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Physical Education
The HKIS Upper Primary Physical Education Department believes students will apply their knowledge and skills to confidently engage in a diverse range of physical activities appropriate to their needs. It is important for students to demonstrate the attributes of good sportsmanship; To courageously participate. To maintain fair play and the integrity of the game regardless of the outcome; to lose or win with grace, poise, and dignity; ensuring teammates, opponents, officials, and spectators are respected, physically and emotionally safe, and encouraged to be their best. Our goal is for students to achieve and maintain a health-enhancing level of physical activity. Through the use of Moderate-Vigorous Physical Activity Recorders (MVPAs) students are given the opportunity to track their own physical activity, allowing them to monitor their personal fitness levels.
The HKIS Upper Primary Physical Education Department aligns itself with SHAPE America and the SHAPE Standards. “SHAPE America's National Standards & Grade-Level Outcomes for K-12 Physical Education define what a student should know and be able to do as a result of a highly effective physical education program.” www.shapeamerica.org
The HKIS Upper Primary Physical Education Department’s facilities include a Multi-Purpose room on the 6th floor, a full-court gymnasium on the 1st floor; all facilities are supported with ample equipment. Upper Primary students participate in Physical Education classes two times per 6-day cycle.
Aquatics
At HKIS we believe in developmentally appropriate swimming opportunities for all students, from beginners to advanced swimmers. All Upper Primary students will take part in a Learn To Swim program during scheduled swimming lessons at some point of the school year, at the Primary School pool. Swim lessons and a variety of aquatics activities are differentiated for level and ability, thus ensuring students experience success, enjoyment, improvement of their skills, and development of their knowledge and understanding of water safety concepts. By providing such learning opportunities, students are encouraged to pursue lifelong fitness and enjoyment.
The objectives of Learn-to-Swim courses are to teach children to be safe in, on and around the water and to swim well. Aquatic and personal water safety skills are taught in a logical progression through six levels. By the end of Level 6, participants have developed the necessary skills and fitness levels for entrance into advanced courses, such as Artistic swimming, synchronized swimming, Water Polo or other aquatic activities. Information about the programs,levels and expectations for each are available on the HKIS Aquatics webpage at https://www.hkis.edu.hk/ learning/upper-primary-school/teaching-and-learning/ specialist-subjects/aquatics-curricular.
The indoor, heated, 25-meter state-of-the-art pool has been built as part of the Primary campus to offer students opportunities to swim and learn how to be safe in, on and around the water. The depth and water temperature of the pool are adjusted for the needs of young learners.
All students are required to bring swimming gear including a swimsuit, goggles, towel, flip-flops or crocs (optional). HKISswim cap is a must for all swimmers. Swim caps can be bought at the Dragon Shop. Your child’s name must be written clearly on the front of the cap. Knowing the names of students will significantly improve communication between instructors and swimmers and, as a result, the learning experience and outcome. All items including the swim bag must be labeled and include the child’s full name and homeroom. All students change in the pool changing rooms. Shower cabins,toilets, lockers and hair dryers are available. The swimming lessons are scheduled on their PE days and follow the PE schedule for most of the time.
“No Swim” Policy
If a student is well enough to attend school, then they are expected to take part in aquatics. In the event your child is unable to swim due to a medical condition, a note by a qualified physician must be provided.
An email including the medical note must be received by both the classroom teacher and the Aquatics Department at aquatics@hkis.edu.hk by the start of the school day. The email must include the student’s full name, grade, homeroom and a copy of the medical note attached. If communication has not been received prior to the start of the school day, it will be assumed your child is fit to swim and will be expected to do so, and without modification.
If a student is recovering from injury or experiencing their menstrual cycle, notify the Aquatics Department by email at aquatics@hkis.edu.hk by the start of the school day. In this case, swim lessons can be modified to enable partial participation. It is not necessary to notify the homeroom teacher in such cases.
Visual Arts
At HKIS, we firmly believe that visual arts encompass much more than a mere subject; they represent a way of life and a universal language that nurtures the growth of the mind, body, and spirit. Art has the remarkable ability to challenge our perceptions, uplift and entertain us, and enrich our emotional and spiritual well-being. It serves as a powerful conduit for personal, social, and cultural expression. By embracing the visual arts, individuals and groups can create ideas and images that reflect, communicate, and transform their perspectives of the world, offering a unique "way of knowing."
We have implemented the National Core Art Standards, focusing on three key strands: Creating, Connecting, and Responding. We place great emphasis on building creative confidence in our students and ensuring their success throughout their artistic journey. In the Upper Primary years, students will continue to develop and expand their artistic skills and techniques, using a wide range of tools and materials to create both two- dimensional and three-dimensional artworks. At the heart of the visual arts lies the practice of observation – how we perceive the world around us and how we translate those observations into ideas, artistic processes, and ultimately, art forms. This process is driven by inquiry and exploration.
We prioritize establishing connections with the world around us and integrating with other disciplines to enhance students' understanding and knowledge across various key learning areas through an artistic lens. Students are encouraged to adopt a design thinking approach and foster a growth mindset. Through the curriculum strands, students will develop valuable skills such as curiosity, creativity, critical thinking, problem- solving, reflection, communication, and collaboration. These skills not only enrich learning in other subjects but also contribute to their experiences beyond the school environment.
We have two magnificent art studios that students will visit twice per 6-day cycle to learn and grow a strong foundation and appreciation of the arts. We have an open-door policy where students are able to visit out of class time to explore their own artistic passions or enjoy a quiet creative moment in a safe space.
General Music
At HKIS, our general music program develops the skills, knowledge and habits of musicianship crucial to becoming a contributing member of a musical ensemble, as well as building character through encouraging growth in creativity, resilience, and collaboration.
Our content standards (National Core Arts Standards) are broken up into the four categories of Creating, Performing, Responding, and Connecting. To bring these standards of life, we employ the Orff and Kodaly methodologies, emphasizing imitation, exploration, improvisation, and musical literacy.
Each lesson includes a variety of activities such as singing, creative movement, playing instruments, active listening, composing, improvising, and playing musical games. Each grade level will present one concert a year to the HKIS community.
Our general music rooms are located on the first floor of the upper primary, in room 101/102 which students visit twice per 6-day cycle.