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 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.