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March 2021
Help is on the way Babysitters you can rely on
Enter the Dragon
Take a hike with Willy and friends
The heat is on
Female chefs in the spotlight
German Swiss International School Creating tomorrow’s superheroes
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CONTENTS — 0 3/ 2 1
18
Cover Story Explore German Swiss International Kindergarten
Hello from the hot desk
4 CONTRIBUTORS
15 HK BABY
33 HOROSCOPES
22 MUST HAVES
36 BOOK CLUB
Pathfinders celebrates International Women’s Day
Who to call when you need a babysitter
Meet this month’s team
6 PLANNER
28 BIG DAY OUT
2 EDITOR’S LETTER
13 HK CHARITY
What’s on in March
8 NEWS
Your monthly local news roundup
10 SCHOOL PHOTOS
Snaps in and around the classroom
Celebrating International Women’s Day
Suzanne Younan releases country park activity pack
Letao Wang reveals your fate for March
Nicholas Kitto celebrates China’s former treaty ports
24 EDUCATION
The lowdown on surveillance parenting
27
26 DINING
Female chefs at the top of their game
6
10
28
36 8
15
“I’m always perpetually out of my comfort zone” - Tory Burch
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editor’s Letter This month marks International Women’s Day on March 8 and we’ve selected some fabulous women to make up this issue. Amber Lai meets the female chefs running some of Hong Kong’s top kitchens (page 26). We also speak with PathFinders CEO Catherine Gurtin as the charity kicks off a year-long campaign to celebrate all working mothers in Hong Kong (page 13). Meanwhile, Southside resident and environmentalist Suzanne Younan shares details of her free activity pack to help children understand the litter issues in our country parks (page 28.) On the cover, we visit German Swiss International School’s Bilingual Kindergarten in Pokfulam to understand more about its German stream which offers learners a unique combination of German/English or German/Mandarin. To celebrate the return of inclassroom learning for thousands of students across Hong Kong, we’re relaunching our school photo section (page 10.) Send us your snaps of what’s happening in and around your
who’s in charge? Editorial editorial@hongkongliving.com Editor-in-chief Nicole Slater
Editor Gemma Shaw
Editorial Assistant Cheyelene Fontanilla
Senior Writer Charmaine Ng
Design vicky@hongkongliving.com Graphic Designer Vicky Lam
Graphic Designer Yankee Tsang
Sales & Marketing talk@hongkongliving.com
classroom this month to be featured in the next issue.
Editor’s picks
Director of Content Hilda Chan
Partnership Manager Elaine Li
Event Manager Pranali Gupta
Sales & Partnership Manager Debbie Ky
Publisher Matt Eaton matt@hongkongliving.com
Founding Director Tom Hilditch tom@hongkongliving.com
Contact us Admin: 3568 3722 | Editorial: 2776 2773 | Advertising: 2776 2772
Printer Apex Print Limited, 11-13 Dai Kwai Street, Tai Po Industrial Estate, Tai Po, Hong Kong
Hong Kong Disneyland
A special “Double Celebration” ticket offer is currently available for Hong Kong residents to visit the park twice for $688. Guests are invited to visit the Castle of Magical Dreams, the reimagined centrepiece which shines as a beacon of courage, hope and possibility, and to attend the special celebration of the resort’s 15th anniversary. hongkongdisneyland.com
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Naked Lab
After meeting gorgeous mumtrepreneur Joyce Lau at our Parent & Baby Awards earlier this month, I decided to order a set of sheets from her brand Naked Lab, the company she founded when her baby daughter Pia was diagnosed with eczema in 2018. The sheets are made from the softest vegan bamboo silk and are absolutely heavenly. nakedlab.me
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: German Swiss International School
Published by Hong Kong Living Ltd, L1 Kai Wong Commercial Building, 222 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong
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contributors Thank you to our contributors
Mark S. Steed Mark is Principal and CEO of Kellett School, the British International School in Hong Kong. Currently in his twentieth year of school headship having previously spent his career working in top independent schools in the UK and internationally in Dubai. He is active on twitter @independenthead
Suzanne Younan This month, Suzanne, creator of The Green Dragon book series releases a free downloadable activity pack for kids to highlight the issue of litter in Hong Kong’s country parks. dracoviridi.com
Catherine Gurtin Aude Camus Born and raised in Paris, Aude Camus and her baby Noa are our stylish mama and baby about town. Aude is managing editor of city guide, Hong Kong Madame. Check out her birthday plans on page 7. @hongkongmadame
Catherine is CEO of PathFinders, a charity which helps to support vulnerable Migrant Domestic Worker (MDW) mothers and their children. This month, PathFinders launches a yearlong campaign to celebrate all working mothers in the city. pathfinders.org.hk
