Expat Parent March 2019

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the really useful magazine expat-parent.com

March 2019

stress

a little less 279

With our ultimate guide to flying with little ones

to things do in March

Life beyond the classroom How parents can help

Australian Consul-General Michaela Browning in her Deep Water Bay home

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CONTENTs

ISSUE 058

2 Contributors

Meet this month’s team

5

What’s on

Dates for your diary

16 News

The monthly round-up

19

Me & my big idea

Snapping up maternity photography

20

Book review

A cavalier explores The Peak

23

Hong Kong Baby

Flying with babies, plus baby news

28

Cover story

Meet Michaela Browning, Australian Consul-General

33

My Hong Kong

Five women influencing Hong Kong

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45

37 Schools

Bebegarten and schools news

45

Life & style

Natalie Chan, founder of OWN Academy

17

21

49 Travel

Easter skiing in Japan

56

The Father Side

Our new columnist brings a fresh perspective

Scan and visit our website expat-parent.com

37

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contributors

who’s in charge?

Editorial editorial@hongkongliving.com Managing Editor Gemma Shaw

Contributing Editor Carolynne Dear

Contributing Editor Nicole Slater

Editorial Assistant Becky Love

Digital Editor Apple Lee

Media Assistant Jeramy Lee

Design sonia@hongkongliving.com

Karin Bremer

Amelia Sewell

… Our photographer Karin, snapped our interview with Australian Consul-General Michaela Browning this month.

… Our Education Editor talks us through the troubles of travelling with babies in this month’s Hong Kong Baby section.

I can’t wait for summer because… during the holidays we meet up with family and travel to new and familiar places. Each year we go camping for several weeks in the south of France.

I can’t wait for summer because… I’m currently living off about 3% of my wardrobe, I can’t wait to get back into summer clothes!

I will be spending International Women’s Day… with my mother, who will be visiting from the Netherlands, getting ready for my son’s 8th birthday party.

I will be spending International Women’s Day… having a 20 week scan of the new edition to our family.

Design Coordinator Sonia Khatwani

Sales & Marketing talk@hongkongliving.com Director of Partnerships Hilda Chan

Senior Sales and Marketing Executive Isamonia Chui

Sales and Marketing Executive Corrie Tang

Sales and Marketing Executive Mathew Cheung

Events ran@hongkongliving.com Event Executive Ran Chan

Operations charles@hongkongliving.com Assistant Operations Manager Charles Lau

Publisher Tom Hilditch tom@hongkongliving.com

Contact us Admin: 3568 3722 | Editorial: 2776 2773 | Advertising: 2776 2772 Published by Hong Kong Living Ltd, L1 Kai Wong Commercial Building, 222 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong

Nicole Cooley

Gemma Shaw

…Our contributing editor who ventured around Hong Kong for our Mum About Town section this month.

…Our Managing Editor

I can’t wait for summer because… I’ll be catching up with family and friends in the UK, and seeing the Spice Girls!

I will be spending International Women’s Day… lunching with friends and celebrating being women together.

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I can’t wait for summer because… I’ve exhausted my winter wardrobe! That and I’m in the stage of planning a couple of beach getaways - gotta make use of those public holidays!

I will be spending International Women’s Day… In the office finalising content for our upcoming book Hong Kong Living Guide 2019.

No doubt I’ll celebrate the end of the working week with dinner and a glass of wine!

Printer Apex Print Limited, 11-13 Dai Kwai Street, Tai Po Industrial Estate, Tai Po, Hong Kong

HONG KONG hongkongliving.com Expat Parent is published by Hong Kong Living Ltd. This magazine is published on the understanding that the publishers, advertisers, contributors and their employees are not responsible for the results of any actions, errors and omissions taken on the basis of information contained in this publication. The publisher, advertisers, contributors and their employees expressly disclaim all and any liability to any person, whether a reader of this publication or not, in respect of any action or omission by this publication. Expat Parent cannot be held responsible for any errors or inaccuracies provided by advertisers or contributors. The views herein are not necessarily shared by the staff or publishers. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher.

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what’s on

Diary dates

MAR 11-APR 13

Women’s Five Run & Fun Fitness Programme Go on a journey of fitness with Women’s Five in their five week fitness programme in preparation for a five or 10km run. $800-$880 for the run and fitness program, $390-$420 for run only. Aberdeen Country Park. womensfive.com

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what’s on UNTIL MAR 10

MAR 1-3

MAR 8

Experience 11 days of culinary finesse at over 150 of the most in demand restaurants in town this spring. With three courses starting from $148, it should already be in the diary for any cuisine connoisseurs. Various times and locations. restaurantweek. diningcity.hk

The 8th edition of the trail running race on the biggest outlying island in Hong Kong.

The course is spread over two national parks and different trails, a good chance to keep active this spring. Start times vary. Entrance fees are $450 for 25km, $680 for 50km and $1,480 for 100km. Mui Wo River Silver Garden, Mui Wo. translantau.com

Celebrate International Women’s Day with an exhibition by Kate Sparrow featuring a series of paintings of inspirational Hong Kong women. 5.30-8.30pm. Anita Chan Gallery, Fringe Club, 2 Lower Albert Road, Central. katesparrow.com

Hong Kong Restaurant Week

Trans Lantau Race

I Am Woman, art show by Kate Sparrow

MAR 3

Clearwater Bay Chase 2019 A 10km charity run from Clearwater Bay Marina to Clearwater Bay Second Beach.

All enrolment fees go to Breakthrough in support of their liberal studies project.

7.30am-noon. The Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club, 139 Tai Au Mun Road, Clearwater Bay. cwbgolf.org

UNTIL MAR 23

MAR 10

All genres of performing arts are represented in this month-long programme.

Times, prices and locations vary. hk.artsfestival.org/en

Car fanatics get ready for a day filled with speed and excitement as the motorsport races along the most dramatic skyline in all of Asia. Adults $2,880 and Concessions $1,440. Central Harbourfront Event Space. hkformulae.com

47th Hong Kong Arts Festival

Hong Kong E-Prix

MAR 1

International Women’s Day Gala Lunch Hosted by The Women’s Foundation, this year’s panel has been orchestrated around the title ‘Curating Gender Equality: a Conversation with Women in the Arts’. Noon2pm. Individual tickets from $1,900 or a table from $31,000. Conrad Hong Kong, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty. twfhk.org

MAR 10

Outward Bound Adventure Race

MAR 3

Tai Kok Tsui Temple Fair A festival rich in culture with dancing dragons and a grand parade. A fun day out for all ages. 10am-9.30pm. Fuk Tsun Street, Mongkok. tkttemplefair.org.hk

MAR 5-14 AWA WISE

Series of talks to inspire and empower women to develop professionally from the American Women’s Association of Hong Kong. Tickets from $220. Times and locations vary. awa.org.hk

MAR 8

International Women’s Day Celebrate all the women in your life.

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Challenge your inner adventurer in a race of trailing running, kayaking, swimming and tactical navigation. Designed for teams of four with two course options including a Challenge route at 16km or Elite route at 20km. Register online at fringebacker.com/en/event/ outward-bound-adventure-race-2019

tell me more

Photo credit: Art Basel

mum-about-town

MAR 10

Healthy Hike & Run Run and hike around Tai Lam with this Action Asia Event. Distances of 5km, 13km and 19km available. 8.30am start. $300. Tai Tong Shan, Tai Lam. actionasiaevents.com

MAR 15-24

Hong Kong Flower Show For those horticulture lovers seeking a refreshing haven in the middle of the busy city, this year’s Flower Show will explore the theme ‘When Dreams Blossom’ and features Chinese Hibiscus, the rose of China.

9am-9pm. Tickets $14. Victoria Park, Causeway Bay. lcsd.gov.hk

MAR 17

Sai Kung Sunday Pop Up

Feeling creative With a number of art shows in Hong Kong this month, I’ll be dragging the kids along for some creative inspiration. We’ll head to Art Central for performance art and large scale installations, and to Art Basel for the more modern art. With so many different galleries in attendance as well as pop up dining experiences, I’m sure there’ll be something for everyone to enjoy. Now for the mantra: don’t touch the artwork!

