關於我們

Dear DC Community,

What a joy it's been to welcome your children back into Discovery College this week! From the nervous smiles of our new Year 1s (and many parents!), to the Secondary students confidently striding back onto campus, it's been a wonderful start to the academic year.

Many thanks for your flexibility and patience during yesterday's inclement weather. While it wasn't ideal having the Red and Black Rain signals raised late in the morning (and so early in the academic year), we appreciated the work done to ensure asynchronous and synchronous learning was able to take place as the conditions changed throughout the day. 

We understand that the timing of the communication caused additional challenges, and are reviewing our internal processes and the tech systems to help alleviate delays if future weather events occur. 

To ensure everyone is aware of expectations and procedures for future severe weather events, we have put together a chart to summarise our protocols. The Severe Weather Procedures page in the Parent Handbook will be updated to include this additional clarifying information. These procedures have been adapted from both the EDB and ESF-wide policies. 

Despite the weather, we had a wonderful first two days at Discovery College, as the articles and accompanying photographs attest. We’re excited to get into the swing of things fully next week. 

I wish everyone a restful weekend, and please reach out to myself or another member of staff if you have any questions or comments as we begin this academic year. I look forward to seeing our students continue to Grow, Discover, and Dream in the months ahead. 

Best wishes,

Chloe Pollack

We trust you had a fantastic first week back, despite the weather trying to dampen our spirits. We hope your child came home smiling about their days and is ready for an exciting new term filled with opportunities for learning and growth.

As we jump back into the school year, please take note of the following key dates:

• Years 4 - 6 Swimming Programme: Starts week commencing Monday, 18 August

• Parent Information Fair: Thursday, 28 August (from 4pm onwards)

• Meet the Teacher Conferences (online only via Zoom): Thursday, 4 September (students dismissed at 12 pm). Further booking details to follow very soon.
• Years 4, 5, and 6 Swimming Gala: Thursday and Friday, 2 & 3 October
• Mid-Term Break: 4 -12 October (School resumes on 15 October due to CPD days)
• CPD Days: 13 and 14 October (School closed to students)
• DTap-IPV Vaccination for Year 1 & 6: Thursday, 23 October
• Year 3, 4, 5 Camp: Specific dates to follow
• Year 6 + Secondary No Boundaries Week: Monday to Friday, 10 - 14 November
• Flu Vaccination: Friday, 14 November

• Parent-Teacher Conferences:

• Wednesday, 3 December (full day for students);
• Thursday, 4 December (no school for students);
• Friday, 5 December (full day for students, Chinese conferences only via Zoom). More details to follow.
• Book Week: Tuesday to Friday, 9 -12 December
• End of Term: Friday, 12 December (students dismissed at 12 pm)

Please save these dates in your diary. More information regarding timings and any other important details will be relayed closer to the time. Specific year-group events or additional details will be included in your respective Year Group newsletters or via the ESF app.

We have loved having your children back in the building and are very excited about what we can achieve together. We hope you have the best weekend with your children.

As we wrap up the first week of the school year, we are delighted to share some images and details of our first House event for Secondary students.

The Interhouse Team Building challenges this afternoon brought together all students from Years 7 to 12, fostering teamwork, leadership, and a vibrant school spirit, all under the guidance of our dedicated Year 13 students.

The event featured a variety of activities designed to challenge students, encourage collaboration, and promote friendly competition. From building towers, to crossing "rivers" and solving riddles, each task required students to work together, enhancing their communication skills and building relationships within their House.

Our Year 13 leaders played a crucial role in facilitating the day's events. Their enthusiasm and mentorship inspired younger students to step out of their comfort zones, embrace new experiences, and develop their own leadership abilities - the very reason we have a House system.

The day concluded with a finale for the House Captains and an assembly. The positive energy was palpable, and it was clear that this event not only strengthened bonds but also set a collaborative tone for the year ahead.

We look forward to hosting a Primary Interhouse Team Building event later this academic year.

Starting Middle School is a big deal. For our Year 7 students, it’s a time full of new faces, new routines, and a whole lot of change. Moving up is exciting, but it can also be overwhelming. That’s why our Year 7 Induction Programme is here: to help every student feel confident, connected, and ready to take on what’s next.

The Year 7 transition programme is built on four key pillars, ensuring a holistic approach to the student transition experience:

• Student Agency: Empowering students to shape their identity, advocate for themselves, and take ownership of their learning journey.
• Academic Transitions: Helping students adjust to the new academic demands of the MYP, bridging any curriculum gaps, and developing crucial learning skills.
• Practical Skills: Teaching essential life skills for daily school life, promoting well-being, and helping them adapt to their new environment.
• Connections & Belonging: Fostering a strong sense of community and belonging among students, teachers, and the wider school network.

A Glimpse into the Induction Activities

In Individuals and Societies, students explored their place in the world by researching current events and presenting their findings, learning to use the 5W1H strategy to guide their inquiries. In Physical and Health Education (PHE), students are getting accustomed to new routines and expectations, learning to manage their time and equipment effectively. Science classes focused on the scientific process, discussing their hopes and fears to build a supportive learning environment. In Maths, students established their "Math Community" by tackling practical challenges together, while Music lessons became a space for connection, where students created a class playlist to explore how shared tastes can build community. In English class, students created "All About Me" octagons to share their individual identities and personalities. In Design, students explored the concept of "Learning Zones," identifying when they feel comfortable, when they are stretching themselves to grow, and when they might feel overwhelmed.

