This is a milestone year for Hong Kong Academy (HKA) – we find out more about it from new Secondary School Principal JOANNA CRIMMINS.
Tell us about the anniversary and its significance.
We have come so far from a little school in Stubbs Road in 2000. The way I see it, the move to this new campus, which is when I started working for HKA, was like the school was in its teenage years and finding its feet, seeing what works well or not so well. And now I feel like we’re moving into a period of more maturity. We literally are in our mid-20s and the child we have been nurturing has grown up! Yet we’re still the same school, we still have the same beliefs and values – we’re an inclusive school that’s community oriented, and that hasn’t changed.
It’s also lovely to celebrate 25 years because we were denied that opportunity for our 20th anniversary back in 2020.
How are you going to celebrate?
We’ll be doing all the things you might expect – we’ve got the special edition t-shirts, we’re having a launch party and so on. And I love that the students are a huge part of it, too. Last year, we started asking them what they wanted to see in the celebrations, and we got them involved in our Flex group sessions – that will continue this academic year. Among the ideas the students have delivered so far are creating some murals around a dragonfly theme (HKA sports teams are called Dragonflies) and also introducing a life-sized school mascot in time for the SCISAC volleyball tournament in March. We’re talking together about a campus fun day that might help us to do some fundraising, too.
What’s your background in education and teaching including at HKA?
I’m from South Wales and a drama teacher by trade. After working for a few years in the UK, I heard about the opportunities in teaching internationally. It sounded exciting so I moved to a school in Bangkok for five years, eventually becoming deputy head of the secondary school. I then went to Taiwan, where I was head of a school’s drama department and also oversaw the transition of primary students moving into secondary. After a brief year back in the UK, I decided I needed to come “home” to Asia.
I’ve been in Hong Kong for 13 years, and HKA for 11. I started as a drama teacher here and have also worked as MYP Coordinator, DP Coordinator, Assistant Principal and Acting Principal. I’m very honoured to now be the Secondary School Principal.
What do you like most about Hong Kong Academy?
I never thought I would stay in a school this long, but HKA is just so unique, authentic and genuine. Our mission – of nurturing a culture of belonging that inspires all students – really does drive the school; it’s at the heart of everything we do and the decisions that we make. The inclusivity and diversity, the community of students, everything about this school is just so special.
What are you looking forward to bringing to the role of Secondary School Principal this academic year?
I’m in a fortunate position because the handover has been very smooth so I can hit the ground running. I’ve also seen so much at HKA; I’ve been part of the school’s journey through the good times and the trickier times, and I have a close relationship with our students and parents and the faculty. We’re in a great place at the moment with our new Head of School starting last year and bringing a new energy and vision – and it’s even more exciting for the new academic year because of the 25th anniversary.
Encouraging students to develop their own ideas and action them seems to be a big driver at HKA; is that right?
Yes, it’s totally at the heart of our philosophy. It’s why we have our Student-Led Initiatives team; if someone has an idea they’d like to see actioned, they can go to the school’s portal and fill in a form and then pitch their ideas to that team of students. The team will ask key questions, take notes and give them advice on how to take the next step.
How else are HKA students encouraged when it comes to leadership?
Another way is through our collaboration with JUMP!, a Thailand-based organisation that works with students all over Southeast Asia and also Hong Kong. The JUMP! team is coming in the first weekend of September to do workshops with 60 students across Grade 6 to 12, and really build those leadership skills.
When we talk about student initiative, voice or agency, we really do live it here; it’s authentic. And when we talk about student leadership, it’s not just about the obvious leaders – the ones who will happily grab a microphone and MC an assembly. It’s also about involving other students who we think would benefit and thrive from this programme – and that includes the large group of new students who are joining us in Secondary this year.
Creating a culture of belonging is important for these new students – we want to make sure everybody feels like they belong as soon as they come through the door, so they can also thrive and benefit, not only from the aforementioned leadership opportunities, but also from just having that intrinsic motivation to learn – they can determine what they want to be doing and unpacking, and where they want to have impact, whether it’s on themselves, the community or globally.
Speaking of which, tell us about your partnership with OWN Academy.
OWN Academy is an organisation based across Hong Kong, Singapore and Dubai that really focuses on experiential learning. We have a Grade 12 student at the moment who comes to school part-time three days a week, and the other two days he works with OWN Academy on different work placements in HK to help him to discover what interests him.
The opportunities he has had are amazing. He was part of the crew at the new Kai Tak Stadium who got everything ready on the lighting and tech side for the Hong Kong Sevens. He’s been working in productions in the Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts. He’s going to be starting next week with Black Sheep Group to do placements in restaurants. We’re only trialling the programme at the moment, but it’s exciting for families and students for whom the IBDP mightn’t be the right fit, or who want to look at options beyond the traditional school-to-university route.
What do you like to do in Hong Kong outside of work?
I enjoy walking my dog along the seafront on a Saturday morning; I’m down to one now – I had four at one point! I also love reading, and usually I have numerous books on the go. And, as a drama teacher, I love the theatre – and Hong Kong is incredible in that respect.
Hong Kong Academy is at 33 Wai Man Road, Sai Kung.
2655 1111 | hkacademy.edu.hk
This article first appeared in the Autumn 2025 issue of Expat Living magazine. You can purchase the latest issue or subscribe so you never miss a copy!
