Expat Parent June 2021

FREE EVERY MONTH

FAMILY | DINING | HOME | EDUCATION

the really useful magazine hongkongliving.com

June 2021

Summer splash The best pool passes

Mum, I’m bored Save your sanity with our summer camps guide

Explore Cheung Chau

Bake me smile

Jo Soo-Tang celebrates one year of Cookie Smiles

2 | EXPAT PARENT

CONTENTS — 0 6/ 2 1

18

COVER STORY Cookie Smiles - a year of baking success

16 FAMILY

2 EDITOR’S LETTER

Your monthly local news roundup

11 MUST HAVES

11

Your guide to Hong Kong’s best summer camps

30 BIG DAY OUT

A family day out in Cheung Chau

Sizzling summer essentials

12 SCHOOL SNAPS

A Hong Kong Dog Story

26 EDUCATION

8 NEWS

Zuma celebrates its 14th anniversary

What’s on in June

Letao Wang reveals your fate for June

36 BOOK CLUB

The best hotel pool day passes

24 OUT ON THE TOWN

Meet this month’s team

6 PLANNER

22 LIFESTYLE

Hello from the hot desk

4 CONTRIBUTORS

33 HOROSCOPES

How to handle sibling rivalry

12

Photos from the classroom

15 PRINCIPAL’S OFFICE

Meet French International

School Hong Kong Principal Ian Clayton

6

22 30 8

18

“Some people don’t believe in heroes but they haven’t met my dad.”

- Unknown

EXPAT PARENT | 1

editor’s Letter Cookies, now there’s a reason to smile.

On the cover this month, we meet Jo Soo-Tang, social entrepreneur and founder of Cookie Smiles, an initiative that aims to help support two chosen charities per year and offer training and job opportunities to disadvantaged individuals. Mum-ofthree Soo-Tang shares how she led the start-up through its first year and navigated challenges caused by the pandemic on page 18.

June is set to be busy with school holidays kicking off later this month.

Keep your cool with our guide to Hong Kong best summer camps on page 26 and some fabulous hotel pool pass deals on page 22.

City Kids principal Marie Marchand runs courses and workshops to encourage successful parenting, on page 16 she shares her tips on handling holiday fallouts.

There’s also plenty to do with the recent opening of Discovery Bay Ice Rink, the launch of a new luxury Star Ferry and enjoy a day well-spent in Cheung Chau with our guide on page

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 Graphic Designer Vicky Lam

Partnerships talk@hongkongliving.com

30. Plus, Father’s Day comes around on June 20, so remember to plan something nice for the man in your life.

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 Printer Apex Print Limited, 11-13 Dai Kwai Street, Tai Po Industrial Estate, Tai Po, Hong Kong

To celebrate Father’s Day, Cookie Smiles are launching a cookie with a kick - Pepperberry Snaps are made from an enticing mix of cranberries, black peppercorns and a dash of sea salt. Gift your dad two bags of Pepperberry Snaps and a ‘Best Dad Ever’ mug for $350. cookiesmiles.com.hk

2 | EXPAT PARENT

Take some time out

This month Hong Kong Living is celebrating self love with a campaign featuring leaders in the wellness field. Join us on June 17 for free-flow drinks and inspiring talks from Julianna Yau, Letao Wang, Janice Poon and Alice Wong.

Tickets available for $199 from hongkongliving.com/shop

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: Lucky Fish Photography

Pepperberry Snaps

EXPAT PARENT | 3

contributors Thank you to our contributors

Ian Clayton Ian Clayton is Head of International Stream and Deputy Head at French International School.

Clayton has technically been in the education sector for over 55 years (if we include his own time at school). Before FIS, Clayton worked as Vice Principal at West Island School and prior to that, as founding principal of the British School Manila in the Philippines. Meet him in our Principal’s Office section on page 15.

Marie Marchand City Kids principal and parenting consultant Marie Marchand has three grown up children and is wellversed when it comes to deciphering sibling relationships. She shares her expertise on page 16.

Shep Shep was found alone in a storm drain on Sheung Sze Wan Road in the autumn of 1997. That day changed not only his life, but the lives of the family who found him forever. So much so that Tom Ingram, who was a boy at the time, decided to write a book about his beloved rescue dog. Read the story of Shep in our book review section on page 36.

Oliver Corrin Originally from the Isle of Man in the UK, Oliver Corrin and his baby Sophia are our daddy daughter duo about town.

He is regional director for London-based interior design and branding studio CADA Design and is a fitness and food enthusiast. Read his Dad About Town column on page 7.

Letao Wang Founder of the Healing Kingdom, Letao Wang has been practising professional astrology and spiritual counselling in Hong Kong for over seven years. He reveals what’s in store for our readers in our horoscope section on page 33.

Want to write for Expat Parent? Contact editorial@hongkongliving.com 4 | EXPAT PARENT

EXPAT PARENT | 5

what’s on

JUN 26

Hong Kong Living Wellness Day A day of yoga and mindfulness workshops to help you relax and unwind for the summer. 10am-4pm. From $150. V-CO, 9/F, V POINT, 18 Tang Lung St, Causeway Bay. hongkongliving.com/shop

UNTIL JUN 30

JUN 14

One of the largest cultural events in Asia with more than 150 programmes over two months.

