Hong Kong Schools Guide 2019

8th edition | hongkongliving.com

SCHOOLS GUIDE 2019/2020

PRIMARY | SECONDARY | ALL-THROUGH | HK’S No.1 SCHOOL GUIDE

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Hong Kong Schools Guide

Hong Kong Schools Guide 2019/2020

CONTENTS

Woodland Pre-Schools

4 Editor’s letter Plus meet the team

86 After-school activities Extra-curricular activities to keep the kids entertained

8 How to get a school place An in-depth look at how to take on the Hong Kong school system

102 Tuition help The best tuition centres and private tutors

10 New schools A round-up of Hong Kong’s newest international schools

120 School’s out!

Family days out for those all-important days off!

12 New heads Who’s in charge

14 Kindergartens 16 Discovery Montessori Pre-School 22 Woodlands Pre-School 26 Bebegarten Education Centre

32 Primary schools 35 American School Hong Kong 41 Wycombe Abbey 49 Australian International School

134 Hikes for tykes Spend quality time as a family on these child-friendly hikes

140 Directory School listings for 2019/20

160 School reports Who got a glowing report? Our heads think back to their own school days

58 All-through schools 61 Malvern College Hong Kong 69 Nord Anglia International School 77 The Harbour School

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editor’s letter

I

t’s all go in the world of Hong Kong education.

In the last year, I’ve visited new campuses, met with new heads and congratulated schools on winning numerous international awards (details of my school visits start on page 14).

We’ve seen new schools in the form of Malvern and Shrewsbury open their doors for the first time, while new names announced their arrival on the CT PREFE scene.

D A E H The most notable of these is Wycombe Abbey (page 41), a school with a stellar reputation in the UK and hopes to create something similar here on Hong Kong’s shores. There was even more fanfare when the Whittle School revealed their grand plans for a global boarding school system with sites in every major city. The first two campuses open this autumn in Washington and Shenzhen, and we will watch their progress with interest.

For old friends there have been changes too; FIS opened a new campus, ESF announced their commitment to an unassessed through train system and Kellett waved goodbye to Ann MacDonald after a quarter of a century at the helm (see page 12 for details of her successor).

If you asked the children of Mid-levels though, they would no doubt say that the most exciting change of late was when Woodlands Caine Road installed a dazzling new outdoor play area and waterpark (page 22).

Whatever your interest, you’ve got to be on your toes to keep up with what’s going on - time, tide and the Hong Kong education system wait for no man.

Our Contributors

Editorial

Managing Editor Gemma Shaw Editor Amelia Sewell Contributing Editor Becky Love Nicole Cooley Nicole Slater Editorial Assistant Charmaine Ng

Design Design Coordinator Sonia Khatwani Design Assistant Jeramy Lee

Events Events Executive Ran Chan

Sales & Marketing Director of Content Hilda Chan

Senior Partnership Manager Isamonia Chui Partnership Manager Mathew Cheung

Operations

Assistant Operations Manager Charles Lau

Digital

Digital Editor Apple Lee

Publisher Tom Hilditch

Contact us Admin: 3568 3722 Editorial: 2776 2773 Advertising: 2776 2772 Published by Hong Kong Living Ltd, L1 Kai Wong Commercial Building, 222 Queens Road Central, Hong Kong Printer Elegance Printing & Book Binding Co., Ltd. Cover by Jeramy Lee, with photos contributed

by Woodland Pre-Schools

Charmaine Ng

Nicole Cooley

Nicole Slater

Our Editorial Assistant went to South Island School before heading off to the University of Hong Kong.

Relatively new to Hong Kong, our Editorial Assistant is learning the ropes before her little one joins the schooling system.

Our Contributing Editor and longterm Sai Kung resident studied at Sha Tin College before heading off to university in England.

Thanks to Adele Brunner 4

Hong Kong Schools Guide

HONG KONG hongkongliving.com

Hong Kong Schools Guide is published by Hong Kong Living Ltd. This book 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. Hong Kong Living Guide 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 pubishers. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher.

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A FRESH START With a host of new schools and facilities recently opened, here’s what to expect

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new schools

Hong Kong Academy

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getting new schools a place

How to get a school place Our education editor, Amelia Sewell on the ins and outs of the Hong Kong school system repeatedly. Strictly speaking, the schools under the ESF banner are not international schools, but that is essentially just a technicality. They offer a combination of English and international curricula, so from the perspective of the type of education a child receives it’s easiest to look on them as international.

Time and research

H

ong Kong regularly features high on education barometers as a leading city in which to be schooled. But the system behind the hype is not a straightforward one, so it’s important to get a grasp of a few things before your search for a school can begin.

Local vs International Broadly speaking, schools in Hong Kong fall into two camps: local schools and international schools.

The criterion for this segregation is that local schools teach the Hong Kong curriculum, predominantly in Cantonese. They are also largely free or heavily subsidised.

Meanwhile, international schools can teach any of the global curricula (IB, A 8

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Yew Chung International School

Levels, HSC, Le Bac, etc.).

The dominant language at international schools is English, however where English is not the mother tongue they usually have two streams: one taught in the native language and the other taught in English. And in case you didn’t already know, you will soon find out that international schools are the opposite of free – they are in fact notoriously expensive.

ESF Beneath the international schools umbrella there is a subgroup called English Schools Foundation, more commonly known as ESF. As there are nearly 20 ESF schools catering for 12,000 students, this is an acronym that any school-hunting parent in Hong Kong will hear

It is no secret that school places in Hong Kong are hot property. Therefore the two things that will help you most

In the know •

Many schools, such as the ESF schools, base their Primary One admissions on the calendar year (children born from January to December). Others, such as Kellett, go by the academic year (children born from September to August).

•

Kindergarten education is not mandatory in Hong Kong, so you can always opt out.

•

Many international schools (French International, German Swiss and Chinese International) offer bilingual as well as English streams.

getting new schools a place when selecting a school are time and research.

The more time you give yourself, the greater your chance of being offered a place at your preferred school. But if time is not something you possess, you will have to rely on research.

In most cases, this means making a long list of possible schools and then picking up the phone and speaking to people directly to understand whether they have space and what their admission criteria are. It is important that your list is long as most people’s first choices are also the most popular ones.

Location, location, location One area you need to spend time considering is where you plan to live in relation to where your children might go to school. Geographically, Hong Kong is fairly small, but that doesn’t mean it is always convenient to get around. If you’re planning to live on Lamma, nipping to Harrow for a parentteacher day might not be easy. As accommodation is often easier to arrange than schooling, it’s advisable to secure school places before settling on where to live.

New school, new places Similarly, the selection process can possibly be shortened if you are willing to consider schools that are just opening in Hong Kong, because logic dictates that their admissions list will be

newer and therefore emptier than for schools that have been around for longer.

made the same move as you.

Terminology

And lastly, a word on debentures. There is much to get your head around when moving to Hong Kong, and not the least of these is the financial structuring of the international schools. In other countries, debentures are associated with sports stadiums and finance houses; in Hong Kong, they are likely to be a major factor in whether or not you choose a certain school for your child.

As with other issues, research is key. sg

There is no uniform terminology between the schools – different schools refer to the same things by different names. So what is known as Year 1 in one place could be known as Kindergarten at the school down the road, and may also moonlight as K3 or Prep somewhere else.

It is therefore crucial to understand the terminology of each school to ensure that you are applying for the correct year.

The older, the easier – possibly Generally, it is easier to find places for older children.

This is because teenagers in Hong Kong often head off to boarding school in other countries, which frees up places for incoming students.

In addition to this, many families leave Hong Kong once their children are a little older, as the pull of being closer to family grows.

Seeking advice While it’s not always wise to rely on hearsay, if you have some specific questions about schools, there are some helpful Facebook groups where you can pick the brains of the more experienced.

There are also a number of nationality-based groups (e.g., British Mums in HK) where you can post questions for those who have previously

Money, money, money

School placement services Hong Kong School A school placement service to help prepare and advise students and parents applying for schools in Hong Kong. The company helps to find the best-match school for your child through a personalised process using current and historical data. hkschool.com.hk

Dyslexia School Search The process of securing a place in a recognised and respected UK school can be complex and daunting.

Dyslexia School Search is an educational consultant specialising in finding schools for pupils with specific learning difficulties such as Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Dyscalculia, ADHD, ADD, Autism and high functioning Asperger’s syndrome. dyslexiaschoolsearch.com

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new schools

New kids on the block A quick introduction to some of the schools joining the scene in 2019/20 Italian International Kindergarten

Woodland Pre-Schools Montessori Academy, Mid-Levels is the biggest of the Woodland Pre-Schools and it has got to be in the running for the most impressive. After a recent refurbishment of Splash, the waterpark, it could not be looking in better condition. The children can now put on their rash vests and indulge in water games with levers and spouts, spurting fountains and misters.

Catering for children from six months to six years, classes are taught either in English, bilingual or pure Mandarin from 18 months and from two years, children can be unaccompanied. woodlandschools.com

Yew Chung International School Renowned for offering high quality, progressive and globally-minded programmes of international and bilingual education, YCIS is a Hong Kong staple, already boasting eight campuses in Kowloon Tong. This year will see a new 10

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Early Childhood Education (ECE) campus in Tseung Kwan O. The campus will cover 20,000 square feet and offer specific areas for napping, reading, music and role-play. These designated areas are specifically designed to encourage children to be children without boundaries. The health and safety of students is a top priority at YCIS and they will conduct tests on the indoor air quality to ensure the requirement set by the Environmental Protection Department is adequately met. ycis-hk.com

Occupying a serene waterfront location in South Horizons, the highly anticipated Italian International Kindergarten is set to open later this year.

As the first school in Hong Kong to co-operate directly with Italian educational institution, Reggio Children, the kindergarten will cater to native Italian speakers as well as those wanting to become more fluent. Two curricula will be offered; Italian-English with Chinese language and culture and English-Chinese with Italian language and culture.

Open and spacious classrooms and play spaces maximise daylight and provide children with a comfortable and safe learning environment. The kindergarten offers a variety of different visual and tactile experiences for children to be able to learn and develop through a range of senses. iikg.edu.hk

12 Oc t.

Our creative, play-based Nursery and Reception curriculum, nurtures creativity, imagination and a love of learning that sets the foundations for successful education at school and beyond • Award-winning, purpose-built primary school with state-of-the-art facilities • Dedicated indoor and outdoor spaces for nursery and reception children • Full day learning programme 8am-3pm

Open House

• Highly experienced, fully qualified teachers • Green mountain-forest setting in TKO with easy access from the heart of Hong Kong

Shrewsbury offers a quality, Primary British curriculum education for children aged 3-11 years.

Application now open for 2020/2021.

Apply today to secure your head start on Shrewsbury’s Pathway to Success.

Contact our Admissions Manager, Sarah Bowler to arrange your visit.

Call 2480 1500 or email admissions@shrewsbury.hk 10 Shek Kok Road, Tseung Kwan O. www.shrewsbury.hk

ShrewsburyHKG

Exceptional People • Outstanding Opportunities • Academic Excellence

2019-2020

new newschools heads Woodland Pre-Schools Adam Patterson is the newly appointed General Manager at Woodland Pre-Schools.

He will make the move from Australian International School in Singapore and brings with him 20 years of international education experience. In Singapore, he oversaw the creation of the early learning village, a state of the art facility built for children from two months to six years of age.

Adam is excited to build on Woodland PreSchools’ 40year pedigree of quality early childhood education.

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Kellett School Mark Steed joins Kellett School as CEO and Principal, relocating from Jumeirah English Speaking School (JESS), Dubai, where he worked as Director. Both Kellett prep schools were recently awarded The Independent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS) membership, and the senior school received the prestigious Headmasters’ & Headmistresses’ Conference (HMC) membership. Mark will develop the path set by long-standing Principal Ann McDonald as the school continues to move from strength to strength.

Hong Kong International School Ben Hart joins Hong Kong International School (HKIS) as the Upper Primary School Principal. Ben was previously Elementary Principal at American International School of Johannesburg (AISJ). He has nine years previous experience at HKIS and is a strong believer in inquiry-based, personalised learning and looks forward to rejoining the HKIS team in autumn.

new newschools heads Hong Kong International School Connie Kim joins Hong Kong International School (HKIS) as Middle School Principal.

Connie is currently the Head of Middle School at Chadwick International in Korea, a position she has held since 2014. She has served at Chadwick since 2011 in positions of increasing responsibility. Connie is passionate about educating middle school children as they progress through key developmental stages.

Canadian International School of Hong Kong Jane Camblin is keen to hit the ground running as the new Head of School at Canadian International School of Hong Kong (CDNIS). Jane joins CDNIS at an exciting time as the school approaches its 30th anniversary.

She brings with her over 35 years of leadership experience in private and independent schools. Her previous role was as Executive Director of the United Nations International School (UNIS) in New York.

Mount Kelly School Hong Kong Rain Jones has recently been appointed as the Head of Schools and Governor of Mount Kelly School Hong Kong (MKSHK). She brings with her over 20 years of teaching and school leadership experience in several countries, including the UK. Rain believes that children learn best when they are having fun and engaged in practical, real life activities.

She encourages practical exploration and creativity. Rain is also currently in the midst of starting her PhD in Educational Leadership.

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KINDERGARTEN Start off on the right foot at some of Hong Kong’s best pre-schools

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kindergarten

Woodland Pre-Schools

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school visits

Discovery Montessori School We take a trip to the bilingual Montessori school in Discovery Bay North Plaza

The world is your oyster at DMS

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kindergarten

W

ith Hong Kong’s limited supply of space, it is not unusual to find kindergartens squeezed into small, pokey corners. The resulting atmosphere is therefore often more akin to a dark store cupboard than an inviting place for inquisitive minds to learn.

Discovery Montessori School (DMS) in Discovery Bay North Plaza however is no such place; because whilst the space may be compact, it is nonetheless a wonderfully light, bright kindergarten that feels both modern and homely. With clever mezzanines built into the classrooms that give the space the playful feel of a tree house, the school is free of posters stipulating dos and don’ts (other than one polite sign asking parents to remove shoes).

Child-led approach Montessori is an educational theory that is broadly familiar to many, having been in practice for over a hundred years. In a (crude) nutshell - with apologies to any experts out there, it promotes the idea of child-led, individualised learning within a mixed agegroup environment. Classes are hands-on, focusing on sensory play; and of crucial importance is the concept that each child chooses (within established limitations) which activities they want to partake in. It is about as far from rote learning as Donald Trump is from winning the next Nobel Peace Prize.

With educational ‘trends’ frequently popping up, Montessori has been quite a fashionable word for schools to mention in their mission statements. However, there is a difference between those that say they are ‘Montessori-style’ and those that are purebred Montessori schools. DMS is the latter; lead by two passionate Montessori teachers in each class, the kindergarten is a fully invested ambassador for this increasingly popular teaching style.

Opening in 2010, the kindergarten in DB Plaza is one of DMS’s three campuses, with another just down the road housing the primary school (DMA) and another in Central.

120 pupils aged between one and six attend the DB campus, most of the pupils live only a short distance away but there is also a school Hong Kong Schools Guide

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school visits

A child-led approach

bus service which helps to cater to those in Tung Chung and Tsing Yi. Despite the bus service though, the vast majority of children walk to school, which is in keeping with that enviably calm, wholesome feel that Discovery Bay is known for.

A Montessori lifestyle The school is run by Principal Gloria Law and Vice-principal Marsida Gostivari, two passionate and knowledgeable Montessori specialists who relish the chance to educate both children and parents on the benefits of Montessori schooling. And in many cases, it is the parents who need more guidance than the children.

