Dear Parents/Guardians,

Thank you to everyone who showed interest in the Y3-6 Minecraft Club. We were absolutely thrilled by the enthusiasm!

We received over 200 applications across the year groups. Because we want to ensure a high-quality experience and safe supervision, we are strictly limited to only 25 spaces in each group (Y3-4 & Y5-6).

How will I know if my child was selected? If your child has been selected for the Phase Two Minecraft Club (which will run until the end of the academic year), you will receive a second, separate eNotice from us shortly. This second eNotice will contain important club details and transport requirements.

If you do not receive a second email, it means your child has not been placed in the club for this phase. We understand this may be disappointing, but we hope they will have another chance to join us next academic year!

Thank you for your understanding and for continuing to support our extracurricular programs.

Warm regards,

Joel Rafferty

Learning Support Teacher

SJS Educational Technology Representative

Dear Parents, 

CHP has rescheduled the Y5 Girls' Human Papillomavirus Vaccination (HPV) to Tuesday 3 March 2026. 

Please return any outstanding consent forms and immunisation records to the school promptly to facilitate the necessary arrangements.

Best regards 

ESF Sha Tin Junior School

Dear Parents,

Reminder: Year 6 Visit to Crossroads

This week our Year 6 children will take part in the Trail of the World Experience at Crossroads Foundation which will be a valuable learning experience linked to their Exhibition.

Please click this link to learn more about Crossroads and what the children will be doing there.

The classes have been split across 3 days to accommodate the number of children. Please carefully check the date that your child’s class will be attending:

• Tuesday 24th February: 6.2 and 6.4

• Wednesday 25th February: 6.5

• Thursday 26th February: 6.1 and 6.3

On the day of your child’s visit, please make sure:

• They have insect repellent

• A snack and packed lunch (the office have been informed about the cancellation of any hot lunches for your child on that day)

• Water bottle

• Hat

• The school P.E. kit should be worn

• Optional: Octopus card to purchase items from the Crossroad Fairtrade shop

For this trip, we do not need any parent volunteers, as there will be enough school adults attending to support the children.

Please let myself or your class teacher know if you have any questions.

Kind Regards

Mrs le Roux

Y6 Lead Teacher & Curriculum Support

Dear Parents/Guardians,

We are ‘Money Matters’, a group of year 12 students passionate about promoting financial literacy through our CAS project.

Our project hopes to introduce children to key financial concepts through a series of engaging lessons designed specifically for their age group. We have heard that SJS conducts an annual ‘Market Day’ for year 5 students, and we believe this presents itself as a wonderful opportunity for us to prepare the year 4 students for the upcoming challenges in the coming year while learning the basic financial concepts that would be helpful later in life.

Our lessons would introduce the children to financial concepts such as division of labour and productivity, product marketing, investing and saving, management and leadership, and a surprise big game at the very end! Recognising that these lessons are intended for 8-10 year old students, we will ensure that each concept is presented in a simple, easy-to-understand, and engaging manner.

Here are the dates (DD/MM) and times of the lessons in Class 4.1 at SJS:

11/3 (3:00-3:45)

18/3 (3:00-3:45)

25/3 (3:00-3:45)

15/4 (3:00-3:45)

22/4 (3:00-3:45)

To sign up your child, please complete this form.

We hope you encourage your children to sign up to this amazing opportunity!

Kind regards,

The Money Matters Team

Dear SJS families,

We are excited to share that the Student Led Conferences will take place between Monday 2nd March - Thursday 5th March (3:10 - 5:30 pm). Parents can book a 10-minute conference with their child’s class teacher in their child’s classroom using Gateway. Please be reminded that booking pages will open and close at the date and time specified below.

Student-led conferences place the student at the centre of the conversation, giving them ownership of their learning journey. During these conferences, students take on the role of the presenter, showcasing their progress, achievements, and areas for growth. This process encourages students to develop essential skills like communication, self-reflection, and goal setting, while fostering a sense of responsibility and agency in their education.

