Dear Parents,

I trust that you are all safe and well in the wake of last week’s typhoon. We can feel a slight chill in the air recently as the season turns to Autumn. This weekend looks to be full of rain with a glimmer of sun here and there. Here are this week’s news items.

HFS Fire and Earthquake Safety Drill’s

Since the safety and protection of the students under our care is our topmost priority we have been conducting fire and earthquake safety drills over the last two weeks. The students performed the drills excellently and I am confident that we will be well prepared in the unlikely event that a fire or earthquake should occur. Well done everyone!

HFS Trip to Hyundai Arts Center

Today the whole school was treated to an excursion to the Hyundai Arts Center to see the fantastic Monet exhibition on display. The students had an enjoyable time viewing and pondering the works of this important artist. The visual animations gave an added layer of depth to the pieces on display and I am glad that we have this resource on our doorstep for the benefit of the students’ learning experience. Enjoy these pictures of the wonderful outing.

Wizard of Oz at the Dongrami Theater on 1 October

On Tuesday 1 October the Dongrami Theater Company will be staging a production of “The Wizard of Oz” featuring our own students Jeremy Philip and Cherry Blossom Kim in the roles of the Wizard and the Cowardly Lion respectively. Do take time and go and see them. The students work really hard with Miss Yoo Jung Im in creating their performances and it is important for their confidence and creative development. The play will start at 7:30 pm and it promises to be a fun and entertaining experience.

HFS Winter Uniform

I am pleased to announce that we will now offer a HFS winter uniform in the form of a long-sleeve, zip-up hooded jersey for the approaching cold days. It is navy blue and is mandatory for all students to have. The jersey will cost 20,000 Won each and an order form went home with your child today. Please return the order form to the school with your child and the 20,000 Won fee by no later than Friday 4 October and expect orders to be delivered after 2 weeks by 18 October.

Candy and Sweet Donations for Scary Dress-up Day on Friday 25 October

Even though our mid-term break falls over 31 October we do not want our students to miss out on one of the most fun holidays of the year. We have decided to have a “Scary Dress-up Day” on Friday 25 October. The students are encouraged to dress up in scary, funny or crazy costumes on the day and each class will vote on the best costume. We will also have some spooky and fun activities presented by each class from 1:30 to 3:30 pm and we will vote on the overall best costume from the class finalists. We would like to give each student a treat and are calling on parents to make donations in the form of chocolates, sweets and candy to make up our treat packs. Please drop off your donations in the box at the office and remember that we have a strict no nut policy at HFS so any and all sweet items must not contain nuts. Thank you for your support with this fun project.

Finally, just a friendly reminder that the school will be closed on Thursday 3 October in observance of the Foundation Day National Holiday.

That is all for this week. Thank you for your continued support and do have a wonderful weekend.

Mr. Kearney

Dear Parents,

We have had a week of sunshine and warmth and it has been wonderful. As you are no doubt aware, this weekend a typhoon is set to land in Ulsan. The weather looks to be wet and windy and I hope you will be safe and sheltered as you brace for its contact. There are a number of newsworthy items that I would like to share with you this week.

Maximilien Gaudray Returning Home

It has been our pleasure having Maximilien in the Year 5 – 9 class this past week. He immediately made himself a part of the HFS community and got along swimmingly with his classmates and the rest of the school. We hope you have enjoyed your brief stay at HFS, Maximilien. We wish you all the best as you return home and want you to know that you are always welcome to return to our school. Farewell Maximilien!

Year 3 – 9 Trip to the Ulsan Promenade Festival

It was an exciting day of art and culture as the year 3 – 9 students enjoyed an outing to the Ulsan Promenade Festival at Taehwagang Park today. We enjoyed the sunshine and the students got to play in the newly erected play area before having lunch at the riverside. We engaged with the interesting stalls on display and viewed some fantastic performances before returning to school. A thoroughly enjoyable excursion it was.

HFS PTA Meeting on Monday 23 September at 3:30 pm

We will have our first Parent Teacher Association meeting on Monday 23 November at 3:30 pm. The PTA is a treasured and crucial element to any school and I encourage any parent who wishes to participate to attend. There will be much to discuss as it is our first meeting and I am excited to be working alongside the parents in the many initiatives and events that we have planned for the rest of the year. I look forward to seeing you there.

Whole School Trip to Monet Exhibition

I am pleased to announce that on Friday 27 September at 2 pm we will treat all of the students to an afternoon of fine art and creativity as we take a trip to the HHI Arts Center. On display is a collection of works from the famous and celebrated artist Claude Monet in an exhibition entitled “Light and Soul”. The students will get the opportunity to see and engage with the work of this 19^th century pioneer of the impressionist art movement and, as an extra bonus, see some of his pieces digitized into animations. It is important for students to be exposed to significant art as part of their learning journey and we are fortunate to have such a fabulous and stimulating resource so close at hand. HFS is committed to ensuring that students get the most out of their educational experience and I am sure the students will enjoy it. Please click here to complete the online permission form so that your child can attend the trip.

That is all for this week. Thank you for your continued support and do stay comfortable and secure this weekend.

Mr. Kearney

Dear Parents,

A short but eventful week has passed us and with the Chuseok holiday we are entering fall. I hope that everyone kept safe from the passing typhoon as it grazed the Ulsan coastline last weekend. There are some brief news items that I would like to share with you.

HFS Chuseok Festivities

Our Chuseok program was early this year but I am pleased to admit that it was a resounding success. The event moved swiftly and entertainingly from one item to the next and the students outdid themselves in preparing for the show in such a short space of time. I was happy to see so many parents attend the celebration. Thank you to Miss Yuli for her artistic brilliance in creating a wonderful piece of calligraphy. Well done to the students for staging such memorable performances. Please enjoy these pictures of the day’s festivities.

