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August 2021
Free-wheelin’
Hong Kong’s best cycling tracks
Star rs e v e i h c a
Young Entrepreneurs Meet the Malvern students preparing for success + Summer holiday snaps + Date night at ARGO + New kids’ club at Rosewood
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CONTENTS — 0 8/ 2 1
16
COVER STORY Entrepreneurial education
20 DINING
2 EDITOR’S LETTER
Meet this month’s team
What’s on in August
An expat family shares their relocation experience
8
Explore the city on two wheels
Mulberry House International Kindergarten
Coolest kid in class
10 NEWS
Your monthly local news roundup
30 PRINCIPAL’S OFFICE
Meet Small World Principal, Tess Baguio
12 SUMMER SNAPS
36 FAMILY
28 EDUCATION
8 MUST HAVES
Afternoon teas and swanky new kids’ clubs
24 BIG DAY OUT
6 PLANNER
Letao Wang reveals your fate for August
22 OUT ON THE TOWN
Hello from the hot desk
4 CONTRIBUTORS
33 HOROSCOPES
Birthday cakes that wow
12
Out and about enjoying the sun
15 MY BIG IDEA
Kids shoes that actually fit
6
22 24 10
20
“The secret of getting ahead is getting started.” - Mark Twain
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editor’s Letter In this month’s cover story, Dr Robin A Lister, Founding Headmaster at Malvern College Hong Kong, puts forward a compelling argument for the importance of teaching entrepreneurial skills from an early age. Entrepreneurial education is a core element of the curriculum at Malvern and students graduate equipped with a positive solution-focused approach and the skills necessary to thrive in new and challenging situations. Continuing on the theme of education, we take a tour of Mulberry House’s new campus in Aberdeen and catch up with Tess Baguio, Principal at Small World Christian Kindergarten. There’s lots happening around town with the recent opening of ARGO at Four Seasons, a new luxury kids club at Rosewood and Hong Kong Disneyland continues fifteenth anniversary celebrations with its brand new Follow your dreams show. On days when the sun shines, hop on your bike and check out Matt Eaton’s suggestions for the best cycle tracks in Hong Kong. And since we’re always up for ending on a sweet note, I had the
who’s in charge? Editorial editorial@hongkongliving.com Editor-in-chief Nicole Slater
Editor Gemma Shaw
Features Editor Cheyelene Fontanilla
Senior Writer Charmaine Ng
Design vicky@hongkongliving.com Senior Graphic Designer Vicky Lam
Partnerships talk@hongkongliving.com
tough job this month of taste testing Hong Kong’s best birthday cakes. It’s a tough job but someone’s gotta do it.
Director of Content Hilda Chan
Partnership Manager Elaine Li
Event Manager Pranali Gupta
Partnership Manager Debbie Ky
Publisher Matt Eaton matt@hongkongliving.com
Editor’s picks
Founding Director Tom Hilditch tom@hongkongliving.com
Contact us Admin: 3568 3722 | Editorial: 2776 2773 | Advertising: 2776 2772 Published by Hong Kong Living Ltd, L1 Kai Wong Commercial Building, 222 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong
Hong Kong Living Summer Kids Carnival
Enjoy an afternoon of family fun with dance classes from Sky Dance Avenue and Move for Life and bowling at Tikitiki Bowling Bar in Sai Kung. The theme is ‘Hawaiian’ with a prize for the best-dressed. 11am-4pm. $50. hongkongliving.com/shop
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Date night at ARGO
Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong unveiled its much-anticipated new bar ARGO in mid-July. Replacing the infamous Blue Bar, ARGO has received rave reviews. Head there to sample the debut cocktail menu “Here Today, Gone Tomorrow” which celebrates staple ingredients that may be endangered in the future. fourseasons.com
HONG KONG hongkongliving.com Expat Parent is published by Hong Kong Living Ltd. This magazine is published on the understanding that the publishers, advertisers, contributors and their employees are not responsible for the results of any actions, errors and omissions taken on the basis of information contained in this publication. The publisher, advertisers, contributors and their employees expressly disclaim all and any liability to any person, whether a reader of this publication or not, in respect of any action or omission by this publication. Expat Parent cannot be held responsible for any errors or inaccuracies provided by advertisers or contributors. The views herein are not necessarily shared by the staff or publishers. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher.
Photo: Malvern College Hong Kong
Printer Apex Print Limited, 11-13 Dai Kwai Street, Tai Po Industrial Estate, Tai Po, Hong Kong
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contributors Thank you to our contributors
Tess Baguio Tess Baguio is the Principal of Small World Christian Kindergarten. Tess has completed two Post Graduate Diplomas in Education and a Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education. She has lived in Hong Kong for over 20 years with her husband and four daughters. Meet Tess in our Principal’s Office section on page 26.
Dr. Robin A Lister Dr Lister is the Founding Headmaster of Malvern College Hong Kong. Originally from the UK, he holds a Masters Degree in Psychology and Religion and a PhD in Philosophy and Psychology of Religion. In this month’s cover story, Dr Lister discusses entrepreneurial education.
Mai Williams Japanese lifestyle and motherhood photographer Mai captured Greenmont founder Kara Walsh and her family for our My Big Idea feature. Mai is based in Discovery Bay and specialises in maternity, newborn, and family photography, capturing irreplaceable moments. Follow Mai on Instagram @maifotography or visit her website to learn more about at home, lifestyle studio and outdoor sessions. maifotography.com
Mimi Parker Mimi Parker, almost three, is spending the summer being stylish and following in the footsteps of her beloved Nana. She keeps herself busy with Muay Thai and Taekwondo classes, attends French summer school and is challenging herself to find new ice creams to sample.
Oliver Corrin Originally from the Isle of Man in the UK, Oliver and his baby Sophia are our daddy daughter duo about town. Oliver is regional director for London-based interior design and branding studio CADA Design and is a fitness and food enthusiast. Check out what they’re getting up to this month on page 7.
