Playtimes HK Magazine September 2017 Issue | Page 8

welcome
A
fter a mad half hour of everyone dashing around the house this morning, my children have finally left to
catch the school bus . It’s the first day back at school and I’m torn between feeling joy that I
may be able to tick off some of my “to do” list and sadness that I won’t get to spend so much
time with the kids . I’m sure I’m not the only parent feeling conflicted!
Settling back into a routine after such a long (and hopefully fabulous) holiday isn’t easy. The focus
in our house has switched from rest and relaxation, to reading and writing . Not an easy adjustment to make for
any of us. In this issue of Playtimes we ease you back into school life with a focus on learning . In Toy Box
we select toys that will have your child learning through play. In Bookshelf, there are titles that will help your kids back into
school life. For reluctant readers, we have an article by Ben Keeling, principal of Shrewsbury International, on how we can
make reading fun.
For those of you that are yet to embark on your child’s educational journey, we have the low down on what schools
primary school assessments , which will be coming up over the next few months.
If you’re still considering which school is the best fit for your child, you’re probably weighing up the variety of
curriculum on offer in Hong Kong. The International Baccalaureate, which celebrates its 50th anniversary
are trying to discover during
next year, has proved a popular choice in Hong Kong. Freya Paleit investigates what has made it so successful here, and
asks whether it’s the best
fit for your child.
With memories of summer still fresh in your mind, perhaps it’s time to turn your thoughts to the next trip.
We’ve got holiday inspiration courtesy of a Central Vietnam travel story – perhaps a cheeky break over October’s
mid-autumn festival?
I hope you enjoy this issue of Playtimes and it helps you settle back into Hong Kong life.
Until next month
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