Enjoy heritage and contemporary arts, painting, design, music and dance. frenchmay.com

Cheer on the paddlers and enjoy the only sport in Hong Kong with its very own public holiday.

Le French May Arts Festival

Dragon Boat (Tuen Ng) Festival

JUN 9-12

You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown

UNTIL JUL 18

A musical based on the life of comic book character Charlie Brown from Peanuts. From $70, 2.30pm and 7.30pm. Academy Drama Theatre, 1 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai. premier.hkticketing.com

Interweaving Poetic Code

JUN 11-12

This year’s exhibition by the Centre for Heritage, Arts & Textiles explores how people can take better care of their clothing. Free. The Hall, The Mills, 45 Pak Tin Par Street, Tsuen Wan. mill6chat.org

Laugh all night long with Hong Kong’s international comedy winner Ben Qualan. 8pm. $300. The Hub, 1/F Fortune building, Wan Chai. thebackstagehk.com

6 | EXPAT PARENT

Standup Comedy with Ben Qualan

JUN 17

Self love happy hour Sip on free-flow wine and meet inspiring individuals changing the way we practice self love. 2-6pm. $199. Metropolitain, Aspen Court, 46 High Street, Sai Ying Pun. hongkongliving.com/shop

book now JUN 18-19

JUN 18-20

Experience the amazing Planet Earth documentary live with a soundtrack composed

by Hans Semir, Jay Siya and Jasha Krabi. 8pm.

From $380. Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall, Tsim Sha Tsui. hkphil.org

Hong Kong Ballet brings Shakespeare’s timeless tale of star-crossed lovers to life in a live performance. 2.30pm and 7.30pm. From $140.

Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Tsim Sha Tsui. hkballet.com

BBC Planet Earth II Live

Romeo & Juliet

JUN 18 - JUL 4

The Jockey Club Heritage Education Programme An exhibition featuring more than 500 artworks by master trainers and students. 10am-10pm, Free. Art Space, K11 Art Mall, 18 Hanoi Road, Tsim Sha Tsui. ichplus.org.hk

spend an hour on the lanes for just $99.

Adults $199, children $99. Tikitiki Bowling Bar, 4/F Centro, 1A Chui Tong Rd, Sai Kung. tikitiki.hk

JUN 21 - JUL 30

HKA summer camp

JUN 20

Father’s Day Luau Challenge dad to a bowling match with Tikitiki’s special lunch and dinner set. Enjoy a meal and

Hong Kong Academy has put together an exciting summer programme featuring a range of creative and sporting activities from Asia Pacific Soccer Schools, Babel Film, Brendan Fitzpatrick, EVA Volleyball, FAUST, ISTA Performing Arts Academy, Mindful Wing Chun, Proactive Sports, Skydance, Tier One Basketball and Top Flight. 3-18 years. From $250. co-curricular.hkacademy.edu.hk

Dad about town New dad on the block Oliver Corrin explores water safety with baby Sophia First off, it’s great to be a part of the Hong Kong Living family. I’m thrilled to have this space to share a glimpse into “Daddiesville”, a fabulous and mystical place that has, at times, been known to frustrate and infuriate outsiders, particularly my wife.

A little about me. I’m relatively new to this game, my baby daughter Sophia turned one last month. I run an interior design studio specialising in F&B. I’m completely obsessed with food and exercise. Since Covid, I cancelled my gym membership and now workout (CrossFit and weights) under my apartment building and I’ve never looked back.

So, to this month. We’re all about enjoying Hong Kong right now which for many families during the hot summer months means a lot of time in the water.

For me, water safety is a priority. Sophia might only be 13-months-old, but she already loves the water, which means it’s

never too soon to start swimming lessons.

While there are some excellent swimming classes around for kids aged six months and older, I feel it is my job as a Dad to teach her to swim and enjoy the water safely. It’s also a fantastic way for us to bond.

After just a few sessions in the pool, we’ve noticed her confidence and enjoyment has grown in leaps and bounds.

One really useful tip we’ve picked up early in the learning process is showing Sophia where the pool steps are so she understands how to exit the pool safely.

This knowledge will be invaluable in the months and years ahead as she becomes more independent and learns to splash about. Hong Kong is a water city.

We love the pools and we love the beaches, so taking these early steps to respect the water and prevent a panic situation is key to a relaxing summer.

Oliver and his baby daughter Sophia at Island Shangri-La last month

EXPAT PARENT | 7

school news

ESF welcomes new chair The English Schools Foundation has recently appointed Dr Kim Mak as chair of the ESF Board of Governors. He will be taking over from the Hon Abraham Shek, who stepped down from the ESF Board having served the maximum term of six years. “It is a privilege and honour to be the Chair of the ESF Board and I will take most seriously the trust invested in me. I will work with Board members, and the wider ESF community to ensure our Foundation continues to thrive,” said Mak. esf.edu.hk

IMS students taking part in last month’s walkathon

School PTA gets creative Over the past 18 months, most in-person activities in schools, including fundraising events, have been cancelled due to Covid.

