Our Vision and Mission“Encouraging young minds to be big

thinkers.”At Abacus we provide a safe and nurturing setting where everyone is encouraged to be unique, respectful and reach their full potential.Our exciting play based curriculum provides children with the opportunity to take risks, inquire and be creative. We provide an individualized programme that develops attitudes and skills. We encourage children to be independent and work together to become lifelong learners.We teach children about their responsibilities to the community and the importance of caring for their environment, its inhabitants and resources.

Life for your child at AbacusOur sessions are divided up between indoor class

time, snack time and outdoor play. They will have a balance of teacher /EA directed

learning, structured play and child chosen play activities. Outside time is planned to maximise learning time.

Session times are 8.30-11.30am and 12.30-3.30pm

1 Teacher and 2 Educational Assistants in K1All teachers speak English as their first language and are degree holders

Life for your child at AbacusFollow the IB PYP curriculum in line with ESF

Primary schools. Play based using inquiry and designed to develop

a range of concepts and skills. We have a no homework and no

worksheet philosophy, however we do send home reading books and ideas for play activities you can do with your child each week.

Class names – chosen by the children.

PYP CurriculumContinuity to ESF Primary and other

International SchoolsSupport from CWBS PYP coordinator and

ESF teaching and learning advisorTeachers and EAs have all at least MTPYPH

received trainingWe have had consultation visit May 2012 and

verification visit in May 2013

Personal and Social Making relationships Self confidence Behaviour and self management Personal care Attitudes Developing independence

Physical DevelopmentMovementSense of spaceHealth and bodily awarenessUsing equipment, tools and materials

Languages• Oral Language –

Listening and Speaking

• Linking sounds and letters

• Reading• Writing• Visual Language –

Viewing and Presenting

ChineseSupport in class and outdoorsSpecial celebrationsFestivals – Mid autumnChinese new yearDragon boat festivalCustoms and traditionsChinese vocabularyChinese stories and songs

Science, Technology and Social Studies- Living Things- Earth and Space- Materials and Matter- Forces and Energy

- Human Systems- Social Organisation- Human and Natural

Environments- Resources and the

Environment

Mathematics• Number• Measurement• Shape and space• Data Handling• Pattern and Function

ArtsArt and CraftsMusicDanceImaginative PlayImaginative

Storytelling

K1 overviewWho We Are How We Express

OurselvesHow We Organise

OurselvesHow the World

Works

Play Paint, play, explore Transport Food origins and changes

We use play to explore, come to new understandings and form new relationships.

Through the arts people can use a range of mediums to express their feelings and ideas.

Transport systems are organised to meet the needs of a community

Food comes from many places and goes through many changes.

The ways in which we can play to help us learn

The ways in which we can play with our friends

The ways in which we can be responsible for our learning environment.

The ways in which people express themselves

How different mediums can be used in the arts

How people respond to the arts

The different forms of transport

How vehicles are developed to suit their purpose

How transport systems are organised to meet the needs of the community

Where food comes from

The ways in which humans can use science to manage food waste

How common substances interact when they are mixed

5 Essential Elements of the PYPConcepts, Knowledge, Skills, Attitudes,

Action—are incorporated into this framework.Concepts – Big Ideas – ‘Animals grow and change’

– concept is ChangeKnowledge – ‘Caterpillars turn into butterflies’Skills – Self Management, communication, social,

thinking, researchAttitudes – Learner Profile and Attitudes – CaringAction – Follow on From their learning

Learner Profile AttitudesInquirersThinkersCommunicatorsRisk-takersKnowledgeablePrincipledCaringOpen-mindedBalancedReflective

AppreciationConfidenceCooperationCreativityCuriosityEmpathyEnthusiasmIndependenceIntegrityRespectTolerance

ActionFollow up from learning at schoolCan be child initiated or parent / teacher initiatedAs simple as reading a book about something they

have learned in class, or talking about something they have learned in class. Could also be follow up work such as growing a plant or looking after their own pet at home. Choosing healthy food over sweets after learning about it in school.

Sometimes may be charity work / giving pocket money to a cause but doesn’t have to be.

EventsTrips – Fair – Sports Day – Arts Day – Christmas

Carols – Chinese New Year Celebration

Differentiation and InclusionCatering for the needs of all children.

Programmes are differentiated for different skill levels.

We include children with special needs. Providing children with diverse needs with the support they need is part of our inclusion philosophy.

Health Screenings - Voluntary

Teachers track children’s progress through their time at kindergarten. Assessment is related to the goals in the curriculum and recorded. It is all informal through observation and discussion. Really important as it helps teachers understand what they need to work on with each child next.

Ongoing regular assessment - Use of portfolios

Regular reporting to parents:

•Term 1 K1– Parents Evening and Report

•Mid K1 – Parents Evening

•End K1 – Report and Voluntary Parent Meeting

Assessment, Portfolios and Reporting

Gateway

Calendar, your child’s report, check contact details, book parent conferences, staff emails, assessment and language policies.

Moodle

Your child’s portfolio, curriculum information, photos, class information.

Login details will be sent home at the beginning of the year in your child’s communication book.

The Gateway and Moodle

Partnership with ParentsReally important.Weekly information about the curriculum goes

home.Parent volunteers welcome either regularly or for

special occasions.Communication encouraged via email, or phone to discuss concerns.Diaries.Abacus Parents GroupClass Reps

Most of our children go on to Clearwater Bay School,

Renaissance College and other ESF schools. Application in

September of K2

Priority Goes To:

Application For Year 1 Primary

Siblings and

Teachers

ESF Kindergarten

Other Children

Nomination Rights

Clear Water Bay School Figures 231 applications for 120 places

Siblings, NR and ESF Kindergarten 72+8+56 = 136, so 16 of our children were interviewed for the active waiting list and no children from other kindergartens were interviewed initially unless siblings or NR.

Eventually all of our waitlisted children did get into CWBS that except those that failed the interview.

Coming to ESF Kindergarten does not guarantee an interview or a place at ESF Primary but it does increase your chances. We still have priority for interview for children entering ESF Kindergartens this year.

This Year’s Numbers

Siblings and

Teachers 72

ESF Kindergarten 56

Other Children 69

Nomination Rights 8

All children must go through an interview to gain entrance to ESF Primary. The interview is based on English Language ability.

We assess your child’s language capabilities using Wellcomm and will notify you if we are concerned about your child’s language development.

Normally children must have attended an ESF kindergarten for a minimum of 2 terms before interviews in order to have the Abacus priority. These interviews take place in the January of each calendar year.

Interviews

Before Starting SchoolFill in forms and return to school on your

child’s play date please.Fill in All About Me Booklet with your

child and bring it on the first day of term.Buy Uniform – Details in the parent

handbook – Second Hand available from the office.

Label Everything.

Starting SchoolStaggered Start Date.

Adult must stay until teacher and you decide your child is settled enough to leave.

Teacher may ask you to wait outside for a while.

Don’t Hide or Leave without saying goodbye.

Bits and PiecesHealthy Snacks – Snack Boxes / Water Bottles.

Toileting. Spare Clothes.Mosquitoes.Sun Hats.Medication.

Bits and PiecesBirthdays – No cakes or SweetsBuses / Pick Up / Security CardsTyphoon ArrangementsLibrary Books

QUESTIONSTime to ask questions.

Thank you for choosing ESF international kindergarten.

We all look forward to working in partnership with you to provide the best educational experiences for your child.