Dragon The
In this edition
Challenge+
Paul Tough explains Challenge Plus, a key priority in Kellett Vision: 2035, and shares the importance of stretching our students to maximise their potential.
Extra-Curricular Explorers
Hear from our Prep students in PFL and KLB firsthand on how their
Deep
OK Interview
Catch up with Old Kellettonian Jamie Mclvor, an ecoentrepreneur.
Sports Roundup
See how Kellett did on the pitch and the court in Season 2
Parents’ Committee
The Parents’ Committee celebrates the end of a busy and fun-filled Term 2
Meet the Board - Maddy Green
Hear from Kellett Board member Maddy Green as she opens up about her family, her role on the Board, and growing up in PFL Prep
Celebrate
Get to Know
Samuel Lehmann
Meet Samuel Lehmann, Deputy Head of PFL, as he shares about his role and excitement about being an educator and leader.
From the Principal & CEO
In this edition I delve into Challenge Plus, one of our focus areas of Kellett Vision 2035. We aim to provide a personalised learning journey for each of our students, nurturing their curiosity and stretching them to reach their fullest potential. I explain how our approach to stretch and challenge fosters resilience and independence, develops critical thinking skills, and cultivates a lifelong love of learning
Our feature explores Science at Kellett, a large department in Senior, and a hugely popular subject across all ages. We also share some insights into the wealth of planning that is happening behind the scenes in preparation for Kellett’s 50th Anniversary celebration which will run throughout 2026, including a special event on Saturday 21 March 2026 Please save the date in your diaries It’s going to be a fun and fitting year of events to mark our half century
As always do reach out if you would like to discuss any aspects raised in this magazine. I do hope you find the time to enjoy reading it over the Easter break.
Paul Tough Principal & CEO
Is there one interaction or experience that shaped who you are? Perhaps helping to determine your career path or the values you live by?
At Kellett we want our students to be shaped by a diverse range of inspirational people and experiences Individuals, alongside our inspiring teachers, that light sparks in our students, inspiring a lasting love of learning
K² (pronounced K-squared) enables the School to supercharge learning experiences for our students. It allows us to bring in specialists to inspire, motivate and introduce ideas and concepts that enhance the curriculum
K² relies on donations from amongst our community Every other year the Parents’ Committee organise the much-loved Spring Fair with profits going to K² The last Fair, alongside a generous benefactor parent, generated enough to enable us to have a Choral Musician-in-Residence, a vegetable garden on the SkyPitch, a Textiles Artist-in-Residence, and inspirational talks from Jessica Watson OAM, who sailed single-handedly around the world at age sixteen Later in 2025 we’ll have another musical residency, this time by conductor and opera specialist, Dominic Ellis-Peckham
These are extraordinary experiences for our students and we are grateful for the opportunities donations to K² make possible
Teachers can submit bids at any time to K². The School assesses these bids to ensure there is fair distribution between the three schools and that as many students as possible can benefit
If you would like to help our teachers supercharge your child’s education please donate to K² via the Kellett Foundation.
Jessica Watson OAM shares her story with our PFL Years 4-6 students
Igniting Curiosity
BY LAURA TYSON
With her infectious passion and desire to make every lesson an adventure, Victoria Willis, Head of Science in Senior, is a world away from the ‘other worldly’ Science teachers of my youth, with their grey beards, tweed jackets and ability to sap any fun from time in the labs
Victoria, like the Prep Science leads Anna Brockbank (PFL) and Alex Scott (KLB), bursts with enthusiasm for science, and more than that, a desire for every student to share that enthusiasm. Their common ambition is to have all students enjoy the diversity and intrigue of science, in its widest form
It’s little surprise then that the science journey offered from Prep results in it being the largest faculty in Senior, with a near equal gender balance and year-on-year individual, and collective, results worthy of enormous celebration.
Y6 Students observing a heart dissection
Prep
In the youngest years science is woven into exploration topics alongside humanities, and is centred on students learning about the world around them. Class teachers distinguish between 'Science lessons’ where appropriate, so children begin to attain an understanding of the different skills required.
Anna describes how those skills develop in Prep: “In the younger year groups, it's more observational and you're experiencing signs, whereas when you get to the upper Prep years, it's more focussed on investigating, making predictions and experimenting, to see what happens ”
Ensuring adequate time for practical exploration needed for students in Upper Prep has been a priority. “Since Covid, when practical Science sessions took a hit, there has been a concerted effort to make sure Science reclaims its place as one of the core subjects in Prep, with a move to teach it as a discrete subject for Years 4-6,” Alex explains
Anna has seen a big upturn in engagement in science since the switch to science-specific lessons. “Since separating the science and humanities, the children have a clearer understanding of the difference, and when you ask children what their favourite subject is science often comes out as a favourite ”
Uptake for Science ECAs reflects growing enthusiasm. After recently launching a Science Club, Anna was inundated with sign-ups (six children for each spot) forcing her to completely change her plans to accommodate all the budding scientists! She also notes how pleased she is with the gender balance, as well as the interest from children who struggle a bit more
Practical Exploration
Practical sessions are central to the Prep science experience with dedicated labs in each School and expertise provided by highly experienced technicians from the Senior School
The importance of practicals is not lost on our Prep students. “Some of the common myths and beliefs are fake,” shares Y6 student Chantel. “We need experiments to factcheck what is real or not.”