While many have opted to go online to continue their efforts, the Parents Teachers Association at International Montessori School (IMS) have chosen to do things differently. Last month, they organised ‘Spirit

Week’ which included a coin drive, a virtual games day and a walkathon during which the students soaked up hours of sunshine on the Bowen Road Trail, Aberdeen Reservoir Trail, and the Tai Tam Family Walk. The fundraiser was a great success and provided a muchneeded bonding opportunity for families. ims.edu.hk

Stamford to offer IBDP

Stamford students now have the option of IBDP

8 | EXPAT PARENT

Stamford American School Hong Kong has received full authorisation to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma to students at its campus in Ho Man Tin starting at the beginning of the next academic year. Stamford understands that the rigour and structure of the IBDP might not fit certain career paths where students need to focus on specific areas, which is why the IBDP is offered alongside an American high school diploma. This diploma has also recently been awarded full accreditation from the Council of International Schools (CIS). sais.edu.hk

news

New hotel on the block Last month saw the soft-opening of a new hotel.

The Arca owned by Yulan Group is a commercial, arts and recreation hub that looks out over Aberdeen Harbour and the mountains of Southern District. The pet-friendly hotel boasts 187 guest rooms and suites along with a rooftop infinity pool, fitness studio and casual indoor and outdoor dining spaces. As an art and design cultural destination, The Arca presents a diverse curation of over 40 artworks by some of Hong Kong’s most celebrated artists and up-and-coming talents alongside work from the international art scene. thearca.com

Break the chain Hong Kong has very few laws governing wildlife crimes, a Members’ Bill currently being considered by the government aims to change this and provide greater investigative powers to crack down on wildlife trafficking crimes. To raise public awareness of the Bill, non-profit platform, ARTISTS who LOVE ANIMALS & NATURE (ALAN) hopes to collect over 10,000 signatures from concerned citizens. Five murals have appeared across the city, which use augmented reality to bring the artwork to life and raise awareness for the campaign in locations including Hollywood Road. To sign the petition visit breakthechain.link

Summer in Stanley In an effort to rally behind local business owners, members of the Stanley Residents Association have launched a campaign to bring crowds back to the seaside town.

Several events are scheduled to take place in the coming weeks including beach cleanups and watersports activities such as

wakeboarding and SUP. Residents are also hosting regular meetings to discuss ways to support local business. Current initiatives to help boost community morale include poster promotions, the launch of an Instagram account @stanleyvillagehk and even t-shirts with the slogan “Summer in Stanley”.

EXPAT PARENT | 9

MUST HAVES

10 | EXPAT PARENT

Eyepitizer sunglasses

MUST HAVES

$1,290 from kapok ka-pok.com

Gold statement tassel earrings $129 from Black Coral blackcoralxo.com

Round straw handbag $309 from Black Coral blackcoralxo.com

Summer Lovin’ All you need for a perfect summer in the city

Rechargeable Pocket Slim Fan $88 from DOMA doma.com.hk

Handmade raffia visor $280 from Solidayz Hong Kong solidayz.com

Vitamin C Serum $530 from Ole Henriksen sephora.com

Napoleon Rogue gas BBQ $8,390 from Everything Under The Sun everythingunderthesun.com.hk

EXPAT PARENT | 11

school photos ESF Sports and Language in action

Wycombe Abbey Hong Kong World Book Day

12 | EXPAT PARENT

school photos FIS & HKU-Pasteur joint events

IMS STEM Fair

EXPAT PARENT | 13

education

14 | EXPAT PARENT

Education Principal’s office Meet FIS acting Head of School Ian Clayton What brought you to Hong Kong?

I have been in Hong Kong for 12 years and this is the end of my seventh year at FIS. I was attracted to Hong Kong by its vibrant culture and lifestyle. Contrary to what I had been told, I find Hongkongers very polite and helpful! Before my time here, I was, for 8 years, the founding principal of the secondary section of the British School Manila in the Philippines. If we stretch back into the last century, then I worked for 16 years in the UK. So in all honesty, I have really been in school for around 55 years.

What attracted you to FIS? The role at FIS looked fascinating with lots of room to grow and develop ideas. There was also the opportunity to work with people from a different culture. So the job has given me the opportunity to nurture some of my ideas and to be honest, those seven years here have flown by. Never a dull moment, as they say!

What is the teaching philosophy at FIS? At FIS, we are a multicultural school, offering diverse curricula built upon values of global mindedness, critical thinking and personal development. Our mission is to energise young minds, prepare independent and compassionate life-long learners and inspire our students to achieve their full potential.

We reach our goals by providing a collaborative and stimulating bilingual learning environment where all members of our community are valued and respected.

Can you tell us more about the French and International curriculums?

The French curriculum is essentially based on the training of citizens of the world able to handle very advanced knowledge with highly developed social and human skills.

From 3 years to 18 years everything leads to a progressivity of learning that complement each other gradually. The high school years allow us to specialise and to prepare for higher studies of high quality.

We are very excited by our new International curriculum offer in Hong Kong.

All the way from nursery age (3-4 years old) to year 8 (12-13), we have the International Early Years Curriculum, the International Primary Curriculum and the International Middle Years curriculum. Recently, we were formally accredited by the International Curriculum Association to deliver the IPC programme. As the students enter year 10 and 11, they study the IGCSE qualification and finally, at years 12 and 13, the students study the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.

