8 September
- For this Week
- Heads up for Next Week
- ESF School Partnership Visits
- Flu Shot
- School Calendar Update
- Upcoming PD Opportunities
- Staff Calendar
Morning all,
Once again, thank you all for your patience as we work through the new LMS system together.
- Tuesday: No staff meeting. School tours after school at 4:15pm—please set up your classrooms before leaving
- Wednesday: Our Student Support Advisor, Cathy McSweeney, will be visiting to observe possible Learning Support K2 children as part of the Enhanced Transition Plan
- Friday: Chinese Parent Webinar
- Monday: ESF School Partnership Visits
- Thursday & Friday: ESF Senior Leadership Conference (SLT will be off-site)
Reminder: The deadline for staff to complete the Annual Declaration is 15 September.
The ESF Education Team - Mark Blackshaw (Director of Education), Josh Blue (Head of Curriculum & Learning), and John Turner (Head of School Enhancement & Innovation)— will visit Hillside on Monday, 15 September.
These partnership visits are a chance for both the school and the ESF Education Team to:
- Review where we are now and what evidence informs our annual school enhancement plan.
- Discuss our current priorities and the reasons behind them.
- Explore how we plan to implement these priorities.
- Identify ways ESF can support and partner with us, including opportunities for professional learning and collaboration.
Flu season is approaching. ESF has arranged an on-site Flu Vaccination Programme for all full-time and part-time staff and their dependants.
Date: Friday, 24 October
Time: 11:50am–12:50pm
Location: G/F office
Please complete the Flu Vaccination Registration Form on or before Sunday, 14 September. Staff and dependants must also fill in the Declaration Form before the vaccination and submit it to the on-site nurse.
School Calendar Update
Please note the following changes to our published calendar, which better align with local cultural practices and our feeder primary schools:
- Lunar New Year: Friday, 13 February 2026, will be a non-school day.
- Easter Term Break: Friday, 27 March 2026, will be a normal school day.
Upcoming PD Opportunities
Free IB-hosted webinar: Transdisciplinarity within and beyond a programme of inquiry (for early years)
15 September; live online at 10pm (recording will be shared for later viewing); register here
Topics include: What does “transdisciplinarity” mean in the PYP? Why does transdisciplinary learning matter? How can we explore transdisciplinarity within and beyond a programme of inquiry?
The Early Literacy Code with Sally Haughey, founder of Wunderled
Sept 27-28, online (viewings accessible for 48 hours), register here
It’s a curated experience with one powerful question: How do we hit early-literacy standards and honour how children are wired to learn? You’ll walk away knowing how to use oral storytelling, rhyme, puppets, finger plays, and small world play (and more!) as the heart of your literacy approach.
Become a Rhythm & Movement for Self-Regulation (RAMSR) Practitioner with Professor Kate Williams (for any adult working with 3-8yos)
Oct 14, @ESFC, register on Gateway
By the end of this active learning workshop educators will be able to:
Explain the neuroscience of rhythm and its role in supporting children’s executive function and self-regulation; Confidently apply rhythmic movement strategies in their teaching across different formats (individual, small group, whole class) and for diverse learner needs
** Please note staff’s workshop attendance will be based on cover availability
Upcoming Dates
Please check our internal calendar below. We might forget to remind everyone of odd dates. We will continue to add events as soon as they're confirmed.
Here's the full 2025/26 Calendar.
Thank you!
