No School on Wednesday

Please remember that school will be closed on Wednesday for the Korean Independence Day Holiday.

Class Trips

There are a few class trips happening in Week 8 and soon after. Make sure you read your class update and emails from the teachers.

Next Year’s Calendar

Some parents have been asking about the school calendar for next year. The calendar will be finalised this week and published on Friday.

Meetings With Teachers

It was great to see so many parents at our Parent-Teacher Conferences recently. Remember, our teachers are happy to meet with parents at any time to talk about our students. Call the Admin Office or email the teacher to make an appointment.

Mr Green’s Trips

Mr Green has been out of school a bit recently. Last week he was in Vietnam visiting some international schools as part of a CIS evaluation team. This trip was a great chance to meet with other school leaders, see another school in action and steal lots of great ideas we can use at HFS.

On Friday Mr Green visited the International School of Busan to meet with other school leaders from our part of Korea. Through this meeting, we can hopefully arrange some opportunities for our students to participate in sports and other events with other schools.

Denim

Miss Yuli wants to do an art project using demin. If you have any old jeans or other denim material you don’t need anymore, Miss Yuli would love to have it.

Class Pages and Updates

Be sure to check out the latest Class Posts from your child’s teacher

• Mrs McClellan’s Class
• Mrs Sim’s Class
• Mr Leah’s Class
• Mr Dunn’s Class
• Mr de Klerk’s Class

Great Learning Happening

CIS Accreditation

I am very pleased to announce that HFS has been awarded re-accreditation by the Council of International Schools.

This represents the culmination of a long process of self-evaluation and external audit, demonstrating our commitment to continuous improvement, ensuring we provide the highest quality international education to our students.

We will take a short time to celebrate and then begin work on implementing the recommendations provided to us by CIS.

Reports

Students will bring their Mid-Year Reports home today. Please take the time to read it with your child. Class teachers should have informed you of arrangements for Parent-Teacher Meeting next week.

Mr Green will be away from school

Mr Green will be away from school from Thursday next week and for all of the next week. I will be visiting an international school in Vietnam as a CIS Evaluator. I will be in regular contact with HFS and arrangements have been made to cover all my lessons and duties.

Great Learning Happening

Here is the news section featuring our Lunar New Year celebrations.

Masks

In line with the new Ministry of Education guidelines, we will be updating our mask rules.

From Monday

• Staff and students are not required to wear masks at school
• Mask must be worn when on the bus
• Staff and students may choose to continue wearing a mask
• All the other Covid-19 protocols remain in place such as temperature checks and 7 days of mandatory school absence for the person who has been confirmed to have Covid-19
• Masks are still strongly recommended when a person:
  • shows suspected Covid-19 symptoms such as sore throat, coughing, high fever or stuffy nose
  • has been in contact with a person who shows suspected Covid-19 symptoms
  • has been in contact with a Covid-19 patient (Such a person should wear a mask for two weeks from the date of contact)
  • is in close quarters (In the case where it is difficult to keep a one-metre distance in an area where ventilation is difficult)
  • in a situation where a lot of saliva droplets are generated such as singing, talking or cheering

We know that many people will be very happy that we will finally be able to teach and learn while showing our faces. We are also aware that some may still have concerns about Covid-19. At school, we will respect everyone’s opinions and remain vigilant of the risks. Those who choose to continue to wear a mask are free to do so and we will respect parents’ wishes for their children. We also ask that students and parents help us by continuing to wear masks on the bus. This is required by the Ministry of Education and failure to comply could result in the school receiving a fine and unfavourable publicity.

Mid-Year Reports

Mid-year Reports will be published on Friday. Be sure to look out for your child carrying an envelope home on Friday.

Parent-Teacher Conferences

Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held in Week 5. Parents will receive further details from class teachers about making appointments. Please remember that we like to meet all parents to discuss their child’s learning and that we will accommodate any reasonable request for a meeting.

Cold weather

Our school policy is that students are given the option to stay inside at break and lunch when the temperature is below -2°C. Class teachers also use their own judgement when deciding to take the student out based on the weather, how long students take to eat and the other things happening that day.

In order for students to be properly supervised and to allow teachers to have their break and preparation time, students of parents who have emailed to request that they stay inside must go to the Admin Office. Parents are asked to email the Admin Office to inform us of any sickness that necessitates staying inside during break and lunchtime.

Lunar New Year

Everyone at HFS wishes all our students, families, and friends a very happy, prosperous, and peaceful new year.