Can you talk us through the facilities at FIS? We have four campuses across Hong Kong, each with a different character and ‘feel’. The newest addition to the FIS family is at Tseung Kwan O. This is an amazing state of the art modern campus. Planned to house both international and French stream students, it has led us to develop the unique immersive bilingual offer which allows students from both streams to cooperate and collaborate taking advantage of authentic language opportunities. This makes TKO unique amongst Hong Kong schools.

Our campus at Chai Wan is full of character as it is a converted nunnery. We have exciting news about our two oldest campuses at Jardine’s Lookout and Blue Pool Road because they are both in for a major facelift. Building on the innovation of TKO, the school is investing in creating flexible work spaces. The next few years will see the campus upgrades to take FIS confidently into the late 2020s and beyond.

What’s a typical day for you?

I think my motto is “expect the unexpected”.

For me, a day will inevitably include several meetings, which can be about a multitude of things ranging from the cotton content in our school uniforms and the state of the school toilets to very serious HR issues and student meetings and all stops in between.

My favourite parts of the day/week are when I manage to get into the classrooms. Reading a story to wide eyed five-year-olds is an experience never to be taken for granted. It’s funny, rewarding and also incredibly moving.

It also makes me even fuller of admiration for their teachers.

How has the school adapted during the global pandemic?

As for all schools, the global pandemic has been incredibly challenging. I think we are in a much better place in terms of staff being upskilled and more confident in what they are doing. The resilience of both the teachers and the students has been an outstanding feature of the pandemic.

Despite the fact that we have been restricted in the time that students have been able to spend at school, our results have remained stellar. The students in both streams were wildly successful in their French Baccalaureate and International Baccalaureate exams respectively. fis.edu.hk

EXPAT PARENT | 15

family

Sibling rivalry City Kids principal Marie Marchand shares her tips for handling holiday fallouts

Tension, fighting and jealousy between siblings is common and lasts throughout childhood and in many cases, into adulthood. With the summer holidays fast approaching, countless opportunities for conflict await.

This month, we invite City Kids principal Marie Marchand, who is also a parent and co-author of bestselling children’s book Home from Home, to share some tips on handling sibling conflicts.

Which factors contribute to jealousy between siblings?

The order in which children are born plays a part, as does the age gap between

16 | EXPAT PARENT

siblings and their gender. A child’s natural temperament is important, for example, a sensitive child in the same family as one who is not so sensitive can cause issues.

Lastly, comparing children, ignoring their feelings or placing blame on a child can cause tensions to rise.

How do we set the framework for positive resolution?

Children should be taught how to negotiate from an early age. Encourage young children with positive feedback when they resolve issues, teach them how to listen to one another, help them brainstorm ideas on

how to deal with issues and teach them the value of compromise. Once this framework has been set, allow your children the space to deal with their issues and come to a positive solution together.

How do you foster good relations between your children?

• It’s important to connect with each child individually and be completely present when doing so. For example, reading a book together, playing a game, going for a walk or tucking them into bed.

• Recognise each child’s individuality and

FAMILY Marie Marchand currently runs private sessions, workshops and seven-week courses with parents, schools and organisations to help encourage successful parenting and teaching. parentingdialogue.com and citykidshk.org

Marie’s children have remained close as brothers and friends as they’ve grown older

celebrate it. Avoid labels and judgmental comparisons and highlight individual talents and traits that make each child unique, rather than comparing them to each other.

• Focus on positive behaviour and describe what you see. For example, comments such as, “When you shared your toy with Sam, I could see that made him smile.

Well done” are helpful.

EXPAT PARENT | 17

cover story

Baking for a better world Cookie Smiles celebrates its first year of success.

By Gemma Shaw

Jo Soo-Tang and her business partner Agnes Chin who founded Cookie Smiles

When the pandemic encroached on Hong Kong in early 2020, social entrepreneur Jo Soo-Tang and her business partner Agnes Chin felt an overwhelming sense of responsibility to do something to help spread joy and hope when people needed it most.

Chin’s background in developing food products led the pair to believe that they could help people through baking and they started an online fundraising platform to kickstart their social enterprise.

Within a matter of weeks, Cookie Smiles was launched under the Edible Artists Global Academy Association, whose purpose is to help support two chosen charities per year via fundraising, offer training opportunities for the disadvantaged and provide jobs for the physically impaired.

Cookie Smiles partners with Hong Kong government’s Vocational Training School (SHINE) to provide opportunities

18 | EXPAT PARENT

for disadvantaged individuals to retrain as bakers. The social enterprise takes advantage of Soo-Tang’s wealth of charitable connections; as well being involved with a range of local NGOs for two decades, she is a strategic advisory board member for Food Made Good Hong Kong and is working closely with TwoPresents to integrate Cookie Smiles into their invitation platform. “It is so important for me to work with like-minded women who are entrepreneurial, creative and hardworking.

We get to learn from one another and share best practices,” says Soo-Tang.

As Cookie Smiles prepares to celebrate its first anniversary this month, Soo-Tang reflects on the challenges of starting a social enterprise in the midst of Covid-19 whilst keeping a tight grasp on her other charitable commitments and raising her three children.

“Covid-19 was our calling to start our

cover story Cookie Smiles collection Butter Snaps - Your classic butter cookies drizzled with fresh lemon and lemon zest.

Strawberry Snaps - Made with pure strawberry powder and a red velvet emulsion.