Nicholas Kitto Having lived in Hong Kong since 1983, in 2007, after 35 years in the accounting profession, Nick retired from his accounting services partnership and is now fully devoted to photography. home. nicholaskitto.com
Want to write for Expat Parent? Contact editorial@hongkongliving.com 4 | EXPAT PARENT
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what’s on
MAR 17
Hung Shing Festival Enjoy colourful parades, Chinese opera and lion dances. Hung Shing Temple, Aberdeen. 1.30pm-5pm. Free. hongkongcheapo.com
MAR 19-20
30-Hour Famine The annual famine event will take place virtually this year with a theme of Heated Hunger. Funds raised will go to support families in Zimbabwe, South Sudan and Somalia. 30hourfamine.org
MAR 6
Spartan Kids Race Run, jump, duck, climb and get muddy at this obstacle course designed for children aged four to 14 years old. Central Harbourfront. 10am-6.30pm. From $580. spartanrace.hk
UNTIL MAR 9
See What Lies Beneath Pop-Up Gallery Presented by Hong Kong Breast Cancer, this photo exhibition aims to raise awareness of genetic testing for breast cancer. Jaffe Road, Causeway Bay. Times vary. Free. hkbcf.org
UNTIL MAR 31
CMHK Hiking Festival
MAR 20
Seasonal Family Fun Morning Take part in this family fun fair with Easter crafts, planting and breadmaking. Highgate House School, The Peak. 9.30am-11am. $371. highgatehouse.edu.hk
Take on a 5G technology-integrated hiking challenge and with the chance of winning prizes including an iPhone 12 and Samsung Galaxy Note 20. Free. wewalk.hk
UNTIL MAR 14
Virtual Sai Kung 50 Tackle some of Sai Kung’s toughest trails in the Action Asia HK50 Series. Distances of 12km, 22km or 54km to be completed in a 24-hour time period. $98. Pak Tam Chung Picnic Garden, Sai Kung. actionasiaevents.com
MAR 20
UNTIL MAR 28
Active Angels Virtual Fundraising Walk Raise funds for the children of Bali Kids living with HIV/AIDS and for the children of Sunrise Cambodia. The virtual walk can be done from anywhere. From $250. angels-for-children.org
MAR 5
International Women’s Day 2021 Virtual Lunch The Women’s Foundation’s virtual lunch, Scripting Our Future - A Gender Equal Narrative, will feature industry experts, insightful speakers and heartwarming stories. 12.30pm-1.45pm. Free. twfhk.org
MAR 14
Discovery Bay Sunday Market Support local business owners at Handmade Hong Kong’s craft market. Discovery Bay Plaza. 11am-6pm. Free. handmadehongkong.com
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Sai Kung Magazine’s pet-friendly market Shop for goodies and support the local community at our first-ever pet pop-up. 11-6pm. Free. Pets Central, Sai Kung. hongkongliving.com/shop
book now BOOK NOW UNTIL APR 12
APR 2
Hong Kong International Film Festival
Good Friday Keep an eye out for the Easter bunny.
3pm. From $398. Hong Kong Science Park. Facebook: wonderwomanrunhk/
One of the most respected film festivals in Asia with an impressive lineup of 200 films from 60 countries. From $55. hkiff.org.hk
UNTIL APR 4
Hong Kong Arts Festival This five-week festival hosts live and virtual music, theatre and ballet performances From $170. hk.artsfestival.org
APR 21
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire in Concert The City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong perform the fourth Harry Potter film, while the movie plays on a 40-foot screen. Star Hall, Kowloon Bay. 8pm. From $680. hkticketing.com
MAY 2
Wonder Woman Run Hong Kong’s first Wonder Woman Run. Choose from a 3, 5 or 10 kilometre course in support of Make-A-Wish Hong Kong. 7am-
Got an event? We can publish the details. Email editorial@hongkongliving.com
Mum about town Aude Camus shares her birthday plans I am a March baby and I love that Hong Kong’s climate at this time of year means I can celebrate on the beach. Once again, I’m planning a barbecue party at Lantau Diner on Cheung Sha Beach. With sand between my toes, champagne in hand, lobster and sirloin on the grill, surrounded by friends and babies playing in the sand – that’s my definition of the perfect birthday. Since we will be spending plenty of time at the beach in the next few months, I am currently on the hunt for the cutest beach outfits for Noa. Retykle is a treasure trove when it comes to beautiful, highly discounted, second-hand designer kids’ clothes. Plus, their revamped website makes it super easy to find all the adorable things I need (or don’t!). I also love the selection of sustainable kids’ brands on TADA!, a Hong Kong-based online conceptstore which stocks ridiculously cute swimsuits and rash guards.
Speaking of the beach, I’m currently working on my beach body. On Saturday mornings, you’ll find me hiking up the Peak with Noa in her stroller. Once we reach the summit, we enjoy a nice leisurely stroll, and a banana break (her new thing!).
