SCHOOLS SUPPLEMENT

ON ISLAND EDUCATION

CHECK OUT THE LEADING LANTAU SCHOOLS FROM KINDERGARTEN AND PRIMARY RIGHT THROUGH TO SECONDARY

PHOTOS COURTESY OF ESF Tung Chung International Kindergarten, Lantau International School, Silvermine Bay School & YMCA of Hong Kong Christian College

In this supplement, we’ve focused on four of the top schools on the island: ESF Tung Chung International Kindergarten, Lantau International School, Silvermine Bay School and YMCA of Hong Kong Christian College (YHKCC). The aim is twofold: to provide a useful overview of each school (philosophy, curriculum, extra-curricular activities, campus facilities), and to celebrate the ongoing dedication shown by local educators in supporting children and parents through the pandemic.

If the government’s decision to ease social distancing measures goes as planned, primary schools, international schools and kindergartens across Hong Kong will reopen for in-person lessons on April 19, and local secondary schools will follow suit on April 22. No doubt the school principals interviewed in this article are looking forward to welcoming students back to the classroom but, as they have also highlighted, distance learning has been a worthwhile learning curve.

“Online learning is so challenging and it takes so much effort from the children, parents, grandparents, helpers and of course the teachers to keep the energy going. I have been so proud of how the children have adapted and the quality of the work that is being produced,” opens James Lambert, Principal of Lantau International School.

In navigating such challenging times, Will Tong, Principal at Silvermine Bay School, highlights the importance of listening, making adjustments and being flexible. “I’m really grateful we have a great team of teachers who are going above and beyond to help students and support each other. We do a lot of sharing sessions; we are learning from each other. For surviving COVID, it’s important that we are willing to listen to each other and to parents.”

Likewise, Allison Banbury, Principal at ESF Tung Chung International Kindergarten, says how important it has been to build upon strong partnerships between educators and parents. “During COVID times, we need parents’ support more than ever, particularly with distance learning. We’ve encouraged parents to contribute their ideas and give us feedback. This also means we can identify where parents need additional support, and we can understand what they are going through.”

YHKCC, as a direct subsidy secondary school, will reopen on April 22, and the students have been on ‘early summer break’ since January. With distance learning on hold, Principal Diana Lo has made it a priority to ensure that students’ education is ongoing. “Even during the holidays, our students communicate with teachers, and they produce independent programmes and self-directive learning programmes together with parents. Our students have revision buddies, and support each other through Zoom.”

ESF TUNG CHUNG

IS A PRIVATE KINDERGARTEN FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS, AGED TWO TO FIVE YEARS. IT HOUSES EIGHT SPACIOUS CLASSROOMS PLUS SEVERAL ADDITIONAL LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS INCLUDING A LIBRARY, CHILDREN’S KITCHEN, PHYSICAL AREA AND OUTDOOR GARDEN

ESF Tung Chung International Kindergarten is an IB World School that follows the Primary Years Programme (PYP). Children, aged two to five years, attend either five morning (8.30am to 11.30am) or five afternoon (1pm to 4pm) sessions per week. There are two streams: English and Bilingual.

“At ESF Tung Chung, we believe children have a voice and can contribute to their own learning. We are committed to developing a curriculum that honours their interests and ideas and values them as competent learners,” opens Principal Allison Banbury. “As a team of exceptional teachers, we are passionate about developing learning and teaching opportunities that stimulate and challenge.

THERE ARE TWO STREAMS: ENGLISH AND BILINGUAL

For more on ESF Tung Chung International Kindergarten, call 3742 3500, email admissions@tck.edu.hk or visit www.tck.edu.hk. “We are inspired by the Reggio Emilia Approach. This approach requires children to be seen as competent, resourceful, curious, imaginative and inventive. Teachers are seen as reflective, coconstructive practitioners, who bring out the best in every child through a personalised approach to learning and by inspiring curious minds. They ensure children have the space and time to develop their interests, passions and knowledge.”

Central to the PYP is that children are respectful of themselves, their communities, the world and others. As such, ESF Tung Chung students are encouraged to take responsibility and take action – to behave in a way that supports the wider community. “Projects, like Box of Hope, are built into the school curriculum,” says Allison. “We feel it’s important to recognise children’s need to solve problems, and fundraising helps them understand that there are people in the world who they can help.

“As a school, we are very conscious of our responsibilities towards educating children to be global citizens of the 21st century, who are confident, knowledgeable and caring,” Allison adds. “We want our students to be actively engaged and connected with others, this brings joy to learning both in the classroom and outside it.”

Getting students outdoors and interacting with their peers, while learning about the environment is a priority at ESF Tung Chung. “One teacher is Forest School-trained, and she works with the team to provide outdoor learning adventures (maths-, science- and art-based) at Bermuda Park in Tung Chung,” says Allison. “We are delighted that some of our parents have signed up to enjoy these experiences with their kids.

