PRINCIPAL’S OFFICE

Meet Hong Kong International School Lower Primary Principal, Geoff Heney

What led you to a career in teaching?

I had a penchant for acting as a youngster so I was keen on going into theatre or television. However, in my early twenties, I spent time working with young children at a summer camp. I think that’s what sparked my passion for teaching. At university I decided to pursue education as a career, it’s really a combination of acting and teaching so I get the best of both worlds! I chose to work in early childhood education because it’s such a fascinating and impressionable age, although I still work with older children coaching and directing musicals and plays. My career has seen me teach in Seoul, Ottawa, Shanghai, Doha and now Hong Kong.

What attracted you to HKIS?

The position of Lower Primary Principal came up whilst I was working in an upper elementary school in Doha. I was keen to return to foundational years teaching. HKIS has a fantastic reputation in the international school community and is praised for its phenomenal early childhood program so I was excited to have the opportunity to continue the excellent reputation along with the team.

What’s the teaching philosophy?

Our belief is for each teacher to meet children where they are at, instill a passion for learning, develop their identity as a learner, and make coming to school fun and engaging. Students have the opportunity to explore their interests, be challenged, collaborate, play, inquire, and be creative each and every day. We want students leaving the lower primary to feel that strong identity as a learner and collaborator and that they take ownership over their learning.

Can you tell us about the facilities?

We are a state-of-the-art school, designed specifically with “play” in mind. Our classrooms are built specifically for early childhood learning, we also have an innovation lab (our “Wonder Lab”), a library filled with thousands of books, community spaces, and customized playgrounds for each grade level. We have custom-designed rooms for Chinese language learning, music, art, and socialemotional learning; all of which create settings that engage children in experiential learning that is developmentally appropriate and inspires playful exploration. We also have a large gym and soft-play room with a covered playground, a jungle gym in the shape of the Star Ferry, and a swimming pool with adjustable depth to cater to students at all levels.

What have you been most proud of over the past year?

Firstly, the resilience of our students and how they have transitioned from different formats and schedules with learning. Of course, seeing them start school faceto-face on campus in August and feeling their excitement and energy was incredibly uplifting and heartwarming. Secondly, I’m proud of our teacher’s desire and drive to do what is best for students whether online or in person. All decisions are made based on what is best for students. Seeing teachers come together to regularly collaborate on the academic and emotional needs of our students has been so inspiring.

What are you excited about at HKIS?

I am looking forward to celebrating our students’ learning with parents during our November conferences. I also look forward to our partnership with the Parent Faculty Organization and our annual book fair where students will have the opportunity to shop for their own books. Mostly, I am really excited to continue to watch children grow, play, collaborate, and have fun on a daily basis!

To find out more about Hong Kong International School, visit www.hkis.edu.hk

DSC International School celebrates 35 years

Cheyelene Fontanilla explores the Canadian-curriculum school’s history and its new campus development plan

After 35 years of raising early-year, elementary and secondary students to be global citizens through a culture of diversity, community values and kindness, Delia School of Canada is taking big strides into their next chapter. Now named DSC International School, we take an in-depth look at the ways this all-through educational institution is investing in its future and the future of its students.

On a trip to its campus in Taikoo Shing, we visited the School’s latest renovations. Seeing as it was first founded in 1986, the evolution that DSC is undergoing is one that sets the bar high for Hong Kong’s long-standing schools. To get a real grasp of DSC’s culture, curriculum and campus development plan, we spoke to the leadership team, which consists of Dr Jason Walter, the Head of School, Adrianna Mahoney, Principal (Elementary) and Allan Morrison, Principal (Secondary). The Elementary and Secondary principals are excited about the changes happening at DSC. Mr Morrison has spent 25 years in education, starting in Canada. “I spent my career in Ontario, Tokyo and Hong Kong. I am a firm believer in lifelong learning and am currently working on my doctorate at the University of Toronto.”