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news
Cathay Pacific cuts major flights
Disneyland reopens Hong Kong Disneyland has reopened its doors for a third time in less than a year. The resort officially welcomed back guests on February 9. Hong Kong Disneyland said it will maintain a “measured approach” to health and safety measures. Guests will be asked to leave contact details prior to arrival and use the LeaveHomeSafe app during their visit. A range of new measures have also been implemented, including mandatory Covid-19 tests for cast members every 14 days.“Every
cast member has been putting tremendous effort in preparing our park reopening,” said Michael Moriarty, managing director of Hong Kong Disneyland Resort. Similar to operations prior to the recent closure, a five-day per week operation will remain in place, with the park closed on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Additionally, the park will control capacity as required by the government regulations. Operations for both guests and cast members will be reviewed on an ongoing basis.
Star ferry converted into luxury yacht A classic Star Ferry, formerly known as Golden Star, has been converted into a luxury yacht. The yacht, now named Dot, took 18 months to convert with a full-time project manager on board. Dot’s owner is passionate about keeping Hong Kong’s heritage alive. He retained some of the original workmanship from the Star Ferry, including its original teak deck and upstairs deckhead. But added floor to ceiling windows and a mezzanine level. Larger than most Hong Kong apartments, Dot is 6,000 square foot and includes four cabins with en suite bathrooms, a cinema room, office, living room, kitchen and alfresco dining area. The yacht is currently for sale in Tai Tam for $21 million as its owners relocate to Europe.
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As of February 20, Cathay Pacific temporarily suspended a bulk of its flights to Australia, with Sydney now the last remaining destination for the Hong Kong carrier. Other international flights to be slashed include Auckland, San Francisco, Vancouver, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Seoul, Kuala Lumpur and Ho Chi Minh City. Cathay said the Hong Kong SAR government’s latest announcement over hotel quarantine was behind the moves. “Our Hong Kong-based pilots and cabin crew are required to undergo 14 days of hotel quarantine, plus seven days of medical surveillance when they return to Hong Kong,” the airline said in a statement. “We are actively managing our crew resources to plan for our flight services for March 2021.”
news
Retykle goes global Pioneering children’s designer clothing resale platform, Retykle, has announced plans to further expand into the Asia-Pacific region after successfully closing it’s latest round of seed funding. A consortium of high-profile investors have backed founder Sarah Garner’s vision as Asia-based consumers increasingly adopt more sustainable consumption habits. Retykle will utilise its investment to drive growth within Hong Kong, along with further planned expansion into both the Singapore and Australia markets. Garner and her team’s relentless focus on creating a user-first experience has ensured a high organic and viral adoption, something that Retykle aims to replicate in other markets. “We’ve focused on the customer experience to cultivate a love for and habit around using the platform to buy and sell”, says Garner, adding, “I created Retykle to offer parents the highest quality kids wear for a fraction of the price with a great customer experience, coupled with the clear and compelling environmental benefit. I couldn’t be more excited for our future ahead.” retykle.com
The Grounds at AIA Vitality Park return The Central Harbourfront venue is a purposebuilt outdoor events area designed for the Covid era. Prior to the current restrictions being imposed, events including movie screenings, fitness classes and the Hong Kong Dining Awards were part of its offering. The outdoor entertainment hub offers 100 socially-distanced private pods, seating two to four people. A large LED screen and state-ofthe-art sound system is also in place to give guests a true outdoor cinema experience. “It is our intention to extend this run of The Grounds until after Easter,” said Simon Wilson, managing director of Greater Bay Media Entertainment and organiser of The Grounds. That means that events, film screenings and other events will likely run until April 6. thegroundshk.com
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school photos Shrewsbury International School Hong Kong
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school photos Nord Anglia welcomes the Year of The Ox
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me & my big idea
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PathFinders celebrates working mums
HK charity
Charmaine Ng chats with PathFinders CEO Catherine Gurtin about the organisation’s new campaign
Celebrating All Working Mothers in Hong Kong
PathFinders is the only Hong Kong charity that supports vulnerable children born to migrant domestic workers (MDW). Established in 2008, its founders discovered two babies and their MDW mothers living in extreme poverty in Chungking Mansions. Unlawfully fired upon becoming pregnant, the mothers could only afford to feed their babies rice water. Identifying a gap in Hong Kong society where women and babies go undocumented and unprotected, PathFinders believes that all children matter and that every child deserves a fair start in life. All mothers and babies are provided care and counselling to ensure they can overcome their challenges and plan for a brighter future.