Beyond the labs there are a wealth of other learning experiences to capture the curiosity of Prep students, from visits to the Botanical Gardens, Ocean Park and Space Museum, to talks from nutritionists and dentists Accompanying a recent Y6 trip to the Science Museum parent Nidhi Shah enthused, “I love that Kellett has a very practical, hands-on, inspirational and fun learning approach to science And it's very immersive rather than just sticking to theory The labs are state of the art There is a focus It's integrated in everything, so students can really embrace science and not just think of it as a subject, but as a part of life ”
New Expressive Arts ECAs
Every year both Prep and Senior loosely follow the theme set by British Science Week, which this year is Changing and Adapting
In April, Prep students will enjoy a week of activities, experiments and competitions, designed to allow students to recognise how making small changes within investigations can yield significant results. Each year group will explore how changing different aspects of a vehicle can impact speed, efficiency and safety, helping them develop skills such as understanding variables, adapting tests to make them fair, as well as observe and record results.
If you are working in a profession that could bring these changes to life for Prep students in the form of a workshop, demonstration or talk, then please get in touch with the school via communications@kellettschool.com.
Preparing for Senior Science
As students reach the upper years of Prep, teachers make greater reference to the area of science
being explored, in preparation for senior where Biology, Chemistry and Physics are taught separately. Effort is also made to ensure the Senior Science faculty become familiar faces to Prep students, particularly during Science Week, and there is always a Senior lab experience in transition days
The Prep Science Subject Leads and what inspires them
Alex Scott Y6 Teacher/KLB Science Lead
“What I loved about Science when I was at school and what I hope to encourage for our students is that opportunity to both answer and generate questions Science is all about experiencing the world around us and recognising the impact we have upon it Whether it be by making simple observations or by designing their own experiments, I hope that our students continue to love all things Science for years to come ”
Anna Brockbank Y1 Teacher/PFL Science Lead
“My passion for Science grew throughout school as I realised that it is the subject with the power to answer all my questions about the world This lead me to study Neuroscience at univeristy and carry out ground breaking research that has since been published in some top scientific journals I am thrilled to be able to bring my passion and expertise to PFL Prep as Science Subject Lead and to facilitate the same enthusiasm for our students that I felt at school ”
Making science accessible has long been a teaching priority for Head of Senior Science, Victoria Willis Whilst teaching a class of students in the UK early in her career, many of whom had learning difficulties, she changed her perspective “I thought to myself, forget trying to teach them information Let's just do stuff they can get the information from, and they did so well I believe it's about how I teach it, not whether I think you can access it or not. You can access it. I just need to change how I'm teaching you. And even if you find it challenging, I still want you look forward to coming to lessons.”
Victoria places equal emphasis on keeping the most able enthused about science. For students who excel in sciences there is a risk the content becomes mundane “For children who find it easy to memorise facts and apply theory, where is the challenge? For those
Senior 11
students it's about making them think.
The Theory of Evolution is still just that - a theory. The thinking continues. This is where creativity and curiosity come to the fore in science.”
For Sixth Former Joel, the Science faculty at Kellett does just that “Science at Kellett sparked my curiosity and love for discovery in the subject I enjoy how the teachers allow us to visualise the theories and concepts they teach in class through experiments and practicals,” shares the aspiring medical student
As well as being a Y12 tutor (a role she relishes), Victoria oversees six biologists, four chemists, four physicists and a team of technicians With every single Senior student taking Science subjects up to the age of 16, seven state-of-the-art laboratories and rapid technological advances, it’s an exceptionally busy team.
Students in Year 7-8 rotate through the three main sciences, Biology, Chemistry and Physics, until Year 9 when they have lessons in all three subjects each week, and the GCSE examined curriculum begins.
“There is a focus. It's integrated in everything, so students can really embrace science and not just think of it as a subject, but as a part of life.”
Nidhi Shah Y6 Parent
From Year 10 students can opt to do double or triple science for GCSE, equating to two or three GCSEs respectively “For the most part up until Year 11 students doing Double and Triple science are studying the same topics at the same time Double students have some additional time to consolidate and fewer exams in Year 11, which takes the pressure off for those who find Science more challenging,” explains Victoria. She is keen to stress that Double Science does not prevent a student taking any of the sciences for A-Level,
assuming they meet the entry requirements (7 or above at GCSE)
Kellett’s Science examination results are consistently impressive, but Victoria is keen to emphasise that it’s important to look beyond results. “We're here to enable students to move on to the next step, whatever that might be for them. What’s important is, are you doing well for you. If you are, then great. If not, then what do we need to do to help and support you?”
In both GCSE and A-Level sciences there are internally assessed core practicals as part of the examination process At Kellett though, experiential learning goes well beyond those requirements, as Victoria explains “Practicals are as much about the methodology as the outcome Memorising theory is
Head of Physics, Nico Staffieri with a Year 10 student 12
simply not enough, students need to have the practical understanding to be able to apply what they know to novel scenarios.”
Victoria is excited about the scope for deeper exploration and the potential for more practicals that the upcoming move in Senior to 80-minute lessons offers She’s working with her team to think about how to bring little breaks into the lessons to keep students engaged She’s also delighted at the prospect of introducing another dimension to practical lessons at an off-site farm, as part of Kellett Vision 2035
Sparking Curiosity
As with a great many of our students Victoria, the child of a Hong Kong born mother and British father, is a third culture kid who grew up in Hong Kong, Singapore, Europe and the Middle East She attended a British boarding school where she took three sciences and art for A-Level, before heading to the University of Manchester to study Biology
After qualifying and teaching in the UK, Victoria moved to the UAE where she taught for a decade, starting at an iGCSE and IB curriculum school before moving across town to Brighton College to be Head of Biology for five years
Victoria’s commitment to exposing students to science in its broadest sense, stems from her time at university where she relished the diversity within her degree, relishing the opportunity to take courses in everything from molecular genetics to plant science and forensic Egyptology.