Want to write for Expat Parent? Contact editorial@hongkongliving.com 4 | EXPAT PARENT
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what’s on
AUG 26 - 29
Affordable Art Fair Hong Kong The Affordable Art Fair is back. Browse contemporary artworks from 40 local and international galleries. Times vary. $120. Hall 1E, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai. affordableartfair.com
gin when you spend over $500 at Stanley Plaza or Murray House. 12pm. Stanley Plaza. linkhk.com
AUG 13-15 ALICE
With costumes by Cirque du Soleil designer
UNTIL AUG 6 This family-friendly festival includes a Monet Garden where visitors can recreate Monet’s masterpieces, a Summoji area and a variety of performances. Free. 9 Lung Wo Road, Central. summerfest-centralharbourfront.hk
AUG 1 & 8
Summer Lovecation Enjoy masterclasses in tea, whisky, sake and
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AUG 12 - 16
HKTDC Food Expo Hailed as one of the biggest food festivals in Hong Kong, this annual fair attracts trade buyers and brands from across the world. 10am-10pm. Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, 1 Harbour Road, Wan Chai. event.hktdc.com
Photo: Hong Kong Ballet
SummerFest
book now Liz Vandal and sets by James Kronzer, Hong Kong Ballet’s latest performance of Alice in Wonderland is set to be spectacular. 7.30pm. $90. Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Tsim Sha Tsui. hkballet.com
gowns, wedding services and venue options. 12-8pm. $20. Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai. wedding-show.com
AUG 21
Midsummer Race 2
Roméo et Juliette
AUG 28
Race across Shing Mun Reservoir in the second
Directed by award-winning Bartlett Sher, this adaptation of Shakespeare’s classic, Romeo and Juliet will captivate audiences. 3:40pm. $230. MOViE MOViE, One Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty. cinema.com
AUG 27 - 29
Hong Kong Wedding Fair
installment of this popular race. 3pm. $220. Shing Mun Reservoir Main Dam, Lower Shing Mun Road, Kam Shan. xterace.com
One for the recently-engaged. Browse bridal
AUG 29
Hong Kong Living Summer Kids Carnival Enjoy an afternoon of family fun with dance classes from Sky Dance Avenue and Move for Life, interactive workshops and bowling. The theme is ‘Hawaiian’ with a prize for the bestdressed. 11am-4pm. $50. Tikitiki Bowling Bar, 4/F, Centro, 1A Chui Tong Road, Sai Kung. hongkongliving.com/shop
Dad about town Fun and games with our new dad on the block, Oliver Corrin The heat is on, as they say (Beverly Hills Cop reference for you guys). As a result, us parents are trying to figure out how to keep the kids cool, happy and entertained. So it got me thinking about what I could do with my one-year-old to keep us both entertained. Since we both get hangry and bothered by the heat, soft play cafes seemed, to me, a perfect solution. So I set about looking for the best play areas for babies in Hong Kong. I’ve found that Hong Kong caters very well to the three and above category but not so much to the younger babies so I was delighted to come across One Small Step at the end of the red line in Tsuen Wan. It’s a little bit of a journey, I give you that, but once there, I guarantee you, it’s worth it and what fun I (I mean, Sophia) had. The interior is designed with both adults and kids in mind, think beautiful handcrafted Scandinavian decor, fantastic
coffee, delicious homemade pizza and baby bento boxes. Hourly sessions cost just $40 per child during the week with a $40 minimum spend on food and drink. Weekends are slightly higher at $60 per hour. (onesmallstep.hk). For slightly older kids. It’s well-worth checking out Donut Playhouse and Peacock Playground at K11 (k11musea. com). We’ve also become huge fans of the free play areas at Lee Garden Two in Causeway Bay. While you’re there, be sure to grab a delicious coffee and one of the best avo toasts in Hong Kong at Ninety’s (ninetys.com.hk). As a dad, there’s nothing better than seeing your little one living their best life, and if that means spending a few hours escaping the heat while swinging, climbing and sliding to my heart’s content, I’m happy to take one for the team.
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MUST HAVES
Herschel anchor laptop sleeve Hexagonal water based pen set
$330 from Herschel herschel.com.hk
$48 from muji muji.com.hk
Too cool for school Back to school essentials for stylish little tykes
Organic bamboo kids face mask $110 from Bamboa bamboahome.com
Rainbow hardbound journal $160 from Bookazine bookazine.com.hk
Quilted personal planner 8 | EXPAT PARENT
$590 from Kikki.k kikki-k.com
MUST HAVES Brass ball point pen $230 from LOG-ON logon.com.hk
Beans pro 2 wireless earbuds $699 from the coopidea thecoopidea.com
Stainless steel water bottle $129 from Decathlon decathlon.com.hk
Leçons de choses pencil case $186 from Leçons de choses en.smallable.com
Plush sticker pack $22 from Typo cottonon.com
Make a list 3-pack notepad $119 from Typo cottonon.com
Moral Budd backpack mini $479 from LOG-ON logon.com.hk
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news
Anti-wildlife bin rollout
One last ride Mine Train, Raging River and Abyss at Ocean Park will permanently close this month. While Mine Train and Abyss have been in operation for 20 years, Raging River has been around since 1984. These closures come after Ocean Park received a hefty bailout of billions of dollars from
the Hong Kong government, as the company gears up for the opening of the long-awaited water park that’s set to make its debut in the coming months. Ocean Park has also decided to scrap the entry fee and instead implement a pay-per-ride system.
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) has recently unveiled a set of animal-proof rubbish bins. In recent years, there have been reports of rubbish bins being turned over or rummaged through by wildlife. Rats, monkeys and even wild boars have been known to try their luck, leading to pollution and potentially dangerous encounters with the public. In an attempt to combat this problem, the government has joined forces with the Public Design Lab of Hong Kong Polytechnic University to design three anti-wildlife rubbish bins to combat against different animals. “The Government placed the three newly designed types of bins and containers at over 70 locations across 14 districts in Hong Kong where wild animal nuisance is commonly found,” explained an AFCD spokesman.
