ESF Induction Class

Onsen

Anyone who would like to share the Induction class experiences recently?  Induction Class is the first time the child can meet his teacher and classmates before the normal class starts.  That is also the time to get the information on uniform, bus schedule and PTA information.   

Mine is next week so may be others have an earlier one, hopefully, to share.

蜜蜜

原帖由 Onsen 於 09-6-9 20:13 發表
"對香港的教育信心有幾多?"

I used to have my mind set for Sacred Heart or St. Paul Convent kind of schools.  However, after my worst experience with the teacher-interviewer of SPCK, I really dislike t ...

onsen,

i had the same thoughts as u, spck or shck;  same experience in the two- minute-interview at spck, "dog eyes" to poor family like us; got offer from shck, happy and paid, then suddenly, before school, i changed my mind to apply ESF kinder, then lucky enough to got the offer 4 days before school. now, i start to do research on which ESF primary to apply, still long way to go, hope i can also settle everything like all of u next year.

besides, i'm so impressed to read all the comments to ESF kinder and primary here, i know i made a right choice for my girl.

[ 本帖最後由 蜜蜜 於 09-8-29 18:34 編輯 ]

Onsen

"對香港的教育信心有幾多?"

I used to have my mind set for Sacred Heart or St. Paul Convent kind of schools.  However, after my worst experience with the teacher-interviewer of SPCK, I really dislike this school for its "dog eyes" attitude to a poor man like myself.  Sacred Heart is different, a really nice school with positive attitude from the vice principal and the old principal.  The drastic shift from local to IS was really a big change for my child.  She is going to be a first grader of a regular ESF school.  Looking back, would I have a different choice?  The answer is no.  The independent, nothing to fear attitude, self motivation to read and color free in playing with friends are more than enough to offset the loss of the Chinese studying.  Well, my child still need to study Chinese on the side, amid better than some of the locals.  So far, I come out ahead.  I totally agreed with the traits in "獨立了很多，愛reading，英文好更不用講".

wansummum

Hi bvbaby

我個女本來讀Rightmind Kindergarten nursery (只有英文及普通話)，係apply Rightmind 前我已經入application 去ESF。我本人同先生好明確地選擇行IS路。當個女係Rightmind 讀緊K1下學期時ESF call 我話可以offer 個位給我。當我同先生相量此事時他同我講反正我們一定不會入local school，到時在Rightmind 畢業，只想選擇陳守仁，蔡繼有這些IB小學，到時K3畢業又要考一輪試，所以最後我們二話不說就轉校，到現在為止我們沒有後悔。今天收到Abacus (ESF Kindergarten) 給我們的4-6月份報告，睇得出老師非常了解我的女兒。在國際學校裡她們不會太在意書本的智識，但她們確實著重全人發展，我發現自已女兒獨立了很多，愛reading，英文好更不用講。父母要好好決定及計劃妳想她們的將來怎樣？會否出國讀書？對香港的教育信心有幾多？好值得父母深究！

Williamhero2009

Just went to the induction class this morning at SJS. Arrangment is fine. My girl is in group A. I am a bit upset today as my daughter told me she did not like SJS......bocs she likes her exisiting school so much...which is HLY. Well, i think it takes time for her to get use to the new school. anyone has the same concerns?

Onsen

Don't get me wrong, Sacred Heart is still a good school, if you are judging it by local school standard.  Girls are well behave and most of the teachers are good.  Since it has a backup of its own primary school, you have nothing to worry about.  Changing from a local school to IS is a major move, provided your child is willing and able to handle it.  ESF and HKIS sort of schools are primarily for expatriates that they serve as an intermediate function in case the children will need to return to their home countries.  If you are totally local and with no plan of moving aboard, then SH is still a good cholce.

[ 本帖最後由 Onsen 於 09-6-4 19:06 編輯 ]

bvbaby

onsen,
我而家就係煩緊好唔好幫個女轉幼稚園呀

Onsen

If ESF is your objective, then it is too late to change because the interview will take place in January.  You only have half a year to prepare for it.  You have to put your child in a totally English only environment during that time.  My child used to study at 聖心 K1 too.  My spouse was adhored of its English standard and the lack of time allocated to English classes so we made a change instead of going to K2 with 聖心.  

However, I heard that 聖心 private primary is a good school.  So, you are really not too bad.

bvbaby

wansummum,

我個女讀緊聖心架如果想俾佢讀國際小學我就諗住幫佢轉國際幼稚園.........唉好煩都唔知點算好?

你係咪由day 1開始就決定俾小朋友讀IS架啦?

wansummum

Hi Bvbaby,

是全英文interview. 大概5-6人一個group要35-45min. 你讀緊邊間Kindergarten?

bvbaby

咁多位媽咪你地好,

想問下呢EFS難唔難入架? 係咪一定要用英文做母語呢? 我個女讀緊K1九月會升讀K2, 不過佢D英文唔叻面試嗰陣係咪全英文溝通?

Onsen

I agree with you that the principal should not talk about that kind of issue at that event.  It is qutie minor as compare to the curriculum and the learning experience that a child will encounter with Kennedy.  The principal should use the note to parents or the insert in the Induction Packet for the purpose.

emmamay

Also came back from the Kennedy school induction class. My daughter felt comfortable in her classroom when meeting her home teacher. But the classroom is relatively small and crowded. I guess the school has to use up all the possible space, with 900 students there.
I understand that it is not fair to compare Kennedy and HKIS ( where my elder son's school). But I can see the difference in some area. For example, it is quiet odd for the principle to make a special reminder to parents. He will like all the new students to know how to clean up on their own after using toilets. Because the school will no provide this kind of services.
I think it is not a right timing to talk about issue like that. Or not from the princple's mouth. He particularly emphises this matter.

tvoincy

原帖由 Onsen 於 09-5-27 18:35 發表
Thanks, emmamy.  I went to Bradbury's induction class today.  All the children attended the induction class got the taste of the classroom.  They came back with the drwaing and art work.  It was reall ...

Very impressive arrangement for the first grader.
I wish my son can earn the opportunity from Bradbury School next year.

popolung

原帖由 Onsen 於 09-5-27 18:35 發表
Thanks, emmamy.  I went to Bradbury's induction class today.  All the children attended the induction class got the taste of the classroom.  They came back with the drwaing and art work.  It was reall ...

Similar things happened in CWBS too.

Onsen

Thanks, emmamy.  I went to Bradbury's induction class today.  All the children attended the induction class got the taste of the classroom.  They came back with the drwaing and art work.  It was really an information session as about the studying, bus schedule and other stuff.  I saw the first grader playing in the playground so that the new kids can do to their classrooms for the gathering.  I also met other parents.  Overall, a very good experience for the kid and the parents.  I think I did make a good choice to let me child to study there.  I was thinking about HKIS and DGS.  As of now, I just settle for what I got.  I heard Kennedy is also a very good school too!

emmamay

My younger daughter's induction class will be held tomorrow (May 27). She will go to Kennedy School. Will it be to late to answer your question?

Onsen

Great!  Thanks.

Cara2006

Thanks!  I guess there are really not that many ESF regular schools' parents in this forum.

You must be new to Baby Kingdom. There have always been a lot of ESF parents here. Check out the older topics. Most were asked or answered by ESF parents. In fact, the majority of international school parents here are ESF parents. No one answer your question does not mean there are no one from ESF.

Onsen

Thanks!  I guess there are really not that many ESF regular schools' parents in this forum.  As long as I remember, there wasn't any induction class for Beacon Hill back then which my other child also attended before.