Confetti Choco Snaps - A delicious butter cookie base, layered with confetti, and topped with pure Valrhona chocolate to create an explosion in your mouth.

Blueberry Snaps - A much-loved refreshing cookie bursting with blueberry bits.

Chocolate Fun Snaps - A luxurious chocolate fun snap coated in rich Valrhona and chocolate sprinkles.

Purviz’s Chocolate Crunch - An all-time favourite for chocolate and hazelnut lovers, named after Cookie Smiles’ generous donor, Mrs Purviz Shroff.

Almond Crunch - Fine almond meal made with a delicious crunch of roasted almond flakes.

Sesame Crunch - A rich mix of dark and white sesame, crunched to perfection.

Coconut Crunch - Coconut sugar, coconut oil and coconut powder, wrapped up in a blanket of coconut flakes.

own social enterprise. At Cookie Smiles, we are solely responsible for creating our own social impact and so self reliance is key. We are lucky to have the freedom to choose our beneficiaries and make simple, practical decisions that aren’t affected by internal company politics,” she says.

Over the past year, Cookie Smiles have sold over a tonne of cookies (that’s over 6,000 bags). The list of retailers is growing by the day with Parkview’s PLAY, Victoria Recreation Club Emerald Bay and Russ and Fetch just recently added.

Following the success of their human cookie range, the brand has launched a popular canine treat. Woof Twisters are healthy, easily-digestible, breadstick-like cookies made with fresh ingredients such as pumpkin and freshly roasted peanuts.

“Our proudest achievement is that we’ve been able to give back. We partnered with Splash Foundation (Splash) and Hong Kong Down Syndrome Association (HKDSA)

for our human cookies and SPCA for our dog treats. Our agreement with Splash and HKDSA comes to an end next month and we will donate a minimum of $50,000 to each of these charities, the total of which is equivalent to approximately 20 percent of our annual cookie profits. SPCA will receive 15 percent of our annual profits from our dog treats. And from June onwards, we’ll be working with a new beneficiary, Impact HK,” adds Soo-Tang.

Reflecting on the past year, Soo-Tang says that Covid has taught her to focus on things and people that truly matter.

“Although I am incredibly busy, my family has always been my priority. I work when my children are at school, usually for around four hours a day so it’s not super full on but I focus on quality, not quantity. Cookie Smiles is growing organically and standing on its own. I no longer need to fundraise like before, so I’m much happier,” she adds.

Matcha Moon - A universal favourite for matcha-lovers.

Woof Twisters - A doggie treat made using highly nutritious pumpkin, whole wheat flour and freshly grounded peanut butter paste.

EXPAT PARENT | 19

cover story Father’s Day Promotion To celebrate Father’s Day, Cookie Smiles are launching a cookie with a kick - Pepperberry Snaps are made from an enticing mix of cranberries, black peppercorns and a dash of sea salt. Cookie Smiles are offering two bags of Pepperberry Snaps and a ‘Best Dad Ever’ mug for $350 this Father’s Day.

My children understand the importance of my work and are themselves committed to a number of charitable causes through their school. Cookie Smiles has definitely impacted their lives, it’s a simple model and they reap the rewards from all the cookies they get to eat and share with their friends. We are blessed with endless samples. Our dog Bruno is a dedicated Woof Twister fan and my children just tasted our latest Lava Cookie and absolutely love it,” says Soo-Tang.

20 | EXPAT PARENT

There are exciting plans in the works as Cookie Smiles enters its second year. Along with expanding their range of cookies, the enterprise will look to employ more graduates from disadvantaged backgrounds. “While these are unprecedented and tricky times to plan, I can promise you that above all, we are dedicated to spreading cookie smiles within our community,” says Soo-Tang. cookiesmiles.com.hk

cover story

EXPAT PARENT | 21

Lifestyle

Splashing out Gemma Shaw rounds up Hong Kong’s best pool day passes Kerry Hotel Cool off at Kerry Hotel’s 25-metre infinity pool before enjoying a poolside set lunch with the “Daycation at Kerry’’ package.

The offer runs until June 19 and includes all-day pool access, a set lunch and the option to add a bottle of champagne or a 60-minute massage for an additional charge. From $500 during the week and $700 on weekends and public holidays.

Children aged up to 16 can enjoy the pool for $250 on weekdays and $350 on weekends and public holidays. shangri-la.com

22 | EXPAT PARENT

Lifestyle

Take in breathtaking views from 118 floors up at Ritz-Carlton

The Ritz-Carlton

W Hong Kong

Splash out at The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong.

From the 118th-floor indoor infinity pool (the highest in the world) take a moment to relax and admire Hong Kong from above.

