Dear Parents and Guardians,
This academic year is an exciting year for our Year 8 students as it is full of opportunity. It gives me great pride to lead this year group.
Four key terms will resonate throughout the year: “Ready, Respectful, Sensible and Safe”. Here at DBIS, we have high expectations for our students. We want to create an environment in which they can thrive and are challenged to progress. A key attribute that I want to build in all students is resilience and when presented with difficulty to persevere – not give up. The pathway to success is rarely a linear one, and there will be many obstacles along the way, but not succeeding at something the first time should be viewed as a learning experience rather than a failure.
All Year 8 students will be given the opportunity to complete their “Green Bird” qualification this year. When they have completed the course, they will have earned a Green Bird badge and certificate, demonstrating key components of the Learner Profile at DBIS such as being a Committed Learner, a Responsible Citizen and a Mindful Leader. To achieve the award, students will complete 10 hours of service, for example volunteering in the library; three months of developing a skill, such as learning a musical instrument; six hours of physical recreation, such as playing sport on a regular basis; and finally a one-day excursion, which could be taking on the challenge of a hike from Discovery Bay to Mui Wo.
We have a fantastic tutor team in place in Year 8, with Mr Johnstone and Mr Reinhardt carrying on the excellent work they did last year with 7D and 7I respectively. We also welcome Ms Higgins to the team. Ms Higgins will be the form tutor for 8B. Short introductions from each of the tutors can be found below:
Mr Johnstone: It’s my pleasure to be taking 8D into Year 8 at DBIS. This is my fifth year at the school, and I am so happy that we can look forward to a more normal school year after the challenges of late. If I’m not behind my computer planning my lessons (a task I actually really enjoy) then I can usually be found hiking the hills around HK and enjoying the amazing outdoor life here. That’s just what I need after a busy day, or after hearing the latest result of my beloved Swindon Town FC.
Chris Reinhardt: My name is Chris Reinhardt, and I am a teacher of Art and Design & Technology. This is my third year at Discovery Bay International School, and I have enjoyed working within the school and its community immensely. I was the form tutor for 7I last year, and I am delighted to be able to continue supporting your child’s learning journey as we move into Year 8.
Ms Higgins: As the new school year gets underway, I would like to formally introduce myself. My name is Ms Higgins, and I am very fortunate to be the new form tutor for 8B. I have been a teacher of Design & Technology and Art in South Wales, UK for over twenty years and, more recently, I have spent two years teaching in Thailand. In my spare time I love to travel and explore new places and cultures.
My team of tutors will be monitoring behaviour on a daily basis by reinforcing positive behaviour, having meaningful conversations about behaviour or uniform that does not meet the school’s expectations and discussing steps which can be put into place to improve this.
Every Monday the tutors will check student’s diaries from the previous week to check they are signed and for any messages from home. If students are absent from school, the following Jotform needs to be filled to notify the school: Notify DBIS of Student Absence. Tutors will be continuing their one-to-one conversations with students before form time, and a SMART target will be discussed between tutor and student. This target, which will be monitored, could be practicing Mathematics three times a week for 30 minutes outside of school or focusing on organisation for school.
The role of the diary has been reemphasised this year, with the expectation that it is a vital intermediary in communication not only to you as parents or guardians but also between subject teachers and the pastoral team. The primary point of contact for your child is their form tutor, and I will be working with the tutors to ensure that your child’s wellbeing and happiness remain our highest priority.
I look forward to seeing you on Wednesday 30th August, when we will be holding a Year 8 Parent Information Evening in the Globe Theatre at the Main Campus, starting at 6pm.
Kindest regards,
Mr J Lugg
Head of Year 8