“At ESF Tung Chung, we truly value working in partnership with parents and carers,” Allison adds. “We seek to develop a supportive learning community in which we can all contribute to the success of our children.”

Allison is quick to assure parents that all children who move on to an ESF primary school or college will continue to build upon the foundations laid in kindergarten. “All ESF primary schools follow the PYP so we can make sure the transition is smooth for our students across all areas of the curriculum. We meet with the ESF primary schools regularly to ensure there is a smooth progression for students moving from K2 to Year 1. We also talk to the ESF teachers to prepare them to meet each child’s individual needs.”

LANTAU INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

IS A PRIVATE, APOLITICAL SCHOOL KNOWN FOR PROVIDING THE GREENEST LEARNING ENVIRONMENT IN HONG KONG. IT OPERATES 13 CLASSES FROM RECEPTION CLASS TO PRIMARY 6 ACROSS THREE CAMPUSES IN CHEUNG SHA, TONG FUK AND PUI O

With campuses in relatively remote South Lantau villages, Lantau International School (L.I.S.) prides itself on putting children first and being the ‘greenest school’ in Hong Kong. “At L.I.S., children receive a well-rounded education of the highest academic standard that combines both classroom (in low-rise buildings only) and outdoor learning (such as PE classes on the beach), allowing them to flourish socially and academically,” opens Principal James Lambert.

“All our campuses provide ready access to a green environment and a beach where we often swim and take outdoor lessons. We stress the importance of caring for nature with our children.”

In addition to its outdoorsy, eco-friendly focus, L.I.S. is known for its small class sizes – the student-to-teacher ratio does not exceed 24:1 – which ensures that students get individualised attention both in the classroom and when studying online. “The amount of one-to-one attention our students get from their teachers is maximised. In turn, this environment supports learning and enables teachers to teach the curriculum as efficiently as possible,” James explains.

L.I.S. provides a unique balance between a primary education in English following the British curriculum and extensive Mandarin classes. Its teachers are either native English or native Mandarin speakers.

The author of a popular children’s book, James is proud to reveal that the school library holds over 5,000 books including 3,000 in the lower primary campus (Tong Fuk) and 2,000 in the upper primary campus (Pui O). “Educational research shows that there is a positive correlation between the ability to read and doing well academically,” he says.

“While all our classrooms are equipped with an interactive board (ActivBoard) and we provide every student from Primary 4 to 6 with a computer in the classroom for educational use as and when appropriate, we focus on learning through reading and writing on paper from Reception Class to Primary 3. We believe this is the best way to develop children’s learning and core motor skills, awareness of the environment and memory.”

L.I.S. stands for Lantau International School but also Learning. Inclusive. Supportive. With regards to learning, L.I.S. focuses on essential academic skills including literacy (listening, speaking, reading and writing), mathematics and science. “We further believe that children should be in the class level that is right for their needs, not necessarily the one dictated by their age,” says James.

As for inclusivity, L.I.S. is a private, secular, apolitical and unaffiliated school with students from over 30 nationalities. “We stand for tolerance and respect,” says James. “We take a firm stance on bullying and this may lead in extreme cases to suspension from the school.”

And supportive? “In conjunction with parents, L.I.S. does its utmost to accommodate all students’ needs where it has the competency to do so,” James explains. “Our teachers provide students with regular homework and offer a range of extra-curricular activities and summer camps. Furthermore, L.I.S. prides itself in having affordable fees relative to other international schools. We may also provide financial assistance upon request on a case-by-case basis for parents who are undergoing hardship.”

THE STUDENT-TO-TEACHER RATIO DOES NOT EXCEED 24:1

For more on Lantau International School, call 2980 3676/ 2984 0302, email admin@lis.edu.hk or visit www.lis.edu.hk.

SILVERMINE BAY SCHOOL

IS A PRIVATE PRIMARY SCHOOL FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS, OVERLOOKING SILVERMINE BAY. IT BOASTS A SPRAWLING, TWO-LEVEL 10,000-SQUARE-FOOT CAMPUS ON MUI WO FERRY PIER ROAD, COMPLETE WITH AN INDEPENDENT, EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES CENTRE

S" ilvermine Bay School follows a modified English National Curriculum, ensuring that our curriculum is relevant for children growing up in Hong Kong, while also emphasising the multicultural diversity of the world we live in,” opens school Principal and owner Will Tong. “Similarly, our Reception Class follows the Early Years Foundation Stage, combined with supplementary resources to bring relevancy to our students of the place in which they live, and prepare them for the rigours of our full primary curriculum.”

Since founding the school in 2019, Will has made placing students at first-choice secondary schools a priority. “Over the past three years, we have a record of at least 50% of

AT LEAST 50% OF GRADUATES GO ON TO YHKCC

For more on Silvermine Bay School, call 2984 0006, email office@silverminebayschool.edu.hk or visit www.silverminebayschool.edu.hk. our graduates getting accepted to YMCA of Hong Kong Christian College (YHKCC),” he says. “YHKCC has become very competitive, but we have built up a good connection with the principal and we now have a joint sports day. For many families who live in South Lantau, YHKCC is their first choice of secondary school because they have a stream for the British Curriculum. I know the school’s expectations and the level students need to meet.”