Access to the pool and gym costs $750 per person. Note that due to government capacity restrictions, usage for the pool is currently limited to 1.5 hours and advance reservation is required. The pool is open from 6am to 10pm daily. ritzcarlton.com

Proudly positioned on the 76th floor of W Hong Kong, kick back and soak up the sun at Wet Deck which boasts one of the highest outdoor swimming pools in the world. All-day access to the pool and gym costs $750 during the week. A deluxe pass available any day of the week includes two glasses of Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Champagne and a $500 spa gift voucher for $988. marriott.com

Incredible views from the infinity pool at Kerry Hotel

Cordis Hong Kong The 20-metre-long pool on the 42nd floor of the Cordis hotel in Mong Kok offers a fabulous pool deck and spectacular views of Kowloon. The hotel’s “Recharge and Detox” day package is priced at $488 per person and includes a breakfast buffet at The Place, a workout session or Tai Chi class at the health club, $300 credit to use at Chuan Spa and allday access to the pool. cordishotels.com

Harbour Grand Kick off your week with a dip in the outdoor pool at Harbour Grand Hong Kong. Just five minutes walk from Fortress Hill MTR station, the pool offers sweeping views of Victoria Harbour. This pass comes in reasonably priced at just $300 for access to the pool and health club. The pool is open from 8am-7pm and the offer is only available on Mondays and Tuesdays. harbourgrand.com

Enjoy the Recharge and Detox package at Cordis Hong Kong

EXPAT PARENT | 23

out on the town

Out and about Gemma Shaw on what to see and where to be seen this month Set sail Star Ferry launches luxury tours The Star Ferry is offering a more luxurious way to cross the harbour with the launch of a new “Staycation @ Star Ferry” experience.

Passengers can enjoy comfortable seating and panoramic views through large window panels aboard the renovated World Star ship which originally traveled between Wan Chai and Hung

24 | EXPAT PARENT

Hom. World Star, which is Hong Kong’s first low-emission and environmentally-friendly ferry powered by diesel power and electricity, will operate three routes on weekends and public holidays only. Passengers can choose from a Hong Kong East water tour, a sunset tour and a Symphony of Lights evening sail, each lasting around 1.5 hours. Tickets are priced from $70 and can be booked in-person at the ferry pier in Tsim Sha Tsui or by calling 2118 6208. starferry.com.hk

Keep your cool DB Ice Rink opens Hong Kong’s largest ice rink opened in Discovery Bay last month offering state-ofthe-art facilities and a world-class coaching team. The internationally-sized rink is open to skaters of all abilities, from nurturing beginners to training talents of all ages and hosting international competitions, camps and tournaments. The venue will be home to

out on the town

DB Ice Skating School offering professional programmes from Tot, Pre-Alpha, Delta and advanced level Freestyle Skater tests that are recognised by the Ice Skating Institute Asia (ISIAsia). During the soft opening period, visitors who spend over $300 on a semi private class will receive a $50 dining voucher for use at DB Plaza, D’Deck and DB North restaurants. dbicerink.com

Lunch on the go Graham Street Food Hall opens There’s a new food hall in town. Open daily from 10am to 10pm, Graham St Food Hall (GSFH) is a Centrally-based dining concept showcasing five popular Hong Kong eateries.

Hambāgā, Smoke & Barrels, Motown Pizza & Wings, La Viña and Casa Cacao offer everything from American smoked meats to Japanese rice bowls. GSFH founder Teddy Pun noticed a lack of accessible all-day dining

venues in the area. “This is more than just a home for our vendors who are serving fresh food made in-house daily,” says Pun. “It’s also a place for our customers to unwind with comfort food from around the world at any time of day.” A wide selection of drinks are available throughout the day including coffee, tea, beer, champagne and 15 different American bourbons. To celebrate the launch, daily offers including all you can eat wings and buy-oneget-one deals will be available throughout June. grahamstfoodhall.hk

A celebratory brunch Zuma celebrates 14th anniversary On June 12, much-loved contemporary izakaya restaurant Zuma Hong Kong will celebrate its 14th anniversary with a one-night only special tasting menu taking diners back to its culinary roots. The anniversary tasting menu, priced at $1,280 per person, will feature more than 10 worldwide favourite dishes, including seared tuna tataki, Japanese Wagyu tataki with black truffle and Chilean sea bass with green chili ginger dressing. Two hours of free-flow champagne can be added for an additional $360. zumarestaurant.com

EXPAT PARENT | 25

education

Summer fun These classes and workshops will keep kids and teens busy throughout the holidays

Hong Kong Institute of Languages If you’re looking to boost your child’s language skills over the summer, Hong Kong Institute of Languages will operate fun and engaging workshops from July 5 to August 27. Qualified native teachers will encourage children to strengthen their confidence and ability to communicate in languages including English, French, German, Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese and Japanese. Classes are open to children aged 4 to 12 years old. hklanguages.com

Guidepost Montessori Starting July 12, Guidepost Montessori

26 | EXPAT PARENT

Everyone is welcome – from Montessori Together Playgroups (Infants and Toddlers, 6 months to 30 months) to Children’s House Program (2.5 years to 5 years) with different theme and activities every week. guidepostmontessori.com

Malvern College

Getting creative at Guidepost Montessori

will be offering summer camps at its Kennedy Town and Chai Wan campuses.

