australian international school hong kong
Increase Your Joy by Giving it Away Learn about one of the newest ECA clubs at AISHK for volunteer enthusiasts.
FASHION SHOW Check out photo highlights of the Seams of a New Era Fashion Show (SEAMS) 2014
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Chartwells Healthy INITIATIVES
Students now enjoy healthier meals and snacks at school
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KINGS OF THE TURF
Get to know two AISHK parents who are among the who’s who of Hong Kong’s high profile horse racing scene.
Pg 28
Oct 2014 | Volume 15
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SEAMS
Making
WAVES
AISHK swim team on a mission to be the best in Hong Kong
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Message from The
Heads of School
T
his edition of the Lion Rock magazine encapsulates Terms 2 and 3 2014 and it provides a glimpse into the remarkable lives of the students in our school. As well as highlighting the many and varied talents of our students, it also emphasises the breadth of learning opportunities that are available at AISHK. It never ceases to surprise us how enthusiastically our students take every opportunity to challenge themselves and strive to achieve personal bests in whatever activities that may be on offer. In the year of Celebrating Identity
“It never ceases to surprise us how enthusiastically our students take every opportunity to challenge themselves.” and Diversity, where we embrace difference and celebrate achievement we are very proud to present this chronicle of life at AISHK.
Leonie Drew and Phillip Waugh Co Heads of School
Australian International School Foundation Limited – A Non-Profit Organisation Board Members Mr Tom Corkhill Board Chairman
Mr Ian Whitton
Mr Stephen Yap
Mr David Christmas
Governor
Alternate Subscriber and Ex-Officio Governor Rep. Australian Chinese Association of Hong Kong
Business Administrator
Mr Cliff Sun BBS, JP
Vice Board Chairman
Subscriber and Ex-Officio Governor Rep. the Australian Chinese Association Hong Kong
Dr Dan Hooley
Mr Ian Carroll
Ms Julianne Doe
Mr Cameron Reed
School Leadership Team
Mr Howard West
Subscriber and Ex-Officio Governor Rep. Federation of Australian Alumni Association
Mrs Leonie Drew
Assistant Principal Secondary Student Services & Administration
Ms Carolyn Bickerton
Mr Phillip Waugh
Subscriber and Ex-Officio Governor Rep. Australian Association of Hong Kong
Principal Secondary Co Head of School
Subscriber and Ex-Officio Governor Rep. AISHK Parent Association
Professor Richard Petty
Mr David Chan
Dr Joseph Lee SBS, JP Governor
Mr Andrew Macintosh Governor
Assistant Principal Primary Student Services & Administration
Subscriber and Ex-Officio Governor Rep. Australian Consulate Hong Kong
School Supervisor, Immediate Past Chairman and Governor
Governor
Ms Janaline Oh
Mr David Shirley
Principal Primary Co Head of School
Dean of Studies (Primary)
Mr Chris McCorkell Dean of Studies (Secondary)
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Contents 55
12 44
18
14
01
MESSAGE FROM HEADS OF THE SCHOOL
18
VALEDICTORY DINNER AND ASSEMBLY
05
UPCOMING EVENTS
20
FLIGHT CENTRE: MY TRIP TO YAO NOI
06 NEWS
22
CHARTWELLS INTRODUCES HEALTHY INITIATIVES
08
CLICK: STUDENT PHOTOGRAPHS
24
Q&A WITH AISHK STUDENTS
10
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
26
AISHK IN ACTION
12 FEATURE: AISHK YES CLUB
28 FEATURE: KINGS OF THE TURF
14
CHINESE WEEK
31
STUDENT PROFILE
16
BOOK WEEK
32
MAKING WAVES
AUSTRALIAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL HONG KONG
EDITOR’S NOTE AISHK is defined by its warm and welcoming environment, and it’s always amazing to witness the ‘cando’ attitude of our students. This issue features some of the many activities that are run or supported by students - from sending paper cranes to Japan as a peace project to organising a club that does different volunteer work each week. On another note, congratulations to our 2014 Year 12 cohort! I look forward to hearing many achievements and best wishes for your upcoming exams. Don't forget the 'Ebeneezer's Fridays' at AISHK!
32 38
SPORTS NEWS
40
PERFORMING ARTS
44
PRIMARY FEATURES
47
SOCIAL MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS
48
SECONDARY FEATURES
50
ALUMNI NEWS
53 COMMUNITY 54
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS: SEAMS
CONTRIBUTORS Emily Archibald Primrose Armstrong Gordon Chen Melvin Choi Ms Narelle Cridland Madeleine Dudman Mr Alex Gibbs Sienna Gray Ms Amy Hii Boyle Kir Emily Kwok Geraldine Le Jack Lee Audrey Ling Joshua Lui Saskia Macdonald Ashvin Malkani Madeleine Meehan Mr Francis O’Grady Mr Alasdair Ong Ryan Phillips Olivia Ruskin Ms Shannon Ruskin Danielle Shaw Bryan Tang Ms Helen Thorn Mr Graeme Tyler Claire Willemse Ms Kristy Williams Claudia Wong Calvin Xia Hayden Young PRODUCED BY THE DEVELOPMENT OFFICE COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER Ms Rochelle Riva Bargo MARKETING OFFICER Mr Alasdair Ong FEEDBACK AND SUBMISSIONS TO development@aishk.edu.hk
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Upcomingevents @AISHK
AISHK School Fair
ACAMIS Golf at
THIMUN
Shekou International School
Singapore
12-14
18-21
20-22
27-29
Mind Your Brain
ACAMIS Rugby and Netball at
SDRC Touch at
AISHK
Nov
Nov
Nov
Nov
British International School of Shanghai
Christmas Carols Evening AISHK Field
Dec
4-5
American International School of Guangzhou
9
Dec
8
AISHK Auditorium
Alumni Soccer, Volleyball and BBQ
AISHK Field and the Green Roof
Dec
10
Dec
School Mufti Day AISHK
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news
ANZAC Day Memorial Service at AISHK Vice Admiral Ray Griggs joins AISHK in commemorating ANZAC Day this year. ANZAC Day is an important day for all students, staff and members of our community. This year, AISHK was honoured to have Vice Admiral Ray Griggs, Chief of the Royal Australian Navy, join our students and the school community in commemorating this important event. “While Gallipoli is often the focus today, we must guard against thinking that today is all about Gallipoli,” said Vice Admiral Griggs. “It’s a day of great sadness and yet one of justifiable pride, pride in the courage and sacrifice that hundreds and thousands of ordinary men and women have made over more than a century in the service of our countries.” Complementing the dawn service organised by the Australian and New Zealand Consulates, the School commemorated ANZAC day with a school assembly and laid wreaths at the ANZAC Memorial on campus. “ANZAC Day leads us to look back with some pride at our shared history and at the sacrifice and courage of those who have gone before us,” said Vice Admiral Griggs. The ANZAC Memorial on campus is one of the defining features of the School. Donated in 2002 by the Australian and New Zealand Consulate Generals, it is a proud reminder of our school’s Australian roots and is a great source of pride to our school and community. Remarking about the monument, Vice Admiral Griggs said “AISHK is lucky to have one and even luckier to have such a beautiful one. One that represents part of our heritage and history.” Vice-Admiral Ray Griggs’ speech can be viewed on our AISHKTV Youtube Channel at www.youtube.com/AISHKTV.
AISHK Uniform Drive for Orphanages and Schools in Cambodia and India With the introduction of the School’s new uniform design, Year 12 students have organised a student-run uniform donation initiative to collect disused uniforms and donate them to the Orphans and Disadvantaged Association in Siem Reap, Cambodia and the Divya Prem Sewa Mission and Snow Leopard Adventures in New Delhi, India. The uniform drive promotes the importance of recycling for the environment as well as providing uniforms to students in both Cambodia and India who at present do not have any. PAGE
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AISHK has teamed up with Friends of the Earth, who have provided two clothing recycling bins located adjacent to the security guard booths at the school’s entrance. Students and families have started donating uniforms at the beginning of Term 3 and will continue contributing to the uniform drive until the end of Term 4. We wish to thank our corporate supporters including Toll Global Forwarding, National Australia Bank, CPA Australia and Wofoo Foundation, who have offered financial assistance to transport the donated uniforms to Cambodia and India.