As Gostivari explains, “Some parents want to see results immediately but Montessori focuses on the process. We teach our children that the way you do something is much more important than what you achieve. These are skills that you will have all through your life, 18

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and once you have them, the results will come.�

In order to help the parents understand the process and, if desired, continue it outside of

kindergarten Gostivari says, “In a sense, Montessori is a lifestyle. We do hope that when the children go home they will start doing things in a Montessori way. So for example, they will tidy up after themselves. That’s when parents say to us – ‘this is really working!’

A key feature of the ethos is the promotion of independence, the development of coordination of movement, and the building of confidence. The mixed age group, on the other hand, provides a vertical influence in the classrooms which encourages children to learn from each other and allows leadership skills to develop.

Less dependence on the teacher is also encouraged by allowing the children to choose which activity, of a pre-decided selection, they do instead of conscripting everyone to do the same thing at once. Rather than inviting all out chaos, the result at DMS is wonderfully harmonious and surprisingly ordered.

Freedom within limits school as well, DMS runs parent evenings on the various aspects of the ethos. This helps to compound what the children learn in the classroom.

A phrase that pops up a lot when discussing Montessori is “freedom within limits”. The limits part is one that Gloria Law likes to clarify. “One of the statements I often hear

Best foot forward on sports day

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school visits is, ‘In Montessori, children have no limits, they can practically do what they want!’ Well, it’s true that it is based on the principle of free choice; however the freedom we give to our students is within limits. The purpose of the “freedom within limits” is to promote true discipline. If the child is being disruptive or misusing the material, the teacher will intervene and redirect him to other more appropriate materials. We do not simply ignore the behaviour” she says.

DMS also offers a bilingual environment. The day is structured so that the first circle time is conducted in English, after which the main class resumes and at the end of the session the circle time is conducted in Mandarin. “There is an equal portion of time to stimulate both languages,” Law says.

And finally, here are two glorious words that every sane parent of

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kindergarten a young child wants to hear – NO HOMEWORK! None — not even a smidgen. Hearing this is the educational equivalent of hearing angels sing, although anyone familiar with Montessori will not be surprised as the concept of homework goes against the structures of the ethos.

“The students learn in full concentration through the work during a three-hour work cycle. The only thing we suggest to parents is that they read to their children,” says Law. Amen to that.

The children of DMS have no idea how lucky they are to have a kindergarten like this on their doorstep. sg Discovery Montessori School, Unit 101, 1/F, Discovery Bay North Plaza. dms.edu.hk

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school visits

Woodland Pre-Schools What does 40 years of success look like? Take a peek at the recently renovated Mid-levels Caine Road campus

A

fter 40 years at the forefront of an industry, many places might have taken their foot off the pedal and switched to cruise control.

But not the Woodland Pre-Schools group. Fresh, modern and with every bell and whistle you can possibly imagine, its Mid-levels Caine Road campus is a school at the top of its game.

Caine Road is the biggest of the Woodland Pre-Schools and it has got to be in the running for the most impressive. Straddling two sides of Caine Road and seemingly in situ since time

Woodland students enjoying the recently renovated waterpark

began, the school is something of a Mid-levels landmark, and, after a recent refurbishment, it could not be looking in better condition.

The developments have been meticulously thought through and at the basis of every change has been the question of what would benefit the children.

“We sat back and asked: ‘What’s missing for Hong Kong children?’ And by and large, it’s outdoor play,” Head of School, Fleur Murdoch tells me.

So the management team made an unprecedented call last year to convert a number of their classrooms into outdoor play areas.

Prioritising outdoor play “We took a bold decision to take the roof off a third of our ground floor site, transforming what were indoor spaces into outdoor playgrounds,” explains Murdoch.

Yes, you heard correctly - they sacrificed classrooms in which bums-on-seats equate to 22

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kindergarten dollars-in-the-pot, for open air space. Considering that Hong Kong occasionally has a reputation for viewing education as nothing but a cash cow, this is a pretty radical move.

But it makes perfect sense because the school is a keen advocate of the concept that the time children spend outdoors benefits the time they spend indoors; that giving children opportunities to developing the brain through physical development.

Recently renovated waterpark So they decided to put their money where their mouth is and solve the problem. And the result is five different, spacious new playgrounds. Even more radical possibly than the decision to convert indoor space to out, is the vision of the project - because in addition to the more typical soccer pitch, basketball court and climbing frame is the opening of Splash, the waterpark. With the help of some specially installed underground plumbing, the children can now put on their rash vests and indulge in water games with levers and spouts, spurting fountains and misters, all without leaving the school perimeters.

“We don’t shy away from ambitious,” says Murdoch, and it would be tough to disagree with her. It’s also encouraging to see a school investing so heavily back into its facilities. Corner cutting is not a thing at the Caine Road campus.

All the play areas are used on a rota basis so that every class has the chance to use each one on a regular basis (I would stake a bet that the waterpark might be the favourite for most of the children). The same is the case for the indoor play areas, which are equally bright, creative and inviting. They include a sensory room that gives the pupils a change of scene from the classroom,

but also is an aide in teaching early maths, patterns and predictability.

But it’s not all about facilities; what about curriculum, timetables and all the other things that make up a school as a whole?

The Caine Road campus is one of the Woodland Montessori schools, catering for children from six months to six years (Montessori approach is offered in Stepping Stones & PreSchool, starting from two years). From 18 months, classes are taught either in English, bilingual or pure Mandarin. From two years, children can be unaccompanied.

“We want the children to have a sense of balance. Life doesn’t have to be about a full day of school at the age of three if that’s not what works for that child,” says Murdoch.

Visiting Woodland’s Caine Road, you get the feeling that you are witnessing a well-oiled machine at work. In part, this is probably because of the length of time they have been established; they have had time to finely tune their procedures.

The drop off and collection routine at their convenient but busy location is as efficient as Changing of the Guard.

The summer’s developments are just the latest addition to a school that has spent 40 years at the top of its game and looks primed to do the same for the next 40.

Woodland Pre-Schools, On Fung Building, G/F 3/F, 110-118 Caine Road, Mid-levels. woodlandschools.com

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school visits

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kindergarten

Principal’s office Woodland Pre-Schools - Adam Patterson, General Manager Tell us about your teaching background I graduated with a Bachelor of Infants/ Primary Education from the University of New England, Australia many years ago. I have been fortunate to have experienced education in many different countries including the UK, France, Kuwait, Malaysia, China, Brazil, Singapore, and now Hong Kong. I have spent the past 13 years leading early years (EY) schools.

What do you love most about working in early years education?

Dr. Stuart Shanker, who is one of my heroes puts it very succinctly, ‘If you want to know how to save the world talk to an early years educator’ - that is how important this job is. At birth a baby’s brain has grown to 25% of an adult size, by three years of age it has reached 80%.

You are working with children at a stage of their lives where their development is rocketing. There is an opportunity to have a huge impact on a child’s life if we do early education right.

How can parents help their children thrive whilst avoiding unnecessary pressure?

Be present for your children.

This may seem simple, but how often are you actually present - without a screen blocking the human interaction? I have often caught myself finishing an email, booking a flight or looking for a recipe.

Therefore, not fully present.

There is evidence to show the positive effect human to human interaction has on children’s development and wellbeing, as well as a growing body of evidence to show the detrimental effects of human to

screen interaction. These steps should help your child to thrive; 1. Speak with your child every day from birth. Taking turns to speak with a non-verbal infant develops their understanding of language processes and brings you closer together.

2. Read to your child every day. Let your child see you reading.

3. Love your children (even when they drive you round the bend!!)

What do you enjoy doing out of school?

I love history and architecture, you will often find me wandering around the streets of Hong Kong looking at interesting buildings and trying to find out the history behind a particular street or building.

My daughter and I both enjoy wandering through museums, wherever we go you can usually find us in a museum. sg

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school visits

Bebegarten Education Centre School days are activity-packed at this play-centered kindergarten in Wong Chuk Hang

Play-based learning in action

I

f children were in charge of their own kindergarten selection, there isn’t a child in Hong Kong who wouldn’t put their 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 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 “play-based”. These are phrases that parents are hearing with increasing regularity as the research continues to prove that 26

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children learn best when their interest is engaged and when their choices are respected.

kindergarten Language of children 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; The 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. 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 addition to the play-based and child-

initiated aspects, the other features of this ethos are low pupil to teacher ratios and bright, open spaces for creativity to flourish.

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school visits

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kindergarten

The ‘Artist in Resident’ programme in Bebegarten

Space to learn and play 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 as well as designated music and art rooms. For the latter, once a week the children visit the Artist in Residence to enhance the project-based 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 child.

For those who are interested in numbers, 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 play-based options (including Spanish). For Mandarin, there are two dedicated teachers who take both the timetabled classes as well as optional enrichment classes in the afternoons.

Specialised help at hand One particularly encouraging thing to learn about Bebegarten is its approach to inclusive education. They do not turn away children with autism, hearing difficulties or speech delays.

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school visits

Space to learn and play

Instead, they have a full time Speech and Language therapist on site who works with families and specialist centres to give children with SEN a typical classroom experience 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.

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.

“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.

“We work closely with 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. sg Bebegarten Education Centre, Unit 301305, Level 3, One Island South, 2 Heung Yip Road, Wong Chuk Hang. bebegarten.com

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Where Lifelong Learning Meets Character Development In collaboration with Mighty Oaks International Nursery and Kindergarten Early Learning–Kindergarten Program Curriculum. A Christian curriculum incorporates the nine “fruit of the spirit” and the PATHS® programme develops students’ social and emotional learning (SEL).

Interactive environment

C

hildren should be able to explore, learn, laugh, love and grow together.

Mighty Oaks International Nursery and Kindergarten presents just that opportunity in their nurturing educational environment. At Mighty Oaks, great emphasis is placed on the nine “fruit of the spirit”, a summary of the nine attributes of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,

faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Character development Building moral values and character education are the main objectives at Mighty Oaks.

The uniquely designed, fun, and integrated curriculum for children promotes character building and child-centered learning. Based on Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory, this approach aims to help students form a healthy self-identity through play and discovery, so they may continue to form good relationships with people around them and the community.

Integrated curriculum Mighty Oaks adopts two of the world’s best early years curricula: the United Kingdom’s Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum (EYFS) and Ontario’s Full-Day

Children are curious; their learning attitude is to touch, feel, poke and explore. Every area of Mighty Oaks is designed to be fun from exploring light at the reception desk, to the mural/ mirror design in the children’s washing area. The outdoor playground encourages gross motor development and sensory, messy exploration and play; an aquaponics system engages inquisitive environmental minds; and the outdoor planting area ensures that children connect with nature when they grow organic plants and vegetables.

Mighty Oaks International Nursery and Kindergarteners Address: 1/F, Lungga Mansion, 46A Belcher’s Street, Kennedy Town Email: info@mightyoaks.edu.hk Tel: 2806 8383 Website: mightyoaks.edu.hk

PRIMARY Jump for joy at these fantastic primary schools

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American School Hong Kong

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American School Hong Kong Head to picturesque Tai Po for a tour of American School Hong Kong

H

ong Kong is a Mecca for new schools and one question that parents rightly ask is, what sets each school apart from the next? When schools are able to start with a clean slate of an empty plot of land and a generous financial backer, it can be tricky to see past the impressive facilities and shiny brochure to understand what kind of education a child will receive.

In recent years, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) and other variations of the acronym have been a particularly popular concept with schools keen to advertise their forward-thinking approach to innovative teaching and the 21st century. It is however important to determine which schools

Smile for the camera at American School Hong Kong

pay lip-service to the concept and which offer an in-depth programme.

A STEAM approach The American School Hong Kong (ASHK) is undoubtedly one of the schools that is faithful to the concept. In personalising their offering, they have chosen to pursue the route of STEAM (crucially with the addition of the A for Arts) and their bespoke course is one of the factors that helps to define the school’s overall curriculum.

Since opening in 2016, ASHK has worked hard to carve out a unique and considered programme that helps the modern-day learner combine the skills of a scientist with those Hong Kong Schools Guide

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of a designer. The school is keen to teach its pupils that there are no defined lines between subjects, but instead many interesting overlaps which can allow them to be studied as a whole.

“STEAM and STEM are similar philosophies that focus on integrating subjects in a meaningful way while promoting collaboration and problem solving,” the school explains.

“STEAM is even more powerful because it intentionally exposes students to the arts to help them develop creativity, imagination and innovation.”

Ryan Yue is ASHK’s education technology director and designs the school’s programme.

He explains that it falls into two parts. Firstly, there are the purebred tech classes that focus on coding and robotics. These start from Grade 6 (Year 7) and deal with programming concepts and help to challenge various skills such as critical thinking and problem solving.

The second part is where technology is integrated with the other subjects in order to enhance the students’ understanding and abilities. Yue works with grade level teachers, right through the school age groups, to find the best ways to bring technology into their learning. “We have regular meetings with the grade level teachers. We will discuss what they are preparing and we can decide how best a tech class can help,” he says.

school uses Bee Bot, Osmo Coding and Dash Robot to implement this.

“We even use robotics for the earlier years,” says Yue. “For example, for kindergarten children learning counting we utilise the Bee Bot. They draw a grid map and instruct the Bee Bot how many squares to move depending on their additions.”

The concept of being able to see one’s work manifested in physical form is widely appreciated to allow a deeper level of learning and, crucially, better retention of knowledge.

This is something that ASHK promotes whenever possible.

“Once you have written a programme, a very important concept every time is that you need to execute it. So the students see their work become a physical command. They see their work in action.”

The other significant benefit of a hands-on STEAM programme is that students develop ownership of – and responsibility for – their own work in a way which is less likely to happen when the only output is writing in a text book. Seeing the fruits of one’s labour is a process that is much more rewarding.

ASHK is certainly reaping the rewards.

In particular, it is helping to break down the gender barriers that have long existed around

Hands-on experience The aim is to provide visual, hands-on lessons that allow students an interactive experience (and far removed from the textbook and chalkboard system that most parents remember from their own school days). The Hong Kong Schools Guide

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STEAM-based learning at ASHK

science-based subjects: when I asked Yue whether he notices a stronger interest in STEAM from one gender or another in his coding classes, he tells me that the boys and girls share a similar level of enthusiasm for the content; there is no assumption that this is just for the boys.

A global network Though ASHK is relatively new to Hong Kong, it is fortunate to benefit from its association with Esol (formerly known as ESOLEducational Services Overseas Limited), which has a long history of academic excellence.

With ten international schools around the globe and 10,000 students, Esol has over 40 years of experience in education. Being part of a

broader network also means that ASHK has access to global schemes that would be harder for smaller schools to muscle in on.

So this (currently) small school has some big ideas. And it won’t be small for long.

With capacity for nearly 1000 pupils, ASHK is organically growing through the years and will see its first cohort of graduates in 2023.

For the moment, the year groups rise to Grade 8 with a focus on the American curriculum.

However, as they reach Grades 11 and 12, they will be able to decide between staying with the US Common Core Curriculum and choosing to move to the International Baccalaureate (IB) for the diploma course.

ASHK is a very ambitious school; ambitious for what it’s students can achieve and ambitious for how it can deliver a world-class education. In the three years it has been open, it has already set out its stall for what it can bring to Hong Kong. And nowhere is that more evident that in its enterprising STEAM programme. sg

American School Hong Kong, 6 Ma Chung Road, Tai Po, New Territories. ashk.edu.hk

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You want the best for your child. So do we.

At NAIS Hong Kong, we educate your child for the future, enhancing our curricula through collaborations with the world’s best organisations.