Catherine and her team
This year, the organisation is launching a new campaign called ‘Celebrating All Working Mothers in Hong Kong’, in an effort to empower all working mothers in the city. Catherine Gurtin, CEO of PathFinders, tells us about the campaign and how we can get involved. “I’m a working mother, as are many of the team at PathFinders,” she begins. “As a group of working mothers serving migrant mothers daily, the theme of celebrating all working mothers in Hong Kong truly resonates with us.” Indeed, the burden of being a working mother has never been greater in the face of the ongoing pandemic. Gurtin herself has been feeling the strain of being a working mother, as she struggles to cope with the demands of work, childcare and home-based schooling of her children. “My team and I have read with great dismay how working mothers in many countries are dropping out of the workforce to support their children at home. It has deepened our respect for all working mothers – particularly the migrant mothers amongst us. These strong women spend most of their children’s lives working away from home to provide for their family. There is truly no better time than now to honour all the
remarkable working mothers in Hong Kong.” Taking part in PathFinders’ campaign is as simple as buying flowers or writing a letter expressing your gratitude for your/a working mother. Throughout the year, there will be events hosted by the organisation to celebrate these hard-working ladies. And if you’re feeling up to it, become a monthly donor and demonstrate your solidarity with all working mothers in Hong Kong – including MDW mothers. Since 2008, PathFinders has helped over 7,800 babies, children and women who were not fully supported by Hong Kong’s public services, with advice and counselling, access to healthcare, emergency shelter, essential supplies and legal support. Find out more about its mission and services at pathfinders.org.hk
How to get involved • On International Women’s Day (March 8), express your appreciation to working mothers on PathFinders’ Facebook page and be entered into its lucky draw to win a prize. • On Mother’s Day (May 9), buy a working mum a PathFinders sunflower face mask. • On Sons & Daughters Day (August 11), organise a family day at your office so working mothers (and fathers) can spend quality time with their children.
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hk baby
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hk baby
A helping hand With children spending more time at home, call on these trusty services when you need a little time for yourself Take a break These luxury hotels cater to your childcare needs too
Loving life at St. Regis The St. Regis Hong Kong Children are thoughtfully considered at The St. Regis Hong Kong with the hotel currently offering complimentary breakfast for under 12’s. Rooms are stocked with high-end amenities such as Mustela baby products and a chargeable outside babysitting service is also available. Details of an Easter-themed afternoon tea pop-up will be announced shortly. stregishongkong.com
Nanny & Me
Mumz
Run by a team of expats with extensive childcare experience, Nanny & Me understands that no two families are the same. They aim to cater to every family’s needs with a range of services including full and part-time nannies, maternity nurses and babysitters. nannyand.me
For parents who miss swiping, this Tinderlike app helps you find your tribe. Scroll through the app and make friends with Mumz (or Dadz) in your area to create your own play dates. The App was created by Ekta Tejwani who also runs a Facebook group: Meet Mumz - Let’s build it together. meetmumz.com
Babysitter.hk Babysitter.hk is one of the largest childcare networks in the city with over 3,000 professional full and part time nannies and tutors - this service is particularly useful in an emergency. Babysitter.hk also offers a childcare support scheme for low-income families. babysitter.hk
Safari Kid International This is the first international unaccompanied day care centre for children under the age of two in Hong Kong. Programs are offered in Mandarin, English and Cantonese at their Happy Valley and Repulse Bay campuses. safarikidinternational.com
Rent-A-Mum
Hong Kong Teen Sitters
Rent-A-Mum offers English-speaking nannies on a temporary or permanent basis. Ideal for an evening of babysitting or for mum’s returning to work. The team also offers maternity services such as 24-hour maternity nurses and sleep troubleshooting. rent-a-mum.com
This Facebook group is specifically for under 18-year-olds who have an interest in childcare and are looking for babysitting jobs. They’ll have the energy to run around and entertain the kids. Availability limited around school hours. facebook.com/groups/TeenSitters
Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong The Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong offers an excellent in-house babysitting service as well as a range of complimentary infant amenities. The hotel also hosts children’s activities including nail art and cooking classes to keep little ones entertained. fourseasons.com The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong In partnership with Junior Aviator Academy (JAA), The Ritz Carlton, Hong Kong is offering a Fly High Dream High Junior Aviator Program for its young guests where they can experience a flight simulator, try on pilot uniforms and attend an aircraft model making session. This experience is available until April 15. ritzcarlton.com
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hk baby
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education awards
Hong Kong Education Awards Celebrating Hong Kong’s top education establishments
There’s no denying 2020 was an extraordinary year for international schools across Hong Kong. Facing long term closures, many were forced to re-evaluate how they engaged students, staff, parents, government and the wider academic community. But in many ways, the industry has come out of 2020 prepared for the future like never before. Out of sheer necessity, technology became a central pillar of education, as did the value and importance of understanding students’ wellbeing. For us here at Expat Parent, we believe it is now time to recognise this immense change. Today, we are proud to announce the launch of the Hong Kong Education Awards, a new initiative to celebrate the
outstanding achievements of Hong Kong’s top international schools, principals, teachers and the wider education community. The Hong Kong Education Awards will evaluate the performance of international schools across four key pillars: Academic Performance, People & Ethos, Vision and Student Experience. For the past six months, we have worked with teachers, consultants and education experts to put together a comprehensive program that reflects the changing nature of education and its importance in the community. Among the 25 categories are Most Socially Responsible School, Best Technology Program, Best School Strategic Plan, Best
Student-Centered School, Teacher of the Year, Primary School of the Year, Secondary School of the Year and All-Through School of the Year. The awards will culminate in the prestigious Hong Kong International School of the Year. The Hong Kong Education will be decided by an independent panel of education experts, academics and consultants covering the 2020 academic year. Several categories, including Hong Kong International School of the Year, Teacher of the Year, Boarding School of the Year and Principal of the Year will be open for a readers choice award until the end of May. Have your say: hongkongliving.com/ education
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cover story
German Swiss International School Gemma Shaw takes a look at German Swiss International School’s Bilingual Kindergarten in Pokfulam
Established in 1969 by German and Swiss families looking for a bilingual German/ Swiss education for their children, German Swiss International School (GSIS) first opened in a residential house at 1 Barker Road on the Peak. It grew and in 1975, it opened its first ‘proper’ school building on Guildford Road. In 2007, the government
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awarded the school a second campus on Pokfulam Road which in 2010, became a permanent home to the kindergarten. The school prides itself on its outstanding and enviable academic reputation and is unique in that from kindergarten, two streams of education are offered – one taught in German and
reflecting the German curriculum. A second international stream is taught in English and follows the British curriculum.