“When I joined Brighton College, I remember saying to the Head of Senior School there ‘I've got
Year 13 Students running a DNA fingerprint practical in Biology
Year 10 Students running Physics practical with help of a TA
Head of Science, Victoria Willis preparing a demonstration with Year 13 Biology Students
a bunch of children here who ar just telling me they want to b doctors This has got to stop’ H looked at me, quite shocked said, ‘I want kids doing biolog because they want to do no because it's a means to an end’. year or two later it completel changed; of course, we still ha doctors, dentists and vets, but w also had children going off to d bio-mechanics, bioinformatics, an marine biology.”
“Science at Kellett sparked my curiosity and love for discovery in the subject. I enjoy how the teachers allow us to visualise the theories and concepts they teach in class through experiments and practicals.”
Joel (Y12)
Joel observing the effects of bleach on e-coli
The Kellett Senior School Science Faculty
Victoria Willis Head of Science & Biology
Duncan McClellan Biology Teacher/Oceanography & Coral Conservation Coordinator
Julia Armstrong Assitant Head of Senior School/ Biology Teacher
Ed Wawn Chemistry Teacher
Daniel Coughlan Physics Teacher
Queenie Ho Lab Technician II
Nico Staffieri Head of Physics
James Pollock Assitant Head of Senior School/ Biology Teacher
Jamie Hardisty Head of Year 13 Biology Teacher
Ed Pegden Head of House (Bowen) Chemistry Teacher
Hoi Yan Chan Assistant Head of Senior School Physics Teacher
Yako Liu Lab Technician II
Richard Lancaster Head of Chemistry
Diane Maxwell Biology Teacher
Georgia Price Head of House (Maclehouse) Chemistry Teacher
Callum Langley Physics Teacher
Tommy Leung Lab Technician I
Bosco Lo Lab Technician III
Chun Yin Tseung Laboratory Attendant
She is also conscious not to pigeonhole students as scientists. As well as taking three sciences for A-Level Victoria took art and competed in a host of sports (swimming, badminton, basketball, lacrosse and athletics).
“Art was my balance. I enjoyed the calm and space that being in the art department provided me, which was completely different to having to learn and apply all this knowledge ”
The current focus of the Science team is a ‘curriculum’ rewrite ready for the start of 2025-26
Victoria explains that whilst much of the curriculum is set there is still healthy scope to diverge For her, this combined with the move to 80 minute lessons, means an exciting opportunity to be a ‘little adventurous’, prioritising student engagement and enjoyment
Victoria’s excitement is palpable, asking herself and her team, “What can we do to create more curiosity, more intrigue? How can we incorporate exciting developments happening in science right now? How can we bring in scientific publications and introduce discussions around ethics? How can we show how the three sciences are linked?”
When she steps into the classroom, she looks to ignite curiosity and foster a love of learning “My passion is wanting every single student in our school to love science Even if it's not their favourite thing, I don't want them to dread coming to lessons I want there to be enjoyment, even if it's a challenge If they can enjoy what they're doing, the understanding and learning follows more easily ”
10-14 March
The Science prefects hosted House Assemblies discussing topics linked to the theme of Change and Adapt culminating in a 'Feeling Scientific Friday' where students participated in fun activities, ranging from an aviation design challenge to meeting some of the world’s most resilient animals
CREATIVITY TO CREATION: STUDENT STORIES FROM GCSE DESIGN
With the addition of the Textiles & Fashion to our Design Technology GCSE curriculum this year, students can now choose from two pathways -- Product Design and Textiles & Fashion. Hear from Year 10 students Milton and Sophie & Sophia about their exploration into these distinct pathways
IN PRODUCT DESIGN
, we explore a variety of techniques and design processes from sketching designs to prototyping actual objects The course combines creativity with practicality I was drawn to Product Design because from Year 7 to 9, I enjoyed working with my hands.
The IGCSE course encourages innovation and gives me a chance to bring my ideas to life whilst understanding the practical and theoretical aspects of design.
“I’ve really enjoyed the freedom to experiment and creating something that is unique from others in each project. It’s rewarding to see my ideas evolve from a sketch to a full-on finished product.”
What surprised me about this course so far is how much problem-solving is involved it’s not just about creativity but also about finding solutions to challenges when things don’t go as planned. One of the challenges I’ve faced is how to manage my time effectively, especially when you want to refine the project some more, like sanding and polishing, which can take forever
Besides the practical skills such as CAD modelling or working with machinery in the studio, I’ve also learned to be attentive to detail and how to give and receive helpful constructive feedback. I’ve also noticed that the problem solving and critical thinking skills I’ve developed in DT are also very useful in other subjects like maths and at home like when I used paint, glue, and wood filler to fix a crack I had made on my desk I feel more resourceful and confident when tackling challenges!
D T is an important subject because students develop both creativity and practical skills that are essential in the world It encourages innovation, sustainability, and problem-solving, which are relevant across many different industries At Kellett, students can explore their interests and develop a deeper understanding of design and technology.
