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November 2011
Issue no. 9
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Don't forget....You are busy on Saturday! From 4pm-until very very late!
See you!
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Quick Links | Leapfrog Photos
Please join us on Facebook by clicking the Facebook logo and join our group for instant messages and event invitations. |
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Dates to Remember
November 12th - Halloween Party.
November 18th - CPD day, NO SCHOOL (Oxfam Trail Walker, limited access into Country Park).
December 16th - Last day of term, Christmas Party, half day.
December 19th-January 3rd-Christmas Holidays
January 3rd - CPD day, NO SCHOOL
January 4th - First day of Spring Term.
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CPD Day November 19th
Please bear in mind that Leapfrog will be closed on November 19th due to the Trailwalkers strolling through the Park entrance. For years, Leapfrog has been kept closed on that day, mainly because of limited access through the gate.
The LF staff will use the opportunity to get together in Sai Kung and work on the School Vision and to put together a Self-Assesment Schedule. |
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Kindergarten Class Photo Shoot
On Wednesday, 23rd November, Cadence's Dad will once again be visiting us in kindergarten, this time with his camera. He will be taking formal, posed shots of the entire K2 group in the morning and K1 group in the afternoon as well as informal, individual and small group shots during the remainder of each session.
As well as supplying us all with more wonderful memories of our children's time at Leapfrog, by doing this we are hoping to raise extra funds for more new resources which will serve to improve our provision. We were wondering if a kind parent would be prepared take responsibility for the printing and distribution of these photographs. YOU may be that parent! If so, please let us know as soon as possible, and thank you in anticipation.
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Dress Up Corner Make Over!
Many thanks to Miss Rachel for donating some great dresses to our all time popular dress up corner!
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Parents Evening
Thank you all who took the time to see us for our Parents Evening in October. It's very useful to get feedback from our Parents and to get the opportunity to discuss our little school's 'pros and cons'. |
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Guest Teacher
Please welcome Miss Mona as our Mandarin Guest Teacher next week. She will be with us in the Kindergarten on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday next week, communicating with the children in Mandarin. |
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Field Trip to Library and 'The Reading Room'
In early November, the kindergarten children spent a whole morning or afternoon session developing their literacy skills in Sai Kung Town.
A visit to the Public Library was followed by a trip to 'The Reading Room', a privately-owned bookshop situated on Hoi Pong Street, near the harbour. We were greeted warmly at both venues.
At the library, we were encouraged to think about the purpose of a lending library, aided by cartoon characters representing 'good' and 'bad' behaviour that might take place within the building. Some members of our party, for example, felt that running was 'not good' in the library, 'as you might get chased by the police'. Luckily, we then realized that it was 'not good' because it might disturb other library users, and that most of the rules were really reminding us to be considerate generally in terms of looking after the books properly and not eating, drinking or making too much noise. The children then really enjoyed selecting their own books off the shelves for a quiet reading time in much the same way as K2's established daily routine at school. Following a break for snack and outdoor pursuits at Yi Chun Street Playground, we then moved on to 'The Reading Room'. 
Our Kindergarten theme for the month is 'Animals', and this was also reflected in the book chosen for the story telling activity, 'Peace at Last', by Jill Murphy. In the story, Father Bear cannot sleep as it is too noisy in the bedroom. He moves into different parts of the house to try to escape from the noise, but each time encounters a new noise, such as the tap dripping in the bathroom or the owl hooting in the garden. As the story developed, the children held pictures and puppets representing the characters, and helped to make the noises that served to keep Father Bear awake. Finally, by the time that Father Bear did find some peace and quiet which enabled him to sleep, he was awakened by the alarm clock going off, a situation that evoked much sympathy from the adults present! After the story, there was more time for investigating the variety of books on offer at 'The Reading Room', before heading back to our initial meeting area of Sha Tsui Path Playground for a final run around. We then departed for home, brains and bodies suitably nourished, and tired but happy.
Louise Heap
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Our Animal Project and Visit
In kindergarten, our theme for the month of November is that of 'Animals'. We are spending a week each looking at farm, jungle and polar animals, followed by a 'dinosaur' based week. The activities have been reinforced and developed with a range of stories, poems, songs and art and craft activities. On the 9th November, Cadence's Dad, who is a Veterinary Surgeon, came in to talk to the children in K2 about his job.
Firstly, he explained that he was an 'animal doctor', and he put on his 'uniform'. He wears a blue 'smock' to stop the cat and dog fur getting on his clothes, and plastic gloves and a mask for surgery. Already well-versed in the importance of hygiene and protection from germs following our work on 'bodies' earlier in the term, the children readily accepted the need for these. The problem was, it seemed, that whereas people can explain what is the matter with them, animals are unable to do this.
"Pickles the Puppy can't tell me what's wrong with him - I've got to check him. How can I do that?" asked Cadence's Dad.
After further discussion of this point, he showed us some of his instruments, and the children were remarkably accurate when guessing their uses. They included:
a stethoscope - for listening to the heart
an otoscope - for looking into the ears, and
an ophthalmoscope - for looking into the eyes
This talk was a great opportunity for the children to develop their knowledge and understanding of the world around them, and I am quite sure that some of the concepts that were introduced will be incorporated into their 'role play' over the next few days.
A big 'thank you' is extended from all of us at Leapfrog to Wai Siew for giving up his valuable time, along with an invitation to other parents or friends who might like to come and talk to us about any other topic of interest in the future.
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A Peak into the Kindergarten Classroom
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I Went to the Animal Fair |
K2 children singing on the carpet yesterday.
 | | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Once I cought a fish alive |
K1 children singing on the carpet today. |
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We are looking for a full -time Mandarin speaking Educational Assistant
The ideal candidate should exhibit the following skills and qualities:
· A positive approach to the role
· Be able to design an age appropriate Mandarin Program
· Have a genuine interest in the children as individuals, and in their intellectual, emotional and social development
· The ability to communicate effectively with children and
colleagues, in Mandarin and English
· A good 'team player', one who is prepared to follow instructions and listen to advice · whilst also showing initiative, the ability to 'think ahead' and to plan and share ideas
· A person who is trustworthy, responsible and reliable, with a
good sense of humour
Working hours are 8.00am to 4.30pm. Salary negotiable.
Please contact us by email admin@leapfrogkindergarten.org
www.leapfrogkindergarten.org
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