“Children must be taught how to think, not what to think”― Margaret Meade www.itseducation.asia www.facebook.com/itseducationasia The Unique Asia Schools Explorer January 2015 The ITS Education Asia bi-monthly newsletter brings you up-to-date information, interesting news on education and schools, and academic life in Hong Kong, Singapore and Shanghai. Hong Kong ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS The Harbour School -THS won an environmental award from renowned primatologist Dr Jane Goodall for its invention to measure plastic pollution in oceans. The school was awarded ‘Outstanding Roots & Shoots Project’ in the competition organized by the Jane Goodall Institute. Dr Jane Goodall said, "I'm amazed by the creativity of the students who designed the plastic detecting mechanism. That reinforced my view that children can indeed change the world, that they will solve the problems we have inflicted on our future. The Harbour School’s entry was selected out of 10 other schools and organisations in Hong Kong. www.ths.edu.hk Harrow International School - Brian Lo (Y13) has been placed 15th in the world and top in Hong Kong from over 1000 participants in the Cambridge Chemistry Challenge, which involved solving a series of puzzles every month based on Chemistry that require excellent Internet research skills, combined with creative thinking and problem solving skills. Exam Results - 1,140 I/GCSE and 90 A-Level students sat their exams in 2014, out of which around 70% of the I/GCSE grades were an A or A*, while 61.5% of the A-level grades were an A or A*. 1 “Children must be taught how to think, not what to think”― Margaret Meade NEW SCHOOLS ON THE BLOCK ESF Language Learning Centre - ESF opens new early-years learning centre to nurture children’s curiosity and inquiring minds on 8 April 2015. ESF Educational Services Ltd (ESL), an affiliate company of the English Schools Foundation, is launching the new ESF Language & Learning Centre in Wanchai. Class sizes will be small, with no more than eight in a group, to give each child the full attention they deserve. “Our playgroups run on a flexible schedule,” says Emma Dorrell, ESL acting head of Language & Learning. “Children can attend once, twice or three times a week. Depending on age, classes are either 1.5 or 2 hours long and are led by qualified teachers who bring a wealth of early childhood experience. Tel: 852 2711 1280; Email at [email protected] Hamilton Hill International -A brand-new Kindergarten opened in North Point in January 2015. Hamilton Hill International is the first Kindergarten in Hong Kong dedicated to drama and performance arts. The school will be working closely with prestigious organisations in the UK like Trinity College Cambridge and The London Academy of Music and Art, so students graduate with the certifications and qualifications to enter the primary school of their choice! The school follows an internationally recognised curriculum, so students are equipped with all of the basic phonic, literacy and numeracy skills, plus the all-important skills of self-confidence and public speaking. Principal Alexander Key has 15 years teaching experience in Hong Kong, and has coached many student winners of the Hong Kong speech festival! Tel: +852 2592 8080; Website: www.hhik.co News Bites Kellett School – New Head of Pok Fu Lam Campus is confirmed for August 2015. Mr Ben Dixon B Ed (Hons), NPQH, Dip SEN is to join Kellett from the UK. Mr Dixon is currently Headteacher of a rapidly expanding primary school in the South of England. Allocation of vacant school premises – The exercise in ‘allocation of vacant school premises and greenfield sites for international school development’ which began in March 2014 has progressed to the next round. Results are expected in March 2015. Debenture - ISF Academy Debenture available for sale at HK$7M with a face value of HK$3M. Enquires can be sent to [email protected] Prestigious Preschool Anniversary - EtonHouse is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year! Starting with one school in 1995, today there are more than 100 campuses in 12 countries in the world. ESF University Fair - On January 21, ESF announced the data of higher education destinations for the 2014 graduates. Students are studying at over 250 different higher education institutions in 18 different countries with the most popular being the UK (40%), Hong Kong (22%) and USA (17%). It is notable that an increasing number of students have chosen to remain in Hong Kong for higher education over the last few years – almost double from about 120 in 2011 to 204 in 2014. Open House – Singapore International School Date: Saturday, 21 March 2015 Time: 9am to 1pm *no reservation needed Harrow International School - Mrs Kate Gower, currently Head Mistress of The Pines School in Bracknell in the UK, will replace Mr Jason Taylor as the Head of Lower School from August 2015. 2 “Children must be taught how to think, not what to think”― Margaret Meade SINGAPORE SCHOOL EVENTS The Australian International School, Singapore -hosted Nobel Laureate Professor nd Brian Schmidt on 22 January to engage, inspire and motivate the school’s top science students. The first of three international speaker sessions, Professor Schmidt held a dialogue session with students, discussing the role of science through the ages in shaping our current society, and gave insights into his career path leading to his Nobel Laureate success to inspire students to excel in their chosen paths. Professor Schmidt is recognised for discovering the accelerating expansion of the universe and was awarded the 2011 Nobel Prize for Physics at the School of Astronomy and Astrophysics at the Mount Stromlo Observatory of the Australian National University in Weston Creek, Australia. To find out more about the Nobel Laureate