There’s always plenty to look forward to on the educational journey. From new international schools in Hong Kong to new facilities and curriculums and other updates, here are just a few of the latest developments in schools in HK and abroad!
Hong Kong School News
Join an Open House at AIP
The upcoming Open House at the Academy of Innovation Primary School (AIP) will take a deep dive into the school’s curriculum, showing how primary-aged children (six to 12 years) can thrive in the school’s unique bilingual Montessori environment. Watch how your child can develop independence through hands-on learning, advanced mathematics and scientific exploration in both English and Mandarin, and discover how they can master both languages naturally through individualised learning. You’ll also see examples of student-led research projects, cultural studies and collaborative work that spark curiosity and foster critical thinking. One-to-one consultations will be available so you can connect personally with the Head of School and have your questions answered
The Open House is on Saturday, 26 April, from 10am to 12pm, at the AIP campus at 77 Caroline Hill Road, Causeway Bay. Register here.
A New Face at Shrewsbury
Shrewsbury International School Hong Kong has announced the appointment of Priya Kanthan as Principal; she will succeed founding principal Ben Keeling, who will be pursuing new opportunities after eight years of successfully navigating the school through the evolving educational landscape in Hong Kong. Shrewsbury describes Ms Kanthan as a highly respected leader with a global vision – she has over 30 years of experience in the UK, India, Malaysia and Hong Kong, serving most recently as Head of Discovery Mind School here in HK, where she achieved Cambridge International School accreditation in record time. Beyond the campus, Ms Kanthan is a keen swimmer and hiker, and also plays league hockey for the Hong Kong Football Club.
10 Shek Kok Road, Tseung Kwan O | shrewsbury.edu.hk
Who Won the Conrad Challenge 2025?
For the first time ever, a school from Hong Kong has won gold at this year’s Conrad Challenge China, held in Shanghai recently. Canadian International School of Hong Kong (CDNIS) secured victory at the event against over 100 top schools from across China. CDNIS’s Team Kinection will now compete as a global finalist at the prestigious Conrad Challenge Innovation Summit, scheduled for April 2025 in Houston, Texas. The four-day event will include a visit to the NASA Johnson Space Center, plus an Expo, workshops, networking opportunities, and presentations to a panel of judges. The school says that the achievement underscores its commitment to fostering innovation and excellence in education. cdnis.edu.hk
News from Shrewsbury
Shrewsbury International School Hong Kong has announced the opening of a Chinese and English bilingual programme – the Hanqing Bilingual Pathway (HQP) – from August 2025. Leveraging the strengths gained from the English National Curriculum, students who are enrolled in this new pathway will benefit from a unique blend of learning experiences and dual language instruction, including Mathematics in Chinese. It will be delivered by a team of native linguists and led by Sophie Che, Shrewsbury’s HQP Chinese Principal, who has worked in a number of prestigious bilingual school settings in mainland China.
In other news, congrats to Shrewsbury for raising over $33,000 through its Service Programme, which aims to inspire students through meaningful acts of service, as they explore key charitable challenges, engage with partner organisations and lead initiatives. “It’s vital that children understand their power to drive change,” says Principal Ben Keeling. The money raised through holiday events will help support Box of Hope, Plastic Free Seas, HandsOn Hong Kong, and ImpactHK. Shrewsbury’s Humanities Coordinator Lissie Rowe adds that the programme not only supports the school’s Global Citizenship curriculum, but also aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goal 17 (Partnership). shrewsbury.edu.hk
Spring Break & Summer Camps
Registration is now open for the Spring Break Camps at CDNIS. These programmes run from 14 to 17 April at both the EYC and main campus and are open to students aged two to 18 years. Expect your child to take part in a variety of activities, including arts, sports and STEAM. This year, there’s also a bilingual camp option providing an immersive language experience alongside the fun at the EYC.
