General Procedures
Policies
Peak School Home Learning Policy
The English Schools Foundation operates a zoning policy and an application for admission should be made initially to the school serving the child's residential area. Current zone arrangements for ESF schools can be found in the ESF Folder, obtainable from the Peak School Office. As the medium of instruction in the Foundation schools is English, applicants will be expected to possess sufficient facility with this language to enable them to benefit from the curriculum offered. Initial applications for children to enter Year 1 classes should be made in the calendar year the child becomes 4. Please contact the school office to ensure that you receive an application form at the correct time.
Car Parking
Though car parking near to school is very limited, please do not use the staff car park during the school day. You are also reminded that the 'D' turn-round area near to the main school entrance may only be used for parking between 9.00 and 1 .30. It is vital that at other times, and especially at the beginning and the end of the school day, it is kept clear to enable picking up or dropping off to proceed normally.
Limited longer-term car parking is available near to the junction of Plunkett's Road and Plantation Road.
Change of Address
It is of vital importance that the school is made aware of any change of address, telephone or fax number (home or office). Failure to inform school could lead to delays at times of emergency.
Decorative Jewellery
Decorative jewellery should not be worn in school. Children who have had their ears pierced may wear plain ear-rings of the stud type. Parents of children who are required to wear particular items for religious reasons should make this known to the school Principal.
Equipment
Stationery is provided by the school in Years 1,2 and 3 . Students in Years 4, 5 and 6 will be expected to provide their own stationery. As follows :-
Pencils (HB and 2B)
Eraser
Coloured pencils
Pencil case
Pencil sharpener
30cm clear plastic ruler
Calculator
Fire Drill
The school makes arrangements for Fire Drills to be practised on a regular basis.
Head Lice
Unfortunately, head lice are a perennial problem in all schools, particularly so in our sub-tropical climate. The school nurse carries out regular head checks in school. However, the best prevention is regular checking at home followed, where necessary, by speedy treatment with an appropriate product. Until such treatment has been effective, you are asked to keep your child at home.
Holidays in School time
We understand that, very occasionally, it may become necessary for children to be withdrawn from school to holiday with parents. We strongly urge you to consider the detrimental effect that any such regular absences may have on your child's education.
Homework
At the Peak School we consider homework to be an integral part of the school's programme. We believe that as well as its short-term benefits, the routine and organisation of homework makes a valuable contribution to a child's long-term commitment to learning. However, we do feel that too much homework or too narrow a focus for the work, can be counter-productive, especially for the primary-aged child. Therefore, much of the homework we set is closely related to the child's current classroom experiences.
Illness
At Home
Please notify us as soon as possible should your child be unable to attend school due to illness. It is particularly important to notify us of any illness that may be infectious or contagious.
At School
If your child becomes ill or is hurt at school, the school nurse will decide whether the incident is serious enough to warrant contacting you so that you may collect your child. If neither you nor others named on your contact list are available, then the school, acting in loco parentis, will make the best arrangements possible to ensure your child receives appropriate treatment. The school will, or course, always refer initially to your child's medical form to take note of your stated preferences regarding hospitals or doctors to be used.
Medication
ALL medication required to be taken in school MUST be lodged with the school nurse, together with clear written instructions as to dosage. The school nurse may be contacted directly by telephone on 2849-7873.
Lost Property
Lost property that is named correctly is quickly returned to children. Un-named lost property is placed in the 'Lost Property' cupboard located on the ground floor corridor. Long-stay unclaimed items which are un-named are offered for sale at the end of each term.
Please help us to help you by ensuring that all kit and clothing is clearly named.
Newsletters and Information
Communication between home and school is vitally important. Our full newsletter 'Peak View' is sent out on alternate weeks. In line with our commitment to caring for the environment our newsletters are sent electronically. If you are unable to access letters online please let us know. An information letter is posted to all school families prior to the commencement of the school year. In addition, a calendar list of important dates for you to note in your diary is distributed every term.
Parents out of Hong Kong
If both parents are planning to be out of Hong Kong, it is essential that the school is informed and provided with details of your child's guardian's address and telephone number.
School Buses
The school bus service is organised by the Parent Teacher Association (PTA). Please contact the PTA Office, telephone 2849 8376, should you require further information.
Parents of children who normally travel home on the school bus should inform the PTA Bus Coordinator if alternative plans have been made and their child will not be travelling on the bus for any reason .
School Fees
School fees are not payable directly to the school but should be paid to the ESF office.
School Hours
Children should arrive at school from 8.15am and assemble in the lower playground. School starts at 8.30am and ends at 3pm.
School Lunch
School lunches are not provided and therefore it is necessary for children to be provided with a packed lunch to be eaten in class at the start of the lunch break period. Lunch eating is supervised by class teachers. Children may also bring a small snack to be eaten during the mid-morning break. It is important in Hong Kong that children are provided with sufficient to drink during the course of the day. The school has cooled-water fountains but most bring their own drinks to school. We discourage drinks which contain a high level of artificial flavourings. Please ensure that drinks are not sent in glass containers and that morning snack is packaged separately from lunch boxes. We are committed to ‘Healthy eating’ at Peak School and encourage you to provide a healthy balanced snack and lunch for your child.
School Places
The demand for places at The Peak is high and there are often waiting lists for classes. Please help us to help others by giving as early notification as possible should your family be leaving Hong Kong.
School Reports
A school report is issued and posted to you towards the end of the school year. This will be an account of your child's work and progress throughout the year. This is, of course, only one aspect of the school's reporting procedure; as previously indicated regular parent/teacher interviews are the basis for the important dialogue concerning your child's progress.
School Uniform
The Peak School, in common with other ESF schools, has a strong uniform policy. Children should be dressed in appropriate uniform each school day. Uniform can be purchased from school shop and order forms are available from our PTA Administrator at the school office.
School Year
The academic year usually starts in August and runs through until the end of June in the following year. Holidays during the school year include a week-long half term holiday in October/November, one week at Chinese New Year and two weeks at Christmas and Easter. There are also occasional Public Holiday dates throughout the year. Please note that school closes at 12:00 noon on the last day of each full term. Term dates are sent out in school newsletters and can also be found on the website calendar here.
Bad Weather Procedure
Bad weather procedures can be found here.