Dear Parents,

We would like to inform you that a small number of Influenza A cases have been reported to the school.

Please be aware that if your child is feeling unwell to keep them at home.

We are deep cleaning and strengthening hygiene measures across the school as a precaution.

Key points about Influenza A:

• Transmission: Spread mainly through droplets from coughs, sneezes, or talking, and by direct contact with secretions.

• Incubation: Typically 1 to 4 days.

• Management: Most recover without treatment. Rest, hydration, and staying home when symptomatic are important. Antibiotics do not work against the virus. Antiviral medication may help if prescribed by a doctor.

• Prevention: Frequent handwashing, covering coughs/sneezes, wearing masks when symptomatic, avoiding crowded places, and seeking medical advice promptly. Seasonal flu vaccination is recommended. Maintaining good immunity through a balanced diet, exercise, rest, and stress reduction also helps.

Please stay vigilant and follow these precautions. Thank you for helping us maintain a healthy community.

Yours sincerely,

Rehana

Dr. Rehana Shanks

Principal

Dear Parents and Families, 

The weather forecast predicts cold mornings this week.  Please ensure your child wears enough warm layers to school.  Don't forget to label all outerwear with your child's name.  Stay warm and healthy.

Warm regards,

ESF Sha Tin Junior School

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 Year 2 Parents,

We are pleased to inform you that the PM session eNotice has now been fixed and is ready for sign-ups on Gateway. We apologise for any inconvenience this delay may have caused.

• If you prefer the PM session: You are now welcome to log in and sign up.

• If you have already signed up for the AM session but wish to change: Simply email us at info@sjs.esf.edu.hk. We will be happy to remove your previous AM sign-up so you can re-register for the afternoon.

Thank you for your patience while we resolved this and we look forward to seeing you there.

Warmly,

ESF Sha Tin Junior School

Dear Year 2 Families,

We would like to extend a warm invitation to you for Year 2's performance, which is rescheduled for Thursday 8 January. The students in Year 2 have been diligently working on their show, integrating the concepts from their Unit of Inquiry, 'How We Express Ourselves’. With the guidance and support of our Year 2 teachers and the music department, we proudly present to you ‘Slinky Malinki’. 

When: Thursday 8th January
Time: 9:00 - 9:45 am or 1:45 - 2:30 pm
Where: SJS Hall (2/F)

RSVP:

To ensure your preferred attendance time, please remember to sign up for either the Morning (AM) or Afternoon (PM) session by completing the Gateway eNotice.

Morning Performance: 09:00 AM - 09:45 AM

For the morning performance, we kindly request that you drop off your child in the playground and proceed to the PAR, where tea and coffee will be provided. 

• 08:30 - 08:45 Coffee/Tea in the PAR 3/F
• 08:45 - 09:00 Short Presentation on Unit of Inquiry
• 09:00 - 09:45 Performance 

Afternoon Performance: 1:45 PM - 2:30 PM

For the afternoon performance, please arrive promptly at 1:15 PM, allowing us to commence and conclude the show on time before the end of the school day. Parents attending the afternoon performance, please let us know if your child will be collected from the Main Playground at 2:45. 

• 13:15 - 13:30 Coffee/Tea in the PAR 3/F
• 13:30 - 13:45 Short Presentation on Unit of Inquiry
• 13:45 - 14:30 Performance 

Gentle Reminders 

• No-Car Policy: Please remember that SJS has a no-car policy.

• Video Recording: The school will be recording the performance on the day and will share this with you.

• Photo Policy: For safeguarding purposes, please refrain from taking photos of other children.

Please note that each performance can accommodate a maximum of 75 families (2 adults per family ONLY)

Thank you for your support. We look forward to sharing this exciting event with you!


Warm regards,

Y2 Team

Deadline: Friday 2 January 2026 at 12:00 noon

Dear families, 

Reports
Today, we are happy to share your child’s school report for Term 1. The reports share your child’s strengths and next steps for various curriculum areas. Please take the time to read the strengths from the report with your child to celebrate their growth and read the next steps with your child to reflect on how they can continue to grow. These reports provide a number 1, 2, 3 or 4 for Maths, Reading and Writing for the objectives that have been taught this past term. 