Why choose the German International Stream? Apart from being the only kindergarten in Hong Kong where German is offered either
cover story together with English or Mandarin in a bilingual immersion programme, there is also an emphasis on learning through play and the kindergarten follows a child-centred and holistic approach. “As each child is individual and learns at his or her own pace our focus lies on their strength and abilities instead of a problem or concern,” says Grit Cichon, Deputy Principal and Head of German International Stream. The kindergarten proudly stands for equal opportunities and as such, every child is welcome and provided with opportunities to reach their full potential. The German International Stream (GIS) is also a through train stream from kindergarten to secondary and the international abitur opens the gateway to universities in Germany and worldwide.
A bilingual learning environment According to the Head of Kindergarten, “Bilingual education provides children not only with a basic language acquisition skill, but also with an appreciation of other cultures.” Studies show that bilingual children have more creativity and competence in problem solving, as well as a greater ability to concentrate. A second language also enables children to strengthen reading, writing and comprehension skills in their own mother tongue. “It gives them a head start for university language requirements and offers improved international education and career opportunities. Given the fact that young children learn languages best by interacting with others, the stimulating learning environment at GIS Kindergarten offers numerous opportunities to do so,” says Burdel.
Learning together GIS Kindergarten is the only department at GSIS where both streams are combined under one roof. Although the different streams follow different curricular, both streams work closely together and follow a similar timetable throughout the morning. The same values are also emphasised and best practices shared.
The classroom arrangement at the Pokfulam campus is such that one German International Stream (GIS) class is situated with one English International Stream (EIS) class together on one floor with a common shared area in between. This area allows students from each stream to mingle during free play time and to have joint activities throughout the year. Beside weekly buddy class activities, festivals are also celebrated together. “The most important part is to accept and appreciate the different educational aims and methods of teaching of each stream and benefit from the likely synergy effects,” says Sophie Burdel, Head of Kindergarten.
A typical day in the German International Stream A school day at GIS Kindergarten offers a balanced mix of teacher-led activities and
free play which also includes elements of Montessori and Reggio Emilia Pedagogy. Throughout the year, theme and projectbased learning is alternated in order to take the children’s interests into account. Each class follows a weekly timetable which includes, PE, library, music and language lessons. Beside that daily activities include circle time, arts and crafts, stories, snack and playground time. An Afternoon Activities Programme allows parents to choose at least two activities for their child which are not included in the annual school fees. The variety of activities on offer include sports, language, creativity and science and the general enrolment age starts at four years while some of the German language activities are already available for younger children.
Getting a foot in the door When applying to the GIS kindergarten, no entrance assessments are required. However, it is part of the school’s admissions procedure to meet with the Head of Department, Ms Burdel, before a place can be offered. During the last year in kindergarten German language assessments and developmental assessments are conducted to detect areas, where further support might be necessary to make the transition to primary as smooth as possible.
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cover story
Parental involvement
Looking ahead
In the German stream, parents are encouraged to value the German school system and support their child’s language development. “Children whose parents are bilingual learn both languages more easily if both languages are cultivated at home,” says Cichon. However, GIS Kindergarten welcomes all students regardless of the language spoken at home or their cultural background. German as a second language lessons are timetabled and extra German language support classes are part of the school’s Afternoon Activity Programme.
The bilingual kindergarten classes in the German International Stream are constantly being assessed and further developed. GSIS is also dedicated to improving the promotion of the German language within Hong Kong. In addition, the school is also working on the further development of the already successfully implemented Fast Track Programme, which enables children without German language skills to enter the sixth grade of the German International Stream. gsis.edu.hk
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Fostering values Children are encouraged to be confident, independent learners right from the word ‘go’. Learning is supported through a broad and balanced curriculum with the aim of preparing little learners for the future. Resilience, self awareness, empathy, independence and responsibility are encouraged through daily teaching. “The approach is holistic and carefully strikes a balance between science-oriented and fact-based learning, creativity and ethicallygrounded reflection. Critical thinking, social responsibility, independent thinking and team-oriented action are considered particularly important,” adds Burdel.