Collaborating with MIT, we bring a new approach to learning the interdisciplinary subjects of STEAM, putting your child at the forefront of developing skills for the 21st century.

Apply now to give your child the opportunity of a transformational learning experience.

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Tai Tam

Sai Kung

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www.nais.hk

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Wycombe Abbey One of Britain’s most renowned public schools arrives in Hong Kong this September

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o the British, the name Wycombe Abbey needs little explanation. To those less familiar with the UK’s private school system, below are some points to bring you up to speed.

Who and what is Wycombe Abbey?

Wycombe Abbey (pronounced Wickham, with a silent H, like the Jane Austen scoundrel) is a standard-bearer of British boarding education.

Set in idyllic rural surroundings, for over a century it has educated some of the UK’s most

Wycombe Abbey arrives in Hong Kong this September

successful women (the UK school is single sex).

Many schools are guilty of hyperbole when writing their marketing material but in the case of Wycombe it is almost impossible to exaggerate: their academic record leaves every other school in the shadows; last year it was ranked number one nationally for A Level results; each year, roughly one third of its pupils receive offers for Oxbridge. Aside from academics, the school is also known for sporting excellence – National Schools lacrosse champions and Independent Schools Hong Kong Schools Guide

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French International School

Over 50 years of excellence in education Balancing academic excellence and student well-being in a multi-cultural environment French Stream Teaching in French French Curriculum French Baccalaureate inscriptions@lfis.edu.hk

1

SCHOOL

2

STREAMS International Stream Teaching in English English National Curriculum IGCSE and IB Diploma admissions@lfis.edu.hk

Join us, book a tour today!

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French International School Chai Wan • Happy Valley • Jardine’s Lookout • Tseung Kwan O T+852 2577 6217 E info@lfis.edu.hk Hongwww.fis.edu.hk Kong Schools Guide • www.facebook.com/HKFIS

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ski champions in 2018 – in addition to debating, politics and innovation. Wycombe Abbey is one of those schools that sets the benchmark to which others aspire.

Another (school) door opens And now this educational powerhouse has landed in Hong Kong. So here is everything you need to know about the latest arrival.

Opening in September, the school has taken a site in Tin Wan, just west of Aberdeen.

This will be a specialist primary school for Years 1 to 6. A crucial difference from its British counterpart is that the Hong Kong school will be co-ed. This is actually Wycombe Abbey’s second opening internationally; another co-ed school opened in Changzhou in 2016 and more are in planning stages.

The starting capacity for Hong Kong is for 200 pupils though the building has room for many more, and an appropriate application will be made in time to allow this. For now though, offers are already being made for the founding pupils set to start in the next academic year.

The school will definitely open with Year 1 and 5 classes and is prepared to open more classes if class sizes permit.

Who is in charge?

At the headmasterly helm is a man called Howard Tuckett, whose teaching CV is long Howard Tuckett and illustrious. A career primary school teacher, he has been a boarding school housemaster, a deputy head and a headmaster in some of the UK’s leading prep schools. That is in addition to his roles as a maths teacher, rugby coach and lacrosse umpire. He is also an inspector for the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI), and has served as a governor at a number of other institutions. This is a man who knows a thing or two about education on every level but has not lost sight of where he started.

“I have always managed to timetable myself into the teaching programme. I continue to strive to remain an active classroom teacher, the challenges and time demands of this exciting project notwithstanding,” he says.

Curriculum matters As the Founding Headmaster, Tuckett was Hong Kong Schools Guide

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primary charged with the responsibility of creating Wycombe Abbey’s new curriculum. Starting with a blank canvas (which must be any headmaster’s dream) he set about researching which curricula globally would serve to provide the best possible offering for internationally minded pupils based in Hong Kong.

The outcome is a bespoke programme of 14 subjects which cherry-pick the strongest parts from a variety of national curricula. It is based principally on the National Curriculum for England, but also incorporates elements of others that Tuckett felt served their aim.

“The fourteen subjects are those advised by the UK’s Independent Schools Examination Board (ISEB), and form the examination known as Common Entrance, which is the agreed standard benchmark for entry assessment to British independent secondary schools. This curriculum will prepare children for entry to the best secondary schools anywhere in the world,” he explains.

One of the things that will attract parents is the prominence given to Chinese lessons.

Rather than just one or two lessons a week, Tuckett tells me that Chinese will be timetabled for as many as seven sessions each week, establishing it as a core subject. “Chinese lessons will be given the same amount of teaching time in the timetable as English and

Mathematics,” he says. “In order to support the acquisition of Chinese further, we are currently working on cross curricular plans to identify opportunities for discrete subjects to align, so that Putonghua language and other subjects can work symbiotically to support the learning outcomes of both subjects.”

Core Chinese will be taught with simplified characters, however, in order to promote the broader aspects of Chinese culture, traditional character recognition and calligraphy tuition will be offered as part of the extra-curricular provision. The music, drama and art curricula will also include an awareness of Chinese

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Art curricula will include an awareness of Chinese culture

culture in song, theatre and artwork.

Wycombe Abbey clearly plans to do much more than just give lip service to providing a comprehensive path to bilingual confidence.

And in the future…

While Wycombe Abbey’s first foray into the Hong Kong education scene is a primary school, there are also bigger plans in the pipeline. “Due to demand, we are now looking at providing an additional school which would be primary and secondary on a separate campus. So we are investigating sites in the New Territories now with a view to opening in 2022,” Tuckett tells me.

That is not to say that this first campus in Tin Wan is a temporary measure. Tuckett assures me that the lease is substantial and Wycombe Abbey School plans to bed in for the long term with this island-side campus. So it looks like the long term vision of Wycombe Abbey School’s Hong Kong presence will be similar to Kellett’s set up, which is a primary school on Hong Kong Island and a throughschool across the harbour.

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One of the very reassuring facts for parents cautious about being the guinea pigs for new schools is that Wycombe Abbey School arrives not only with a sterling heritage but also with a strong infrastructure behind it; the school will be supported on a practical level by the wider group and with a number of the same board members who oversee the successful running of Wycombe Abbey in the UK. Parents can therefore expect that the new Hong Kong School will be held to the same high expectations and standards that have propelled the British school to its extraordinary reputation.

So there you have it. If you hadn’t previously heard of Wycombe Abbey, you have now. Prepare to watch its star rise. There is nothing that this school does by halves so expect to hear great things about Hong Kong’s newest arrival in the years to come. sg Wycombe Abbey, Tin Wan Street, Aberdeen. wycombeabbey.com.hk

Small school makes

BIG IMPACT A powerful institution for learning and life lessons In collaboration with Japanese International School

J

apanese International School may be a small I.B. World School in the New Territories of Hong Kong, but it has been making a big impression on parents, staff and attending pupils. Founded in 1997, the international section of the school has around 170 students from an average of 25 different nationalities and focuses on creating educated, creative, compassionate, active and empowered citizens of the world.

both schools. Facilities include a gymnasium, ‘all-weather’ astroturf field and running track, swimming pool, specialist facility rooms and access to all aspects of computing and digital technology. The close proximity of the country park areas means that the schools outdoor education and forest school programmes are an integral part of the curriculum.

What parents and the community have to say - June 2019 •

A unique learning environment Japanese International School is a small yet very dynamic community based international school, housed in an excellent well equipped campus, on the edge of a beautiful large country park. Housed in a dynamic, spacious campus close to the Tai Po Kau Nature Reserve in Tai Po, the building incorporates the International School and a Japanese Primary School within the same building. This allows for the provision of some superb facilities that are shared by

100% - agreed that the current school mission statement clearly represents the International Section of Japanese International School, Tai Po.

•

98% - agreed that JIS - International Section upholds the 3 key values of its vision for the staff, students and community RESPECT - COMMITMENT - KINDNESS.

•

100% - agreed that the school is responding appropriately to its vision: ‘to create; educated, creative, compassionate, active and empowered citizens of the world’.

•

94% - felt informed and that

their child’s class teacher gives relevant curriculum information about the work in their class.

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94% - felt informed about their child’s progress through the school consultation processes and school assessment and reporting procedures.

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98% - felt confident that JIS - International Section, is continually developing into an excellent I.B. primary school.

•

98% - felt that the staff are well trained and support the provision of a high quality education for my child.

Thanks to wonderful facilities, and a learning environment that encourages children to be creative and imaginative when it comes to learning, JIS prepares and nurtures students to learn in the classroom and beyond.

Japanese International School Hong Kong 4663 Tai Po Road, Tai Po Kau, Tai Po Tel: 2834 3531 Email: esinfo@jis.edu.hk es.jis.edu.hk

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Picture perfect at AISHK

Australian International School Hong Kong Discover academic excellence and true sportsmanship in Kowloon Tong

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n a recent interview with his primary school students, Mark Hemphill, the new head at the Australian International School Hong Kong, told his interrogating audience that from the moment he walked into AISHK, it felt like home. For anyone who has ever stepped foot on Australian soil, it is not difficult to understand why.

From the bold green-and-gold uniform and the relaxed friendliness of both staff and pupils, to the sun-safe headgear resembling the Australian army’s famous slouch hat and

the impromptu sports games taking place on every spare square of turf, there is something very Australian about this corner of Kowloon Tong.

The school has been in its current location since 2001 and geographically AISHK couldn’t be in a better spot. It is perfectly placed to serve the vast majority of Hong Kong.

It is hard to argue with that: the school is just one minute’s walk from Kowloon Tong MTR. As such, the student demographic is fairly evenly spread, with roughly one third Hong Kong Schools Guide

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Enjoying the outdoor space with Head of School, Mark Hemphill

travelling from Kowloon, one third from the New Territories and one third from Hong Kong Island. In a city where travel time plays a significant part in school selection, AISHK is certainly accessible for the vast majority of families.

Academic excellence Despite the overall Australian feel of the school, it would also be wrong to assume that the school caters only to families from Down Under. While the majority of the students are Australians or New Zealanders, another 25 nationalities are represented at AISHK. Maybe the families are seeking a Southern Hemisphere calendar, or maybe they’re seeking academic excellence - AISHK has been known on several occasions to hold one of the highest IB averages in Hong Kong and 50

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Australia, an admirable claim to fame that many parents might not be aware of.

Indeed, the curriculum allows secondary students to select between the IB and the New South Wales exam system, the HSC. Currently the split is fairly evenly 50:50 on the number of students taking each option. For non-Australian parents who are not sure that the IB suits their child, Hemphill points out that the HSC should be seen as a real, global option for Hong Kong students, even those without an Australian background.

“The HSC is highly transferable and is recognised around the world. By choosing it, a student is not limited purely to Australian universities.”

One recent graduate is a case in point: after studying for the HSC, he applied to universities in Canada and received three offers. In fact,

primary the recent list of university destinations shows that AISHK students have gone on to study in such diverse countries as the US, Switzerland, Denmark and Singapore, amongst many others. Another recent graduate received offers from HKU, Sydney and Cambridge. He eventually settled on Cambridge, where he is now reading Law.

Continuity and choice Of AISHK’s offering, Hemphill says, “We offer continuity and we offer choice; continuity for those who are seeking an Australian education outside the country and choice for those who would like options on secondary examinations and the opportunity to apply to universities globally.”

Perhaps some of the school’s academic success can be attributed to its class sizes, which in the secondary school can be as small as four students in a class, allowing the students to get a crucial level of teacher attention at an important time. Like any international school in Hong Kong, numbers

are higher in the primary school and slightly lower in secondary as families gradually drift home or children head to boarding school. At AISHK, this only serves to benefit those who remain, giving an exceptional staff-to-student ratio.

There are undoubtedly some fun and interesting perks to being the only Australian school in Hong Kong: the association of nationality means that the school regularly hosts visiting dignitaries, international relations leaders and big sporting names. They also regularly host the Australian rugby team and Classic Wallabies during the Sevens tournament each year. So even if politics is not enough to get youngsters sprinting to school each morning, a sporting hero is pretty certain to do it.

Sporting victories Speaking of sporting heroes, something would feel distinctly wrong if anything labelled Australian were not also irritatingly good at sport. So you can rest easy – AISHK is as

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Rooftop nature walks

talented as it is victorious. Most schools, when asked to name their dominant sports, give a list of about three, but at AISHK, that figure is at least doubled. Netball, rugby, basketball, volleyball, swimming – the list goes on, as does the list of countries where the teams go on tour.

The school has to have one of the most spectacularly placed swimming pools in Hong Kong. Sitting under a dome at the very top of the building, the pool has a huge arched window that gives views right over the city.

This celebration of swimming, in such a prime spot on campus, tells us a lot about the school’s approach to sport in general: it is very much at the heart of school life on a day-today basis, not an afterthought, as can often be the case in Hong Kong schools.

As my recent visit was drawing to a close, a wander around the school with Mark Hemphill gave a perfect snapshot into what it is to be a part of AISHK. It was the primary school’s lunch break and the first thing that stood out 52

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was that everyone was outside on the sports pitch; this is not a place where you sit still when there is running around to be done. At least a dozen makeshift ball games were going on, involving both boys and girls; one little chap was helping his friend who had hurt his hand. Hemphill addressed them both by name – not an easy feat in a school of over 1,000 – before another group of six-year-olds rushed past, each looking up to say hello, earnestly informing Hemphill of something vital that they thought he might like to know and then rushing off again.

As with anywhere in Australia, at AISHK there is a genuine feeling of warm informality for which the nation is famous, and which is precisely the kind of atmosphere in which children flourish. sg Australian International School Hong Kong, 3A Norfolk Road, Kowloon Tong, Kowloon. aishk.edu.hk

GSIS Kindergarten adds another string to its language bow

In collaboration with German Swiss International School

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any parents see living in Hong Kong as an opportunity to strengthen their childrens’ language skills beyond those spoken at home. The German Swiss International School (GSIS) has just broadened the market by starting the first bilingual Kindergarten classes with a German emphasis. Both bilingual classes will follow the German curriculum meaning that children will be able to move seamlessly into the German school system.

In with the new Commencing in the next academic year, GSIS will be introducing two bilingual classes in the Kindergarten’s German International stream. One class will offer German and English whilst the other will offer German and Mandarin. Each class will have a native speaker for each language - an approach that has

proven to be the most effective for those at a kindergarten level. “We believe that introducing these two bilingual classes at a key time in the child’s learning will encourage them to express themselves in both languages,” says Mr Ulrich Weghoff, Principal, German Swiss International School.

of options that it creates for parents. “Given the nature of the diversity of our Kindergarten students’ linguistic background, offering bilingual Kindergarten Classes is a good way forward to meet the needs of our families. Many Kindergartens offer bilingual programmes already but it will be the first time German bilingual classes are offered in a Kindergarten in Hong Kong. We are very excited to start with the new programme, said Sophie Burdel, Head of Kindergarten.

The response to this new programme has been extremely positive with many places already filled. Those interested are encouraged to speak to GSIS promptly.

Onwards to GSIS The bilingual kindergarten is the gateway to the German stream of GSIS, which concludes with the bilingual German International Abitur.

The German stream follows the German curriculum, whilst English is offered throughout as a second foreign language and also as a bilingual subject in the Secondary school. Mandarin can also be taken additionally.

The essence of the new bilingual Kindergarten programme is the breadth

German Swiss International School Tel: +852 2849-6216 Email: info@gsis.edu.hk Campuses: 11 Guildford Road, The Peak 162 Pok Fu Lam Road, Pok Fu Lam

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World-Class IB Achievements Scores at a historic high for Victoria Shanghai Academy students In collaboration with Victoria Shanghai Academy

100% Pass Rate The Class of 2019 achieved impressive results on the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma examinations this year.