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Parent Focus Group Sessions AISHK holds its first series of Parent Focus Group sessions The first series of Parent Focus Group sessions took place earlier in Term 3, with conversations focusing on the school’s establishment, educational enhancement, our financial position, the need to fundraise to achieve goals, and various fundraising methods. These focus group sessions provided an opportunity for a candid question and answer on the topic of the school’s development with our Co Heads of School, Mrs Leonie Drew and Mr Phillip Waugh. The sessions were a highly valuable exercise that allowed the school to gather information, perceptions and experiences through discussion. At the same time, parents left with a greater understanding of the School’s background and some of the considerations that affect decision making. During all Parent Focus Group sessions, we received an array of valuable feedback, both positive and constructive. One of the recurring suggestions we received was to collect and share testimonials from our current parents. As such, we will begin displaying testimonials from parents in different sections of our school website, which will be valuable to both parents of AISHK students and to prospective parents who may be looking for schools. The School will continue to hold more focus group discussions in the near future and hopes to have continuous involvement from all parents.
Some of the topics discussed at all sessions: • Non-profit status • Debts and loans • Capital fundraising results • Additional revenue streams • Competition and positioning • Expansion • Leadership changes • Recruiting and retaining teachers • Major community events • Communication • Performing Arts and backstage • Corporate engagement • Technology
Year 2 to Year 6 Students Commemorate Mo, Evie and Otis Maslin A group of Year 2 to Year 6 students who were close to the Maslin children gathered at the Green Roof and planted flowers and seeds in memory of Mo, Evie and Otis Maslin. Year 6 students painted a timber planter box gold while talking about some of their memorable
times with Mo, while Year 2 to Year 6 students planted some flowers and seeds. There were a few tears here and there, but all had an opportunity to express themselves with the support of their teachers and Mrs Waugh, one of our school counsellors. The school community also prepared a condolence book and a Memories Scrapbook for Rin and Anthony Maslin, parents of Mo, Evie and Otis. Coordinated by Veronica Monaci, an AISHK parent, the scrapbook includes precious memories that our students had with the Maslin children whilst they were living in Hong Kong.
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A Holiday Destination
to Remember
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Inspired by one of Australia’s most revered photographs Max Dupain (1911-1992), Year 6 students responded by portraying their holiday destination using the genres of landscape, portraiture, still life and architecture. Within these genres, students considered composition, light, line, shape and colour to generate a photograph depicting ‘A Holiday Destination to Remember’. (From top left to bottom right) Sienna Gray 6B; Hayden Young 6W; Saskia Macdonald 6A; Emily Kwok 6A; Ryan Phillips 6B; Olivia Ruskin 6A; Gordon Chen 6A; Ashvin Malkani 6R; Madeleine Dudman 6B; Joshua Lui 6B; Madeleine Meehan 6B; Primrose Armstrong 6W
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Student Spotlight Texas Nixon-Kain, Year 9E Texas was awarded a Distinction in both Grade 7 Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) and Intermediate Vocational RAD. She also received a Highly Commended Plus for Pre-Intermediate ADAPT Jazz after participating in several dance exams earlier this year in which she presented a series of exercises, dance routines, impromptu combinations and theory questions. Texas has been accepted into the Ballet stream at McDonald College, a highly regarded performing arts school in Sydney, where she will be working towards a ballet career in 2015.
Joyce Lui, Year 11J
Marsha Lui, Year 11W Joyce spent two weeks of her summer holiday experiencing life as a student at the University of Oxford in England. She resided in St Catherine’s College and studied English Literature, Chemistry and took part in a Global Issues workshop. Given Joyce’s active involvement in MUN, she plans to study Law in the future. Upon Joyce's return, she continued her summer couse with Oxford University at St Anne's College, where she studied first year university content led by Oxford instructors.
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Marsha is the youngest member of the Entrepreneurs Club Hong Kong and has been volunteering at E-Club events since last year. With her strong management skills and ability to be a team player, Ms Lizette Smook, President of the Entrepreneurs Club Hong Kong, says that Marsha ‘is destined for top management going forward’.
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Jade Ohlson, Year 3K
Catherine Murphy, Year 10E
Tiffany Nung, Year 11W
Taking Latin dance classes in Aberdeen for over four years, Jade has competed in several dance competitions and recently placed first in the Rumba and Tango and second in Cha-Cha categories against older students. She looks forward to competing with some of the best young Hong Kong dancers in her next competition.
After growing her hair for three years, Catherine donated 13 inches of her hair to a charity called Children with Hair Loss in July. With thousands of children losing hair due to medical conditions such as alopecia, cancer and burns each year, Catherine says that it has been one of the most rewarding experiences of her life.
Tiffany started dancing at the age of three and participated in the Hong Kong All High-Schooler’s Battle for the first time this year. She battled her way through to the Top 16 amongst 50 other competitors and gained a memorable experience that has pushed her to improve and follow her passion in dancing.
Gabriella Lee, Year 9H
Alea Coutinho, Reception P
Valerie Leung, Reception P
Gabriella Lee has been selected to compete in the U14 and U16 Asian Football Conference Championships in April and October this year. Gabriella aligns her talent to a fantastic attitude and work ethic, and she will be playing for the Hong Kong squad in the U19 Asian Football Conference Championship in Malaysia this November.
Alea takes ice skating lessons after school. She loves racing with her friends and putting on a show for her mum by jumping and twirling, showing off all her special skills. She is able to skate forward, backward and balance on one leg.
Learning taekwondo since she was three years old, Valerie is a yellow belt with green stripe holder in taekwondo. She placed third in the ‘Speeding’ category at a competition held by the Hong Kong Youth Taekwondo Association and learned a lot of new techniques from the competition.
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AISHK YES CLUB
“W
hile the world was asleep, she put on her cat costume and prowled the alleyways by moonlight,” says Vernice Chan, a Year 11 student, as she reads a children’s book to a group of young students. While others talked about holiday plans towards the end of Term 3, Vernice along with 20 other students quickly arranged themselves together after school every Tuesday and took the minibus to Lok Sin Tong Primary School, a local primary school in Kowloon City. Each time they stepped into one of the school’s classrooms, faces of a group of young students lit up as they ran to the bookshelf. “They’re here, they’re here! It’s time to read!” the young students screamed as they scrambled their way to the bookshelf. Since the beginning of the school year, Vernice along with her twin sister Evelyn and two other Year 11 students Marsha Lui and Audrey Ling have been researching organisations and volunteer activities in hopes of establishing the ‘YES Club’. “Individually, all of us like doing community service and felt like there weren’t many opportunities for long-term community service,” said Evelyn. “We then realised that if we started an after school club geared towards different volunteer activities, students who feel the same way as us would join and encourage others to do the same.”
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BY GIVING IT AWAY
INCREASE YOUR JOY
The YES Club has participated in a number of volunteer activities since Term 2. From distributing food in soup kitchens to caring for the elderly, each member sees value in volunteering and being more engaged with the local community. For the rest of the school year, their main focus as a group is the Buddy Reading Program organised by Kids4Kids. “I joined the YES Club to get out of my comfort zone and to know my personal limits, weaknesses and strengths,” said Pasu Tam, a Year 11 YES Club member. “Through the YES Club, I am able to explore different sides of Hong Kong where I normally would never consider and be part of things that I would not have done on my own.”
SHARING THEIR LOVE FOR READING As students at AISHK develop strong reading habits at a young age, YES Club leaders Vernice, Evelyn, Marsha and Audrey want to focus on a program that promotes literacy and reading for pleasure.