Specialist Teachers

Chromebooks will be available for P.E. and Music for your child to talk you through their learning. For Mandarin, students will have their portfolios to share with you (Y2-6) and there will be activities for parents and students to complete together (Y1). One of our specialist teachers will be stationed in these areas and will be available for informal conversations on a walk-in basis:

• Music: Ms Sharon and Ms Krista will be in the Music Rooms on the 2/F or 3/F

• P.E: Mr Kelleher and Mr Youssef will be in the gym

• Mandarin:

  • Ms Snowy Chen, Mr Jacky Chan and Ms Sabrina Yu will be in the Dragon Palace.

  • Ms Ruoben Huang, Ms Rainbow Jiao and Ms Tracy Wang will be in the Moon Palace.

No Supervision Arrangements in Place for Students to Wait on Campus

On the day of your child's student-led conference, there will be no supervision arrangements in place for students to wait on campus for the parents to arrive after 3:00 pm. This is because all staff are involved in the conferences. As such, alternative arrangements will need to be made for the collection of students on this day as needed.

Thank you for your understanding, and we hope you enjoy the opportunity to share in your child's learning and meet with their teacher in person.

Best wishes,

Laura Biles
Vice Principal | Learning, Teaching & Assessment

Dear Parents,

The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health will organise an immunisation programme for our Year 5 and 6 girls on 6 March 2026. The consent form was distributed this week. Please kindly read the information.

*There will be two doses for the HPV vaccine, the first dose will be given in Year 5 (aged 9 year or above), and a second dose will be given in the following school year (Year 6).

Please complete and return the following items by 13 February 2026.

1. The students’ original immunisation records- for checking and recording purposes.
2. The signed consent form or refusal form.

Please follow the items below before submitting the documents mentioned above.

1. Send all the records related to immunisation only
2. Write down the students’ full names in English in every immunisation record
3. Make a copy of every immunisation record, as we will not return the records before the immunisation programme

Should you have further questions, please feel free to contact the School Immunisation Teams at 2615-8585 or our school nurse at 2602-2827.

ESF Sha Tin Junior School

Dear Parents,

This year, we have been supporting the development of Girls' Football at SJS. It has been a very big success.

As such, we have an opportunity for girls and boys in Year 3 to participate in regular training sessions throughout the year with one of our community partners. 

There is a taster session on Saturday, the 28th of February, for you to let your Child try it out first before you commit. 

This trial session will be at Kowloon Cricket Club from 8:55 am to 10:00 am on Saturday 28th of February.  On the main pitch. Entrance is via Cox Road. NO STUDs and hair tied back. Parking is not available.  Nearest MTR: Jordan.

Please complete the form if you plan to attend, so I can let the coaches know.

Best wishes,

Rehana Shanks.

Dear Parents and Families,

At SJS, we believe in and support the holistic development of all our students. As such, we offer a wide variety of extracurricular activities to enable students to explore and cultivate their talents and passions - and even discover new ones. Our extracurricular activities come in various forms:

• Staff-led breaktime activities (12:00-12:30pm or 12:30-1:00pm)

• Staff-led afterschool activities (3:00-4:00pm)

• PTA Sponsored afterschool activities (3:00-4:00pm)

• Afterschool activities facilitated and offered by ESF Explore (with cost)  (Various times)

• Third-party afterschool activities (e.g. Chess club, Mandarin, etc.) (with cost) (3:00-4:00pm)

We encourage families to share SJS Term 2 ECA Catalogue this weekend with their children. Students should create a “wishlist” of their top 3-5 choices.

• This coming Tuesday, 20 January, students will sign up for breaktime ECAs in class. Please note that ECA sign-ups involve students sharing their wishlist, and then through a careful process, spots are assigned. Students may not get their choice this term, and if that is the case, they will be prioritised for term 3 later in the school year. We appreciate families helping to explain this to their children.

• For all (SJS staff led) after-school ECAs, eNotices will be opened to parents and families on the Gateway at 5pm on Tuesday, 20 January so that they can register their children. This is to ensure that arrangements can be made for pick-up after school as no school buses run at a later time.

• Any activities offered by ESF Explore need to be directly arranged with them through their website.

• Any activities offered by third-party groups need to be directly arranged with them (contact information provided in catalogue)

Term 2 ECAs (SJS staff-led) will begin the week of 26 January.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Mr. Aaron Van Borek (Vice Principal) at aaron.vanborek@sjs.esf.edu.hk.