Cathay launches lifestyle brand
AISHK alumni head to Olympics
Hong Kong is set to welcome the launch of Cathay, a premium travel lifestyle brand, offering members an eclectic range of travel, spending and wellness benefits. Simply named “Cathay”, the new membership programme aims to simplify interactions with customers, while expanding the ways in which they can earn status and use miles. The new brand will cover everything from hotels and wellness breaks, to restaurants and retail therapy. Cathay will begin by launching their own credit card in Hong Kong this year which will be followed in 2022 by “a refreshed customer relationship programme”, the details of which are yet to be announced.
This month, Australian International School Hong Kong (AISHK) are proudly supporting two alumni competing in the Tokyo Olympic Games. Extraordinary young athletes Bill Thorley, aged 18, and Stephanie Norton, aged 20, have trained tirelessly, defeated all odds, overcome global challenges and made history to represent Hong Kong SAR on the world stage. As the youngest Olympian representing Hong Kong, Thorley will compete in the marathon swim event taking place on August 5. Norton, who is the first female single-handed dinghy sailor to represent Hong Kong at the Olympics, will compete in the laser radial sailing competition which will kick off on July 25. We join AISHK in cheering them on later this month.
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news
Schools announce IB Diploma results IB results for the May 2021 session were released on July 6, with 130 students in Hong Kong attaining perfect scores, compared to 55 students last year. This is despite a smaller number of local candidates this time around, with 2,193 students from 31 schools sitting the exam in 2021. The average score of Hong Kong students also went up to 38.93, which is higher than the global average score of 32.99. “The last 18 months have been incredibly challenging for students, teachers, and schools throughout the world as Covid-19 has undermined much of what we had come to take for granted. I salute their spirit and dedication to our shared mission: education for a better world,” says Olli-Pekka Heinonen, Director General of the International Baccalaureate.
Bake for good
To celebrate Cookie Smile’s first anniversary, the social enterprise will kick off their first Cookie Smiles Bake Challenge this month. Baking hobbyists, aspiring bakers and culinary students of all levels over 16 years old are invited to create a cookie recipe from a list of ingredients specified on the website. Bakers will compete through three rounds at Hong Kong New Oriental
Culinary Art in North Point and Complete Deelite in Central. The first round will take place on August 25 with subsequent rounds on September 25 and October 30. The first place winner will receive a cash prize of $3,000 plus other prizes. Entry fee is $350 plus an additional $150 for the final 20 participants. For more information visit cookiesmiles.com.hk
Hong Kong Living launches podcast
To the moon and back Until December 31, the F&B Run Club wants to cumulatively run 384,400 kilometres, the distance from Earth to the moon. The initiative aims to promote wellbeing and mental health within the F&B industry. Raising money for two charities, participants can add their steps through the Strava app to reach the campaign’s goal. As well as promoting an active lifestyle, there will be prizes and awards throughout the year. Individuals can take part in any
To showcase and highlight the value of Hong Kong’s entrepreneurs, professionals and their contributions to the city’s culture and economy, Hong Kong Living will be launching Who’s Killin’ It in Hong Kong? this September. The podcast will focus on those who stand out among 7.5 million Hongkongers, whether it’s because they own a talk-of-the-town business or have lived an extraordinary life. The podcast will be available on Apple podcasts and Spotify and will be hosted by our Features Editor, Cheyelene Fontanilla.
form of steps, whether it be hiking, running or walking on a treadmill. PURE Group has also joined the rally as a wellness partner and is recruiting corporate sponsors to donate $1 per kilometre to InspiringHK Sports Foundation and Lifewire Foundation. Joining the “run to the moon” are influential F&B professionals, such as Syed Asim Hussain of Black Sheep Restaurants, Manuel Palacio of Pirata Group and Agung Prabow of Penicillin.
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school photos Growing IQ students exploring math during their summer program
Delia School of Canada Open House Day hosted by BallroomBees
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Summer snaps Super stylish kids about town
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me & my big idea
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me & my big idea
New kicks on the block
Photo: Mai Fotography
Mum-of-two Kara Walsh discusses her recently launched online kids’ shoe store. By Gemma Shaw
When Greenmont Kids founder Kara Walsh headed to Causeway Bay in 2018 in search of the first pair of shoes for her son, little did she know that the difficulty of the experience and the cost of the first little walkers purchased would spark an idea that would lead to a wonderful new venture. “Where I’m from in the UK, buying a pair of first shoes is relatively hassle-free. Shops such as Clarks specialise in fitting children’s shoes, the assistant will measure the child’s foot and make recommendations on sizing and styles,” says Walsh. “In Hong Kong, I found the experience of buying shoes for my two young sons very stressful. In my experience, the ranges are limited and when I’ve come across an adequate shoe, it was never available in the right size, or it was expensive for essentially just an average product” she adds. Realising that she wasn’t the only Hong Kong parent facing these challenges, Walsh initially decided to design her own shoe. Along
with her husband, she sketched out their ideal everyday child’s trainer and began researching manufacturers. “Neither of us had any experience in shoe design, my husband is a pilot and my background is in finance,” she adds. “We quickly learned that the process of designing a shoe and getting it made to a standard we’d be happy with wasn’t going to be quick so while we waited, we started researching other shoe brands that shared the same values as us. We were essentially looking for environmentally-conscious brands which produced great quality, durable and well-priced shoes. We came up with a list of six brands whom we asked if they’d be interested in us stocking them in Hong Kong. Four of the brands came onboard straight away,” says Walsh. And so in March 2021, Greenmont Kids launched online. Since launching, Walsh and her husband have spent many days (and nights) tackling seemingly impossible tasks. “We taught ourselves how to build a website from scratch.