School Report Established date: 1969 Number of students: Around 1,220 Class size: Max. 20 per class Curriculum: German curriculum (Thüringer Bildungsplan) for the GIS Kindergarten Fees 2020/2021: Annual fee for Kindergarten $156,110 Non refundable capital levy: N/A Debenture: Standard Debenture $500,000 Address: 162 Pok Fu Lam Rd, Pok Fu Lam Admissions Tel: 2180 0511 - Ms Eva Ubowski
cover story
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education
Should parents track their children? Mark S. Steed discusses issues surrounding surveillance parenting We’re a month into term and the four-year-old Reception girl has started catching the school bus for the first time. She enters the building in her shiny new school uniform weighed down by her oversized backpack, touches the device on her wrist and says, “Mummy, I’m at school.” “I know, dear – have a very good day,” comes the reply. Welcome to the next chapter of helicopter parenting. Parents here in Hong Kong are turning to technology so that not only do they know where their children are at any point in the day, but they are also able to communicate with them. To some extent, we should not be surprised.
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This latest trend just fills the gap between the video baby monitors, which allow parents to keep an eye on their sleeping children whilst catching up on their latest box set, and parents tracking their teenagers on their smartphone using the “My family” settings.
Children’s GPS trackers There is a range of wearable devices designed for children on the market, but, essentially, they are all simplified smartphones with a GPS tracker as part of their functionality. The devices are lightweight and are designed to connect with the parent’s smartphone and allow parents to track their
children in real-time. Depending on the model, other features are also available: 1. Two-way communication – Parent and child can contact each other at the press of a button. 2. Alerts and notifications – Child GPS tracking devices come with different alert and notification settings. Parents can choose whether they want location updates every five minutes or every 10 seconds. 3. Panic button – A child who is lost or scared can simply press the panic button and the device will contact the parent or other designated adult.
Education 4. Geofencing – Some products can be set to alert the parent if their child enters or leaves the pre-set boundary.
A justifiable use Much of this may be highly useful in everyday life, of course. After all, losing a child at the beach or in a large crowd at a parade or a festival is every parent’s nightmare, so a simple device worn on the wrist could go a long way to avoiding the trauma and angst for child and parent alike. However, a crowded beach or a festival is a very different context to the one where the child is put on a school bus that delivers her to the gate or is on a play-date at a friend’s house. So, does this new trend cross the line?
Nurturing Independence Ultimately, one aim of parenting is to bring our children to independence and to equip them with the social skills that will take them into adult life. But these devices raise a number of questions about how parents manage that process. Perhaps the greatest danger here is that children and young people are not going
to have the important opportunities to make mistakes, to learn to manage their own risks and find their own way towards independence without a parent swooping down to carry them off to safety – just as it was getting interesting.
Parental wellbeing My concerns here are not just for children either. These innovations will have a significant impact on parents. Given that it seems at times as if there is an arms race between parents as to who can be (and be seen to be) the most committed, even the wariest are likely to be sucked into this new trend through parental guilt, lest they be condemned for poor parenting. It is hard enough for parents to cut the apron strings as it is without having the ability to remotely monitor their offspring 24/7. Sending the children to school or on a play-date at a friend’s house should provide welcome respite and downtime. These are a useful addition to the parental toolkit, but, for all our sakes, they should be reserved for high risk public events, rather than for everyday use.
Mark S. Steed is the Principal and CEO of Kellett School, the British School in Hong Kong, he tweets @independenthead
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dining
Cooking up a storm Amber Lai meets female chefs firing up the grill this International Women’s Day
These female chefs are challenging the norm and showing who is boss in the kitchen. Taking inspiration from their true love, passion and childhood memories for food, these chefs have created unique eateries and food experiences that showcase passion, creativity and skills.
Vicky Lau After graduating with a degree in Graphic Communications, Vicky Lau’s career took a U-turn and she went on to become one of Hong Kong’s leading ladies on the foodie scene. Following her 2021 Hong Kong Michelin guide win, Lau is the first female chef in Asia to receive two Michelin stars for her restaurant Tate Dining Room. The restaurant demonstrates her love for culinary art and its ability to showcase
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personality, limitless imagination and inspiration. tate.com.hk
Stephanie Wong After nine years in the banking industry, Stephanie left her job at HSBC to pursue her true passion in the culinary arts. After cooking in Michelin starred restaurants including Amber, Wong opened FrenchCantonese bistro, Roots. “Seeing other role models ahead of your time succeed in their realm empowers you to hope and to dream big,” says Wong. She hopes to set an example for future female generations inspiring them to achieve their dreams. rootseatery.com
May Chow Voted ‘Asia’s Best Female Chef’ in 2017
dining Behind bars
Beckaly Franks As co-owner and head bartender at The Pontiac, Beckaly Franks is shaking up the male-dominated bar industry. Her bar exudes her very likeable personality with a ‘bad-ass’ style and a fondness for rock and roll music. This has helped the bar earn a spot on Asia’s 50 best bars list for five consecutive years. Franks was also the first female mixologist to win the 42 Below Cocktail World Cup.