ESF Sha Tin Junior School

Dear Year 4 Families,

I am writing to share important information regarding music instruction over the next two terms in Year 4.

Over this academic year, we have been implementing the Orff approach, which is a developmental approach used in music education that emphasises active participation and creativity through combining music, movement, drama, and speech, mirroring how children naturally learn through play.

The approach encourages students to explore music in a holistic and experiential way, fostering musicality and creativity.

The Orff Approach is a child-centred way of learning music education that treats music as a basic system like language. It is anchored in the belief that every child can learn music not only through direct instruction but also through exposure, experimentation, and immersion - based on curiosity and joy.

We have already begun to implement this through other UOIs this academic year and the results have been showing positive musical growth, as you may have seen in our recent showcase - The Celestial Coil.

As a part of this approach, students will spend some time playing the recorder in the second half of this term. If your child does not have a recorder, you can purchase one from Tom Lee. Please see the link below.

Recorder: HK$50 Model - YRS24B (Baroque fingering)

https://www.tomleemusic.com.hk/en/products/yamaha-soprano-abs-resin-recorders-yrs-23-yrs24b?variant=35310916927643

If you have any questions about the Orff approach or anything else related to music, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Thank you for your continued support of your child’s musical and performing arts development.

Kind regards,

Miss Sharon

Sharon Wallis

Lead Teacher Music & Performing Arts

Dear Parents and Families,

This message serves as a reminder that you have not yet placed an order for your child and would like to do so. Please order it by Monday 5 January 2026, or a subcharge will be added to any orders after this deadline.

Photo Proofs

The photo proofs for your child/ren have been distributed on the following dates:

• Year 2, 3, & 6: Tuesday, 25 November 2025

• Year 1, 4, & 5: Wednesday, 26 November 2025

Online Ordering & Deadline

To view your child’s photos and place an order, please visit the Techni Photo website: http://www.techni-photo.com/order/

Important Notes and Deadline:

• Order Deadline: The deadline for all orders is Monday, 5 January 2026.

• Surcharge: Please note that a surcharge will be added to any order placed after this deadline.

• Case Sensitivity: The Unique Code and Last Name required for logging in are case sensitive.

Arrangements for Absent Students during Photo Week

If your child was absent from school during the official photo week and you would like to arrange a makeup photo shoot, please contact Techni Photo directly to book a session at their studio.

Questions & Support

Should you have any questions regarding your proofs, unique code, or the ordering process, please contact the Techni Photo directly:

• Phone: 2803-5988

• Email: onlinesc@techni-photo.com

ESF Sha Tin Junior School

Dear SJS Families,

The recent fires in Tai Po have had a profound impact on our local community, resulting in significant loss and hardship for many families. As a school that is part of this community, it is essential that we take the time to reflect, show respect, and offer our support to those who have been affected.

Out of consideration for our broader community and in recognition of the ongoing recovery efforts, we will be postponing all upcoming school community events, including the planned Showcases of Learning. These events will now be rescheduled to the first week of Term 2, beginning on January 6, 2026.

We hope this gesture demonstrates our collective empathy and solidarity with our neighbours during this difficult time. It also offers us an opportunity to come together in January to celebrate our students’ work in a spirit of renewed gratitude and shared resilience.

In addition, we are collaborating across all ESF schools with a fundraising campaign this Friday, titled “We Stand with Tai Po,” to support those affected by the recent tragedy. On Friday, 5th December, students are invited to bring in monetary donations to school and families are invited to make a donation via a QR code (see below). All funds collected will go to the Hong Kong Government’s Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. Students should wear their SJS uniforms on this day to show their respect for those affected by the fires.

At SJS, the health, safety, and wellbeing of our students is our first priority. We have robust systems in place in all of our schools that are regularly tested throughout the year. We operate to the highest possible standards in everything we do—this includes construction and maintenance on our school sites. Our ESF Facilities colleagues have adopted an extra vigilant stance in light of this tragedy, and we are carrying out additional safety checks in all of our schools.

Thank you for your understanding, compassion, and continued partnership as we support our community during this challenging time.

Yours in gratitude, 

Rehana.