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“We chose Kids4Kids because their Buddy Reading Program allows us to share our love for reading with underprivileged children,” said Vernice. “Our members also gain an opportunity to learn about different communities around them while developing their social, leadership and public speaking skills.” A Hong Kong based non-profit organisation, Kids4Kids aims to inspire, enable and engage students to take action through service and become active citizens who initiate change within the community.
“The surest way to increase your joy is to give it away.” “I love reading to kids through the Buddy Reading Program,” said Marsha. “You get immediate feedback and see how you’ve improved their lives.”
THE FUTURE OF THE YES CLUB
“We then realised that if we started an after school club geared towards different volunteer activities, students who feel the same way as us would join and encourage others to do the same.”
Through the organisation’s Buddy Ready Program, volunteers visit community centres, schools and learning centres in different local communities to help bridge the literacy divide by reading to underprivileged children.
Vernice, Evelyn, Marsha and Audrey understand that volunteering takes time and energy, which are both precious commodities especially as a student. However, they believe that students who give back gain something immeasurable in return – having a chance to connect positively with others, finding meaning in their lives, and improving their wellbeing. “After graduating from AISHK, we hope that students will still continue to be actively involved and that younger students will want to be part of the club as well. After all, it’s always more fun to volunteer together with friends,” said Evelyn. “We hope students can focus on positive little things that they can do to help others, whether it means giving up time each week for a literacy program or cooking meals for the elderly. The surest way to increase your joy is to give it away.”
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Chinese Week at AISHK
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Chinese Week at AISHK is designed to complement the Chinese curriculum while providing an opportunity for students to immerse themselves in Chinese language and culture. This year, Chinese Week coincided with the Mid-Autumn Festival, enabling students to celebrate the richness of Chinese culture and history through activities both at school and around Hong Kong. The week commenced with a dynamic Lion Dance performance by the Hong Kong Tam Pui Yuen Dragon and Lion Dance Association. One of the newest additions to Chinese Week, members from the Yiu Ming Sing Cantonese Opera also demonstrated different elements of the unique art form of Chinese Opera to all Primary classes. A much-loved art form that blends Chinese traditions, music and drama, students were taken back into ancient China as they looked at intricate costumes, listened to distinctive falsetto singing and learnt a variety of gestures that are rich with symbolism and elegance. As a bonus, a Year 5 student was transformed into a Chinese Opera character as Chinese Opera members applied dramatic facial makeup and a colourful costume and props.
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Classes from Prep to Year 6 took turns to visit the Auditorium to participate in the Chinese Shopping Day. An annual favourite within the Primary Division, students enjoyed browsing, asking questions, playing games and making purchases in stalls set up by some of our parents. The Auditorium was buzzing with excitement as students indulged in activities that tested their Chinese writing skills, browsing among the Chinese lanterns and toys and sharing Chinese snacks with their classmates.
“While local students might spend more time on grammar learning exercises, students at our school prefer learning the language through handson activities.” Students engaged in activities such as lion dance workshops, Kung Fu sparring, dim-sum excursions, cooking, storytelling, the AISHK Cup – Chinese Speech Competition and the Early Childhood Chinese Week Assembly. Complementing this year’s school theme of Celebrating Identity and Diversity, Year 4 students built a ‘Great Wall of Friendship’, showcasing unique attributes of our students from different parts of the World.
Year 10 students who undertake Chinese language studies at AISHK also had an opportunity to engage in a Chinese Language Immersion Program this year with Beijing No 2 Middle School, AISHK’s sister school. Each year AISHK students travel to Beijing to undertake learning in this format as the School recognises that facilitating interaction with native speaking students is a very effective method of learning a language. "While local students might spend more time on grammar learning exercises, students at our school prefer learning through hands-on activities," said Ms Joy Chung, Head of Chinese Primary Division. PAGE
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Book Week
C
Connecting to Reading
hildren today have endless ways of finding and gathering information – reading books, using smartphones and researching on an electronic tablet or a computer are just some of them. Through classroom and library activities happening all school year, students at AISHK develop reading habits at a young age so they can grow up with the essential skills needed to have a better understanding of the world in which they live. With an indepth knowledge of the world, they are able to improve their lives and the lives of others. During Term 3 each year the library organises Book Week, a week-long celebration that highlights the benefits of reading for pleasure. Students discover and learn about different authors and explore creative writing. With this year’s Book Week theme ‘Connecting to Reading’, students in different year levels participated in activities including Reading with Buddies, reading competitions, listening to a visiting author and looking at different ways and outlets to read. Students also learned to use different personal criteria for choosing books, including looking through plots,
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illustrations and language used. Literature quizzes were given to students to test their knowledge of the books they read, which also showed the understanding they gained through reading for pleasure. Primary students had an opportunity to meet and listen to Matthew Cooper, an English-born writer residing in Sai Kung who wrote the children’s book Lost in Hong Kong. The book follows Tim Chan, a fictional character, as he chases his mischievous dog across the city. Complementing this year’s school theme of Celebrating Identity and Diversity, Matthew’s book is a lighthearted celebration of Hong Kong’s diversity and things that make Hong Kong a unique place to live.
“Students at AISHK develop reading habits at a young age so they can grow up with the essential skills needed to have a better understanding of the world in which they live.” The highlight of this year’s Book Week was the Primary Assembly, where students dressed up as their favourite book character and shared stories. Students are always enthusiastic about bringing their favourite book characters to life through their costumes while developing their reading and public speaking skills. Through all the fun activities that revolved around reading during Book Week, students were reminded to see reading as an indulgence, not as a chore. Developing a regular habit of reading books beyond textbooks expands students’ creativity and imagination, while increasing their knowledge and ethics. PAGE
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Farewell to Our Class of
2014
T
he end of September saw two important events take place for our graduating Year 12 students who were simulteanously completing their formal studies at AISHK and celebrating a milestone in their personal lives. An event most memorable to past AISHK students, Year 12 students reminisced about their years at the school with their families and teachers at the Valedictory Dinner, which was held in the Auditorium. The Valedictory Assembly was another special moment for our Year 12 students as it represented an opportunity for parents, friends and the rest of the school community to congratulate and celebrate the achievements of our graduating students. Year 12 students were presented with their graduation certificates and work portfolios by Board Chair Mr Tom Corkhill, Co Heads Mr Phillip Waugh and Mrs Leonie Drew. One of the most sentimental moments and a tradition at AISHK, Year 12 students were also presented with their farewell gifts by Prep students, who have just begun their journey at AISHK. “Within a matter of a few short weeks, all of you will be the masters of your own destiny,” said Mr Waugh. “Life will present you many challenges and academic examinations are but one. What really matters is your capacity to hang in there when times get tough, to try to do your best at all times, to be considerate and wherever possible assist others who are less fortunate than yourselves. These qualities are the real hallmarks of success in life and they are the very qualities that you have acquired during your time at AISHK.” PAGE
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My Trip
to Yao Noi by Helen Thorn, an AISHK Parent
For years, Flight Centre has been a proud supporter of an array of AISHK events and publications. From advertising in weekly newsletters to sponsoring many of our events, Flight Centre is always looking for ways to connect and respond to travel interests of our students and their families.
Helen Thorn, an AISHK parent, attended this year’s Mother’s Day Luncheon and won the Flight Centre grand raffle prize to Yao Noi, Thailand. Flight Centre will be providing another fabulous raffle prize at this year’s Mad Hatter’s Fair in November… don’t forget to buy your raffle tickets!
