Parent and Student Handbook 2018-19
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Parent and Student Handbook 2018-19 Grow. Discover. Dream. Calendar 2018-19 Discovery College 38 Siena Avenue, Discovery Bay Lantau Island, Hong Kong tel. 3969 1000 discovery.edu.hk Grow. Discover. Dream. Important Dates for 2018-19 August Start of Term 1 Monday 13 August Year 1 Information Evening (Kindergarten) Thursday 23 August Parent Information Fair Thursday 30 August September DC University Fair Wednesday 19 September DC CPD Days (Staff Only) 21-22 September DC CPD Day (observed) Monday 24 September The day after Mid-Autumn Festival Tuesday 25 September Year 4-6 Swim Carnival Wednesday 26 September October National Day Monday 1 October Primary Parent Teacher Conference 3-4 October Whole School Photo Monday 8 October Mid Term Break 13-21 October Y5 Camp 24-26 October Y3 Camp 25-26 October Y6 Camp 30 October - 2 November Y4 Camp 31 October - 2 November November No Boundaries Week (Y7-12) 5-9 November Y13 G4 Project & Extended Essay 5-9 November Secondary Three-Way Conferences 15-16 November December Christmas Concert Friday 7 December End of Term 1 Friday 14 December (dismiss at 12.00) January Start of Term 2 Monday 7 January DP Subject Selection Evening Thursday 17 January Primary Three-Way Conferences Thursday 17 January Year 13 Trial Exams 23-25, 28-29 January February DC CDP Day Friday 1 February Chinese New Year Holidays 2-10 February School Photos 11-22 February Year 13 Three-Way Conferences Thursday 28 February March Sport and Group Photos 11-18 March Graduation Individual & Group Photos Thursday 21 March April Ching Ming Festival Friday 5 April End of Term 2 Friday 12 April (dismiss at 12.00) Start of Term 3 Monday 29 April May Labour Day Wednesday 1 May Primary Athletics Day Friday 3 May Year 13 Exams 3-24 May Primary Student-Led Conferences Wednesday 8 May DC CPD Day Friday 10 May Buddha’s Birthday (observed) Monday 13 May Year 11 Personal Project Exhibition 16-17 May Year 1 Pizza Party Thursday 16 May Year 2 Sleepover Friday 17 May Year 11 Exams 23-24 May Secondary Big Week 27-31 May Year 12 Exams 27-31 May June Year 13 Graduation Tuesday 4 June Cobra Sports Awards Wednesday 5 June Dragon Boat Festival Friday 7 June Year 11 Work Experience 17-21 June Secondary Awards Tuesday 25 June End of Term 3 Friday 28 June (dismiss at 12.00) 1 | ESF Discovery College Guiding Statements DC’s Guiding Statements consist of our Vision Statement (with Guiding Principles) and International Mindedness Statement, which help to define what is important for us as a school. Vision Statement and Guiding Principles Grow. tatements Be passionate about being the best you can be. & S Discover. Find wonder in the world around us. ISION V Dream. Dare to make a difference for yourself, humanity and our planet. International Mindedness Statement International mindedness is a commitment to celebrating Global engagement our diversity where people know themselves and others, Developing global and local awareness, perspectives and and demonstrate empathy by thinking globally and acting action, to empower learners committed to service in the ethically. The three core components of international community mindedness at DC are: Intercultural understanding Multilingualism Recognising and reflecting on one’s own perspectives, as well The ability to communicate in a variety of ways in more than as the perspectives of others one language GROW. DISCOVER. DREAM. Parent and Student Handbook 2018-19 | 2 The IB Mission The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and Guiding more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. To this end the organisation works with schools, governments and international organisations to develop challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment. Statements These programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right. The IB Core Values The IB Learner Profile Motivated by a mission The attributes of the learner profile express the values inherent to the IB We aim to create a better world through continuum of international education: these are values that should infuse all T education elements of the three programmes and, therefore, the culture and ethos of all HE IB World Schools. IB programmes promote the education of the whole person, IB P Partnerships emphasising intellectual, personal, emotional and social growth through all We achieve our goals by working together domains of knowledge. IB learners strive to be: ROGRAMME Quality We value our reputation for high standards • Inquirers • Thinkers • Caring • Principled Participation • Knowledgeable • Balanced We actively involve our stakeholders • Courageous • Open-minded • Communicators • Reflective International mindedness We embrace diversity 3 | ESF Discovery College tatements & S ISION V GROW. DISCOVER. DREAM. Parent and Student Handbook 2018-19 | 4 The Principal’s Note The Parent and Student Handbook is published each year to provide our parents and students with a brief description of our policies and procedures to help them become more familiar with how the College operates, what our requirements are in certain key areas, how best to communicate with us and what to do if there is a question or concern. As an IB school, we hold our students, staff and parents to high expectations around behaviours and attitudes. The handbook is updated and revised annually and is provided to all DC families in hard T copy format, as well as a downloadable .pdf through the College website. It is important HE that all families familarise themselves with the handbook and refer to it regularly. We also P remind parents to read the weekly Explorer newsletter and refer to the DC website for rincipal further news and information. We value academic excellence and pride ourselves on providing a safe and nurturing ' environment where teachers, students and parents work together to achieve shared S goals. Students do their best when they are happy, and we will do all we can to ensure N that every student not only enjoys academic success but also enjoys the journey to OTE success. We encourage involvement and achievement outside the classroom. There are many opportunities to excel both in academic studies and in a range of other activities. Our goal is to help all students become confident, articulate young people with a strong sense of self-belief and integrity. We expect our students to leave Discovery College ready to make a positive contribution to society by leading a full, active and personally satisfying life. Mark Beach Principal 5 | ESF Discovery College Content WELLBEING Wellbeing at DC 39 Student support 41 CONTACT Relationship management policy 42 Contact details 6 Positive health and good nutrition 43 Staff contact list 7 PARENTS CURRICULUM Parent information sessions 45 Primary Years Programme 15 Parent Teacher Association (DCPTA) 45 Learning Programme – PYP 16 Parental involvement 45 Middle Years Programme 17 School Council 45 Learning Programme – MYP 18 Diploma Programme 19 DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES Learning Programme – DP 20 Digital technologies 47 Career-related Programme 21 Laptop and computer access 47 Learning Programme – CP 22 Responsible Use Agreement 48 Senior student privileges 23 Digital citizenship education 51 Higher Education Office 25 Learning Diversity Team (LDT) 26 DRESS CODE Assessment, reporting & requests for transcripts 27 Uniform 51 ONTENT Homework 28 Senior students dress code 52 C COLLEGE BUSINESS, OPERATIONS AND FINANCE COLLEGE LIFE Attendance & length of school day/year 29 Stationery 53 College policies 30 Buses 53 Emergency arrangements 30 Cafeteria 54 Medical guidelines 33 Smart Cards 55 Discovery Foreshore 34 Education outside the classroom (EOTC) 55 Facilities rental 35 Refund policy on school trips/activities 56 Insurance 35 House system 57 Money & valuables 35 Library 57 Lost property 35 Lockers 58 ePayment 35 Mother tongue 58 Visitors to the College 37 Music 59 Sporting opportunities 59 COMMUNICATION Co-curricular activities (CCA) 59 Communication 38 Extra-curricular activities (ECA) 60 Concerns 39 Bicycles, scooters and skateboards 61 Publicity policy 39 GROW. DISCOVER. DREAM. Parent and Student Handbook 2018-19 | 6 Contact Details Telephone +852 3969 1000 Website www.discovery.edu.hk Fax +852 2987 8115 Admissions [email protected] Buses [email protected] Email [email protected] Uniforms [email protected] Address 38 Siena Avenue Cafeteria www.discovery.edu.hk/current-parents/cafeteria/ Discovery Bay Lantau Island PTA [email protected] Hong Kong C Directions to school ontact From Temporary Bus Terminal at the DB Plaza Take the No. T9 bus from the temporary bus ter- minus on the main Discovery Bay road. Alight at stop close to Club Siena and cross the road. Al- ternatively, the T4 bus will take you through the North Plaza, but may stop for five minutes prior to proceeding toward the College. Alight at the stop in front of Club Siena. Walk through Siena Park toward the College. The College Reception is on your right. By Taxi Taxis will drop off at the North Plaza next to the hotel. You can walk to Discovery College from there. 7 | ESF Discovery College Staff Contact List College Leadership Team Mark Beach Principal [email protected] Peter Lasscock Deputy Head of College [email protected] Chris Barr Head of Primary [email protected] James Smith Head of Secondary [email protected] Pat Romano Business Manager