Art Basel: March 29-31. One day ticket from $300. Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, 1 Expo Drive, Wan Chai. artbasel.com/hong-kong Art Central: March 27-31. Tickets from $240. The New Central Harbourfront, 9 Lung Wo Road, Central. artcentralhongkong.com

The monthly pop up market is back with vendors selling various wares including candles, jewellery and leather goods. 12 noon-5pm. Momentai Bar & Restaurant, Kiosk 1 Waterfront, Wai Man Road, Sai Kung.

Family feasts

MAR 18-APR 4

Hong Kong International Film Festival One of the largest cultural events in the city braces the cinematic scene. Tickets from $55. Several locations including the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre and Hong Kong Science Museum. hkiff.org.hk

Indulge in different tastes of Hong Kong

After a healthy start to the year, I’ll be spending an afternoon at Taste of Hong Kong testing out many of the 60 signature dishes on offer.

Whilst the adults are feasting and un-wining at the largest restaurant festival in the world, the kids will be entertained in the Family Zone hosted by Whizpa. There will also be live cooking demonstrations, a gourmet market, a Seedlip bar and live music. I’m most excited about sipping on cocktails paired with perfumes at the Miller Harris Perfumery Bar. March 21-24. Tickets from $96. Central Harbourfront, 9 Lung Wo Road, Central. hongkong.tastefestivals.com expat-parent.com 7

what’s on MAR 23-APR 30

MAR 25

Take part in Paws by the Sea and a whole range of activities with Hong Kong’s first seaside Doggie Speed Dating, a Guiness World Record attempt, a Doggie Wedding Expo, Instagrammable photo spots for dogs, dog training, educational workshops and more. Free. For registration, email pawsbythesea2019@eventist.com

Ivor Novello-winning songwriting sensation Tom Odell makes his first appearance in Hong Kong. 8pm. $590. Kowloon Bay International Trade & Exhibition Centre, Kowloon. livenation.hk

Paws by the Sea 2019

MAR 24 MAR 21-24

Taste of Hong Kong Taste gives foodies a chance to experience over 60 unique signature dishes, with some of the city’s best chefs. Session times vary.

Tickets from $96. Central Harbourfront, 9 Lung Wo Road, Central. hongkong. tastefestivals.com

MAR 22

Mount Kelly Admissions Day Visit Mount Kelly Hong Kong School and learn about the British curriculum and admissions process. Includes on-site interviews and assessments, children’s workshops run by UK-qualified teachers and school tours. mountkelly.edu.hk

Race the Runway HK All fundraising will be donated to Habitat of Humanity, difficulty levels range from 1km kids dash to 10km challenge. Race area opens from 7.30am. From $300 for 5km and 10km runs, $220 for 1km kids dash and $1,800 per team. Kai Tak Runway Park, Kowloon. racehk.com/runway

MAR 24

Tom Odell Live

MAR 27

Jimmy Carr Live in Hong Kong Rescheduled from September, British bestloved comedian, Jimmy Carr, brings The Best of Ultimate Gold Greatest Hits Tour along with new material. 8pm. Tickets from $488. Kowloonbay International Trade & Exhibition Centre, Kowloon. hkticketing.com

The Green Run The eco-conscious Green Run has distances of 3km and 10km for individuals and teams.

With reusable water cups, recycling bins, and environmentally-friendly souvenirs.

8am-1pm. $300. Charles K Kao Auditorium, Hong Kong Science Park & Pak Shek Kok Promenade, Sha Tin. greencouncil.org

MAR 23

Sai Kung Montessori Information Session Learn more about the Montessori philosophy created over 100 years ago.

10am. Free. 787 Unit SB, Tan Cheung, Sai Kung. saikungmontessori.com

MAR ​23

MAR 27-31

A tough 1000m of climbing over 10km, the race takes you over Violet Hill and the Twins and back, over night. 7.30pm. $298 (register together with the Lantau Stairmaster for $500). Starting from Tai Tam Reservoir Road. thetrailhub.com

Showcasing over 100 leading art galleries as well as performances, talks, large scale installations and new media. Open daily from noon. Tickets from $240. The New Central Harbourfront, 9 Lung Wo Road, Central. artcentralhongkong.com

Twins Stairmaster Race

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Art Central

what’s on MAR 29-31

Hong Kong Photobook Fair Independent publishers invited to share their photobooks. Friday and Saturday 12 noon-8pm and Sunday 11am-6pm. Free.

Hong Kong Arts Centre, 2 Harbour Road, Wan Chai. hkphotobookfair.com

MAR 29-APR 1

Asia Contemporary Art Show As Asia’s hub for contemporary art, Hong Kong invites a platform for international art lovers to join together and appreciate over 2,500 pieces of artwork. Opening times vary. 2-for-1 tickets including complimentary drinks for $270. Conrad Hong Kong, Pacific Place 88 Queensway. asiacontemporaryart.com

MAR 28

MAR 29-31

Hong Kong Art Basel

MAR 30

Successful British duo, Pet Shop Boys, bring The Super Tour to Asia, featuring their latest album Super alongside their greatest hits, including ‘Always on My Mind’ and ‘West End Girls’. 8pm. Tickets from $588.

AsiaWorld Expo, Airport Expo Blvd, Chek Lap Kok. hkticketing.com

Discover the world’s iconic names and leading modern galleries all gathered under one roof in the art hub of Asia. Opening hours vary daily. One day ticket from $300.

Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, 1 Expo Drive, Wan Chai. artbasel.com/hong-kong

Join Chinese Academy for a poetic spring afternoon while sipping tea and enjoying performances based on work written by our young poets. Starts at 2pm. Free admission. Please register at caps.edu.hk

Pet Shop Boys

Chinese Academy Poetry Tea House

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what’s on MAR 30

WWF Earth Hour 2019 Reduce and rethink with 2019’s theme to “Change the Way We Live” and preserve the Earth’s biodiversity. Pledge to switch off your lights at 8.30pm. earthhour.wwf.org.hk

rugby, netball, dodgeball, volleyball and football competitions. Family entertainment areas with bouncy castles, food vendors and more. 9am-8pm. Repulse Bay Beach. beach5s.com

MAR 30-31

MAR 31

Asia’s biggest beach sporting festival with

Don’t forget good old Mum, all you Brits!

Hong Kong Beach 5s

British Mothering Sunday

MAR 30

Bebegarten 6th Birthday Party and Open Day Join in the fun with a bouncy castle, magic shows, arts and crafts, sand art, and more!

10am-3pm. Free. Bebegarten Education Centre, Unit 301-305, One Island South, 2 Heung Yip Road, Wong Chuk Hang. bebegarten.com

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book now

APR 27-28

IRIS Festival Hong Kong’s biggest Yoga and Wellness Festival, combining yoga, mediation, music, arts, and health and wellness education. This year introduces a new family zone. Saturday 10.30am-9pm and Sunday 9am6pm. Central Harbourfront Event Space. irishkg.com

APR 6-7

Bug Symphony: The Musical Hear and see musical wonders in a bug’s world! Free pre-show activities include face-painting, kids’ tattoos and a live bug exhibition.

Saturday 2.30pm and 7.30pm, Sunday 2.30pm. $250-550. Hong Kong City Hall Concert Hall. bugsymphony.com

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APR 17-18 Ed Sheeran

British-born Ed Sheeran, one of the world’s best selling music artists, is coming to Hong Kong as part of his world tour. From $888. Fantasy Road Outdoor Venue, Disneyland. hkticketing.com

Donm’tiss out

Earl y Offers！

2 July to 9 August

ESF

Sports & Language

Summer

Camps

Register before 31 March, selected camps will be discounted by

ESF Sports ESF Language

sports@esf.org.hk language@esf.org.hk

$200!