10)
Milton (Year
Milton working on his latest DT project - a retro inspired bluetooth speaker
TEXTILES & FASHION
, newly introduced to the Kellett curriculum, is an alternative pathway to the Design & Technology GCSE. So far, we have had the opportunity to experiment with a variety of fabrics and sewing techniques to apply in projects We have gained skills such as heat manipulation and creating different types of hems and seams using a sewing machine At our recent Designer-in-Residence Day, we had the privilege to work with artist Rachel Smith, where we incorporated skills including French seams and rolled hems into a jacket inspired by the Japanese kimono. In the day spent with Rachel, we were taught the process of assembling the jacket, a course suited for student sewists
When we first heard the Textiles course was being introduced, we were really excited and intrigued Like many, we developed hobbies during Covid, ours being sewing and knitting. Textiles acts as a creative outlet, allowing us to incorporate our hobbies into our academic learning
The most enjoyable aspect is the freedom we have with our projects and the available resources Encouraged to develop our own designs with skills we were taught, we have access to an array of equipment, allowing us to bring our ideas to reality Additionally, the collaborative environment fosters creativity and the exchange of suggestions
"Textiles acts as a creative outlet, allowing us to incorporate our hobbies into our academic learning.”
Through this subject, we have been able to transfer skills into our everyday lives and other subjects Sewing encourages sustainability despite the rapid growth of fast fashion, allowing you to mend and create clothes. Time management is something we have had to crucially develop, due to set deadlines, as well as learning how to deal with inevitable mistakes
Balance is key, especially as students, and involving a creative subject has had a positive impact on our mental health and well-being Sewing is a useful skill that may not be as popular today By adding this new stream in the DT course, we are able to develop in greater depth our creativity, innovation, and practical skills all while doing something we enjoy
Sophie and Sophia (Year 10)
Sophia measuring out her fabric for her jacket
Sophie ironing out creases to her fabric
Y6 Mary Poppins
1976-2026
Kellett School will be celebrating our 50th Anniversary in 2026. See how we are preparing for our Golden Jubilee.
The Kellett 50th Anniversary Logo Design - Natalie Leung (Y12)
Timeless Pieces
Kellett Memories is an initiative spearheaded by founding Head of Senior School, Simon Giddings (OK2007-18), to gather memorabilia ahead of our 50th anniversary into an online archive We are hoping to unearth some wonderful memories for our wider community, as well as showcase the rich history of the school
Since leaving Kellett, Simon has taken up residency in Crete where he enjoys spending time outdoors, walking, camping, growing his own food, as well as renovating his house We asked Simon what prompted him to generously offer his time to this project
‘I like being a part of projects and want to be working with others who are outside of my immediate life here on Crete Kellett made a big impact on me and my relationships with ex-colleagues and Old Kellettonians remain strong. So I reached out to see how I could help.’
Simon has some experience in this area having led a similar project for the Oxford University College he attended. ‘I particularly like the handwritten letters or excerpts from personal journals which have been submitted. Archives are a record of the memories of the communitythey could be considered as the college or school’s story.’
Simon is excited to see what winds its way to his slice of Crete for review and acknowledges that deciding what not to include will likely be the greatest challenge Beyond Kellett Memories there is also an enormous amount of material that, in time, the school needs to review and determine whether to archive, or not
We will be asking our global Old Kellettonians to share their memorabilia with us shortly If you have any material that you think might be suitable from years gone by, please email archives@kellettschool com in the first instance
We couldn’t resist asking Simon what his favourite memory was as he prepares to sift through everyone else's! ‘I was deeply moved when the Sixth Form Band performed ‘The Scientist’ by Coldplay (my favourite band) at the Whole School Assembly in my last year at Kellett I was moved to tears,’ he reminisced Don’t worry, that recording will certainly be in Kellett Memories, which will be available for our community to explore in 2026 Until then, wish Simon luck under his digital avalanche!
Founding Senior School Head, Simon Giddings (OK2007-2018)
Year 7 (2008) Students Henry & Fennie - submitted by Jacquie Hills (OK2007-2022), Former Deputy Head of Senior School
OK Events!
We had the privilege of hosting 2 OK get togethers this past term, one in Hong Kong and one in London. Check out some of the moments captured below and be sure to join us at the next one!
HK Ok Drinks
Tea in London with Mr Stacey
OLD KELLETTONIAN POSTCARD
Dear OKs,
I am currently a Year 12 student at Geelong Grammar School, where my primary passion is music and the performing arts My time at Geelong Grammar has been filled with incredible experiences, from hiking up mountains and cross-country skiing to participating in events such as the World Choir Games and the Senior School Musical At present, I serve as Music Co-Captain, a rewarding and challenging role that enables me to express myself and lead through music. Additionally, I co-lead the school's Global Citizens Council, to celebrate and recognise the diverse cultures within the school
My time at Geelong Grammar has built upon my experiences at Kellett, transitioning into a boarding environment where I have continued to grow academically and personally Whether it involved spending time with friends or performing in our Year 6 graduation show, every experience has shaped who I am today Looking ahead, I hope to continue pursuing music and the performing arts in the future, regardless of where my studies and career may take me. My future is an open book, waiting to be written.
Best,
Nigel Leung
Old Kellettonian Interview
The Life of an Eco-Entrepreneur
Jamie McIvor was at Kellett Pokfulam from 1993-1999. Having pursued studies in Chinese and Management, he now heads up the green energy company, Blue Sky Bio, working to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.