Getting stock into Hong Kong with restrictions constantly changing has been a logistical nightmare and our own trainer shoe is in the finalising stages, we are nearly there with it, but it has presented us with continuous challenges,” she says. “The support we’ve received has been amazing,” she says. “We started selling to friends then friends-of-friends and we now deliver Hong Kong-wide with free delivery in Discovery Bay. We’ve had some wonderful feedback, which makes the hard days worth it.” The thing that really sets Greenmont Kids apart is the attention to detail when it comes to fitting the shoe. “We focus on the length of the foot rather than the generic size. The reason for this is that there is great disparity between brands when it comes to the length of the insole. I recommend that parents draw around their child’s foot on a piece of paper. Once I know the length of the foot, I can confidently advise on brands and sizing,” she adds. As word of Greenmont Kids spreads amongst Hong Kong parents, Walsh continues to work towards her goal of establishing her brand as the go-to place to buy good-quality, reliable shoes for young children. The website currently stocks much-loved brands Salt-water, Old Soles, IGOR and Toshi with plans to add the first Greenmont trainer in the coming months.
Salt-water sandals
Greenmont Kids is a boutique online store for children’s shoes, hats and swimwear. To find out more, follow @greenmont_kids or visit greenmontkids.com
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cover story
Entrepreneurial education Dr Robin A Lister discusses the benefits of teaching entrepreneurial skills early on
Ask any number of people about what entrepreneurial education means to them, and you’re bound to collect a disparate set of opinions. Most commonly, these opinions will converge around the development of business acumen, fostering creativity and more generally, seeking learning outcomes that manifest the next CEO of a to-be-listed unicorn. Being able to rely on a sleuth of Nobel prize winners, corporate leaders, scientists and renowned authors may come with its fair share of appeal in terms of attracting future pupils. What parents often underestimate is the blueprint that underlines the clustering of success.
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Dr Robin A Lister, Founding Headmaster of Malvern College Hong Kong believes that essential entrepreneurial skills enhance the chances of desirable outcomes in pupils and that these skills can be taught early on. Entrepreneurial education is, in fact, one of Five Centres of Excellence which have been integrated into Malvern’s core DNA. The others being British-style pastoral care; enhanced learning; outdoor and environmental education and a global network. While globally each Malvern school has its own unique identity, the Five Centres of Excellence are the essence of a Malvern education. Pupil-centricity is also integral and, as such, the school focuses to
maximise each pupil’s academic potential and develop their talents and personal interests so they can flourish as individuals. Drawing upon a rich heritage, Malvern quickly earned a reputation as one of the top international schools in the region when it landed on Hong Kong soil in 2018. Three years on, the school continues to demonstrate its excellence. Having been awarded IB PYP, MYP and DP accreditation within the academic year 2020/21, it is now a fully accredited IB World School. As an advocate for entrepreneurial education, Lister shares below an insight into how the school fosters the necessary tools for an entrepreneurial mindset in pupils early on in their learning journey.
cover story in front of a heap of old electronic devices and challenged to create something new out of them. Far beyond a simple recycling exercise, the pupils were asked to disassemble, creatively adapt and redesign the items with the aim to find a sustainable market opportunity. Reflecting on the commercial applicability of their new creation, pupils followed the basic steps of identifying an opportunity or problem, developing and creating a feasible solution and finally, testing and evaluating each other’s prototypes or systems. Lastly, the establishment of a basic marketing and promotion concept formed an integral part of the learning unit, mimicking – on a smaller scale – an entrepreneurial effort in a commercial world.
Why is an entrepreneurial mindset beneficial? It seems trivial but nonetheless true that all great entrepreneurs, from the early industrialists to more contemporary social media founders, share a positive, solutionfocused mindset which in turn drives them to recognise and address societal, economic or commercial challenges. Entrepreneurial success is frequently rooted in resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity: adopting a “taking-the-bull-bythe-horns”-approach has helped millions of entrepreneurs to tackle and overcome any challenges they might come across throughout their entrepreneurial journey. In a scholastic context, this means an early and repeated exposure to the concept that failure is not something negative but part of the process and an opportunity to improve. How can we help students develop empathy and transdisciplinary skills? Finding problems or opportunities through empathy is another entrepreneurial skill, underpinning Malvern’s deeply rooted tradition of service to others. Earlier this academic year, FY3 (Year 9) pupils used cloudy goggles and wooden frames for their hands to experience how difficult simple day-to-day tasks can be for those
who suffer from visual impairment or arthritis. In their Design class, the pupils subsequently sought to build basic aids for affected people. Critical thinking as well as transdisciplinary learning and teaching approaches provide ample opportunities to cross-reference and interconnect growing knowledge and know-how. For example, FY2 (Year 8) pupils recently engaged in a transdisciplinary unit connecting Physical Education and Design: they invented and designed a new batting and fielding game, using technology and data to optimise technique and outcome. How can we foster the desire to learn? In today’s modern, interconnected and fast evolving world, it becomes increasingly important to both harness new sources of acquiring knowledge and to foster a positive, result-oriented outcome. Malvern College Hong Kong follows the International Baccalaureate curriculum, which is best summarised as being inquiry and not just knowledge-based. In practice, this means that teachers will not simply provide the correct answers, instead, pupils are guided towards asking the right questions in order to find the correct answers themselves. As an example, Remove and Hundred (Year 10 and 11) pupils were recently put
What types of activities encourage an entrepreneurial mindset early on? At Malvern College Hong Kong, we create an environment that fosters entrepreneurial problem-solving in the primary years. Recently, Prep 4 (Year 4) pupils were reflecting on water as a finite resource. In partnership with the charity Crossroads Foundation, pupils visited the Foundation’s site in Hong Kong and participated in various simulation activities, which helped them to develop a perspective for those without ready access to clean water. Carrying heavy water canisters and using limited water supplies to wash clothes and clean food, the pupils subsequently discussed actionable steps to promote water conservation. This learning unit was wrapped up with a hiking trip to the Bride’s Pool a few weeks later, where the pupils built their own water filters and explored different ways to build water dams. What are the benefits of entrepreneurial education? Implementing entrepreneurial education in a school curriculum serves a dual purpose: it is a means to prepare our pupils for a
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cover story perception that grades, intelligence and socioeconomic status drive success. The demanding and uncertain entrepreneurship journey requires more passion and sustained persistence – “grit” – than most other activities. Hard wiring these qualities into our pupils will contribute to shaping responsible leaders and impactful agents of change, one pupil at a time.