by World’s 50 Best Restaurants, May Chow is a culinary influence in Hong Kong. She famously put her unique spin on the traditional Chinese bao with the creation of her signature mini-bao buns, she then went on to create a whole restaurant around them. Little Bao is known for its flavourful and innovative sandwiches, with both sweet and savoury options. Chow also brings an east-meets-west feel to her famous gastropub, Second Draft creating fusion dishes such as a Shanghai dip, cured sausage risotto, mapo burrata and a fuyu carbonara. little-bao.com
Peggy Chan Caving the way for not only female chefs but vegetarian cuisine, Peggy Chan has become an advocate, spokesperson and role model in Hong Kong. She has packaged her culinary knowledge into a digital cookbook called Provenance which sheds light on sustainable-yet-delicious food. Chan has even collaborated with local restaurants to promote plant-based eating and organic sourcing, creating concepts such as The Aftershroom Burger with Beef & Liberty.
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Big day out
Hike with Willy Suzanne Younan, creator of The Green Dragon book series releases free activity pack
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big day out
Activity sheets The activities are designed to encourage families to get outside and enjoy nature together, they can be completed enroute or at rest stops along the way. There are things to spot, collect, adopt and enjoy.
Lady Clementi’s Ride Lady Clementi was the wife of Sir Cecil Clementi, the Governor of Hong Kong from 1930-1934. Recognised for her charitable work, this part of the HK Trail (Section 4) was named after her. It takes in the only Feng Shui forest on Hong Kong Island so as you can imagine, this area is a treat for the senses with plenty to see, hear and enjoy.
N A TU RE HUN T CA N YO U FI N D TH E S E ?
Country park reservoir
With hiking being pretty much the only outdoor activity we have had during restrictions, Suzanne Younan, creator of The Green Dragon book series came up with the idea to create a free activity pack to keep little ones entertained while hiking through Aberdeen Country Park. Using the pack, kids can follow the route that inspired Younan’s book The Green Dragon and The Oh No Bird while tackling the problem of litter in our country parks.
The route The hike takes us from Lady Clementi’s Ride in Shouson Hill, along the water catchments to
Aberdeen Country Park. The start of the hike is easy to reach and accessible via a short bus ride up Nam Fung Road from Ocean Park MTR. This relatively flat family hike provides a comfortable stroll along and is doable with young children. You can of course, follow the hike in reverse starting in Aberdeen.
What’s in the pack? The pack is designed for children aged four to eight years old. It contains directions, photos and numerous activity sheets to be completed along the way as well as some reflective activities and puzzles to finish at home. The pack easily provides a whole day of entertainment for kids.
Y O U M IG H T H A VE TO L O O K U P T O F I N D S O M E O F T H ES E! B R O U GH T T O YO U B Y W I L LY , T H E GR EEN D R A GO N A N D DR A CO VI R I DI L T D. W W W . D R A C O V I R I DI . C OM
WI L L Y T H E G R E E N
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Big day out
Aberdeen Country Park
How do I receive my pack?
Aberdeen Country Park has many trails and different routes to enjoy. Hopefully this hike will encourage you to go back to the Country Park often to explore some other great routes including The Family Nature Trail and the path up to Hong Kong Police Museum at Magazine Gap Road. With two beautiful reservoirs, there is plenty to keep little ones busy.
It’s easy! Email info@dracoviridi.com and you will be sent a pack to download and/or print. Share your photos with Willy, The Green Dragon on Facebook; Willy, The Green Dragon and tag us on Instagram @willythegreen.
Wildlife There are plenty of birds, insects, reptiles and larger beasts – namely wild boars, to spot along the way. Depending on the season, you will see beautiful foliage, flowers, seeds, berries, butterflies,
dragonflies, wag tails, starlings…….. the list goes on. Remember to keep your distance from wild boars and snakes that may happen to cross your path. Mostly they will keep their distance before you even spot them, but it’s better to take care.
Litter in the park
Can you find those blue bars?
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Litter bins were removed from country parks several years ago and since then, people have been encouraged to take their rubbish home with them. The Green Dragon and The Oh No Bird aims to raise awareness of littering in the park and encourages readers to consider what they bring to the park and to take home litter at the end of the day. Although picnic areas have been closed for many months due to the pandemic, unfortunately litter in the park continues to be an issue.
Suzanne Younan is author of The Green Dragon book series, for more information visit dracoviridi.com
big day out
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Big day out
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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 Your work team is going to need a reorganisation, Aquarius. You will feel the need to update the way you manage and interact with your colleagues. The planetary energies will help you change your approach and create more innovative goals. Don’t hold on to outdated ideas, but listen to what other generations have to offer.
TAURUS If you were thinking of embarking on a new project, this is the ideal time. The astral alignment encourages you to bring out your entrepreneurial spirit. Your passionate nature will help you find the right people to help you, however be careful not to make too many demands on yourself.