If you’re looking towards summer too, book into one of the CDNIS Summer Programmes, from 16 June to 1 August. These camps offer even more opportunities for fun and learning – plus, both CDNIS and non-CDNIS students are welcome! Visit the CDNIS website for all details and secure your spot today. cdnis.edu.hk
Becoming a Tanglin Highlander
Tanglin Trust School in Singapore is launching a new experiential learning programme in Gippsland, Australia. This April, the first group of “Highlanders” will embark on the inaugural Highlands Programme for Year 9 students at Tanglin Gippsland. Over five weeks, students will follow their core curriculum studies in a low-tech rural setting, while also focusing on fitness, outdoor challenges and wellbeing. The school says that the unique programme will help students develop confidence, resilience and a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them. tts.edu.sg/tanglin-highlands
What’s Happening on Stage?
Exciting things are coming up at Faust International Youth Theatre! Their Easter Holiday Programmes run from 7 to 17 April – sign up now to take advantage of the early bird discount. Then, from 2 to 4 May, catch their production of Roald Dahl’s The Witches at the Shouson Theatre. During Term 3, all Faust Groups will be preparing for the annual Faust Festival in June, showcasing their creativity on stage. Plus, keep an eye out for the launch of their Summer Programmes! For more details, visit faustworld.com.
More Hong Kong school news to note!
Capturing Creativity
Celebrate your young one’s artworks and preserve their childhood through bespoke art books! Tiny Explorers Stories founder Mandy Tang is a mum herself who has faced the challenge of managing and preserving her kids’ art and clutter at home. This led to her solution, to record your child’s pieces and present them in a beautiful art book. Have a look on Instagram @tiny.explorers.stories.
Chinese International School extension
Chinese International School (CIS) has announced the redevelopment of the vacant site at 9 Hau Yuen Path, which is adjacent to the existing CIS campus. Formerly occupied by the Hong Kong Japanese School, the area will become the site of a new campus for Years 2 to 6 that will include an Innovation Lab focused on STEM, and a Centre for Intercultural Understanding, which will contain a performing arts hub. This expansion is scheduled to open in August 2028 and will increase the school’s overall enrollment from Reception through Year 13. cis.edu.hk
New Guidepost Montessori campuses!
There are now 13 campuses under CEG across Hong Kong providing a Montessori education. These new learning environments feature new and enriching indoor and outdoor gross motor playground spaces and each classrooms is also staffed by a full-time English teacher and a full-time Mandarin. This means the entire curriculum is taught in both languages and with a dual language approach.
Guidepost Montessori Mid-Levels is located on Caine Road and offers three floors with shared play spaces for children. It also sits directly across the street from Guidepost Family Club Mid-Levels, which hosts a range of engaging programs for parents, infants and toddlers.
Guidepost Montessori Repulse Bay, meanwhile, has stunning ocean views and is right across the street from Repulse Bay Beach and The Pulse shopping centre. This campus is for children six months to six years of age. The Repulse Bay campus also has private parking just steps away from the beach.
Finally, Guidepost Montessori Sai Kung can be found in the Marina Cove development, with indoor spaces that are filled with natural light and which join onto fab outdoor play areas.
Find out more at guidepost.hk.
A new expansion for Harrow Little Lions – plus a new Head!
Harrow Little Lions Kai Tak will open its doors in August 2025, the new two-storey purpose-built facility will accommodate over 200 early years children in Nursery and Reception. On top of this news, Ms Nikki Street will be appointed as the new Head of Harrow Little Lions Kai Tak. Ms Street brings extensive experience in early childhood education from her previous role at Harrow Little Lions Hengqin. Enrolment for August 2025 is now open.
Discover more at aislharrow.com.
In the Spotlight
Faust is a HK performing arts centre offering fab programmes for kids and teens with an interest in the stage. Upcoming offerings include the MT Spotlight group, which is for 15-to-19-year-olds who would like to take their musical theatre skills to the next level, exploring vocal range, acting techniques, dance styles and working towards a full-scale production. Meanwhile, LAMDA Workshops provide comprehensive training to young people aged eight to 18 who are interested in taking the LAMDA examinations. If you’re starting to look at holiday programmes, Faust offers workshops during Half-Term in October, as well as Winter Programmes in December.
