International  College  Hong  Kong  Hong  Lok  Yuen  (Kindergarten)  

Nursery Handbook September 2015

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Welcome to our Nursery Classes

Principal:           Mrs  Ruth  Woodward  Deputy  Principals:       Mrs  Nerys  Notley             Mr  Brett  MacKenzie  Lower  School  Leader:       Ms  Katie  Saunter              Nursery  Teachers:                           NR  -­‐  Red  Room:            Mrs  Holly  Ayonote                           NG  -­‐  Green  Room:  Mrs  Lynda  Sze    Nursery  Assistant  Teachers:                

Mrs  Andrea  Lai  Ms  Bibi  Chen  Ms  Wingki  Cheung  Ms  Lixia  Chen  

               Nursery  Hours:                                Half  Day:   8.15  a.m.  –  11.30  a.m.                Full  Day:               8.15  a.m.  –    3.00  p.m              (Except  for  Wednesday  when  school  finishes  at  2.00pm)                Telephone:       (00  852)  2658  6935  Fax:                                 (00  852)  2651  0836    School  Email:     info@ichkhly.edu.hk  Website:       www.ichkhly.edu.hk        Teacher  email  addresses:  Holly  Ayonote           hayonote@ichkhly.edu.hk  Lynda  Sze                             lsze@ichkhly.edu.hk    Katie  Saunter               ksaunter@ichkhly.edu.hk

What  your  child  will  need  for  Nursery  classes:    All  Children:  • A  red  book  bag  (available  from  the  Uniform  shop)  • A  snack  box  /  bag  • A  healthy  snack  –  fruit,  sandwich,  biscuit  and  a  small  

drink  or  water  bottle  • A  set  of  spare  clothes  to  be  left  at  school  (cooler  

clothes  for  Summer,  warmer  for  Winter)  • A  school  hat  • Uniform    In  addition  –  Full  day  nursery  children  will  need  • An  insulated  lunch  bag  • A  healthy  lunch  and  drink  (juice,  milk  or  water)    • Cushion  /  blanket  for  nap  time  as  advised  by  the  teacher  

 Nursery  Class  Times  It  is  a  positive  start  to  the  day  when  all  of  the  children  are  there  for  the  start  of  the  first  session.    This  is  the  time  when  teachers  welcome  children;  explain  any  special  things  happening  that  day  and  generally  provide  a  calm,  happy  start  to  the  Nursery  class.      Please  arrange  to  bring  and  collect  your  child  from  school    on  time.    Communication  with  the  Teacher  Parents  are  encouraged  to  use  the  home-­‐school  communication  books  for  messages  and  notes  to  staff  e.g.  change  of  person  collecting  the  student.    This  book  will  be  given  to  every  student  at  the  start  of  the  school  year.  • If  you  need  to  speak  to  the  teacher,  there  will  be  some  time  in  the  

mornings,  but  if  it  requires  more  time,  please  arrange  an  alternative  time  to  meet  the  teacher.      

• Email  the  class  teachers  (see  first  page)  • Log  in  to  class  message  wall  in  the  Orchard  regularly  • Parents  may  telephone  the  school  for  urgent  messages  during  the  

Nursery  class  time.      

 Clothing  Nursery  students  wear  the  school  uniform  every  day.  Please  ensure  that  all  of  your  child’s  belongings  are  clearly  named.        The  uniform  is  available  from  Aston  Wilson,  at  the  school  Uniform  Shop,  located  in  the  undercover  area  of  the  main  school.        Black  leather  shoes  are  also  part  of  the  uniform,  as  well  as  white  trainers  or  plimsolls  for  sports.    Opening  hours:      Thursday  8:00am  –  4:00pm           Closed  for  lunch  12:30  –  1:00pm    

School Uniform - Nursery

Red Polo Shirt

Red Cardigan or Red French Sweat top – V

Neck

Green 2 in 1 Windbreaker

Beige Shorts (full elastic/half elastic)

Beige Trousers (half elastic/without

elastic)

ICHK HLY tag attached on the uniform

Please remember to name

all of your child’s belongings.

Health  and  Safety  Please  support  our  safety  policy  by  not  sending  your  child    to  school  wearing  jewellry,  including  earrings,  watches  etc.    These  things  can  be  dangerous  during  play  situations.          Illness  If  your  child  is  unwell,  please  keep  him  /  her  at  home  until  fully  recovered.    If  your  child  is  taken  ill  or  has  an  accident  in  the  Nursery,  you  will  be  notified.    Please  ensure  that  the  school  has  relevant  emergency  contact  numbers  for  your  child.          Medicines  If  your  child  has  been  prescribed  antibiotics,  please  keep  him  /  her  home  until  the  end  of  the  course.          Sleep  Young,  active,  growing  children  need  lots  of  rest.    Nursery    children  need  lots  of  sleep  and  early  nights  on  school  days.          The  Bus:  A  bus  service  is  available  for  Nursery  students  living  in  certain  locations.      To  find  out  more  about  this,  please  contact  the  school  office.      

