read the attached two updates on our 23rd International Food Fair.

School Security:  As you are aware, we have new gates at the main entrance to our school site.  We are also having a new set of gates being built for the entrance area to our Year 1 classes.  Our School Council has determined that the extension to the height of our perimeter fence will also be carried out later in our school year.  The clear intention is to improve the overall security of our Primary and Secondary School sites so that, apart from parent access at the beginning and the end of the school day, any other access can only be through approval from our school office.
We already have security staff on site throughout the night and during weekend and holiday days.  Our School Council is also considering the addition of a security staff member to be stationed at our main entrance during the school day.

 
For the time being, helpers may continue to deliver lunches to school.  The new school gates will be secured during the school day as soon as our new Secondary School building is in operation.  At this time, any delivery of school lunches will need to be left in a class container that will be placed adjacent to the main entrance, to be delivered to respective classes at the appropriate time.  Given the availability of our Boardwalk Café for hot and cold food, we have noticed a reduction in the number of lunches still being brought to school by helpers.  We hope this trend continues.

Kindergarten Library:  Please take the time to visit our Kindergarten library, even if you no longer have a child at Kindergarten.  Lou Ryan has recently completed the painting of a series of characters and scenes on the library walls.  They are simply stunning.  Our Kindergarten students and school staff are thrilled with the results of Lou’s wonderful work.  Thank you so much to Lou for sharing your talents in such an inspiring and creative manner!

Medical room update:  If your child has long hair, we strongly advise you to keep your child’s hair tied up while at school.  This not only helps reduce the likelihood of contracting head lice, but also makes it easier to participate in general school sporting and academic activities without long hair getting in the way.  Having hair tied back generally keeps students cooler and more comfortable at school.

FOBISSEA Music Festival – Beijing:  On Thursday 10 November, seven of our musicians, along with Mr. Walker and Miss Balka, head for Beijing where they will take part in FOBISSEA’s Music Festival.  The students have been working hard on their choral and orchestral parts and will take part in four days of intensive rehearsals followed by a gala performance at The British School, Beijing.  The festival will involve hundreds of students in schools from all corners of the FOBISSEA’s  network.  We wish all students the very best for their role in this prestigious event.

Music Ensemble Rehearsals:  We always stress the importance of our student’s commitment to music rehearsals but with Christmas just around the corner, rehearsals are doubly important.  We ask that all members of our music ensembles attend all scheduled practices to ensure a cracking Christmas performance.  Thank you to parents and carers for your support with this. 

STOMP!  On Friday 28 October, 26 of our Year 8 students (with some additions!) went to see STOMP! at The Lyric Theatre. This performance was a meaningful and entertaining link to their current unit of study.  The students thoroughly enjoyed this fast paced piece of musical theatre.  The show comprised choreographed percussion, movement and physical comedy. We would certainly recommend it if you haven’t yet seen it.  Thanks go to Mr Bradley for organising this event and to the teachers who went along with them.

Secondary building update:  Our new building is really starting to take shape now.

Uniform update:  The weather will begin to cool down a little more in the coming weeks.  In preparation for this new stocks of cooler weather uniform items are available in our school uniform shop.  
Our new hooded sweatshirts are being manufactured this month and will be available for sale mid to late November.  The hooded sweatshirt will be available for Nursery to Secondary aged students.  The design is the same for all years other than the addition of the school name on the back of the hooded sweatshirts for Secondary students.

Laboratory Technician Required:  If you have experience working in a laboratory and would like to work with our Secondary School science teachers preparing chemicals / equipment for science lessons, please contact Mr Andy Edwards.

Library Book Stall Collection: A perfect excuse for a good clear out! We are starting to collect books for the donated book stand at the fair.  If you have any unwanted books, novels, picture stories, dvds or magazines that you are happy to donate we would love to have them to sell at the fair. Please drop off at the school office. Many thanks - Kate Basford  Librarian

Secondary School Reminder dates:

22 November – Y8  teacher tutor conferences with parents and students

29 November – Y9 Options evening for parents and studentsFurther information will be sent to parents soon.

Drama:  Ms Helen Prior will be hosting a Secondary School Drama Showcase evening for parents on 24 November at 7:30 pm in the Globe.

DBIS Sports Round Up

Secondary Sport

What a hectic week it has been in Secondary Sport!  Season one of the International Secondary Sports Foundation of Hong Kong (ISSFHK) has drawn to a close after an intensive two months. The Swimming, X Country, and Football squads have all been involved in their respective championships and finals. There have been some brilliant results from our Secondary students.  On behalf of the PE Department and all coaches, we congratulate you on all of your successes this season.