“Kellett as a whole school concept is very special to me, ” says Jamie “I loved the classmates, the assemblies, the song practices, the water fights, the school photos and all my teachers–Miss Norton, Mrs Hine, Mr Marshall, Mrs Lomas, and obviously I can’t forget our principal, Ms Ann Mc Donald OBE!” He also remembers the independence engendered by the safe and unified environment of the school, fondly recalling taking the public buses home in P5 and P6
With the Kowloon Bay campus not yet in operation, Jamie headed off to Island School before leaving for boarding school in the UK at the end of Year 9 “Being a December baby, I moved back a year and I’m really glad I did,” he says, “I had a great time at Bedales School–the chums I made there are all still deep chums now. I settled in easily and enjoyed the change of scene when I came back to Hong Kong every Easter for the 7’s as well as for summer and winter holidays.”
A gap year followed, during which Jamie spent 3 months as an intern with Ogilvy in Shanghai, an experience he thoroughly enjoyed. “I think internships are a very valuable way of learning how different companies function,” he says “I did a few and, while Excel data entry for over 10,000 products for one company was a bit of a drag, I was lucky with most of them–they were generally quite creative and granted me significant autonomy from the get-go This allowed me to refine my awareness as to what was actually necessary for the business to operate behind the idea, which is a lot!”
He went on to study Chinese and Management at Leeds University, combining his love of Mandarin with his budding entrepreneurial spirit “My parents were both entrepreneurs and they also felt that Chinese would be an invaluable tool in the future,” he says “I had enjoyed learning the language since my Kellett days and I agreed that learning to navigate the business sphere alongside it would be a smart move I also loved the idea of a sandwich year in China, which turned out to be the best year ever!” he enthuses “The structural controls and rules and regulations in China were still in a kind of limbo space in 2010, which made for a super fun playground for a university student,” he says, “I love China–the Chinese work ethic and most importantly: the lovingly warm personas that exist behind the saving-face-led language barrier that is many of the people’s inability to communicate effectively in English.”
It was his growing understanding of resource consumption and waste management in business that led him to consider working in the environmental sector He briefly considered a further degree in Environmental Sciences before opting to do a Post Graduate Certification in Energy & Fuels from Waste, Renewable Energy at Lancaster University “I joined UCapture as a Business Development lead after being approached by the CEO in 2015 to help the platform grow, ” he says “UCapture effectively partnered with major blue chip companies and would offer discount codes to all those that used the UCapture plugin in an attempt to lower their carbon footprint. For every X dollars spent, the bluechip would then invest Y dollars into a carbon sequestration project, which (after UCapture took its admin handling slice) would be tied to both the company and the purchaser, securing customer loyalty and ensuring that the company would have a positive CSR figure come the end of the year, ” he explains.
Jamie then began his work with Blue Sky Bio, a UK government-backed member of the Energy Entrepreneurs Fund (EEF) in 2014. “As Director, my role now covers business development, market analysis, project management, fundraising, government liaising, marketing, investor relations and other key operations–basically everything but the science!” he says. “The role also gave me the opportunity to go to Cambridge Judge Business School, pitching my seaweed-to-energy project to a Dragons Den-style panel and a cohort of about 40 entrepreneurs– it was a valuable experience to hone my business acumen and I’m still in contact with some of the students and teachers now ” He continues to drive the company forward with the aim of becoming the world’s best source of “carbon negative” biohydrogen fuel
But it seems Jamie’s entrepreneurial spirit just won’t rest! “My adaptogenic wellness brand, Temple Products, is proving to be very successful,” he says, “I’ve just featured my non-alcoholic spirit alternative drinks at The World Economic Forum in Davos and I hope to grow the company with many mental health activations planned in the coming years ”
Jamie in Year 5, in Mr Walker’s class
KellettVision:2035 InspiringMinds|EnrichingLives
Challenge+ Maximising our students’ potential
BY PAUL TOUGH
Paul Tough dives into Strategic Priority 2 - Support for All and Academic Challenge. He shares what is Challenge+ and how Kellett School will continue to challenge our students to push the boundaries of their potential.
Supportforall& academicchallenge StrategicPriority2
Maximising learning potential at Kellett through stretch and challenge, is an educational approach that involves providing students with learning opportunities that are slightly beyond their current ability level, thereby encouraging them to extend their skills and knowledge
At Kellett we have successfully cultivated a culture of high expectations, intellectual curiosity and academic ambition Our approach to stretching and challenging students enriches their learning, fosters resilience and independence, ensuring students can push beyond their comfort zone, develop critical thinking skills, and cultivate a lifelong love of learning
Our Approach
The School’s approach is informed by best practice in educational research, ensuring we provide the right level of challenge for every
learner. Research consistently shows that students exposed to appropriately challenging material within a structured and supportive environment, which includes personalised attention, clear learning aims, and a nurturing atmosphere, make more significant academic progress and develop stronger critical thinking skills
Fundamentally, a growth mindset is crucial to our School’s prevailing culture and shared expectations We subscribe to the educationalist and psychologist Carol Dweck's theory that intelligence and abilities can be developed through effort and perseverance, challenging students both inside and outside the classroom to embrace difficulties, as opportunities for growth, fostering resilience and self-efficacy
Dweck also highlights that students with a growth mindset prove more persistent in problem-solving and have a greater willingness to take
academic risks. Through highquality feedback, reflective goal setting, and an emphasis on the learning process rather than simply outcomes, we instil in our students the confidence to tackle complex challenges.