The numbers indicate:
1- readiness
2- developing
3- developed
4- highly developed

Standardised Assessments

In October, Y3, Y4, Y5 and Y6 took part in the standardised assessment programme at Sha Tin Junior School. Your child’s results are now available and can be accessed from Gateway & the ESF Parent App. You can also view previous years results in the same place. The data collected is analysed by teachers and helps to inform teaching and learning as well as priorities for school development.  

Please remember that these assessments are one test on one day and therefore only one snapshot of your child’s learning. We then use this data to triangulate our regular informal assessments and to ensure your child’s learning is relevant and meaningful to them.

Year 3 and Year 5 

Year 3 and Year 5 have completed Primary Insight (previously known as INCAs). This assessment is by Cambridge University Press. As a UK provider, it assesses knowledge outcomes in line with the national curriculum. Therefore it assesses a student's ability and provides a score in years and months for each subject area. Developed abilities measure your child’s aptitude and potential ability. 

Year 4 and Year 6

Year 4 and Year 6 have completed the International Schools Assessment (ISAs). This assessment is by the Australian Council for Educational Research. In line with the Australian curriculum, it assesses conceptual understandings of each subject. Therefore it assesses a student's ability to understand concepts such as mathematical language rather than mathematical facts. Therefore even if your child scores low on ISAs, they may still be working above their chronological age. This assessment shares a level based on the concepts understood. There is no age comparison for ISAs but it does show you compared to all students that participate in the assessment. 

How to Access the Standardised Assessment Results

Gateway

1. Login Gateway: https://sjs.tg.esf.edu.hk, with your username and password 

2. Click Admin > Student Demographics 

3. Click Assessments (Parent View) under your child’s photo on the right 

ESF Parent App

1. Click the VELoCity VLE in the ESF App 

2. Scroll down and click "See InCAS assessment results" for your child

Change of Platform

We are excited to share that In line with ESF, we will be changing to a new platform in August 2026. ESF has been working with different companies to produce one platform called ESF Hub for parents to access all information from the school. The ESF Hub incorporates Toddle and Sentral and has been highly personalised for our needs. It is currently being trialed in some ESF schools and will be rolled out to all ESF schools in August. With this change, we will be changing what our reports look like. If you do have any feedback or suggestions for the new reports, please do let us know on this link.
 

If you have any questions or require support interpreting the data, please do get in touch. 

Warm Wishes, 

Laura Biles 

Vice Principal

Supporting Families and Students Affected by the Tai Po Fire – Used Laptop Donation Drive

Dear Parents,

Following the recent incident in Tai Po, many affected families – especially those with school-aged children – have lost their laptops and study materials. Some students are currently unable to continue online learning.

After coordinating with Caritas Computer Workshop, the PTA is now officially helping Caritas collect suitable used laptops from our school community. These will be passed on as quickly as possible to students and families in urgent need so they can resume their studies.

We warmly welcome donations of laptops that meet the following basic specifications:

• Intel Core i5 8th generation or newer (2018 or later), or equivalent performance

• Preferably with SSD (HDD is also acceptable)

• In working condition, with charger included

• Windows or macOS

Important Assurance: Every donated laptop will be securely wiped of all personal data and fully reformatted by Caritas Computer Workshop’s professional technicians before being given to recipients. Your privacy is 100% protected.

How to Donate:

please place the laptop and charger in a bag clearly labelled “Laptop Donation” and hand it in at the school General Office,

OR contact Caritas directly to arrange drop-off/pick-up:

Caritas Computer Workshop Contact:

WhatsApp / Phone: 5320 9507

Enquiry Hotline: 2716 0875

(Office hours: Mon–Sat 9:30 am – 5:45 pm)

Your old laptop can become a student’s lifeline to keep learning.

Thank you for your kindness and generosity.

Parent-Teacher Association

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