Two Victoria Shanghai Academy (VSA) students achieved the perfect IB score of 45 points and five VSA students achieved nearperfect 44 points. The cohort achieved a 100% pass rate, with an average mean score of 38.1, the highest in VSA history.

93.9% of VSA students achieved above the global mean score of 30 and 48.5% of students achieved 40 points or higher in their IB results. A total of 32 students received the Bilingual Diploma.

Two Perfect Scorers Joelle Chow, one of the two students who achieved the perfect IB score of 45 points, is a serious learner and student writer for the school newspaper.

She received a Scholarship for Academic Achievement and Scholarship for Science from VSA and plans to study

Joelle Chow (second from the left)

The cohort achieved a 100% pass rate and an average of 38.1 points

Medicine at The Chinese University of Hong Kong. She aspires to be a humanitarian and trauma medic. “Academically, VSA has given me a plethora of resources and encouraged constant self-exploration and further learning. The teachers here have constantly challenged me to always present my best work, and to look beyond the class syllabus in order to understand topics thoroughly,” she shares.

Accomplished Individuals VSA Secondary Principal Christopher Coates explains, “This is the culmination of many years of hard work on the part of our students and teachers throughout the PYP, MYP, and DP. Students in the IB are encouraged to be ‘balanced’ and thus aspire for academic AND personal excellence.

These DP results are further evidence of VSA students achieving abundant academic

success; but our graduates are also brilliant athletes, artists, volunteers, innovators, citizens and leaders. They epitomise what we are striving to achieve at VSA - multitalented and accomplished young adults who are ready to make their positive mark on the world.”

Victoria Shanghai Academy Victoria Shanghai Academy (VSA) is a private independent, bilingual IB school. As one of Hong Kong’s top IB World Schools, VSA has over 1,800 students enrolled in their IB Primary Years Programme (Years 1-5), Middle Years Programme (Years 6-10) and Diploma Programme (Years 11-12).

Address: 19 Shum Wan Road, Aberdeen Telephone: 3402 1000 Email: enquiries@vsa.edu.hk Website: vsa.edu.hk

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ALL-THROUGH The sky’s the limit at these secondary and all-through schools

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Nord Anglia International School Hong Kong

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Malvern College It’s been an impressive first year for this British-style school in Tai Po

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alvern College Hong Kong, opened its doors last August after nearly four years in the planning. Offering a through-system for children aged five to 18, this is the latest in Malvern’s portfolio of international offerings (two in China, one in Egypt.)

Back in 2015, Malvern was allocated a campus in Tai Po next to Science Park, and set about creating a state-of-the-art school

The open-plan library at Malvern College

that would meet the high expectations of Hong Kong parents yet honour the Malvern legacy.

And they have not disappointed – from the 450-seat auditorium to the open-plan library, and the communal dining hall to the six-lane swimming pool, this is a dazzling addition to Hong Kong’s list of prestigious schools.

The building is light and bright, with seven storeys that will ultimately house 1,000 pupils. In these initial stages, the school has Hong Kong Schools Guide

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all-through

opened with Years 1 to 9, growing gradually to Year 13. Some sections of the building are – intentionally – unfinished, allowing Malvern to respond to what the schools needs and the demands of the progressing year groups have been understood. But all the key facilities are up and running and wildly impressive, including the auditorium with interchangeable acoustic walls and the cricket nets with a specially designed floor that mimics the bounce of a real wicket. The Malvernians of Hong Kong have no idea how lucky they are.

International Baccalaureate

The UK school has a long history of scientific excellence, with four Nobel Prize winners and a double Nobel Laureate among its alumni. It’s therefore not surprising that the Hong Kong campus has put a strong emphasis on developing a first-rate STEM programme.

The learning ethos is based around practical work and focuses on real-life scenarios within technical, social, economic and environmental spheres. Malvern also has grand plans for collaborations with its neighbours at Science Park and CUHK, ensuring that the children have broad experience of large-scale programmes.

Whilst Malvern’s other campuses primarily offer the pairing of GCSEs and A Levels or perhaps a choice between A Level and IB, the Hong Kong school focuses purely on the IB. The teacher-to-pupil ratio is low at 1:10 and the implementation of a personal tutor system has been set up to ensure that each child receives the optimum level of personalised attention. Malvern goes to great lengths to ensure that no-one slips between the cracks, and the dedicated, regular tutoring time and the tailored academic enrichment programmes at the school show a firm commitment to deal with each child as an individual.

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SCHOOL OF THE YEAR 2014 FINALIST

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EXCLUSIVE SPONSOR

all-through

In addition to STEM, Chinese is high on the school’s priority list. It is taught in the simplified version. To build students’ fluency, a number of exchange programmes are being established in both Mainland China and Taiwan so that the students are able to put their language skills to work in an immersive environment.

Pastoral care is a fairly

British experience, with the house system and personal tutors. The dining hall also mimics the traditions of Malvern’s founding school, even down to the terminology: the dining hall is known as “The Grub” and features a professional kitchen, and pupils eat in their houses together with staff, encouraging conversation and a chance for children across year groups to interact.

A bookworm’s paradise

Books in abundance At the heart of the school is the library, a magnificent, welcoming hub that invites students to sit down and stay awhile. With books in abundance, it is also a place where students can come to work on projects or just relax. In both design and concept, it is modern: libraries are often shadowy places, hidden behind heavy doors and rarely used, but Malvern’s is intentionally designed to be a thoroughfare for daily school life, encircled by the classrooms and seen from all angles.

With CS Lewis as one of the UK school’s other

notable alumni, maybe this library will inspire another children’s author to spring from a Malvern education.

The Headmaster, Dr. Robin Lister, has come directly from the UK school, where he was Deputy Head for 10 years. As an academic-turned-teacher, he has lived and breathed Malvern for nearly 30 years. A stereotypical British schoolmaster in the best sense of the term (think polished shoes, a compelling presence and a voice that reaches the back of any room), he has a tangible enthusiasm for the school and the new Hong Kong Schools Guide

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Sporting facilities are highly impressive

campus. He strikes me as a person who knows exactly what is going on, and who will enjoy being a visible presence in daily school life.

A pathway to the UK For those wanting to really bed down deep with the Malvern experience, pupils have the

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opportunity to sidestep over to the UK school in either Year 7 or Year 9. Those moving at Year 7 will spend two years at the prep school, The Downs Malvern, before progressing to the senior school. Certain academic requirements need to be met, however it is encouraging to see a school actively nurturing some synergy

all-through between campuses and demonstrating that the Hong Kong campus is more than just the borrowing of a name.

Pupils also benefit from the association

with the Forest School programme, an initiative that promotes outdoor learning as a key part of children’s development. Malvern has taken the unusual step of acquiring a separate piece of land in a deeply rural part of the New Territories in order to offer this experience to the fullest.

It can often be difficult to appreciate what sets each new international school apart, but if you look under the hood of Malvern College Hong Kong, you will find a school that has all the right components: the IB, which acknowledges its international status; a strong Chinese programme, honouring its location in Asia, and an ethos that is securely, but not immovably, anchored in its traditional British roots. We will watch its progress with interest. www.malverncollege.org.hk sg Malvern College, 3 Fo Chun Road, Pak Shek Kok, New Territories. www.malverncollege.org.hk

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Mount Kelly Launches Capital Levy Waiver Scheme In collaboration with Mount Kelly School Hong Kong

requirements are eligible to apply for a waiver: • The family has relocated to Hong Kong and is not a permanent resident cardholder; • The parents hold a valid work and resident visa in Hong Kong; • The work contracts of both parents do not include educational benefits or an allowance for dependents.

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or the coming 2019/2020 academic year, Mount Kelly School Hong Kong (MKSHK) will launch a new scheme to promote a highquality multicultural learning environment. The Capital Levy Waiver Scheme will support expatriate families in need.

What is the Capital Levy?

The Capital Levy payment is non-interest bearing, nonrefundable and non-transferable.

Students who are not subscribed to a Nomination Certificate (aka debenture) are subjected to this annual payment. This fee covers

the maintenance of school facilities, development and daily operations. “As we operate as a private school and receive no subsidy from the Hong Kong government, the Capital Levy makes valuable contributions to MKSHK,” said Ms. Rain Jones, MKSHK Head of Schools & Governor.

About Mount Kelly School Hong Kong MKSHK opened in Hong Kong in 2017. As a sister school of the UK’s leading independent elite school Mount Kelly, their authentic British all-through education provides a pathway for students from infancy to preuniversity level.

The Capital Levy Waiver Scheme This scheme is designed to promote cultural diversity in school and to support expatriate families who would like their child to continue receiving the same high-quality education as in their home country. Ms. Jones explains, “Enabling children to realise their full potential through high-quality education is part of our school’s mission and we will do our best to support children towards this opportunity.”

Criteria for eligibility Students who meet the following

For more information on this new scheme, contact: Mount Kelly School Hong Kong, Upper G/F, Austin Tower, 152 Austin Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon admissions@mountkelly.edu.hk 2157 9557 mountkelly.edu.hk

all-through

All smiles at Nord Anglia International School Hong Kong

Nord Anglia International School Hong Kong

This innovative school is leading the way in STEAM-based learning

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ord Anglia International School Hong Kong is a school that offers the best of both worlds. Not only is it part of an impressive international group with a strong educational history and a wide reaching network. It also enjoys a liberating amount of autonomy to construct an education tailored specifically to children growing up in Hong Kong.

Despite running over 60 schools around the world, there is no one size fits all approach from the powers-that-be at Nord Anglia Education headquarters; no requirement that the staff teach a predetermined syllabus or that

the extra curricular activities conform to a list. Instead, the Principal, Brian Cooklin, has been given free rein to develop the right kind of school for Hong Kong.

In practical terms this manifests itself in areas Brian Cooklin such as the curriculum; the school follows the English National Curriculum, starting with the British Early Years Foundation Stage, then moving onto IGCSEs and culminating with IB Diploma programme, the combination of which, according to Mr Cooklin, gives the Hong Kong Schools Guide

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Application deadline

October 2, 2019

for Pre Reception to Grade 2

Canadian International School of Hong Kong Now accepting admission applications for 2020-2021 For further information or to register for a weekly tour, please visit

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To inspire excellence, cultivate character and empower engagement locally and globally.

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STEAM-based learning

greatest success for the largest number of students and prepares them well for the next stage in their educational journey. The school adapts its curriculum to make it relevant and have cultural context. For example, rather than teaching the Tudors and Stuarts as would be done in the UK, the children learn about the history of the Silk Road. Once classes are over, there are over 120 extra-curricular activities (ECAs), run by staff for free. The topics and themes of these are as broad as they are varied.

“Every member of staff voluntarily runs one extra-curricular activity,” says Cooklin. “I told them that they can choose anything they like; I don’t mind what, they just have to have enthusiasm for it.”

Year 10s in their house to ask for their advice.”

The house system also shows its strength when the children transfer from one of the two pre-school campuses to the larger Lam Tin campus.

Ruth Hanson, head of school at the Tai Tam pre-school, says, “We are three campuses but it is one school. When transitioning from one to the other, it’s important that the children feel secure and we find that comes from the house system and knowing that they are already part of a whole school.”

Whilst Nord Anglia reaps the benefits

Peer-assisted learning Mr Cooklin also decided to install a house system that runs across the three campuses.

This was done primarily for the pastoral care benefits and peer-assisted learning that it encourages.

“The children get into the habit of working with each other across year groups; they collaborate. Year 9 are currently choosing their General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) subjects and we find they go to the Hong Kong Schools Guide

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school visits of being able to dictate its own path, there are also significant upsides to being part of a larger, global network. An example?

Each school within the Nord Anglia family profits from the associations that have been established with the Juilliard School and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

Juilliard is a New York-based school of performing arts, which has spent the last hundred years providing world-class teaching in music, dance and drama. The unique collaboration with Nord Anglia Education is multifaceted; from a broad perspective, the Juilliard professionals train the NAIS staff to be able to deliver an enriched curriculum, far beyond the standards of a typical school.

The performing art syllabus has also been developed under their guidance and each of the three performing arts is taught separately by specialised teachers, from pre-school upwards, rather than grouped together as a general subject.

Additionally, throughout the year Juilliard artists and alumni will visit the Nord Anglia schools to give workshops and performances in addition to professional development classes for the teachers.

Outside of term time, Juilliard runs the Nord

Anglia Summer Performing Arts programmes in Shanghai, Geneva and Florida for students wanting to excel to the next level.

For the pupils, this collaboration gives unprecedented access to the highest calibre of performing arts on a day-to-day basis.

It is something that Mr Cooklin views as essential to a well-rounded education, both academically and socially. “I think those subject do something special for a child’s confidence. I think they’re transformational and that spills over into other things,” he says.

Leading the way in STEM learning Ensuring that the pupils’ creative and academic skills are evenly honed, Nord Anglia’s STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics) programme is also greatly enhanced by an affiliation, this one with MIT, an establishment that obviously needs little introduction.

At a time when schools are falling over themselves to demonstrate the excellence of their STEM curriculum, Nord Anglia really is leading the way, because the association with this world leader provides its students with an extraordinary opportunity to marry their studies to real world innovation.

One way in which this is done is with MIT setting the Nord Anglia students a challenge 72

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all-through each term. Tasks such as these require the pupils to experiment and create, collaborate and think critically. One such challenge started with MIT posing the question, ‘What are you curious about?’ What emerged from that was the group decision to look at pollution in Hong Kong. This led to five-year-old pupils taking water samples from differing areas around the city and the fifteen years old pupils teaching them how to perform pH testing in the science labs.

“What I love about the challenges is that everybody is involved across the age groups,” says Cooklin.

The latest MIT challenge was centered on superheroes and this January, the Hong Kong school hosted the Nord Anglia schools in China for a STEAM festival, Comic-Con. The real feather in their cap though is the opportunity each spring for senior pupils and staff to travel to the US to experience MIT in action. Together with the Nord Anglia schools globally, they meet with professors and tour the world-renowned facilities, taking part in group challenges. En route, they also swing past Harvard to see a little of what student life there is like.

Nord Anglia International School Hong Kong has succeeded in striking just the right

balance; the balance of being part of a bigger, global establishment while still being the master of its own destiny. Both internationally and day to day, there is tremendous opportunity here. sg Nord Anglia International School Hong Kong, campuses in Sai Kung, Lam Tin and Tai Tam. nais.hk

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The Harbour School Growing leaders of the future at the Garden Campus in Ap Lei Chau

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n a tour of the Harbour School’s high school campus, visitors should prepare to be amazed and impressed at every turn: catering for Grades 9-12 and known as the ‘Garden’, it is not a typical secondary school. Part of their mission statement declares that the school “redefines

Happy champions at THS

the secondary schooling experience” and it would be wrong to imagine that this is a hollow sentiment dreamed up for glossy marketing material.

Even purely in appearance, the school feels more like a mix between a British sixth form college and a contemporary co-working space. In lieu of uniforms and large formal classrooms, there are lots of break out spaces and small collaborations; in place of the usual art, the walls are papered with updates on each student’s independent study program (more on that later), the topics of which are as broad as they are varied.

The person at the helm is also not a typical Hong Kong head. Last year, THS appointed Dr. Elizabeth Micci as the high school principal.

A highly knowledgeable, deeply impassioned educator with a doctorate in Education Leadership, I can almost guarantee that she will be the youngest secondary school Hong Kong Schools Guide

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The Black Dolphin, a classic 50-foot wooden boat serves as the outdoor classroom

principal you have ever set your eyes on. So it is clear that from every angle, THS is reevaluating the expectations of what constitutes a school and the ways in which they can improve education for today’s students.

