Hong Kong Schools Guide 2021 by Hong Kong Living Ltd

10th edition | hongkongliving.com

SCHOOLS GUIDE 2021/2022

Kindergarten | PRIMARY | SECONDARY | ALL-THROUGH

Hong Kong Schools Guide

Hong Kong Schools Guide 2021/2022

CONTENTS

Fairchild Kindergarten

2 Welcome letter

52 Secondary Schools 54 Principal’s office: ESF Island School 56 Nord Anglia International School

Meet the team

5 Education Awards 2021 A look at some of Hong Kong’s award-winning schools

58 Through Schools 61 62 66 70 76

10 How to get a school place An in-depth look at how to take on the Hong Kong school system

Principal’s office: The Harbour School Malvern College Hong Kong American School Hong Kong Hong Kong International School Stamford American School Hong Kong

12 Early years Kellett School on everything parents should know before sending their children to school

80 Wellbeing

14 Kindergartens 17 Principal’s office: Small World

86 Sustainability

20 23 27 30

Christian Kindergarten Yew Chung International School Fairchild Kindergarten Woodlands Pre-School Guidepost Montessori

34 Primary Schools 37 Principal’s office: The International

Montessori School 38 The International Montessori School 44 Japanese International School 48 Wycombe Abbey School Hong Kong

AISHK Primary Psychologist and Alumna on a career in psychology

ITS Education Asia’s Founder and Director on sustainability in schools

92 After-school

95 ESF Sports on the importance of after-school activities 96 Extra-curricular activities 102 Tuition 104 Languages 106 Inclusive education

111 Directory School listings for 2021/22

Hong Kong Schools Guide

welcome letter Welcome to a very special issue of our annual schools guide as we celebrate our 10th edition. We are excited to bring this guide to families looking for information on the Hong Kong international school system, inclusive education, tuition and after-school activities. This guide covers the essentials from pre-school to through-train schools, in addition to exploring the importance of sustainability initiatives. Throughout the year, I was fortunate enough to collaborate with the leaders of Hong Kong’s leading international schools and other education experts to compile this comprehensive guide. Despite it being a challenging year, every time I visit a school campus, I am impressed with the planning that goes on behind the scenes to reduce disruption to teaching and learning and safeguard the health and wellbeing of each student. We

Editorial Editor-in-chief Nicole Slater Contributing Editor Cheyelene Fontanilla Contributing Editor Gemma Shaw Senior Writer Charmaine Ng

Design hope this guide can supplement your research as you read about the extensive programs each institution offers. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank this guide’s contributors and sponsors, as well as acknowledge our editors’ hard work. If you want to know more information about any of the schools in this guide, please don’t hesitate to reach out as we’d love to connect you. In the meantime, please do enjoy this special edition.

Senior Graphic Designer Vicky Lam

Sales & Marketing Director of Content Hilda Chan Partnership Manager Debbie Ky Elaine Li Janessa Chan Events Manager Pranali Gupta

Publisher Tom Hilditch

Meet this year’s contributors

Published by Hong Kong Living Ltd, L1 Kai Wong Commercial Building, 222 Queens Road Central, Hong Kong Printer Elegance Printing & Book Binding Co., Ltd.

Danny Harrington

Joanna Chan

Samantha Steed

As the founder and Director of ITS Education Asia, Danny Harrington is passionate about learner-centred education and has taught since 1997. He talks about the importance of sustainability and how schools should consider sustainability in a range of ways on page 88.

AISHK’s primary psychologist and alumna, Joanna Chan completed Masters of Professional Psychology at Macquarie University. She shares her experience at the school and how it prepared her for a career in psychology on page 83.

As the new Head of Kellett School, Kowloon Bay Preparatory, Samantha Steed firmly believes in the mantra, learning for life. She breaks down everything parents need to know before sending their children to school on page 12.

Hong Kong Schools Guide

Cover by Vicky Lam, with photos contributed by AISHK, HKIS, Fairchild Kindergarten, Harbour School, HKA, Woodland

HONG KONG hongkongliving.com

Hong Kong Schools Guide is published by Hong Kong Living Ltd. This book 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. Hong Kong Living Guide 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 pubishers. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher.

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Hong Kong Education Awards 2021 There’s no denying 2020 was an extraordinary year for international schools in 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 the past six months, Hong Kong Living worked with teachers, consultants and education experts to put together a comprehensive awards programme that

reflects the changing nature of education and its importance in the community. From international schools with a strong socially-responsible charter, to those with an outstanding technology program and outstanding longterm strategic plans, the awards culminated with the prestigious Hong Kong International School of the Year. Hong Kong Schools Guide

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Hong Kong International School of The Year

Dr Robin Lister, Founding Headmaster at Malvern College Hong Kong

The Harbour School

As a self-described “teeny tiny school”, The Harbour School is certainly punching above its weight. A big winner in this year’s Education Awards, The Harbour School scooped up a total of three big categories, including Best School - Humanities & Social Sciences, Best Technology Program and the overall award for Hong Kong

International School of the Year. The awards cap a period of exciting change for The Harbour School, which has seen inclusiveness, innovation and creativity placed at the core of its education philosophy. Jadis Blurton, Head of School at The Harbour School, said the awards were recognition of its vision and its approach to education.

Kindergarten of The Year Small World Christian Kindergarten Small World began in 1986 with just eight students. Today it counts a student and alumni family in the thousands.”We are a community of lifelong learners and over the past 35 years we have continually looked to improve and 6

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Principal of The Year

refine what we do,” says Tess Baguio, Principal at Small World Kindergarten. As winner of Kindergarten of the Year Baguio says the award is an affirmation of what the school is doing to connect with the Hong Kong community.

For Dr Robin Lister, Founding Headmaster at Malvern College Hong Kong, surviving the past year has been about enabling every Malvern pupil to maximise their academic potential. But at the heart of it is solid and cohesive teamwork. “As anyone who runs a school knows, it all comes down to teamwork. The last year has been phenomenally challenging, but to receive some recognition like this award is terribly satisfying.” As winner of Principal of the Year – All-through, Lister says more than ever a focus on holistic learning and student well-being have been key to surviving the changes that have had to take place.

education new schools awards

All-Through School of The Year

Readers’ Choice

Hong Kong Academy A big winner in this year’s award, Hong Kong Academy took home a total of four awards, including Hong Kong International School of the Year in the Reader’s Choice category. The school was particularly popular with readers, scooping up All-Through School of the Year and Most Socially Responsible School in the Reader’s Choice categories. It also won the judges’ approval for the Best School Strategic Plan. Stephen Dare, Head of School at Hong Kong Academy, said he was thrilled to accept this recognition on behalf of HKA. “These awards are a testament to our strength as a community and are a source of pride,” he says. With its 20th anniversary

celebrations wrapping up, Dare is now asking what the next 20 years will bring. Technology,

diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice are front and centre of its thinking.

Best Student-Centered School Hong Kong International School When campuses abruptly closed in February 2020 because of Covid-19, Hong Kong International School took just one day to change from its regular schooling to a fully online school. “It was astonishing how quickly we did that,” says Hong Kong International School High School Principal Dr. David Lovelin. “We’re extremely proud of our faculty and administrators for adapting so quickly and keeping students’ interests at the center of everything.” Lovelin says winning Best Student-Centered School was validation of its belief as a school. Hong Kong Schools Guide

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Primary School Principal of The Year

Primary School of the Year Japanese International School

Mina Dunstan, Principal at ESF Quarry Bay School If there were two guiding principles which helped ESF Quarry Bay School through some of the most challenging times ever - it was flexibility and creativity. That strategy has paid off for Principal Mina Dunstan, who won Principal of the Year - Primary after what she described as two very challenging years. “Without a doubt the last two years have been the most challenging in my career,” Dunstan says. “I am grateful, humbled and privileged to have been recognised as Principal of the Year after such an unprecedented period of disruption and uncertainty.

Nestled next to Tai Po Kau Country Park, Japanese International School is known as the ‘friendly school’, as it has a strong emphasis on relationships and community involvement alongside a powerful commitment to environmental education and academic excellence.

Creativity is at the core of the curriculum offered to the students. Learning at this school is meant to be fun, dynamic and purposeful. As a fully authorised I.B. PYP World School the school is regularly assessed by International Baccalaureate staff to very high acclaim.

Kindergarten of the Year

Readers’ Choice

International Montessori School In 2001, a group of parents and professionals began a journey to provide an authentic, Montessori duallanguage school where children could own their learning journey and realise their full potential. Almost 20 years on and that vision to build a diverse international school community in Hong Kong is in full swing. Winning Kindergarten of the Year in this year’s Readers Choice 8

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category is a feather in the cap for school founder Anne Sawyer. “We have been overwhelmingly successful in fulfilling our vision,” she says. “Over the past two years we have been amazed by the efforts of the IMS team to keep children at the center of all we do; continuing to provide the very best in individualised learning the Montessori system makes possible - even online.”

education new schools awards

Boarding School of the Year Harrow International School Hong Kong Taking home the Judges’ Category award for Boarding School of the Year is Harrow International School Hong Kong. The school opened in 2012 as part of the larger group of Harrow international schools, integrating elements of educational philosophy, practice and traditions from Harrow School in England into the diverse international community here to provide a highly distinctive education. The school is on an enormous 400,000 square feet purpose-built campus in Gold Coast. Harrow Hong Kong prioritises the quality of relationships and community life of its students. The personal formation of character is fundamental at this school. Harrow Hong Kong is the only international school in Hong Kong that provides the opportunity of a boarding education.

Secondary School of the Year ESF Island School When the pandemic forced schools to distance learning, ESF Island School moved to a distance learning arrangement, many teachers had to rewrite their syllabuses almost overnight. For Stephen Loggie, ESF Island School Principal, it was more than simply offering online classes. “We

quickly realised we had to do more to support students’ wellbeing,” he says. “The senior heads of house and form tutors developed ways to structure conversations with students to find out what they were struggling with - be it social isolation or finding a quiet place to work.” It’s these types of solutions that

helped ESF Island School take home the Secondary School of the Year in this year’s Education Awards. sg

For a full list of the Hong Kong Education Awards 2021 winners visit hongkongliving.com

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education new schools system

How to get a school place All you need to know about the Hong Kong education system that any school-hunting parent in Hong Kong will hear repeatedly. Strictly speaking, the schools under the ESF banner are not international schools, but that is essentially just a technicality. They offer a combination of English and international curricula, so from the perspective of the type

In the know •

Many schools such as the ESF, base their Primary One admissions on the calendar year (children born from January to December) Others such as Kellett go by the academic year (children born from September to August)

•

Kindergarten education is not mandatory in Hong Kong, so you can always opt out.

•

Most ESF and international schools offer Mandarin as part of the weekly curriculum.

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Many international schools (French International, German Swiss and Chinese International) offer bilingual as well as English streams. Kiangsu Chekiang International uses Mandarin as its main language of instruction.

Shrewsbury International School

ong Kong regularly features high on education barometers as a leading city in which to be schooled. But the system behind the hype is not a straightforward one, so it’s important to get a grasp of a few things before your search for a school can begin.

Local vs. International Broadly speaking, schools in Hong Kong fall into two camps: local schools and international schools. The criterion for this segregation is that local schools teach the Hong Kong curriculum, predominantly in Cantonese. They are also largely free or heavily subsidised. Meanwhile, international schools can teach any of 10

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the global curricula (IB, A Levels, HSC, Le Bac etc). The dominant language at international school is English, however where English is not the mother tongue, they usually have two streams: one taught in the native language and the other taught in English. And in case you didn’t already know, you will soon find out that international schools are the opposite of free – they are in fact famously expensive.

ESF Beneath the international schools umbrella there is a subgroup called English Schools Foundation, more commonly known as ESF. As there are nearly 20 ESF schools catering for 12,000 students, this is an acronym

getting new schools a place of education a child receives it’s easiest to look on them as international.