fast-changing, challenging and increasingly complex future. Furthermore, incorporating actionable components from problem identification to design and presentation, pupils also achieve more interest, joy and engagement when stretching themselves and their creativity. This manifests itself in their ability to focus on opportunities, becoming increasingly proactive and innovative. By connecting the curriculum
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to “real life”, pupils further their emotional awareness and well-being through a real sense of purpose, the latter standing out as key engines of future economic growth and job creation. Lastly, entrepreneurial education fosters perseverance and self-efficacy which in turn has a positive impact on pupils’ academic performance. Combining these learning and social skills transcends the classic
To learn more or to arrange a tour, please visit malverncollege.org.hk or contact admissions@malverncollege.org.hk, 3898 4688.
cover story
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dining
Let them eat cake Gemma Shaw explores the city’s best birthday cake offerings
Photo: Vive Cake Boutique
thousands while the Let Them Be Little cake is crafted with fondant icing of a rainbow over clouds and filled with a surprise centre of starshaped confetti. Customised topper messages available with two weeks notice. The store is located on Queen’s Road Central and cakes can be delivered by a dedicated team for a fee. A baby cake smash photography package is also available in collaboration with 123 Cheese Production. Photoshoots are priced from $4,680 and include a cake, a themed backdrop and 30 fully-edited images. order.vive.hk
Vive Cake Boutique Vive Cake Boutique offers dreamy, pastel-coloured cakes with playful Most themes and instantly Instagramrecognisable designs. mable Founded by self-taught cake designer Vivien Lau, the bakery has attracted a large celebrity following. Its signature Uni-Cone cake is capped with an inverted icecream cone to resemble a unicorn’s horn and decorated with macarons and hundreds and
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Mrs B’s Cakery Founded by Bonnae Gokson, style icon and the creative brains behind Sevva, Ms B’s Cakery creates Showbeautiful bespoke stopper cakes that are (almost) too pretty to eat. Children will love the Bozo – a double chocolate chiffon cake that comes with a generous layer of fudge and topped with chocolate covered fruit pops. Crafted using natural ingredients, these cakes are a truly indulgent way to wrap up any party with an eight-inch cake priced from $1,000. Bespoke cake designs are available on request and parents are invited to collaborate for the most picture-worthy and memorable cake. Stores located at Landmark, Pacific Place and Lee Tung Avenue. msbscakery.hk
dining Phoenix Sweets Hidden within PMQ on Hollywood Road, these Kids will unique cakes are made love with passion, finesse and the finest ingredients available. Founder Phoenix Hui built the business up from an online venture. Buttercream and fondant cakes come in a variety of fun designs for kids including dinosaurs, little cars, mermaids and happy monsters. Some cakes come with the option of a cupcake tower for a truly impressive show-stopper and more phoenixsweets.com
Party venues
The Cakery This vegan cake shop offers a range of animalBest for inspired chiffon cakes dietary requirements that are gluten-free, refined sugar-free and made without artificial colour. Choose from an adorable owl-shaped chocolate cake, a black sesame-flavoured bunny cake or a pink piggy cake with strawberry jam. All cakes are available in five or seven inches and available for collection from stores located in Lee Gardens and Landmark. thecakery.com
Complete Deelite The team at Complete Deelite have been baking specialty cakes since 2004 and have earned brownie points with kids across Hong Kong for their eyecatching and imaginative designs which include Baking superheroes, pirates and parties Star Wars characters. Beautiful themed cakesto-go can be ordered with
six hours notice while the team insist that the sky’s the limit with custom cake options from a pinata smash cake filled with surprise treats to a cake resembling the family pet. Complete Deelite also offers kids baking and decorating parties and is currently running summer camps throughout August with the option to bake cupcakes, cake pops and ice cream drip cake. completedeelite.com
One Small Step One Small Step is a family cafe focused on catering to children and parents alike. The Instagram-worthy bespoke cloud-themed play area was created by a renowned British playground designer and is perfect for babies and toddlers. The cafe serves up excellent coffee, fresh salads, pizzas and healthy snacks for kids. A dedicated party room provides the perfect backdrop for kids birthdays with a friendly team on hand to help organise everything from decor to entertainers. onesmallstep.hk Maggie & Rose If you’re looking for somewhere to host your child’s party, the club has a dedicated events team to take care of everything for you from food, and drink to themes, party bags, invitations, thank you cards, entertainers and photographers. The private members club has two locations in Causeway Bay and Repulse Bay. maggieandrose.com.hk AirPlay Blow Dry Bar AirPlay Blow Dry Bar offers “Kid’s spa day” packages, the ultimate spa day for little princesses. Customize your own workshops to suit little ones wishes, AirPlay’s artists will style both hair and nails and even use organic nail polish on little fingers and toes. Based in The Landmark, Central. airplaybar.com
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out on the town
Out and about Gemma Shaw on what to see and where to be seen this month Tea party SEVVA serves up tea for tweens SEVVA has recently unveiled a vibrant children’s afternoon tea experience inspired by owner Bonnae Gokson's fondest childhood memories. The tea set begins with savories such as
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minced chicken and egg mayo sandwiches, hot dogs and mac ‘n cheese spring rolls. A decadent sweet selection follows which includes banana split cups, chocolate and peanut butter mousse, panna cotta, rainbow sprinkles and gummy bears. The three-tier set is priced at $720 and served alongside speciallycrafted mocktails, bookings are required three days in advance. sevva.hk
out on the town as it moves along the street. There are also opportunities for little ones to join art classes in Adventureland, try new foods and shop anniversary merchandise. Over the summer, the Magical 3+1 group ticket offer allows guests to buy-three-get-one-free on one-day park tickets. hkdl.hk