I
had the pleasure of attending this year’s Mother’s Day lunch and the great fortune of winning the major raffle prize very generously donated by Flight Centre, which included a trip for two to the Six Senses Resort in Yao Noi (Thailand), airfares and a three night accommodation with breakfast included. With Flight Centre taking care of all my reservations and logistics before leaving for Yao Noi, I flew out to witness the beauty of Six Senses with a girlfriend for a three day break. We were greeted at Phuket International Airport by the Six Senses staff and driven to the marina where we boarded our speedboat for the 45-minute journey to the resort. It was a great way to start a break – sunshine, fresh air and relaxing scenery. The resort came into view nestled into a hill, and our butler Pop was there to greet and drive us to our villa in a golf
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buggy. The resort is scattered through tropical gardens with each villa separated from others. Pop handled our check-in and gave us a guided tour of our villa. One very large bedroom was downstairs overlooking our private pool with an outdoor shower and a sunken bath tub. The other room was upstairs in the trees like a treehouse. That afternoon we relaxed, had a swim and then went to enjoy some refreshing drinks at the Hilltop Reserve. The Hilltop has a wonderful restaurant, an infinity pool and views for miles over the water. It’s a great spot to watch the sun go down. Dinner was at The Living Room, a covered open air restaurant specialising in authentic Thai cuisine using the freshest ingredients from the resort. Right below the restaurant near the beach was an outdoor cinema, with a variety of movies playing throughout the evening.
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The following day we headed back to the Living Room for breakfast. The choice was amazing, Western foods, Thai specialties, congee, dim sum and more. They also had a bakery that had a huge selection of breads, jams, pastries and ice cream in case anyone was in the mood for it early in the morning. The delicatessen had muesli, yoghurt, fresh and dried fruits, salad, fresh juice, cold meats and cheese. Breakfast quickly became a highlight of our stay.
The next day we had organised a boat tour to Phi Phi Island, so we were up early. We had another fantastic big breakfast and down to the dock to board a speedboat with two other couples at the resort.
We then headed to the spa for a massage and enjoyed 90 minutes of bliss in beautiful surroundings. We took a glimpse of the gym with all you could need, but only from a distance as the infinity pool was calling.
There were many tour options including Island Hopping, Rubber Tree Plantation visits, photography tours and bicycle tours to the local village. There was also a large range of water sports including kayaking, windsurfing, paddle boarding, scuba diving and water skiing.
Lunch was by the pool, more delicious Thai food and the menu was extensive with lots of options. The afternoon slipped away pleasantly until it was time for dinner.
It was a great day, sunny but not too hot. The trip took about an hour, so it was time to relax at the front of the boat. The scenery was beautiful and we were very fortunate to sight a whale shark. Phi Phi Island was stunning but very busy. We visited the Viking Cave where people climbed inside to collect bird’s nests to cook, the Monkey Beach where we fed monkeys fruit and a couple of beaches to snorkel and swim.
Six Senses Yao Noi was a very relaxing holiday. The resort was beautiful and I look forward to a return visit. PAGE
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Chartwells Introduces Healthy and Sustainable Initiatives
E
ating a balanced diet is fundamental to the development of students’ wellbeing and their ability to lead a healthier, active lifestyle. At AISHK, nurturing and sustaining good eating habits are highly valued, and the school follows a healthy eating policy that is in line with recommendations from the Hong Kong Department of Health and the Australian Dietary Guidelines for Children and Adolescents. With the help of our caterers Chartwells, students enjoy healthy meals and snacks that boost energy and limit sugar intake. PAGE
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In addition to their previous initiatives, Chartwells has joined forces with FoodLink, a non-profit organisation that currently works with large hotels and high street caterers in Hong Kong to collect safe, reusable excess food on a daily basis. Excess food collected will be redistributed to homeless shelters, soup kitchens and similar charity organisations in Hong Kong. With support from Chartwells, FoodLink will start collecting food from our school this autumn. “Food waste is something Chartwells
Excess food collected will be redistributed to homeless shelters, soup kitchens and similar charity organisations in Hong Kong. is passionate about, and we feel this is a very worthwhile exercise. The food is collected under very strict food safety guidelines of international ISO standard,” said Francis O’Grady, District Manager of Compass Group Hong
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Kong Limited. “Australian International School Hong Kong will be the first school in Hong Kong to introduce the sustainable practice of donating daily excess food.” With help and guidance from Green Monday Hong Kong, a group of Hong Kong-based organisations and individuals committed to reducing carbon emissions and individual impact on the environment, Chartwells is also changing Meatless Monday to Green Monday. According to Green Monday, Hong Kong has the
Eating a balanced diet is fundamental to the development of students’ wellbeing and their ability to lead a healthier, active lifestyle. second highest carbon footprint per capita of any country in the world and second highest beef consumption. As stated in their website, by giving up meat once a week, a person can
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reduce his or her carbon emissions by 28.5%. As of last term, Chartwells has also started distributing regular updates and newsletters from their Nutritionist, which are shared with parents and the community for added value information. With the school playing a big role in promoting healthy eating habits and Chartwells putting healthy initiatives to action, students learn at a young age that a balanced diet and sustainable practices are key to developing a healthy lifestyle. PAGE
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Q&A
D
session with AISHK students
We asked students from as young as Reception the question, “What is your favourite school event?� and received responses that reflect the activities that happen at school throughout the year.
B
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A. Aidan Chan Reception PM I like the Carols Evening because I like singing and Christmas presents.
B. Caitlin Hopkirk-Jones Year 10E The School Fair is one of my favourites because everyone gets involved and has fun while raising money for different school projects.
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C C. Chloe Chow Year 11J I like all the Mufti Days because I get to wear mufti and we all get to raise funds for charities.
D. Madeline Fung Reception PM Easter is exciting for me because I like bunnies.
E. Trevor Cheng Year 9E I like the Swimming Carnival because I enjoy swimming and the comradery of the event.
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F. Humphrey Wong Year 11J The 30-hour Famine is a meaningful annual event because students get a glimpse of what hunger is and therefore know how they can give back to society.
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G. Jack Steadson Year 11W Swimming Carnivals are fun because they bring the school together.
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H. Megan Shields Year 9H I like the Swimming Carnival because of the school spirit and the pool is nice and cool to jump into.
I. Stephanie Tang Year 9E Inter-House Volleyball tournaments are always something I look forward to because I like playing volleyball.
K. William Brown Prep P Chinese Week is my favourite because I can wear Chinese clothes and talk in Mandarin.
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J. Katie Williamson Prep P I like the Swimming Carnival because it’s fun and I get to swim with my friends.
L. Sohaan Balani Prep P I love the Swimming Carnival because I like swimming and it’s fun to cheer for my House.
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AISHK IN ACTION
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any remember the day Brett Prebble rose to the top of international racing prominence by winning the 2012 Melbourne Cup, ‘the race that stops a Nation’, on Green Moon. “It’s an incredible feeling to win a race that means so much to a nation and is watched around the world in over 120 countries. Once you’ve achieved it, you want to do it again, to relive the moment. The high lasted several days and I still feel a buzz when someone mentions it. That winning feeling is what gives me the drive to keep competing and trying to win every time I go to the races. If I could put that feeling in a bottle and sell it, I would be a very rich man!” said Brett. In a nail biting finish to the 2013/2014 season, Caspar Fownes took out to the Trainers Championship for the third time with three wins at the final race meet in July. The Trainers Championship is the most coveted prize for horse trainers, awarded for the most number of wins and places from over 700 races that take place throughout the season.
AMONG THE WHO’S WHO OF HONG KONG’S HIGH PROFILE HORSE RACING SCENE LIES TWO KEY PERFORMERS THAT CREDIT THEIR SUCCESS ON PASSION AND HARD WORK. JOCKEY BRETT PREBBLE, FATHER OF GEORGIA (5L) AND THOMAS (7W) AND TRAINER CASPAR FOWNES, FATHER OF RILEY (PREP G), RONAN (8W) AND RYAN (10W) ARE ALSO PARENTS OF AISHK STUDENTS AND WE HAD THE CHANCE TO CATCH UP WITH THEM BOTH RECENTLY DURING THE SHORT SEASON BREAK.
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For both men a typical work day consists of a 4:00am start at the stables to check the horses, followed by track work, and then return to the stables until around 11:00am. The trainers are then back to the stables in the afternoon for the feeding and walking of horses. Jockeys spend a great deal of
“ONCE YOU’VE ACHIEVED IT, YOU WANT TO DO IT AGAIN, TO RELIVE THE MOMENT.”
