Panda Class Blog - March 5th 2025


Dear Panda Families, 

Thank you so much for attending Sports Day! The Pandas did brilliantly, and we loved everyone's effort in promoting a happy, collaborative and enthusiastic atmosphere! 

A big thank you to our AM & PM Class Parents for all your help and sending reminders!

We have lots of exciting news, but firstly.....the Pandas have been growing crystals! Each class started by making them yesterday, using pipe cleaners and a washing powder solution. We are discussing our wonderings about why the crystals have appeared, and it's really interesting hearing what the children predicted from the start, and what they think as they see the scientific changes happening. The children will monitor the crystal growing, and hopefully, we'll be able to take out our crystal decorations soon!

                                                             

We've also been finding out about objects which float and sink and the children have been working in small groups to discover more. We learnt that things float if they tend to have more air in them. 

During arrival time, board games such as Bingo, Snakes and Ladders and the Whale Game have been so much fun! We are continuing to take turns and work on our number recognition and subitising skills; being happy for each other when we win, and encourage each other when we don't win. 

The tinker tray has been hugely popular with children making all sorts of creations out of loose parts and materials. We've seen helicopters, stairs, flowers and lots more being made with fantastic imaginations! The Pandas have also enjoyed fishing with rods in our water bead 'pond'.

Playing games such as Twister, Connect Four, and ten-pin bowling during open play have been really good team-building games for all the K1s, echoing our Sports Day morale! Yoga in the Dolphin class has been super too! Outdoors, the mud kitchen, bikes and scooters are as ever, very popular! 




We have just had a wonderful day with Mrs. Ashley Benusa (Julian's Mummy!), who joined us from Beacon Hill School, where she teaches music.  Mrs. Benusa shared her expertise and inspired us with music, songs, movements of all kinds, instruments and much more! 

We will be giving it our best effort in the Panda Classes to practice what we've been shown. Our toes are already tapping, and our voices reading to sing! Photos will be available on our class google album soon! Thank you, Ashley, for joining us and sharing so many fabulous ideas with the children and us teachers. 

Here are some books we have read recently, linking topics we are currently discussing in the classroom such as investigating different materials, being a scientist, engineering and planning: 


Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty


 Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty


We look forward to seeing you at Pamela Peck Discovery Space next week! 


Some dates for your diaries:

Save the Date: K1 Excursion to Pamela Peck Discovery Space 

The K1 children will be visiting the Pamela Peck Discovery Space on an educational excursion. 

10 Mar (Monday) - Dolphin & Frog class

13 Mar (Thursday) - Monkey & Panda class

The trip is designed to support the learning goals of multiple Units of Inquiry this year, broadening their opportunities for various play and interactions with new materials and spaces. The excursion will also support their upcoming unit on 'How the World Works' as there are many different play areas at Pamela Peck to encourage children to experiment and explore.

We kindly request that one parent or caregiver accompany each child. Your presence will offer unique perspectives that align with your child's interests, making learning more meaningful and engaging. By helping to connect their learning to their personal experiences, you can support your child in deepening their understanding.


2026/27 Y1 Information (Current K1s)

We understand some K1 parents had questions about Year 1 information during the recent Parent-Teacher Conferences. After the summer break, the ESF Admissions Team will share details on the 2026/27 Year 1 transition process. For now, you can refer to the 2025/26 FAQ document (please note some information may not be the most up-to-date). Most primary schools will offer open days in August/September, and some schools provide year-round tours. You can find more information here. We will share updated information for the new academic year with parents in due course.

If you have any further questions, please get in touch with the ESF Primary Admissions Team at primary.admissions@esfcentre.edu.hk  


Lastly, here are our class photo albums for you to view:

                                            Panda Class AM & Panda Class PM


And our Spotify Album is Here. 


Best regards,

The Panda Team

🐼

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