Renovation in Process

Hi kids!

Please note that our English Room will remain CLOSED until further notice. I have been told that the room is in need of major repairs. I know many of you love coming in to read and play English games but please be patient! Hopefully we will get our room back very soon.

Rewards Schemes

Listen up kids! I'll be running 3 reward schemes this year. This is what you need to do to WIN!

1. Star Student Scheme (To encourage good attitude and discipline in the classroom)

Each classroom will receive one of these colourful charts with every students' name on it. Stars will be awarded to well behaved students who are attentive and follow the classroom rules. Students can redeem their stars for prizes at the end of the term. The more stars, the bigger the prize.

2. VIP Scheme (To encourage active participation)

 

VIP tickets will be given to students who raise their hand to ask and answer questions and show good leadership/communication skills during group work and discussions. Students who receive a ticket can write their names at the back and drop the ticket into the VIP Box. Lucky draws will be made at the end of every lesson for chances to win an "English Galaxy VIP Card" which allows special entry into the English Room on Thursdays. (This card has been so popular over the past year. Kids literally fight and cry over getting it. Fingers crossed that won't happen this year!)

3. Inter-class English Speaking Competition. (To make the classroom into an English Only Zone)

At the start of each lesson, 3 smiley faces will be drawn on the blackboard (3 chances). Throughout the lesson, smiley faces will be erased at the sound of anyone speaking in Chinese. At the end of the lesson if there is at least one smiley face left on the blackboard, a point will be awarded to that class. It is up to the students to accumulate points for their class throughout the year. The class with the most points at the end of the year will win the title of "Champion English Speaking Class". Students of that class will also receive a special treat.

Good luck kids! Many wonderful prizes are waiting for you...

Tory

Have been extremely busy assessing the P.1 kiddies' reading levels. Quite excited to see the final data analysis of their overall performance. We have some brilliant strong little readers this year!

Anyway just a quick hello to my readers. Also wanted you all to meet Tory, my friend's puppy. Isn't he adorable? He looks just like a toy. Do you have a pet at home?

The Fire Dragon and the Giant Fish

Last night I went to Tin Hau to see the "Fire Dragon Dance" for the first time.  The 67-metre-long dragon is studded with thousands of burning joss sticks. I was so excited to see this incredible spectacle of fire and smoke as the dragon danced through the backstreets of Tai Hang.

Unfortunately, I only saw the head and tail of the dragon leave the temple. I tried to chase the dragon down the backstreets but there were just too many people and I got stuck in human traffic. I was told later that tonight is when the dragon will be lit on FIRE! So if you want to experience this great cultural event, head down to Tai Hang tonight at 7:30pm!

According to Dr. Hoyin Lee of The University of Hong Kong, the Fire Dragon Dance was first danced in Hong Kong in 1880. In that year, a plague broke out in the Tai Hang village. An old man of that village had a dream where Buddha instructed the villagers to light firecrackers and perform a fire dragon dance for three days and nights during the Mid-Autumn Festival. Sulphur from the firecrackers dispelled the plague and the ritual has been repeated annually ever since.

Besides the Fire Dragon Dance, you can also check out the 'Lee Kum Kee Lantern Wonderland' in Victoria Park. The highlight this year is a Giant Fish made out of glowing lanterns. Free paper lanterns will be given out to kids and the young at heart. For more event details, click HERE.

Wishing everyone a brilliant Mid-Autumn Festival 2011!!!

Can you imagine a world without dolphins?

I recently watched a documentary film titled "The Cove". This film exposes the slaughter of more than 20,000 dolphins off the coast of Japan every year. It also reveals how dolphin meat, containing toxic levels of mercury, is sold as food in Japan and other parts of Asia, often labeled as whale meat.

The majority of the world is not aware this is happening. I urge everyone to watch "The Cove" and to help put an end to these senseless killings.

Living in Hong Kong, I know how much the local people love Japanese food. I ask students what their favourite food is, surprisingly many would reply not McDonalds, not candy but "SUSHI!". Just take a look at "Itacho" (Mega sushi chain restaurant) and you will see just how many people share this love for sushi and sashimi in Hong Kong! While fish is deemed as a healthy source of vitamins, parents need to be aware of the rising mercury levels found in certain fish. Have a look at this guide on mercury levels in fish.

I am sure that we will all want to do somthing to help after learning the truth about the annual killings of so many dolphins. However not everyone can live the life of an activist on a daily basis. At the moment I am still thinking "what can I do to help?" I have decided that for now I must help spread this terrbile secret that Japan is trying to hide. We must tell our friends, colleagues and family to "Just Say No, Just Don’t Go"

To...

• Dolphin Parks.
• Swim With Dolphin Programs.
• Hotels and Lodges that feature captive dolphins on the property.
• Dolphin “Trainer For A Day” programs.
• Dolphin “Research” facilities that charge large amounts to interact with dolphins.
• Cruise lines that feature stops at Swim With Dolphin Parks.

The Captive Dolphin industry is fueled by money, not love. If audiences stop buying tickets, these special creatures can stay wild and free.

One of my travel dreams was to swim with dolphins. After watching "The Cove" I will now say no to that. I know how popular the dolphin show is at Hong Kong's Ocean Park, especially with the kids. I hope you can all join me in saying "NO" to these shows from now on.

Our world and its creatures are dying due to greed and ignorance. We are all responsible in educating ourselves and the future generation on how to protect the environment. On my own I'm not sure how much I can do but together I'm sure we'll make a difference.

Please visit The Cove Movie Website for more information. "The Cove" should be watched with parental guidance as some images are rather disturbing.

First Day Back

Meet Scott & Ryan. They interviewed some students on the coolest thing they did during the summer holidays.

Aymand Tuet of 3C "I played with my favourite toy cars."

Marcus Chong of 3C "I went to Vancouver to visit my grandparents."

Donald Wan of 3A "I went to Japan! I had a happy time in Tokyo."

Lam Hok Man of 2E "I went to a learning centre. I learnt a lot of Chinese."

Ms Leung "Shopping! I went to Singapore, Taiwan and Korea."

Edward Chan of 3E "I played computer games at home with my best friends. It was fun and exciting."

Sino Lam of 2E "I went to Korea. I ate a lot of kimchi. It is spicy but I like it!"

Roy Lam of 2A "I played my favourite computer games."

Thank you to all the participating interviewees and the two little interviewers Ryan and Scott. You did a supurb job especially in 32 degrees heat!

WELCOME...

Hi kids! I look forward to seeing you all in your smart school uniforms today. I will be conducting interviews in the playground in the morning before class. The interview question of the day is, "What is the coolest thing you did during the summer holidays?" Get ready with your answers incase I approach you in the playground!