Authentic strides towards a modern world Micci originally came to THS whilst completing her degree at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, a course that lead her to research schools with innovative programmes.

“Of all the schools I researched, THS was, in my opinion, making the most authentic strides toward creating a learning environment that would help students thrive in the modern world,” she says.

The modern world is what THS is all about and as such, their model of teaching deviates from most traditional programmes, as it works to focus on skills tailored to the 21st century.

When discussing how progressive, modernised schools are received, Micci has this to say - “I think people sometimes dismiss progressive models as high-risk environments […] but I honestly believe it is riskier to not question how processes and systems we have relied upon in schools for generations have become seriously outdated; they put our students at risk of being unprepared for the world we live in now.”

So THS is not progressive just for the sake of being different and if there are traditional practices that effectively support their aims, then they will be included in the curriculum.

But they also spend a lot of time researching other practices, cautious of operating a certain way just because ‘that’s how schools have always been’.

Tailored academic programmes Because of this forward-thinking approach, those more accustomed to a traditional school environment may find themselves unsure of what to expect from the curriculum. In practice, it is an American curriculum where students are given the opportunity to curate 78

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all-through their own course of study in a manner normally seen at university. Each term, students choose from a series of options, under the guidance of their academic advisor who teaches them how to build and track an academic programme, completing core requirements and selecting electives around their interests and the careers they might want to pursue. Such autonomy and individualised learning is rare in most international curricula.

Jadis Blurton is the founder and head of THS as a whole. As an educational psychologist, she believes that a core element to a successful school is respect.

“Teenagers respond incredibly well to respect. If you give it to them they will continue to want to earn it. We place the bar high and they work hard to achieve it because they don’t want to lose it,” she says.

One of the core parts of the curriculum that demonstrates this approach of autonomy combined with real world challenges is the independent study module (ISM). Students are challenged to consider a topic in which they have a strong interest; they then research it, put it into action and present their results. It takes place over a full school year so it requires indepth work and commitment. And crucially the theme is one that they have chosen themselves.

“Here you see a lot of kids who are really passionate for what they’re doing. That doesn’t mean they like every single thing. But we give them a lot of respect for their choices and that self-determination gives them a passion,” Blurton explains.

Tangible, real-world topics And the real satisfaction of a curriculum like this is seeing your work come to life. Last year, this happened on a significant scale with the school’s project development (PD) course, a programme which the whole school takes part in with the intention of developing their collaborative and entrepreneurial skills, again on a tangible, real-world topic.

In this case, the students decided to partner with a Kenyan children’s hospital that lacked any teaching facilities to keep their young patients learning whilst receiving treatment.

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Pre-K to Grade 12

Inspiring Learners for Life

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THS students designed a school building according to the hospital’s needs, built a 3D model, calculated the cost of construction, pitched the idea and then raised money for the construction. A selection of students were then lucky enough to fly to Kenya to be present for the breaking of ground ceremony and the realisation of their work. This year they are working on a coffee importing business from South America, dealing with growers, buyers, budgets and Hong Kong customs officials.

Though the Garden campus is not physically the same size as many Hong Kong secondary schools, it is only a short walk around the corner from THS’s main Grove campus in Ap

Lei Chau. The high school students therefore have access to a large number of impressive resources, including the Marine Science Centre and the Foundry, both state-of-the-art facilities. The lagoon swimming pool is due for completion this summer and in the meantime, they make use of the public sports facilities in Ap Lei Chau.

The concept of size is often a thing that THS is asked about, perhaps because many people see success as defined by how big something is. Currently the high school has 65 students and whilst it has grand plans to challenge accepted models of education, it does not intend to do this by churning out high numbers of graduates. Instead, it aims to grow at a steady rate until it reaches its capacity of around 200.

“Even though we have space to take more students in the high school, we need to grow at a gradual rate so that we can quality control,” says Micci.

This is clearly a school that is more concerned with quality than quantity; a school that reassuringly is more interested in the depth of their students’ learning rather than the number of bums on seats, which makes the Harbour School a true Hong Kong rarity. sg The Harbour School, campuses in Kennedy Town and Ap Lei Chau, ths.edu.hk

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fostering a love of books in Hong Kong since 2006 Term 1 Academic 2019/20 Our Saturday book clubs for pupils ages 5 to 17 resume on Oct. 19th.

For more information, please contact us at info@readformeaning.com or 9401 4559. ******** Our German Swiss book clubs (for their pupils only) resume on Sept. 16th.

For more information, please consult the school’s website directly. www.readformeaning.com

Read for Meaning-- for kids who love to read, and those who don’t yet!

Nurturing innovative and enterprising minds at Singapore International School (Hong Kong) In collaboration with SISHK

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arents want their children to be future-ready to face the challenges of the ever-changing world, and the curriculum at Singapore International School (Hong Kong) offers an academicallyrigorous dual-language learning environment in English and Putonghua, enabling students to be imaginative, inquisitive and seeing learning as interconnected.

Preparatory Years – A head-start to formal education Children at SISHK begin their inquisitive and imaginative journey at four years old in a two-year programme that focuses on the joy of learning, where they are encouraged to develop their motor skills through physical and outdoor play. Teachers adopt varied teaching techniques and activities to cater to different learning styles and keep learning fun.

Primary – Strong Fundamentals and Character Building

The Primary curriculum focuses on the development of skills and values, focusing on helping children to discover their interests and passions.

The school also places a big emphasis on character development and has designed a Character and Global Citizenship Education programme revolving around the school’s core values of respect, responsibility, resilience, integrity, care and harmony to instill sound values in our children.

Secondary – Striving for Excellence SISHK offers a blended, yet rigorous curriculum comprising the Singapore curriculum leading to progression towards the competition of the Cambridge IGCSE and IB Diploma Programme. Students grow in a caring and rich learning environment that strengthen their potential especially in Mathematics and the Sciences — coming top in benchmarking tests around the world. And the school is showing no means of slowing down, too. In the last three years, students scored

an average of 70% distinction grades in IGCSE, with more to follow.

SISHK offers the highly- regarded IB Diploma Programme, which is academically challenging and has a track record of developing the skills and abilities needed for tertiary education. The small cohort size means that our students form a tightknit family and the multitude of leadership opportunities allows our students to be independent and develop future skills including collaborative working, communication, project management, time management and leadership skills. Students at SISHK have subsequently enrolled in top universities including Cambridge, Oxford, Yale, Duke, HKU and NUS.

Singapore International School (Hong Kong) For admissions purposes: admissions@singapore.edu.hk Tel: 2870 6880

A Child-Centred Approach in the Early Years is Essential for Future Success In collaboration with Yew Chung International School (YCIS)

M

Children would actively engage in experiences of high interest to them

uch of education in schools today revolves around what teachers, curriculum programmers, board committees and others decide should be taught. It focuses upon what others deem vital and relevant. Great emphasis is placed on the teaching, while very little thought goes into the actual learning; leaving the student a consumer of education. It also produces a ‘one size fits all’ approach to education that ultimately leaves students passive, with little to no control over their own personal growth.

Equip children for the 21st century The potentially dangerous outcome of a passive, content heavy on rote learning approach to education, is the ill effect on a student’s ability to selfregulate and develop intrinsic

thinking skills. With the unknown challenges of the 21st century ahead for our children, education should be providing a platform for children to develop the ability to plan, monitor, evaluate and implement a variety of thinking processes that are fundamental towards becoming creative and critical thinkers.

With the enormous amount of information readily available through technology, it is no longer about how much a student can remember, neither is it about the varied information they possess, but rather, it is about what they are able to do with information that will make the difference to their success.

and opportunities of the 21st century by providing a childcentred approach to education, taking children beyond any expectations.

A child-centred approach to learning views children as active participants who are capable and competent learners.

Students are provided with educational opportunities to explore, investigate, and seek answers to relevant questions.

It empowers young children to be creative and critical thinkers. Social and emotional skills are also embedded in play. Social skills, with their cues and rules, are explored and experimented with as they engage with peers and explore cooperation. They investigate their relationships and emotions, giving them time and exposure to develop understanding of social behaviours and norms, as well as insight into their own emotional responses. In imaginary play, they are free to experiment with familiar and

Child-centred learning approach Yew Chung International School (YCIS) strives to equip students with skills and abilities that will help them meet the challenges

YCIS strives to equip students with various skills and abilities

unfamiliar characters’ roles.

They gain empathy as they explore others’ perspectives.

They grow a strong sense of self and belonging as they role play, experimenting with all the knowledge they are gaining socially in their daily lives. They are able to experiment with the unknown, learning to control and understand their impulses and fears. “Play is the work of children,” states John Dewey, education reformer.

Enhance motivation and desire to learn As each child actively engages in experiences of high interest to them, it enhances their motivation and intrinsic desire to learn. This approach to education provides students with the opportunity to learn about themselves, to understand their own thinking, and become a unique member of society. At YCIS, students are encouraged to learn how to learn, ultimately developing in each student the lifelong learner, an astute thinker, and a creative contributor.

The child-centred approach to education is evident within the YCIS Early Childhood Education (ECE) environments.

In the playgrounds small groups of children are seen in a vast variety of activities; from creating their own sculptures with clay, to investigating gravity through the exploration of tubes and balls.

While some students are seen cuddled in a corner with a book, others are seen snuggled close to the teacher intently engaged in reading together. Teachers are often seen sitting on the ground with the students, engaging in conversation, using their

YCIS provides students with a child-centred approach to education

knowledge and understanding of that unique student to extend them in a relevant and meaningful way.

A New ECE Campus in Tseung Kwan O A new learning journey is about to begin! YCIS ECE is expanding to Tseung Kwan O from Kowloon Tong with a new campus targeted to open in academic year 2019-20. Situated in a serene corner at Savannah in Tseung Kwan O, the campus, with an area of approximate 20,000 sq.ft, enables children to be children without boundaries.

The spacious space, designed to develop confidence and security, gives them opportunities to move and explore. It also strives to create both individual relationships as well as a large, warm and supportive community as a whole.

Key features • • • • • • •

Shadow Cave (Napping space) Reading Garden Open Physical Activity Field Role-play Area Music Room Library Area Creative Studio

Caring about our youngest generation, we are committed to bringing a quality environment with children’s health and safety being our top priorities.

•

•

•

Indoor air quality test will be conducted to ensure the requirement set by Environmental Protection Department is adequately met Furniture reaching international safety standard is used Air-purifying surface paint awarded with international eco-certificates and HK G-Pass label, which removes germs and purifies harmful pollutants such as formaldehyde and methylbenzene, is delicately selected.

Interested in enrolling your child to the YCIS ECE campus in Tseung Kwan O? Join the info sessions to learn more about YCIS from the school leadership team.

Enquiry: (+852) 2338 7106; admissions@ycef.com info.ycis-hk.com/ece-tko

AFTER-SCHOOL FUN Learning goes beyond the classroom with an abundance of extra-curricular activities

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school’s out

Anastassia’s Art House

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Anastassia’s Art House

Arts & crafts Anastassia’s Art House Hong Kong’s only Russian Art Academy offers a range of structured art classes for adults and children aged three to 16 years old. Students have an array of choices, including painting, drawing, sketching, ceramics, creative drama and design. Art parties and workshops are also available.

Centres are located all over Hong Kong, including Happy Valley, Repulse Bay and Sai Kung. arthouse-hk.com

Artful Kids Established by professional artist and teacher Gail Deayton, Artful Kids is a unique world for children, 88

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all about creativity, laughter, learning and selfexpression. With a huge range of activities, materials and projects to choose from, there’s bound to be something that kids will like.

The studio also holds parties for children with activities such as painting canvases and making hats fit for princesses. For kids of all ages. Based in North Point. artfulkids.hk

CreativeKids Founded in 1991, CreativeKids is committed to advancing and advocating creative art, design and architecture education in children and teens. The creative spirit ignited within them ripples out to families, schools, communities and beyond Hong Kong like concentric circles. creativekids.com.hk

school’s out

Drama & creative writing Faust International Established in 1999, Faust runs drama workshops for children aged three to 18 at venues across Hong Kong.

In fun, lively sessions, Faust introduces children to the world of theatre and creativity, developing performance skills, theatre knowledge, teamwork, individual expression and confidence. Classes are open to everybody, with no previous drama experience needed. Faust also organises productions at Hong Kong theatres during the year. faustworld.com.hk

Starlit Voice Starlit Voice programmes are infused with an incredible sense of energy and creativity, delivered by

highly skilled and passionate practitioners drawing upon a wealth of drama and performing arts experience.

Teachers help develop the confidence of each individual learner and give them the platform to express their own unique ideas while developing and nurturing the essential skills needed to work with others. starlitvoice.com

STAGE RIGHT! Enriching young people’s knowledge about theatre since 2011, STAGE RIGHT! offers workshops that allow children of all ages to explore their acting and performance skills and investigate realworld issues in a safe and controlled environment. Those who want to experiment with the performing arts can participate in the company’s short holiday programmes, where students are given the chance to work with a script and put on a performance for an audience within a week. stagerighthk.com

Hong Kong Academy Hong Kong Academy is home to The International Schools Theatre Association (ISTA) Performing Art Academy in Sai Kung, offering crossdisciplinary instruction in the performing arts through

Faust International

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OUTDOOR CLASSROOM

The Leader in the Wilderness Since 1970

ENROL NOW OUTWARD BOUND HONG KONG â„¢

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Hong Kong Schools Guide outwardbound.org.hk

info@outwardbound.org.hk

2792 4333

school’s out workshops, master classes and summer programmes.

Challenge, inspire and connect through the performing arts. hkacademy.edu.hk

The Absolutely Fabulous Theatre Connection AFTEC believes that children learn through the arts. The charity offers a range of performing arts programs in both Chinese and English for primary to secondary school students. The Young Theatre Makers learning scheme is a popular course that teaches students the process of analysing a play and understanding a script, through discussion and sharing their performances with each other. aftec.hk

Dance & music

showcase their students’ talent. academyofdance. com.hk

Academy of Dance

Southern School of Dance

Catering to all styles of dance, the Academy of Dance is the perfect way to get your kids moving and grooving. Their classes include Jazz, Hip Hop and Ballet for children, teens and adults. The academy also holds an annual stage performance to

Dance the day away with Southern School of Dance!

Children will love the ballet, tap, and modern dance lessons, and shine in their annual performances. Don’t feel left out, Mums – you can enrol in the ladies’ Ballet Fitness Classes to shape up into your healthiest and most elegant selves. southernschoolofdance. com.hk

Red Shoe Dance Red Shoe Dance specialises in Classical Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Lyrical, Hip Hop, AcroDance, Musical Theatre and Tap. Classes range from beginner to advanced levels and are suitable for children aged three to 18, providing your child with the essential tools for developing their skills in dance and the performing arts. redshoedance.com Hong Kong Schools Guide

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school’s out Fuji Asia Piano Service Co. Limited Fuji Asia offers a wide range of musical instrument lessons, including string, brass, percussion, guitar and vocal courses – but one course that stands out is their piano course, where students are encouraged to achieve a professional level of practice. The centre not only provides lessons but also actively organises musical outings where students can meet different musicians and music groups to further their understanding. fujiasia.com

MusicSage MusicSage is an online platform to search for high quality, private music tutors in Hong Kong. With over 100 tutors listed, covering more than 25 different instruments, it is easy to find a tutor who suits your child’s interests, availability and budget. You can also enjoy the flexibility of booking one trial lesson first before committing to more. Discover your own music learning experience. musicsage.io

MusicSage

cooking YWCA CLLE Be your own master chef!