8 July to 23 August

Tel: 2711 1280

www.esf.org.hk expat-parent.com 13

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news

OPCF Run For Survival Ocean Park Conservation Foundation will be holding their Run For Survival on May 19. The event will consist of a 10km Timed Challenge, 3km Fun Run and four small relays each 2.5 km. The event hopes to raise awareness for the protection of marine life, with each race featuring obstacles to symbolise debris and threats. The race will be held at Hong Kong Science Park and Pak Shek Kok Promenade, Sha Tin. Sign up online at opcf.org.hk

Longines Masters 2019

Boyzone’s final tour announced The legendary Irish boy band have finally decided to wrap up their music career after 25 years of playing together and announce the final tour Thank You & Good Night. The group will be performing at Star Hall in Kowloon Bay on March 26. Tickets went on sale online on the 20 February. It will be the last chance to see the famous reunion of Keating, Gately, Graham and Lynch as they perform their seventh and final studio album. Performing in Hong Kong for one night only make sure you don’t miss out!

In its seventh year, one of the most prestigious equestrian events in the world, the series of grand slam show jumping took place from February 15 to 17. The event at the AsiaWorldExpo brought together 30 of the world’s best riders. While Bertram Allen brought the Longines Speed Challenge on the second day to a thrilling conclusion, the action started early out on the main arena with the Masters Power Maserati Trophy as the spotlight fell on 21-year-old Chinese rider Ella Wang Yunjing who conquered

a staggering 1.92 metres. The Longines Masters of Hong Kong 2019 has been looking to the future with a whole host of activities for children just starting out on their equestrian journey inside the Prestige Village. Saturday night saw the after party hosted by DJ Henri PF while on Sunday, the event was brought to an exciting and intense conclusion as Denis Lynch and his horse Chablis were crowned champions of the Hong Kong event. Simon Delestre came in second and Pius Schwizer in third place. longinesmasters.com

Cyberport Career Fair

Lou Pichoun opens new location

The Cyberport Career Fair will be held on March 2, from 11am-6pm at Cyberport 3. The forums and talks will involve representatives from leading corporations including start-ups and tech companies. The special youth forum aims to help young talents’ share their success and career development. For career seekers hoping to get off to a good start, look out for on-the-spot interview opportunities and a career assessment clinic. Shuttle bus service available from Admiralty and Kowloon Tong. cyberport.hk

The French pre-school opened their third location on February 13 in Tseung Kwan O. The brand new campus is a stone’s throw away from the French International School. Run by Nicole and Thomas Tam, they welcome children from 17 to 24 months for their Mini Pichoun 16 expat-parent.com

playgroup and two to six years old for the preschool. Sessions are held in French, English and Mandarin, with theme-based activities to encourage students to discover, achieve and build self-confidence, emphasising the development of artistic skills. loupichoun.com

Chinese International School Free Clinic Since 2016, CIS students have run a service project, aiming to organise full service private medical and dental practices for NGO’s and Charitable Organisations, such as Health and Action, Christian Action, and Mother’s Choice. They work in coordination with volunteer doctor and dental practitioners, who have given up some of their time to participate. Their most recent clinic was held at Central Smile, a dental clinic on January 19. Monthly clinics will take place on Saturday afternoons. thefreeclinic@cis.edu.hk

Public Transport Fare Subsidy People who use their Octopus card when commuting may be eligible for subsidy collection. The new public transport fare subsidy scheme, which started February 16, allows anyone with public transport expenses exceeding $400 per month a subsidy of 25% of the total expenses, subject to a maximum of $300 per month. Commuters can collect the

news

public transport fare subsidy from the previous month by tapping their Octopus through subsidy collection points, via all outlets of 7-Eleven, Circle-K and Wellcome supermarkets, the Octopus app or Octopus service points. The subsidy is credited back to the Octopus automatically. More information on the scheme can be found at ptfss.gov.hk

Cardio Health Checks at Matilda Clinic The Matilda Clinic - Caine Road is offering Instant Cardio Health Risk Assessments. The check takes five minutes and delivers accurate results on your fasting glucose levels (for diagnosing diabetes) and cholesterol profile.

Along with checks for blood pressure and Body Mass Index, the doctor will be able to diagnose hidden health problems. “If left untreated for many years, heart attacks, strokes, kidney and liver failure are some of the complications that can arise from these kinds of disorders,”

explains Dr Vincent Lau of the Matilda Clinic, but early detection and lifestyle changes can prevent progression.

The assessment is available priced at $752 until the end of May. Matilda Clinic, 116 Caine Road, Mid-Levels. matilda.org

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Me & My Big Idea

me & my big idea

Creative Associate and Mum of one, Marie Pottiez explains how she set up maternity photography brand, Inside Maternity So what’s the big idea?

Inside Maternity aims to offer a new take on pregnancy, more than a photoshoot, it’s a whole luxury experience. Our team works together with the models to create a series of intimate and creative maternity photographs.

When the end of pregnancy can sometimes feel overwhelming, we invite the future mothers to treat themselves to a moment of pure beauty.

Tell us about how the idea came about?

I loved being pregnant. So much so, I wished I could just stop time. My pregnancy inspired me to create an opportunity for others to capture the beauty of this significant time in their life - in the most artistic way. Bringing together joy, pampering and creativity to create a unique souvenir.

What has been the biggest challenge whilst setting up this new idea?

To be honest, setting up Inside hasn’t been very challenging. It all came together pretty naturally and, as I’ve been working together with my business partner Eric Cowez for years, everything has run smoothly. Since the launch, we’ve had the chance to meet some amazing pregnant women and spend precious moments with them.

Do you have any photographers or influencers that shaped your new idea?

My pregnancy helped me to embrace this idea whilst Eric, as the photographer, takes his inspiration from some of the greats, such as Pierre & Gilles, Jaume de Laiguana, Paolo Verzone and Annie Leibovitz. As a digital retoucher, his inspiration comes from the world of fashion and advertising - Meltin’ Pot, Lacoste, Air France, Lafayette are such incredible ad campaigns, among others.

Talk me through what to expect with a day on set…

A few weeks before the shoot I will arrange a phone call with you. We will share ideas and mood-boards, so we all know what we are looking to achieve on the day of the shoot.

You arrive at the photo studio with your favourite clothes, if you want to. If not, we will start with one of our silk drapings. I will guide your poses, while Eric will make the

magic work in a relaxing atmosphere. We will make sure you feel comfortable and beautiful - like a top model.

What’s the most memorable/ entertaining experience you’ve had whilst on set?

I will always remember Amy. She had received an Inside photoshoot experience as a baby shower present. When I met her, she told me straight out that she hated to have her photo taken. We discussed our creative approach for a while. On the big day, she arrived shy and curious. And once she was under the spotlight, something happened.

The Amy I met two weeks before had disappeared. A gorgeous and confident Amy was having fun playing around in front of the camera. She amazed us, and I think the one who was the most surprised was herself.

Do you have any funny stories you can share with us…

I remember this baby who was very active in his mother’s belly and wouldn’t stop kicking during the photoshoot. We even caught him in action in a photo, with the bump distorted.

This one loved being under the spotlights already!

Do you have anything exciting lined up for 2019?

We’ve got a lot of crazy ideas for 2019. We cannot wait to bring them to life in our photo studio! Stay tuned… insidematernity.com expat-parent.com 19

book review

A cavalier’s adventures up the Peak Author Jessamy Woolley introduces Billy the Cavalier and Friends: The Peak Adventure They range from Bella the Chinese butterfly and Berty the enormous wild boar, to Ponty a Burmese python, to name a few. They are all animals you would find in and around Hong Kong today.

Where did the inspiration come from?

The inspiration came from our walks with Billy on the Peak. Billy was so intrigued by the animals and insects. I have a video of him chasing a butterfly; he didn’t want to hurt it but was captivated by it. So I thought there was a cute story in that and the fact that children have always been drawn to Billy.

What’s been your favourite part of writing and publishing the book?

