With the new academic year unfolding, it’s time to hear the latest news and updates from the two campuses of Malvern College Pre-School Hong Kong. From their bilingual programs to the way they take Hong Kong preschool education into the great outdoors, we ask a panel of MCPS staff – NATALIE GLEESON (Principal, Coronation Circle), EMMA-JANE RITCHIE (Principal, Island West) and VIRGINIA LIAO (Principal, Chinese) — to share their plans.
What are some of the things that have been happening at MCPS over the past 12 months?
Natalie:
In October last year, supported by the Malvern College Pre-School community, we held our very first International Culture Day event. This was open to both internal and external families who joined us for an unforgettable adventure! Children embarked on a global journey with our exclusive Malvern College Pre-School Passport guiding them through a vibrant tapestry of music, dance, crafts and role-play activities. They experienced the rich cultures of different countries in the preschool, linked to various areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum. Children moved to international beats, crafted cultural art and stepped into the shoes of people from around the world.
Over the last 12 months, we’ve started offering taster sessions for families interested in joining our Playgroup, Pre-Nursery or Kindergarten 1 or 2 programmes. These sessions are led by current Hong Kong preschool staff at the Island West campus and have been a huge success, resulting in multiple enrolments.
We also had an outstanding Quality Assurance visit from Malvern College International, led by Jayne Bennion. The visit highlighted how happy the children are, how highly the parents regard the nurturing environment, the quality of teaching, and the Forest-Beach School programme. It also emphasised the effectiveness of developmentally appropriate practices balanced between adult-directed and child-led learning.
What are you excited about for the next 12 months at Malvern Hong Kong?
Natalie:
We have a part-time Learning Enhancement teacher working across both pre-school campuses this year. As many children’s first language is not English, she runs groups in both Kindergarten 1 and 2, helping children make accelerated progress from their individual starting points in English language proficiency using the Nuffield Early Language Intervention (NELI) programme. The Learning Enhancement teacher also observes and co-teaches with staff to upskill them in inclusive practices for young learners.
Also, 2025 marks the 10th anniversary of our sister school in Chengdu. Because of this, our annual Malvern Leadership Conference will be held there. Having worked closely with the early years team in Chengdu as part of the Malvern global community, we look forward to meeting our colleagues in person, seeing their wonderful site, and exploring their forest programme and sustainable farm while sharing best practices.
The Malvern families have been making significant strides in reducing the use of single-use plastics in the preschool and Forest-Beach School for the children’s snacks. This year, our attention has turned to the staff! The Forest-Beach School Leader and the Eco Team are spearheading and monitoring this closely. In conjunction with our “Big School”, Malvern College Hong Kong, the preschools will work towards achieving a Sustainability Award in the near future.
We’re now also offering regular coffee mornings. These allow parents to meet with the Principals of the school to share feedback about what the HK preschools are doing well and suggestions for the future. This is line with our ethos of being a reflective and forward-thinking organisation.
Give us an insight into one of your unique Hong Kong preschool programmes.
Natalie:
Our Financial Literacy programme has gone from strength to strength over the last year. All staff received external training from Anna Adasiewicz, who has a background in finance and preschool education and is doing her PhD in Financial Literacy in the Early Years. She showed us fun and interactive ways to teach Financial Literacy to very young children through stories and practical hands-on opportunities. Anna also suggested incorporating the Sustainable Development Goals and attitudes and behaviours related to Financial Literacy into our current curriculum.
Financial Literacy sessions are taught in Kindergarten 1 and 2 every other week, alternating between English and Mandarin. Children learn about money, saving, spending and donating. They also explore the concepts of needs and wants, as well as other financial behaviours and attitudes. Lessons typically include songs, stories and hands-on activities. Parents enhance the learning by discussing with their children how they earn their money.
The programme is further enriched by a Financial Literacy excursion for all classes. This is linked to the children’s interests and home learning opportunities where they are encouraged to do additional chores to earn money and then be involved in decisions about how much to spend, save and donate their money.
For Chinese New Year, the children made and sold various goods, handling money and issuing change. They calculated how much money they’d raised and donated this to a local charity of their choice.
Why is this programme important for young learners?
Emma-Jane:
Research from Cambridge University highlights that financial habits are formed as early as seven years of age. It’s therefore vital to introduce financial literacy in the early years. Our Financial Literacy programme equips children with essential skills and knowledge about money. Through engaging lessons, hands-on activities and play-based discovery, children develop positive financial behaviours and attitudes. By involving parents and offering real-world experiences, such as earning money through chores and managing funds during special projects, the programme lays a strong foundation for responsible financial decision-making, preparing children for their future.
