Our Vision and Mission
“Encouraging young minds to be big thinkers.”
At Abacus we provide a safe and nurturing setting where everyone
is encouraged to be unique, respectful and reach their full
potential.
Our exciting play based curriculum provides children with the
opportunity to take risks, inquire and be creative. We provide an
individualised programme that develops attitudes and skills. We
encourage children to be independent and work together to
become lifelong learners.
We teach children about their responsibilities to the community
and the importance of caring for their environment, its inhabitants
and resources.
Staffing
 Principal – Frances Hurley
 PYP Coordinator – Flora Winter
 6 Class Teachers – 1st Language English Speakers or Chinese




Speakers – All hold Teaching qualification
2 Part Time Chinese Teachers
6 Educational Assistants – Many of which hold a local
teaching qualification
2 Office Staff –
3 Cleaning Staff and Mr Wu our Gardener
Life for your child at Abacus
 Session times are 8.30-11.30am and 12.30-3.30pm
 Indoor class time, snack time and outdoor play.
 Teacher /EA directed learning, structured play and child
chosen play activities.
Life for your child at Abacus
 Play based using inquiry and designed to develop a range of
concepts and skills.
 We have a no homework and no
Worksheet philosophy, however we do
send home reading books and ideas for
play activities you can do with your child
each week.
 Class names – chosen by the children.
IBO Primary Years Programme
 Continuity to ESF Primary and other International
Schools
 Support from CWBS and we have ESF Kindergarten
Advisor
 Teachers and EAs have all received training
 Authorised in May 2013
Personal and Social
Physical Development
Languages Arts
Chinese
Science and Technology
Mathematics
Social Studies
Bilingual Program
 Began August 2013
 1 x Chinese Teacher and 1 x English Teacher + 1
Educational Assistant in K1 – Extra Cost $1000
 Both teachers responsible for carpet sessions and
focus activities – delivering them in their own
language
 Takes 5-7 years to become fluent – this is an
introduction to lay the foundations
 Parental Support and Homework
Outside at Abacus
 Outside time is planned to maximise learning
time.
 Microgardens - Plants and animal life.
 Develop Physical and Problem Solving and Communication
Skills.
Nature and Natural Materials
K1 overview
Who We Are
How We Express
Ourselves
How We Organise
Ourselves
Playing and
Learning
The Arts
By asking questions
and testing ideas
people come to new
understandings about
the world.
Through the arts people Food comes from many
can use a range of
places and goes
mediums to express
through many changes.
their ideas.
Humans develop
transport to meet their
needs.

● The ways in which

people express
themselves

● How different
mediums are used in
the arts
● How people respond 
to the arts



the ways in which we
can come to new
understandings by
reflecting on our
wonderings
the ways in which
people take
responsibility for
choices in their
learning
the cultures people
belong to
Food
How the World
Works
Where food comes
from
The ways in which
humans can use
science to manage
food waste
How common
substances interact
when they are
mixed
Transport


The Simple
scientific principles
of how vehicles
work
Why humans use
transport
The ways in which
vehicles have
changed to meet
our needs
Events
Trips – Fair – Sports Day – Arts Day – Christmas Carols –
Chinese New Year Celebration
Differentiation and Inclusion
 Catering for the needs of all children.
 Programmes are differentiated for different skill levels.
 We include children with special needs. Providing children
with diverse needs with the support they need is part of our
inclusion philosophy.
Health Screenings
 Voluntary – Paid for by parents
 Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language, Hearing and
Vision
Assessment, Portfolios and
Reporting
Teachers Track Children’s Progress in order to:
Plan and teach activities for individual needs of children
Report to parents and arrange support where necessary
Review their teaching and whole class needs
Ongoing informal assessment – Portfolios and Gateway
Assessments
Regular reporting to parents:
•Term 1 K1– Parents Evening and Report
•Mid K1 – Parents Evening
•End K1 – Report and Voluntary Parent Meeting
Partnership with Parents
 Weekly information about the curriculum goes home.
 Newsletters
 Parent volunteers welcome either regularly or for
special occasions.
 Communication encouraged via email, or phone to
discuss concerns.
 Diaries.
 Abacus Parents Group
 Class Reps
Year 1 Primary
Most of our children go on to Clearwater Bay School,
Renaissance College or other ESF Schools
More also attending - HK Academy, Kellett in recent years.
All children must go through an interview to gain entrance to
ESF Primary. The interview is based on English Language
ability. No priority for interview this year.
Play Visit
 Parent and Child spend time in a class playing.
 For you to see the activities we offer and meet the
teachers.
 To screen for SEN to ensure correct provision in place
and we can meet the needs of every child.
 To ensure appropriate language development in first
language as declared on application form.
No assessment of reading / writing / number skills
Play Date – Follow Up
One of Several Outcomes
 Offered a Place.
 Offered a place pending a speech and language
assessment.
 Asked to Return for a follow up meeting to assess
needs of your child in more detail.
 Remain on the waiting list until a place is available.
QUESTIONS
 Time to ask questions.
 Thank you for choosing ESF
international kindergarten.