The biggest reward has been receiving the feedback from parents and children who have read it. I especially enjoyed this particular feedback as it captivates what I was trying to achieve with the book - “This book highlights the iconic elegance of Hong Kong. Everything that is unique to Hong Kong (green hiking trails, cosmopolitan energy and friends to name a few) is woven into beautiful storytelling. After my son read it he joyfully said to me ‘This is Hong Kong!’.”

Tell us a little about the book Billy the Cavalier and Friends: The Peak Adventure is set in the heart of Hong Kong.

The main character is based on my little dog Billy. Billy goes on an exciting adventure up Victoria Peak exploring Hong Kong’s unique urban and jungle environment where he makes friends with all sorts of animals from different countries (and learns how to say their native greeting), ending with a ride on the famous Peak Tram.

And who are the other characters we meet?

The other characters in the book are Billy’s new friends who he meets along the way.

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book review How is Billy handling his new fame?

Billy is loving it! He’s always been very popular in the area where we live; when we are on walks, people come up and say “hi” to Billy and I have no idea who they are. And he’s now becoming a celebrity in the local schools we are visiting with the book so he’s lapping up all the attention he can get!

Tells us a bit about yourself I moved to Hong Kong in 2015 with my husband and switched from a corporate career to one in health and fitness (I am an instructor at XYZ spinning studio) and now writing children’s books. Hong Kong has definitely captivated my heart. Having lived in some very fun cities before (namely London and New York) I can say I feel very fortunate to live here in this exciting, unique city.

Which books did you love reading as a child?

My favourite books as a child were the Katie Morag Series by Mari Hedderwick set in the Scottish Western Islands. I loved the setting and all the adventures she went on. I enjoyed it so much that as a little girl, I wrote to Mari

Hedderwick and invited her to come to my school, which she did. I found it inspiring.

more mischievous than Billy so no doubt it will be an adventure!

What’s next for Billy the Cav and his adventures?

Billy’s next adventure will be incorporating his new sister: Princess Jasmine who we adopted from Lifelong Animal Protection Charity here in Hong Kong. She is even

Billy the Cavalier and Friends: The Peak Adventure is available at Bookazine, Swindon Books, Kelly & Walsh, Hong Kong Book Centre and online at the The Lion Rock Press and billythecavalier.com

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hk baby

Hong Kong Baby

expat-parent.com 23

HK Baby News Postnatal care all wrapped up

hk baby

New kid on the block

2019 sees Central Health expand its postnatal care services for mothers wanting extra support in the weeks after giving birth.

From lactation consultations and paediatric First Aid courses to baby sleep workshops and midwife home visits, they have got every possible angle covered for the anxious new mother. One of the more unusual services on offer is the introduction of Jamu postnatal massage and abdominal binding, a practice that has been used in Indonesia for centuries. The massage element works to restore energy to the muscles whilst binding encourages the tummy back to its original form after nine months of stretching. centralhealth.com.hk

Good news for the toddlers of Sai Ying Pun, Malvern College recently announced the opening of its newest addition, a pre-school based on Hong Kong Island. With capacity for 250 pupils, the school will open this

August on Connaught Road West. As with the Kowloon pre-school which opened in 2017, enrolment at this stage gives priority for a place into the senior school. malvernpreschool.hk

Diary of a doctor

Bonpoint launches summer collection Bonpoint, the French fashion house for children, have released their new collection for the summer. Inspired by the wonders of travel, this poetic collection, designed by artistic

director Christine Innamorato, aims to open the hearts of little ones on an exploration of the world’s beauty and riches. Bright colours and faded pinks and blues are brought together, whilst traditional prints are mixed with modern.

Stock up on chic coats and summer tuxedos at Bonpoint, Shop 329, Prince’s Building, 10 Chater Road, Central. bonpoint.com

Not one for the faint-hearted: Adam Kay’s bestselling book, This is going to hurt, is a no holds barred account about life delivering babies. Kay was a consultant obstetrician with the NHS before retiring from medicine to become a comedy screenwriter. Combining these two careers, in 2017 he published his memoirs, recounting the hilarious and heartbreaking responsibilities of life on an obstetrics and gynaecology ward.

With over a million copies sold, this is perhaps best read once the baby has arrived safely.

Available from Bookazine stores across Hong Kong. thisisgoingtohurt. co.uk expat-parent.com 25

hk baby

Flying with small children A comprehensive guide to the incomprehensible, by Amelia Sewell waiting for your to sit down so you can take off.

Even just thinking about that scenario stresses me out. So, be a Marie Kondo psychopath and pack everything in individual, categorised bags (one for toys, another for medicine, extra nappies and so on). If you really want to be an organised lunatic, use the large transparent zip lock freezer ones so you can see what is inside easily.

Next, organise your carry on luggage right before getting on the plane. You have probably moved things around in the journey from home to the airport anyway so it is good to have a reset before boarding. Make sure you have one bag with everything you are most likely to need specifically for the flight and have it easily accessible. Once on the plane, I don’t need quick access to the baby’s winter coat or the duty free gin I just purchased (or maybe I do…) but I do need the nappy bag within easy reach.

Having it stuffed at the bottom of a case that is in an overhead locker three rows away is annoying and will inevitably lead to a shouting match with the husband.

T

here is no way to dress this up - flying with small children is an exercise in planning and survival. So abandon your self-inflicted expectations about being the perfect parent, don’t worry about going overboard with snacks or fret about limiting screen time, and definitely abandon any intentions of looking chic and fashionable (when flying with children, my choice of outfit implies that I am attending some sort of unrefined pyjama party). When heading into international airspace with babies in tow, all normal standards and expectations should be left on the tarmac.

Lists and preparation Never have lists and planning been more important. As an expat, you are likely to do a fair amount of flying with your children. With that in mind, the greatest long-term favour you can do yourself is to keep a packing master list saved on your computer, which you can then refer to for each trip. It will change as your child grows up so you will add and remove things but this will save you having to remember what to pack each time.

What is on your list will be specific to your child but two things you must not forget (which 26 expat-parent.com

I did once. Never again) are multiple changes of clothes for the baby, and at least one change of clothes for you – because never has your child been more likely to vomit on you than at 30,000 feet. It’s a law of physics.

It is also not a bad idea to always take basic baby medicine (Calpol, Tylenol etc) in cabin luggage. We learnt this lesson the hard way when our son started to teeth the moment the doors closed for a 10-hour flight to Vancouver. Take the handy, premeasured sachets if you can get hold of them.

Realistically, you should also factor in the chance of delays and therefore take extras of anything crucial in case you are stuck in an airport for longer than anticipated. So do not be shy on things like nappies, formula, sterilised bottles and snacks. Trying to find baby formula at 11pm in Phuket airport after the announcement of a further two-hour delay was one of my finer public breakdowns.

Carry on luggage Tip number one for carry-on luggage - have separate smaller bags for everything so you do not have to unpack 87 separate items to find the dummy at the very bottom of the bag and then repack everything whilst an entire plane is

Day or night flight?

For long haul, most people with babies and small children find that night flights work best. This is obviously for the simple reason that children are more likely to be tired so you stand the greatest chance of getting them to sleep. Once they are a bit older, they can entertain themselves with movies, games and colouring in, so day flights are not such a test of patience. But in the early years, long haul night flights are likely to be the most baby friendly. For newborns, often the weird droning of an aeroplane acts as white noise and some of them sleep very well - but I give you no promises.

Above all, do not worry if sleep schedules get thrown out of the window for a day or two.

To repeat, this is an exercise in survival, not domestic perfection.

Pre flight tactics Everyone has a different technique for late night flights with babies and toddlers. In the main, ours has been to push back any nap so that he wakes as late as possible in the afternoon. After a run around it is supper, bathtime and pyjamas before heading to the airport. Once there, if there’s time to waste, we

hk baby head to the children’s play area near gate 25 which, until you have spawned children, you will never have noticed. (On that note, most decent airports have a children’s play area somewhere in Departures. Remember to ask.) In most cases, this means that by the time we board and take off, he is ready to sleep.