DBIS Swim Team:  The season ending ISSFHK Championships were held at the Canadian International School on Tuesday this week.  We took six experienced swimmers from our training squad to compete on the day.  Congratulations to Victoria Lawrence (Y7) for winning gold in the Under 13 Girls 50m Breastroke, as well as Athina Zodl (Y7) for winning silver in the Under 13 Girls 50m Freestyle. Victoria, Athina, and Natasha Christensen all swam personal best times in their events, a fantastic effort. Notable mention must also go to Kieren Platts, Cooper Murphy, and Giulia Andraghetti who swam superbly this season.  Swim training will continue after a well earned break next week!  Coach: Mr. Corbett

DBIS X-Country Team:  On Wednesday October 26, the DBIS X Country Squad entered the West Island hosted Black Links event, a running race over 4.7km.  Athina Zodl ran hard to win the Under 12 Girls event in 18:00 minutes, a huge 1 minute 37 seconds ahead of her nearest rival. Other notable results included Rei Watabe (Y7) placing 13th, as well as Eddie O’Connor (Y10) placing 18th. 

The ISSFHK X Country Championships took place on Wednesday this week at the Aberdeen Country Park.  DBIS took a squad of sixteen runners to the event.  Each field was made up of around 70 runners!  Athina Zodl (Y7) completed a season sweep of all events, winning gold in convincing fashion with a time of 7:57 over 2km.  Other impressive results included Charlie Taylor placing 6th, Trevor Bagatinni (11th), Ruben Brons (24th), and Eddie O’Connor (26th). Congratulations to all involved.   Coach: Mr. Corbett

Secondary FootballUnder 12 Girls:  The side meets the winner of the CDNIS v DC game tonight in the semi final, and fingers crossed, on to the final. Good luck from all of us girls!  Coaches: Gina Boone, Katie Worthington

Under 12 Boys:  The side was beaten on penalties on Wednesday night in the quarter final.  With four of our boys backing up from the X Country Champs it was always going to be a tough ask.  A huge congratulations to Mr. Reid and all of his players for a highly successful season.  Coach: Mr. Reid

Secondary Basketball:  Training continues to attract solid numbers. All divisions begin their competition during the week beginning November 14.  DBIS will field four teams from Under 12 – Under 16 this year.  Coach: John Johnson (ESL Services)

Secondary Development Netball:  Primarily for inexperienced players, Miss Chambers is training the girls on Tuesday mornings. All players welcome. Those involved in basketball must attend basketball training to be eligible for netball training.  Coach: Miss Chambers

Badminton:  Training began last Friday. All players welcome. A team will eventually be selected to represent DBIS in the ISSFHK Badminton League held in term two.  Coach: Miss Beaumont
Primary SportDBIS Football Tournament:  Our annual tournament will be held at KGV School on Saturday November 26. Your coaches will be selecting two teams over the coming fortnight to compete.

Hockey:  The season tournament dates have not been released by the clubs. I will let all coaches know when they have been released.

Year 5 and 6 Running Club:  All students are invited to join our larger group of runners on Monday mornings at 7:20 am with Ms Hall and Miss Chambers on the pitch.

Other notices and reminders:

• DBIS Swimwear and caps now available in the uniform shop. We have some sharp looking male and female DBIS swimsuits for Year 3 – 10.  All swimming caps are in House colours, please let Kammi know your child’s House when purchasing. 

• Year 5 and 6 House Netball will be run by the PE Department on November 22, 24, and 25. Sign up now!

• The Year 1 and 2 Junior Sports Day will be held on December 9.  A letter to all parents will be sent out soon.

• A FOBISSEA Games information evening for all interested Primary and Under 13 Secondary students and parents will be held during this half term – date to be confirmed.

Matt Corbett - PE Coordinator

Upcoming Events:

Friday 4 November

• U12 Boys Football Finals
• Y4KY Science Museum Trip
• Reception Parent Conferences

Monday 7 November

• Y6 depart for their China Trip

Tuesday 8 November

• Y1KW Pizza Trip

Thursday 10 November

• Y3 Open Morning
• FOBISSEA Music Festival in Beijing

Friday 11 November

• Y4KW Science Museum Trip
• FOBISSEA Music
• Y6 return from their China Trip

Saturday 12 November

• FOBISSEA Music Festival in Beijing

Tuesday 15 November

• Y7 Parents meet Teacher Tutors

Wednesday 16 November

• Y10 Trip Presentation for Parents
• Y7 Parents meet Teacher Tutors
• Y4LO Science Museum Trip
• Y5 depart for their Sai Kung Camp
• Y3 Airport Trip

Thursday 17 November

• Kowloon Netball Y6
• Y3 Airport Trip

Friday 18 November

• Y1 & Y6 Immunisation Programme
• Y5 return from their Sai Kung Camp

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.

Pitter Painter by Davincino Painting Classes for Kids:  These classes are now moving to Discovery Bay Residents Club D'Cafe Function Room this November.  Course #2 dates for this term are as follows: Nov, 4, 11, 18, 25 and Dec 2, 8, 16 (7-lesson course).   Member fee is $1,750 and non-member fee is $2100.  To download your application form, please visit http://www.dbrc.hk and find Pitter Painter under Training Lesson. For further inquiry, please contact Irene 97724035 and Grace 62736764, or e-mail us at .  To browse photos of the kids paintings, please visit the gallery and learn about the different painting techniques we do for every project by reading our what's new at http://www.pitterpainterhk.com. Let you kids imagination run free and enjoy a fun and inspiring painting atmosphere!