Crucially, effective stretch and challenge require teachers to carefully differentiate learning, changing content, process and assessment to engage students at a suitable level of complexity
At Kellett differentiation is embedded in our teaching practice through:
Tiered Assignments – ensuring all students work at a level that challenges them appropriately
Flexible Grouping –encouraging collaboration while allowing students to work at various levels of complexity
Targeted Interventionproviding added support or challenge where necessary.
Key Stage 3 Scholars - Let's Green Kellett
Personalised learning builds upon differentiation, recognising that students learn at different rates and in many different ways. Adaptive technologies, student-led inquiry, and independent research projects allow students to take ownership of their learning, while being supported to achieve ambitious goals Investigation also fosters intellectual independence, shifting students from passive recipients of
experiments in the sciences, while in the humanities, they engage in Socratic discussions and structured debates, facilitating the development of analytical and evaluative skills. Within the Expressive Arts, students are inspired to perform at an elevated level, encouraging creativity and originality, mastering skills, and expressing themselves with purpose and conviction Likewise, team and individual sports offer broad opportunities for participation and elite success, including national and
international competitions such as FOBISIA, promoting self-discipline, resilience, team pride and support.
Senior Stretch
Within a Senior School context, stretch and challenge are embedded in all schemes of learning, ensuring that students engage with intellectually demanding content across
Stretch Programmes in Senior
Scholars Programme (Years 7-11) – advanced study opportunities for high-achieving students.
Oxbridge Preparation – specialist support for students applying to top-tier universities
Academic Reading Groups – engaging with texts that explore ideas across cultures and time
Enrichment Activities – Model UN, Creative Writing and academic societies.
Critical Perspective – Perspectives Lectures (Years 12-13) encouraging Interdisciplinary thinking Medical, Veterinary & Engineering Societies – supporting students in highly competitive fields
Academic Competitions – debate, public speaking, and subjectspecific challenges
complex global issues.
Early Enrichment
Manifest within the Prep Schools it is our belief that intellectual challenge should begin early, fostering curiosity and ambition from an early age. Our extracurricular and co-curricular programme extends learning beyond the classroom, ensuring students experience challenges in various meaningful ways
Kellett Students at the KGV MUN Conference
Enrichment Programmes in Prep
Our enrichment programme is structured into three key areas:
Challenge Plus – advanced academic challenges to stretch high-potential learners.
Curriculum Plus – activities that extend students’ passions beyond the curriculum
Community Plus – leadership, well-being, and servicefocused clubs
Students are identified for targeted challenge activities through the Prep Teachers’ Pupil Progress cycle, a comprehensive assessment and evaluation system that considers academic performance, teacher recommendations, and student interests This ensures that those with the potential for more academic stretch are given opportunities to develop their skills
Equally, we recognise the importance of unstructured play,
social development, and physical activity, and our carefully designed timetable ensures a balanced approach, allowing students to engage in a maximum of three lunchtime activities per week
Stretching Stretch & Challenge
With an eye to the future, we are keen to build upon the considerable strength of our School’s current approach From next School year, as part of the
priorities contained in Kellett Vision 2035, we are introducing several significant new developments to enhance our stretch and challenge provision
Foremost amongst these will be a new Cross-School Challenge Plus Coordinator, responsible for overseeing a distinct academic enrichment programme This initiative will ensure continuity in stretch and challenge from Prep into Senior, providing identified students with:
Mentorship with Teachers –one-on-one academic coaching with subject specialists
Exclusive Enrichment Opportunities – tailored workshops, research projects, and guest lectures
External Learning Experiences – university partnerships, industry connections, and academic excursions
The next stage in our Challenge Plus agenda will involve professional learning opportunities for teachers with world-renowned institutions specialising in this area, such as the Gerric Centre at the University of New South Wales in Sydney. By formalising this programme, we are strengthening our commitment to identifying and nurturing the potential of students at all ages and ensuring they receive the support, challenge, and guidance needed to excel
At Kellett, stretch and challenge is about cultivating intellectual curiosity, fostering resilience, and preparing students for success in an increasingly complex world Through carefully structured differentiation, investigative approaches, and a rich programme of enrichment opportunities, we ensure every student is supported to reach their fullest potential
We recognise the crucial role of parents in this journey, as they foster curiosity at home, encourage
perseverance, and celebrate the value of challenge. Together, we can nurture capable learners who
develop a love of learning, confidence for life and readiness to thrive in education and beyond.
Key Stage 3 Scholars Mars Project
Y5-6 - Ethics Club (PFL Prep)
EXTRA-CURRICULAR EXPLORERS
Prep Students from PFL and KLB share their enjoyment of their ECAs
Kellett offers a rich and varied programme of extra-curricular activities (ECAs) in Prep that contribute to the development of our prep students as a whole. We strongly believe that committed participation in a broad selection of ECAs helps build a strong and developed personal profile for their future.
JOURNALISM CLUB (KLB) - SIENNA (Y5)
In Journalism Club, I get to write about cool stuff happening at school It's fun to interview teachers and to hear their answers to our questions. Working with my friends is fun but sometimes challenging when we have a lot of ideas to consider It’s exciting to share news that everyone reads and it feels really good to see my name next to my article I’m learning to write better and using new words. Journalism club makes me feel like a real reporter and that’s awesome!