The school will be closed on Monday and Tuesday next week for the Lunar New Year Holiday.

See you all on Wednesday in the year of the rabbit!

HFS in the News

Here are some newspaper articles featuring Lunar New Year Celebrations at HFS

Hanbok and National Dress Pictures

Have a look a how amazing we all look in our Hanboks and National Dress

We have enjoyed a very happy and successful first week back in school and it has been great to see everyone again.

After School Activities

After-School Activities will begin next week (Week 2).

Here is a list of who has signed-up for each club. Please check carefully as some students have not been added to activities that they signed-up for but that were not open to their class.

NB – Payment for Jouini Sports Club in due in Week 2 – 70,000won

If you have any questions about After-School Activities please contact the Admin Office.

Bus Schedule

Please remember that the bus schedule in the afternoon will change in Week 2, as After-School Activities have started.

Swimming – After School Activity

Thank you to everyone who responded to the survey about after-school swimming lessons. The biggest group we can make is beginners so we will open the activity to beginners.

Students involved in swimming will need, a towel, swimming costume, goggles and a swimming cap.

NB – Payment for swimming is due in Week 2. – 300,000won

Lunar New Year Celebrations

We will be celebrating Lunar New Year on Thursday 19th January. On this day students will be invited to wear traditional Korean Hanbok or traditional national dress from another country. The student will have the opportunity to play and range of traditional Korean games, eat rice cake and to learn about customs and traditions of Korea.

The school will be closed for the Lunar New Year Holiday on Monday 23rd and Tuesday 24th of February.

Mid-Year Reports and Parent-Teacher Conferences

Mid-Year reports will be published on Friday 3rd February (Week 4) and Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held in the following week (Week 5). Your child’s class teacher will be in touch with arrangements for Parent-Teacher Conferences.

In the meantime, please remember that teachers and the Principal are happy to meet with parents at any time. Please call or email to arrange an appointment.

Congratulations Mr and Mrs de Klerk

Congratulation to Mr and Mrs de Klerk on the birth of their daughter, Annabelle.

Mr de Klerk will be taking a few days off school to be with his family. Mr Green is covering his class.

Class Pages and Updates

Be sure to check out the latest Class Posts from your child’s teacher

• Mrs McClellan’s Class
• Mrs Sim’s Class
• Mr Leah’s Class
• Mr Dunn’s Class
• Mr de Klerk’s Class

We are exploring the possibility of providing swimming lessons as an after-school activity with an external swimming instructor. In order to organise this we need to know who might be interested. Once we have this information we can try to make a group that allows the most students to participate.

If you are interested in swimming lessons please fill out this form.

Details

Day: Thursday 3.30-4.30 – (starting in Week 2)

Location: Hanmaeum Swimming Pool

Instructor: Mr Tae Ho Cha (fully qualified swimming instructor and lifeguard who has worked with the school previously)

Cost: 300,000 won for 9 lessons

We will update you before next Thursday to let you know if this activity will go ahead and who will be involved.

Please use the Google Form to sign-up for After-School Activities in Term 2.

Activities will start in Week 2 and run until Week 10

Happy New Year!

We hope that everyone had a wonderful holiday season and is ready to tackle the new year with enthusiasm and determination. We are excited to see all of the amazing things that our students and staff will accomplish in the coming months. Here’s to a successful and fulfilling year for all!

Here is some information to help Term 2 start smoothly

Mid-Year Reports and Parent-Teacher Conferences

Mid-Year reports will be published on Friday 3rd February (Week 4) and Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held in the following week (Week 5). Your child’s class teacher will be in touch with arrangements for Parent-Teacher Conferences.

In the meantime, please remember that teachers and the Principal are happy to meet with parents at any time. Please call or email to arrange an appointment.

Buses in Week 1

Buses in Week 1 will follow the ‘No Club Week’ schedule. Clubs will start in Week 2.

Clubs in Term 2

Sign-up sheets for clubs will be sent out on Monday evening. Clubs will start in Week 2.

School Calendar

Here is a link to the school calendar for the academic year 2022/23

Lunar New Year Celebrations

We will be celebrating Lunar New Year on Thursday 19th January. On this day students will be invited to wear traditional Korean Hanbok or traditional national dress from another country.

The school will be closed for the Lunar New Year Holiday on Monday 23rd and Tuesday 24th of February.

See you all on Monday!

Ms Yujin has created a video of the Winter Show. Enjoy!