Time and research It is no secret that school places in Hong Kong are hot property. Therefore the two things that will help you most when selecting a school for your child are time and research. The more time you give yourself, the greater your chance of being offered a place at your preferred school. But if time is not something you possess, you will have to rely on research. In most cases, this means making a long list of possible schools and then picking up the phone and speaking to them directly in order to understand whether they have space and what their admission criteria are. It is important that your list is long because most people’s first choices are also the most popular ones.

Visiting the schools Once some possible places are located, the next step is to go and visit. Choosing a school is a highly personal process – what suits your neighbour’s child will not necessarily suit yours. So while word of mouth can be helpful, it is unwise to rely on hearsay alone; go and visit the schools to get to know them in relation to your own family and priorities.

Seeking advice While it’s not always wise to rely on hearsay, if you have

some specific questions about schools, there are some helpful Facebook groups where you can pick the brains of the more experienced. The main one is called Hong Kong Schools, and there are also a number of nationality-based groups (e.g. British Mums in HK) where you can post questions for those who have previously made the same move as you.

Terminology There is no uniform terminology between the schools – different schools refer to the same things by different names. So what is known as Year 1 in one place could be known as Kindergarten at the school down the road, and may also moonlight as K3 or Prep somewhere else. It is therefore crucial to understand the terminology of each school to ensure that you’re applying for the correct year.

Location, location, location One area you definitely need to spend some time considering is where you plan to live in relation to where your children might go to school. Geographically, Hong Kong is fairly small, but that doesn’t mean it is always convenient to get around. If you’re planning to live on Lamma, nipping to Harrow for a parentteacher day might not be easy. As accommodation is often easier to arrange than schooling, it could be

advisable to secure school places before settling on where to live.

The older, the easier – possibly Generally, places are easier to find for older children. This is partly because teenagers in Hong Kong often head off to boarding school in other countries. In addition to this, many families leave Hong Kong once their children are a little older, as the pull of being closer to family grows. So those with older children may find the process slightly easier.

New school, new places Similarly, the selection process can possibly be shortened if you are willing to consider schools that are just opening in Hong Kong, because logic dictates that their admissions list will be newer and therefore emptier than for schools that have been around for longer.

Money, money, money And lastly, a word on debentures. There is much to get your head around when moving to Hong Kong, and not the least of these is the financial structuring of the international schools. In other countries, debentures are associated with sports stadiums and finance houses; in Hong Kong, they are likely to be a major factor in whether or not you choose a certain school for your child. As with other issues, research is key. sg Hong Kong Schools Guide

education new schools system

The importance of early years education Samantha Steed, the new Head of Kellett School, Kowloon Bay Preparatory, breaks down everything parents need to know before sending their children to school

What are some ways parents can prepare their children for school? Rather than a ‘from birth’ diet of flashcards and Mozart, I emphasise to parents that children who receive sensitive and consistent care are most likely to thrive in Early Years settings. I am an advocate for parents as play partners. Play is essential for the healthy cognitive, physical, social and emotional 12

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development of children and they are wired to do it. I facilitate workshops for parents who are keen to understand more about how to engage with their child through play and I am keen to introduce this for the Kellett community. What are some key questions parents should ask when looking for a suitable Early Years school? The most fundamental question

new earlyschools years should be, ‘Is the setting physically and emotionally safe and secure?’ Once we have ensured children’s well-being, we can focus on other key elements such as the suitability of staff, the breadth of the curriculum, educational and social outcomes and the variety of learning resources. Does the school support the ‘triangle of care’ model where parents, teachers and the community all work as one to support the child? Are there opportunities for parents to learn alongside their children via workshops, curriculum evenings and parent associations? What is the age range for Early Years? The Early Years, defined in the UK as the period of a child’s life from birth to six-years-old, is a time of remarkable growth with brain development at its peak. The learning and development typically associated with children in this age range has its own distinct and fundamental phase of education called the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). At Kellett, children join the school for their Reception year, typically after their fourth birthday.

How does the Early Years programme differ from other curriculums? At its core it is the children’s individuality and their right to choose from a range of provocations and learning opportunities. Students are afforded periods of uninterrupted time to explore and engage in activities, children and teachers are encouraged to talk and communicate about their learning. How important is it for children to get a positive school experience early on? The young brain is extremely malleable and makes numerous new connections every day. It responds quickly to sensory stimuli, particularly visual and sound experiences. Therefore, an Early Years setting that provides the right conditions for new connections to occur will have a positive effect on the child.

What is the structure of Kellett’s Early Years Education? As an Early Years specialist, I emphasise that an enforced structure rarely makes for a happy child. I endorse in the moment planning which allows the child to create their own learning pathways supported by specially trained early years practitioners. At Kellett, we are confident that our blend of structured and unstructured play-based activities supports the development of early years skills in the seven areas of the EYFS: Personal, Social and Emotional development, Physical Development, Expressive Arts, Knowledge and Understanding of the World, Literacy, Communication and Language Development and Mathematics. kellettschool.com sg Hong Kong Schools Guide

KINDERGARTEN Start off on the right foot

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Photo: Fairchild Kindergarten

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Principal’s office Meet Tess Baguio, Principal at Small World Christian Kindergarten How did you become Principal? I’m originally from the Philippines and a chemist by profession. I arrived in Hong Kong in 1994 with my husband and baby in tow. When we started to explore preschool options for our daughters, we discovered Small World. It truly was a prayer answered for us. My time as a Small World parent ignited my love and passion for education and led to my pursuit of teaching. I went on to study Montessori Education, Early Childhood Education (PGDE, Master’s Degree) and Special Education (PGDE). What attracted you to Small World? I remember the first time I toured the Borrett Road campus as a parent, with principal and founder Gail Maidment. The moment I stepped through the doors, I experienced what I can only describe as ‘love at first sight’. I sensed that this kindergarten was a special place with a focus on core values of love and care for the children. Nineteen years later, as the principal of Small World, I make sure that these same values instilled over the past 35 years remain at the centre of what we do. What curriculum does the school follow? We are proud to be Hong Kong’s first International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC) accredited school. The IEYC uses international best practices, holistic enquiry,

and play-based approaches that cover all curriculum areas including personal, social and emotional development. Can you tell us about the facilities? We are blessed with a beautiful campus in Mid-Levels, where we enjoy plenty of outdoor space and greenery. At the front of the school, children can explore their physical capabilities through climbing, swinging, sliding, and riding tricycles in our modern playground. We also have a large outdoor space at the back of the school where children can interact with the natural world and cultivate plants in our very own garden. Indoors we have spacious classrooms with dedicated arts and crafts areas and an indoor playground. What’s a typical day like? Our little learners begin their day with free play, which helps them settle into class before coming together in circle time. Throughout the day, they have many opportunities to play and learn, developing knowledge and skills through exploration and discovery. I visit every classroom, taking time to talk and play with the children, and at the end of the day, I always bid each child farewell. What are you excited about for the new school year? We recently celebrated our IEYC accreditation, so we will

continue to put into practice all that we have learned through the accreditation process, strengthening the systems and structures that undergird our early years learning programme. This year marks our 35th anniversary, so we have some exciting community events planned to celebrate. We are also looking forward to providing more opportunities for families to participate and become advocates of sustainable environmental practices as part of our “In Small World, we care” initiative. sg

Small World Christian Kindergarten smallworld.edu.hk

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Fairchild Kindergarten A creative environment for children to begin their school journey

Awarded ‘Top 10 Most Valuable Preschool’, Fairchild Kindergarten holds high respect for children as capable individuals and their learning interests. It has a ‘bringing the outdoors in’ campus environment, encouraging a relationship

with nature from a young age. The school offers a Canadian (Ontario) Kindergarten Programme with a good dose of Reggio Emilia guiding principle. Classes are bilingual and taught in a play-based environment to cultivate curiosity, creativity and confidence in each child through an inquiry-based approach to learning. Entering the school, you’ll notice it is a happy multicultural community where children and families from around the globe gather and grow up together.

A child’s ‘perfect place’ The ‘perfect place’, defined by the students of Fairchild themselves, is one where children come to school every day with a big smile. Fairchild aims to provide a caring and nurturing school where the children are at the centre of everything it does. “We are very proud that our students are creative, confident and curious, but above all, happy,” says Betty Yau, Principal of Fairchild Kindergarten. Fairchild’s classrooms are well resourced with natural Hong Kong Schools Guide

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materials and opportunities for children to engage in many sensory activities, which appeal to all their senses. Regardless of whether they are in the classroom, the treehouse or shared discovery areas such as the school’s vertical garden or creative arts space, children will have fun and access to a range of engaging activities, including close encounters with resident pets, such as earthworms, turtles, fish, frog or hamster. These hands-on learning experiences help children to build essential life skills for the 21st century, such as communication, collaboration, critical thinking, compassion among others. Children are well prepared to be lifelong 24

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learners and are encouraged to resolve their own conflicts in a safe classroom setting. They also gain respect for the world, having discussions on sustainability through which they learn about respect and how to care of the planet. “Literacy and numeracy are woven through everything we do; there are just many more ways to learn without copying everything down,” says Kathy Nutting, Founding Head of Early Childhood Education. Fairchild’s teachers follow the interests of the children, in what is known as an emergent curriculum, so their themes in the classroom are varied. Getting a rich variety of hands-on experiences, such as feeding a pet, visiting

the restaurant kitchen and planting in the community garden, makes learning much more meaningful to a child.

From school to community With schools closed to combat the spread of Covid-19, learning is never hindered for Fairchild students. Well-developed ECE online curriculum by the devoted teaching team makes

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quality learning possible in any place with active and engaging live-streaming, realtime chats and videos, plus home learning activity packs posted to children at home. Fairchild, as one of the pioneers of the Reggio school in Hong Kong, collaborates as part of the Hong Kong and Macau Reggio Emilia Study Group to share its practice and continue to refine the Reggio Emilia inspired curriculum. Working hand in hand with families to ensure a happy, healthy and all-rounded development of each child, Fairchild uses Storypark to share with parents what children have learned at school on a weekly basis, as well as regular learning stories. In addition, it actively encourages parents to be engaged in their children’s learning journey, for example, accompanying children on community school trips, having them share their country’s cultures through a celebrating event in class (e.g. Hanukkah and Diwali), supporting each family as a community member (grandparents visiting the school to read a story to the class) and witnessing the growth of their children together.

Fairchild also makes it a point to honour children’s birthdays at school by inviting parents to join their child’s class to read a story and share a healthy snack with the children together – this helps create wonderful memories for the future.

The way forward Fairchild is a place suitable for every child, providing age-appropriate, hands-on learning experiences which pique children’s interests through a holistic approach, covering all aspects of children’s development such as STEAM, cooking, languages, reading, multisports, music and movement. Students start from playgroup at Fairchild Junior Academy (at the early childhood education centre in Tin Hau with a playgroup for children aged eight months and above), move on to pre-nursery level classes, as well as K1, K2 and K3 in an

International Stream or Bilingual (English and Mandarin) Stream. The school paves a path to both international schools and local schools, as well as schools overseas. The majority of Fairchild graduates head on to renowned international schools in Hong Kong, with examples being ESF schools, Hong Kong International School, French International School, Canadian International School Hong Kong and more. Some graduates enter prestigious local schools, such as Kau Yan College and Munsang College. Wherever they go, their strong educational foundation established at Fairchild has them prepared for any future challenges. sg Fairchild Kindergarten G/F & 1/F, Kong Chian Tower, Block 1, 351 Des Voeux Road West, Sai Ying Pun. fairchild.edu.hk

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Woodland Pre-Schools Fulfilling every child’s potential since 1978

Since 1978, Woodland PreSchools have prepared over 60,000 children for successful primary school education by giving them the best start on their developmental journey. Their track record for International Primary School placement is second to none in Hong Kong. Each of their seven campuses in MidLevels, Happy Valley, Kennedy

Town, Pokfulam, Repulse Bay Beachside, Repulse Bay Montessori (The Arcade) and Sai Kung (Marina Cove) offers a unique learning environment and a chance to join the amazing Woodland community. Woodland offers classes for children from 6 months to 6 years, following the English Early Years Foundation Stage with English, Mandarin and Bilingual language options. 2 of their 7 campuses are also Montessori accredited - including the Midlevels campus.