Clever Kids!
Hard work clearly pays off after this year’s cohort of students across Hong Kong received some fantastic International Baccalaureate (IB) and A-Level results. Congrats from all of us at EL!
Blitzing the IB
The global average IB score was 30.24 points and many HK schools have reported averages between 32 and 38 percent. A total of 2,406 students in Hong Kong took part in the IB programme this year and at least 32 have attained perfect scores, up from 23 in 2023. Among them were 17 students from the English Schools Foundation, the city’s biggest international school group.
Acing A-Levels
A quick word on three schools who have earned some stellar 2024 results:
- At Harrow International School, 70 percent of students received an A grade and above, and 32 percent an A*. Students have secured places at Cambridge, Imperial, Stanford and UPenn universities, including first choice offers for Medicine at Hong Kong University and Tsinghua, Beijing. harrowschool.hk/learning/examination-results
- At Kellett School, 58.1 percent of the cohort achieved an A grade or above with 19.6 percent scoring A* grades. kellettschool.com/defining-kellett/results accreditations/results
- Over 12 percent of Korean International School students achieved straight A to A* grades. kis.edu.hk/examination-results
More excellent results at DBIS
Discovery Bay International School is another school celebrating following the news of student results. Fifty percent of its (I)GCSE students were graded A* to A, with an impressive 29 percent graded A*. Meanwhile, A-Level students also excelled, with 82 percent of grades ranging from A* to C and 38 percent from A* to A. The school’s principal Mr Marc Morris says, “The exceptional results reflect the students’ determination, the unwavering support of our dedicated teachers and the nurturing environment we provide. We have no doubt the Class of 2024 will continue to achieve great things in the years to come.” The new DBIS alumni will go on to prestigious universities including Cambridge and Cornell. Photo courtesy of DBIS. dbis.edu.hk
Korean International School Admissions
KIS is a growing international school in Hong Kong offering a UK curriculum in English (International Section) and also the Korean National Curriculum in Korean (Korean Section). There’s also a range of specialist subjects such as Foreign Languages, STEM and Creative Arts. Established in 1994, the all-through school has over 800 students aged four to 18, with 600 international students from over 25 different countries.
Apply now by emailing admissions@kis.edu.hk or calling 2569 5500
ESF in Sai Sha
From 2026, there’ll be a new ESF state-of-the-art kindergarten in Sai Shai. What’s more, the 300 K1 and K2 students at the kindergarten will have guaranteed entry into Year 1 at ESF Renaissance College. This arrangement will create a new, cohesive community that extends across both schools, helping parents gain certainty about their child’s education journey.
Applications for K1 entry in 2025 at Tung Chung Kindergarten will be accepted as normal during the central application period. However, students wishing to move on to K2 will be enrolled in the new kindergarten in Sai Sha – and offered a guaranteed place at ESF Renaissance College. The existing kindergarten in Tung Chung will relocate to Sai Sha when it opens.
Award Nominations
Rugby School Thailand has been shortlisted for the British International School of the Year 2024 in the prestigious Independent Schools of the Year Awards. These awards had a record number of entries this year with hundreds of schools submitting entries to all 24 awards categories. The school offers a stepping stone for families across Asia who would like a first-rate British education. for their children that’s close to home, and with plenty of pathways to top universities in the UK and around the world. Day and flexible boarding options are available.
Little Lions!
Harrow is opening a new campus in Kai Tak. The Little Lions Early Years Centre will be situated in the new Uptown East development, a modern residential and lifestyle hub with plenty of greenery, retail options and dining venues for the community. It’s close to Choi Hung MTR Station for easy connection to other parts of Hong Kong. Keep in the loop at harrowschool.hk.
Montessori in Bali!
