ESF International Kindergarten Abacus
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Transcript of ESF International Kindergarten Abacus
Our Vision and Mission“Encouraging young minds to be big
thinkers.”At Abacus we provide a safe and nurturing setting where everyone is encouraged to be unique, respectful and reach their full potential.Our exciting play based curriculum provides children with the opportunity to take risks, inquire and be creative. We provide an individualized programme that develops attitudes and skills. We encourage children to be independent and work together to become lifelong learners.We teach children about their responsibilities to the community and the importance of caring for their environment, its inhabitants and resources.
Life for your child at AbacusOur sessions are divided up between indoor class
time, snack time and outdoor play. They will have a balance of teacher /EA directed
learning, structured play and child chosen play activities. Outside time is planned to maximise learning time.
Session times are 8.30-11.30am and 12.30-3.30pm
1 Teacher and 2 Educational Assistants in K1All teachers speak English as their first language and are degree holders
Life for your child at AbacusFollow the IB PYP curriculum in line with ESF
Primary schools. Play based using inquiry and designed to develop
a range of concepts and skills. We have a no homework and no
worksheet philosophy, however we do send home reading books and ideas for play activities you can do with your child each week.
Class names – chosen by the children.
PYP CurriculumContinuity to ESF Primary and other
International SchoolsSupport from CWBS PYP coordinator and
ESF teaching and learning advisorTeachers and EAs have all at least MTPYPH
received trainingWe have had consultation visit May 2012 and
verification visit in May 2013
Personal and Social Making relationships Self confidence Behaviour and self management Personal care Attitudes Developing independence
Physical DevelopmentMovementSense of spaceHealth and bodily awarenessUsing equipment, tools and materials
Languages• Oral Language –
Listening and Speaking
• Linking sounds and letters
• Reading• Writing• Visual Language –
Viewing and Presenting
ChineseSupport in class and outdoorsSpecial celebrationsFestivals – Mid autumnChinese new yearDragon boat festivalCustoms and traditionsChinese vocabularyChinese stories and songs
Science, Technology and Social Studies- Living Things- Earth and Space- Materials and Matter- Forces and Energy
- Human Systems- Social Organisation- Human and Natural
Environments- Resources and the
Environment
Mathematics• Number• Measurement• Shape and space• Data Handling• Pattern and Function
ArtsArt and CraftsMusicDanceImaginative PlayImaginative
Storytelling
K1 overviewWho We Are How We Express
OurselvesHow We Organise
OurselvesHow the World
Works
Play Paint, play, explore Transport Food origins and changes
We use play to explore, come to new understandings and form new relationships.
Through the arts people can use a range of mediums to express their feelings and ideas.
Transport systems are organised to meet the needs of a community
Food comes from many places and goes through many changes.
The ways in which we can play to help us learn
The ways in which we can play with our friends
The ways in which we can be responsible for our learning environment.
The ways in which people express themselves
How different mediums can be used in the arts
How people respond to the arts
The different forms of transport
How vehicles are developed to suit their purpose
How transport systems are organised to meet the needs of the community
Where food comes from
The ways in which humans can use science to manage food waste
How common substances interact when they are mixed
5 Essential Elements of the PYPConcepts, Knowledge, Skills, Attitudes,
Action—are incorporated into this framework.Concepts – Big Ideas – ‘Animals grow and change’
– concept is ChangeKnowledge – ‘Caterpillars turn into butterflies’Skills – Self Management, communication, social,
thinking, researchAttitudes – Learner Profile and Attitudes – CaringAction – Follow on From their learning
Learner Profile AttitudesInquirersThinkersCommunicatorsRisk-takersKnowledgeablePrincipledCaringOpen-mindedBalancedReflective
AppreciationConfidenceCooperationCreativityCuriosityEmpathyEnthusiasmIndependenceIntegrityRespectTolerance
ActionFollow up from learning at schoolCan be child initiated or parent / teacher initiatedAs simple as reading a book about something they
have learned in class, or talking about something they have learned in class. Could also be follow up work such as growing a plant or looking after their own pet at home. Choosing healthy food over sweets after learning about it in school.
Sometimes may be charity work / giving pocket money to a cause but doesn’t have to be.
EventsTrips – Fair – Sports Day – Arts Day – Christmas
Carols – Chinese New Year Celebration
Differentiation and InclusionCatering for the needs of all children.
Programmes are differentiated for different skill levels.
We include children with special needs. Providing children with diverse needs with the support they need is part of our inclusion philosophy.
Health Screenings - Voluntary
Teachers track children’s progress through their time at kindergarten. Assessment is related to the goals in the curriculum and recorded. It is all informal through observation and discussion. Really important as it helps teachers understand what they need to work on with each child next.
Ongoing regular assessment - Use of portfolios
Regular reporting to parents:
•Term 1 K1– Parents Evening and Report
•Mid K1 – Parents Evening
•End K1 – Report and Voluntary Parent Meeting
Assessment, Portfolios and Reporting
Gateway
Calendar, your child’s report, check contact details, book parent conferences, staff emails, assessment and language policies.
Moodle
Your child’s portfolio, curriculum information, photos, class information.
Login details will be sent home at the beginning of the year in your child’s communication book.
The Gateway and Moodle
Partnership with ParentsReally important.Weekly information about the curriculum goes
home.Parent volunteers welcome either regularly or for
special occasions.Communication encouraged via email, or phone to discuss concerns.Diaries.Abacus Parents GroupClass Reps
Most of our children go on to Clearwater Bay School,
Renaissance College and other ESF schools. Application in
September of K2
Priority Goes To:
Application For Year 1 Primary
Siblings and
Teachers
ESF Kindergarten
Other Children
Nomination Rights
Clear Water Bay School Figures 231 applications for 120 places
Siblings, NR and ESF Kindergarten 72+8+56 = 136, so 16 of our children were interviewed for the active waiting list and no children from other kindergartens were interviewed initially unless siblings or NR.
Eventually all of our waitlisted children did get into CWBS that except those that failed the interview.
Coming to ESF Kindergarten does not guarantee an interview or a place at ESF Primary but it does increase your chances. We still have priority for interview for children entering ESF Kindergartens this year.
This Year’s Numbers
Siblings and
Teachers 72
ESF Kindergarten 56
Other Children 69
Nomination Rights 8
All children must go through an interview to gain entrance to ESF Primary. The interview is based on English Language ability.
We assess your child’s language capabilities using Wellcomm and will notify you if we are concerned about your child’s language development.
Normally children must have attended an ESF kindergarten for a minimum of 2 terms before interviews in order to have the Abacus priority. These interviews take place in the January of each calendar year.
Interviews
Before Starting SchoolFill in forms and return to school on your
child’s play date please.Fill in All About Me Booklet with your
child and bring it on the first day of term.Buy Uniform – Details in the parent
handbook – Second Hand available from the office.
Label Everything.
Starting SchoolStaggered Start Date.
Adult must stay until teacher and you decide your child is settled enough to leave.
Teacher may ask you to wait outside for a while.
Don’t Hide or Leave without saying goodbye.
Bits and PiecesHealthy Snacks – Snack Boxes / Water Bottles.
Toileting. Spare Clothes.Mosquitoes.Sun Hats.Medication.
Bits and PiecesBirthdays – No cakes or SweetsBuses / Pick Up / Security CardsTyphoon ArrangementsLibrary Books
QUESTIONSTime to ask questions.
Thank you for choosing ESF international kindergarten.
We all look forward to working in partnership with you to provide the best educational experiences for your child.