Message from the Principals 9/26/2025
- School Account
- Sep 26
- 4 min read
Today's Topics:
1: Important Reminders
2: Safeguarding at Hope
3: House Points
4: Learning Highlights
1: Important Reminders
Used Uniform donations can be dropped off at the Elementary office or to the
Oct 13-17 - Autumn Break NO SCHOOL
There are many Class Exit Points coming soon! Please check the parent portal for specific dates/times and make sure to click the button to let us know if you will attend!
2: Safeguarding at Hope
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.
This year’s safeguarding team:
Mr. Brian: Child Safety Officer (CSO)
Ms. Angie: Deputy Child Safety Officer (DCSO) based in the Elementary Campus
Ms. Anja: Deputy Child Safety Officer (DCSO) based in the Secondary Campus
During the month of September, Mr. Brian, Ms. Angie, and Ms. Anja have conducted Safeguarding workshops tailored to students from prep class through high school. Please see below for the content slides used for each grade level:
Our overarching goal in all of these efforts is to ensure that every student at Hope is safe, feels safe, and can protect themselves and others. We believe that by consistently reinforcing these principles and practices, we create an environment where every learner can thrive.
3: House Points
Basilisk: 1791
Hydra: 1591
Phoenix: 1522 (took 3rd place!)
Dragon: 1463
4: Learning Highlights
Grade 1 explored the meaning of our home and host countries in Geography. We created a puzzled flag artwork — combining the flags of our home country and Japan, our host country — and placed it in a frame to proudly display at home. As part of our activity, we also pointed our home countries on a world map, helping us see where we come from and how we're all connected.
This special activity helps us as well to appreciate where we are now. Studying both countries teaches us to respect different cultures, understand people around the world, and become more open-minded and globally aware citizens.
Grade 3 are working on their last task for the unit (ICT Task) which requires them to create their own digital art gallery. They've been learning to curate their artworks using Canva. Some students even found a way to add music to their presentation even though it had not been taught.
In preparation for their upcoming exit point, the students reflected on their learning and were honest with themselves about their own work and progress.
G4 Learning Update: Space Scientist
Science learning goal: 3.11 Be able to draw conclusions based on results and compare them to original hypotheses and the real world.
ELA learning goal: 3.28 Be able to select and use a range of strategies and tools for planning, drafting and revising writing
This week, our Grade 4 learners delved into the phases of the moon and their connection to tides through engaging, hands-on activities. This afternoon, they had a blast using Oreo cookies to model the moon’s phases—making meaningful connections to how the moon influences Earth.
To tie it all together, we introduced the OREO structure for persuasive writing (Opinion, Reason, Example, Opinion restated). A fun coincidence, and a helpful memory tool, that both our science and writing lessons were all about OREOs this week!
In the unit, 'Space Scientists' Grade 5 have been working on an experiment involving understanding the power of the sun, and how we can use it's energy. In Science, We linked this task to SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy, learning the learners to observe the benefits of using alternative energy that is eco-friendly.
We worked towards the Science learning goal: Be able to make predictions related to the independent variable, by conducting an experiment involving the design and creation of our own solar ovens! The learners researched the benefits of solar energy and the conductors necessary to absorb it, then recorded and applied their skills by creating the oven, predicting what will happen to the chocolate and marshmallows by explaining how the outcome came to be. They then reflected on the outcome and concluded the experiment by referencing their prediction.
Continuing with their Design project for the IMYC unit on Identity, Students in Grade 8 began cutting their wood using the table saw and miter saw, all while observing safety protocols. They are building a functional wooden maze that physically represents their journey and the relationships that have shaped their sense of self, working around the Big Idea of this unit.
Our G9 global research team analyzed the evidence, drawing on two maps and an UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) fact sheet that demonstrated how indigenous territories in tropical rainforests play a crucial role in safeguarding the planet’s carbon sink. The practices in this activity their source analysis skills, and communication skills. Furthermore, the learners realized that if we don't protect these indigenous communities and let them protect their territory, we might intensify the climate change.