Throughout the month of July, Malvern College Preschool Hong Kong will host a variety of camps for preschool-aged children at its beautiful campuses in Sai Ying Pun and West Kowloon. Camps on offer will cover a variety of subjects including STEAM, basketball/football, gymnastics and music exploration. malvernpreschool.hk/summer-camp-2021

Education Kids Gallery Summer Camps 2021 Experience the whimsical world of performing arts this summer with Kids’ Gallery. Young learners can join classes for a day, a week or for a full two-week programme during which they will build up to starring in their own performance of Beauty and the Beast. During the classes, kids will develop and explore their inner creativity through visual, performing, and communication arts. kidsgallery.com/summer-camps

Fairchild Junior Academy and Fairchild Kindergarten Throughout July and August, Fairchild will host a variety of camps for children aged from 8 months to 6 years old at their Tin Hau and Sai Ying Pun locations. The week-long programmes will cover individual themes with options including superheros, wildlife adventures, art appreciation and garden bugs. Each programme will integrate activities such as sports, cooking, reading, storytelling, music, creative arts and STEM in an environment which is both exciting and immersive. fairchild.academy and fairchild.edu.hk

Camp Asia Camp Asia operated by Stamford American School Hong Kong offers an outstanding choice of activities for children aged 5 to 16 years. Whilst promising to be fun, Camp

Making new friends at Camp Asia

Asia programmes aim to encourage children to thrive, develop new interests, learn new skills and make new friends. Camps will run from June 28 to July 23 and dedicated classes will be on offer for children aged from 4 to 7, eight to 10 and 11 plus years.

Classes will be taught by experienced faculty covering topics including art and design, coding, science and technology and innovation. campasia.hk

Woodland Pre-Schools From July 5 to August 13, Camp Woodland will offer camps for children aged from 6 months to 6 years. Play-based programmes which focus on sensory, soft play, music and movement are on offer for those under two while a variety of activities including arts, crafts, music, movement, sports and dance cater to children aged from 18 months to 6 years. Camps will run across

EXPAT PARENT | 27

education

Hanging out at Woodlands Pre-school

This year, the programme will run online.

Register for one of 28 courses including medicine, law, engineering, science and technology, maths, social sciences and humanities. Courses will take place during the last week of July and students will receive a certificate and access to an online Cambridge admissions talk. programregistration.veracross.com

The Harbour School From June 28 to August 6, The Harbour School will host fully immersive holiday

courses covering creative topics such as pottery, fashion design, soccer, wakeboarding, cooking, sailing and woodwork. Age-specific courses are open to children from 4 to 18 years with teachers encouraging students to address real-world challenges from an objective angle. Summer camp students are welcome to explore aspects of the school including the Marine Science Center and Makerspace, The Foundry which is specially geared to study in-depth STEAM activities. ths.edu.hk/learning/extracurricular/fish

Woodlands locations in Mid-Levels, Repulse Bay, Sai Kung and Happy Valley with a bus service in operation. Note that children under 2 years old must be accompanied by an adult. woodlandschools.com/summercamp-woodland

2021 CDNIS Cambridge Remote Summer Programme CDNIS and Cambridge University have successfully collaborated to offer unique summer school experiences for students aged 15 to 18 years old for over a decade.

Exploring nature at The Harbour School

28 | EXPAT PARENT

Education

EXPAT PARENT | 29

Big day Out

Cheung Chau From pirate caves to beaches, Nicole Slater experiences the island like never before

30 | EXPAT PARENT

Big day Out

Just a 35-minute fast ferry ride from Hong Kong Island, Cheung Chau is one of Hong Kong’s oldest inhabited islands with a population of over 20,000 people. With a rich history, the island is packed full of unique adventures and even has its own festival, the Cheung Chau Bun Festival.

Here’s our guide to having a great day out, Cheung Chau-style.

Hunt for treasure Cheung Po Tsai Cave, also known as The Pirate’s Cave, is rumoured to have housed the treasure of the notorious pirate, Cheung Po Tsai in the 19th Century. Those with an adventurous spirit can clamber down the ladder into the rocks and search for forgotten treasures.

Enjoy the festivities Cheung Chau Bun Festival takes place in April or May (depending on the year), it began as a ritual for fishing communities to pray for safety from pirates. Today, the festival has become a showcase of traditional Chinese culture with colourful parades, lion dances and peace buns.

Take a hike Spanning eight kilometres across the island, The Cheung Chau Family Trail begins at the ferry pier and spans the circumference of

the island. This path is pathed and offers stunning views across the ocean. Along the way you’ll come across the Mini Great Wall, a section of granite railings built to replicate the Great Wall of China.

Hit the beach A few minutes walk from the ferry pier, Tung Wan Beach is a great place to take a dip and cool off. The beach is fully equipped with lifeguards and changing facilities along with bars and restaurants close by. You can rent kayaks, paddle boards and windsurfing equipment from the neighbouring beach of Kwun Yam.

Get active Home to one of Hong Kong’s only glamping sites, Sai Yuen Farm is an outdoor adventure playground situated on over 11 acres of land on the Southwestern tip of Cheung Chau. The area offers a range

of outdoor activities including a treetop canopy walk and archery. Shi Fu Miz is an annual three-day music and arts festival which takes place on the farm, this year it is scheduled to take place from October 29-31 with early-bird tickets going on sale on June 10.

Stock up on groceries Located on Tai Hing Road, the Cheung Chau Market offers a range of local food including dried seafood and locally-grown fresh fruit and vegetables. Stock up on groceries before catching the ferry home.

How to get there During peak hours, ferries to Cheung Chau run from Central Pier 5 every 30 minutes. The fast ferry takes 35 minutes while the slow ferry takes around an hour.

EXPAT PARENT | 31

horoscope

32 | EXPAT PARENT

horoscope

Written in the stars Letao Wang, The Kingdom Healer shares his insights on what the stars hold for you this month AQUARIUS Don’t be surprised if you feel stuck during this time, Aquarius. People around you seem rigid and retrograde-minded, which further complicates the way to a new form of life. So use your creativity to come up with new ideas and break the mold for everyone else.