Date night ARGO opens at Four Seasons Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong unveiled its much-anticipated new bar ARGO in mid-July. Replacing the infamous Blue Bar, ARGO is a cocktail bar which ‘explores the modern world’, its name being inspired by the myth of Jason and the Argonauts. Interiors, designed by AB Concept, resemble a mythical conservatory and upon arrival, guests are greeted by a mesmerising centre stage bar which is enveloped by views facing Victoria Harbour. The bar is led by charismatic beverage ambassador for Four Seasons Asia Pacific, Lorenzo Antinori and managed by awardwinning mixologist Summer Lo. The duo thoughtfully present their debut cocktail menu "Here Today, Gone Tomorrow" which celebrates six staple ingredients - honey, cacao, vanilla, coffee, rice, and apple that may be endangered in the future, and unfolds their flavours and stories in a unique and creative way. With a focus on sourcing, ARGO has partnered with local bee farm HK Raw Honey and Malaysian cacao farm Chocolate Concierge. The bar has its very own bee hive located in Mai Po which produces mono-floral lychee and longan honey for use in the honey-based cocktails. Head there to sample the spectacular theatrical cocktails and enjoy the warm ambience. fourseasons.com
Playing in style New kids club at Rosewood Kids and parents rejoice. Following a collaboration with creative experience agency Lore, Rosewood Hong Kong has recently launched the Rosewood Explorers Club playrooms. Five educational playrooms Curious Jungle, Big Sky, Deep Blue, Mad Space and Play Lab – offer an environment to play and learn with educational workshops and a curated library in each space. The Curious Jungle room mirrors Hong Kong’s lush greenery and animated wildlife while Big Sky is themed around Hong Kong’s beautiful scenic mountains and creates a sense of scale across the skyline. Deep Blue is a South China Sea nautical-themed playroom where lifesavers are used as cushions, Mad Space is a spacethemed multifunctional area offering movie nights, interactive games projected onto the wall and a quiet reading corner. Lastly, the Play Lab activity room is a blank canvas where kids can unleash their creativity. Access to the kids club is exclusively for young hotel guests and Rosewood Residences kids. Parents can book 45-minute playroom sessions at $250 for a family of up to four. rosewoodhotels.com
Street party Follow your dreams Hong Kong Disneyland is continuing its fifteenth anniversary celebrations with the launch of a brand new outdoor musical party. Follow your Dreams is a 20-minute performance held at the Castle of Magical Dreams during which Mickey Mouse and pals delight guests with a brand new song and remastered renditions of several Disney favourites. In Main Street USA, the popular Pixar Water Play Street Party is back. Guests can wave and dance to characters from Onward, Toy Story and Inside Out while trying to avoid splashes from the water parade
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education
A bilingual education Nicole Slater steps through the doors of Mulberry House’s new campus in Aberdeen
Jessica Ye Trainor, Founder
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Starting from a mother’s failed search for a bilingual playgroup to send her children to, Mulberry House founder Jessica Ye Trainor decided to take matters into her own hands. After completing a Montessori degree she began home-schooling kids and her classes soon gained popularity amongst parents across Hong Kong. She decided to open her first bilingual playgroup in Central in late 2015, focusing on teaching children a bilingual education with a modern approach. The Mandarin immersion programme was particularly popular when it started, catering to the needs of many children and parents on Hong Kong Island. As the children grew, the organization began creating more programmes for preschools and primary
schools to support them. “I am a huge fan of the Independent Schools Foundation, so when they opened the kindergarten, we were the first ones to enrol. Over the years, the majority of our playgroup children also got into ISF, CIS and Victoria, which was very encouraging for us,” says Trainor. Now with two kindergartens, two playgroups across Hong Kong and two nurseries in Shenzhen, Mulberry House is paving the way for bilingual education.
Curriculum Following the well-researched United Kingdom early year teaching framework (EYFS), Mulberry House’s curriculum is highly interactive with three primary areas of learning:
Education
Personal, Social and Emotional Development, Communication and Language and Physical Development. They also offer a range of extra-curricular activities in sport, music, drama and STEAM.
Reggio Emilia approach The curriculum was inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach, an educational philosophy focusing on early childhood education. The philosophy strongly believes in the 100 languages of the children approach which provides children with different avenues for thinking, revising, constructing, negotiating, developing and symbolically expressing their thoughts and feelings to help adults and children better understand one another. Reggio Emilia also highlights three beliefs including respecting each child and their development, creating a positive learning environment and encouraging children to
inquire and explore, enabling them to learn and develop their own potential.
Day-to-day learning Each day at Mulberry House is divided into a morning and afternoon session. Mornings consist of 50-50 English and Mandarin immersion programmes along with multisensory learning materials, to allow younger children to effortlessly absorb and experience both English and Chinese as a “living language”. The afternoon session includes four options for parents to choose, full English immersion classes, full Mandarin immersion classes or 60-40 of either language. Rather than hiring language teachers, Mulberry House has English and Mandarin native speaking early childhood educators to help children naturally navigate the world around them in two languages in context while cultivating the love of learning.
international kindergartens and primary schools across Hong Kong for the past 20 years, Fang understands the importance of learning through play and fostering creativity. “As a young mother, I remember being on an endless search for playgroups and kindergartens that would foster a life-long enjoyment and excitement for learning in my daughters. When I first stepped into the school, I knew that Mulberry House was the school I would have wanted my daughters to attend,” says Fang. She will be leading the new campus in Aberdeen this school year and is excited to grow the community and carry the mission forward.
Campuses Mulberry House has two campuses in Southside and Tai Po, they each offer bright spaces and indoor play areas for children to explore. The Tai Po campus also offers outdoor spaces including a garden and sandpit, a rare find in Hong Kong, while the Southside campus offers full glass windows engulfing every classroom in natural light. The Southside based kindergarten recently appointed Betty Fang as Head of School. Having taught in numerous
Get in touch 5598 0909 Admissions@mulberryhousekg.com mulberryhousekg.com
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education Principal’s office Meet Tess Baguio, Principal at Small World Christian Kindergarten What’s a typical day like? Our little learners begin their day with free play, which helps them settle into class before coming together in circle time. Throughout the day, they have many opportunities to play and learn, developing knowledge and skills through exploration and discovery. I visit every classroom, taking time to talk and play with the children, and at the end of the day, I always bid each child farewell.