Exploring our Learning Zones: Comfort for routines, Stretch for growth, Panic when overwhelmed.

Creating a class playlist to connect partners, critique music, and build community through shared music tastes.

What’s Next?

This induction is just the start. All year long, we’ll keep offering ways for Year 7s to grow, make friends, and feel right at home. We’re already so proud of how our new students have jumped in—rain or shine. Here’s to a great year ahead in the MYP!

Supporting the Transition at Home: Tips for Parents

As your child embarks on their MYP journey, your support at home is invaluable. Here are a few ways you can help them navigate this transition:

• Establish a Routine: Help your child stay organised with a consistent schedule for homework and school prep.
• Encourage Open Communication: Ask daily, open-ended questions about their experiences.
• Discuss Learning Zones: Talk about Comfort, Stretch, and Panic Zones to support healthy challenges.
• Foster Independant Learning: Encourage responsibilty for school work and commitments. Stay informed: kepp up with school news via Explorer newsletters and Google Classrooms.

On behalf of the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), we are excited to welcome you to the 2025-2026 school year! This is a time for renewal for existing parents, and welcome to our new parents.

The PTA is dedicated to collaborating with parents, teachers, and staff to ensure our students receive the best school experience possible.

This year, we’ll be organising various events and initiatives to enhance our students’ educational experiences and foster a sense of belonging. We invite you to participate actively, share your ideas, and contribute your talents to make this year exceptional.

Highlights from last year:

Family Fun Day: A celebration featuring a Santa's grotto, a snow globe experience, crafts, international food, and fantastic performances, including a highlight where students got to sponge the teachers!

Gala Dinner: Co-hosted with DBIS, this themed evening, "A Night in Old Hong Kong," showcased student performances, a martial arts sword dance, and a delightful three-course dinner with dancing to a live band.

We also enjoyed monthly crafts with students, supported school activities ( parents information fair, primary production,  DP Art Exhibition, ACAMIS gala dinner)  and hosted well-being events for our teaching staff.

We were happy to fund all year groups' end of year parties, to help celebrate a wonderful year of learning.  

Excitingly, three significant capital projects were completed this summer: upgrades to our gym equipment branding, the Language & Cultural Centre, and AV enhancements in the SSC.

What's coming next:

Parents' Information Fair - We look forward to seeing you all there on 28 August at 4 pm.

Welcome parent mixer event - Look out for more details on our welcome parents event to be held in September, and an announcement will be sent out in the coming weeks.

Second-hand uniforms - We will be accepting second-hand uniforms from Monday, 25 August  to Friday, 5 September. Feel free to drop off good condition uniforms in the box at the PTA board next to the main reception. The sale date will be Monday, 5 September, from 8.00 to 8.30am.

Family Fun Day - We're thrilled to announce that the PTA is planning another Family Fun Day this year!  Stay tuned for more information and details on how you can contribute to making this event a success.

Mentor Program: As we welcome new families, we invite those interested in mentoring to help guide them through their transition. Your insights can greatly assist these families. If you’d like to volunteer, please apply to be a parent mentor.

We encourage your involvement in PTA activities—whether it’s volunteering at events, joining our committee, or becoming a class parent. Your contributions are invaluable.

If you have questions or suggestions, please reach out via email at pta@dc.edu.hk

Your support is crucial to our students' success and helps foster a vibrant learning environment. Let’s stay connected and make the most of this school year together!

We are excited to kick-off the new term with a variety of CCA activities. Do take a note of the key CCA Term 1 dates.

Term One  

Friday 29 August - enrolments open 

Monday 8 September - enrolments closes

Monday 22 September - CCAs commence 

Friday 6 December - Term 1 CCAs end

More information on CCA activities and registration will be shared next week through Explorer and Student Bulletin.

We encourage all students to explore their interests and join in!

Are you ready to make some music? 

We will soon be launching our instrumental music program for the academic year, and we can't wait for you to be a part of it! Whether you're a seasoned player or a complete beginner, we have outstanding music tutors ready to help you develop your skills and passion.

We offer individual and group lessons on a wide range of instruments, and students who enroll on a brass or woodwind instrument can sign out the instrument from school for the semester. It's the perfect way to explore a new sound without a big commitment.

Key Dates to Remember:

• Enrollment: Opens on 18 August and closes on 1 September. Don't miss your chance to sign up!
• Lessons Commence: All lessons will begin the week of 8 September and will run for the duration of semester 1. Enrollment will then take place again in semester 2. 

How to Register:

Keep an eye on the Explorer and the Student Bulletin for the registration form and more detailed information. You can also visit our booth at the Parent Information Fair on 28 August to learn more about the programme and talk to our amazing staff. We'll be there to answer your questions and help you get started.

Don't wait! Grab this opportunity to discover a new skill, join our musical community, and let your creativity shine. We can't wait to see what you'll create!