Best-in-class facilities at Mid-Levels Mid-Levels is the largest of the

7 Woodland campuses, and it has got to be in the running for the most impressive Early Years campus in Hong Kong. Straddling both sides of Caine Road, the school is something of a Mid-levels landmark. The campus was purpose-built to nurture children’s sense of wonder through providing an environment that enhances social, emotional, language and physical development. The campus includes a football pitch, a basketball court, waterpark, climbing wall, sensory dark room and various play areas, such as the Construction site and Woodland Town, for children to explore. They also have a Hong Kong Schools Guide

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dedicated baby zone which allows little ones to explore safely in a customised setting as they discover their senses and learn about the world around them.

New Mandarin Programme For the new academic year, Woodland will emphasise language development. This is a key element to futureproof children so that they become active global citizens. Woodland’s new Mandarin Programme has Mandarin learning goals for each step of the Woodland journey, from exploring different sounds,

understanding strokes, recognising characters and using simple phrases to developing social interaction by expressing themselves. The Woodland Mandarin programme is taught using a play-based inquiry method as its educators believe that only through authentic experiences and the process of exploring a language will children learn the language for life. Learning from memorisation does not last and Woodland’s goal is for children graduating from their Prep for Primary programme to be confident and competent speakers of both English and Mandarin.

Bespoke Woodland Journey The Woodland Journey is a pathway to success for children from 6 months to 6 years old. It carefully builds upon earlier stages, to support the child’s natural dispositions and curiosities. Following the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Curriculum, children will be

ready to continue their primary education anywhere in Hong Kong or around the world. As Woodland believes that all children are competent learners, they believe that children with different abilities can flourish in the same classroom. Children are not assessed on their ability to complete an assignment or task; differentiation is based on each child’s learning needs and what their next learning goals are. Through small group sessions, their experienced teachers will adapt an activity to suit different learning needs and assist every child to reach the next step. A love of learning cannot be taught, but by respecting the image of the child, Woodland Pre-Schools inspire and foster a lifelong love of learning in their children. sg

2021/22 Admissions Join the Woodland Journey and discover their bespoke curriculum for your child. Enrolments for the 202122 school year are now open. To secure your child’s place, please visit woodlandschools.com

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Guidepost Montessori International Kindergarten A Hong Kong parent shares her experience of Guidepost Montessori International Kindergarten in Kennedy Town

Spend time in the presence of any well-informed parent of a preschooler and it won’t be long before you hear the word ‘Montessori’. Developed by Italian physician Maria Montessori in the early twentieth century, the term refers to a teaching method that is rooted in self-directed activity with hands-on learning at its core. The technique places 30

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emphasis on the importance of fostering independence with the assumption that children are naturally eager for knowledge and capable of initiating learning in a structured environment. Classes follow a scientifically designed curriculum, tailored to individual interests and abilities with a focus on the whole child. While conventional measures of

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achievement, such as grades and exams are discouraged, the teaching methods are clearly effective with Montessori students ranking highly in terms of academic achievement, social and emotional development and overall happiness.

Guidepost Montessori Guidepost is the world’s largest global Montessori network, with over 80 campuses across the US, Europe, and Asia. In Hong Kong, classes cater to children aged from six months to six years (playgroups, pre-nursery to kindergarten) and parents can choose from two convenient Guidepost locations - Kennedy Town and Chai Wan. One Hong Kong parent who has chosen the

Montessori path for her son is Julia Ma. After being impressed with the summer courses at Guidepost, Julia enrolled fourand-a-half year old Daniel, at the Children’s House Kindergarten in Kennedy Town almost a year ago. “I was struck by how caring and nurturing the teachers were,” says Julia. “During Covid, Guidepost remained open to serve its families under Emergency Day Care. The school became indispensable to many families in our neighborhood. Daniel was at an age where he was interested in everything around him and a face-to-face environment was crucial to his development,” she adds.

The learning environment Over the past year, Julia has

continued to be impressed by the school. “The facilities are excellent - classrooms are very spacious and beautifully set up with lots of interesting academic Montessori materials. In the Kennedy Town campus, there are two large indoor playground areas across two floors while the Chai Wan campus boasts Hong Kong Schools Guide

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kindergarten of ability. Having this growth mindset—the attitude that progress and valuable skills and traits aren’t innate but come from learning, change and growth—is incredibly important for future success,” she adds. “Daniel is one of the oldest in the classroom and he has enjoyed teaching some of the younger students. This has given him a lot of confidence and really built up his self-esteem,” adds Julia.

What’s next? a large rooftop playground area,” she says. Teachers keep track of each child’s learning via a transparent classroom app and photos are shared with parents on a daily basis so they can see what their children have been working on. “We have exciting conversations about what Daniel has learnt when we’re all at home,” says Julia. Collaboration is a core element of the Montessori environment and as such, Julia notes that Daniel has excelled socially and made great friends over the past

year. “Daniel’s creativity, ability to think independently and problem solving skills have blossomed,” she says. “In terms of his academic advancement, the Montessori maths materials have really stimulated Daniel’s interest and he has become confident in speaking English and Mandarin,” she adds.

Mixed age groups Montessori classrooms are divided into multi-age groupings, for example, from three to six years old. “At Guidepost, both younger and older students have the opportunity to implicitly develop a ‘growth mindset’,” explains Carol Wong, Director, Marketing and Admissions. “Watching younger students progress from one material to the next teaches older students the value of practice and hard work. Conversely, younger students look up to their older classmates, and look forward to reaching their level

Daniel has now joined a K-12 international school. His experience and learning at Guidepost has supported a smooth admissions process for him into a top international school in Hong Kong. Although the new adventure brings with it plenty of excitement, Daniel and his family are sad to leave Guidepost. “For Daniel, Guidepost is like a second family. We are really going to miss them,” adds Julia. sg Kennedy Town campus 1-2 Floor 554-560 Queen’s Road West Sai Wan Tel: 3619 1136 Email: kennedytown@ guidepostmontessori.com guidepostmontessori.com/ locations/kennedy-town-hk Chai Wan campus Kindergarten, Harmony Garden, 9 Siu Sai Wan Road, Siu Sai Wan Tel: 2866 8260 Email: chaiwan@ guidepostmontessori.com guidepostmontessori.com/ locations/chai-wan-hk

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PRIMARY SCHOOL Enlighten your child’s creative mind

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Photo: Wycombe Abbey Hong Kong

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Principal’s office Co-founding Principal Karin Ann celebrates 20 years of The International Montessori School Can you tell us about your background? I am Eurasian and grew up in Hong Kong. My father is Chinese, and my mother is Swiss. I attended a local school and spoke both English and Cantonese at home from a young age. My bilingual upbringing was my parents’ greatest gift to me and when I founded IMS 20 years ago, I wanted our students to have that same dual-language environment. How did you co-found IMS? After 10 years working in business consulting and finance, I found myself wanting to make a greater impact. Around that time, I saw the way children were being taught in schools and it seemed to be even more traditional and rote than in my time. I strongly felt that learning should be more enjoyable. I went back to university and discovered the Montessori approach. Around that time, I also met Anne Sawyer who raved about her education at a Montessori school. It felt like serendipity, and we decided to start IMS together. That was 20 years ago. What is unique about IMS? IMS is unique firstly because the way children learn in Montessori is completely different, and secondly due to our emphasis on dual-language and our interactive Chinese curriculum. Each IMS classroom is directed by two teachers – speaking English and

Putonghua. The key to acquiring Chinese is to keep it interesting and relevant, and we do that very well – from preschool through to primary. When children graduate through to international secondary schools, they’re consistently placed in the most advanced Chinese stream. Where do students typically graduate to? As IMS is a preschool and primary school, most of our children graduate to the international secondary schools in Hong Kong, with some going overseas to boarding school or returning to their home country. We are a very diverse community and so every family will have a different preference, and every child needs to find the school that fits them best. IMS children take the International Schools Assessment (ISA) standardized test every year, which is also what almost every other international school in Hong Kong administers, so our students can be assessed on a platform that is familiar to other schools. Since we have such a strong focus on Chinese, we always have a steady group of graduates going to CIS, but our children are successful no matter where they go, with ESF, HKIS, CDNIS, GSIS, and Kellett being the other popular destinations. What have you been most proud

of over the past year? In every profession you will find people who are super dedicated, but when I made the move from the commercial world to education, the passion I saw everyday was at a completely different level. Being a teacher is really a calling, and I would like to say that being a Montessori teacher is even more so. Montessori teachers deeply believe that this is the best way for children to learn, and they reflect on their work and the philosophy of Montessori all the time. When a child finds themselves in the care of a good and devoted teacher it makes an enormous difference, and that is what our teachers have done in this very challenging year. I am so proud of my team of teachers – they have been flexible, thoughtful, caring and creative, to make the most of every day for each child! sg To learn more about The International Montessori School, or to arrange a tour, visit ims.edu.hk

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Learning never stops In collaboration with Steelcase Prior to the pandemic, education was already undergoing a transformation, as 21stcentury learning styles came into focus for educators and students. The unforeseeable impact of Covid-19 merely accelerated trends in the design of education settings that were already in motion. Steelcase Learning, a subsidiary of global workplace furniture company Steelcase, conducted in-depth research, developing insights into the impact of the pandemic on education, and how it ultimately would drive change. Four macro shifts institutions need to address After interviewing educators and students, and conducting multiple studies in 10 countries to better understand the impact the pandemic has had on educators and students, researchers at Steelcase Learning uncovered four macro shifts that will help shape the design of learning environments: Designing safer schools to create cleaner environments to mitigate disease spread; designing for effectiveness to balance individual and group needs in one place; designing to inspire, to create spaces that are meaningful and inspirational; and designing for flexibility.

They looked into the value to educational outcomes of hybrid and blended learning models, as well as how a fresh approach to learning settings could play a role in enhancing the teaching and learning experience. “Before Covid, schools and universities only talked about new approaches to designing education spaces, but actual changes were slow to come. Now, however, many educational institutions are taking action to transform their spaces with hybrid learning in mind,” says Ambroise

d’Hauteville, Director of Learning at Steelcase Asia Pacific. (Pictured) “The pandemic has become a catalyst of change towards creating learning experiences that are richer and safer, whilst also supporting these recent pedagogical shifts.” In Hong Kong, particularly in international schools, learning spaces are changing, starting with the transformation of libraries into collaborative zones. Classrooms in the city traditionally consisted of one teacher positioned in front of around 30 students, each at

Designing a better learning experience A better learning experience starts with better learning environments, Steelcase designers have identified a new set of design principles to consider. Me + We Equally support large groups, small groups and individuals.

Open + Enclosed More shielded “me” and activate more open “we” learning spaces.

Fixed to Fluid Multi-modal learning spaces supporting multiple purposes and pedagogies.

Braiding Digital + Physical Enable blended and hybrid learning, creating inclusive experiences for those remote and physically present.

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his or her own desk. Now, however, it is common to see more personalisation in these spaces, where desks can be rearranged to suit more fluid activities throughout the day, and chairs are no longer just chairs – they can be adjusted to support different movements and postures. Whiteboards, too, are more flexible now and can be manoeuvred to follow the movement of smaller groups. In fact, a host of new spaces have emerged in recent years, including the ‘makerspace’ and DT (Design Thinking) zones. In-between spaces such as corridors and cafeterias have also been transformed into places where students can learn. Even more recently,

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schools have begun to look into how physical space and technology can work together. “With the onset of Covid-19, schools are embracing software solutions too, and how they can be used to improve the learning experience,” says Ambroise. “Steelcase Learning is partnering with IT and solution providers to offer schools a greater hybrid experience, for example, via Barco or Zoom solutions.” Looking forward, Steelcase Learning will continue to reinvent learning spaces and new approaches for delivering quality education, inspiring people to become engaged, active learners within and beyond the classroom.