Most friendly airlines allow families to board at the same time as the first class passengers.

It is good to take advantage of this so that you can get settled in before the masses arrive, stress you out and steal all the locker space above your seat.

At take off and landing, lots of babies’ ears will pop. Breastfeeding, a dummy or a lollipop should help to alleviate the discomfort

Bottles, breastfeeding and food Breastfeeding is undoubtedly the easier way to feed a small baby when travelling simply because you do not need to worry about sterilising. However if your child is on bottles, remember to take spares. You are unlikely to be able to sterilise anything once onboard.

Liquid restrictions do not apply for small children so consider taking a thermos of boiled water from home if you are concerned about the water provided by the airline.

Screen time If you have a toddler, this is the point at which we give thanks for the birth of Steve Jobs because if he had not invented the iPad, a 12-hour flight would be truly unbearable. In my son’s case, he didn’t take an interest in screens until he was about 20 months but that was just in time for a flight to Switzerland. Hallelujah. We downloaded the non-dulcet tones of Peppa Pig and prepared to enjoy a miniature gin and tonic in relative peace.

A few tips for iPad use - Netflix seems to be the only provider that will move from one episode to the next, when offline, without someone needing to manually hit ‘Play’. So if you want to avoid being interrupted every seven minutes for the next Paw Patrol installment, I recommend getting a Netflix account. And remember to download in advance.

Last point on iPads - if the idea of giving your child unlimited access makes you twitchy, google the term “Guided Access” and figure out how to put some safety restrictions on there. This means you can stop them from turning up the volume or accessing your photos and deleting the lot.

point, depending on a baby’s size, and depending which seat you have booked, you will be given the option of bassinet or baby seat.

The bassinets often have very low weight thresholds (and are not spacious) so babies tend to grow out of them quicker than you think. Be aware that once a child can sit up on their own, they can also probably hurl themselves out of the thing so you won’t get a restful sleep if you use the bassinet past a certain age. They do, however, become a handy storage space.

By most reports, the baby seat device is also not wildly useful once babies are toddlers.

There are a number of reasons for this but if you do book one, be prepared for the fact that your child will refuse to use it and begin negotiations about sharing your seat. In our family, this resulted in a Mexican standoff and as a result, we ended up booking our son his own seat from about 18 months old.

For toddlers, there are a number of specialist pieces of kids’ flying kit on the market. One is the First Class travel pillow.

This is an inflatable cube that fits exactly into the legroom space between seats. It allows toddlers to sit comfortably with their feet up and gives added spreading out space when they want to sleep. It is pretty inexpensive and has worked well for us though do check that your airline allows it; a few are party poopers and have banned it (Air Canada and Qantas, I’m looking at you. And not in a nice way).

Another product is the Jet Kids Bedbox.

This is a wheely suitcase with a mattress inside that pulls out to perfectly fit on the seat to allow a child to recline properly (difficult to explain so google it). Some people love them, others think it is a faff to have an extra suitcase as carry on.

And they’re not terribly cheap. So pick people’s brains before buying.

If you have a baby carrier, remember to take it on the flight as, should you be blessed with a little rotter who refuses to sleep and refuses to stay in his seat, you can at least strap him to you and wander around the plane to while away the time. And if you are lucky he will then fall asleep on you – probably just as you are asked to take your seat for landing, which again is some weird law of unfair physics.

Some airlines permit car seats to be used on flights if fixed to the chair. We have never done this but have heard mixed reports. So again, do your research before you lug the thing on holiday with you only to discover that your child would rather scream blue murder than be strapped into it.

Jet lag There is no magic answer to avoiding jet lag.

Crossing multiple time zones with small children is the casino equivalent of chucking your entire deck of neatly stacked cards in the air: you have no real way of knowing how they will land - but they will almost certainly not land back in an orderly pile. The only practical answer is time and patience. But give yourself a fighting chance by not having too many demands or expectations when you get to the other end.

Keep plans flexible for at least the first three days and be prepared to see the sunrise a few times.

Bon voyage That’s it – that’s all the wisdom I have. So good luck. May your flight be on time, your child sleepy and your cabin crew friendly. If none of that happens, there is always that duty free gin in the overhead locker.

Kit for comfort For most airlines, the cut off age for requiring a seat is two years old. Up to that expat-parent.com 27

C ST OV O ER RY

Trail blazing Australian consul-general Michaela Browning discusses women’s issues and war-zones with Carolynne Dear Photography by Karin Bremer

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arrive earlier than expected at the Australian consulate general’s Deep Water Bay home.

By some miracle the roads to southside are clear. And so I catch the neatly dressed lady of the house fresh from the school run.

Smart, down-to-earth (and with great taste in art, it transpires), Michaela Browning is the incumbent Australian Consul-General in Hong Kong and Macao. Between home duties as a mum-of-three, she reports directly to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra.

Her day starts early, she admits, with a call first thing to the Aussie capital (Canberra is three hours ahead of Hong Kong). She then squeezes in seeing her son off to school, a quick run and a coffee before starting on her official duties for the day.

Browning was appointed Consul-General in April 2017, following a stellar career in the Australian Foreign Office, as well as stints working for world trade organisations. She took up residence in the Deep Water Bay property along with her husband and children early last 28 expat-parent.com

year, tweaking it to suit her personal taste.

“I’m a Melbourne girl married to a Sydney boy and we’ve got a house back in Mosman (Sydney’s exclusive north shore suburb) which is where most of our belongings are,” she explains over (very good) coffee (“it’s a Melbourne coffee label,” she tells me). “When we arrived here I was invited to select my own artwork from the official collection.”

The front-of-house reception areas are stunning; a large lounge area located next to a dining room, both with sweeping views out over Deep Water Bay. There is a large outdoor terrace area which is also used for official entertaining.

The family lives above the official rooms - a homely area of soft couches and general family detritus, a comforting contrast to the immaculate formal section of the house.

Two of her sons are now at university and boarding school back in Australia and while her youngest son attended Hong Kong’s Australian International School until the beginning of this year, he travelled back to Sydney last month to

R VE Y O R C TO S

Space to think at her Deep Water Bay residence

join his brothers. Browning and her husband are now, as I point out, “empty nesters”.

“I know, it’s a bit strange!” she laughs.

Browning began her career as a graduate in the Australian Foreign Service. “I went to Monash University (in Melbourne), which was the best business and Japanese school at the time,” she says. “My dad was a war correspondent in Vietnam and then worked for the government in external affairs based in London, which is where I spent part of my childhood. So I guess I’d been a little bit exposed to the life.”

But she admits the foreign service was a tough career to crack. “When I was applying for the graduate programme, there was 22% youth unemployment in Australia and tens of thousands were applying for the foreign service every year. When I applied, I was up against around 10,000 applications for 30 places. So when I was offered a place it was like winning the lottery.”

Browning says that while her intake wasn’t particularly male dominated, it was in her first few years that the government celebrated the first woman to make it as head of an agency.

And it was a woman, Penny Wensley, who was Australia’s first Consul-General in 1986 when the Australian Commission was renamed the Consulate-General, bringing it into line with missions elsewhere in the world. Wensley went on to become the first female Australian Permanent Representative to the United expat-parent.com 29

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R VE Y O R C TO S

Nations in 1997 and first female Australian High Commissioner to India.

“But sure, if you looked closely at the senior ranks, it was mainly male,” says Browning. “I don’t remember being particularly conscious of being treated differently because I was female, it was more of a structural concern. Managing a family with an international career and indeed dual-careers (her husband is in construction), it’s a huge pressure. It’s a great opportunity to work overseas, but to continuously move around is challenging for any family.”

Browning’s eldest son was born on posting in Singapore and she says it was an unusual situation in those days. “I could have been sent home, but luckily my then-High Commissioner kept me. I was given three months maternity leave and was then straight back to work.

Nowadays things are a lot more flexible and women get six months off, so it’s been fantastic

to see the change. Almost invariably when you’re offered your first posting you’re in your late 20s or early 30s, right at the time when starting a family can affect your employment opportunities.”

