Kindergarten Newsletter

On Friday December 5th, we held an Alumni Gathering and Reception at our 105 Waterloo Rd Campus. In attendance were available Kingston alumni who graduated between 2008 and 2018. It was a casual and heartfelt affair, with alumni parents also in attendance. We walked down memory lane during the evening, and alumni sauntered through the school seeking out their old classrooms and chatting about their favorite Kingston experiences.

The event was hosted by Kingston CEO Emily Ngan and Kingston’s Senior Leadership Team and five alumni were invited to speak. They spoke eloquently of their current activities and of their fond memories. We are very proud of all of our alumni and proud that each year so many return to Kingston to visit!

One very interesting tidbit - one of our alumni speakers has just begun her first year in the HKU Medicine program and the following speaker is currently in her final year of HKU Medicine! Some very fine doctors-to-be indeed, and coincidentally, both Alumni were SRC Presidents when they attended Kingston!

Here is a link to some of the photos from the evening, please take a moment to have a look!

Our kindergarten students recently participated in a fascinating talk hosted by the Animal Watchers (AWP), an initiative by the Hong Kong Police Force dedicated to promoting animal welfare and combating cruelty. This valuable session introduced our young learners to the importance of being kind to animals and treating them with respect. The students learned how to be "Animal Watchers" themselves by being observant, caring, and understanding that all living creatures deserve a safe environment. It was a highly engaging and important lesson in empathy and community responsibility. (More information about the Animal Watchers Programme and their mission can be found on their website)

Our 3 Year Old Classes recently had a thrilling and unforgettable visit from the Hong Kong Herpetology Society, an organization dedicated to the conservation and education of amphibians and reptiles. During the engaging talk, our young students learned fascinating facts about these scaly and unique creatures. The highlight of the session was the incredible opportunity for the children to get hands-on with different reptiles, allowing them to gently touch and observe the animals up close under expert supervision. This experience brought their learning about the natural world to life and fostered a sense of wonder and respect for these often-misunderstood animals.

The 4 and 5 Year Old Classes enjoyed a captivating cultural experience as part of their 'How We Express Ourselves' unit by watching a traditional Chinese puppet and face-changing performance. The children were mesmerized by the intricate movements of the puppets and, most impressively, the rapid transformation of the performer's masks — an ancient Chinese art form known as Bian Lian (face-changing). This vibrant spectacle provided a wonderful, hands-on opportunity for the students to explore how different cultures use dramatic arts, color, and movement to express narratives and emotions, linking directly to the themes of their current learning unit.

We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the families in our community for their incredible generosity and support of the Box of Hope initiative this year. Thanks to your kindness, we successfully collected 50 Boxes of Hope, which will bring much-needed cheer to children across Asia. A special thank you also goes to Ms. Michelle and Ms. Anna, who volunteered their time at the main Box of Hope sorting center. Their experience highlighted the critical importance of ensuring that all items listed on the box labels are strictly included in the donated boxes. This process is essential for meeting the charity's guidelines and ensuring that every child receives a complete and valuable gift package. Your participation truly makes a difference!

The conclusion of our "How We Express Ourselves" unit was marked by a vibrant and successful United Nations Day celebration! We sincerely thank all the families who joined us on November 28th and contributed to this wonderful event, making it a truly global experience. The children enjoyed exploring various cultures and, most delightfully, sampling delicious cuisines from around the world, including savory quesadillas from El Salvador, sweet fairy bread from Australia, sushi, and waffle cakes from Japan, just to name a few of the wonderful dishes shared. It was a memorable morning filled with joy and exploration. The event not only strengthened connections between our families but also provided the children with a deeper and more delicious understanding of the world's rich diversity.

One of the most anticipated events of the season was our annual Winter Concert, where our wonderful Kindergarten students truly shined! The children prepared diligently, learning songs and movements that brought the spirit of the holidays to the stage. It was a spectacular performance filled with joyous singing, adorable dances, and beaming smiles. We were so incredibly proud of their confidence and enthusiasm in sharing their talents with all the gathered families. The concert was a perfect way to usher in the holiday season and create a precious memory for all who attended.

The festive spirit was undeniable at our annual Christmas Party, a wonderful send-off before the holiday break! The atmosphere was filled with joy as the children had a chance to meet and greet Santa Claus, sharing their holiday wishes and capturing a memorable moment. During the celebration, students also gathered to enjoy delicious and joyful Christmas party food.