TAURUS This will be a period of great intensity regarding your relationships, Taurus. Your protective nature will help and support loved ones going through a difficult time. However, be careful not to neglect your own needs. Put as much effort into caring for yourself as you do for others.

LEO Your family and loved ones will take prominence during this period. Childhood memories will keep you in a gloomy mood and you will feel the need to have your parents by your side. Take some time to catch up with them, especially if you live in a distant city.

SCORPIO Your creativity will give you the confidence to venture into a new undertaking. Assemble a team of efficient and reliable people, as your leadership skills will help you in this new initiative. Rely on your creativity and create something never seen before, Scorpio.

PISCES Your imaginative mind is usually your best asset, Pisces. However, at this time, you should be careful not to take it too far. Your imagination can become an escape from reality and a way to avoid responsibilities. Try to keep your feet on the ground and don’t stay forever in dreamland.

GEMINI Your professional efforts will be finally recognised, Gemini. Your colleagues will admire your passion and will follow your example. You will also be the center of attention at various social events. Enjoy your moment of fame, you deserve it.

VIRGO Virgo, you will resume projects, agreements and contracts that have been on hold for some time. Repair the damages caused in your relationships due to misunderstandings. Your mental clarity will help you find the right words.

SAGITTARIUS Although this is not a propitious time to start new projects, you will feel a lot of movement within yourself. Your inner wisdom will restructure your personal beliefs. So, meditate on the concepts associated with your life philosophy, Sagittarius. A change of perspective will bring benefits to your future.

thehealingkingdom.com

ARIES You will achieve whatever you set your mind to, Aries. Your magnetic and passionate personality will help you breakthrough and become independent. Follow your heart in this new stage and don’t let negative comments from others discourage you.

CANCER Try to take notice of any dreams you may have at this time, Cancer, as they contain clues to resolve issues from the past. This is a time to reflect on your emotions and express them clearly to others. Cultivate personal confidence to share your ideas more boldly.

LIBRA Your charm and passion are the reasons why your partner has fallen in love with you, Libra.

However, it is possible that during this time, your need for approval could create problems.

Try not to demand so much from your partner and moderate how you express your feelings towards them.

CAPRICORN Life demands changes from you, Capricorn, no matter how much you want to avoid them.

However, your attachment to the past may block your way to a better future. If you feel lost follow your intuition. You’ll find more answers that way.

EXPAT PARENT | 33

marketplace

To advertise, email talk@hongkongliving.com or call 2776 2772.

marketplace

GET LISTED! 2776 2772 talk@hongkongliving.com

34 | EXPAT PARENT

marketplace

To advertise, email talk@hongkongliving.com or call 2776 2772.

EXPAT PARENT | 35

book club

A Hong Kong Dog Story Tom Ingram’s children’s book celebrates a Hong Kong stray who falls on his feet

Shep was found on Sheung Sze Wan Road

up. I was nine when my first dog, Stanley, passed away. Through my grieving process Stanley became my guardian angel - always protecting us. As the actor Will Rogers said, “If there are no dogs in heaven then when I die, I want to go where they went”.

What’s the book about?

A Hong Kong Dog Story is the true story of my childhood rescue dog Shep. Shep was a Hong Kong stray who became a part of our family and lived an incredible life with us first here and then in Mallorca.

Who is the book for?

This was initially a personal project, intended as a gift for my sister’s children but it became bigger when Bookazine agreed to stock the book. The story is intended for kids aged 3-7 years old but will resonate with anyone who has been blessed with a rescue dog at some point in their lives.

What’s your day job?

I’m a pilot for Cathay Pacific. Having grown up in Hong Kong, it felt natural to return

36 | EXPAT PARENT

and work for the airline after completing my studies in the UK. Pandemic travel restrictions have meant that I’ve had extra time on my hands of late which I’ve used to pursue new interests and finally write my book.

How was the process of publishing your first book?

Since this began as a personal project, I was looking for a very small print run. Hong Kong has some fantastic publishers but they have minimum orders. Alibaba was my solution, I was able to order just a few copies and then request reruns as needed.

You beautifully illustrate pets passing on.

What’s your experience?

I hope the story illustrates what a positive influence our pets had on me as I grew

How can we help stray dogs?

Hong Kong has many great organisations that care for stray animals and are always grateful for donations of time and money. There are also some wonderful brands such as Buddy Bites, a subscription dog food company which donates a kilogram of food for every two kilograms purchased.

Buying this book also helps since we are donating all net profits to Catherine’s Puppies. Catherine and her team do such a great job caring for stray dogs and this is my way of saying thank you. catherinespuppies.com What’s the morale of the story?

Hold your pets a little bit tighter when you next hug them. Pets are a small part of our lives but for them, we are their whole life.

Spoil them, take them on long walks, play with them until they fall asleep. I am very lucky to have a new member in my pack, a ‘Hong Kong Dog’ named Mushu, but I still think about Shep and Stanley everyday.

A Hong Kong Dog Story is priced at $120 and available from Bookazine, Etsy and Amazon.

book club

EXPAT PARENT | 37

38 | EXPAT PARENT