ORCHESTRA
(KLB) - TYLER (Y3)
I’ve been playing cello since 4 years old This is my first year playing in orchestra Before that I’ve only played by myself with a teacher. In orchestra you have to play together and this is where I get better Playing by myself, I only hear what I play, but when I play in orchestra I get to hear everyone else’ sounds Playing with other people is fun. When everyone plays together it sounds good. I am able to know if I’m on beat or know where the song is We get to learn different parts and that’s important because if we play the same thing then its like playing by yourself but when everyone plays different notes, it sounds better It’s harmony Orchestra is fun because you learn how to play together and hear how other instruments sound like
HOBBY CLUB (PFL) - SID (Y1)
In Hobby Club we do arts and crafts Hobby Club is actually kind of fun to do with your friends We’ve made a paper chain snake for Chinese New Year and I helped my friend with her paper chain snake When I do a hard craft at hobby club I feel really proud of myself because I did something that I thought I was not going to be able to do.
ETHICS CLUB (PFL) - HERMIONE (Y6)
Ethics Club is similar to debate but instead of picking a side and solely arguing a specific point of view, it is more of a conversation on a topic We also look at different stimuli and think about the morals behind different stories. I decided to join ethics because I wanted to learn about different theories and debating. However, it is not always fun or easy, sometimes finding the morals of stories can be tricky and the different ethical theories can be hard to understand! Ethics Club is important because you learn to think about how others might be feeling, especially if they have a different opinion, and express your differing view using manners This has been particularly helpful when things don’t go quite my way at home and I need to politely explain why I think my parents should reconsider!
SPORTS ROUNDUP
SEASON 2 NOV - FEB
33 Runners 4 Teams
Teams 44 Participants 2 Teams 11 Matches
Runners
Parents’ Committee
Claire O’Neill - Parents’ Committee Lead
It’s hard to believe Easter and the end of this term is nearly upon us. Once again, your children, and the wider Kellett community, have come together to produce some wonderful events for our students in all campuses
Our school came alive in January, with vibrant colours, festive cheer, and a sense of community as PFL, KLB Prep and Senior School were transformed into lively hubs of activities, games, and cultural showcases as we celebrated Chinese New Year bringing everyone together to celebrate this important tradition These festivities not only created lasting memories but also deepened our understanding of Chinese culture and traditions It was heartwarming to see the laughter, smiles, and teamwork that filled the air, reminding us of the importance of coming together as a school community
World Book Day was celebrated with immense enthusiasm and a shared passion for reading in both prep campuses At PFL, parents created fun and interactive stalls for students to explore well-known authors, titles and international literature The children were inquisitive and engaged as they roamed around in their book-inspired costumes! Whilst at KLB, parents came together to demonstrate the many written languages experienced in Kellett Students had the chance to share their favourite books and authors with parents representing different countries, fostering lively discussions and encouraging exploration of new literary worlds The day was a delightful blend of creativity, inspiration, and community spirit, highlighting the importance of literature in our lives
Our diligent prep students dove into discovering new worlds and together read over 8000 books during our 2 week Reada-Thon in Prep With the hugely appreciated help of their sponsors they raised over $269,000 for K²
Following last year ’ s successful Chess Fiesta, both KLB and PFL held chess tournaments for our budding chess masters, bringing together students and chess enthusiasts for a day of strategic play and friendly competition. The talent and passion for chess within our community was clear for all to see, with participants of all skill levels eager to test their strategies on the board. It was inspiring to see the dedication and sportsmanship displayed by all participants, and we were thrilled to observe a rise in the number of female participants. We look forward to hosting more tournaments in the future and continuing to foster a love for chess in Prep!
A special thank you to everyone who helped out in any way at all of these events and to all the participants for making them memorable.
We look forward to seeing many of you at the Kellett Charity Ball Don’t forget your masks Fill out the form HERE or email eventslead@connect kellettschool com to order one today!
Introduceyourfamily:
I am from Hong Kong and half Chinese and half English My husband, Josh, was also born in HK and he works in finance Jake is our oldest and in Y6 in PFL Almost finished at prep which just blows my mind! He loves all sport and winding up his sisters Lily is in Y5 and she’s loving being in the musical and is so excited to go to Pattaya for FOBISIA later this year Edie is in Y3 and is our baby even though she’s 7! She probably the most determined of them all as she’s always having to keep up with her siblings They all love Kellett so much!
Whatdoyoudo?
I have my own label called Madeleine Thompson Cashmere and we make all sorts of ladieswear in cashmere Maddy has been serving on the Board since 2020 She is currently on the strategic development committee, which primarily involves fundraising and lots of work on the long term strategy and values for the school In addition to being a Kellett parent, Maddy is an Old Kellettonian, having attended Kellett when she was child growing up in Hong Kong.
FavouritethingtodoinHongKong
This time of year is just so magical in HK The weather has been spectacular! Anything outside on the trails or on the sea is my favorite thing to do in HK! But also the food in this city is insanely good for any cuisine! We are spoilt!
Whatmadeyoudecidetostandforthe Boardandcurrentpositions
I love Kellett and was really keen to roll up my sleeves and get involved and give back to a community that has given me and my family so much It’s a school that goes the extra mile for its students in every possible way
Whatisalastingmemoryyouhavefrom yourstudentdaysatKellett?
I vividly remember all the wonderful and ambitious productions and plays we put on al amazing tradition that is carried on to this day Excitedly waiting back stage with full m feeling I will never forget
WhatissomethingyouwishtopassontothenextgenerationofKellettStudents?