FS 1 – Year 2 Trip to the Ulju Mountain Film Festival

The rain subsided just in time for the early year’s students to enjoy a fantastic trip to the Ulju Mountain Film Festival where they participated in a special program geared specifically toward them. The boxcars looked amazing and they really enjoyed the film that they watched. The VR and playground experiences were spectacular. It looked like a fun and exciting excursion and I am sure that they had a great time.

Curriculum Evening

On Monday 16 September HFS will hold a curriculum evening to give an overview of what parents can expect their children to be taught this term. The event will begin at 5:30 pm with a brief presentation on the HFS curriculum in the hall by Mr. Kearney. After that parents are welcome to make their way to their child’s classroom for a detailed description and discussion of the specific class curriculum and present any question they may have to their child’s class teacher until the event ends at 6:15 pm. I am pleased that this year we have added the International Early Years Curriculum to our humanities teaching as well as Music as a specialist subject. I look forward to seeing you there.

School Photo Day

On Wednesday 18 September we will have or re-scheduled photo day. Please ensure that your child wears his/her navy blue school shirt on the day. We will be taking class, group and individual photos as well as some photos of the teaching and learning taking place at HFS. I look forward to seeing the students looking their best and brightest for the photos.

Year 3 to 9 School Trip to Taehwagang Park Promenade Festival

On Friday 20 September we will treat the year 3 to 9 students to an afternoon of culture as we take a trip to the Taehwagang Park Promenade Festival. There will be a selection of Korean cultural stalls as well as a variety of performances for the students to enjoy. The students will also enjoy their noon play and lunch by Ulsan’s fantastic bamboo forest, which has been designated as Korea’s second National Park. It promises to be an interesting outing. Please click here to complete and submit the online permission form for the trip. The permission form should be completed by Tuesday 17 September.

Parking Permit in Hanmaeum Center Plaza

I would like to remind the parents who drive to school to drop off and pick up their child but have not yet obtained their Parking Permit to kindly get one by submitting a refundable deposit of 20,000 won and a car registration certificate to the admin office.  Thank you for your cooperation in this regard.

That is all for this week. Thank you for your continued support. I would like to wish everyone a happy and festive Chuseok. Pungsunghan Hangawi Bonaiseyo.

Mr. Kearney

Dear Parents,

We have completed our second week of the year. Autumn approaches and the weather is cooling after the refreshingly wet weather that has kept us indoors for much of the week. I must share with you a few items of pertinent news from HFS.

Chuseok Program

On Monday 9^th September HFS will stage its annual program in commemoration of the Chuseok holiday that is coming next week. The program will begin at 1:35 pm after lunch-time play and will run until 3:30 pm. Please join us for a showcase and celebration of this important Korean holiday as the students demonstrate their appreciation of the traditions of their host country. We encourage children to wear traditional Korean clothing or clothing from their home country in the spirit of the holiday. After-school activities, drama and violin clubs, will run as per normal on the day. Please take note that the school will be closed on Thursday 12^th and Friday 13^th September in honor of this cherished celebration.

Ulju Mountain Film Festival Trip for FS 1–Year 2 students

On Tuesday 10^th September the FS 1-2 and Year 1-2 students will have their first field trip of the year. Thank you to all the parents who completed and submitted the online permission form. They will be attending the Ulju Mountain Film Festival where a special program for early years’ students has been arranged. This will include craft activities, a film screening and some fun climbing suitable for their level. The trip will take up most of the day on Tuesday with the bus departing promptly at 9:05 am and returning by 3:10 pm. Please ensure that your child has a morning snack, water bottle and healthy lunch and is wearing comfortable shoes and their navy blue uniform for the trip.

Dongrami Theater

YOUNG ACTOR NEEDED!

<Aladdin and the Magic Lamp> from Arabian nights

DONGRAMI THEATRE IN ULSAN

4-8 years old /ENGLISH SPEAKER
REHEARSALS: FRIDAYS 5:40~7:20 at the DONGRAMI THEATRE
For Information please call : YOOJUNG IM at 010-3191-8437
Apply by September 18th

YOUNG ACTOR NEEDED!

<The Snow Queen> by Hans Christian Andersen
DONGRAMI THEATRE IN ULSAN

9-12 years old /ENGLISH SPEAKER
REHEARSALS: SATURDAYS 5:40~7:20 at the DONGRAMI THEATRE
For Information please call : YOOJUNG IM at 010-3191-8437
Apply by September 18th

I would like to take this opportunity to mention the Dongrami Theater Troup who offer specialised theater training for children. We have a long-standing relationship with the theater and I encourage parents to contact Ms. Yoojung Im if they would like more information on how to get their children involved in theater productions. Performing on stage is a fantastic and fun way to develop a child’s confidence and speaking ability. I look forward to seeing them on stage.

School Operating Hours and Supervision

I would like to remind all parents that the school operating hours are strictly from 08:45 am until 4:30 pm. Children should not be at school outside of these hours since proper supervision is not always possible. Please ensure that your child does not arrive at the school before 08:45 am and that you collect your child promptly at 4:30 pm after club activities have finished. For special cases where parents or designated guardians are unable to collect their child, a supervision waiver must be signed and the child must complete the sign-out sheet for the day with their name and the time of their departure. I must also stress that, as per the parent handbook, HFS bears no responsibility for unsupervised children who leave the school premises to be collected by their parents in the public or parking area of the Hanmaeum center. Thank you for your understanding in this matter.

Thank you for your continued support and do have an enjoyable weekend.

Mr. Kearney