NEWS

There’s an app for that

To support the #EnoughPlastic 2021 campaign, Hong Kong-based NGO EcoDrive has created My Impact, a free, easy-to-use app that encourages users to track their plastic recycling efforts. The app offers a convenient opportunity to input each time users refuse, reuse and recycle. In doing so, they can unlock milestone achievements, earn awards, add friends and compete. Available in English and Chinese, the My Impact app also updates users on the latest eco news, local beach-cleanups and new recycling initiatives. Follow #startsmallstartnow and download the app available on iOS and Android to get involved in the movement. ecodrivehk.com

Retykle pops up in Causeway Bay

Asia’s first online trading platform for parents to buy and sell children’s clothes is popping up in Causeway Bay this month. From July 3-16, enjoy a premium in-store shopping experience as well as the option to drop-off your children’s outgrown clothes. Founded in 2014 by expat Sarah Garner, Retykle retails high-end, second hand children’s clothing from top brands including Jacadi, Bonpoint, Ralph Lauren, Seed and Moncler. Shoppers can enjoy up to 90 percent off original clothing prices with items ranging from new with tags to gently used condition. The pop up at 54 Yung Ping Road will be open daily from 10am-7pm. retykle.com

To Harbour City and beyond

To celebrate Pixar Animation Studios 35th anniversary, Harbour City is joining hands with Disney and Pixar to create Hong Kong’s first Pixar Fest this summer. Special scenes from twelve Pixar classics will be set up throughout the mall, including the giant Pixar Ball and Lamp in Ocean Terminal Deck which are the same size as that in its headquarters in California. Harbour City also plans to unveil a series of interactive online and in-person activities. For more details follow #HarbourCity #PixarFestHK or visit harbourcity.com.hk

Teenager raises funds for SKSFF

When Sai Kung Stray Friends Foundation (SKSFF) announced it had been struggling financially, 16-year-old Sai Kung Scout Luke volunteered to run the Hong Kong Trail in an effort to help raise funds. Along with his scout leaders, Jon Westerby and Amanda Pang, Luke trained everyday for a month to prepare for the run. The team hit a few hurdles along the way, including the run date being pushed back to allow for Jon to recuperate from an injury. On May 14, Luke and his team completed the trail from The Peak to Big Wave Bay in eight hours. Luke smashed his initial fundraising goal of $30,000, donating a grand total of $43,706 to the charity. To find out more about the charity or to make a donation visit

saikungstrayfriends.com

Primary overall winner, 13-year-old Annabelle Lee, German Swiss International School

Young Geographer of the Year Awards IMS reaps gardening rewards

Royal Geographical Society Hong Kong (RGSHK) is excited to announce the results of its Hong Kong Young Geographer of the Year Awards which was open to primary, secondary and tertiary students in Hong Kong. Over 320 students from 26 different local and international schools and several universities, participated by submitting more than 400 entries. The society announced winners in 16 different categories who will be awarded substantial financial prizes and RGSHK student benefits. Rupert McCowan, director of RGSHK said, “It was an astounding level of participation. We are particularly pleased to see a good representation across both international and local institutions. You can see there is a real desire for students to exercise their imagination and display their skills.” Students were required to submit a visual image accompanied by a brief written explanation that demonstrated their knowledge and application of geographic concepts. Smriti Safaya, RGSHK board member and competition director said seeing through the ‘eyes’ of young geographers has been “insightfully revealing as it highlights the issues that really matter to the youth of Hong Kong.” A full list of winners and their visuals can be found on the website. The society will also announce the winner of its 2021 People’s Choice Award, which was voted for by members of the public and is an exciting exercise in community engagement.

rgshk.org.hk

Elementary students at International Montessori School (IMS) are celebrating gardening success this month. Despite Covid-19 lockdowns, a stray cat sleeping on their plants, and numerous insect invasions, their garden is up and running at the school’s picturesque Stanley campus. Tigris CAS students persevered against the odds and now are reaping the rewards as they harvest their homegrown vegetables. The garden has sustainability at its core with recycled car tires forming plant beds and compost made from the school’s food waste. So far the students have harvested a range of herbs, tomatoes, and most recently, ginger. ims.edu.hk

news ESF hospitality partnership

English Schools Foundation (ESF) has announced a joint venture with the Business & Hotel Management School (BHMS) in Lucerne, Switzerland which will enable ESF secondary school students to enrol in a BA Degree in Hospitality Management, Global Business Management and Culinary Arts programme upon successful completion of the International Baccalaureate Diploma programme (IBDP) or the International Baccalaureate Career programme (IBCP). BTEC students can also apply by attaining 180 credits in the BTEC Extended Diploma programme. “These programmes in culinary arts and hospitality allow our students to align their interests and abilities with career opportunities in the future,” said Belinda Greer, CEO of ESF. “It provides them with a unique learning experience in the authentic environment of a full-scale teaching hotel and state-of-the-art culinary facilities.” Each placement comprises a six-month full time study period on campus followed by a six-month paid industry training in Switzerland or elsewhere. esf.edu.hk

Quarantine tuition programmes

In light of the on-going pandemic, leading tuition company, British Tutors has launched a brand new quarantine tuition program for families who have decided to travel overseas this summer. Carefully curated to support the breadth of curriculums represented in Hong Kong, British Tutors is running week-long programs of tuition, with online tutors working across time zones. Packages include a ‘Back to School’ program which helps combat the ‘summer slip’ and gets students ready for the academic year ahead and an ‘Expanding Minds’ program which aims to help stimulate children’s minds while they quarantine by exploring fun topics outside of their usual classroom studies.

britishtutors.com