Ambroise d’Hauteville, Director of Learning Steelcase Asia Pacific

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Japanese International School Located in Tai Po, JIS is a small school making a big impact

Japanese International School (JIS) may be a small IB World School in the New Territories of Hong Kong, but it has been making big impressions on parents, staff and students for over two decades. Founded in 1997, the 44

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international section of the school has around 170 students representing 25 different nationalities. Its mission is to create educated, compassionate, active and empowered global citizens. Housed in a dynamic,

spacious campus close to the Tai Po Kau Nature Reserve in Tai Po, the school incorporates the International School and a Japanese Primary School within the same building. The proximity allows both sections to share

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the school’s superb facilities. These include a gymnasium, all-weather astroturf field and running track, swimming pool,

specialist facility rooms and access to all aspects of computing and digital technology. The school’s playground

areas have been designed to encourage inquiry-based play and learning through access to loose parts equipment – students can design their own play area and change it every day, fostering creativity. Being located on the edge of Tai Po Kau Country Park also comes with many benefits. Access to the country park and the nearby Bride’s Pool nature reserve ensures many opportunities for outdoor education. Forest school programmes are an integral part of the curriculum and environmental sustainability is evident throughout the school. Environmental awareness programmes form a central part of what the school’s curriculum has become. Hong Kong Schools Guide

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For example, JIS uses UN Global Goals as a direct link to learning. It also has a significant recycling programme and students are encouraged to bring in their recycling from home. School furniture has been rebuilt out of wood by local Hong Kong craftsmen to replace existing plastic and outdated furniture. Academic performance and community involvement are also reflective of the school’s student-centred approach. In November 2020, JIS received 18 commendations for outstanding performance in its IB school evaluation. While the past year 46

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primary What the parents and community said in recent surveys: 100% – agreed that the current school mission statement clearly represents the International Section of Japanese International School 98% – agreed that JIS - International Section upholds the three key values of its vision for the staff, students and community – respect, commitment and kindness

has been challenging for students and parents across the globe, JIS has made a conscious effort to engage its community by arranging community visits to make sure students had enough books and resources to keep them active during online programmes. Education professionals of Hong Kong know a good school when they see one – which is why, in the results of the inaugural Hong Kong Education Awards, JIS took home the title of the Primary School of the Year for the school year 2020-21. The results were decided after a week of intensive judging by an independent panel of education experts, academics and consultants. Accepting the award, Principal Simon Walton says: “The community of Japanese International School - International Section

were delighted to hear the news that we have been chosen as Primary School of the Year. The award gives us recognition for the work and vision that has gone into creating such a lovely school for our students and our community. JIS has developed from the days of being a ‘hidden gem in the New Territories’ 10 years ago into a school recognised for its excellence, creativity and strong values.” Indeed, today JIS is a competitive school offering a high-quality IB and PYP curriculum developed to suit the needs of a diverse international population in Hong Kong. “Thank you to the judges for noticing what we do and inspiring us to keep striving forwards into the future to create more excellent learning opportunities and experiences for our students.” sg

95% – agreed that the school is developing its curriculum in a positive way for the benefit of students 97% – felt informed and that their child’s class teacher gives relevant curriculum information about the work in their class 95% – felt that as a parent they can approach their child’s class teacher to arrange a meeting or gain information through email 94% – felt confident that JIS - International Section is continually developing into an excellent IB primary school

Japanese International School 4663 Tai Po Road, Tai Po Kau, Tai Po Tel: 2834 3531 Email: esinfo@jis.edu.hk Website: es.jis.edu.hk

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Wycombe Abbey School Hong Kong An exclusive look inside the private British prep school in Aberdeen

Howard Tuckett is the Headmaster at Wycombe Abbey School Hong Kong, a private British preparatory school located in Aberdeen. If the name Wycombe Abbey sounds familiar, it’s because the original institution, founded on the day of Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee in 1896, is a leading independent boarding school in the United Kingdom. It is consistently ranked number one for academic results at A-Level. For this month’s Education edition, we spoke to Tuckett to get 48

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a full picture of the school here in Hong Kong and how it helps students transition to top secondary and boarding

schools in the UK and worldwide. As the Headmaster of Wycombe Abbey School

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Hong Kong, Tuckett is responsible for connecting students with some of England’s best educational institutions - and thank goodness for that. With more than 20 years of experience as the head of various British prep schools, Tuckett is in the best possible position to set his students up for success. “For a few years, I was a deputy head and for the last 22 years now, I’ve been a head of a British prep school. This is now my third prep school and in and amongst all that, I’ve also been an inspector with the Independent Schools Inspectorate.” During that time, Tuckett has amassed a great network amongst the top schools in the UK, having trained head teachers and worked as a coordinator for 14 different prep schools.

When he was appointed Headmaster of Wycombe Abbey School Hong Kong, he was essentially given the opportunity to build the school from the ground up. “We determined there was a need for a British model of school, private schooling for anyone in Hong Kong,” says Tuckett. This means the campus, curriculum and extracurricular activities were all thought out and planned as equally important, functioning parts of a well-oiled machine. The school uses the British National Curriculum, enriched by the Common Entrance curriculum, which has 14 subjects. This includes English, a second language (Chinese), mathematics, science, geography, art, music, drama and so forth. The school provides an educational experience that would be of the exact same

quality of top British prep schools in the UK. “What we’ve done, in fact, is pick up a British prep school in its entirety, with a curriculum, teachers and everything that the British prep school is doing in Britain and put it here for Hong Kong to benefit from,” explains Tuckett. “Because our curriculum is geared that way, every child has been prepared as if they’re going whether they choose to or not,” he says. Tuckett works closely with parents and multiple educational institutions to make the process of transferring as seamless as possible. While all of its teachers are British-trained and credentialed and the school uses a British curriculum, Chinese is taught for an equal number of periods as English. “We take the view that our pupils are being prepared for life as Hong Kongers,” says Tuckett. “Even though they choose to enjoy the benefits of a British-style private education, they shouldn’t feel that they’re necessarily tied into having to go to British boarding school. It’s an option experts are preparing for, right down to me finding

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registrars, their missions and helping parents select schools. We do all of that as part of the school fees.” Wycombe Abbey School Hong Kong also took home the Hong Kong Education Award for Best After School Program last month. When asked what the award meant to the school and its students, Tuckett responded with a proud smile. “Well, it’s always great to win an award. Our extracurricular activity programme was written into the school day as part of the curriculum design. These are not things we do as an afterthought. The extracurricular activity program is a fundamental part of the school. Its philosophy, the thought behind it, the reasons behind it, were all written into the original mandate.” The school offers Cantonese theatre and opera, as well as calligraphy for traditional characters to support their Chinese teaching. There is

also music, drama, rock climbing, fencing among the 42 extracurricular programs available. “We’re also looking to bring in European languages such as French, Spanish, Italian and Latin.” As our conversation with Tuckett came to a close, we discussed the role that school plays in preparing students for life beyond graduation– particularly when they’ve grown up in an environment that’s known to challenge its students in order to achieve excellence. Tuckett’s response only further revealed the exemplary thought he puts into taking care of the pupils at Wycombe Abbey. “What we’ve got to think about is, can they roll with life as it happens? Nobody’s ever going to be good at everything. You’re never going to be the best and brightest in every aspect of life. Children who are agitated, unhappy, disturbed in

their own self and psyche are going to struggle.” Assessment has a lot to do with accurately determining what students’ cognitive abilities are and what they can reasonably expect from a child, and then challenging that child to achieve academically. “Just a bit above that so they are challenged, but not ridiculously so,” Tuckett says. “We’re a kindly caring environment and we’re looking to produce kindly caring adults who are going to get on well with other people when they grow up. Because schooling is only a phase. It’s not the end of the world. It’s just the beginning of life.” sg

Wycombe Abbey School Hong Kong 17 Tin Wan Street, Aberdeen Tel: 2129 7100 Email: enquiries@was.edu.hk Website: was.edu.hk

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SECONDARY SCHOOL Preparing for your child’s future

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Photo: Nord Anglia Interntional School

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Principal’s office Meet Stephen Loggie, Principal at ESF Island School What attracted you to ESF? The English Schools Foundation (ESF) is renowned around the world for its innovative strategies and exemplary results. Four years ago, the opportunity to be principal of Island School, ESF’s flagship school, came up. I jumped at the chance and relocated from Australia where I’ve held the position of principal at nine different schools over my 25year career. It’s an exciting time at Island School and I’m proud to lead the community through its current redevelopment projects. Why should parents choose Island School? Island School’s extraordinary results prove testimony to the quality of education our students receive, however our approach that drives these results is unique. The secret of our success is that we create strong partnerships with students and their parents and focus on global competencies which not only maximise exam results but prepare our students for successful careers and fulfilling lives. Can you tell us about the curriculum? In Years 7 and 8 we offer the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) which nurtures curiosity and active learning. In Years 9 through 11 we focus on IGCSE Cambridge exams and Island School’s Elements programme

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which includes over 40 courses, from law to photography. In Years 12 and 13 we offer both the IB Diploma Programme and IB Career Programme so students can choose the best curriculum for their needs. Students go on to exceptional universities across the world. What values does Island School uphold? At ESF, our vision is for every student to be the best that they can be. At Island School we focus on three core values - to pursue excellence, embrace responsibility

and celebrate individuality. Our values are a beacon that guides every endeavour at the school and our culture is one of mutual accountability. One of the unique features of our school is the long standing tradition that older students take responsibility for teaching younger students how to enact these values in their daily activities. Our older students take great pride in meeting this responsibility and it is key to the relaxed and supportive environment that you will notice when you walk through our doors.

secondary How are students involved in decision-making? Island School prioritises student voice and leadership. Every week I meet with the Head Students to hear their perspectives on the running of the school. The wider student council is maybe the most important group in the school as they really lead the school in terms of taking responsibility and leading on change. What opportunity is there to interact with the local community? Our students form deep relationships with the local community through studentled projects which focus on improving the world we live in. Currently students are involved

in community projects which include operating a community library, running music classes with kindergarten children, holding afternoon tea with elderly residents and organising regular beach clean-ups. What advice do you have for prospective parents? Island School is all about finding your passion and developing a lifelong love of learning. Beyond the basic entry requirements, Island School welcomes students who have an interest in something and are ambitious. Once a student joins, they will be encouraged to put themselves forward for new things. It is this attitude of putting yourself forward that has built the Island School community. I advise

prospective parents to encourage their young person to find their passion and pursue it. What’s in store for the coming year? Since 2018 Island School has been based temporarily out of two campuses in the Sha Tin District. From May 2022, we will return to our brand new, state-of-the-art campus on Borrett Road in Mid Levels. In the coming months our community has lots to do to prepare for the move. It’s set to be an exciting time for us all and I can’t wait to welcome students, parents and staff to our new campus in the months ahead. sg To find out more about ESF Island School visit island.edu.hk

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New campus at NAIS Nord Anglia International School welcomes students to its new secondary campus in Kwun Tong

Making music in the auditorium

There’s been much excitement in the air over the past few weeks at Nord Anglia International School Hong Kong (NAIS). Not least because it’s the beginning of a new school year, but also because there is a whole

new secondary campus to explore in Kwun Tong. Whilst across the island, the primary campus at Lam Tin has been renovated and the community recently welcomed a new principal.

New secondary campus A few weeks ago, induction days at NAIS’s brand new secondary campus in Kwun Tong commenced. The impressive campus features specialist subject classrooms, a learning resource centre, a full-size sports hall, an indoor swimming pool and an impressive performance auditorium.