Dr. Rehana Shanks

Rescheduled events:

Fundraising information:

QR Code to make donations via banking app and “FPS Scan to Pay” (Information sheet)

Dear Parents and Families,

Photo Proofs

The photo proofs for your child/ren have been distributed on the following dates:

• Year 2, 3, & 6: Tuesday, 25 November 2025

• Year 1, 4, & 5: Wednesday, 26 November 2025

Online Ordering & Deadline

To view your child’s photos and place an order, please visit the Techni Photo website: http://www.techni-photo.com/order/

Important Notes and Deadline:

• Order Deadline: The deadline for all orders is Monday, 5 January 2026.

• Surcharge: Please note that a surcharge will be added to any order placed after this deadline.

• Case Sensitivity: The Unique Code and Last Name required for logging in are case sensitive.

Arrangements for Absent Students during Photo Week

If your child was absent from school during the official photo week and you would like to arrange a makeup photo shoot, please contact Techni Photo directly to book a session at their studio.

Questions & Support

Should you have any questions regarding your proofs, unique code, or the ordering process, please contact the Techni Photo directly:

• Phone: 2803-5988

• Email: onlinesc@techni-photo.com

ESF Sha Tin Junior School

Dear Parents & Families,

As we are approaching the end of term and the start of the festive period, I wanted to write to you to talk about the giving of gifts to teachers and other members of school staff.

We are hugely appreciative of the support that you give the school. All of us, whether we work in the classroom, in the office or as part of the site team are deeply invested in making good on our promise to help every single student be the best that they can be.

I know that in some classes and year groups, parents organise collections to buy teachers and staff gifts as a way of saying thank you. While we deeply appreciate these gestures, I wanted to tell you that we are looking to move away from this.

While part of the reason for this is that we don’t wish any parent to feel compelled to be a part of any gift giving, the real reason is much simpler than that. This may sound like a cliche, but it doesn’t make it any less true. The simple fact is that being a part of your child’s education is gift enough for us.

This move is about the culture we want to foster in our community. It is not about setting hard and fast rules. If a child turns up to school and gives their teacher a small gift then, of course, that child won’t be stopped from giving it. I just want you to know that while we appreciate the sentiment, giving a gift to express your thanks is not necessary. 

Ours is a wonderful school community, made all the richer by the role that you, our parents, play in it. Your support means the world to us and we thank you for it.

Yours sincerely,

Rehana

Dr Rehana Shanks

Principal

Dear Parents,

Each year, the PTA sponsors a Graduation Teddy Bear for all Year 6 students. For the past two years, we've partnered with Dress Green to upcycle our children’s old SJS uniforms.

This year, we plan to continue this tradition. All Year 6 students will participate in a workshop during Term 3 to make a uniform for their graduation teddy bear using their old uniforms. We kindly ask for your assistance in keeping a set of the old uniform (red & white shirt/blouse plus navy shorts/skort or trousers).

We will send another email by the end of Term 2, and have  your children bring in their old uniforms.

Thank you for your support!

SJS PTA

Dear Parents and Families,

Version 1 of the ESF Calendar (draft) for the 2026-2027 academic year is now available on the school website in the Quick Links section.

You can access the document directly here.

Please note that this is a draft calendar and is subject to change. We also encourage you to review the Important Notes outlined in the calendar.

Best regards,

ESF Sha Tin Junior School

Dear Parents,

Each year, Sha Tin Junior School is able to nominate one student to receive the AS Watson Group Hong Kong Student Sports Award. I would like to invite interested parents to submit a nomination on behalf of their child.

Once all nominations have been received, a panel will select one student to be put forward to the AS Watson Group Hong Kong as the Sha Tin Junior School nominee for 2025-26.

The programme aims:
● To recognise students who have demonstrated talent, potential, and good conduct in sport.
● To recognise the initial achievements of students in sport and, by doing so, provide them with positive reinforcement.
● To encourage young people to take part in worthwhile physical activities for developing a positive, active, and healthy lifestyle.
● To promote school sporting culture and build a healthy and young generation for the community.

Awardees will receive the following:

1. "YOU ARE A STAR" professional sports photography will be arranged.

2. An invitation to the Awards Presentation Ceremony, an official scholarship certificate, and a scholarship award of HK$500.

