2014-2015 YE

AR

BO

OK

ISL

AN

D C

HR

IST

IAN

AC

AD

EM

Y

01 Contents

02 Executive Director’s &

Principal’s Messages

03 CYMCA Chairman’s Message

04-05 Whole School Photo

06 School Staff Team

07 Learning Support Services

08-15 Year 1

16-23 Year 2

24-29 Year 3

30-33 Year 4

34-35 Year 5

36 Life at Island CA

37 Year 1 Group

38 Year 2 Group

39 Year 3 Group

40 Year 4 Group

41 Year 5 Group

42-43 PE

44-45 Mandarin

46-47 Music

48-49 Library

50 Dad’s Date

51 Christmas Fair

52 Chinese New Year Fair

53 Sports Day

54 Science & Technology Week

55 Mum’s Date

56 Taste of Culture

57-61 Christmas Production

62-63 Extra-Curricular Activities

64 PTA

65 Signatures

MS GAIL MAIDMENTExecutive Director of Generations Christian Education

Message from The Executive Director Message from The Chairman

Message from The Principal

learning environment.The school environment is full of

vibrant colours with examples of Loving for Today, Learning for Tomorrow and Living for Eternity - our organisation motto! We are so thankful for the growth in community, with all the wonderful events that have occurred during the year - especially with all the parent support.

We are so thankful for the way the children are growing holistically. It is a joy to hear about all the new areas of learning they love to share, and see individual character qualities developing in the children.

We are also so thankful for the way the CYMCA and Generations partner together to see Island Christian Academy continue to grow and flourish, as this school community continues be a wonderful example of God’s love for each child and family, and those who visit.

From the Generations Office on the 7th Floor we see a line of trees in the historic Rozario Lane behind the school. These trees were just saplings when we first started the school.

As the school year starts, the trees change to autumn colours, then to bare branches in the winter, to brilliant yellow flowers in the spring, then from light green to dark green as the summer approaches. Over these last three years as the seasons have passed these trees have grown in height and are now providing shade and shelter to the birds.

Reflecting on Island Christian Academy, it is a delight to see how the school is growing in so many ways during the seasons of this past year.

We are so thankful for Mrs Middleton’s leadership over this past year and the way the staff team has grown together, providing an enriching

others” (Mk 10:45).Our continued prayer and expectation

is that the students of Island Christian Academy will have the opportunity to develop in each facet — spirit, mind and body — during their years of learning at the school. By doing so, we know that when they graduate they will enter society with a heart that wants to serve the community. The Chinese YMCA is an organisation with more than 45 service

units in Hong Kong; we are part of an international organisation represented with member groups in 120 nations. This year the Chinese YMCA facility across the road was used for swimming and hosted some afterschool activities. The CYMCA Uniform group that practises marching is now using the school’s playground on Saturdays.

Many visitors from throughout Asia have enjoyed tours of the school’s

As we complete our third year at Island Christian Academy, we continue to praise the Lord for His abundant grace and provision at the school. As the collaboration of our two organisations (The Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong and Generations Christian Education) continues to consolidate, our mutual vision for education and desired outcomes is blooming. We are very proud to see the accomplishments made by the Island Christian Academy community in the past three years.

The Chinese YMCA was founded in 1901, and not many years later we built the historically significant building across the road from the school. Back in 1908 the Chinese YMCA commenced education ministries, so our involvement and investment in Island Christian Academy is not at all out of character for us. We are committed to the belief that children need to grow in spirit, mind and body. Our motto is “To Serve, Not to Be Served”. This reminds us of the mission of Jesus, who “did not come to be served. Instead, he came to serve

facilities, capturing our dreams for Christian Education. Members of Generations and Chinese YMCA work together and contribute to the council and senior management of Island CA at regular meetings where we enjoy receiving accounts of student learning experiences and successes. Our school staff and student body is made up of people of differing cultural heritages and ethnicities, as is the YMCA ministry.

I want to acknowledge Mrs Middleton and her staff team for the excellent delivery of high quality whole-child learning at the school. It is always a joy to hear and see the ongoing

accomplishments of the children, especially the way children are growing in character. My expectations for Island Christian Academy are very high; touching on our destiny to serve God within this historically and spiritually significant landscape. I pray for the continued success at the school on behalf of all colleagues in the School Management Committee. God bless our growing community.

DR. ALVIN CHANChairman of School ManagementCommittee and Board Member of the Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong

MRS DEBBIE MIDDLETONPrincipal of Island Christian Academy

of this yearbook and reflect on Island CA’s 2014/ 15 year, you will see that there has been an abundance of all these ingredients.

Some ‘firsts’ include: (a) a very professional school production held in a converted cinema, where children performed on stage under show lights; (b) for year 5s, a three day, two night camp at Poi O with the year 5 and 6 Norwegian International School students; (c ) The ‘Science and Technology’ week, in which there were lots of team problem-solving challenges, hands-on science investigations, and fair tests; (d) expanding the Physical Education facilities through our access to the CYMCA swimming pool and Blake Garden’s basketball and soccer grounds.

Congratulations to Island Christian Academy community — students, staff and parents — on a great year.

It is truly a privilege to be Principal of Island Christian Academy. This is a great, growing community with an empowering culture. Our happy, talented students and supportive parents, together with the solid base of our dedicated staff, all contribute to making Island CA an energising place to be.

Like all school years, the year 2014/15 has been a big one. This year the school motto was made easier for everyone to remember; the winning front cover with ‘Love, Learn, Live’ is a reminder of this. I like the way the winning back cover shows hot-air balloons. Imagine you are in a hot-air balloon, hovering over the landscape, getting a ‘bird’s eye’ view of the school environment over the past year. Students thrive in a learning environment where there are a shared vision, meaningful contexts, teamwork, joy, love and fun. As you turn the pages

32

CommUNITY - Unity in Diversity

54

School Staff Team

6

We have been really privileged, as co-

chairs of this year’s Parent Teacher

Association, to be working with such

an enthusiastic and supportive group of

parents. This has been the PTA’s first full

year of operation where all the executive

positions have been filled and we have

been able to formalize many policies and

procedures as well as implement the Air

Purifier Fund to provide air purifiers for

each classroom. Our strong sense of

community and school spirit are things

that really set us apart from other schools.

It has been wonderful to see the students

enjoying themselves at the various events

including the Christmas Fair and the Taste

of Culture and we are grateful to the entire

school community for making it possible.

Vania Cheng & Simone Matrundola

What an amazing year it’s been watching the Year 3 students learn and grow together! From building marble runs to designing restaurant menus to visiting Crossroads and sampling their delicious fair trade chocolate, it has been a joy to participate in their learning journeys. I can’t wait to see what the next year will bring!

Valerie Cheung Koo

Island Christian Academy is a community that truly embodies its motto-- loving for today, learning for tomorrow and living for eternity. We saw learning literally come to life as our children presented their biographical presentations at the Year 4 “Meet Your Hero” Day. Not only did our children learn about significant people who have made a difference, they learned the life lesson that regardless of their age or size, they can make a difference! A big thank you to all the teachers and staff of Island Christian Academy for your commitment to investing in our children-- you are our heroes-- and you are making a big difference in the leaders of the next generation.

Esther & Paul Chung

Island Christian Academy70 Bridges Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong

www.islandca.edu.hk