LEO Your artistic talents are going to be highlighted during this time, Leo. Your sensitivity will bring you in contact with subtle worlds, which will result in beautiful works of art. Let yourself be carried away by inspiration and show the world the reflection of your beautiful soul.
SCORPIO This will be a period of many work challenges and your endurance will be tested in unexpected ways. You will have a very high production capacity and secure your finances for a long time. However, be careful of turning work into an obsession, Scorpio. Your personal life can deteriorate if your attention is solely on your career.
PISCES Your agenda will likely be full for a while and you will need to do several things at the same time to finish all your commitments. Try not to forget to rest from time to time. These moments will help you recharge your batteries to continue with your hectic life.
GEMINI Your imagination will be more active than ever, Gemini. The planetary configuration will open your third eye and help you contact other realities. Don’t be surprised if you feel more sensitive than usual, a great channel of awareness is opening up in your heart. Be careful not to be scattered in your ideas, be clear and precise when describing your intentions to others.
VIRGO The path to success may be very different from the one you had in mind. You may feel an internal contradiction and the need to look for dubious shortcuts. However try to be consistent with your actions and avoid falling into temptations, they will only bring you more problems.
SAGITTARIUS Social activities are highly encouraged at this time, Sagittarius. Everything that has to do with your friends will take on great relevance and bring much joy to your heart. Organize get-togethers and take the time to visit old companions. You will be the life of the party at every social gathering.
thehealingkingdom.com
ARIES You will have a great facility to overcome obstacles, Aries. Your spontaneity and dynamism will help you overcome any problem that comes your way. You will lead projects that will bring you many rewards. Enjoy the results of your efforts and celebrate every step of the way.
CANCER Life will bring you many surprises this month, Cancer. Living in the moment and adapting to new things will be a great lesson to learn. If something in your life doesn’t make sense anymore, you need to let it go. Planetary energies encourage you to leave the past behind and focus on the future.
LIBRA A new romantic adventure will change your perspective on life. Passion will come knocking on your door again, so the expression of sensuality and the enjoyment of intimate pleasures will be especially important. Bring out all the fire you have and leave nothing inside, Libra.
CAPRICORN Different choices can make you doubt whether you’re doing the right thing, Capricorn. However, try not to lose focus and keep persevering in what you know is the right thing to do. Reorganize work teams according to proposed goals and don’t let outside opinions discourage you.
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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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book club
Trading Places Hong Kong photographer Nicholas Kitto takes us on a journey through China’s former treaty ports in his new book and photographed the essential buildings, but the great beauty of the past is that there is always more to uncover. What do you hope readers will take away? The knowledge that many of these buildings have been retained and, in most cases, restored to a very high standard. There are some exceptional resulting landscapes of these buildings too, the most notable being the famous Bund in Shanghai. Once we are all able to travel more freely, I hope readers will use Trading Places to locate buildings of interest through maps in the book and a downloadable link. Whilst travel remains restricted, readers can still visit and learn about the history of these places from the comfort of their armchair. Shanghai Club interior
What inspired you to create Trading Places? My grandfather worked in China from 1912 to 1939 and my father was born in Tianjin, so I’d always been interested to visit. In the mid-1990s I was travelling frequently to the mainland for my accountancy career. During a visit to Tianjin, I located the house in which my family had lived. From that moment, I wanted to learn more about the treaty port cities in China where foreigners had lived and worked and soon decided to create a book. How long did the project take? I started purposefully visiting and photographing treaty ports in 2008. After nine years, I had accumulated over 4,000 photographs and covered all essential locations. I spent much of 2017 and 2018 editing and captioning photographs, the book was printed in February 2020. How were your visits to the port cities received? We felt incredibly welcome everywhere we went. We frequently received polite enquiries as to what we were doing and offers of help. Quite often the driver we hired to visit a far away location would become interested once he understood what we were looking for. One driver, whom we hired for two days, even turned up on the second day with his own camera!
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I carried a stepcounter on every visit ... in total, the project took twelve years and 2,748,010 steps.
What’s next? In 2009, I began photographing every one of Hong Kong’s Declared Monuments. I have made good progress, and I’ve also undertaken some pro-bono heritage photography both for the HKSAR Government and Tung Wah Group of Hospitals. Since up to four new monuments are declared every year, I fear I may never catch-up. But of course, I have to draw the line somewhere.
How have the former treaty ports changed since you began photographing them? The most impressive change is that restorations of these old buildings continue to this day in many different cities on the mainland. Of course, some of the early restorations have weathered since I first saw them. For example, the Custom House in Guangzhou which I first photographed in October 2008 and chose for the cover of Trading Places. Do you have a photo ‘bucket list’? I still have much to explore in China’s former treaty ports. Even in cities such as Tianjin, Qingdao, Hankou and Shanghai which in each case I have visited at least five times, I have lengthy ‘to do’ lists. Perhaps I have discovered
Trading Places - A journey through China’s former treaty ports is priced at $580 and available from Blacksmith books, HK Book Centre, Kelly & Walsh and Bookazine. www.treatyports.photos
book club
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