3. The opportunity to participate in the Sports Exchange Tour which will be organised for 30 selected awardees.

If you would like your child to be considered for nomination for the award, please reply to info@sjs.esf.edu.hk with the subject heading "AS Watson Group HK Student Sports Awards 2025-26" including a detailed description of the child's sporting achievements within the last 12 months.

More information about the award can be found on the Nomination Leaflet.

Deadline for submission to School: Friday, 28th November 2025.

Regards,

Damian Kelleher
Lead Teacher of Physical Education and Sport

Dear Parents,

We would like to inform you of two exciting international Science competitions that your child may be interested in: the Hong Kong International Science Olympiad (HKISO) and the International Science Bee (ISB). These are excellent opportunities for students to challenge themselves in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) and gain valuable international experience.

Competition Overview

• Hong Kong International Science Olympiad (HKISO)- It is a written (Multiple Choice and Short Answer) type exam with a focus on Science and Mathematics knowledge and problem-solving. Website

• International Science Bee (ISB)- It is a quiz-bowl style competition (buzzer rounds and written exams) focusing on Science knowledge across various disciplines. Website

Both these competitions have a qualifier round, and if successful followed by a national competition at an International location.

Preparation and Registration

Please note that student participation in these competitions is entirely voluntary and managed independently by the student and their family.

• Students must handle their own registration processes, including submitting necessary forms and fees directly to the respective competition organizers via their official websites. Our school is not managing the registration for these events.

• Students are responsible for their own preparation. We encourage them to explore the resources available on the competition websites. Students can approach the class teachers/ librarian/ me for guidance if required.

• All specific details, including competition structure, deadlines for registration, and exam dates, are available on the official competition websites (listed above). We urge you to visit these sites promptly to ensure you do not miss any deadlines.

We highly encourage interested students to take the initiative to research these opportunities further, as these competitions are a fantastic platform for academic growth and recognition.

Should you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me.

Regards,

Suhaas Jindal

EA- Learning Support

Dear Parents and Guardians,

We are excited to invite your child to participate in the 6th Annual Chinese Language Festival, a globally celebrated event dedicated to promoting Chinese language learning and cultural exchange. This is an excellent opportunity for SJS students to embrace the beauty of the Chinese language and culture.

Registration Details & Exclusive Group Discount

To streamline the process, our school is registered as a group festival member. This allows our participating students to enjoy an exclusive discount.

Parents can register using the following SJS Exclusive Group Link and enjoy a 20% discount on the registration fee. Although we register as a group, each participating family must complete the registration and payment individually.

SJS exclusive group link (for 20% discount): https://ts-application.chineselanguagefestival.com/ind-participants/register?c=984760

Please note: The 20% discount applies only to the initial registration. Subsequent add-on purchases are not eligible for the discount.

Please find more details about the festival and competition items below:

• Official Website: https://www.chineselanguagefestival.com/

• Download Competition Manual:

  • Traditional Chinese Version

  • Simplified Chinese Version

  • English Version

If you have any specific questions about any competition items, please email the Chinese Language Festival Committee: info@chineselanguagefestival.com

Important Commitment & Waiver

Please read the following carefully before registering. By completing the registration and payment, you acknowledge and agree to the following terms:

1. Parental Attendance: For a face-to-face competition, a parent or guardian is required to attend the entire competition with their child. Your presence is essential for supervision, support, and ensuring a positive experience for your child.

2. Upholding SJS & ESF's Reputations: As representatives of the English Schools Foundation (ESF) and Sha Tin Junior School, we expect all students and their accompanying parents/guardians to conduct themselves in a manner that is respectful, sportsmanlike, and upholds the strong reputation and values of our school community.

Registration Period for SJS students: 31 October 2025 – 31 December 2025

We believe this will be a rewarding experience for our students and look forward to seeing them represent our school.

Best regards,

ESF Shatin Junior School

More information on the event can be found at the Hong Kong Schools Speech Festival.

If you would like your child to participate please note the following points: 

1. Parents MUST sign liability waivers and assume full responsibility for their child. SJS will NOT proceed with your submission to the Hong Kong School Speech Festival if we do not receive your waiver online.