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Caption (left to right): Caspar Fownes strides out to greet Brett Prebble; Caspar with his father, Lawrie, who has trained in Hong Kong for just over 20 years and took on Caspar as an assistant for an 18-year apprenticeship; Brett Prebble celebrates after winning the 2012 Melbourne Cup, ‘the race that stops a Nation,’ on Green Moon.
time working on their strength and conditioning and are required to follow a strict diet to manage their weight. Racing then takes place twice a week on Wednesdays and Sundays. “I love my food, I’m a real foodie, but being a jockey means that I have to be very careful about what I eat. I usually train at least once a day sometimes twice. I try to vary my training with boxing, running, or with a personal trainer and occassionally in the gym. A jockey needs to be fit and strong with as little body fat as possible,” said Brett.
opportunities. America, England, Ireland, Japan, Australia, Singapore, South Africa, Dubai and Hong Kong are some of the key countries. Career options vary from horse trainers and jockeys to stable racing managers, vets, horse dentists and chiropractors. Some also choose to become farriers, track riders, stable hands, stewards, racing starters, judges, bloodstock agents and form analysis. The list goes on when you consider the sales, breeding, equipment supplies and event management that goes on around each meet.
“I used to follow my Dad around the stables from an early age. I’ve always loved horses and knew I wanted to follow his footsteps someday,” said Caspar, whose father, Lawrie, trained in Hong Kong for just over 20 years and took on Caspar as an assistant for an 18year apprenticeship. He then eclipsed his father’s best season stats in his rookie year with 44 wins. “At this stage Ronan is most keen to get involved. If in the future any of them want to be involved I would be very happy to have them train with me.” added Casper.
“Thomas and Georgia love watching me ride and that’s very special to me. My wife Maree used to ride too, so it’s nice to come home and have discussions with the family about this horse or that race,” added Brett. “Georgia is really keen. She has lessons at Beas River twice a week, and Thomas has shown interest but is very busy with other sports. Maree and I are not so keen on them following our footsteps into racing as jockeys. It’s a dangerous sport and there are lots of highs and lows. Their love for the sport is strong, so they could possibly find a career within the racing industry. We will support them in whatever they choose as long as they are happy.”
Horse racing is a massive worldwide industry, providing plenty of career
“I’m British but my wife Alix is Australian. We chose AISHK so that our
What about the next generation, is this likely to run in the family?
boys could learn about the Australian culture and have the connection to continue on with University in Australia. There are also good training programs for people interested in a horse racing career in Australia,” said Caspar. “However, this is home for us at the moment, our family loves it here in Hong Kong. It is a great place to be involved in horse racing as it’s one of the best in the world.” “When we came to Hong Kong 10 years ago we had no idea we would be here this long. We love the school, the kids settled in really quickly and were welcomed by their classmates and have made some great friends. We find the teachers and staff really approachable and have been helpful with any issues we had,” said Brett. “We are so happy we have joined the Australian International School community.” As the new season starts we wish both Brett and Caspar the best of luck. The two have partnered over the years on several horses, the most successful being Lucky Nine. If you are interested in following a few horses this year, we’ve been told to keep an eye out for Travel Brother, Supreme King, Gonna Run and Domineer.
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STUDENTPROFILE
Year 12 students Allie Free and Joel Wilson talk about their plans after graduation.
Both born and raised in Hong Kong, Year 12 students Allie Free and Joel Wilson started their journey as Reception students at AISHK in 2001. Throughout their years at the School, Allie and Joel have witnessed the growth of the school and the development of events, many that still carry on until today. “I still recall the opening ceremony of our current campus,” said Joel. “Seeing the school take shape into how it is today is inspiring. The staff and students here have always been very accepting of other people, and that is something that I will never forget about the school.” A rock band member since Year 8, Joel’s main interests have always revolved around music. Playing at many annual school events including the Sports Awards and a number of Performing Arts events, music is a passion for Joel and his commitment is a testament to his humble, driven nature. “My favourite rock band performance would be at the Sports Awards three years ago,” said Joel. “We played ‘Around the World’ by the Red Hot Chili Peppers and ‘Hysteria’ by Muse. That’s two of my favourite bands in one performance – unforgettable.” Allie, on the other hand, is very keen on the sporting side of the school. Throughout her later stages of Primary and Secondary, Allie was actively involved in athletics and cross country, and she also participated in netball and rugby competitions. “Teachers and coaches have always been very supportive here,” said Allie. After graduation, Allie hopes to go to the University of Sydney to take up a bachelor’s degree in Nursing and an additional year to be a certified midwife. Joel has his eyes set on a Film Composition program at the Berklee College of Music and will take a gap year to prepare himself by taking related short courses and internships in Hong Kong. “I think what makes our school different is that although we are predominantly an Australian school, students are also provided with a very international learning environment,” said Allie. “I think it’s not only because of the school being situated in Hong Kong, but also because of all the opportunities students have to learn about and immerse themselves in other cultures.” PAGE
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midst the bustling city of Hong Kong, the AISHK swim team finds an oasis of serenity at the School’s Aquatic Centre each morning. Watching the swim team go through their morning practice is unique from watching any other sports’ practices. Hearing the echoes of soft splashes as swimmers slice effortlessly through the water, there are no whistles, grunts or shoes squeaking. Forty students show up to the Centre at a quarter past six every morning, determined to complete one lap after another. The only other sounds that can be heard are instructions from Head Swim Coach Dr Ken Thorley and Swim Coach Ms Julie Ware. PAGE
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“It takes about three years to build a swimmer to be competitive.” Three years ago students saw the program more as a social club, a place where they can go to on weekends. Today, beneath the tranquillity in all training sessions lies the students’ and coaches’ desire to be better and stronger, anticipating different competitions each week. “I started coaching at AISHK about two and a half years ago,” said Dr Thorley. “Back then students only met once a week. They were very keen and wanted to improve their techniques and skills in swimming. I saw the potential of turning the swim club into a vehicle to develop kids into competitive swimmers.” With two years of training under their belt last year, the AISHK swim team won the International School Sports Federation Hong Kong (ISSFHK) Junior Championships. Winning a number of competitions this year including the Australian International Schools Association (AISA) Games in Singapore, the Kowloon North Hong Kong Schools Sports Federation (HKSSF) Primary Schools Championships and placing in the 15km Cold Half Extreme Marathon last quarter, the team has been under the radar of other International Schools in PAGE
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and out of Hong Kong. The team has been training twice as much as before, and with the support and mentorship of their coaches, they are ever ready to take on more challenging opponents and setting more records. “It takes about three years to build a swimmer to be competitive,” said Dr Thorley. “When we first started our morning trainings last year, we won the ISSFHK Junior Championships. This year we have taken a step further and have added afternoon trainings in and out of the pool. Our goal as a team is to win both ISSFHK Junior and Senior Championships this November.”
COMMITMENT FROM BOTH STUDENTS AND PARENTS The swim team can spend up to half of their waking hours in the pool. About forty students rise at the crack of dawn for their morning training sessions five days a week, in addition to afternoon swimming and core dry land training sessions. On Saturdays swimmers often compete in open water or pool events, followed by a three-hour Swim Club session on Sundays.
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“I normally have to wake up at 5:20am to do the extended part of the training,” said Kaitlyn Buffon, a Year 8 student who has been training since Ken’s early days as the AISHK swim team coach. “The extended session focuses on specific strokes, drills and kicks.” Having competed in the Hong Kong Championships last year, Kaitlyn knows the commitment required to be a successful swimmer. For each hour of training she puts in every day, Kaitlyn only hopes to get faster and to place well in bigger events. Commitment from students is not the only factor that plays to the success of the team. According to Dr Thorley, one of the key ingredients to the team’s success is the commitment from parents. “Parents have to wake up every morning to take their kids to school and on weekends as well,” said Dr Thorley. “The commitment from both students and parents is far more important than any natural ability.”