Ms Mahoney joined the school as a teacher in 2011, and has spent her entire career in education at DSC. “I was recruited from the University of Ontario Institute of Technology. During my time at DSC, I have earned both a teaching specialist in Drama, completed the Ontario Principal’s Qualification Program, and a Masters of Education.”

Both principals, when asked how they see DSC’s evolution through the years, put an emphasis on its commitment to investing in aspects of the school that feed directly into the wellbeing and success of its students. “I’ve witnessed additions of departments, and positions that have added additional layers of student support across the School. I’ve seen DSC evolve with technology and continue to educate students on the positive use of technological tools along the way,” says Ms Mahoney. “I’ve seen a dramatic increase in the number of extracurricular activities that are accessible to our student community.

I’ve seen multiple renovation projects, the implementation of Experiential Learning Week, international volunteering, and athletic opportunities for students; and the list goes on. What’s been most impressive to me has been the constant evolution and response to an evolving world and student needs.”

When it comes to the heart of DSC and the changes it has seen in the last three and a half decades, there is no one who knows it quite as well as Dr Jason Walter. “My educational journey with DSC began in 1998 when I joined the faculty as the only teacher at the grade 4 level. Since then, I have seen DSC grow from a small International School to a large school with over 1200 students. Over the years, I have held various teaching and leadership positions at DSC and my two children are alumni.”

Celebrating his 24th year at the school, Dr Walter explains the steps they are taking to stay connected to its roots while making way for its students’ futures. One of those steps being their new Creativity and Innovation Hub and the Elementary Centre of the Arts, which consists of 10 purpose-built studios with different focuses. “In 2021, the School initiated a 3-year strategic development initiative that involved consultation with staff, parents, and students and the strategic support of our new school supervisor Mr Ned Au and our parent organisation, CTF Education Group. As part of this new strategic plan, DSC is in the process of improving teaching and learning spaces such as the Creativity and Innovation Hub (2021-22), the Elementary Centre of the Arts (2022-23), and a modernised school courtyard and playground (2022-23).”

The new facilities at DSC will allow students additional learning spaces designed around the concepts of inquirybased collaborative learning, enhanced through a creative and innovative design thinking model. “The ultimate goal is that students strive for excellence and contribute to a better world,” says Dr Walter.

In 2001, DSC saw the first graduates cross the stage who attended DSC from Pre-Grade 1 to Grade 12. Today, many of its students are pursuing studies in the arts, sciences, engineering, business, and social sciences in the top 50 universities around the world.

“Understanding the integral connection between student success and student wellbeing, DSC launched an Elementary House Program in 2017 with the vision of ensuring that all students entering DSC instantly connected with the community and other students,” says Dr Walter.

For 35 years, the school has been known for offering a balanced wholechild education by developing a love of learning and by developing students’ social, emotional, intellectual, and physical intelligence. It is exactly this culture that, for 35 years, has been making its students stay. “DSC offers highly individualized programs for students as they prepare for post-secondary studies. Annually, 100 percent of DSC graduates are offered places at universities in Canada, the UK, Australia, US, Japan, and Hong Kong.”

Weaved throughout its curriculum and school activities, one of DSC’s foundational values has always been global citizenship and sustainability. “We participate in scheduled UN days, discuss global issues and solutions, get involved in community volunteer activities and, when possible, take part in international community development projects through our Experiential Learning Week. This year we are taking part in the CNN Call to Earth Day which focuses on sustainability,” reveals Dr

Walter.

With a focus on enhancing university pathways, DSC has implemented the OSSD+ Signature Program. “Essentially the OSSD+ takes the Ontario Secondary School Diploma, an already rigorous and globally recognized program, to the next level. It increases the requirements with additional credits, increased community hours, adds the Award for Young People (Duke of Edinburgh Award), and various Masterclasses,” says Mr Morrison.

Students then select one of five Signature Programs: Global Influencers, Scientific Innovators, Business Leaders, Artistic Creators and Engineering Designers. These are directly tied to student interests and their desired university destinations.

