HOPE CONNECT
a new and convenient way to connect the HOPE community
March 6, 2020
Important Dates
MARCH
9th - 20th ~ Read-a-Thon
10th - 11th ~ IGCSE ART Exam
13th ~ IGCSE ART Exam
APRIL
6th - 17th ~ No School - Khmer New Year
29th ~ PSAT 10 Testing (enrolled applicants only)
MAY
1st ~ No School - Labour Day
1st ~ IB Exams Begin
4th ~ IGCSE Exams Begin
8th ~ Year 5 Transition Day
14th - 15th ~ No School - King’s Birthday
22nd ~ IB Exams End
A message from our Parent Council Board Rep.
Blessed are those whose strength is in You, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. Psalm 84:5
We don’t know how long humans have been making pilgrimage but we do know that in the OT God establishes it for his people as part of their rhythms of worship. As early as the 1st century we know that believers in Jesus began making pilgrimages to Jerusalum. And in our more “modern” times - we have a seminal work of western literature that compares our Christian life to a pilgrimage. The allegory, John Bunyun’s The Pilgrim's Progress from This World to That Which is to Come, still continues to encourage and motivate believers over 400 years since it was first published.
The central character of the book is a pilgrim named Christian. Early in his journey he encounters the Hill of Difficulty. As he sets to climb it, he has a little poem he says to himself, to encourage himself and set his heart on the task ahead. The text clearly states that he SAID these words, but I like to imagine that he SANG them.
"The hill, though high, I covet to ascend;
The difficulty will not me offend,
For I perceive the way to life lies here.
Come, pluck up, heart, let's neither faint nor fear.
Better, though difficult, the right way to go,
Than wrong, though easy, where the end is woe."
Many of us are facing our own Hill of Difficulty. Perhaps you are struggling with the daily tension of parenting and ministry. Perhaps there are ailing parents or new babies in your home country that you long to embrace. Perhaps you are besieged with sadness and don’t know why. Or there are difficult decisions that need to be made and the way is not clear.
Thankfully, we do not journey alone. Even as we ascend our own Hills, we can still reach out to one another. Sometimes we need to “mourn with those who mourn”. Other times we can “encourage each other with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.”
And so dear friends, here is a song for the journey. It spoke to my sadness and lifted my spirits. I hope it does the same for you and I offer it as a gift to my fellow pilgrims here at HOPE.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8-N3kkw7O4 Pilgrim’s Song by The Gloaming
Melissa Mora
Notices
"Reading is my Secret Power" - Book WEEK
2nd - 6th March 2020
Beginning next week, Monday, March 9 through Friday, March 20, HOPE will be running our annual Read-a-Thon.
This year's Read-a-Thon has two goals: to promote the joy of reading and to raise money for an upgrade to Siem Reap’s playground equipment. As you can see, an update is long overdue. Please donate to this worthy cause. Here’s a link to the donations site:
justgiving.com/campaign/HopeRead-a-thon2020
Your child will receive a reading log on Monday where they can record the hours they have read. This activity will be enjoyed from PS to High School, grade-level instructions are included in the logs. Please encourage your student to participate.
Students will also be able to write book reviews that will help spread the love of good books. Each review earns House points. These extra House points may well alter the leader board, so get writing!
TEMPERATURE CHECK AT FRONT GATE
Please note that starting Monday 09 March 2020, we will commence conducting temperature checks on those entering the campus. If your child has a fever at or above 38ºC, we will contact you to make arrangements for them to return home.
We will be checking everyone including all adults and visitors and those who have 38ºC or higher will not be allowed to enter the campus. Those who come onto campus outside of the normal entry and exit hours will be checked at the front office.
Thank you for your continued support.
New Bus Guidelines
Please note that there have been some changes to our school bus guidelines.
Use the link below to access this document.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Frkh_XrGY2FaTXbp7Y_ZQMXW6WML5EB3/view?usp=sharing
We will also send an email to parents and the students who currently use the school bus service.
Bags to transport Chromebooks/Laptops at school
Students in Year's 9 - 12 may carry a shoulder bag to classes during the school day. It should be close to the dimensions of this (Look at the IMAGE)
This is for the safety of both the students and their devices. Backpacks are not OK as our classrooms do not have the space to accommodate them.
Bring your Headphones
Please bring your own earbuds or headphones to school if these are needed for use with your Chromebook/laptop.
February Nominated Employees
Cheryl Flight
Exemplifies strong servant leader qualities by listening and empathizing with staff, parents and students. Great encourager, gentle, transparent, dependable and gracious. She inspires and influences others through her character and honest feedback.
Vanry Thou
For her hard work, excellent hospitality, dependability, and for being a leading example for all cleaners. We are grateful for her years of service. Keep up the consistent quality of service and leadership.