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Principal Kenny Duncan, who joined NAIS last year, was there to greet students at the start of induction. “We have been searching for a suitable location for a secondary campus which has the right balance of accommodation, appropriate access to transport links, and with scope for potential development for a few years now. As you can imagine, securing real estate in one of the most populated and expensive cities in the world is not an easy task. Kwun Tong was by far the best location we came across. It has been a fascinating journey which is not over yet,

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we plan to fully complete the development of the site by the summer of 2023,” he added in the days leading up to the opening. When it came to staffing the new campus, NAIS prioritised secondary teachers who were passionate about their subjects and cared deeply about children and their education. “They are people who keep up to speed with the latest educational research and can demonstrate a willingness and ability to innovate with their pedagogy. We are very lucky to have a core of secondary teachers who have been with us for several years and we are delighted to be joined this year by an extremely experienced and enthusiastic group to further strengthen the team,” says Nick Rickford, Head of Secondary. “I would say that our teachers are most excited about the range of facilities that they have to explore with the students and the added flexibility to make

learning varied and fun. There is so much scope for the specialist teachers to develop their subjects within the new space. I’m also extremely excited about the performances, large and small, that our music and drama departments are planning (government restrictions permitting) in our drama suites as well as this impressive auditorium,” he adds.

New principal The NAIS community also welcomed a new principal at the end of last year. Principal Kenny Duncan brings with him eight years of experience as principal most recently at Kingsbridge College, a school ranked as outstanding in the UK and recognised as a leading hub of innovation and educational best practice. He has more than three decades of teaching experience.

Looking ahead It’s clear that over the past five years, the school’s

secondary phase has gone from strength to strength, growing in both size and reputation. NAIS is now a through-train school with its first IB students graduating this year. This summer saw the founding students complete their IBDP studies, achieving exceptional outcomes in the process. Equally iGCSE students consistently performed above regional and global averages. “Securing the secondary campus feels like the next step in maturing the school,” says Duncan. “It is exciting to be taking this step along with some of the founding students who joined us in primary school when we opened our doors back in 2014. Over the coming months, I look forward to working with the founding cohort of Kwun Tong students to fill the new campus buildings with life and learning. This is a space for the teachers to build their specialist subject areas and for the students to take ownership of this new campus,” he adds. sg

Back to school smiles (underneath the masks)

To find out more about Nord Anglia International School Hong Kong, or to arrange a tour visit nordangliaeducation.com

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ALL-THROUGH SCHOOLS The sky’s the limit at these through schools

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Photo: Hong Kong Interntional School

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Principal’s Office Meet Dr Jadis Blurton, Head of School at The Harbour School Can you tell us about your career? What brought you to Hong Kong? I am a Child Psychologist and also have a Master’s Degree in Gifted Education. My husband has a PhD in Science Education. When he was hired at the University of Hong Kong, I was delighted to come to Hong Kong and started a private practice to work with families, children and schools. What is the teaching philosophy at The Harbour School and how do you uphold these values? At THS, we place a strong emphasis on experiential learning and we understand that each student and teacher has different strengths, interests and goals. We focus on unlocking the best for each person. We know that learning should apply to the demands of the future, and that includes things like problem-solving, self-direction, communication, collaboration, resilience, kindness, flexibility and innovation. Can you tell us about your Humanities and Social Sciences curriculums and technology programme? Since we’re an experiential school, our Social Studies programme is tons of fun. In Primary School, we have re-enactments, debates and

deep analysis of historical eras. At High School level, students participate in cross-curricular classes that include experts from two fields, informing both. We also have a strong social outreach component, so our students have done things like partnered with farmers in Peru to import fair trade coffee and with a charity in Kenya to design and create a school for a pediatric hospital there. Technology pervades our curriculum, but we have a “Tools not Toys” programme that basically ensures that technology is used for a purpose (making a film, designing a building, creating an app) rather than just as a pastime or chore. Can you tell us more about the school facilities at The Harbour School? What are some highlights and how do they enhance students’ learning? Our Grove campus won the World Design Awards 2020 for interior design. It has a Marine Science Center complete with a touch-tank, a tree-house, a “river” (slide) down the hills in the library and much more. The Grove is exciting and innovative, a place where kids feel encouraged to be the same. What is a typical day like at the school? Like most schools, we have

a timetable for our different classes at Primary level, and blocks of classes that may be traditional or cross-curricular in High School. Our difference is that teachers are encouraged to promote the values of the school (such as experiential learning, differentiated instruction, and future-conscious skills) in each class, which means that kids are engaged, active, collaborative and productive. How has the school adapted in times of the global pandemic? We learned from the pandemic that not only can we flexibly respond to a crisis, but also many skills that we can carry forward to the future. We have learned to have “Zoom” Talent Shows, online Sports Week and even iPad robots for distant students. I think our strength in responding to the pandemic was that we perceived it as a creative challenge and a workshop on resilience. sg

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Malvern’s MYP eAssessments We visit Malvern College Hong Kong

Personal Portfolio presentation

Malvern College Hong Kong (MCHK) is an IB World School located in Pak Shek Kok, New Territories, just adjacent to the Hong Kong Science Park. Following its successful launch in August 2018, the school continues to execute its ambitious growth strategy after having received the IB PYP, MYP and DP accreditation in the academic year 2020/21. With the primary and secondary classes now operating from Prep 1 (Year 1) to Lower Sixth (Year 12), the first cohort of Sixth Form pupils has commenced the two-year Diploma Programme in August 2021 and will sit for their final exams in Upper Sixth (Year 13) in May 2023 - culminating in the highly regarded IB Diploma, arguably one of the most admired high school qualifications worldwide. A little less known is the IB’s middle years education qualification: the MYP eAssessment, launched by 62

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the IB Organisation in 2016 as a leading innovation in the education sector, which can be obtained in Year 11 (or “Hundred” in Malvern language), the final MYP year. Aligned with today’s digital learning environment, it provides a relevant assessment experience for pupils while offering IB practitioners valuable insights into the Middle Years’ learning and teaching. The results, externally verified by the IB, serve as an alternative to state or national examinations and support applications for post16 education. “The MYP eAssessments are not only rigorous and internationally standardised assessments that allow for external validation of school results, they also give pupils, parents and teachers an insight into future studies in the Diploma. The pupils’ experiences and achievements in the assessments also enable

a more informed pathway for the Diploma Programme and further education,” says Mr Wayne Maher, Acting Deputy Head and Head of Secondary. MCHK recognises the importance of equipping Year 11 pupils with an externally standardized middle years certificate while embracing the modern, flexible and innovative nature of the MYP eAssessment. The transdisciplinary Personal Project serves as milestone performance where pupils investigate and present an area of their personal interest; the ePortfolio is an assisted performance, marked by classroom teachers, where pupils demonstrate their knowledge and skills across a range of subject groups; lastly, individual performance is measured in the externally assessed online exams. Being one out of only two schools in Hong Kong offering the eAssessment, MCHK saw in May 2021 the first (and entire!) cohort of Year 11 pupils sit the exams - with stellar results and a 100% pass rate. Feedback provided by Malvern pupils shows that the eAssessment is indeed an ideal preparation for the final two school years as the required study, organisation and critical thinking skills mirror those for the Diploma. “The eAssessment is really quite different from traditional,

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for improvement, like time management and organisation skills. I will definitely work on these when preparing for the upcoming IB Diploma”, reflects Miguel. And Lyla adds: “The exam was a great opportunity to apply the skills and methods I have developed throughout my MYP years, but on a more challenging level. I learned that if I set myself a goal and stay determined, I can achieve great results! This new understanding of my strengths has supported me to stay motivated and committed at school, but most

importantly, it has really helped me to believe in myself.” Malvern has every reason to believe that their most senior year group will do well in the upcoming Diploma, given the extraordinary eAssessment results: Out of the highest possible score of 56 points, 60% of the pupils achieved 45 points or more, and 27% even 50 points or more. Malvern’s average score of 44 sits well above the world average of 38. Equally impressive is the fact that 47% of the pupils were awarded the Bilingual Certificate, studying both English and Chinese Language and Literature. Malvernians were also highly successful in the Personal Project with a pass rate of 100% and average of grade 5 (highest grade being 7), again comfortably surpassing the world average grade 3.9. With their strengthened positive mindset and self-belief, Malvern’s Lower Sixth cohort is certainly ready to start the long journey to the IB Diploma, and the school is confident that they can overcome all the challenges on the way to success.

Miguel, Lower Sixth

Lyla, Lower Sixth

MYP eAssessment Online Exams

knowledge-based exams”, says Miguel who is enrolled for Lower Sixth (Year 12) in the academic year 2021/22. “In Science, for example, I had to design and evaluate a smartphone app related to earthquakes. The open-ended nature of this task gave me space for critical thinking and to adopt creative approaches as well as the autonomy to develop my own meaningful connections around the topic.” Fellow Malvernian Lyla agrees: “While traditional exams focus mainly on content, the eAssessment goes way beyond testing fact-based knowledge: in addition to content, we were also assessed in research, critical thinking, application and communication skills. This will definitely help me now that I am studying for the IB Diploma.” Furthermore, the MYP eAssessment informs pupils of the next step in their education journey. “The eAssessment highlighted areas

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Hong Kong International School A leading, private all-through American school

Since its opening in 1966, Hong Kong International School (HKIS) has been widely regarded as one of the best private schools in the city. As a leading co-educational college preparatory school for students from Reception One (pre-kindergarten) to Grade 12, it is an Americanstyle educational institution that is grounded in the 70

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Christian faith. It’s also a fully accredited school by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. With the aim of imparting values that focus on collaboration, resilience and creativity, HKIS operates from the belief that diversity enriches and strengthens communities. It’s a school that, for decades, has taught

its students that “society progresses when individuals strive for excellence and seek challenges.” Providing a warm and inclusive environment for students, the school has over 2,800 students of 40 nationalities and diverse religious backgrounds, celebrating what makes the tapestry of this school

all-through

incredibly unique. With two beautiful campuses in the south side of Hong Kong, one in Tai Tam and one in Repulse Bay, HKIS is divided into four grade groups: Pre-kindergarten to grade 2, upper primary (grades 3-5), middle school (grades 6-8) and high school (grades 9-12). We sat down with one of the school’s newest additions to its faculty, Mr. Kevin Chang, who is the new director of Chinese Studies and World Languages. He will oversee a team of over 30 Chinese, French and Spanish

teachers across the school’s entire World Language program. “A few years ago, I visited HKIS as part of an

expert team to review HKIS’s language programme. I was really impressed by the growth mindset of the school: The language program was very good, and yet the school still tries to improve on areas where they’re already doing well,” says Chang. “As I spent more time at the school, I saw HKIS was not only strong academically, but put a large focus on the ‘softer’ skills, like collaboration and creativity.” Another aspect of HKIS’s philosophy that is heavily emphasised to both its staff and students, is that “learning thrives in the presence of shared high expectations and mutually respectful relationships.” According to Chang, who is still settling into the school,

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all-through to increase collaboration between Chinese Studies teachers and other teachers so we can deepen the learning in our Chinese Studies program.” With state-of-the-art educational facilities, everimproving curricula and steadfast morals that serve as the foundation for the school, it came as no surprise when HKIS took home the Hong Kong Education Award for ‘Best Student-Centred School’ this year. sg

this could not be more true. “HKIS takes great care in getting new teachers settled and oriented. Teachers have a direct impact on student learning and HKIS is clearly

making sure that teachers are prepared for their job and taken care of.” In his new role, he wants to see more integration of Chinese culture across the school. “We want

Hong Kong International School hkis.edu.hk admissions@hkis.edu.hk

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Spotlight on Stamford The future is bright at Stamford as the school celebrates its fifth year anniversary in Hong Kong

It’s an exciting year at Stamford American School Hong Kong. Four years since its opening, the school has grown not only in terms of student numbers but also facilities and curriculum offerings. As the school looks ahead to its next major milestone – the first graduating class in 2023, Head of School, Karrie

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Dietz fills us in on what current and prospective students can expect.