YWCA’s parent/child cooking and baking class is not only a great chance for family bonding, but it also teaches children the value of nutrition and the culinary arts, which is vital to their all-round development. As they explore different foods

and preparation techniques, they will learn to be more independent and creative. clle.ywca.org.hk

YWCA cake

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Get Ready for THE New School Year In collaboration with One Island South

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ith the upcoming academic year approaching, it’s time to think about extracurricular activities. For those looking for tutors, playgroups, sports activities and more, One Island South has it all!

My ArchiSchool

Shop 101 Manage architectural and environmental issues, design theory and architectural history by building physical and digital models. myarchischool.org, 2110 8508

Auntie Tam’s Education Centre Shop 105 A friendly environment to help students with homework and encourage them to enjoy learning. Programs are available for ages 5 and up. auntietamscentre.com, 5199 7289

Dadi Mandarin Arts Education Center Shop 103 Mandarin Learning classes for early childhood to primary school students and exam training courses for KPCC and GAPSK. dadimandarin.com, 2110 1927

Southside Mandarin Education Centre

Korea Taekwondo Cheung Do Kwan Shop 102 Enhance children’s selfefficacy and etiquette through Taekwondo. Beginner levels are available for kids from 3 to 9. hongkongtkd.com, 9366 3131

Keystone Prep

Shop 108 Prepare students exam techniques with full program of courses in standardised testing, writing skills and prep classes for New SAT, ACT, SSAT exams. keystoneprep.com, 3628 2406

Shop 106 Explore Mandarin through fun activities with daily playgroups, kindergarten and primary Chinese classes. Suitable for ages 6 months to 12 years. southsidemadarin.com, 3427 9619

Y. Art Education

Shop 201-201A Professional fine art training programs in oil painting, illustration, Chinese painting and Watercolors for ages 3 to 18 years. hkyartschool.com, 2111 0992

HK Kidz Shop 306-307 Language programmes in German, Spanish, French, Mandarin, Japanese and English, packed with activities for children aged 2 to 12. hkkidz.com, 2877 6160

Eye Level Southside Education Centre Shop 207

Excel Fencing Shop 203 & 205 Improve students strategic thinking, concentration and strength, via the past faced and exciting sport. excel-fencing. com, 2110 9655

Supplemental education programs in Maths, Play Maths, English, English Sparks and Happy Talk, for ages 3 to 15 years. myeyelevel.com, 5505 8884

Flex Studio

Shop 308-310 Children can learn to swing, stretch, balance, strengthen their core muscles and expand their imagination. flexhk.com, 2813 2212

TRYBE Shop 209-210 TRYBE’s acrobatic classes, use a combination of gymnastics, martial arts and various dance forms. trybehk.com, 3427 9017

Mandarin Classroom Shop 206 Improve students’ listening, speaking, reading and writing skills, with classes for preschoolers and secondary students. 3791 2747

Bebegarten Education Centre Shop 301-305 A stimulating and caring learning environment for children aged 6 months to 6 years. bebegarten.com, 3487 2255

Twinkle Dance Shop 311 With dance classes including Ballet, Jazz to Funky Dance, there’s something for everyone.

Discount for September classes are available on a first-comefirst-served basis! twinkledance. com, 6608 1928 ONE ISLAND SOUTH 2 Heung Yip Road, Wong Chuk Hang, Hong Kong (MTR Wong Chuk Hang Station, Exit A2)

after-school Complete Deelite Founded by experienced cake decorator, Jacinta Yu, and the Hong Kong representative of the International Cake Exploration Society USA, Complete Deelite offers a range of hands-on workshops for people of all ages. From Creative Cake Jams to Master Artists Classes, their classes are perfect for the aspiring cake artist. completedeelite.com

Clubs & Academies week and offers holiday sport camps and children’s parties. minisport.hk

HK Dragons Football Club

Minisport HK Minisport HK is an enthusiastic group of sports educators who teach multiple disciplines to children aged 18 months to nine years through schools, clubs and private residences around Hong Kong. Minisport coaches over 400 children per

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The HK Dragons Football Club coaches have combined their experience of over 25 years on the playing field, together with professional qualifications in youth coaching and child growth and development. Each football coaching sessions is tailored to suit the student’s level of ability, and focuses on nurturing each child so they improve their skills and make real progress. dragons.hk

school’s out ESF Lions Football

ESF Tigers Basketball

This football programme is taught by highly qualified coaches that will instil in your child a love of the game through fun, progressive and age-appropriate football sessions. Players have a fantastic opportunity to develop their skills and play in their Player Development and Academy programmes. esf.org.hk

ESF Tigers basketball program focuses on delivering key fundamental skills using age-appropriate equipment, such as small balls and height adjustable hoops to stimulate and nurture a child’s development in the sport.

Players have the opportunity to refine their skills and athleticism in competing against other clubs in an Elite Academy programme. esf.org.hk

Hong Kong Golf and Tennis Academy With seven outdoor courts, one International Tennis Federation-standard indoor court, two mini-tennis courts for children and the first and only padel tennis offering in

Hong Kong, the HKGTA is perfect for little ones wanting to be the next tennis star. The Bruguera Tennis Academy was developed by world-famous tennis coach Lluis Bruguera and helps students to develop the technical, tactical, physical and psychological skills required for success. hkgta.com

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after-school Hong Kong Fencing Master Up for something a little different? Hong Kong Fencing Master offers various programs for children to learn how to fence, taught by a team of Olympic fencers and trainers.

Head coach Lau Kwok Kin is a two-time Olympian and has represented Hong Kong in numerous international competitions over the last 25 years. All ages and all ability levels are welcome. hkfencingmaster.com

Water sports Hebe Haven Yacht Club The Hebe Haven Yacht Club has been providing boating and yachting facilities in the

picturesque bay of Pak Sha Wan in Sai Kung since 1963.

As well as an extensive school sailing programme, they also offer courses for children through the “Development Fund for Youth Sailing” programme at the Sail Training Center. hhyc.org.hk

ESF Sharks Swimming Shark, dead ahead! ESF Sports is a specialised youth sports coaching organisation with experienced and qualified coaches. The swimming lessons run by ESF Sharks are fun, exciting and safe, building up children to become confident and agile swimmers with key aquatic skills. There are courses for all ages and experience levels, including one in water polo for those with even more energy to burn. esf.org.hk

Harry Wright International Tackle the water with Hong Kong’s Premier Swim School, Harry Wright International.

With over 40 years of teaching experience, the company has built a reputation for excellence and reliability across the city. From parent assisted lessons for infants to a highly competitive swim team, the school offers lessons for every age and ability group. harrywright.com.hk 98

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Hong Kong Island Stingrays Swim Club Hong Kong Island Stingrays Swim Club embraces all levels of swimmers. It aims to provide every swimmer with the best possible training environment and resources in order to help them to fulfil their potential as both an athlete. The club is consistently ranked as one of the region’s top competitive swim teams. hkstingrays.com

Adventures Treasure Island Get your kids out and about!

Treasure Island offers children a transformative and rewarding outdoor experience through a series of adventure, community and environmental programmes. With various exciting (and safe) surf and adventure camps, your children can explore their passion for life and the great outdoors. treasureislandhk.com

Outward Bound Hong Kong The premier provider of experience-based outdoor learning and leadership

programmes, Outward Bound organises a variety of challenging and exciting outdoor camps for children and youth, allowing them to spread their wings and explore the natural world. outwardbound.org.hk

Scout Association of Hong Kong Hong Kong’s leading voluntary organisation for young people, the Scout Association of Hong Kong provides training programmes that challenge participants both physically and mentally.

Scout training allows children and teens to not only serve their community and develop a sense of responsibility to society, but also realise their full potential. scout.org.hk sg Hong Kong Schools Guide 101

IN TUITION Academic help is at hand at these fantastic tuition centres

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Mini Mandarins

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Nurturing students’ potential with NTK In collaboration with NTK Learning Center

year-round courses, drilling courses, intensive courses, last minute camps, US test prep courses, and Junior Academy courses at all grade levels, across English & Humanities, Math & Sciences, Economics, and Chinese.

Navigating academic pathways

Children have individual merits

Committed teachers and mentors

By identifying each learner’s unique needs through a preenrollment diagnostic test, students are assigned to the most suitable course; a small group course, private lesson or school-based course. NTK’s proven record has seen students accepted in schools and universities worldwide, including Oxford, Cambridge and Harvard.

This year, 14 of the 34 IB full scorers in Hong Kong were NTK students. In their dedication to helping students excel in their studies and to recognise students’ efforts, NTK have set up a scholarship scheme.

Students are taught by over 90 full-time teachers, all of whom are highly qualified and have degrees from elite universities all around the world. NTK teachers bring diverse teaching experience and an ability to resonate with their students, making them not simply teachers but mentors too. NTK ensures continued professional development for their teachers to regularly receive training and attend official workshops; staff are at the forefront of changes to international curricula and cutting edge pedagogy.

Succeeding at every stage of the learning process With over 23 years of experience, NTK has prepared students for the SAT, ACT, IB, AP, SSAT, TOEFL, IGCSE, GCE and IELTS. They cater for every student in their wide range of

For peace of mind, NTK offers students and their families consultations on university admissions strategies, international schools in Hong Kong and boarding schools.

Students can also receive coaching on applications and course recommendations; personal statements, college essays and interviews. NTK welcomes families to embark on their educational journey as an established choice for all educational needs.

NTK Learning Center Established in 1996, NTK Learning Center is a leading educational service provider in Hong Kong specialising in academic tuition for students following international and local curricula. NTK is comprised of NTK Learning Center, NTK Educational Consulting, and NTK Publishing.

Main Campus: 3-5/F & 7/F, Lee Garden Five, 18 Hysan Avenue, Causeway Bay; 2577 7844 Kowloon Campus: 2/F, The Avery, 16 Hau Wong Road, Kowloon; 2718 3000 ntk.edu.hk

tuition

ActiveKids Hong Kong With over 60 participating schools and clubs, ActiveKids has been delivering programs in Hong Kong since 2004.

Their multidisciplinary programs for ages 3-18 include Science Adventures,

The Chess Academy, Stormy Chefs, RoboCode, ArtCrafters and Tsinghua Young Global Leaders. activekidshk.com

Aegis Advisors Aegis Advisors has more than 12 years of experience helping Hong Kong students

with their academic needs.

Their team is comprised of admissions experts for US and UK boarding schools and universities, including specialist tutors for GCSE, IB, AP, A Level and admissions test prep such as the SSAT, SAT, ACT. aegis-advisors.com

Bespoke Tuition Bespoke Tuition offers customised one-to-one (or small group) home tutoring solutions for students, by the hour, week or full time.

A consultant is on hand to guide you through the process and handpick tutors to suit a student’s unique objectives and personality. Every school and university subject is covered as well as key study and life skills including exam technique, time management, public speaking and critical thinking. bespoketuition.com 106 Hong Kong Schools Guide

study time Ampla Education With an experienced team comprised of Oxbridge, Yale and Imperial graduates, Ampla Education offers tuition for a vast range of exams, including GCSEs, A Levels, IB and PreUniversity, as well as bespoke programmes for tests such as IELTS and SATs. Admissions preparation courses and a comprehensive consulting service are available for those considering boarding schools and universities abroad. ampla-edu.com

Capstone Prep Education Capstone provides students with a foundation in critical thinking and problem solving to help mentally prepare them for the academic environment and the world. Their variety of test prep services ensures preparation for secondary and boarding school entrance exams, SSAT, SAT and ACT courses, and tutoring for AP and IB exams. capstoneprep.com

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study time Causeway Education Dedicated to creating an immersive learning environment, Causeway Education guides students through their exam curriculas and encourages them to use critical thinking skills.

They offer preparation classes for I/GCSE, I/AL, IB, SAT and more. Their team of experienced tutors are also on hand for boarding school and university advice and admissions. causewayeducation.com

Hong Kong Education Tutoring Services (HKETS) HKETS focuses on providing the English speaking community of Hong Kong with a range of educational services including individual and small-group tuition, overseas education advice and university application assistance, with revision help for GCSE, IGCSE, A Level and IB. hkets.net

ITS Education Asia ITS Education Asia provides educational support for children and adults across a range of subjects as well as exam preparation services for SAT, iGCSE, A Levels, IB, HKDSE and more. ITS also offers university admissions advice and an education consulting service that works with families and employers to find the right schools for children. Locations in Central and Tsim Sha Tsui. itseducation.asia Hong Kong Schools Guide 109

tuition

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study time Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions Kaplan is one of the world’s largest test prep providers with over 80 years of test prep experience, offering a comprehensive range of courses and services from English language training to test preparation and admissions consulting services. Test prep courses include SSAT, SAT, ACT, IELTS and SAT and ACT Exam Drill courses. kaplan.com.hk/ktpa

Kumon The Kumon Method was founded in 1958 in Japan.

Kumon encourages students to self-learn through helping them to refine their analysis, communication and summary skills regardless of age or school grade. Subjects are available in Maths, Chinese and English. kumon.edu.hk

NTK Academic Group

Campion College Consultancy After 20 years as head of careers at ESF’s South Island School, Martin Campion set up independently as a higher education consultant. Able to advise on universities and colleges in the UK, US and Canada amongst others, he has an in-depth understanding of the path from international school to global tertiary education. campionhk.com

Supporting the development of students and offering professional advice and guidance for those applying to US, UK, elite international universities and boarding schools. NTK offers courses covering all major subjects and curricula including SAT, AP, SSAT, IBMYP, IBDP, I/ GCSE, GCE AL, CEE, TOEFL, IELTS, GMAT and more. ntk.edu.hk

Adult courses As one of the most prestigious art schools in Asia, Raffles International College Hong Kong offers a variety of design courses for advanced diploma and honor bachelor’s degree with University of Derby.

Courses include fashion design, fashion marketing, interior and graphic design.

Whatsapp: 9879 0892, raffles.edu.hk

PowerBrain Rx Established in 2012, PowerBrain Rx is the only cognitive brain-training centre in Hong Kong. Brain training exercises are a system of Hong Kong Schools Guide 111

tuition highly targeted exercises used to improve your noggin’s cognitive skills. Research has identified these as the root source of learning, thinking, processing and handling any information. PowerBrain Rx courses are suitable for almost everyone, from three-year-olds to seniors. powerbrainrx.com

Story Clan Teaching is focused around stories aimed to stimulate children’s minds in a meaningful context, with the aim to help them to develop mentally, physically, and emotionally. Children aged two and a half to six can take a break from digital devices and learn through live improvisation and meaning-focused activities. storyclan.com.hk

Sylvan Learning Center By using a diagnostic assessment, Sylvan Learning Center is able to establish a child’s strengths and weaknesses and design a tailor-made programme for each child. They offer tuition in a range of subjects, including maths, science, Mandarin and

English, plus school entrance exam preparation for children aged five to 18 years. sylvan.edu.hk

Read for Meaning Book Club Since the spring of 2006, Read for Meaning has taught hundreds of Hong Kong children how to enjoy and get more out of books.

