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The Explorer Newsletter

The Explorer Newsletter

Explorer

Message from the Principal - February 23 will be a day of teaching and learning

Due to the exceptional amount of weather-related disruption we have faced this year, the ESF-wide Professional Development (CPD) day that was scheduled for 23 February has been converted back into a regular teaching day. This decision was not taken lightly, as we value the time our teachers have to work collaboratively with colleagues across the foundation, but it will allow us to maximize our students' face-to-face time in the classroom following substantial weather disruption.

 

Details of the Calendar Change

 

The following change will take effect immediately:

 

 - Original Date (PD Day): Monday, 23 February, 2026.

 - New Status: Monday, 23 February, 2026, will now be a standard school day for all students.

 

As a result, after the Lunar New Year holiday, Monday, 23 February, will now be the first day of the new half term for students, rather than Tuesday, 24 Februaryh, as originally planned.

 

Support and Accommodations

We appreciate that any calendar change during the school year may present scheduling challenges for some families.

 

Absence Accomodations: We are aware that some families may have already booked longer holiday stays across the Lunar New Year break. As the 23rd February will be an additional day of learning, should a student be unable to attend school on this date, this will not adversely affect their attendance record. If a student is unable to attend school on this date, this will not affect your child’s attendance figures for the year. 

 

Learning Continuity: To support the continuity of learning for all students, learning resources will be posted online for those who are unable to attend in person. Please note that we will not be able to offer hybrid lessons on the day. 

 

We are incredibly glad that we've been able to take this measure to directly respond to parent concerns about missed schooling.

 

Finally, Happy Diwali to those of you who celebrate - we have had a joyous, vibrant day of celebrations here in school, which are featured further in this week's Explorer.

 

Thank you as always for your ongoing support, and have a wonderful weekend ahead!

 

 

 

Discovery College Celebrates Diwali

Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is a significant celebration in our community, highlighting rich cultural traditions. This year, Discovery College embraced the spirit of Diwali with a vibrant celebration that included a festive dance at the start of the day, engaging classroom activities, vibrant dress and the sharing of delicious food. Our wonderful PTA generously arranged a feast for our staff, fostering a sense of belonging and togetherness.

 

The festival symbolizes the victory of light over darkness and good over evil, resonating with everyone as we came together to celebrate. Through these festivities, we not only honored the traditions of Diwali but also enriched our school's cultural landscape, strengthening the bonds among our diverse community. We thank everyone for their participation in making this celebration a memorable one!

 

Watch the Diwali dance performance HERE.

MYP Curriculum Guide 2025-26

We are excited to share that the MYP Curriculum Guide for the 2025-2026 academic year is now available. 

Keeping informed about the curriculum is essential for both students and parents. For students, understanding the curriculum enhances motivation and allows them to track their academic progress effectively. For parents, it enhances engagement in their child’s education, enabling them to support their learning journey more effectively.

MYP Awards
At the end of the academic year, to recognise student achievement in different aspects of learning and education and to align with the DC outcomes and vision, students may be awarded for a variety of achievements including Academic Excellence.

Students in Years 7-11 who achieve 51 or more points out of 8 subjects (maximum 56 points) on the MYP final 1-7 grade scale will receive Academic Achievement Awards at the end of the academic year. The award recognizes their outstanding academic achievement across all eight subject groups during the academic school year. To be eligible for an academic award, students must achieve a minimum of 51 points in both semesters. Please note that the points will not be averaged across semesters. For students admitted in January, only Semester 2 grades will be used. To calculate the points total for Semester 2, the highest Arts grade will be used in the Semester calculation.

Students in Y7 - 11 may be eligible for a number of awards. To find out more information about these, please refer to page 23 of the MYP Assessment Guidance Handbook.

House Photo Competition - last chance to enter

We have had a fantastic response to our Mid-Autumn Festival photography competition: Through Our Lens: One Moon

 

Every entry earns house points and there are individual prizes to be won. Find out more in this Slideshow 

 

You can submit your entry here by the end of this weekend.

 

Upcoming Parent Education Workshops

Family Fun Day - Festive Arts & Crafts

 
We're excited to announce that this year’s DC PTA Family Fun Day will feature a variety of festive arts and crafts! Join us for some creative fun, where you can make Christmas lanterns, decorate photo frames, enjoy face painting, and much more.


Bring your creativity and get ready to make some holiday magic! We can’t wait to see what you create.

Looking forward to a day of fun and festivities!

 

 

 

United Child HK meet our Year 6 students

On 16 October, Discovery College had the pleasure of welcoming the student-led organisation UnitedChild HK to host a workshop for our Year 6 students. With fantastic support from our incredible DC Service as Action (SAA) Captains, the session was a creative and interactive exploration of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).