For the first few years, Browning’s husband, stayed at home with the baby. She says she deliberately opted for postings in southeast Asia where he would easily be able to find work.

“It was an exciting time. I was in Singapore during the global financial crisis, there were riots in Indonesia, Al Gore arriving to talk about climate change. And then we moved to Thailand where they were fielding military coups, a return to democratic elections and lots of important developments in terrorism and counter-terrorism. I was working on anything from refugee issues and the sustainability of the Thai/Burmese border, to insurgency in the deep south and transnational crime including child trafficking and people smuggling.”

After Thailand, Browning went to Canberra to work in the Foreign Minister’s office as the Asia counter-terrorism adviser. And then in 2011 she left the foreign service and took on the position of assistant director general at AusAID, managing Australia’s substantial aid program in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

“It was a AUS$900 million aid programme, covering areas such as midwifery, polio eradication, road building, women’s refuges and infrastructure projects. It was run from Australia but I spent time in both Pakistan and Afghanistan.”

Browning was tasked with running the entire network and says it was one of the most interesting jobs she’s ever done. “It was

mind-boggling just how dangerous and difficult and complex it was out there. But we could see that the international effort was making a huge difference. When the forces first went in, there were fewer than a million children in school. That rose to eight million, including three million girls. We also made significant progress with polio eradication and saving the lives of women and children through basic hygiene and midwifery programmes. There were massive security risks, but you’ve just got to keep plugging away. For me, there was no other option.”

It was at this point that Browning was forced to pull back for her own health. She’d been battling breast cancer and following a year of intensive surgeries and chemotherapy, she decided she needed a break. At the same time, her husband was offered a job in Sydney and they took the opportunity to move home.

“I had all these visions of exercising and eating vegan,” she laughs. “A sort of ‘instafriendly’ existence. But within six months I was bored stupid. And then Bruce Gosper (currently the Australian High Commissioner in Singapore) called me and said, ‘Look, this sitting around doesn’t suit you. You need to come back to work.’ He was head of Austrade at the time and invited me on board as Head of Investment, running all of our markets for China, the US, Japan, Israel, Europe, Turkey, New Zealand and the Pacific.”

Browning looks at my astonished expression and laughs. “I know, I basically went back to an insane job. But I just loved it. And we were in Sydney and the kids were all having this normal, Aussie life.”

And then?

“And then I got the call about Hong Kong.”

Back in an area of the world that she loves, doing a job that she loves, Browning is yet again making it work. It’s a cliche, but there really is no putting a good woman down. expat-parent.com 31

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My Hong Kong

PEOPLE

Ifat Hindes meets five women succeeding in Hong Kong

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nternational Women’s Day on March 8, encourages women around the world to remember and appreciate how far women have come. Last year marked the 100th anniversary of the suffragettes, which saw thousands of women fight for equality and freedom of women’s rights. We talk with five amazing and influential women in Hong Kong about what International Women’s Day means to them.

Evelyn Mills FOUNDER OF WEDDING PLANNING COMPANY, MARRIAGE MAESTROS Evelyn spent most of her young life between Hong Kong and Indonesia, after her parents divorced, she moved back to Hong Kong along with her mother and sister. She started her career as a wedding consultant by chance while working for Brides and Gowns Bridal Boutique, and she soon fell in love with her job where she encountered hard-working, uplifting women on a daily basis. She branched off on her own and founded Marriage Maestros in 2002 with the aim of meeting the growing demands of a more sophisticated and exclusive wedding market in Hong Kong. Today, her team is made up predominantly of women, whom she encourages to be confident and strong whilst remaining graceful. marriagemaestros.com Evelyn’s advice for women: Never feel ashamed to ask for help, there is no such thing as a perfect woman!

Danielle Roman

PARTNER AT LAW FIRM, MOURANT OZANNES Born into a mixed culture family in Hong Kong, Danielle was raised with a mixture of techniques for coping with life but was always taught that women had equal opportunities to men. Her father always encouraged her to think big when it came to careers. Danielle is now Partner at leading offshore law firm Mourant Ozannes, she specialises in helping financial institutions, lessors and investors finance and lease commercial aircraft and corporate jets. Danielle has worked with non-profit organisations including Liberty Asia and Rebuild Unite Nurture which have been instrumental in supporting women.

Danielle’s advice for women: Women have a knack of comparing themselves to others. There is no ‘superwoman’ and anyone who seems that way no doubt has an incredible support team behind them. expat-parent.com 33

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PEOPLE Candace Hui

PROFESSIONAL BALLERINA AND PHILANTHROPIST Originally from California, Candace grew up between the mountains and the beaches, with her ballet school just a couple of blocks from the beach. As a teenager she met the love of her life, whom she later followed to Hong Kong. Through her classes Candace teaches aspiring ballet dancers to love their bodies and know they are strong, capable and beautiful no matter what shape they are.

Candace’s advice for women: We all have moments where we’ve lost our way, give yourself time and start with small, positive steps towards making a change.

Chong Ka-yan

HONG KONG WOMEN’S RUGBY SEVENS PLAYER AND CIGNA RUGBY AMBASSADOR Born and raised in Hong Kong, Ka-yan discovered rugby by chance while out for a jog. After being introduced to the sport by a friend, she fell in love with it immediately and became a member of Gai Wu rugby club. Chong Ka-yan earned her place on the Hong Kong ladies’ rugby team in 2015 at the age of 21. Now a professional rugby player, at a petite height of 157cm, Chong hopes to inspire girls out there who have been told they can’t do something to persevere and to believe in themselves.

Ka-yan’s advice for women: Everyone can make an impact in the world, no matter who you are.

Mehroo Turel

FOUNDER OF SUMMER CLOTHING As a mum of two without a helper, Mehroo wanted to maintain her style while still being comfortable. She found that the market for affordable high quality casual wear was very limited and she often found herself bringing clothes back from her home in India. This inspired her to take matters into her own hands and create the clothing brand SUMMER. facebook.com/styleatsummer or Instagram @styleastummer Mehroo’s advice for women: Be yourself and not who the world wants you to be. That’s the only path to true friendships, relationships and lasting happiness. expat-parent.com 35

schools

School news

CHINESE NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS Turn the page to see how our schools welcomed in the Year of the Pig.

expat-parent.com 37

schools The International Montessori School

Calligraphy classes and lion dancing.

Malvern College Hong Kong

All smiles at Malvern College.

Nord Anglia International School

Auspicious wishes for the new year at Nord Anglia.

Stamford American International School

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Children dancing and drumming for the Chinese New Year.

schools Mount Kelly

A little celebration at Mount Kelly.

The Harbour School

Making dumplings.

expat-parent.com 39

schools

A kindergarten kids will love

Amelia Sewell visits Bebegarten, a play-centred kindergarten in Wong Chuk Hang

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f children were in charge of their own kindergarten selection, there isn’t a child in Hong Kong who wouldn’t put his name down for Bebegarten; it has everything a small person could possibly want for a day of schooling.

Because there is nothing not to like when you walk out of the door in the morning knowing that your day could involve anything from dance, storytelling and gym, to role-play, music and, probably best of all, a daily messy play session. Things get even better when you realise that, within that, you can choose your own activity.

In adult language of course, this kind of teaching philosophy is officially referred to in terms such as “child-initiated” and “playbased”. These are phrases that parents are hearing with increasing regularity as the research continues to prove that children learn best when their interest is engaged and when 40 expat-parent.com

their choices are respected.

At Bebegarten, the educational philosophy followed is one that Bebegarten has developed itself and is called “Language of Children” (LoC). This is a cherry-picked fusion from five other well-known pedagogical practices: the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) from the UK; Te Whariki from New Zealand; Reggio Emilia from Italy; Experiential Education from Belgium; and High Scope from the US. There are no worksheets, there is no homework. Another part of the philosophy is on mixed ages in classrooms, which gives the children a more organic environment.