I absolutely loved my time at Kellett. The heart and soul of the school has remained the same, whilst coming on in such leaps and bounds in other ways which I think is an amazing achievement! Whilst I was a student I think I took for granted the priority that Kellett places on the child as a whole person and how nurturing an environment it was to grow and develop; as a parent I am so unbelievably grateful for the care taken with my own 3 children who are celebrated for being themselves every day It’s a rare and wonderful thing
Meet the Greens (L-R): Maddy, Jake, Lily, Josh, and Edie
Maddy in Year 5
Celebrating our Kellett Community beyond the campus
Bra has competitions across the globe, including the prestigious Prix de Lausanne, the Youth America Grand PrixPortugal (Top 12 solo finish & 3rd place ensemble finish), and the Dance World Cup Qualifier in Hong Kong On her whirlwind past couple of months, Bianca shares, "It was an amazing experience where I learned a lot from all the international students and teachers "
Running for Education
Cheers for Kellett Parent, Ruoyi Ma (Parent of Freya - Y1 PFL), who raised over HKD$10,000 via sponsorships as she ran the Seoul Marathon in support of the Ann Mc Donald Fund for Bursaries and Outreach. Ruoyi shares:
“I was really taken aback by the limited access to educational resources for children who live below the poverty line here in HK I thought to myself how fortunate our children are, and how my daughter who absolutely loves her time at Kellett I was therefore inspired to raise donations for children who could benefit from a Kellett education through Bursaries and enrichment experiences at Outreach”
Ruoyi finished the race with a time of 3 hours and 38 minutes on a freezing wet day in Seoul
Ka Cong Kartik fo Bronze 5th A Childre
Hannah (Y9)
A standing ovation fo Hannah on her recen first place finishes at th HKIPPA Elite Piano Competition, the SIYP Preliminaries (HK), an the SIYPC Finals (China).
Megan (Y9)
Corey (Y9)
Congratulations to Corey who represente Hong Kong in their recent U14 training tri to Hanoi, Vietnam.
Ava (Y3)
Big cheers for Ava who won gold for her floor routine at the Proactiv Gymnastic Competition in Discovery Bay.
Applause for Megan for representing Kuala Lumpur at the 60th Malaysia Age Group Swimming Championship Megan broke her personal best in all 7 of her events!
Milos (Y11)
Big cheers for Milos who has been called up to the BC Rangers First Team for the 24-25 HK Premier League Season, making him one of the youngest players in the league.
Deputy Head of PFL Prep
This year marks Sam’s 9th year at Kellett First arriving in 2016 as the English Subject Lead and teaching Year 6 He has been Deputy Head since 2022
Whatissomethingyouarepassionateabout?
Poetry - When I was 7 years old, my Year 3 teacher read us The Jabberwocky and when I came into school with my own version (The Hippoflow), she encouraged me to type it up on the class typewriter! I rediscovered my love for it in University and I have now been running my poetry (and biscuits) club with Year 6 students for almost two decades now I love how the students’ ideas and interpretations can take us on some incredible tangents
Whatmotivatesyouinyourwork?
2. Whatisafuturegoalyou’dliketoachieve?
The students and their journey towards discovering their passions There is something very special about working at Primary and witnessing the wonder and joy for our pupils, and how much they change and grow from Reception to Year 6 Every day brings something different and it’s a guarantee that something each day will challenge you and something will make you laugh. Seeing our staff’s journeys as well: helping engineer the conditions for them to be successful and flourish, which then passes onto our students
In over three decades of playing amateur football, I’ve never won a cup final. Sometimes this has been directly my fault (penalty shootout misses) at this rate, it might be the Veterans Walking Football Cup, but I’d take it
DescribeKellettin3words
BELONGING – I feel this describes how I felt when we were met at Hong Kong airport back in August 2016 by Ann (Mc Donald), Ben (Dixon), Jo (Laufer) and Cathy (Poole, Former head of HR), and handed a hamper full of goodies We were fortunate to join with a large cohort of staff, many of which are still at the school today, and it immediately felt like we were part of a family
CREATIVITY – the Expressive Arts at Kellett continue to amaze me year-on-year. The class assemblies, shows and endless music events at PFL are just incredible, and highlight what talented staff and students we have at the school There’s something about music which brings people together in such a powerful way – and the levels of creativity from everyone involved to curate and perform such events is very special at Kellett
AMBITION – I think it is sometimes taken for granted what an amazing project Kellett is – from a group of parents setting up the school, to the creation of a Senior School, then Outreach and the Ann Mc Donald Fund and now beyond I have the privilege of showing prospective parents around the Prep School at Pok Fu Lam, and so each time I talk about the history of the school it reminds me of the scale of the ambition
IfyoucantakeonanyroleatKellettforoneday, whichrolewoulditbe?
I’d probably go for Librarian – though I would never be as good as our wonderful Emily Wong at PFL! The library is my favourite room in the school I know how busy it would be with all the sorting, re-shelving, scanning in and out, repairing, but reading – and reading to children in particular – is one of my favourite things to do
Andtowrapup,thereisanunexpecteddelayatthe nextassembly,howwillyoukeeptheparents entertainedforthenext5-10minutes?
Samuel Lehmann on Guitar - Free Love Freeway
Whenever the call comes in, you can count on Sam to don the Dragon mascot suit in PFL
Sam with his wife, Head of Additional Support at PFL, Leila, and their 1-year old daughter Emmeline
Thank you for reading this issue of The Dragon magazine. We would love to hear your feedback Please scan or click the QR Code to share with us your thoughts and anything you would like to see in future editions.