2. Parents need to provide emergency contact and medical information directly to the organisers.

3. No child will be allowed to participate without their parent being present. 

Online Enrolment Links:

77th Hong Kong Schools Speech Festival (2025) - English Speech

77th Hong Kong Schools Speech Festival (2025) - Chinese Speech

Please read the online enrolment guide (CHI /ENG ).

Deadlines:

The deadline for submitting online enrollment is 11 September at 12:00.

* Submission Period for Video URLs: October 31st, 10:00 to November 6, 17:00.

Payment Method:

SJS will email an invoice for you to pay via ePayment ONLY.  

The deadline for ePayment to SJS is 16 September at 15:00.

ESF Sha Tin Junior School

Dear Parents,

Enrolment for the Student Health Service and the School Dental Care Service:

The Student Health Service (SHS) and the School Dental Care Service (SDCS) of the Department of Health would like to invite your child to participate in the services for the 2025-2026 academic school year. These are the voluntary services available to our students. If you join the SDCS, you will receive an SMS message from the Department of Health regarding the payment in October. Please do not bring cash or a cheque to school.

There are some changes this year. Please follow the instructions below:

1. Scan the QR code below and read the details carefully on 1st September 2025.

https://eenrol.clinical.dh.gov.hk/OnlineBookingWeb/#/stdhs-eenrol/spa/spa-eenrol/form/4fe57c5845d4383e98ab732a9d18239d1ddb883ff2bc5ceb5fb50d429ff696b6

2. Complete the consent form online before 14th September 2025. Otherwise, you will not be able to log in after that date.

3. Make sure your child/children’s information and class are correct.

4. At the end of October, parents who joined the Dental Care Service will receive an SMS from the Department of Health with the payment link (Credit Card/ FPS/ Alipay).

5. You will receive an appointment slip from school one month before the appointment.

6. For more instruction: https://www.schooldental.gov.hk/wsmile/res/doc/Guidance%20Notes%20for%20Primary%20School.pdf

If you need further information, please call the Student Health Service hotline at 28330111, the School Dental Care Service hotline at 29286132, or our school nurse at 26022827.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Letter to parents from DH:

https://www.schooldental.gov.hk/wsmile/res/doc/DH1595e_E_Letter%20online%20draft%2020250728%20DoH5.pdf

Guidelines to Verification of Eligibility & Statement of Purposes:

https://www.schooldental.gov.hk/wsmile/res/doc/DH1595e_E_Eligibility%20&%20Statement_final%2020250702%20v2.pdf

Dear Parents,

Enrolment for the Student Health Service and the School Dental Care Service:

The Student Health Service (SHS) and the School Dental Care Service (SDCS) of the Department of Health would like to invite your child to participate in the services for the 2025-2026 academic school year. These are the voluntary services available to our students. If you join the SDCS, you will receive an SMS message from the Department of Health regarding the payment in October. Please do not bring cash or a cheque to school.

There are some changes this year. Please follow the instructions below:

1. Scan the QR code below and read the details carefully on 1st September 2025.

https://eenrol.clinical.dh.gov.hk/OnlineBookingWeb/#/stdhs-eenrol/spa/spa-eenrol/form/4fe57c5845d4383e98ab732a9d18239d1ddb883ff2bc5ceb5fb50d429ff696b6

2. Complete the consent form online before 14th September 2025. Otherwise, you will not be able to log in after that date.

3. Make sure your child/children’s information and class are correct.

4. At the end of October, parents who joined the Dental Care Service will receive an SMS from the Department of Health with the payment link (Credit Card/ FPS/ Alipay).

5. You will receive an appointment slip from school one month before the appointment.

6. For more instruction: https://www.schooldental.gov.hk/wsmile/res/doc/Guidance%20Notes%20for%20Primary%20School.pdf

If you need further information, please call the Student Health Service hotline at 28330111, the School Dental Care Service hotline at 29286132, or our school nurse at 26022827.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Letter to parents from DH:

https://www.schooldental.gov.hk/wsmile/res/doc/DH1595e_E_Letter%20online%20draft%2020250728%20DoH5.pdf

Guidelines to Verification of Eligibility & Statement of Purposes:

https://www.schooldental.gov.hk/wsmile/res/doc/DH1595e_E_Eligibility%20&%20Statement_final%2020250702%20v2.pdf