Good morning, Hope Community!
Today's topics:
1: Important Reminders
2: Learning Highlight - Safeguarding
3: Curriculum Focus - Differentiation and Inclusion Policy
4: New Teachers
5: House Points
6: Photos of the week
1: Important Reminders
First Parent Teacher Conference (PTC) will be on Oct 6
Sign up HERE
DEADLINE for PTC registration is Oct 1st.
Autumn Break - Oct 9-13 (NO SCHOOL)
Open School - Nov 3rd
Sports Day date has changed from Nov 17 to Dec 1st
2: Learning Highlight - Safeguarding
At Hope, we place great importance on a safe and nurturing environment. One of the ways this is accomplished is through our Hope Safeguarding Policy.
At the start of the year, all staff are gathered together to review and reinforce our Safeguarding Policy linked here. Additionally, new teachers joining our community undergo a rigorous 5-hour Safeguarding training course using the internationally recognized TES program. As part of our ongoing commitment, teachers also participate in annual Safeguarding refresher courses.
For the past two weeks, Mr. Brian, our current child safety officer, conducted Safeguarding workshops with all students from grades one through twelve. Although the workshops were tailored to grade appropriate levels, the core content discussed with students can be found here.
Our overarching goal in all of these efforts is to ensure that every student at Hope is not only safe but also feels safe. We believe that by consistently reinforcing these principles and practices, we create an environment where every learner can thrive.
3: Curriculum Focus - Differentiation and Inclusion Policy
As mentioned in the blog last week, Hope is currently working through a self-review as part of the journey towards accreditation with the International Curriculum Association. As part of this journey, over the last two years, the school has created a Differentiation and Inclusion Policy, which outlines the systems of support we provide at Hope to support the growth of our students.
At Hope, we view "rigorous" learning as an opportunity for every child to challenge themselves at a level that is appropriate to their needs. This policy helps to outline the systems and structures that the school has in place to support students in rising to meet the challenges presented. This includes areas such as in-class differentiation, extra support and the importance of the home-school connection to meet the needs of all.
The policy also recognizes the importance of continuing to push learners who may already be operating at a mastering level of a skill, giving them opportunities to further prove their abilities, perhaps beyond age-related expectations by having them consider how they may innovate and further their progress.
To support all learning journeys in the school, after-school provisions are provided through our LEAP and EngageMATH programs. These programs support our student’s efforts in reaching their age-related expectations in Mathematics and English Language Arts.
At Hope, we value student growth at a level appropriate to their needs and this policy helps to guide us in providing the right support for all students.
4: New Teachers
I realized that in the busyness of the new school year, we never publicly introduced our new teachers! That is about to be resolved! I will allow them to introduce themselves:
Howzit, my name is Cameron Wilke, and I am the Grade 9 and 10 Homeroom Teacher and the PE Teacher. I am from the city of Gqeberha, South Africa. I attended Nelson Mandela University. There I received a Bachelors in English and Psychology, as well as a PGCE in English and History. I am new to the island however not too new to education, as I have been involved in schools in South Africa for the last two years. I have a passion for a learning and I hope to be able to instill that passion onto my students as well.
Hello everyone! My name is Daniel Lunness and I am a Social Studies teacher, as well as the Middle School Global Studies teacher here at Hope. I have been teaching for nearly a decade internationally and have worked previously in South Korea, Belgium and the UK. I have a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) History and Politics Combined Degree and a Postgraduate Certificate of Secondary Education. I am incredibly excited to be part of the Hope team and to work with the wonderful Hope community.
My name is Angelique Tee, but many people call me Angie. I was born in Uitenhage, South Africa. After a few years of teaching in my home country, I decided to expand my skills internationally and made my way to Okinawa. I speak three languages, English, Afrikaans and a bit of Xhosa, hopefully I can add Japanese to that list soon. I enjoy the outdoors and practice aerial tricks. I am ecstatic to be a part of the Hope family and create a positive, fun and safe environment for my students.
Hello Hope families! My name Jackie Wilson and I am the ELA teacher for G1 and G2! My family and I moved here from Tucson, Arizona. I graduated with my Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from the University of West Florida. In the United States, I’ve taught in Florida, Georgia, and Arizona. Adding Okinawa to the list is very special to me because I graduated high school here. I’ve always dreamed of coming back so I am honored to be here and very excited to work with the Hope community!
From left to right: Mr. Cam, Mr. Daniel, Ms. Angie, Ms. Jackie
5: House Points
Phoenix: 754 ➜ 1136
Basilisk: 750➜ 1048
Dragon: 641 ➜ 964 (moved up to 3rd place!)
Hydra: 647 ➜ 909