Learning approach Stamford offers an American Standards-based curriculum taught through an inquiry-based approach. “It is important that we offer a progressive approach to teaching and learning with the standards in place for a clear path and milestones along the way, so we can also ensure growth and prepare students well for their futures,” says Dietz. This rigorous framework was key in helping Stamford achieve full IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) authorisation and

accreditation from the Council of International School (CIS) in 2021. It’s the perfect fit: the US standards at each grade level provide a firm foundation for IB study, transdisciplinary inquiry fosters international mindedness and global citizenship in every child, and equip students with the knowledge, skills and values required to succeed at the highest level wherever they go. To prepare every student for the rigorous IBDP, the school makes sure the IB learner profile attributes are fostered within students from age 5 and up. These values focus on developing global citizens who, recognising their

all-through common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet, help to create a better and more peaceful world.

Stamford values While academic excellence is undoubtedly integral, Stamford also places huge emphasis on whole-child development. “People often think you need to trade one for the other, however, care and nurture bring out the best in children,” says Dietz. Four core values of integrity, courage, innovation and compassion are deeply rooted in the school ethos. “Last year was undoubtedly a tough year; we have focused on resiliency, and our #StamfordStrong was born out of Covid-19 to celebrate the gains we have made as a community amidst the challenges,” adds Dietz. Action speaks louder than words; and no one demonstrates Stamford’s value more than the school’s very own staff. “We are proud of our highly qualified and international team of faculty and staff, who live our culture of care, and model our core values for students every single day. Their sensitivity to our students’ need, passion to their area of expertise and strive for continuous development form the backbone of our students’ success,” shares Dietz. As part of the Cognita Schools Group, which encompasses 80 schools worldwide, a special day is set aside to recognise and encourage ways to be well as a school group. On Global Be Well Day, Stamford students participate in a range of activities to promote mindfulness and

healthy lifestyle, emphasising the importance of sleep, healthy eating habits, and physical activities to keep their bodies strong and hearts and minds happy. Last year Stamford accepted Cognita’s Active World Challenge logging an incredible 41,127 km of walking, running, swimming, and riding. The school community virtually ‘travelled’ from Hong Kong to International School Zurich North, in four weeks, and visited Cognita schools in Brazil, Spain, and the UK en route. This year, the school is set to celebrate its Global Be Well Day on September 30, 2021.

Preparing for the ‘real world’ In high school, learning happens beyond the classroom. At Grades 9 and 10, real-world learning is further enhanced through the school’s Cornerstones program, which offers unique learning experiences under the guidance of faculty and industry mentors. Unlike an internship or an organisational affiliation, the Cornerstones program is fully integrated into Stamford’s high school program and counts

towards course credit. “Cornerstones program is a unique learning experience that our students loved. They gained something additional for their portfolios and the learning,” shares Dietz. Each semester offers students an opportunity to work with one of the school’s external partners with distinct focuses that reflect students’ ambitions and strengths: architecture, future-focused design thinking, e-commerce entrepreneurship, game design, journalism, student leadership, technical arts and visual art. The projects are as unique as the students themselves, expanding beyond the curriculum and allowing children to delve deeply into their chosen topic. The partners offer students a diverse selection of venues to hone their skills and talents and, for some, the opportunity to be risk-takers and to explore a new subject area. Another key initiative is the Sophomore project, which offers Grade 10 students an excellent opportunity to enhance their research, project management and independent thinking skills. Students choose a topic to investigate and develop a plan Hong Kong Schools Guide

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all-through under the guidance of a teachermentor. After creating a mock-up of their design and an in-depth report, they then showcase their work to parents and peers. This eight-month-long project in Grade 10 is an excellent opportunity for students, irrespective of the academic pathway they have chosen, developing key skills for those who might not pursue IB while also serving as excellent preparation for those due to undertake the IBDP extended essay.

Follow Your Path Having recently expanded facilities to provide additional learning spaces, Stamford boasts a brand new design and technology workshop, specialist art rooms, science labs, outdoor

space on the ground floor and rooftop, as well as a new library and collaboration space that was designed with the help of the students. “Our students have big aspirations, and the facilities will support our diploma graduates, IB Course Candidates and IBDP graduates so they can continue to pursue their passions at universities around the globe,” says Dietz. In 2023, Stamford will celebrate its first batch of graduates. All students receive the American High School Diploma and there is the option to be an IB Course Candidate or pursue the full diploma programme. Dietz adds, “We are passionate about choice and are non-selective for our IBDP. At Stamford American, we believe that every student is unique,

which is why our curriculum and community work together to inspire each child to create their own pathway.” sg

Stamford American School 25 Man Fuk Road, Ho Man Tin, Kowloon, Hong Kong To find out more about Stamford American School Hong Kong visit sais.edu.hk

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WELL-BEING Exploring a path in psychology

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A career in psychology Joanna Chan, AISHK Primary Psychologist and Alumna shares her experience in the field

Can you share a bit about your career path since leaving school? After taking IB Biology I knew I wanted to get into the health industry and thought psychology may be an option. Fast forward 11 years, I completed a Bachelor

of Science (Psychology) at the Australian National University and a Masters of Professional Psychology at Macquarie University. I received my training and completed my registration as a Psychologist in Sydney and worked in early intervention centres and community clinics before moving into the education field with the NSW Department of Education. What does a typical work day look like for you at AISHK? Most days involve seeing students, attending at least

one meeting (either with parents, teachers, the LEC, student services, or with management); planning and reviewing sessions; completing session notes and admin work. If I have time at recess, I head down to the field and spend time with the primary students. Is there any advice you would share with anyone considering a psychologyrelated career? Psychology is a broad field that is more than the study of psychopathology (mental health disorders). It also Hong Kong Schools Guide

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includes other branches such as social psychology, organisational psychology and sports psychology. I would suggest to anyone who is interested to do research into these different areas as well as gaining some experience in community service or volunteering work to get a feel for what it’s like in the field. Psychologists work with people all the time, so it’s important to have good listening and communication skills in order to connect and engage with others. We also need to stay organised as the role involves a lot of multitasking and administrative work. What do you enjoy most about your role? Being able to connect with the students and make an impact, even if it’s a small one. It’s very important that

students feel safe and trusted at the school. When I see the progress in the students or hear positive feedback from teachers and parents - it’s such a rewarding moment. Were there any specific skills you gained at AISHK that you were able to utilise? AISHK helped me develop cultural awareness and openness to diversity. Growing up in a multicultural environment like AISHK, I naturally became interested in learning new languages and that has prompted me to take up three years of learning Korean as an elective at university.

my silver training expedition for Outward Bound and spent the weekend hiking and night camping in the mountains of Sai Kung. While we were enjoying the outdoor camping experience, we were also slightly worried about the upcoming Economics test which happened to take place the following Monday. We were fortunate enough to have our Economics teacher as camp organiser, so the group spent a night talking about inflation and exchange rates…in the middle of nowhere. aishk.edu.hk sg

Do you have any fond memories of your time as a student at AISHK? In Year 11, I had to complete Hong Kong Schools Guide

SUSTAINABILITY IN SCHOOLS The latest key part of the school choice process

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Sustainability in schools Danny Harrington, founder and Director of ITS Education Asia on the latest key part of the school choice process School selection in Hong Kong has undergone a huge transformation over the last 15 years, as the number of international schools has grown and the range of people considering them has broadened. Before that, it was often a case of which ESF 88

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catchment do I fall in? Or, where do my friends’ children go to school? Now we are all aware of considering a variety of elements such as school size, class size, curriculum, facilities, location, ethos and so on. I think we should now unquestionably add an

element with at least equal importance to these for the 21st century - sustainability. Sustainability is now very much at the forefront of mainstream consciousness. The terrible outcomes of our unsustainable approaches through (especially) the last

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50 years are now at the top of the media stories we consume every day; be they economic hardships, social inequalities, or, of course, environmental impacts. The idea of a sustainable approach to modern and future life has also gained prominence, especially with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs provide an overarching framework for inter-governmental discussion and policy-making, all of

which filters down to us at the community level. And schools are very much communities. It makes sense, therefore, that schools should consider sustainability in a range of ways so that they can be confident that they are sustainable in themselves and that they are contributing to a sustainable world around them. But ultimately, this all comes down to us as individuals. Our actions and behaviours contribute to the level of sustainability we

achieve and our opinions and demands contribute to how communities and governments act, creating, ideally, a virtuous circle of action and policy to move us into a more sustainable future. The last few years have seen huge strides in the Hong Kong international school community to address these issues of sustainability. And what has been very pleasing has been the way in which so much of this has been student driven. In my mind, youth voices, initiatives and actions are key characteristics of a vibrant, modern, sustainable community. The days of dismissing teenagers as “too young” or “too inexperienced” are over. This generation is digitally native, extremely well-informed, better educated at an earlier stage and is engaged with global crises, angry that they have happened and determined to do something about it. We see a range of student initiatives at many schools: the sustainability audit at CIS driven by Drop in the Ocean (DITO); Wanbo at Island School; the Global Goals Council (GGC) at CDNIS, to name just a few. ESF schools all have a staff member appointed as Sustainability Rep and the ESF has engaged with The Nature Conservancy to create NatureWorks across all ESF schools. Many schools have installed solar panels, are looking at water recycling, dealing with the types of stationery they purchase, banning single-use Hong Kong Schools Guide

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plastic and so on. This is a wonderful range of advocacy and action. Increasingly, we are also seeing SDG Education creep into the curriculum. This is harder as schools have to prioritise their core curriculum such as A-level or IB, but it is possible. There are opportunities within certain subjects like Geography to use the SDGs as a framework for existing curriculum content. Some schools have allowed their PSHE lessons to be used for SDG education sessions. At my own school, we have initiated a full SDG oriented programme called the Young Changemaker Incubator and also taken on a range of UN courses to make SDG Education more directly accessible to students who want it, both those enrolled with us or any other student in Hong Kong who wishes to do it as a co-curricular activity.

The sustainability activity of a school now needs to be a high-priority element in parents’ reasons for choosing it. This is one of the many ways we , as parents, can actively do our part in driving sustainability ever forward. Schools will accelerate their

drive to be sustainable and to teach the SDGs Our children will become even more engaged and be “sustainability natives” so that their choices and actions as individuals, employees and business owners, and policy-makers in the future are sustainably minded. sg

When choosing an international school in Hong Kong, let’s start to add these questions to the list we already have: • What is the school’s sustainability ethos? • How has the school implemented real actions to become more sustainable? • Has the school undertaken a sustainability audit? • Does the school teach the SDGs or other sustainability ideas in the curriculum? If so, which year groups and to what extent? • Does the school have and support student-led

sustainability clubs and initiatives? • Has the school and/ or its students won any sustainability awards? And add as many others as you like and allow these questions to develop into proper conversations. Our children are getting much better at demanding answers to these crucial questions which impact their entire future lives. We should too.