How does Malvern’s bilingual programme look in practice at the two campuses?
Virginia:
The bilingual programme is seamlessly integrated across both campuses of MCPS. Students are immersed in both English and Mandarin throughout their daily activities, allowing them to naturally acquire language skills in a supportive environment. Teachers proficient in both languages collaborate to deliver a curriculum that balances linguistic and cultural preschool education. This approach ensures that children not only learn the languages but also gain a deep appreciation of the associated cultures. Our activities are also designed to engage students in both languages, helping them achieve proficiency and confidence in communicating effectively in both English and Mandarin.
Is there a specific goal when it comes to teaching Mandarin at the school?
Virginia:
The goal is to cultivate a deep appreciation and understanding of Chinese culture and language from a young age. By providing a strong foundation in Mandarin, we aim to equip pupils with the linguistic skills necessary for future academic and personal success. The curriculum is designed to be engaging and interactive. It encourages children to explore the language through songs, stories and cultural activities. This helps to foster a lifelong interest in Mandarin.
What do children (and parents!) enjoy about the bilingual approach?
Virginia:
Our pupils enjoy the bilingual approach because it makes learning dynamic and interactive. They love engaging in activities like storytelling, music and play-based learning, as it allows them to express themselves in both languages. Parents have given us positive feedback, too. They appreciate how the bilingual programme enhances their children’s cognitive flexibility and cultural awareness. They often observe improvements in communication skills and confidence, along with a greater enthusiasm for learning about different cultures.
Additionally, MCPS parents hope their children will maintain an interest in learning Chinese in a relaxed and enjoyable environment, covering listening, speaking, reading and writing. Feedback frequently highlights the fact that children can recognise Chinese characters in everyday settings, share various Chinese words, and gradually begin communicating in Mandarin.
How often do the children take part in a Forest-Beach School session? What does it add to classroom learning?
Emma-Jane:
MCPS’s Forest-Beach School programme offers a unique outdoor learning experience for children aged two to five years, with sessions held fortnightly. This innovative programme makes use of diverse beach and forest environments, complemented by educational trips to inspiring locations including Tuen Mun Reptile House, Lion Nature Education Centre, Kadoorie Farm, Jurassic Garage and Growing Farm. Hiking excursions to destinations like Clear Water Bay Country Park and Trio Beach also form part of the programme.
These outdoor sessions enrich classroom learning by sparking curiosity, enhancing sensory experiences and promoting physical activity. Children develop vital skills such as problem-solving, teamwork and environmental awareness, making learning both enjoyable and impactful.
MCPS is inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach, and many of our projects as part of a HK preschool education are based on the time children spend exploring the forest, beach and other natural environments.
Anything you’d like to share around admissions and application forms at Malvern Hong Kong?
Emma-Jane:
We encourage families to apply at least one year in advance via our Pre-School and Playgroup websites. As part of the admissions process, children take part in a play-based experiential session, which allows us to get to know them in a natural and engaging environment. This session helps us gain insight into their interests, strengths, and any areas where additional support or learning enhancement may be needed. Our personalised approach ensures we can create the best possible environment to nurture each child’s individual needs and potential.
Malvern College is an all-through school that provides a progressive pathway from a HK preschool education to primary/secondary school. Pupils graduating from MCPS who have attended for at least two full academic years and meet the admissions expectations, including age-related learning requirements outlined in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum, will be offered a place in Prep 1 at Malvern College Hong Kong (MCHK).
Our preschool teachers continuously monitor and track pupils’ progress. They share this information with MCHK teachers to ensure a seamless transition without the need for a formal observation session in K2. This integrated approach offers families a cohesive and well-aligned learning journey, ensuring every child is supported and nurtured throughout their Hong Kong preschool education at MCPS.
Malvern College Pre-School Hong Kong (MCPS)
- Island West: G/F & 1/F Viking Court, 165-166 Connaught Road West, Sai Ying Pun
- Coronation Circle: G09-12 Coronation Circle, 1 Yau Cheung Road, West Kowloon
Learn more about what to expect from a Malvern HK preschool education at malvernpreschool.hk or by calling 3898 4668.
This article featuring Malvern Hong Kong preschool first appeared in the Winter 2025 issue of Expat Living magazine. Subscribe now so you never miss an issue.