Cosmic Education Group (CEG), one of the largest operators of Montessori schools in Asia – including Guidepost Montessori campuses here in Hong Kong – has established an exclusive partnership with AYANA Estate Bali, to introduce the world’s first “destination school”, Guidepost Montessori AYANA Bali. Set in the beautiful surrounds of a five-star estate, the school offers both a long-term academic program for children aged 3 to 6 years, as well as Adventure Camps with 2-day and 4-day options year-round for children of the same age. Little ones will explore marine life, local agriculture and more, in what will be an ideal offering for families visiting Bali during Hong Kong’s long summer break. The program integrates parents too, with a shared session at the end of each 4- day program. Families interested in either Adventure Camps or the long-term school program, or who are keen to tour the Guidepost Montessori AYANA Bali campus, can contact the admissions team on +62 812 3967 2804 or email ayanabali@guidepost.id.
New Early Learning space
HK’s newest bilingual nursery programme is opening its doors! Learn more about the CDNIS Early Years Centre at The Southside through a campus tour, and explore the expansive 14,000-square-foot space that includes state-of-the-art teamLab classrooms designed to ignite the imaginations of all learners. Applications for the CDNIS programme for two-year-olds will open soon, pending EDB approval.
Don’t miss the opportunity to witness the future of early education and shape your child’s journey – register your interest and learn more by visiting cdnis.edu.hk.
A preschool taster!
Discover the magic of learning at Malvern College Pre-School Hong Kong at one of its Taster Sessions, and see how the school supports children’s curious minds and passion for discovery. You’ll hear first-hand about Malvern’s curriculum and regular Forest-Beach School learning opportunities, and get a glimpse into a typical class and the Reggio Emilia inspired environment, from English/Chinese circle time to group activities focusing on Maths, Literacy, Chinese, Expressive Arts and Design, and Understanding the World. The Taster Sessions conclude with a guided campus tour. malvernpreschool.hk/taster-sessions
New term, new face
Creative Secondary School has made a fresh start to the opening term of 2024, with a flag-raising ceremony and a special assembly to welcome new School Principal, Mr Stephen Hindes. A lifelong resident of Hong Kong, he brings a wealth of local experience and international perspective. Stephen earnt his Executive Master of Arts in International Educational Leadership & Change (IB Leadership) at EdUHK and has over 20 years of experience. Most recently, he served as Assistant Principal at The Hong Kong University Graduates Association College. Outgoing Acting Principal Ms Lancy Tam will continue her contributions to the school as the new Senior Consultant – School Development and Quality Assurance. Good luck to everyone for a great term at CSS!
Making learning easier
Looking for a maths tutor and education specialist? With over 20 years’ experience, Annette Garrett-Cox provides bespoke maths tuition for 11+, IBMYP and IGCSE, using her Masters degree in Neuroscience and Education to support students with difficulties learning maths and fast learners seeking to be stretched. Annette also supports learners with maths anxiety and neurodiversities including dyscalculia, dyslexia and working memory difficulties. Through her business, Granite Rose, she offers online sessions to suit a Hong Kong time zone, along with workshops for parents about how best to support their child’s learning. graniteroseeducation.co.uk
A new sporting competition kicks off in style
More than 400 athletes from over 30 schools from Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Dongguan, Shenzhen, and Zhuhai competed in November in the inaugural Greater Bay Area Cup. Sponsored by CTF Education Group (CTFEG) and hosted by Benenden Bilingual School Guangzhou, the event saw school teams battle it out in basketball and football games, as well as tennis and golf matches. The GBA Cup aims to set a new benchmark for sports events that promote the development of athletic talents in the region, aligning with CTFEG’s commitment to exploring innovative approaches to integrate sports and education.
Read for Meaning
Do your children dislike reading? Are they getting enough out of books? Since 2007, Read for Meaning has fostered a love of literature and promoted active, productive reading through its after-school programme at German Swiss International and its open Saturday programme at Glenealy School in Mid-Levels. Pupils from five to 16 years benefit from small group study of fiction and non-fiction from around the world; they enjoy the process and broaden their horizons. Find out more or register for Term 2 book club sessions starting on 13 January at readformeaning.com.
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