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SCHOOL’S OUT! Keep the kids entertained with these creative and energy burning activities

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Photo: Treasure Island

after school activities

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after-school

A professional perspective Vincent Alarcon, Director of Sports at ESF Sports on the importance of after-school activities Starting his career as a lifeguard and swimming instructor at the age of 15, Vincent Alarcon has always been passionate about the outdoors. After studying business at University, Alarcon went on to work for Federal Reserve bank of New York and on Wall Street for two years, but being stuck in an office all day took its toll on him. “I decided to go back to teaching and running Health Clubs. I prefer dealing with people rather than making a lot of money and being stuck inside all day,” he says. Alarcon is now the Director of Sports at ESF sports, which offers afterschool activities to over 24 locations across Hong Kong, specialising in youth sports, with experienced, qualified coaches delivering expert coaching across a range of sports. Alarcon answers some of your most frequently asked questions. What are the benefits of sports clubs and activities? As a father of an 8-year-old girl, I know how important it is to get her out and active and away from the screen. Over the past year, there has been a big big difference in her social behavior with family and friends. With current social distancing 94

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rules, it’s difficult to get her out and she spends a lot of time online and has trouble sleeping. Since encouraging her to go back to the sports she loves like Football and Taekwondo and she has been much more social and goes to bed right away. What life lessons has sports taught you? Success requires hard work and training. Nothing is easy and shouldn’t just be handed to you. I think this is a very important lesson for children to learn at an early age. Sport also helps children learn how to deal with pressure and stress in a safe environment. Whether it be in swimming, diving from a race block

or going against someone that is bigger than them in football, it all helps to build their confidence. If a child is serious about sport, how can parents best offer support? Show up to games or competitions and support them, their coaches, the team and school. Accept that progress in any sport takes a long time: it can take at least 7-10 years after maturation for any athlete to achieve their full potential so don’t specialise too early. There is no such thing as a champion ten-year-old winger or opening bowler or halfback. For more information about ESF Sports visit: esf.org.hk/sports sg

activities

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The Arts STAGE RIGHT! Enriching young people’s knowledge of theatre since 2011, STAGE RIGHT! offers workshops that allow children of all ages to explore their acting and performance skills and investigate real-world issues in a safe and controlled environment. stagerighthk.com

Anastassia’s Art House Hong Kong’s only Russian Art Academy offers a range of structured art classes for adults and children aged three to 16 years old. The art house 96

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offers an array of classes, including painting, drawing, sketching, ceramics, creative

drama and design. Art parties and workshops are also available. arthouse-hk.com

activities opportunity to study with some of the finest singing professionals in Asia. The studio specialises in a wide range of styles including pop, musical theater, classical and jazz. americanvocalstudio.com

Campin’ Out Treasure Island

BallroomBees

Twinkle Dance

BallroomBees helps children develop both gross motor skills and agility but also focuses on teamwork, social skills and etiquette. Children will learn choreography to well-known songs and learn to dance and move with a partner, developing confidence and social skills while interacting with their peers. ballroombees.com

Offering ballet, jazz and contemporary dance classes for children aged 18 months and above, Twinkle Dance seeks to engage kids by using fun visual themes that they can connect with. All of its teachers have professional training and qualifications. twinkledance.com

Faust International

An elite vocal studio which provides students with the

Established in 1999, Faust runs drama workshops for children aged three to 18 at venues across Hong Kong. In fun, lively sessions, the drama school introduces children to the world of theatre and creativity, developing performance skills, theatre knowledge, teamwork, individual expression and confidence. Faust also organises productions at Hong Kong theatres throughout the year. faustworld.com.hk

American Vocal Studio

Get your kids out and about with Treasure Island. The outdoor education group offers transformative and rewarding outdoor experiences through a series of adventure, community and environmental programmes. With various exciting (and safe) surf and adventure camps, your children can explore their passion for life and the great outdoors. treasureislandhk.com

Ark Eden on Lantau Ark Eden has been running holiday camps for young children since 2008. These camps have become very popular and take place at Ark Eden’s beautiful forested

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after-school valley garden, located in the foothills of Mui Wo. The holiday camp also offers occasional trips to nearby beaches, waterfalls and other islands. arkedenonlantau.org

Hebe Haven Yacht Club Adventure Watersports Weeks are run by Hebe Haven Yacht Club during the

school holidays. The camps provide a safe and guided environment for children aged six to 14 years old to take part in a variety of different water-based activities. Expect fun outdoor adventures such as sailing on various dinghies at the centre, day trips to the outer islands of Sai Kung, beach games, kayaking and more. hhyc.org.hk

Sports HK Rugby Union Children from the age of four can start training under the HKRU Junior Programme in a safe and multi-ethnic environment. Under 7s and Under 12s are registered at

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one of 20 mini rugby clubs, while Under 14s and Under 19s are placed in the Colts Programme, where they will compete in league events and even have the opportunity to represent Hong Kong in the national squad. hkrugby.com

activities Tennis Elite Tennis Elite is a sports company that specialises in delivering tennis coaching services exclusively to private residencies in Hong Kong. Their programmes cater to all ages and abilities, ranging from junior group classes to adult clinics and even tennis holiday retreats. tennis-elite.com

Valley Fort Rugby Football Club As one of the oldest mini and youth rugby clubs in Hong Kong, Valley Fort has a range of teams for budding rugby players as well as a senior squad for professional games. Training sessions for their 600 playing members are held in Stanley Fort, Tai Tam, Aberdeen and Happy Valley. valleyfort.com sg

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IN-TUITION Exam prep, language classes and inclusive education

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tuition

Ace those exams Set your child up for success with these tuition classes

Hong Kong Institute of Languages Since 1985, the Hong Kong Institute of Languages has been helping children and teens achieve their language learning goals in small group classes or tailor-made private lessons. The school offers language courses from beginner to advanced levels, including exam preparation for IB, I/GCSE, GCE AL, CEE, IELTS, SAT and more. Classes are face to face and taught by qualified native speaking teachers, but should you prefer, online or home tuition are also available. hklanguages.com

Capstone Prep Education Capstone provides students 102 Hong Kong Schools Guide

with a foundation in critical thinking and problem solving to help mentally prepare them for the academic environment and the world. Their variety of test prep services ensures

preparation for secondary and boarding school entrance exams, SSAT, SAT and ACT courses and tutoring for AP and IB exams. capstoneprep.com

study time Ampla Education Ampla Education offers tuition for a vast range of exams, including GCSEs, A-Levels, IB and Pre-U, as well as bespoke programmes for tests such as IELTS and SATs with an experienced team composed of Oxbridge, Yale and Imperial graduates. Admissions preparation courses and comprehensive consulting services are available for those considering boarding schools and universities abroad. ampla-edu.com

Kaplan Test Prep Keystone Prep Since 2006, Keystone has accumulated experiential knowledge in preparing students for admissions to top colleges. Their Boarding School Application Program and College Application Program, along with their Test Prep courses for SATs, ACTs and more, are designed to get kids in the best possible position for their future. keystoneprep.com

Bespoke Tuition Offering customised oneto-one or small group home tutoring solutions for students by the hour, week or full time. A consultant is on hand to guide you through the process of handpicking tutors to suit a student’s unique objectives and personality. Every school and university subject is covered, as well as key study and life skills, including exam technique, time management, public speaking and critical thinking. bespoketuition.com

Sylvan Learning Centre By using a diagnostic assessment, Sylvan Learning Centre is able to establish a child’s strengths and weaknesses and design a tailor-made programme for each child. It offers tuition in a range of subjects, including Maths, Science, Mandarin and English, plus school entrance exam preparation for children aged five to 18. sylvan.edu.hk

Kumon

Kaplan Test Prep is the world leader in the test prep industry since it was established in 1938. Kaplan offers preparation for different types of standardized tests in Hong Kong, including entrance exams for secondary school, college and graduate school, such as SSAT, SAT, ACT, TOEFL, IELTS, GMAT, and GRE. Kaplan also provides private tutoring and admissions consulting services including boarding school, college and graduate admissions. kaplan.com.hk sg

Founded in 1958 in Japan, the Kumon Method aims to fully pursue the potential of each individual student. This is achieved through individualised instruction regardless of age or school grade, self-learning and advancing beyond school grades. Subjects are available in Maths, Chinese (both traditional and simplified) and English. kumon.com.hk Hong Kong Schools Guide 103

languages

Learn the lingo Travel around the world with these language classes

Hong Kong Institute of Languages True to its name, Hong Kong Institute Multiple of Languages teaches a wide range of languages: English, French, German, Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin and Japanese to children, teens, adults, schools and corporations, and has been doing so since 1985. The Institute has built a teaching model around small group classes and tailor-made private lessons. Courses range from beginner to advanced levels, including exam preparation. It also provides online learning as well as home or office tuition. hklanguages.com 104 Hong Kong Schools Guide

Mini Mandarins Children aged from eighteen months get the best of both worlds at Mini Mandarins,

Mandarin

which combines language learning with interactive play. With made-to-scale models of real-world places, children are immersed in everyday situations to develop fluency and practical vocabulary. minimandarins.com

languages Dante Alighieri Italian Language Learning Centre

Italian

A registered Charitable Institution promoting Italian language studies and culture throughout the world. Its learning centre offers group, private and corporate classes for children and adults. Partnering with the Italian Chamber of Commerce and other Italian cultural associations, the centre frequently hosts Italian cultural activities. ladante.cc open to those aged three and above and can be taught in small groups, individually or online. spanishworldgroup.com

Dr. Sackmann’s language education centre

Spanish World Language Centre Based on Pottinger Street in Central, Spanish World Language Centre Spanish provides kids, teens and adults with a wide variety of Spanish language courses, including group lessons and private classes. Classes are

Founded and run by renowned German linguist, Dr. Robin Sackmann, German this centre provides a relaxed and fun environment for children and adults to learn German. Using multimedia techniques including German videos, radio programmes and magazine articles, students can learn everyday terminology and gain confidence in the langage. dslc.com.hk

Le club des cinq Founded in 2013, Le club des cinq - French Learning Centre has created programmes according to the age and the level of each child. From discovering

the French language to IGCSE or IB French preparation, the aim of the school is to offer the best French classes for everyone. frenchlessons.hk sg

Hello Hallo Ciao Hola Bonjour Nǐ hǎo

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inclusive education

A helping hand People learn in different ways at varying paces

Kids Connect Established in Hong Kong in 2014, Kids Connect is a learning centre dedicated to children with learning disabilities. With a cosy team made up of 11 highly trained teachers, Kids Connect combines scientific rigorousness with a personal touch of humanity in all its programmes. Its personalised 106 Hong Kong Schools Guide

approach to learning is one of the many reasons why it receives the title of Special Education School of the Year.

Sprout in Motion Sprout in Motion is a specialist centre for child and adolescent clinical psychology. Working with those with suspected ADHD, dyslexia, ASD and other

developmental disabilities, it offers services in English, Cantonese or Mandarin and has centres in Central and Wong Chuk Hang. sproutinmotion.com

Child Development Centre Educational programmes at CDC are based on the UK’s Early Years Foundation

inclusive education Behaviour Analysis approach to encourage the potential of children with autism to bloom, it runs the Aoi Pui private primary school. This is the only school in Hong Kong to cater specifically for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). apf.org.hk

SPOT

Stage, backed up by various learning tools, methodologies, assessments and therapies to develop each child’s maximum potential. It provides support to children with a wide spectrum

of individual abilities and needs. cdchk.org

Autism Partnership Foundation Using the renowned Applied

SPOT has both individual and group classes available to provide invaluable advice on all areas of a child’s development. Offering a variety of services and facilities, from sensory-motor therapy gyms and speech therapy sessions to dyslexia assistance and in-school support, SPOT has three centres around Hong Kong. spot.com.hk sg

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Inclusive education Dr. Jeremy H. Greenberg, director of The Children’s Institute Hong Kong (TCI) on Autism spectrum disorder inclusive education

Established 18 years ago The Children’s Institute Hong Kong is one of Hong Kong’s most significant Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) related charities, offering students with ASD the best possible evidence based educational outcomes. “When we started in 2003 there were just a few students, but we always had a clear goal to include students into mainstream classrooms,” says Dr. Jeremy H. Greenberg, director of The Children’s Institute Hong Kong. Applied behaviour analysis (ABA) is one of the techniques The Children’s Institute Hong Kong uses to help utilise the 110 Hong Kong Schools Guide

behavioural principles and shape students behaviours in an organised manner. “Some of our students come in for specialised instruction, while others, particularly those that have been with the programme longer, are integrated either partially or fully in classrooms at international schools,” says Dr. Greenberg. “Students integrated into classrooms will typically have a one to one ABA Teacher with them to assist the child in accessing the general education curriculum.” The goal for most students at The Children’s Institute Hong Kong is to

teach them to a point where support can be faded out and they can partake in mainstream classrooms without any support. “We fade out around one to two students (5 percent) each year,” said Dr. Greenberg, “this may not sound like a huge number, but given the population we work with and effort it takes to get them truly integrated in mainstream classrooms without support, that is something well worth celebrating.” sg The Children’s Institute Hong Kong is currently reviewing admission applications for its various classrooms and programmes for summer and upcoming school year. tcihk.org.