What are you excited about for the new school year?
How did you become Principal? I’m originally from the Philippines and a chemist by profession. I arrived in Hong Kong in 1994 with my husband and baby in tow. When we started to explore preschool options for our daughters, we discovered Small World. It truly was a prayer answered for us. My time as a Small World parent ignited my love and passion for education and led to my pursuit of teaching. I went on to study Montessori Education, Early Childhood Education (PGDE, Master’s Degree) and Special Education (PGDE).
What attracted you to Small World? I remember the first time I toured the Borrett Road campus as a parent, with principal and founder Gail Maidment. The moment I stepped through the doors, I experienced what I can only describe as ‘love at first sight’. I sensed that this kindergarten was a special place with a focus on core values of love and care for the children. Nineteen years later, as the principal of Small World, I make sure that these same values instilled
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over the past 35 years remain at the centre of what we do.
What curriculum does the school follow? We are proud to be Hong Kong’s first International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC) accredited school. The IEYC uses international best practices, holistic enquiry, and play-based approaches that cover all curriculum areas including personal, social and emotional development.
Can you tell us about the facilities? We are blessed with a beautiful campus in Mid-Levels, where we enjoy plenty of outdoor space and greenery. At the front of the school, children can explore their physical capabilities through climbing, swinging, sliding, and riding tricycles in our modern playground. We also have a large outdoor space at the back of the school where children can interact with the natural world and cultivate plants in our very own garden. Indoors we have spacious classrooms with dedicated arts and crafts areas and an indoor playground.
We recently celebrated our IEYC accreditation, so we will continue to put into practice all that we have learned through the accreditation process, strengthening the systems and structures that undergird our early years learning programme. This year marks our 35th anniversary, so we have some exciting community events planned to celebrate. We are also looking forward to providing more opportunities for families to participate and become advocates of sustainable environmental practices as part of our “In Small World, we care” initiative. To find out more about Small World Christian Kindergarten, or to arrange a tour, visit smallworld.edu.hk
Tess’s tips to prepare little ones for the new school year • Establish a routine at home. This will help young children transition smoothly into the school’s daily schedule and provide them with a sense of security. The routine could include a regular early-to-bed and wake-up time, getting dressed, having breakfast as a family, and preparing to leave. • Encourage young children to practise self-care skills. This enables them to become more independent. Examples include washing hands, using the toilet, and putting shoes on. • Ease separation anxiety by taking time to read books about going to school, saying goodbye, and seeing each other again at the end of the day. The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn is a great option.
Education
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big day out
Pedal power There are options aplenty for the city’s growing band of twowheeled warriors. Matt Eaton explores some of Hong Kong’s best cycling tracks Hong Kong’s cycling boom is here to stay. As the pandemic continues to scupper travel plans, people have flocked to cycling tracks and mountain bike trails across the city. But while cycling in Hong Kong is largely restricted to designated bike paths, there’s plenty of options for those looking to test their skills on two wheels. Note that some of these paths aren’t suitable for tykes so check before you travel if you have little ones in tow.
Mui Wo After some construction delays, a new mountain bike park will open in Mui Wo this year,
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Best for: Adrenaline seekers
complementing an already impressive selection of moderate and challenging offroad tracks. It’s very easy to rent bikes in Mui Wo, plus you will experience fantastic coastlines views and scenic beaches – just what you’ll need after cutting a swathe through the mountain terrain. How to get there: Take the ferry from Central Pier 6 to Mui Wo and Lantau Island. The fast ferry will get you there in 30 minutes and the regular ferry takes around 50 minutes.
New Territories Backbone One of the biggest cycling developments
Best for: A smooth ride
big day out
The route from Tai Po to Science Park
Mui Wo is a great place for cycling
in 2020 was the opening of the New Territories Cycle Network that links Tai Po to Tuen Mun. The 50-plus kilometre ride zigzags through the scenic suburbs of Hong Lok Yuen, Sheung Shui, Fanling and Yuen Long. For day trippers, there are water stations, food kiosks and toilets for cyclists to rest and explore nearby attractions. How to get there: For the ambitious day tripper, kick things off in Tai Mei Tuk, otherwise make your start in Sheung Shui.
How to get there: MTR to Tai Po Station and either jump in a green taxi or minibus to Tai Mei Tuk.
Hong Kong Velodrome, Tseung Kwan O Hong Kong Velodrome in Tseung Kwan O is the first-ever local indoor cycling facility that meets the standards of the
Best for: Rainy days
International Cycling Union and is perfect for the whole family. If you don’t have a bicycle, then stop by the bike rental company that caters to both adults and children. There is also a sport climbing wall, chess tables and a central lawn to run on if you still have energy left after a full day cycling. How to get there: The Hong Kong Velodrome Park is located at 105-107 Po Hong Road, Tseung Kwan O. Take the MTR to Hang Hau Station and exit at B2.
Tai Po to Science Park If a 50km ride through Yuen Long sounds daunting, the bike paths that link Tai Mei Tuk to Best for: Tai Po, Science Park Scenic and Shatin offer a views leisurely alternative. As a popular cycling spot, Tai Mei Tuk boasts several bike rental stores. Along Ting Kok Road and near the Tai Mei Tuk public car park, you will find plenty of shops offering cheap rental for a full day of cycling. Be warned though, weekend crowds can be brutal.
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big day out
Cheung Chau Cheung Chau is perhaps one of the best-known Best for: outlying islands of A day Hong Kong, and for out good reason. Not only is it packed with delicious delicacies and traditional temples to explore, but it’s also super bicycle-friendly. The island has many bicycle rental stores and cycling routes, most of them accumulating near the Pak Tai Temple. Pick up a bicycle and explore the whole island – the seaside, the beaches, the town and even up the mountains. Go on, sweat it out. How to get there: The only way to reach Cheung Chau Island from Hong Kong is by a boat or a ferry from Central Pier 5.