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RISING TO THE TOP Members of the AISHK swim team are extremely close-knit and because of the amount of time they spend together in and out of the pool, have built a strong comradery that stands out in all events because of students’ enthusiasm and team spirit. “The team really isn’t a team. It’s like a family now,” said Andy Pich, a Year 8 student who has been swimming competitively for five years. “We didn’t train to compete before – we just felt like we had to go. Now, I feel better going to more training sessions because they motivate me to keep pushing myself to be even faster and better than before.” As for Dr Thorley, he hopes the team takes away more than just winning medals and competitions. “The whole idea is to develop successful young adults – kids that are eventually going to be more successful in whatever they do in life,” said Dr Thorley. “Learning lessons through competitive swimming, the fact that nothing in life comes easy and nothing can be achieved without hard work and discipline, these are the life lessons we teach them.”
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Sports News Dulwich College Beijing Netball Tournament For the last six years, AISHK has been actively competing in the Dulwich College Beijing Netball tournament. This year there were nine teams, and they bonded and motivated each other to play to the best of their abilities as individuals and as a team. Results: U15 Thunderbirds – Runner ups in the Cup U15 Swifts – Runner ups in the Plate U13 Mystics – Runner ups in the Cup U13 Fever – Third in the Plate U13 Pulse – Highly commended U11 Phoenix – Runner ups in the Cup U11 Magic – Winners of the Plate U11 Darters – Third in the Plate U11 Tactics – Runner ups in the Plate
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SDRC U14 Boys Basketball The SDRC Basketball tournament was held at CDNIS in May. AISHK fielded an inexperienced boys’ basketball team played with enthusiasm and endeavour from the first game. The team, who had not played a competitive match together before the tournament, were eager to listen and improve their understanding on the court as the games progressed. While the team did not win a game throughout the tournament there were two winnable games against Shekou International School and Utaloy, demonstrating that the team was within a few points of a win. Special mention must go to Naveen Shivalingam and Joshua Lee who were selected as members of the All-Stars tournament team.
ISSFHK Soccer Two U12 Girls soccer teams entered the ISSFHK soccer tournament in Term 3. All students played with the right sportsmanship and never gave up even during difficult situations on the field. The A team were very competitive and unlucky not to win more games and get through to the semi-finals of the tournament. The B team which comprised of a lot of players that were playing up a few years above their age improved during this year’s tournament. The experience the teams gained will only help in the years to come for them playing for AISHK. The U14 Girls have just started their ISSFHK tournament and two teams have been entered in the competition. The ECA numbers continue to grow each term, and all of the girls continue to learn new skills from the professional coaches. A big thank you to Mr McGunnigle who manages many of the teams and keeps students motivated. All teams look forward to enjoying the game of soccer at AISHK.
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Secondary Swimming Carnival
Dulwich College Beijing Rugby Tournament The Dulwich College Beijing Rugby tournament was nothing short of sensational with all the boys putting in a huge effort in hot conditions. They bonded as a team and supported one another on and off the field, and their attitude towards other players and match officials was exemplary and very respectful. Results: U11 – Cup Winners U13 – Plate Runner Up U15 – Plate Winners
SDRC U14 Girls Basketball AISHK’s U14 Girls Basketball team were very inexperienced and most were new to basketball during the SDRC tournament. As the games progressed and they became used to playing together, their confidence grew and were able to compete strongly with all teams. They defeated CDNIS, QSI and SIS to finish equal second after round robin. After a count back AISHK were ranked fourth and had to play the undefeated UISG in the semi-final. The team played well but were defeated by the more experienced UISG Girls’ team. Special mention must go to Phoebe Coogans and Lara Schats who were selected as members of the AllStars tournament team.
AISHK held its annual InterHouse Swimming Carnival in September. The day started with a record number of entrants in the 400m races, highlighting the high levels of determination among our students. Many students participated in eight events, and the hot and humid conditions made their feat even more remarkable. There were also over 30 individual records broken on the day. All students who swam should be commended on their effort and house spirit. Jacaranda House ultimately claimed the winner’s cup for the 2014 Inter-House Swimming Carnival in what was one of the closest competitions of many years.
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2014
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Seventy students from Years 5 through to Year 12 sang, danced, acted and played musical instruments in a dynamic production of the Broadway show ’13: The Musical’ by Jason Robert Brown. Featuring an on stage cast of 65 and a six piece band, the production was a huge success and was extremely well received by audience members across the four evening shows in June. A unique feature of the production was the double casting of the six main leading roles, which enabled performers to share a lead role and perform for two of the shows as a leading role and as chorus members in the other two shows. Many audience members chose to attend multiple shows in order to see both casts in action. As part of the preparations for the show, the cast and band attended a three day rehearsal camp. This camp was invaluable in giving everyone a chance to get to know the show through a focused experience. Another special feature of the show was the involvement of Thomas Chiu, an AISHK alumni, who took on the role of musical director. The students in the cast and band benefited greatly from his expertise and are truly grateful to have him as part of the production team. A production of this scale takes a very large team of students and staff, and we thank everyone for their wonderful commitment in providing a wonderful performance and powerful learning opportunity for all involved.
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Primary Music Recitals Musica Viva: The Sousaphonics The Sousaphonics, an Australian brass quarter, gave an outstanding live musical performance to the School earlier in May. Presented by Musica Viva, an Australian music education and performance organisation that arranges music groups to perform and provide workshops at schools, the Sousaphonics were clearly at home as they performed in front of students from different year levels. Playing lively, entertaining pieces, members of the Sousaphonics interacted with our students through singing, chanting and body percussion. Students from Year 3 and Year 4 attended the concert, as well as a few Year 7 and Year 12 students. A selection of students learning Brass, Woodwind and Stringed instruments attended the workshop following the performance, where they participated in an even more hands-on learning and music play.
The annual Primary Music Recitals were once again a lovely way to feature the talents of our young musicians. Two recitals were held on Thursday 28 August – an Early Childhood recital featuring students in Prep, Year 1 and Year 2, and a Primary Recital featuring students in Year 3 to Year 6. The students who were featured all undertook an audition process and were selected to perform. At the recitals, the audience enjoyed solo performances on the piano, violin, cello, clarinet, flute, trumpet, voice, guitar and xylophone, as well as duets for both piano and violin. We congratulate all of our young soloists for their fine performances.
Orchestral Soiree The Auditorium rang to the wonderful sounds of orchestral and instrumental music in this year’s Orchestral Soiree. Student soloists Eleanor Rowbottom (Flute), Audrey Chan (Piano), Joel Wilson (Guitar), Kristie Ho (Flute) and Nicholas Yuan (Saxophone) delighted the audience with renditions of pieces by Diabelli, Schumann, Chaminade, Gershwin and Gabriela. A small string ensemble presented the famous ‘Canon in D’ by Pachelbel, and the Orchestra played the famous overture from Cosi Fan Tutte by Mozart, along with the final movement of Haydn’s ‘Farewell’ symphony. A special part of the evening was Year 10 student Geraldine Le’s debut concerto performance as a piano soloist with the Orchestra, performing the first movement of Schumann’s ‘Piano Concerto in A minor’. The audience were truly inspired by the performance of both the Orchestra and soloist, and we congratulate all performers for their fine work. PAGE
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YEAR 12 IB MUSIC RECITAL Three IB music students presented their final music programs at the Year 12 IB Music Recital earlier in September. This evening provided an opportunity for students to perform their complete performance programs in front of an audience. The performances were recorded and their recordings were sent to the IB as part of their assessment in their music course. Eleanor Rowbottom (Flute), Hannah Coogans (Voice) and Nicole Li (Piano) performed a range of musical styles, from the music of Bach through to the music from Broadway musicals.