Our 3 Year Old Classes had an amazing and educational field trip to Urban Oasis as part of their "How The World Works" unit! The children were thrilled to be hands-on explorers, investigating the diverse world of plants and tiny creatures that help them grow. They observed many different kinds of vegetables, from towering corn stalks to purple eggplant, and excitedly discovered important helpers like snails and worms right in the soil. To connect their discoveries back to their own lives, the students gathered to listen to a wonderful story that highlighted the importance of eating healthy vegetables. The adventure concluded with the children getting to plant their very own wheat plant in a pot to bring home, giving them a tangible reminder of the natural world and a fun project to continue caring for.

The annual school trip to Butterfly Valley was a spectacular success, and we hope all of our participating families had a truly wonderful day! It was heartwarming to see parents, students, and teachers connecting while exploring the park's many attractions. Everyone enjoyed the opportunity to roam the different play areas, interact with the friendly creatures during the animal feeding sessions, and participate in fun games alongside their classmates and teachers. These shared experiences outside of the classroom are invaluable for strengthening our community and creating beautiful, lasting memories.

A visit to the Legislative Council (LegCo) Complex in Hong Kong offered our kindergarten students a unique and enriching educational experience. While the formal proceedings might be complex, the trip was tailored to introduce them to the concept of community and government in an accessible way. This excursion served as a wonderful, hands-on opportunity to teach our youngest learners about Hong Kong's civic landmarks and the people who contribute to its running.

The 3 Year Old Classes have been deeply engaged in their fascinating "How the World Works" unit, exploring the concept of growth and change! The children began by learning about human lifecycles before broadening their focus to the various lifecycles of other living things. This included exciting sensory play activities with materials that resembled 'frog spawn' and fun role-playing where they got to act out different lifecycles. The students took great pride in sharing their research homework on lifecycles and have been acting as true scientists by conducting growth experiments with sweet potatoes and meticulously recording their findings. Throughout the unit, they have also been diligently checking on our growing gardens. Most recently, the class experienced a major real-world observation as they noticed significant changes in their beloved mealworms, with several of them having successfully completed their metamorphosis and turned into beetles!

The 4 and 5 Year Old Classes continued to delve into the vibrant world of global cultures during their comprehensive "How We Express Ourselves" unit! November began with a focus on traditional Aboriginal culture, where students enjoyed reading "Dream Time" stories and were inspired to make up their own narratives. They got hands-on by creating their own didgeridoos, participated in an exciting Aboriginal symbols hunt in the playground, and practiced the rhythmic tradition of Stick Clapping and also shared their ideas in a thoughtful Yarning Circle. Expanding their cultural horizons, the students explored other traditions, learning about Turkish culture, investigating the diverse music and food of Asian cultures, and comparing these discoveries with the different arts and customs found in various European countries. This rich unit has fostered appreciation for diversity and celebrated the many unique ways people around the world express themselves.

Our dedicated teaching team committed to continuous improvement by participating in two intensive days of Professional Development in November. The first day was focused on enhancing our support for students with diverse learning needs, featuring a valuable session led by Watchdog, our on-campus Special Educational Needs (SEN) support partners. This training provided teachers with practical strategies and deeper insights into inclusive practices. On the second day, the focus shifted to effective communication, with a specialized workshop led by expert Abigail Carr. This session aimed to refine our teachers' communication skills which is crucial for building stronger classroom environments and nurturing better parent-teacher relationships.

We know that many of our students are engaged in a variety of activities beyond their academic life, such as dance, music, art, sports, and more. It is with great excitement that we invite you to share these wonderful experiences and victories with our school community.

To better celebrate and acknowledge these achievements, we kindly request that you complete the Student Talent Form below with any notable successes your child has had outside of school. This could include anything from winning a medal in a dance competition, participating in a community art exhibition, performing in a violin recital, or any other accomplishment that makes you and your child proud.

https://forms.gle/LGoXpAqaAKYXWStJA

Please include photos of your child taking part in this activity and any awards they have received so that we are able to share this with our school community!

15 December - 2 January - Winter Break

16 January - 2 Year Old Class Trip to Zoological and Botanical Gardens

20 January - Angelfish MTR Trip

26 January - Starfish MTR Trip

27 January - Report Cards Distributed (2-5 Year Old Classes)

29 January - Pyjama Party

30 January - Parent - Teacher Conferences (2-5 Year Old Classes)

2 February - Term 2 Begins

Stay connected with our school community by following us on social media! Join us on Facebook, Instagram, and RedNote for updates, event highlights, and a glimpse into our daily activities. We love sharing our exciting moments with you and fostering a vibrant online community!

Email: enquiry@kingston.edu.hk

Website: www.kingston.edu.hk

Address: 12-14 Cumberland Road, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong

Phone: 23379049