LoC has been developed by Ginny Humpage, Head of Curriculum, who is currently finishing her doctorate on this philosophy and her findings. It is a broad scope study of play-based curricula which looks at the common threads of these five philosophies; understanding what works and

equally what mechanisms are missing in each one to allow it to evolve with the introduction of things such as technology and STEM. In addition to the play-based and childinitiated aspects, the other features of this ethos are low teacher to pupil ratios and bright, open spaces for creativity to flourish.

Space is certainly something that Bebegarten has lots of, 10,000 square feet of it. This means that there’s enough room for a racetrack to host impromptu Grand Prix

expat-parent.com 41

schools

as well as designated music and art rooms.

For the latter, once a week a specialised art teacher visits in order to enhance the projectbased learning.

“We try to make it a very communal place, so a lot of space but not a lot of walls,” Dan Couture tells me.

This focus on creativity is something that Bebegarten considers essential to ensure the curriculum reaches its full potential for each

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child.

In their own words, “The curriculum adopts an emergent and creative approach which encourages children to plan, initiate projects and reflect on their own learning.

Children are seen as being confident, capable and creative.”

For those who are interested in numbers, here are some facts and figures for you. Bebegarten caters for children from

six months to six years, children can be unaccompanied from 26 months. There are two qualified teachers in each room, each with nine children under their watch. Classes run from 9am to 12pm.

A large number of children then stay for lunch and take enrichment classes in the afternoon of which there are seven options (including Spanish); all are play-based. For Mandarin, there are two dedicated teachers who take both the timetabled classes as well as optional enrichment classes in the afternoons.

One particularly encouraging thing to learn about Bebegarten is its approach to inclusive education. They do not turn away children with things such as autism, hearing difficulties or speech delays. Instead, they have a full time occupational therapist on site who works with families and specialist centres to give children with SEN a typical classroom scenario where possible.

“We get a lot of students who are referred to us by specialist centres; children who even though they sometimes require individual help, also benefit from a regular classroom environment,” says Dan Couture.

On top of working together with centres,

schools

the occupational therapist takes an hours training every week with the teaching team to keep them up to date on things such as how to recognise behavioural issues, and the most up-to-date literature on behavioural management.

Whatever path a child takes, Bebegarten is well set to assist their students in destination school advice. As they see it, their first step is to reassure parents, dispelling

the fear mongering that exits around school placements and calming the worry.

“We’ve never had a child not get into at least [one of] their top three choices,” says Couture.

And indeed the destination schools are impressive with Kellett, IMS and HKIS featuring high on the list. But Bebegarten does not see admittance to high achieving schools as the purpose of its school counselling.

“We work closely with the parents to help them choose the right school for their children. Because what a lot of people don’t consider is whether you as a family fit into that school and does your child fit into that environment?” explains Couture.

Wherever a child ends up for primary school, parents can be certain that Bebegarten, with its wonderfully bright space and child-centric focus, will have started them on the right footing. Book a tour to see what all the fuss is about.

Unit 301-305, Level 3, One Island South, 2 Heung Yip Road, Wong Chuk Hang. bebegarten.com

expat-parent.com 43

life & style

Owning the learning platform

life & style

Natalie Chan, founder of OWN Academy on teaching children life skills

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atalie Chan is founder of OWN Academy, an innovative education solution for the 21st-century. She was selected to go to the World Economic Forum to represent the voice of Asian youths amongst world leaders. Here she tells us what parents can do at home to help their children prepare for the world beyond school. It’s not all about stellar grades and traditional jobs.

Challenge their thinking The great problem with schools is that they are compartmentalised; there’s English, history and geography. But the real world is not like that. There are no defining lines.

Students need to start to understand that there’s a flow to everything.

and anything they see. Even if it is the coffee cup in front of them. What are the procedures and steps that got this coffee cup to this table? Analyse the functions of each step - the design, material, manufacturing, sale and delivery. Ask questions. Apply that across different things.

We encourage parents to work with their children on breaking down everything

Employers are looking for systemised thinkers; they want to see how a possible expat-parent.com 45

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life & style Work experience Hong Kong doesn’t have much of a culture of students having jobs from a young age. But it is important for parents to give children these opportunities. Sixteen to eighteen is a good age to start working. Prior to that, parents can begin implementing that work ethic and mentality at home. Don’t expect helpers to do everything. Give children tasks where they can earn small amounts of money.

For work experience, at the beginning, I highly recommend students doing a more service-oriented job, working in a restaurant or an F&B related role. There you have to deal with people, intense situations and changing scenarios.

After that, the next step is what students are interested in but they need to have an open mind. It does not have to be an internship in a big bank. Parents can point them in the direction of working for a startup where there is a lot to do but maybe not the money to employ professionals yet. Students are more likely to be given real tasks and see a company in its crucial development stages.

They can get more involved.

People skills as important as grades Parents also need to teach their children that it’s not all about the perfect grades.

Students should understand the value in their non-academic skills in order to reach their potential.

employee thinks, but if a student can’t break down the process of how Deliveroo gets their food from kitchen to home, they can’t understand how to improve on things; and we’re all here to improve on things.

So parents can support their child in systemic thinking, even at home, even on day to day things.

Educating the parent From a jobs perspective, the challenge is that often parents do not fully appreciate what is out there for their kids to choose from. There will be jobs their children will do that do not yet have a name, or jobs with names they don’t understand.

That’s why we have created the OWN Futures Fair. We invite young professionals who represent modern industries to share their knowledge with parents and students about what it means to be a YouTuber today, to be a graphic designer or an Instagramer.

Parents need to educate themselves about these trends.

If they are to increase their own understanding then it helps them to assist their children in understanding the modern day career options. The choices are wider these days, it’s not just lawyer, doctor and accountant anymore. And even those traditional jobs are changing as technology takes over many functions that previously humans did.

And that’s where the parents’ role is helpful.

To let their children know that the way you connect with people is important. We have to do the things that robots can’t do, which is to be more human and build relationships with people.

And mindset is so important. Humility has to be re-engaged in students. In Hong Kong, we’ve got a lot of children from good schools with good grades who can have a false perception of how amazing they are because academic excellence has driven them to that point. And that is a very dangerous approach to the working world.

OWN Academy is an innovative education solution for the 21st-century with a focus on life skills, connected learning and career life planning of students. ownacademy.co expat-parent.com 47

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travel

Travel news

STRETCH, RELAX AND REJUVENATE AT CATHAY’S THE PIER LOUNGE A visit to Cathay Pacific’s The Pier Business Class Lounge at Hong Kong International Airport has just become even more beneficial for mind, body and soul following the opening of The Sanctuary by Pure Yoga. The Sanctuary

by Pure Yoga is the latest collaboration between Cathay Pacific and Pure Group following a series of inflight videos ‘Travel Well with Yoga’, which launched last January. The Sanctuary which opened last month is divided into two zones. The Body Sanctuary is a dedicated yoga area in which travellers can follow guided yoga sessions led by Pure Yoga teachers via video, there is also a secluded space for self-practice. The Mind Sanctuary offers space for two types of meditation; audio and gazing. The Sanctuary is open to travellers who have access to Cathay Pacific The Pier Business Class Lounge at Hong Kong International Airport, as well as Diamond, Gold and Silver Marco Polo Club members. Cathay Pacific and Cathay Dragon First and Business Class passengers will also be able to enjoy the new offering. cathaypacific.com

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travel ROSEWOOD HOTEL OPENING MARCH 17 The much-anticipated Rosewood Hotel Hong Kong is opening in West Kowloon this March. The 65-storey tower was designed by American architecture firm Kohn Pedersen Fox and has panoramic views of Victoria Harbour from eighty percent of guest rooms. The March launch date will also see the opening of three out of the eight, food and beverage outlets in the hotel including a Chinese tea house, Holt’s Cafe, a Cantonese speciality restaurant, The Legacy House and a cocktail bar, Darkside. rosewoodhotels.com

CELEBRATE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY WITH ROBINSON RELAXATION RETREATS

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Treat yourself and the women around you, with special activities tailored to celebrate what it means to be female this International Women’s Day. From March 5, ROBINSON Club Khao Lak will host an eight-day signature wellness retreat, packed with yoga and Pilates courses designed with women in mind. Encouraging guests to unplug and indulge in true “Me-time”, strengthen their physical body in Pilates classes, and connect with their inner essence through Asana practice. The retreat will take place amongst the beautiful serenity of Khao Lak National Park in Thailand, with white sandy beaches lined with tropical palm tree views that set the ultimate backdrop for relaxation. robinson.com

travel

Easter (snow) bunnies Japanese ski resort set to welcome summer guests, discovers Carolynne Dear

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f you fancy cracking open your Easter eggs on the powder, then the Japanese ski resort of Kiroro could be for you.