Looking to the school’s next few years, their new campus development plan goes hand in hand with its educational goals, once again putting what’s best for the students at the forefront of its decision making. “This makeover has so much more to offer than its aesthetics; we’re looking at developing multiple areas that are dedicated to the love of learning, creativity and innovation. This includes state of the art learning spaces dedicated to the arts, engineering, literacy and exploratory learning” says Dr Walter. However, in true reflection of the school’s vision and mission, he highlights that “as great as the facilities will be, I’m most excited about the creativity, innovation and learning that will take place within them.”

dsc.edu.hk

Malvern becomes a fully accredited IB World School

In collaboration with Malvern College Hong Kong

Malvern College Hong Kong (MCHK) has been accredited as an IB World School. Following its successful launch in August 2018, the school continues to execute its ambitious growth strategy and is authorised to teach the PYP, MYP and DP.

With the primary and secondary classes now operating from Prep 1 (Year 1) to Lower Sixth (Year 12), the first cohort of Sixth Form pupils has commenced the two-year Diploma Programme in August 2021 and will sit for their final exams in Upper Sixth (Year 13) in May 2023 - culminating in the highly regarded IB Diploma, arguably one of the most admired high school qualifications worldwide.

A little less known is the IB’s middle years education qualification: the MYP eAssessment, launched by the IB Organisation in 2016 as a leading innovation in the education sector, which can be obtained in Year 11 (or “Hundred” in Malvern language), the final MYP year. MYP pupils engage in weekly Life Skills and ATL (Approaches to Learning) lessons where they learn and practise well-being. This happens next to their core curricular studies in the subjects: English, Chinese, Maths, Science, Individuals & Societies, PHE, Design and Arts (Music, Drama and Visual Arts).

MCHK recognises the importance of equipping Year 11 pupils with an externally standardized middle years certificate while embracing the modern, flexible and innovative nature of the MYP eAssessment: The transdisciplinary Personal Project serves as milestone performance where pupils investigate and present an area of their personal interest; the ePortfolio is an assisted performance, marked by classroom teachers, where pupils demonstrate their knowledge and skills across a range of subject groups; lastly, individual performance is measured in the externally assessed online exams. Being one out of only two schools in Hong Kong offering the eAssessment, MCHK saw in May 2021 the first (and entire!) cohort of Year 11 pupils sit the exams - with stellar results and a 100% pass rate.

Malvern has every reason to believe that their most senior year group will do well in the upcoming Diploma as they have received extraordinary eAssessment results already. Out of the highest possible score of 56 points, 60% of the pupils achieved 45 points or more, and 27% even 50 points or more. Malvern’s average score of 44 sits well above the world average of 38. Equally impressive is the fact that 47% of the pupils were awarded the Bilingual Certificate, studying both English and Chinese Language and Literature.

Malvernians were also highly successful in the Personal Project with a pass rate of 100% and average of grade 5 (highest grade being 7), again comfortably surpassing the world average grade 3.9. With their strengthened positive mindset and self-belief, Malvern’s Lower Sixth cohort is certainly ready to start the long journey to the IB Diploma, and the school provides plenty of support to overcome any challenges on the way to success: The Sixth Form Tutor Programme assigns all Diploma pupils a personal tutor who meets with them

regularly on an individual basis to guide them through the final two years of school.

Along with aiding students through the exam process, Malvern also offers its senior pupils careers and university guidance. Each student will receive in-depth personalised careers profiling to assist with future career planning and be provided with support for applications to universities around the world.

Second Phase Application Timeline:

Submit application: on or before 7 January 2022 Interview: on or before 27 January 2022 Results notification: on or before 18 February 2022

Malvern College Hong Kong

Address: 3 Fo Chun Road, Pak Shek Kok, New Territories, Hong Kong Telephone: 3898 4688 Website: malverncollege.org.hk