The syllabus has over 200 book titles and a proprietary curriculum including worksheets based around vocabulary and comprehension skills. readformeaning.com

PGEM For support outside the

classroom, PGEM offers online tuition and academic support in a range of subjects, essay help and test preparation. It also covers many secondaryschool qualifications, including IB and IGCSE. Lessons are conducted in one-on-one sessions using interactive video calling, live chat and whiteboard facilities. facebook.com/MyPGEM

Phonics Land Learning Centre Phonics Land Learning Centre uses a teaching style geared towards inputting the right habits and techniques in children when they read and write. With comprehensive and rigorously researched curriculum and teaching methodology the centre promotes a lifelong passion for reading and writing. phonicsland.com.hk

Tutor Partners Tutor Partners deals with students on an individual basis, tailoring lessons to your child’s specific needs. IB and GCSE subjects from Years 1 to 13 are covered, as well as support for 112 Hong Kong Schools Guide

study time MYP Projects and IB Extended Essays, UK Common Entrance exams, SATs and A Levels.

Students can choose to have the lessons at the tutor’s home or in the comfort of their own home. tutorpartners@aol.com

I Love My Tutor A personalised tutoring service for families with children studying from kindergarten to secondary school level.

With one-on-one sessions individually created for each child, the service addresses individual needs and consolidates school learning while offering support in challenging subjects. ilovemytutor.com.hk

Seriously Addictive Mathematics (S.A.M.)

With centres in Central, Cyberport, Wong Chuk Hang, Kowloon City and Fanling, S.A.M. combines the benefits of personalised training with the discipline of selflearning and self-discovery.

At every step of the way, be it during class or when your child is doing homework, the S.A.M. approach is designed to introduce new concepts in incremental steps to make learning easier. seriouslyaddictivemaths.hk

full-time or part-time basis to develop pathways to elite high performing Hong Kong and overseas schools including Oxbridge universities and Ivy League schools. Students are taught in a nurturing, confidence building, wellstructured environment from pre-kindergarten years and tuition is adapted to suit students’ preferred learning style. passionforlanguage.com

Passion for Language Established in 2011, Passion for Language offers bespoke academic planning services for families and individuals across Asia. Language teaching specialists work closely with families on a

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Bespoke tuition Where kids enjoy education and nurture curiosity In collaboration with Bespoke Tuition

I

n 2010, Bespoke Tuition filled a void in Hong Kong’s tuition services, hand-picking the very best private tutors from London and exporting them to Hong Kong. Their professional full-time British tutors, most of whom are UK qualified, know the UK curriculum inside and out and will travel across Hong Kong Island and Kowloon to deliver one-to-one tutorials at family homes.

Rather than deliver a fixed tuition programme, Bespoke Tuition does not believe in a ‘one size fits all’ approach to education and subsequently

customises tuition to suit the needs, learning style and challenges of the individual.

Whether a student is a visual learner, has ADHD, or an imminent exam, the tutor will provide a personally customised learning toolkit to enable the student to tackle the challenge with confidence and strategy.

Services include hourly tuition, residential tuition, adult tuition, full time home-schooling and online tuition with all school subjects covered. Many of Bespoke’s students are due

to sit UK school entrance tests, 7+, 8+, 10+, 11+, 13+, ISEB pre-tests, and SATs. Beyond syllabus support, the tutors place emphasis on scaffolding and skill-building: test-taking techniques, reading comprehension strategy, critical thinking, exam anxiety management, revision skills and time management.

Whilst the majority of tutors studied at Oxford or Cambridge

Universities, all have been selected for their exceptional communication skills and their ability to lead, engage and inspire young people. By recruiting expert tutors whom children admire and seek to impress, Bespoke Tuition empowers students to learn how to learn as well as what to learn.

In a world with so much noise, advice and opinions, Bespoke Tuition is a saving grace for families with children who need a more focused, one-on-one approach to study.

Enquire this month quoting #HONGKONGLIVING for a free 60 minute tutorial.

Bespoke Tuition bespoketuition.com emma@bespoketuition.com

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study time Languages Hong Kong Institution of Languages Teaching seven languages – English, French, German, Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese and Japanese - to Hong Kong’s families, corporations and schools for 34 years, the Institute provides 100% face to face teaching and has built its teaching model around small group classes and private lessons using only qualified native speakers.

It offers children a fun and engaging way to improve their language skills through stimulating learning activities. The school also offers tailor-made courses for the whole family, so that they can learn a new language together and enrich their life in Hong Kong. hklanguages.com

Interactive French Based in Wan Chai, Interactive French offers a fun-filled, effective and motivating learning environment where your child can gain maximum exposure to the French language. interactivefrench.hk

Mini Mandarins Children aged 18 months and up can join classes and get the best of both worlds at Mini Mandarins, which combines language learning with interactive play. minimandarins.com

Southside Mandarin As well as straightforward Mandarin lessons, this learning centre has playgroups and immersion programmes for children aged six months to 12 years. All classes are taught by professionally qualified native speakers with experience in early childhood and primary education. southsidemandarin.com

Spanish World Language Centre This centre accepts children as young as three year old and teaches a wide variety of Spanish language courses, including group Spanish lessons and private Spanish classes. spanishworld.hk

YWCA Centre of Learning and Life Enhancement (CLLE) The CLLE is an innovative, multicultural and professional one-stop learning centre equipped with a full spectrum of educational and learning services. As learning a language from an early age helps children excel later in life, CLLE has Mandarin classes for children aged 12 months to seven years. clle.ywca.org.hk

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LUXURIOUS

LIVING Your gateway to refined and remarkable living In collaboration with Gateway Apartments

S

uperbly situated in Harbour City, Gateway Apartments offers Residents the ultimate comfort and spaciousness in the heart of Tsim Sha Tsui. The apartments are conveniently located within Hong Kong’s most vibrant shopping mall combining luxury with amenability to offer Residents a high standard of living. Unrivalled views of Victoria Harbour, charming during the day as it is dazzling at night,

deliver an unmatched sense of privilege and enjoyment.

Established in 1999, Gateway Apartments features 256 luxurious apartments ranging from 712 square foot studios to 2,931 square foot 3-bedroom penthouses.

Spacious designs deliver an enhanced sense of luxury creating a living space that feels both warm and cozy for Residents to enjoy. All apartment units can be rented, subject to

availability, from 1 to 24 months and come with fully equipped kitchens and bathrooms, home theatre systems and complimentary internet.

Sustainable living features heavily at Gateway Apartments with a long-term commitment to promote environmental sustainability and inspire others to follow suit. A milestone project saw the installation of solar panels covering 100 square metres of roof. These

panels heat water used in the apartments to help offset more than 35 tonnes of carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases, which is the equivalent of planting 1,500 trees per year. Another green initiative, a filtration and sterilising system for flush water, reduces the annual disposal of 1.2 tonnes of chemical liquid.

This commitment to the environment has earned Gateway Apartments numerous green awards including Gold Award at the Hong Kong Awards for Environmental Excellence.

The HKAEE is recognised as the most prestigious and reputable environmental award scheme in Hong Kong.

An Environmental Friendly Committee reviews green policies aiming to provide a sustainable luxury lifestyle to Residents.

For a hassle-free and enjoyable stay, Gateway Apartments provide Residents with seamless and impeccable services. A professional and multilingual concierge team is available to assist Residents in making travel, theatre and restaurant bookings for experiencing Hong Kong.

Personalised daily housekeeping services ensure that each apartment is kept spotlessly

clean, whilst round-the-clock security and maintenance services add peace of mind.

Residents can also enjoy privileged access to the exclusive Pacific Club steps away from the Gateway Apartments on its own pier. This 140,000 square foot private membership club features a plethora of recreational and dining facilities including a state-of-the-art gymnasium with personal trainers on hand, indoor and outdoor tennis courts, an indoor swimming pool, a children’s playroom, a bowling alley, spa and jacuzzi, bars, restaurants and more.

These upscale apartments, with a stunning view of Victoria Harbour, world class services and facilities, make the Gateway Apartments a gateway in every sense of the word and a perfect place to call home.

Gateway Apartments Address: Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon Tel: 2119 3000 gatewayapartments.com.hk enquiry@gatewayapartments.com.hk

FUN FOR ALL THE FAMILY Days out and activities to keep little ones entertained

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days out

Fun in the sun Ride the observation wheel

Photo credit: Flickr: IQRemix

Take in the views while entertaining the kids on this 20-minute ferris wheel ride in the centre of the city. The wheel has three rotations per ride and offers breathtaking views of Victoria Harbour and the surrounding cityscape.

It’s great value for money with adult tickets costing just $20.

Reserve a private gondola for just $160. hkow.hk

Go to the beach While Hong Kong is famous for its cityscapes, it is also home to some beautiful untouched beaches. Spend a day splashing about and playing in the sand in Sai Kung, Southside and more.

Visit hongkongliving.com for more details on where to go and how to get there.

Tai Long Wan, Sai Kung

Spend the day at Disneyland The magic of Disneyland is sure to capture the imagination of little ones and parents too. With rides, shows and lovable characters, you’re guaranteed to have an action packed day. If one day isn’t enough, stay over at one of the themed hotels located on the premises. hongkongdisneyland.com Hong Kong Schools Guide 123

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Look out from sky100 Hong Kong Observation Deck Hong Kong’s only indoor observation deck, sky100 offers breathtaking views of the iconic skyline and Victoria Harbour. The deck is located

on the one hundredth floor of the International Commerce Centre (ICC) and has 360-degree views of the city, as well as multimedia exhibits. sky100.com.hk

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days out Visit Ocean Park With roller coasters, marine conservation, wildlife enclosures and a cable car offering stunning views of the Southside, children and parents can enjoy a full day out at this underwater themed park. oceanpark.com.hk

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days out Shop at Stanley Market Best known for its lively market, Stanley’s seaside promenade is vibrant and busy, packed with bars, cafes and restaurants - the ice cream van on the promenade is a popular treat for kids.

Stanley is around a 40-minute bus ride from Central; take buses 6, 6X, 6A, 66 or 260.

Discover Cheung Chau

Stanley waterfront

This colourful island has plenty to offer year round.

Visit during the Cheung Chau Bun Festival which features a procession of colourfully clad children balancing on poles and the famous bun race.

Ferries run 24-hours a day from Central Pier 5.

Rain, rain, go away Get a hole in one at Strokes Hong Kong For a bit of friendly competition, Strokes has two indoor nine-hole mini golf courses, kitted out with loopthe-loops, bridges and neon lights to make it a golfing experience like no other. The golf course is only available for children aged 12 and above. strokeshk.com

Strike out at Tikitiki Bowling Bar Tikitiki is a tropical themed bowling bar in Sai Kung.

With 10 lanes, video screens, disco lights, live music and refreshments, including a

Strokes Hong Kong

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days out Maggie & Rose Maggie Bolger and Rose Astor dreamt up the idea for Maggie and Rose way back in 2006, with the aim of providing a beautiful creative space for children in surroundings that appealed to grown-ups – bye bye chilly church halls, hello inspirational home away from home. In 2015, the Londonbased members’ club opened its first Hong Kong branch at The Pulse in Repulse Bay, a second Hong Kong location recently opened in Causeway Bay. The doors are open – come and join the family! hk.maggieandrose.com

Tikitiki Bowling Bar

range of themed cocktails, it promises fun for the whole family. facebook.com/ tikitikibowlingbar

Story, brings to life thousands of years of Hong Kong history, from the prehistoric era to the Opium War to the handover

to China. In eight sprawling galleries you’ll find a life-sized tram and a reconstructed Hong Kong street complete

Go Art Jamming Providing the studio and all the necessary equipment, Art Jamming is a great way to start learning or improve your skills without paying a fortune for paints. The Wong Chuk Hang venue boasts both a garden terrace and an indoor studio, making it a great option for parties and events. artjamming.com

Get cultured at the Hong Kong Museum of History The museum’s permanent exhibition, The Hong Kong

Hong Kong Museum of History

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days out with a barber, bank, post office and grocer. There is even a Chinese medicine shop which was relocated from its original location stone by stone. hk.history.museum

Watch a movie at the cinema What better way to escape Hong Kong’s monsoon season than in the comfort of an air-conditioned cinema.

They aren’t hard to find either, as every shopping centre around the city has one.

Strike a pose at Venture Studios Hong Kong Need to update your photo albums? Stop by Venture Studios for a family portrait.

Venture’s modern and unique images will capture your family in the best light!

They also cater to expecting mums, newborns, babies and pets, so the whole

Hong Kong Science Museum

family can get involved. venturephotography.com/hk

Visit the Hong Kong Science Museum Boasting over 350 interactive exhibits, the museum encourages visitors to engage in hands-on exploration of

the mystery of science. Ignite your child’s curiosity with games, digestible bites of fun facts about electricity, earth formation, motions and many more. There is also a children’s play zone providing further entertainment. hk.science.museum sg

Weekend away Dream Cruises’ Weekend Escape package offers guests a cruise line experience which departs Hong Kong on Friday evening and returns on Sunday morning. With 35 restaurants, a waterpark, mini golf, arcade and more, there’s plenty to keep the whole family entertained. Longer cruises to destinations including Vietnam and Japan are also available. dreamcruiseline.com

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HIKES FOR TYKES Child and stroller-friendly hikes for those little legs

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Long Ke Wan

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hikes

HIKES FOR LITTLE LEGS Lamma Island FOR A BIG Family Trail DAY OUT Time: 45 minutes For a full day out, explore the serene and quiet Lamma Island.

The family trail will take you across the island starting at Sok Kwu Wan and finishing at Hung Shing Ye Beach. With little snack stalls along the way (on weekends) and plenty of rest spots, this walk is perfect for junior hikers. The hike can also be done in the opposite direction starting at Yung Shue Wan, depending on which ferry you take.

How to get there: Catch the ferry from Central Pier No. 4 to Sok Kwu Wan. Upon arrival walk through the seafood 136 Hong Kong Schools Guide

restaurants until you reach a temple. From there, look for signs pointing to the Family Trail.

Kam Shan Country Park

FOR CHEEKY MONKEYS

Time: 1.5 hours Tucked away in the hills behind Kowloon lies a hidden wealth of picturesque landscapes shrouded in thick jungle and

monkeys galore. Heading into Kam Shan Country Park, follow the concrete access road into the woods, then cross the Kowloon Reservoir dam wall until you reach signs for the Family

take a stroll Walk. A note of warning: avoid approaching the monkeys with food and they will mind their own monkey business.

How to get there: Take the number 81 KMB bus from Nathan Road to Tai Po Road and get off at Kowloon Reservoir. Walk along Kam Shan Road for around 20 minutes until you reach the starting point.

Tai Long Sai Wan (Sai Wan Beach)

FOR JUNIOR HIKERS

Time: 40 minutes Considered one of the most beautiful places in Hong Kong, this secluded spot requires a hike through Sai Kung East Country Park to

reach its powdery sand and clear waters. Sai Wan is one of four beaches that make up Tai Long Wan Bay, and is a popular surfing and overnight camping spot. Alternatively you can take a boat ticket back to Sai Kung from one of the restaurants.

How to get there: From Sai Kung town take bus 29R from Chan Man Street (outside McDonalds) or a taxi and alight at Sai Wan Pavilion.

Follow the signs towards Sai Wan.

Trio Beach

FOR LITTLE LEGS

Time: 1 hour A scenic stroll with the promise of a swim at the end, is the perfect excuse to get the kids

out and about in nature.

The hike starts off paved but gradually becomes more rural, so be wary of loose ground. The hike only includes one hill, keeping the complaints to a minimum!

How to get there: Take the 101M from Hang Hau to Che Keng Tuk Road (also home to Lions Nature Education Centre) and make your way up the road, past SKIP kindergarten, until you see a sign for Trio Beach.

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hikes

STROLLER-FRIENDLY WALKS Hong Kong Park Time: No set time An oldie but a goldie, if you’re looking for some fresh air.

You’ll pass the water features and the big ponds on the way in which is perfect for the kids who love seeking out the terrapins. There is also a 1,000 square metre playground on six levels, with a toddler specific section at the top, sandpit, huge slides, swings and something for all kids under 12.

Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens Time: 30 minutes Right in the middle of Central is Hong Kong’s oldest park, which Hong Kongers have been enjoying since 1871.

Divided into two parts connected by a pedestrian subway, the eastern side is mainly home to a large children’s playground, aviaries and a greenhouse.

The western side of the park houses a range of animals including monkeys, orangutans and giant turtles.

Peak Circle Walk Time: 1 hour On an entirely paved route, this walk is smooth riding for little ones (perfect bike and scooter territory!) and offers viewpoints of Hong Kong’s stunning skyline. Starting from Lugard Road near The Peak Galleria, walk along the shaded path until you reach Harlech Road, which 138 Hong Kong Schools Guide

will soon bring you back to your starting point. The route has many seating areas and places to run around throughout, making it a great stroll for the whole family. If you really want to stretch the legs, you can hike to the start from either the Morning Trail or up Old Peak Road (this bit is perhaps not so stroller -friendly).

Parkview to Tai Tam Time: 1 hour One of Hong Kong’s popular stroller walks, this walk is mostly downhill with pavement throughout.

Starting at Parkview, head down to the left until you come across a black and white barrier, preventing traffic access. Once through the barrier, follow the signs for

take a stroll the waterworks trail until you reach the Tai Tam Reservoir, turn left and cross over the bridge. Turn right and you’ll find yourself at another dam with beautiful views. Head down the hill to reach Tai Tam Road, where you can catch a bus or taxi to Stanley for a well deserved lunch.

Plover Cove Time: 1.5 hours A scenic dam surrounded by water overlooking Shatin, Plover Cove is perfect for strollers and first time bikers.

From the car park and bus terminus head past the public

toilets and through a BBQ area towards the water. Head left and follow the cycle path on Tai Mei Tuk Road, there is a slight hill before you reach the entrance of the dam. The dam is very popular on weekends with beginner cyclists. sg

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DIRECTORY Hong Kong’s best kindergartens, primary and secondary schools

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Woodland Pre-Schools

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ICHK

KINDERGARTEN PRIMARY AND SECONDARY

KINDERGARTEN

PRIMARY

ICHK Kindergarten and Primary No 3, 20th Street, Hong Lok Yuen, Tai Po, New Territories, Hong Kong Email: info@ichkhly.edu.hk

142 Hong Kong Schools Guide

SECONDARY

www.ichk.edu.hk

ICHK Secondary 60 Sha Tau Kok Road, Shek Chung Au, Sha Tau Kok, New Territories, Hong Kong Email: info@ichk.edu.hk

directory Kindergarten

Bebegarten Education Centre

City Kids Pre School and Playgroup

EtonHouse International Pre-School Hong Kong

Age: 6 months to 6 years Curriculum: Bebegarten’s Language of Children™ framework Location: Wong Chuk Hang Website: bebegarten.com

Age: 2.8 to 5 years Curriculum: UK Early Years, Foundation Stage Curriculum (EYFS) Location: Mid-levels Website: citykidshk.org

Age: 6 months to 6 years Curriculum: Inquiry-Based.

EtonHouse Inquire Think Learn Curriculum Framework, Reggio Emilia Approach Location: Tai Po Website: etonhouse.com.hk

Italian International Kindergarten

Mighty Oaks International Nursery and Kindergarten

Sai Kung Montessori

Age: 2 to 6 years Curriculum: Reggio Children Approach, Two bilingual streams Italian-English, plus Putonghua and English-Putonghua, plus Italian Location: Ap Lei Chau Website: iikg.edu.hk

Age: 2 to 6 years Curriculum: EYFS, Canadian Full Day Early Learning-Kindergaten Curriculum, PATHS social emotional learning program Location: Kennedy Town Website: mightyoaks.edu.hk

Age: 3 to 6 years Curriculum: Montessori Location: Sai Kung Website: saikungmontessori.com

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Small World Christian Kindergarten

United Christian Music Kindergarten

Woodland Pre-Schools

Age: 2 years 8 months to 4 years Curriculum: International Early Years Curriculum Location: Mid-levels Website: smallworld.edu.hk

Age: PN, K1 to K3, Playgroups, Bravo Symphony Orchestra and Interest Class Curriculum: IEYC, UCM Music Curriculum, STEAM and Greenery Sessions Location: Tseung Kwan O Website: ucm.edu.hk

Nord Anglia International Pre-School Hong Kong

Fairchild Junior Academy

Fairchild Nursery & Kindergarten

Age: 3 to 5 years Curriculum: British Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Location: Tai Tam and Sai Kung Website: nais.hk

Age: 8 months to 6 years Curriculum: Canadian Early Learning Frameworks and Hong Kong Kindergarten Education Curriculum Guide Location: Tin Hau Website: fairchild.academy

Age: 2 to 6 years Curriculum: Canadian Early Learning Framework and Hong Kong Kindergarten Education Curriculum Guide Location: Sai Ying Pun Website: fairchild.edu.hk

Age: 6 months to 6 years Curriculum: Montessori and traditional methods based on the Early Years Foundation (British National Curriculum) Location: The Peak, Repulse Bay, Kennedy Town, Happy Valley, Pokfulam, Harbourside, Sai Kung Website: woodlandschools.com

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Malvern College PreSchool Hong Kong

Malvern College PreSchool Island West

Shrewsbury International School Hong Kong

Age: 2 to 5 years Curriculum: UK Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Location: Southwest Kowloon Website: malvernpreschool.hk

Age: 2 to 5 years Curriculum: UK Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Location: Sai Ying Pun Website: malvernpreschool.hk

Age: 3 to 11 years Curriculum: English National Curriculum Location: Tseung Kwan O Website: shrewsbury.hk

Discovery Montessori School

Sunshine House International Pre-Schools Hong Kong

SKIP (Sai Kung PreSchool)

Age: 1 to 6 years Curriculum: AMI Montessori Location: Discovery Bay, Central Website: dms.edu.hk

Age: 1 to 6 years Curriculum: British Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Location: Clearwater Bay, Discovery Bay, Tung Chung Website: sunshinehouse.com.hk

Age: 1 to 5 years Curriculum: UK Early Years Foundation Stage Location: Sai Kung Website: skip.edu.hk

Hong Kong Schools Guide 147

directory Primary

The International Montessori School

Anfield School

Island Christian Academy

Age: 2 to 12 years Curriculum: Montessori DualLanguage Programmes Address: Mid-Levels, South Horizons, Stanley, Aldrich Bay Website: ims.edu.hk

Age: 5 to 11 years Curriculum: UK National Curriculum Address: Tai Wai Website: anfield.edu.hk

Age: 4 to 12 years Curriculum: International Primary Curriculum & International Middle Years Curriculum Location: Sheung Wan Website: islandca.edu.hk

Wycombe Abbey Schools Hong Kong

Stamford American School Hong Kong

Discovery Montessori Academy

Age: 5 to 11 years Curriculum: National Curriculum for England Location: Aberdeen Website: wycombeabbey.com.hk

Age: 5 to 14 years Curriculum: Common Core, AERO, Inquiry Based, IBDP Location: Ho Man Tin Website: sais.edu.hk

Age: 3 to 6 years Curriculum: IB PYP & AMI, Elementary Montessori Address: Discovery Bay Website: dms.edu.hk

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directory Secondary/All-through schools

Mount Kelly Hong Kong

Delia School of Canada

Renaissance College

Age: 6 months to 13 years Curriculum: The English National Curriculum, British Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Location: Jordan, Kowloon, Tsim Sha Tsui Website: mountkelly.edu.hk

Age: 4 to 18 years (Taikoo Shing), 5 to 15 years (Kwun Tong) Curriculum: Ontario program (Tai Koo Shing) and Alberta program (Kwun Tong) Location: Tai Koo Shing, Kwun Tong Website: delia.edu.hk

Age: 5 to 18 years Curriculum: IBPYP, IBMYP, IBDP, IBCP Location: Ma On Shan Website: rchk.edu.hk

HKCA Po Leung Kuk School

Canadian International School of Hong Kong

Victoria Shanghai Academy

Age: 6 to 11 years Curriculum: PYP (Candidate School) Location: Tin Hau Website: plkis.edu.hk

Age: 3 to 18 years Curriculum: IB, Ontario Secondary School Diploma Address: Aberdeen Website: cdnis.edu.hk

Age: 6 to 18 years Curriculum: IB (PYP, MYP & DP) Address: Aberdeen Website: www.vsa.edu.hk

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Malvern College Hong Kong

The Harbour School

Nord Anglia International School Hong Kong

Age: 5 to 18 years Curriculum: IB (PYP, MYP & DP) Address: Pak Shek Kok Website: www.malverncollege.org.hk

Age: 4 to 18 years Curriculum: American curriculum Address: Kennedy Town and Ap Lei Chau Website: ths.edu.hk

Age: 5 to 18 years Curriculum: British National Curriculum, IBDP Address: Lam Tin Website: nais.hk

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directory

English Schools Foundation (ESF) Kindergartens

Special School

ESF Abacus International Kindergartens

Jockey Club Sarah Roe School | jcsrs.edu.hk

ESF Hillside International Kindergartens ESF Tsing Yi International Kindergartens

ESF After School Programmes

ESF Tung Chung International Kindergartens

ESF Sports

ESF Wu Kai Sha International Kindergartens

ESF Language & Learning ESF Playgroups

Primary Schools

esf.org.hk

Beacon Hill School | beaconhill.edu.hk Bradbury School | bradbury.edu.hk

Curriculum

Clearwater Bay School | cwbs.edu.hk

Preschool (K1 & K2) & Primary (Years 1 to 6)

Glenealy School | glenealy.edu.hk

• IB Primary Years Programme

Kennedy School | kennedy.edu.hk Kowloon Junior School | kjs.edu.hk

Secondary (Years 7 to 11)

Peak School | ps.edu.hk

• IB Middle Years Programme

Quarry Bay School | qbs.edu.hk Sha Tin Junior School | sjs.edu.hk

• A broad range of GCSE* and International GCSE courses

Secondary Schools

Secondary (Years 12 to 13)

Island School | island.edu.hk

• IB Diploma Programme

King George V School | kgv.edu.hk

• Applied Learning Pathway

Sha Tin College | shatincollege.edu.hk South Island School | sis.edu.hk West Island School | wis.edu.hk All-through Schools Discovery College | discovery.edu.hk

*The full name of GCSE is the General Certificate of Secondary Education 25/F, 1063 King’s Road, Quarry Bay, Hong Kong

Renaissance College | rchk.edu.hk

Tel: (852) 2574 2351 Fax: (852) 2818 5690 Email: info@esfcentre.edu.hk Website: esf.edu.hk

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directory

Yew Chung International School of Hong Kong

Australian International School Hong Kong

French International School

Age: 6 months to 18 years Curriculum: International Address: Kowloon Tong and Tseung Kwan O Website: ycis-hk.com

Age: 4 to 18 years Curriculum: Australian curriculum, IBDP, NSW HSC Location: Kowloon Tong Website: aishk.edu.hk

Age: 4 to 18 years Curriculum: French National Curriculum or English National Curriculum: IGCSE & IB Location: Blue Pool Road, Chai Wan, Jardine’s Lookout & Tseung Kwan O Website: fis.edu.hk

Fukien Secondary School Affiliated School

German Swiss International School

Hong Kong Academy

Age: 6 to 12 years Curriculum: English and Putonghua, academic and STEM development with character-building Location: Kwun Tong Website: fssas.edu.hk

Age: 3 to 18 years Curriculum: Eight-year Gymnasium based on the core curricula for German schools in South-East and East Asia, derived from the curricula of the German state of Thuringia, UK National Curriculum Location: The Peak, Pok Fu Lam Website: mygsis.gsis.edu.hk

Age: 3 to 18 years Curriculum: IB (PYP, MYP & DP) Location: Sai Kung Website: hkacademy.edu.hk

154 Hong Kong Schools Guide

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directory

156 Hong Kong Schools Guide

directory

Hong Kong International School

Japanese International School Hong Kong

Kellett School

Age: 4 to 18 years Curriculum: American curriculum; Advanced Placement (AP) courses available in High School Location: Repulse Bay, Tai Tam Website: hkis.edu.hk

Age: 4 to 11 years Curriculum: Authorised I.B. World School - PYP, since 2007 Location: Tai Po Website: es.jis.edu.hk

Age: 4 to 18 years Curriculum: English National Curriculum Location: Pok Fu Lam (Preparatory), Kowloon Bay (Preparatory and Senior) Website: kellettschool.com

Norwegian International School

Singapore International School (Hong Kong)

ICHK Hong Lok Yuen

Age: 2 years 8 months to 11 years Curriculum: International Primary Curriculum & International Early Years Curriculum Location: Tai Po Website: nis.edu.hk

Age: 4 to 18 years Curriculum: Singapore Curriculum, IGCSE and IBDP Location: Aberdeen, Wong Chuk Hang Website: singapore.edu.hk

Age: 2 years 8 months to 18 years Curriculum: IB Primary Years Programme, IGCSE in Year 10 and 11; IBDP in Years 12 and 13 Location: Hong Lok Yuen, Tai Po (Kindergarten and Primary), Sha Tau Kok (Secondary) Website: ichk.edu.hk

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The Independent Schools Foundation Academy

Chinese Academy

Creative Secondary School

Age: 4 years 8 months to 17 years Curriculum: Bilingual and Bi-Cultural Inquiry-Based Experiential Learning, IB Middle Years Programme, IB Diploma Programme Location: Pokfulam Website: isf.edu.hk

Age: 6 to 18 years Curriculum: Bilingual immersion globalised curriculum, inquirybased learning. IB MYP and DP in secondary school Location: Causeway Bay Website: caps.edu.hk

Age: 12 to 18 years Curriculum: IBMYP; HKDSE/IBDP Location: Sai Kung Website: css.edu.hk

Hong Kong Schools Guide 159

last directory words

School report A sneak peek inside our principals’ report cards

Ian Clayton

Jadis Blurton

Head of International Stream at the French International School

Head of School at The Harbour School

Teacher’s comments:

Teacher’s comments:

“Ian should stop trying to do his terrible impersonation of me; this will not get him anywhere in life apart from in my bad books.”

“She has many good ideas, but they do not all need to be spoken the moment she has them.”

n Slow dow

r

rtaine Class ente

Rae Lang

Marie Marchand

Director of teaching and learning at Woodland Pre-Schools

Principal at City Kids

Teacher’s comments:

Teacher’s comments:

“Raewyn is quiet, hardworking and not easily distracted. However she can be a ring-leader and lead others into trouble.”

“When young, she was known to misplace things and her teachers described her as ‘Airy fairy’!”

er R ing- lead 160 Hong Kong Schools Guide

y Airy Fair

directory

Hong Kong Schools Guide 161

S ISSION M D A 0 2 2019/ OW START N ol tour today! cho Book a s

YOUR LEARNING JOURNEY BEGINS WITH US

A nurturing environment for future learners

Discovering Senses

Exploring the World

Fostering Independence

Building Confidence

A Foundation of Learning Getting Ready for the World

As the leading Pre-School group in Hong Kong for over 40 years, Woodland offers play-based programmes encouraging children to be curious whilst developing character, gross motor, language and social skills.

From 6 months to 6 years | English, Mandarin and Bilingual | Montessori and Traditional Learning

T. +852 2559 4855 | E. enquiry@woodlandschools.com | woodlandschools.com Mid-Levels • Repulse Bay • Happy Valley • Aberdeen • Kennedy Town • Pokfulam • Sai Kung