   

Birthdays:  We  celebrate  all  children’s  birthdays  equally  –  singing  songs,  lighting  candles  on  a  ‘pretend  cake’  and  giving  children  a  special  sticker.    It  is  not  necessary  to  send  a  cake  to  school.        

 Staggered  Entry  for  the  Start  of  Nursery  • Our  policy  is  to  stagger  the  entry  of  students,  to  enable  children  to  

start  their  nursery  day  in  smaller  groups.    This  strategy  really  helps  when  children  are  adjusting  to  new  routines  and  teachers    and  are  becoming  familiar  with  the  school  environment  and  program.      

• Please  follow  your  date  for  entry,  as  advised  in  the  letter  you  have  received.      

 Giving  your  child  the  best  start…..  The   start   of   school   is   a   milestone   that's   often   anticipated   with   great  excitement  and  joy,  it  is  also  often  accompanied  by  tears  and  separation  anxiety.  (From  both  parents  and  children!)  Each  person  is  different  and  will  react  in  different  ways.  We  have  a  wealth  of  experience  in  managing  all  the  aspects  of  starting  school  and  there  are  many  ways  in  which  you  can  help  make  this  transition  easier  for  your  child  and  for  yourself.      • Saying  Goodbye:  

The   way   you   say   goodbye   and   speak   to   your   child   will   have   a   huge  impact   on   the   way   that   they   react   to   the   teacher   and   being   left   in  school.    Don’t  slip  off,  not  saying  goodbye  to  your  child,  make  sure  that  you  are  positive   and   they   will   know   that   you   trust   the   teacher   that   they   are  being   left  with.  Make  your  goodbyes  short  and  to  the  point  with  a  hug  and  a  kiss  and  saying  ‘I’ll  see  you  soon,  you’re  going  to  have  a  great  day!’  if  you  are  standing  up  straight  and  smiling,  your  child  will  know  you  are  happy,   they   react   to   your  mood   and   body   language.   If   you're   nervous  and  anxious  when  you  drop  your  child  off,   they  will   sense   it  and   it  will  make  them  even  more  anxious.  Remain  calm  and  be  upbeat,  even  if  you  don't  feel  100  percent  cheerful.  Your  children  are  in  safe,  caring  hands.    • Being  Honest  

Please   don’t   tell   them   that   you   are  waiting   in   the   playground,   or   that  you  are  just  outside.  This  makes  the  children  even  more  unsettled  when  they  realise  you  are  not  there.          

• Talk  positively  about  school:  Children  are  very  good  at  reading  mums  and  dads,  if  you  aren’t  positive  about  what  school  will  be  like  your  child  is  likely  to  be  unsettled.  When  you  child  gets  home  ask  questions  about  what  they  have  been  doing  at  school  each  day,   ‘What  was  your  favourite  thing  you  did  today?’   ‘I  saw  your  picture  in  the  window  it  looks  beautiful,  can  you  tell  me  about  it?’    If  you  focus  on  the  positive  aspect  of  school  you  children  will  also  start  to  understand  that  it  is  wonderful  place  to  be  and  they  will  happy  to  stay  without  the  tears.    • Make  sure  that  you  are  on  time:  

Consistency  is  key  when  it  comes  to  making  school  a  part  of  your  child's  new  routine.  Arriving  on  time  everyday  will  make  a  big  difference,  if  they  are   going   into   class   with   others   then   it  makes   it   easier   than   joining   a  group  mid  session.   If  you  are  able  pick   them  up  at   the  end  of   the  day,  reinforce  the  idea  that  you  came  back,  just  like  you  said  you  would.  This  way,   each  day's   drop-­‐off  won't   feel   like   you're   both   starting   teary   and  upsetting  goodbyes  all  over  again.    Other  Ideas  to  help    • Read  books  about  starting  school.  

 • Label  all  their  belongings  clearly.  • Involve  the  children  in  packing  their  bag  and  being  

responsible  for  this.  • Ensure  they  have  a  hat  every  day.  • Encourage  your  child  to  have  a  good  night’s  sleep  so  that  

they  are  not  tired  and  rushed  in  the  morning.  • If  your  child  has  difficulty  settling,  encourage  them  to  bring  

something  special  from  home  with  them  to  share  with  the  class,  e.g.  a  favourite  book,  a  special  photo.  

Notes:  

My  child’s  teacher  is……    My  child’s  class  is  ……….    My  child’s  start  date  is…

 International  College  Hong  Kong  -­‐  

Hong  Lok  Yuen  …  

The  best  start  to  your  child’s  education  

2015/2016  School  Term  Dates       Term  1:  26th  August  –  18th    December,  2015           Half-­‐term  break  –  16th  –  23rd  October  (inclusive)     Term  2:  4th  January  –  25th  March,  2016         Chinese  New  Year  Holidays  –  8th  –  17th  February       Term  3:  11th    April    –  29th    June,  2016