YEAR 12 MUSIC AND DRAMA NIGHT The Year 12 HSC Drama and Music classes presented excerpts from their performance programs earlier in September. Backed by a band, vocalist Cindy Long opened the evening with the song ‘Strong’ by London Grammar, followed by Angus Lau performing ‘Dani California’ by Red Hot Chili Peppers. Janice Hui performed the piece ‘Attack on Titan’ by Hiroyuki Sawano on the piano, and Kristi Lo presented the third and fourth movements of John Rutter’s ‘Suite Antique’ along with Mr Graeme Tyler on the piano. Joel Wilson completed the music items for the evening with a rendition of John Butler’s dynamic guitar piece ‘Ocean’. The audience also viewed two films - Cindy Long’s ‘The Mask’ and Kelly Hebestreit’s ‘Defiance’. The evening concluded with the drama group production ‘Gotcha’ presented by Ip Iee, Cindy Long and Kelly Hebestreit.
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A Special Project
for Peace by Year 5 students
by Claudia Wong, Year 5L
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n 6 August 1954, the United States of America dropped a bomb on Hiroshima, Japan in an attempt to end World War II. A two year old baby girl named Sadako Sasaki was blown out the window. Astonishingly, she was alive. When she was in sixth grade, Sadako was a great athlete whose goal was to be on her school’s running team. Her heart was broken after she found out she had leukemia, a deadly disease from the radiation of the atomic bomb. Chizuko, Sadako’s friend, told her that if she folded 1,000 paper cranes, she would get better. An ancient Japanese legend promises that anyone who folds a thousand origami cranes will be granted a wish or a long life or recovery from illness or injury. Sadly, she only managed to fold 644 cranes during her time at the hospital. Paper was scarce then, so she used the paper from candy wrappers and leftover gift wrap. Sadako died at twelve, and her friends and family helped finish her dream by folding the rest of the cranes, which were buried with Sadako. After her death, Sadako’s friends and schoolmates distributed a collection of letters in order to raise funds to building a memorial for her and for all the children who died from the effects of the atomic bomb. A statue of Sadako
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holding a golden crane was unveiled in the Hiroshima Peace Park Memorial in 1958, also called the ‘Genbaku Dome’. Although Sadako died at a very young age, her legacy continues. Today, people from around the world fold 1,000 paper cranes that are sent to Hiroshima to be hung next to the statue of Sadako in the Peace Park, including Year 5 students at AISHK.
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Every 6 August, the city of Hiroshima holds a Peace Memorial Ceremony in front of the Memorial Cenotaph in the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park to console the victims of the atomic bombs and pray for the realisation of lasting world peace. It was a coincidence that the 644th crane, the last crane Sadako made, was made on this important day. Because Sadako’s final crane was made out of silver lolly wrapper, the AISHK students’ final cranes were made out of gold and silver paper as well.
“As every crane is made, Year 5 students who took part in the project hope for peace in the world and to remember Sadako.”
Students from Year 5 began making 1,000 paper cranes towards the end of Term 2. James Scott, a Year 5 student, taught 5L how to fold paper cranes. Students from 5L then taught other Year 5 classes, who have all given up their lunch times to fold cranes. The first few paper cranes made by students involved were lopsided, but slowly became better and better.
As every crane is made, Year 5 students who took part in the project hope for peace in the world and to remember Sadako. A simple gesture can go a long way, just like Sadako’s paper cranes. PAGE
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A NEW PRIMARY CONNECTIONS UNIT FOR YEAR 4 STUDENTS by Ms Kristy Williams, Year 4 Leader
Year 4 participated in a trial program of a Primary Connections unit on magnetism in Term 3. A program of the Australian Academy of Science supported by the Australian Government Department of Education, Primary Connections focuses on developing students’ knowledge, understanding and skills in both science and literacy while supporting educators in teaching science to primary students in Australia.
YEAR 2 FUN & GAMES DAY by Ms Shannon Ruskin, Year 2 Leader
“My turn, my turn!” “Get it, catch!” “England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales.” Cries like these and many more were heard on the field when Year 2 held their Fun and Games Day in August. In Term 3, Year 2 students learned how children lived, learnt and played in the past through the Inquiry Unit Life as a Child. During this unit, students interviewed parents, grandparents and staff members to investigate differences and similarities between the lives of children in the past and today. Through exploration of how play has changed over time, students discovered that there are many games that have disappeared from our playgrounds. Fortunately at AISHK, we have a family community who were willing to relive their childhoods and share some of the playground games from their school days. Technology was put aside for the morning as students and parents enjoyed a variety of games and activities. PAGE
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Before publication, all units were trialled by selected schools to ensure the quality and feasibility of the weekly lessons. Year 4 students enjoyed the inquiry into forces, especially the hands on activities. It also provided a platform for the development of scientific skills such as planning and conducting investigations, making predictions, ensuring a fair test and communicating findings appropriately.
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01 Students enjoying the Lion Dance performance by the Hong Kong Tam Pui Yuen Dragon and Lion Dance Association. 02 Mr Shirley proudly displaying his find after several days of heavy rain in Hong Kong. 03 The School and members of the Australian and New Zealand community attended AISHK’s ANZAC Day Memorial Ceremony. 04 AISHK then and now. 05 Our rugby team competing in the Dulwich College Beijing Tournament. 06 Seventy students from Year 5 to Year 12 participated in a dynamic production of the Broadway show ‘13 The Musical’ by Jason Robert Brown. 07 Students sharing the joy of reading with Lok Sin Tong Primary School students through the Yes Club, a newly introduced ECA at AISHK, and the Kids4Kids Buddy Reading Program. 08 Primary students competing for the Bowl, Plate and Cup categories in the Primary Spelling Cup.
07 Follow us on Instagram
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to get up to the minute photo updates from the school
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Year 10 Students Appointed as UNICEF Young Envoys
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his year, two AISHK students Jack Lee and Audrey Ling, were involved in the UNICEF Young Envoys Programme. The program is focused on developing students’ leadership skills, aiming to raise public awareness about the well-being of children around the world, as well as the roles and achievements of UNICEF in improving the lives of underprivileged children. As students partake in this program they learn about the purpose of the Convention, its application to the wider world and develop initiatives on how to help inform others of the Convention’s message and ideals.
“I benefited from the communication workshops and became a more outgoing person. The most interesting activity was the field visit. We travelled to developing countries to understand and learn about the work that UNICEF had
done. I also became very close with other Young Envoys Program participants and became much more engaging than ever before. I would recommend the program to all secondary students to join this program.” – Jack Lee, Year 10E “After participating in the 9-month UNICEF Young Envoys Programme, the program trained me to become an advocate for children’s rights. I had the opportunity to visit local children facilities in Laos. Riding the ‘tuk tuk’ to the village, we observed the volunteers demonstrating how to cook porridge with sufficient nutrients using easilyacquired ingredients so that children at the village can grow up healthily. I am so grateful to be part of the program and have realised that every child has the right to play, express their opinion and grow up as an individual, as said on the UNCRC.” – Audrey Ling, Year 11H
AISHK Opens its First MUN Conference to Schools in Hong Kong by Boyle Kir and Emily Archibald, Security Generals of AISMUN V 2014
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or those not well-versed in its customs, Model United Nations is often dismissed as simply as that: a model. But a good MUN conference adds to more than the sum of its rule book. MUN teaches its students that when they treat the world seriously with all the respect it deserves, they have the influence to convince others to think the same. By learning, understanding, thinking and debating, students can PAGE
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embody the aims of MUN and their generation’s hope for the future. This is what we set out to achieve at AISMUN V. This year, AISMUN was bigger and better than ever before. Extending to two whole days, expanding to three separate committees, welcoming four different schools and debating with over 50 different delegates, the AISMUN genesis is growing. Topics ranging from the protection of Caribbean water ecosystems to a highly entertaining emergency topic
on tensions in DPR Korea were all discussed throughout the weekend. The conference saw fruitful debates, mesmerising speakers and innovative solutions. Better yet, AISMUN saw its participants grow. Participants became representatives of powerful nations enthusiastically articulating their government’s views. All the people who made this conference – from Chairs to administration team members and delegates – should be proud of their efforts.