directory

American School Hong Kong

Australian International School Hong Kong

Bloom KKCA Academy

Age: 5-13 years, 5-18 years (in 2022) Curriculum: US Common Core Curriculum and IBDP Location: Tai Po Website: ashk.edu.hk

Age: 4-18 years Curriculum: Australian Curriculum, New South Wales Higher School Certificate (NSW HSC), IB Diploma (IBDP) Location: Kowloon Tong Website: aishk.edu.hk

Age: 6-12 years Curriculum: HK local curriculum framework + US and UK standards, including the Next Generation Science Standards from the U.S. Location: Kowloon Website: bloom.edu.hk

Canadian International School of Hong Kong

Chinese Academy

City Kids Pre-School and Playgroup

Age: 3-18 years Curriculum: IB, Ontario Secondary School Diploma Location: Aberdeen Website: cdnis.edu.hk

Age: 5-10 years Curriculum: Bilingual immersion globalized curriculum and inquirybased learning Location: Causeway Bay Website: caps.edu.hk

Age: 2.8- 5 years Curriculum: UK Early Years, Foundation Stage Curriculum (EYFS) Location: Mid-levels Website: citykidshk.org

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directory

Creative Secondary School

Delia School of Canada (DSC)

Discovery Bay International School

Age: 12-18 years Curriculum: IBMYP, HKDSE/IBDP Location: Sai Kung Website: css.edu.hk

Age: 3-18 years Curriculum: Canadian Curriculum Location: Taikoo Shing Website: delia.edu.hk

Age: 3-18 years Curriculum: English National Curriculum Location: Discovery Bay Website: dbis.edu.hk

Discovery Montessori Academy

Discovery Montessori School

English Schools Foundation (ESF)

Age: 3-12 years Curriculum: IB PYP & AMI, Elementary Montessori Location: Discovery Bay Website: montessori-ami.edu.hk/ featured_course/dma/

Age: 1-6 years Curriculum: AMI Montessori Location: Discovery Bay, Central, Kowloon TST Website: montessori-ami.edu.hk

Age: 3-18 years Curriculum: IB PYP, IB MYP, IGCSE, IB Diploma Programme, Applied Learning Pathway, IB Career-related Programme, Individualised Educational Programme Location: 22 schools Website: esf.edu.hk

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2021/2022

Fairchild Nursery & Kindergarten

Fairchild Junior Academy

French International School

Age: 2-6 years Curriculum: Candian Early Learning Framework and Hong Kong Kindergarten Education Curriculum Guide Location: Sai Ying Pun Website: fairchild.edu.hk

Age: 8 months - 8 years Curriculum: Reggio Emilia, Ontario Early Learning Framework Location: Tin Hau Website: fairchild.academy

German Swiss International School

Guidepost Montessori International Kindergarten

Han Academy

Age: 2.8-18 years Curriculum: German International Stream (German International Abitur) and English International Stream (IB, IGCSE) Location: Kindergarten – Pokfulam Campus, Primary and Secondary – Peak Campus Website: gsis.edu.hk

Age: 6 months - 6 years Curriculum: Montessori method of education Location: Kennedy Town, Chai Wan Website: guidepostmontessori.com/ locations/kennedy-town-hk Website: guidepostmontessori. com/locations/chai-wan-hk

Age: 5-18 years Curriculum: Integrated curriculum with IBDP, A-Level, IGCSE, Chinese National Curriculum Location: Aberdeen Website: hanacademy.edu.hk/En

Age: 3- 18 years Curriculum: French National Curriculum (from Petite Section to Terminale) and English National Curriculum enhanced for our international setting (IEYC, IPC, IMYC, IGCSE & IB) Location: Chai Wan Website: fis.edu.hk

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Harrow International School

HKCA Po Leung Kuk School

Hong Kong Academy

Age: 3-18 years Curriculum: British international boarding school Location: Tuen Mun Website: harrowschool.hk

Age: 3-11 years Curriculum: Authorized I.B. World School - PYP Location: Tin Hau Website: plkis.edu.hk

Age: 3-18 years Curriculum: HKA Diploma, Global Citizen Diploma, IB PYP, IB MYP and IB DP Location: Sai Kung Website: hkacademy.edu.hk

Hong Kong Adventist Academy

Hong Kong International School

ICHK Hong Lok Yuen

Age: 6-17 years Curriculum: Local and U.S. Curriculum

Age: 4-18 years Curriculum: American curriculum; Advanced Placement (AP) courses available in High School Location: Repulse Bay (Lower & Upper Primary), Tai Tam (Middle & High School) Website: hkis.edu.hk

Age: 3 - 18 years Curriculum: IB (PYP), IGCSE in Year 10 and 11; IBDP in Year 12 and 13 Location: Hong Lok Yuen, Tai Po (Kindergarten and Primary), Sha Tau Kok (Secondary) Website: ichk.edu.hk

Location: Clearwater Bay, Sai Kung Website: hkaa.edu.hk

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Invictus School Hong Kong Age: 5-18 years Curriculum: International Early Years Curriculum for Kindergarten; International Primary Curriculum for Primary section; IGCSE and Cambridge International A-Levels for secondary school. Location: Tseung Kwan O, Chai Wan Website: invictus.edu.hk

Italian International Nursery and Kindergarten

Japanese International School Hong Kong

Age: 2- 6 years Curriculum: Reggio Children Approach, Two bilingual streams Italian-English, plus Putonghua and English-Putonghua, plus Italian Location: Ap Lei Chau Website: iikg.edu.hk

Age: 4-11 years Curriculum: IB World School (PYP) Location: Tai Po Website: es.jis.edu.hk

Kellett School

Les Petits Lascars French International Preschool

Age: 4-18 years Curriculum: Early Years Foundation Stage and English National Curriculum, which includes GCSEs, IGCSEs and A levels Location: Pok Fu Lam (Preparatory), Kowloon Bay (Preparatory and Senior) Website: kellettschool.com

Age: Pre-nursery (2-3 years), Kindergarten (3-6 years) and Playgroups (9-24 months) Curriculum: French stream (French National Curriculum) and International stream (International Early Years Curriculum).

Parents can choose between French, English and Mandarin languages. Bilingual and trilingual classes available. Location: Central and Tseung Kwan O Website: www.petitslascars.com

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Lantau International School

Malvern College Hong Kong

Malvern College Pre-School Hong Kong (Coronation Circle)

Age: 4-11 years Curriculum: British National Curriculum Location: Tong Fuk, Pui O and Cheung Sha Website: lis.edu.hk

Age: 5-18 years Curriculum: IB (PYP, MYP, & DP) Location: Pak Shek Kok Website: malverncollege.org.hk

Age: 2-5 years Curriculum: UK Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Location: West Kowloon Website: malvernpreschool.hk

Malvern College Pre-School Hong Kong (Island West)

Mount Kelly Hong Kong

Mulberry House International Kindergarten

Age: 2-5 years Curriculum: UK Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Location: Sai Ying Pun Website: malvernpreschool.hk

Age: 6 months -16 years Curriculum: The English National Curriculum, British Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), IGCSE Location: Jordan, Kowloon, Tsim Sha Tsui Website: mountkelly.edu.hk

Age: 2- 6 years Curriculum: Inquiry-based blended with the Reggio Emilia approach, underpinned by the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Location: Tai Po and Southside Website: mulberryhousekg.com

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Nord Anglia International School Hong Kong

Norwegian International School

Oxbridge School Hong Kong

Age: 3-18 years Curriculum: EYFS, British National Curriculum, IBDP, and IGCSE Location: Sai Kung and Tai Tam (Pre-School), Lam Tin (Primary and Secondary), Kwun Tong (Secondary) Website: nordangliaeducation.com/ our-schools/hong-kong

Age: 2.8- 11 years Curriculum: International Primary Curriculum & International Early Years Curriculum Location: Tai Po Website: nis.edu.hk

Age: 5-11 years Curriculum: National Curriculum of England and Wales Location: Hung Hom, Kowloon Website: oxbridgeschool.hk

Shrewsbury International School Hong Kong

Sai Kung Montessori

Small World Christian Kindergarten

Age: 3-11 years Curriculum: English National Curriculum Location: Tseung Kwan O Website: shrewsbury.edu.hk

Age: 3- 6 years Curriculum: Montessori Location: Sai Kung

Age: 2.8- 5 years Curriculum: International Early Years Curriculum Location: Mid-levels Website: smallworld.edu.hk

Website: saikungmontessori.com

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Stamford American School Hong Kong

Sunshine House International Pre-Schools Hong Kong

The Harbour School Hong Kong

Age: 5-18 years Curriculum: Inquiry-based learning approach, American diploma and the option of the IB Diploma Location: Ho Man Tin, Kowloon Website: sais.edu.hk

Age: 1-6 years Curriculum: British National curriculum and The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Location: Clearwater Bay, Discovery Bay, Tung Chung Website: sunshinehouse.com.hk

Age: 5-18 years Curriculum: American Curriculum Location: 2 campuses in Ap Lei Chau Website: ths.edu.hk

The Children’s Institute of Hong Kong

The ISF Academy

The International Montessori School

Age: 2- 18+ years Curriculum: Individualised applied behavior analysis special instruction Location: Ap Lei Chau and Wong Chuk Hang

Age: 2.8 - 17 years Curriculum: Bilingual and Bi-Cultural Inquiry-Based Experiential Learning, IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) for grade

Website: tcihk.org

6 to 10 and IB Diploma Programme (DP) for grade 11 to 12 Location: Pok Fu Lam Website: academy.isf.edu.hk

Age: 2-12 years Curriculum: Montessori DualLanguage Programme Location: Aldrich Bay, Mid-Levels, South Horizons and Stanley Website: ims.edu.hk

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United Christian Music Kindergarten

Victoria Shanghai Academy

Woodland Pre-Schools

Age: 6months- 5 years Curriculum: Kindergarten Programme, IEYC and UCM Music Curriculum Location: Tseung Kwan O Website: ucm.edu.hk

Age: 6-18 years Curriculum: IB Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP) Location: 19 Shum Wan Road, Aberdeen Website: vsa.edu.hk

Wycombe Abbey School Hong Kong

Yew Chung International School

Age: 5-13 years Curriculum: National Curriculum for England and Wales Location: Aberdeen Website: was.edu.hk

Age: 6 months – 18 years Curriculum: International Curriculum (6 months to 4 years old: Emergent Curriculum with play-based and childcentred approach; Year 1 to 9: based on framework and learning criteria of National Curriculum for England with

Age: 6 months – 6 years Curriculum: Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) with two campuses following the Montessori approach Location: Mid-Levels, Happy Valley, Kennedy Town, Pokfulam, Repulse Bay Beachside, Repulse Bay Montessori and Sai Kung Website: woodlandschools.com

Project-based Learning and Learning Community approach; Year 10 to 13: IGCSE and IB Diploma) Location: 8 campuses in Kowloon Tong and 1 campus in Tseung Kwan O Website: ycis-hk.com

For a complete list of schools in Hong Kong, visit the Education Bureau’s official website: edb.gov.hk

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notes hikes

Take note Do it the old-fashioned way and grab a pen

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Hong Kong Schools Guide 2021

Articles inside

Inclusive education

Languages

Extra-curricular activities

Tuition

Stamford American School

Hong Kong International School

Nord Anglia International School

Malvern College Hong Kong

Principal’s office: The Harbour School

Principal’s office: ESF Island School

Japanese International School

Wycombe Abbey School Hong Kong

The International Montessori School

Principal’s office: The International Montessori School

Woodlands Pre-School

Principal’s office: Small World Christian Kindergarten

Guidepost Montessori

Fairchild Kindergarten