Secondary Campus Weekly Update

Dear Parents,

Last week, the atmosphere was electric as students engaged in vibrant inter-house competitions, showcasing not only their talents but also their house spirit; we are looking forward to seeing the inter-house badminton in action this week.

This morning, we marked Remembrance Day, with all students standing by the outdoor balconies to observe a two-minute silence whilst Mr Sayce played the bugle call ‘Last Post’. It was a poignant opportunity for us to gather as a school community to collectively reflect on the sacrifices made for freedom and peace.

Ms Procter and Ms Thomasson have led the Student Leadership launch and are searching for budding student leaders! Please see an overview of the opportunities below, that are spread across all year groups. Well done to all students who have expressed interest and applied, today is the deadline for applications, if you have any questions, please see Ms. Procter in room 408.

Secondary students have been set a task on Firefly, detailing the opportunities and directing them to this Firefly page. Here they will find a wealth of information regarding role descriptors, application support and key dates.
https://naishk.fireflycloud.asia/welcome-to-secondary/student-voice---secondary

We have begun the search for our Student Leadership Council, Leadership Ambassadors and House Representatives this term. Thank you to all the students who have applied and to staff members and parents for their support in this. After Christmas, based on the Leadership Council’s findings, we shall begin the hunt for our Student Committee members to drive impact within our school and the wider community.

Celebrating KS5 students

Year 13 Celebration
On Friday 8th November our Year 13 students celebrated a milestone in their IB journey: the completion of their Extended Essay.

The extended essay, a component of the IB Diploma Programme core, is a compulsory, externally assessed piece of independent research, presented as a formal piece of academic writing. It is an in-depth study of a focused topic, undertaken either through a subject-focused approach, or an interdisciplinary approach combining two IB Diploma subjects. (International Baccalaureate Organisation, 2024).

Mr Doherty, our Extended Essay Coordinator, has marshalled the successful completion of their 4000 word independently led written project.

Year 13 students celebrated with some tasty treats and also Irn Bru which is often described as ‘Scotland’s other national drink’. This has become a NAISHK tradition from Mr Doherty, who originates from Scotland, and we hope to continue this for many years to come.

We would like to thank all our Year 13 students and our Extended Essay Supervisors for the completion of the Extended Essay.

Mr Spanos
IB Co-Ordinator

Feeding Hong Kong

Last week in Futures, Gabrielle form Feeding Hong Kong came to speak to the Y8 students. She highlighted how much food waste there is, before sharing insight into how many people in Hong Kong are living in poverty and struggling to afford food. Feeding Hong Kong serves as a link between food companies and charities, redistributing food from where it is plentiful to where it is needed; combating both these problems at the same time. In the coming weeks, the students will be organising food drives and raising money to support Feeding Hong Kong and the work that they do in the community. Last year Feeding Hong Kong donated 3,750,000 meals, the Y8s are hoping that their efforts can make this number even bigger this year!

Anti-Bullying Week
Week beginning Monday 11 November is anti-bullying week. As a school we take bullying and bullying behaviour very seriously. We pride ourselves in promoting an ethos of respect, kindness and inclusion. Being part of an ever-growing Secondary school community, we understand that at times, our young people may make wrong choices and resort to behaviours not in line with our school values. This is why we strive to encourage all our learners to be the best they possibly can be and offer them support and guidance when these situations occur.

Anti-bullying awareness week plays a role in ensuring that our school community recognises that these behaviours can happen. It is an opportunity to further educate our learners on the meaning and effects of bullying and bullying behaviour.

Throughout anti-bullying week, students will have the chance to discuss the topic during tutor time and take part in a number of class activities. Our year 7 students have already led an assembly to raise awareness for anti-bullying week.

This year’s theme is RESPECT. This is in line with our school values. We encourage our students to be respectful to the members of our community including themselves and their environment.

Tuesday 12 November is “Odd Socks” day. We invite all students to wear odd socks to show their support and to stand up against bullying. Please note this is not a non-uniform day.

MFL Music Workshops
This week, our Year 7 students had an exciting opportunity to participate in captivating Spanish and French Music Workshops, organized in collaboration with the Hong Kong Institute for Languages. Throughout these workshops, our students had the privilege of interacting with musicians from Spain and France, immersing themselves in the rich and vibrant cultures of the Hispanic and Francophone worlds.

Not only did our students have the chance to learn enchanting songs and dance routines, but they were also encouraged to unleash their creativity and express themselves freely. Additionally, they savoured the flavours of Spanish and French cuisine, truly indulging in an authentic cultural experience.