Quarry Bay Park Cycling Path If safety is of absolute importance to you
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then head to the east of the island to check out the Quarry Bay Park Cycling Path. The large park is nestled right in the city – just a few steps
Best for: Harbour views
from the MTR – and has a long winding path under the shade of the trees. The path is an enclosed loop and strictly for cycling, you never have to worry about veering off track and getting lost.
Training wheels off Our Editor-in-Chief Nicole Slater recalls learning to ride her bike at Plover Cove Growing up in Hong Kong, it was pretty difficult to find places to ride as cycling paths were few and far between back then. We loved days out at Plover Cove, we’d drive over from Sai Kung with the bikes in the boot and search for hours for a parking space. Once out of the car and ready to ride, it was just us and the open road. My parents would usually stroll behind my brother and I as we raced against each other. It was the perfect place to learn as the route is traffic-free with no turns so my parents could easily keep an eye on us at all times.
big day out
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horoscope
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horoscope
Written in the stars Letao Wang, The Kingdom Healer shares his insights on what the stars hold for you this month AQUARIUS You may feel a certain degree of dissatisfaction with your present circumstances. The future is approaching, but you are afraid that your beliefs have an irreversible change. This is not a bad thing, Aquarius. Accept change and all that comes with it. Attachment to old structures will only bring problems into your life.
TAURUS Personal relationships take relevance during this period. It will be easy for you to be objective and conciliatory with others, Taurus. Therefore, do not shy away from necessary discussions. Listen to your heart’s desires and guide yourself through them to reach out to others.
LEO You will experience an aggressive and intolerant attitude toward other people, Leo. However, this may have to do with some dissatisfaction you are having with your life. Try to change something within you to find inner balance again.
SCORPIO Your career and work-related matters will require your special attention. You may acquire a more senior position and have to carry numerous responsibilities that will leave you exhausted. However, do not be discouraged, Scorpio. What you cultivate today will be the fruits of tomorrow.
PISCES This month is a time of intense transformation, Pisces. However, it will bring very positive consequences in your life. Relationships that are no longer beneficial will have to die and will leave fertile ground for new experiences. After this period, a much more powerful version of yourself will emerge.
GEMINI You tend to be a little scattered, Gemini, but the planetary alignment will encourage you to be thorough this time. Your rationality and analytical skills will be sharper than ever, which will help you to improve various aspects of your life.
VIRGO Your flexible thinking and perspicacity will help you grow in your workplace. This may result in more responsibilities than you had intended, but you will be more than willing to accept the challenge. Beware of excessive self-criticism and bouts of stress caused by the pursuit of perfectionism.
SAGITTARIUS It’s a time to venture into new creative projects, Sagittarians. If you were thinking of doing something with your group of friends, don’t hesitate to do so. The astral energies promote a propitious environment for group work and for embarking on new ventures. Therefore, stop analysing it so much and go forward.
thehealingkingdom.com
ARIES If you’re taking too much time making up your mind, you will never risk doing something new, Aries. The planetary alignment encourages you to let go of worries and trust your intuition. Remember that the more unexpected your reactions, the better your chances of improving your personal affairs.
CANCER It’s going to be a very intense month, Cancer. You will have to face uncomfortable situations that you previously avoided. It may be painful, but the sooner you accept it, the more favourable your life will become. So embrace the process of change and focus on the future.
LIBRA The planetary configuration will stimulate your curiosity and your thirst for knowledge. It’s an ideal opportunity to resume your studies or to start a course. Your point of view is relevant, so don’t be afraid to share it with others. Be attentive to the events that arise during this season, as they will become important later on.
CAPRICORN Creative and artistic activities will be highlighted this month, Capricorn. If it’s not something you were interested in before, someone in your group of friends will get you on that path. You may resist at first, but then you’ll notice that you’re much more talented than you thought.
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marketplace
marketplace
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To advertise, email talk@hongkongliving.com or call 2776 2772.
marketplace
To advertise, email talk@hongkongliving.com or call 2776 2772.
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family
Family ties The Harding Family share their experience on moving to Hong Kong and enrolling their children at Australian International School Hong Kong
Could you tell us a bit about your family and what brought you to Hong Kong? We moved to Hong Kong from Sydney nine years ago this July, a move that was intended to only be for three years, but like many Hong Kong stories, we stayed a lot longer. Our three children started at Australian International School Hong Kong (AISHK). After six years at the school my two sons went back to Australia to go to boarding school. What challenges have your family faced over the past year and were there any positive takeaways? We have had a couple of challenges, the first has been the separation online learning creates between children and their friends. The social interaction the classroom and playground environment provides is so important, so it was a real struggle for my children to be deprived of this for so long. Secondly we found that Covid-19 and
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boarding school were not working for our family so we were fortunate enough to be able to re-enrol our boys at AISHK. What made you choose to send your children to AISHK and how would you describe your family’s time there? I would describe my family’s time at AISHK as all-embracing. AISHK is able to engage students in anything they wish to pursue my eldest was able to go on debating trips, my youngest was able to play netball and take up art, while my middle child was able to play rugby. What sets AISHK apart is that it is truly an international school; giving its students an international experience whilst still maintaining a sense of Australianness. This strong connection to Australia is what made AISHK the clearest option for our children’s education. How would you describe your neighbourhood in Hong Kong, and what
do your family enjoy doing most together? We live in Happy Valley and it is so vibrant and convenient. There are so many restaurants of all different cuisines to choose from and most importantly plenty of foot massage options. Living in the Valley also means we are a five-minute walk to Causeway Bay and a 15-minute drive to Deep Water Bay - this allows us to easily take part in our family’s favourite pasttime, paddle boarding and the occasional camping trip. Do you have any tips or advice you might share with those new to Hong Kong? I found the adjustment to Hong Kong an exciting one - it is such a fast-paced, cosmopolitan place. At the same time Hong Kong’s many hikes and beaches made this easier - they are a great escape from what can initially be an overwhelming change in lifestyle. Even after nine years, I still feel I am discovering new things and places.
book club
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