A clear emphasis on writing (supported by a big writing programme) and maths (supported by an evidence-based maths programme) helps prepare Silvermine Bay School students for English-medium secondary school. Will is also quick to highlight his school’s strong coding programme, which students start in Year 2. “Children need to start coding young; these are skills they need for secondary school and beyond. Our coding programme helps kids become creators rather than just consumers, and we have done over 100 coding projects over the past couple of years.”

Silvermine Bay School is also first and foremost a community school, something that’s important to Will who grew up in Mui Wo. “We have a good relationship with the local library, and the recycling centre is just downstairs. We encourage recycling and students make compost for a local farm, so they can see how their food waste helps things grow. We take new students on tours around Mui Wo to explore and connect; we recently visited the fire station. All this helps students learn about the environment.”

In this way, students’ personal, social and emotional education is prioritised, as is their wellbeing. “We try to help the kids to be happy. They need support to build their character, and they’ve needed additional support to stay positive during the pandemic.

“We celebrate students’ accomplishments and achievements in a very specific way,” Will adds. “We don’t, for instance, use the word ‘smart’ – the word ‘smart’ can encourage students to become lazy and not open to moving forward. We encourage achievement through fun and meaningful learning.”

Finding each student’s character strengths is another important goal at Silvermine Bay School. “We asked a designer to create a unique animal representation of each of the 24 character strengths, which is widely used in school,” says Will. “We use the animals to get students involved and asking questions; they learn to identify different character strengths within themselves and others. It’s so important for students to see what they are good at, and not just academically.”

YMCA OF HONG KONG CHRISTIAN COLLEGE

IS A DIRECT SUBSIDY SECONDARY SCHOOL WITH ENGLISH AS THE MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION. IT’S LOCATED IN TUNG CHUNG ON A BEAUTIFUL CAMPUS WITH SUPERB FACILITIES, AND OFFERS AN INTERNATIONAL-STYLE EDUCATION BASED ON CHRISTIAN VALUES

YMCA of Hong Kong Christian College (YHKCC) was established in September 2003, which makes the next school year, 2022/23, its 20th anniversary. “Connecting with the community is our goal this year despite COVID restrictions, and we are preparing new programmes and a series of celebrations,” opens Principal Diana Lo. “The foundation of this learning community is the partnership among teachers, parents, students and alumni, and we hope we can use creative means to bring everyone together.”

YHKCC is the only English-medium school in the Islands District, and all subjects are taught in English (except second languages). Currently the school has 36 classes across six year groups, with an average class size of 25 students. YHKCC offers both the Hong Kong Curriculum (leading to the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education) and an international curriculum (IGCSE/ GCE A-levels). Both curricula are internationally recognised and more than 70% of students pursue higher education after they graduate.

“In the past, we have had a higher percentage of students graduating to study overseas, last year due to the pandemic it was 23%,” Diana says. “We also saw a slight increase in the number of students choosing to take a gap year to gain life experience or work experience.”

Over 40% of YHKCC teachers are from overseas, and the school has over 70% international students from more than 45 countries. Most students at YHKCC are able to speak at least three languages. “Our students’ education is enriched by this cultural diversity which gives a great preparation for life in today’s globalised world,” Diana says. “Our aim is to enable our students to become confident and happy global citizens, who value and respect one another’s cultures.

“A particular strength of our school is the whole-person development of students,” Diana adds. “We use student-centred teaching approaches to actively engage students in developing their understanding, and we believe that academics, extracurricular activities and life skills are all important parts of a young person’s growth and education.”

Intent on providing all-round educational opportunities, YHKCC offers over 40 extra-curricular activities for students to discover and develop their talents and interests outside academia. “We pride ourselves in our diverse student body, who are talented in sports, music, visual and performing arts, and showcase their talents confidently,” Diana says. At YHKCC the education provided is based on Christian beliefs and values, and about half of the students are practising Christians. “We accept students with different backgrounds and from different religions, or students who have no religion. But all students need to understand and respect Christianity, and take part in devotional worship sessions,” Diana explains.

“As a Christian school, we emphasise ‘values education’ based on the Christian faith. I believe that a young person’s values shape who they become, so instilling the YHKCC’s five core values in our students is vitally important in preparation for the future. In addition to striving for academic excellence, we also wish our graduates to be worthy citizens who act with integrity, are responsible, serve one another in love, respect themselves and others, and build a community that cares.”

YHKCC PRIORITISES WHOLE-PERSON DEVELOPMENT OF STUDENTS

For more on YMCA of Hong Kong Christian College, call 2988 8123, email info@yhkcc.edu.hk or visit www.yhkcc.edu.hk.