These workshops provided a remarkable platform for our students to expand their learning beyond the confines of the classroom, engaging in a myriad of activities designed to foster a deep appreciation for diverse cultures and expose them to new vocabulary. We extend our heartfelt gracias and merci to all the students who participated, and we sincerely hope that you enjoyed yourselves!

PE Fixtures/Results

Fixtures Next week
Monday 11th November
U16 Girls Football vs ICHK

Tuesday 12th November
U12 Boys basketball vs CDNIS
U14 Girls basketball vs CDNIS
U14 Boys basketball vs VSA

Wednesday 13th November
U16 Boys Football vs HKA
U12 Girls Basketball vs SASHK

Thursday 14th November
U16 Boys Basketball vs VSA
U20 Boys Basketball vs HAR

Match Reports
ISSFHK U14 Boys Football Finals Monday 4th November
The U14 boys travelled to the play-off semi-final against Kellet in great spirits after a strong regular season saw them finish second. The early minutes saw our team dominate in terms of possession and territory. Some high-quality technical football meant the Kellet keeper had to perform impressive save followed by impressive save. Only one team looked destined to win, so it was a shock to get to half time losing 4-0 yet be the better team. The boys responded to the half time rallying call and knew what they needed to do. NAIS laid siege to the Kellet goal and still could not find a way past the keeper. With 10 mins left there was a breakthrough, with barely seconds remaining they managed to level the score at 4-4. With no extra time, it went to penalties. Unfortunately, we lost 4-2 and hopes of the gold medal match disappeared.

In the 3rd place playoff against ICHK, the team dominated once more. The boys put in a composed and mature performance to win comfortably and secure 3rd place and their bronze medal. Well done to all the boys that have played their part in what was a successful season.

ISSFHK U12 Girls Basketball Wednesday 6th November
The U12 girls' basketball team kicked off their season with an exciting match against Malvern College, showcasing strong ball handling, impressive finishing, and excellent communication. They dominated the first half, finishing the second quarter with a score of 24-4, which activated the mercy rule and secured the win. As the game progressed, the girls improved their offensive rebounds and set shots, leading to a commanding final score of 40-8. Beyond the score, they demonstrated outstanding sportsmanship by congratulating one another and thanking the officials and coaches. This match not only marked a successful start to the season but also highlighted the team's potential as they look forward to building on this fantastic performance in the upcoming games.

ISSFHK U16 Boys basketball Thursday 7th November
In their opening game against DBIS, the U16 boys’ basketball team, the Knights, faced a formidable challenge. They succumbed to a swift and sharp opponent, struggling to link passes and execute screens efficiently. Despite a slow start, their performance improved notably in the 3rd and 4th quarters. However, the Sharks maintained a firm grip on the game throughout, resulting in a final score of 27-51. Looking ahead, their upcoming match against VSA is anticipated to be equally demanding and competitive.

A Christmas Carol Trip

The English Department is excited to confirm that the trip to go to watch a performance of ‘A Christmas Carol’ will be taking place at the end of the month. Thank you to all the parents who have encouraged their child to attend the performance. I am sure it will be an excellent learning opportunity, as well as plenty of fun!

As you may already know, the KS3 students study Charles Dickens’ famous novel, in English lessons in Year 8. Therefore, this is an exciting opportunity to see the story in action.

Trip details:
Wednesday 20th November: 7:30pm
‘A Christmas Carol’ by Silver Rose Productions
COST: $330 HKD per person.
Location: McAulay Theatre, Hong Kong Arts Centre, Harbour Road, Wan Chai
MEETING POINT: Outside the venue at 7pm (students make their own way)

I will arrange a short assembly to remind students of the expectations of external school trips, closer to the trip date. I am thrilled to be leading this and please do not hesitate to contact me, should you have any questions.

Thank you,
Miss Pollard

Enrichment Week Information Webinar – Prague
Monday 11th November 4:30 pm – 5:00 pm
Link to Prague Meeting

Looking Ahead:
Prague Enrichment Webinar – Monday 11th November (see above for link)
Tuesday 12th November – Wear Odd Socks Day for Anti-Bullying Week (see above for details)
Wednesday 13th November – Y10 and Y12 Parents’ Afternoon/Evening. Early closure at 12.40pm for all students
Monday 18th November – Friday 29th November – Mock Examinations for Y11 and Y13
Friday 22nd November – Staff Professional Development Day (No Students on campus)
Friday 22nd November – Saturday 30th November – Enrichment Week (see Firefly for each trip’s departure details)
Wednesday 4th December – Secondary Winter Concert
Friday 13th December – Last day of term – finish at 12:00pm
Monday 6th January – School re-opens

Kind regards,

Fiona Thorndike
Head of Secondary