 

The students embarked on a "space mission," exploring different 'planets' where each represented a key principle of children's rights. Through a series of engaging activities at rotating stations including debates, mapping exercises, and scenario-based games, Y6 students were empowered to think critically about fairness, non-discrimination, and the importance of their own voices. The game-ified format made learning about their rights a truly fun and memorable experience.

DC hosted the Hong Kong Wildlife Business Competition 2025

On 3 October, Year 13 DC student Yega Chung together with students from ESF hosted a Wildlife Business Competition at Discovery College where around 340 students from different schools in Hong Kong and Shenzhen participated.

 

Purpose of the event

Aiming to raise awareness about wildlife conservation in Hong Kong by integrating business, economics and environmental studies. 

 

Student Voice

"Since Year 1 and now as a Year 13 student, attending Discovery College has helped me embody the college motto: Grow. Discover. Dream. The school’s focus on hands-on learning and leadership has guided my growth as an aspiring veterinarian, sparked my discovery of wildlife issues, and inspired me to dream of advocating for the future of animal rights. 

 

Hosting the Hong Kong Wildlife Business Competition reflects this journey by giving young people a platform to learn, express their ideas, and develop leadership skills. Through this experience, I have grown as a leader, discovered new ways to address real-world challenges, and dreamed of making a lasting impact on sustainability."

 

The competition highlights the importance of student voices in shaping betterl business practices that prioritize wildlife protection and sustainability. It connects education to real world issues, encouraging responsible actions to protect Hong Kong’s natural environment and supporting long-term conservation through youth involvement.

 

A special thank you to the speakers from WWF Hong Kong and Little Wood’s Education and to our Community Enagement teacher Ms.O' Connor for her immense support and involvement.

Halloween Celebrations - Guide for Costumes

As Halloween approaches, we are excited to celebrate this festive occasion together. 

 

We encourage our students to express their creativity and spirit through costumes and festive attire on Friday 31st October. However, we would like to remind everyone of a few important guidelines to ensure a safe and enjoyable environment for all.

 

Costume Guidelines:

 

  • No Fake Blood: Costumes should not include any fake blood or similar materials.
  • No Imitation Weapons: Please refrain from bringing any imitation weapons, such as toy guns, swords, or knives.
  • Age-Appropriate Costumes: Costumes should not be too scary, as we are mindful of our younger students. We want everyone to feel comfortable and safe.
  • Learning Environment: Costumes should not interfere with the learning process. Please choose outfits that are suitable for a school setting.
  • No Masks during lessons: Masks are not appropriate for learning, as they can obstruct visibility and make it difficult for staff to identify students.

 

We appreciate your cooperation in helping us maintain a fun and safe atmosphere for our Halloween festivities. If you are in doubt, or have further questions, please speak with your classroom teacher or learning advisor before October 31st.

 

Thank you for your support, and we look forward to seeing everyone's imaginative costumes.

 

Happy Halloween!

Important Information for DP Parents: Year 12 and Year 13 Quarter 1 Reports

We are pleased to inform you that the Year 12 and Year 13 Quarter 1 reports will be published on Friday, 24 October, at 9:00am. These reports provide valuable insights into the learning and progress your child has demonstrated during the first quarter of the academic year.

 

Key Information:

 

Purpose of the Reports: The reports reflect evidence of learning gathered throughout the quarter. Teachers carefully assess a range of evidence, which may include more than just formal summative assessments, to determine an appropriate achievement level for each reportable area.

 

Quarter 1 Snapshot:

 - For Year 12 students, the grades reflect their progress since beginning the Diploma Programme. As the academic year has just begun, the data is based on a relatively short period, and teachers are mindful that Year 12 students are still transitioning into the Diploma Programme. This includes adapting to Diploma Programme expectations and assessments.

 - For Year 13 students, the reports provide an indication of student achievement based on the work that they have done so far this semester.

 

What to Do Next:

 

  • Review the Report Together: We encourage you to go through the report with your child to understand their achievements and areas for growth.

  • Prepare for Three-Way Conferences: The reports can be referenced in the upcoming 3-way conference conversations scheduled for 27th and 30th October. These conferences are an opportunity to discuss your child’s progress and next steps in their learning journey.

  • Reach Out if Needed: If you have any questions or concerns after reviewing the report, feel free to contact your child’s teacher before the conferences.

 

Thank you for your continued support in your child’s education.

Box of Hope - Reminder

 

Our Box of Hope collection will officially begin on Monday, 20 October. Please remember to send in your boxes with your child. We will be collecting boxes daily until Friday, 31 October.

If anyone in the community would like to volunteer to sort the boxes in November at the Box of Hope center, please follow this link to sign up directly through Box of Hope.

 

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