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Students Attend Global Young Leaders Conference 2014
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hree AISHK students attended the Global Young Leaders Conference (GYLC) this year. Geraldine Le and Bryan Tang, both in Year 10, attended a 10-day course through Europe and Danielle Shaw, a Year 11 student, attended the same course through the United States of America. GYLC is a 10-day annual conference that allows students from more than 145 countries to explore and develop confidence, gain independence and learn different global leadership styles that are sought by employers and companies around the world. This year's participants attended GYLC in three different locations in China, Europe and the US. GYLC Europe was the most amazing experience we have ever had. Not only did we visit the cultural and historical sites of the countries we went to, we also heard interesting stories about the lives, hardships and life lessons learnt from four different guest speakers who had all encountered wars and major conflicts. They shared and listened to problems everyone faced back home and made me realise that we are not alone with the problems we face. It is an experience we will never forget as it helped us discover who we really are. – by Geraldine Le (10J) and Bryan Tang (10E)
During the GYLC course, I learnt and practised different leadership skills and took part in discussions on how to solve global issues within a community level. The 10 day course ended with two Model United National Conferences that were held at the United Nations in New York City. The topics debated included world health, human equality, weapons manufacturing and distribution, and the economic digital divide. I recommend GYLC to all senior students as it provides students with opportunities to meet influential people and delegates working in the United Nations. – by Danielle Shaw, 11H
Year 8 History Excursion to Kowloon Mosque by Claire Willemse, Year 8W
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hroughout the course of Term 2, Year 8 has studied Islam in history. Islam is one of the largest monotheistic religions, with over 1.3 billion people out of the world’s 7.2 billion people observing the religion. Other large monotheistic religions are Judaism and Christianity, which have similarities to Islam. In fact, Islam sees the prophets of Judaism and Christianity as earlier prophets of the same ‘one God’ of Islam, known to them as Allah. Year 8 visited the Kowloon Mosque earlier in June to gain an in-depth understanding of Islam and their customs. Year 8 observed a prayer
session and proper dress code in a mosque and was told beliefs and history of Islam. Students learnt about the history of the Kowloon Mosque and Islam in Hong Kong, which both made the excursion an interesting and educational experience. PAGE
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APPRECIATING LIFELONG
FRIENDSHIPS by Alasdair Ong, Marketing Officer
A
record attendance of former students, staff and families of AISHK reunited in cities on the East coast of Australia at the 2014 AISHK Alumni reunions. Held in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, the latest round of reunions was the largest series of events held by the Alumni Association in the School’s history. As AISHK approaches its 20th anniversary, the alumni population
grows steadily along with the School. The alumni pool is at an estimated 3,100 strong. Students from a large variety of graduating year levels mingled with former staff and representatives from the school including Mr Phil Waugh and Mrs Leonie Drew, Co Heads of School, and Mr Alex Gibbs, Director of Development and Community
Relations. It was pleasing to see many parents in attendance, highlighting the great sense of community that has been built over the years. Asked about the impression former students make after leaving AISHK, Mr Waugh said he was impressed with the level of professionalism shown by those studying abroad and those already in the workforce.
BUILDING CAREERS THROUGH EXPANDING CONNECTIONS As the AISHK alumni network continues to grow, we continue to see solid growth in numbers of alumni returning to Hong Kong for
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work. There is value, as an alumni network, providing professional connections to those just entering the local workforce or even those
already established, with companies and peers. By offering industry news, career
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“I am very proud of the AISHK ‘product’, so to speak. They are without exception fine ambassadors of our school and the Hong Kong community, more generally,” said Mr Waugh. “The number of students who have gone on to higher study and who have begun successful commercial enterprises is amazing and reflects the ‘can do’ spirit of AISHK.”
“The number of students who have gone on to higher study and who have begun successful commercial enterprises is amazing and reflects the ‘can do’ spirit of AISHK.”
“Many alumni are also very interested in hearing about what is happening at the school and hearing about the physical changes that have occurred,” Mrs Drew added.
Many of the alumni were visibly impressed by the changes that the Co Heads presented at the events, some eager to arrange tours of AISHK when they return to Hong Kong.
information, mentorship and career opportunities, alumni are able to enter the market with confidence.
the Alumni Careers Platform aims to make these connections with corporate partners and alumni.
Expanding the structure of the existing internship and work experience program in place for Year 10 students,
While steadily growing, the program is in its early stages. Corporate partners who wish to engage with
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Moving with the times, AISHK has launched pages on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. These networks are seen as key to growing and strengthening the alumni network. “The school is placing a great deal of importance in keeping our network of alumni connected through various channels and activities. We are seeing more and more former AISHK students making impressive in-roads in their careers, so we want to ensure the spirit of collaboration, mateship and family that has existed at the school transcends into the Alumni Association and its lifelong members,” said Mr Gibbs.
our world-class alumni network can contact alumni@aishk.edu.hk for more information on the platform. Alumni who are interested in career opportunities can join our LinkedIn network and follow our Alumni Facebook page.
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Community News and Events AISHK celebrates Father’s Day and the completion of the Field Landscaping and Outdoor Eatery Project. Parent Association Celebrates the Opening of Refurbished Tuckshop Our Parent Association aims to promote closer co-operation between parents and the School community and to support an array of projects and capital fundraising campaigns that improve the general welfare of all students. The Field Landscaping and Outdoor Eatery Project, one of the latest capital fundraising campaigns that the Parent Association supported last year, has been completed this year. The tuckshop, designed by Ben McCarthy of Charlie & Rose, is a hit for both parents and students since its grand re-opening earlier this year. Having undergone a number of aesthetic enhancements and with the addition of an imported Pizza oven, the tuckshop now sports a more modern look and provides healthier snacks and lunches to students. In the past, the Parent Association has also committed a substantial amount of funds to other capital fundraising campaigns, being a major donor to the Aquatic Centre, the field running track, the Green Roof, and the Science Laboratories. None of these contributions could have been made without the tremendous support of the parent community.
AISHK Father’s Day Brunch Recap For the superlative Dad, greatness is attained by working long hours on weekdays and cheering on their sons and daughters at weekend games, racing home to squeeze in a night time story, arranging Skype sessions with their children studying overseas, picking gravel out of scraped knees or carrying two backpacks on hiking trips. So, it was wonderful for many of our AISHK dads to enjoy a special morning with their families at this year’s Fathers’ Day Brunch at the Langham Place Hotel. The Langham provided a beautiful and relaxed setting filled with some of dads’ favourite things for the morning. Dads sought out special family photos on the big screen slideshow shown throughout the event while enjoying dim sum, baps and beverages provided by Finlandia, the Bottle Shop and Absolute Indulgence. Popular children’s entertainer Andrew The Brilliant Balloon Man brought smiles to children’s faces as he twisted and created intricate balloon sculptures in a magnificent performance. Families also had the opportunity to take home photo keepsakes provided by Adventure Studios. The morning culminated in a raffle draw with great prizes from Flight Centre, Central Equity, Toys “R” Us, TC Deli, Absolute Indulgence, the Bottle Shop, AGS Four Winds, Costello Concepts and the Langham Place Hotel. The Parent Association thanks Central Equity and Flight Centre once again for sponsoring this wonderful event and are looking forward to another exciting Father’s Day event next year. PAGE
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SEAM
student-led initiative started at AISHK seven years ago, the Seams of a New Era Fashion Show (SEAMS) combines the talents of models, designers and a group of passionate senior student organisers. The annual fashion show’s aims are twofold: to raise money for the Christina Noble Children’s Foundation, this year’s nominated charity, and to enable those participating to complete hours of service. Through hardwork and tireless dedication, five Year 12 students in charge of organising the fashion show transformed an ambitious vision into a sophisticated and engaging event. The show marked a milestone by raising $18,433 towards the school’s collaborative project with CNCF, ‘The Tan Nghia Kindergarten Project’ in Vietnam. Thank you to all the talented and devoted organisers, volunteers, designers, models, makeup artists and photographers for their commitment to the success of the show, making it a proud reality.
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S / 2014
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3A Norfolk Road, Kowloon Tong, Kowloon, Hong Kong
www.aishk.edu.hk
Embracing differences, achieving together