Boasting Japan’s driest and deepest powder and one of the longest ski seasons in the world, the Hokkaido-based resort has also just released details of a major development.

Once completed, The Kiroro Master Plan will incorporate an integrated, all-season, five-star alpine resort.

The snow starts falling in November in Kiroro and hangs around until early May. With over 20 metres of powder snow every winter and outdoor recreation all summer,

the resort is positioning itself as a year-round destination. The days of it being a locally kept secret are fast disappearing.

“We knew when we discovered Kiroro that we had an opportunity to create something special,” says Chainid Adhyanasakul, Chief Operating Officer of Kiroro’s parent company, expat-parent.com 51

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travel ski runs by the new gondola/ski lift.

The ski resort features two peaks with 22 groomed runs and acres of ungroomed, offpiste powder and tree skiing, accessible via nine lifts and a gondola.

The resort’s Mountain Centre offers activities on and off the mountain, which include a snow park, guided snow cat and snowshoeing tours, plus heaps of kid-friendly fun in the form of toboggan runs, snow tubing and banana boating. On the slopes, the Mountain Centre offers full ski-gear hire as well as a ski school and the Annie Kids Snow Academy for snow bunnies aged three and up.

There’s a cordoned off ‘Magic Carpet’ area for beginners and a gentle family slope for those progressing.

In the summertime, the resort can coordinate golf, fishing, hiking and tours of nearby seaside towns.

Over the next ten years, Property Perfect aims to develop a valley village at the base of the mountain. This will boast a range of villas, townhomes and apartments centred around The Gateway, a ski club with ski-in, ski-out access to shops, restaurants, services and a children’s centre. kiroro.co.jp

Property Perfect.

Property Perfect bought the resort in 2012 with the aim of creating a premier alpine destination in Asia. The company is now poised to invest 100 billion Yen in the destination over the next decade.

The two existing hotels, Sheraton Hokkaido Kiroro Resort and the familyfriendly Tribute Portfolio Hotel have been fully renovated and rebranded. Both are located at the base of the slopes and by December 2019 will be full ski-in, ski-out properties thanks to the addition of a one kilometre combination gondola/ski lift that will link the Tribute Portfolio with the Sheraton hotel and the ski runs.

The 2019-20 ski season will also see the opening of Yu Kiroro, a collection of luxury ski-in, ski-out private residences offering one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments with ski valet, a natural indoor-outdoor onsen, 24-hour concierge, fitness centre and lounge, and allday dining. Yu Kiroro will also be linked to the

How to get there Both Hong Kong Airlines and Cathay Pacific offer multiple flights a day to New Chitose Airport, Sapporo, during the winter season. The flight time is between fourand-a-half and five hours. Kiroro resort is approximately 90 minutes from the airport.

New Chitose Airport is currently undergoing an extension project which is due to be completed next year.

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dad of the year

The Father Side His Name is Simon Le Bon and He Prances On The Sand

P

ortly middle-aged dads everywhere should save a thought (and a prayer) for Simon Le Bon, frontman of the iconic 1980s band Duran Duran. He is being mercilessly fat-shamed for strolling along a beach in the Cayman Islands with his vast belly hanging out over a tiny pair of ‘budgie smuggler’ trunks.

“He’s still hungry like the wolf,” read one of more than 1,000 childish comments as paparazzi images appeared on a popular news website. “Staring at his stomach is like looking at Planet Earth,” sniggered another sneering Philistine clearly bitter at missing out on the New Romantic movement.

Surely Simon Le Bon deserves more respect. He is the lyrical genius who gifted us lines like ‘Your telephone’s been ringing while you’re dancing in the rain’ and ‘The reflex is an only child and he’s waiting in the park’ along with many more unforgettable couplets too profound and frankly bewildering to recall just now.

Despite his lofty status in the pantheon of pop, there has been a protracted campaign of fat-shaming directed at Simon Le Bon, and to my mind it’s downright sexist.

No one ever pokes fun at his oncestatuesque model wife Yasmin, who these days only ventures out of Mansion Le Bon in Birmingham to trundle down to the chip shop on her mobility scooter.

And no one posts judgemental remarks about the previously stick-thin but weirdly androgynous Duran Duran bassist John Taylor who only last week was spotted swearing drunkenly at passers-by at a bus stop in Edgbaston at 10 am while wolfing down a family-sized bag of Krispy Kreme doughnuts.

(Note to editor: I haven’t checked the veracity of these anecdotes about Yasmin Le Bon and John Taylor and might have made them up or dreamt them, but they sound like the sort of things that might be true so I’ve left them in.)

Okay, so Simon Le Bon may have put on a pound or two but who are we to mock a showbiz luminary who helped to feed the

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world with the Band Aid single without a moment’s thought about feeding himself?

(At least until he’d finished recording his one line after which I’m told he waddled off, sweating profusely, to the nearest kebab shop.)

Tragically, this fat-shaming of middleaged beacons of fatherly morality has become common. And guess what? It’s happened to Me Too. The barbs aimed at me haven’t been as public and don’t’ reference million-selling singles (which would work as I haven’t recorded any). But they sting as sorely and cut as deeply.

“God, you’re getting really fat, Dad,” the younger of my two teenage sons commented recently. “How do you live with yourself when you look in the mirror and see that?” My wife interjected unhelpfully: “Your dad’s not fat, William. He’s just cuddly.”

What insensitive sorts (my own immediate family especially) fail to appreciate is that fatherhood makes you

podgy. While my wife managed it admirably, I never recovered my figure following the birth of our four children. Frankly, my body has never been the same since.

The sad truth is that Hong Kong fatherhood is a succession of belittling life situations devilishly designed to make us stout and slovenly.

Who among us hasn’t realised the only way to deal with a mind-numbing family week at a resort in Phuket is to gorge from sunrise onwards on the all-you-can-eat buffet if only to shut out the noise? And which of us hasn’t come to the realisation that the only rational reaction to another outrageous hike in ESF fees, Wilson weekend parking charges, or the price of Waitrose pasta in Fusion is to binge uncontrollable on beer and chips and mutter darkly at a bar for a few hours?

Some Hong Kong fathers postpone the inevitable by pedalling furiously around the New Territories or by taking up Dragon Boat racing or trail running. But I’m going to ignore them firstly because they’re mostly tedious bankers, and secondly (on a brighter note) probably summonsing sudden death by exercising vigorously in 35 degrees Celsius.

Instead, I want to sound a clarion call to fat dads everywhere to embrace your expanding waistlines. Be a Wild Boy. Get out your smallest, most threadbare Speedos and head for the beach. Take pride in your vile, blubbery torsos. After all, they are testimony to the pointless sacrifices you made to bring a generation of ingrates onto Planet Earth.

And in the (admittedly unlikely) event that a flabby, 60-something 1980s pop icon sidles up to you as you strut nearnaked along the Sai Kung seafront and asks: ‘Please, please tell me now, is there something I should know?’ reply in a firm, clear voice.

“Yes, Mr Le Bon, there most certainly is. Those Mail Online comments are borne of ignorance and spite. You look smashing in those teeny trunks. So let’s go and dance upon the sand, in an unfathomable simile for a river twisting through a dusty land ...”.

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