international speaker events at AIS, book a personal tour or register for the next Open House on th 6 February 2015. Stamford American International School, Singapore - SAIS expands Global Mentor Program with Nobel Laureate, Prof. Ei-ichi Negishi 2010 Nobel Laureate for Chemistry, Prof. Ei-ichi Negishi, visited Stamford American th International School to speak with the school’s secondary students on 28 January. The event was part of Stamford’s unique Global Mentor program, inspiring students to excel in their chosen paths through access to the best international minds and leaders in the fields of business, science, social enterprise, athletics and the Arts. Stamford’s world-class campus, that includes three swimming pools, two sports arenas, a Golf Academy, state-of-the-art theatre and interactive Promethean boards in every classroom, supports the delivery of exceptional and unique programs alongside a rigorous academic program. Prospective parents were able to tour these facilities at the most recent Stamford Open House, held 16th January, alongside meeting the school’s leadership and faculty and observing classroom activities. The next Open House is on Friday 13th February at 9am. www.sais.edu.sg 3 “Children must be taught how to think, not what to think”― Margaret Meade NEW SCHOOL ON THE BLOCK Congratulations to GEMS World Academy A great start for GEMS World Academy which opened in September 2014, catering for Pre-K to Grade 8 and for 2015-2016 academic year, the expansion will include Grades 9 and 10, becoming a full Pre-K to Grade 12 international school for the 2017 academic year. GEMS World Academy (Singapore) is further evidence of the success of GEMS Education to provide outstanding schools across the world. With more than 142,000 students in GEMS schools, families in Singapore join a global network of high-quality learning institutions, providing additional opportunities for collaboration and inter-school learning. From the new grand entrance, to the 50 meter and early years pools, indoor gymnasium housing a rock climbing wall and multi-purpose space, through to the synthetic football pitch, GWA (Singapore) provides an exciting and welcoming environment. Interactive Smart Boards in every classroom enhance the development and sharing of work created on the Apple devices provided by the school. The teachers are passionate about providing every child with wonderful learning opportunities, delivering support, guidance and extension opportunities throughout the programme. www.gemsworldacademy-singapore.com SCHOOL FEATURE Dover Court International School: a revolution is underway Behind the tranquil setting and rolling landscape of Dover Court International School (DCIS), a revolution is taking place. Since April 2014, steady progress has been made to transform itself into a Nord Anglia Education school, and with the recent appointment of Dr Neil Hopkin as Principal, DCIS is now on the road to become one of the leading international schools in st Singapore for 21 century learning. In the coming months they will reveal a vast array of new and exciting ways in which their students can engage with their learning and with one another. What can be expected? Five year old students honing their mathematical skills using game theory on iPads, seven year olds broadcasting their own show with our new radio station, eleven year olds will be seen going through their final rehearsals for the week’s TV recording of their magazine show and fourteen year olds will be debugging their latest program in the Robotics lab. “Our students will be empowered as thoughtful and reflective, independent learners,” Dr Hopkin tells us. “But there’s no secret to how we manage that: we just make learning irresistible.” On the evidence of Dr Hopkin’s vision for Dover Court International School, it is difficult not to be captivated by these plans. To learn more visit www.nordangliaeducation.com/our-schools/singapore 4 “Children must be taught how to think, not what to think”― Margaret Meade SHANGHAI Meet the Junior School Head of Wellington College Mr Andrew Salmond Smith’s first teaching post was as Head of Classics at Long Close School, moving on to lead the department in the Junior School of The King’s School, Ely. Next stop was St. Anselm’s School in Bakewell as Director of Studies before obtaining his first Headship, leading The Grange Preparatory School in Santiago, Chile. Andrew returned to the UK, as Head of St Mary’s School, Lincoln, and then St George’s School, Windsor. He has been a Team Inspector for the Independent Schools Inspectorate since 2008. Regarding his appointment, Andrew writes, “The Head of any school has a wonderful job, with the responsibilities of educating and caring for children, watching them garner the skills, wisdom and knowledge not only for the next stage in their school career but for life. To be fortunate enough to become the first Head of the Junior School of Wellington College International Shanghai is such an exciting prospect. “Our school is not just going to be a place of learning but of so many other things as well: excitement, discovery, inspiration, bravery, creativity, laughter, thought, friendship, cooperation and challenge. I want every boy and girl who comes to our school to learn as much as they can about their world and learn as much as they can about themselves.” www.wellington-shanghai.cn/ New Features on ITS Scoop on Schools: Meet the Chief Executive Officer of ESF www.itseducation.asia/inside-schools-hk.htm#esf Tanglin Trust School Launches T90 (90th Anniversary) www.itseducation.asia/singapore/inside-schools-sg.htm#tts90 New Head of School - UWC South East Asia, Singapore www.itseducation.asia/singapore/inside-schools-sg.htm#tts90 ITS EDUCATION ASIA Tel: +852 2116 3916 Email: [email protected] www.itseducation.asia 5