Australian International School Hong Kong

Australian International School Hong Kong
Location
Kowloon Tong, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Information
Type	R-12, Private, International, co-educational
Established	February 1995
Employees	120
Key people	Leonie Drew (Co-Head of School & Principal, Primary)Phillip Waugh (Co-Head of School & Principal, Secondary) David Shirley (Assistant Principal, Primary) Howard West (Assistant Principal, Secondary)
Number of students	over 1000
Colour(s)	Green, Gold
School fees	60,800 to 105,700 HKD per annum (2008)
Website	www.aishk.edu.hk

Australian International School Hong Kong (AISHK; Traditional Chinese: 香港澳洲國際學校) is a co-educational, international school in Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong. It follows the New South Wales curriculum where final year (grade twelve) students can either pursue the Higher School Certificate of the New South Wales Board of Studies or the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (since September 2005 when it became an IB World School). AISHK is also located close to American International School Hong Kong (AIS). In the past there have been gang fights between these two rivaled schools over girls and relationship matters.

Facilities

The building is nine stories high with many facilities such as an artificially turfed sports field, a gymnasium, a multi-purpose hall, a well equipped and resourced K-12 library, an auditorium and, located on the ninth floor, an enlosed Aquatic Centre with a 25-metre swimming pool. It was the winner of the 2001 HKIA Medal of the Year, Hong Kong's foremost architectural award. Recently the school invested a considerable amount of funds into building the new aquatic center on the roof top of the school. It is also raising funds to build an Australian-themed green roof as well as updating its library and science facilities.

Admission Procedure

Australian International School Hong Kong (AISHK) opened in February 1995, to meet the needs of the Australian community in Hong Kong and those interested in the Australian education system for their children. Children of all nationalities are welcome. Currently about 70% of students studying with us are Australian or New Zealand passport holders. The school offers an Australian curriculum (NSW) and the IB Diploma which are continually evaluated and modified according to the needs of the students. Whichever country the student returns to, AISHK aims to develop attitudes, values and skills that will form a solid foundation for all future learning.

Upon receiving a completed application for admission, including school reports for the past two years, the Principal will decide if the student needs to be assessed prior to entry. Many students coming from Australia where the education systems are closely related to ours, may not require assessment prior to entry. A student who has applied for a particular class but whose age is out of the age range guide may need assessment, as may a student coming from a different curriculum. Most students with a first language other than English are assessed, as are those with special needs. The school will endeavour to place your child in the class that is right for his/her academic and social development, not just the class the child is old enough to attend. An assessment interview is undertaken by professional teachers to ensure that an applicant has attained a level of English that will enable him/her to succeed in the classroom and to ensure correct placement. This process gives us a better understanding of your child’s general development, problem areas etc. Further assessment for all children takes place during their first few weeks following their commencement of school.

School system

The school follows a southern hemisphere custom where school year starts in February and ends in mid December. Mondays to Fridays are school days. Unlike at other Hong Kong local schools there are four term breaks during the school year, usually in April, July and October.

House system

The school operates under a house system, each students prior entry are being assigned to a specific house and each houses compete each year against each other to try to win competitions in both sports and academics. The house system at the school can be classified as one of the most important aspects of the school life, and the houses are divided in the following at the school:

Wattle (Yellow House)

Waratah (Red House)

Jacaranda (Blue House)

Eucalypt (Green House)

Each house is named after an Australian plant.

Academics

In the Primary Division the curriculum has seven key learning areas. These include:

English Mathematics Mandarin (Putonghua) and Chinese Culture Human Society and Its Environment (HSIE) Science and Technology Physical Education, Health and Personal Development (PDHPE) Creative Arts The school also has an established program of support for children who have identifiable extra needs.

 The Early Childhood Years (Reception to Year 2)

AISHK places great value on the importance of early years education. The most important learning years of a child's life are between birth and the commencement of school. Parents are recognised as the first and the most important teacher the child will ever have.

Parent involvement in the child's education is encouraged and valued as both school and home work together for the benefit of the child.

A secure transition from home to school in the first year at school is seen as vital. We aim to develop the child's self-reliance and a positive self-image. An important aim of the Early Childhood Department is to establish an environment where the child develops a sense of responsibility for self and others, through co-operation with teachers, other children and other staff members.

Bearing in mind that children develop at different rates, our curriculum will promote the child's intellectual, aesthetic, moral, social, emotional and physical development. A variety of teaching approaches will be used to suit both the needs and the levels of the children. Class, group and individual learning activities will be used to encourage development in all areas.

Welcoming, inviting and stimulating, the Early Childhood classrooms at AISHK provide an environment specifically designed to engage the curious young minds of children from Reception to Year 2.

This innovative and collaborative area of the school draws on the best of theory and practice from a variety of philosophies. Through interactive experiences and activities, such as informal, imaginative play, children are encouraged to create meaning, practise social skills, learn how to solve problems, gain confidence and develop positive attitudes to school and learning.

The educational program is based upon the premise that young children learn best when provided with many opportunities to construct, discover, experiment, hypothesise, manipulate and share a variety of materials, resources and learning experiences.

Primary Years 3 to 6

The Primary Years continue to plan for the development of the child as he/she matures and becomes increasingly independent. The teachers are aware that, for education to be successful, children must be eager to learn and must gradually take responsibility for their own learning.

Throughout, teachers aim to develop students’ self-motivation, their skills of independent learning, and a tolerance of difference.

At all stages, critical thinking and independent learning are nurtured within a safe and structured, yet flexible, environment.

Our curriculum continues to cover the Key Learning Areas of:

English Mathematics Chinese Science and Technology Human Society and Its Environment Creative Arts Personal Development, Health and Physical Education Teachers will thoroughly plan all aspects of the school curriculum and implement individual and small group activities designed to meet particular needs. A wide variety of teaching strategies will be used but the emphasis at all times will be the active participation of each student.

We recognise that the acquisition of literacy and numeracy skills are fundamental to the development of life-long learners. These foundations are developed in a environment that provides for flexibility in grouping, integrated subject areas and ‘hands on’ learning experiences.

The primary years are a critical stage in the overall education process, providing the basis for all future learning. At AISHK, this is clearly recognised and we aim to assist each child to become a confident, capable and articulate learner.

Secondary Division

The Secondary Division of the School consists of two areas:-

Middle - Year 7 to Year 10 Senior - Year 11 and Year 12 The curriculum in the Middle Secondary builds on the skills and knowledge introduced in the previous years. Students are encouraged to be personally responsible for their studies, with the aim of achieving self-discipline and social communication skills. Year 7-10 studies culminate with the award of the School Certificate. The program continues to use an integrated design, which builds the foundation for the external examinations undertaken in Year 12.

In Years 11 and 12, Senior Secondary, students may chose to study courses offered in either the Higher School Certificate or the I.B Diploma. The curriculum provided through both these tertiary entrance qualifications is structured, purposeful and focuses on clear learning objectives and outcomes. The Higher School Certificate and the IB are internationally recognised as providing world class preparation for students wishing to access tertiary studies in any country throughout the world. In addition both programs offer a variety of life skills necessary to successfully encounter adult life.

Subjects available for student selection may vary from year to year but follow course requirements as described in either the New South Wales Board of Studies (BOS) Handbook or the IB Diploma Course Matrix.

University entrance

The school each year enjoys success in bring their students to different universities around the world, Australia is of course the first choice of university destination in the school. Each year, the school has enjoyed success in bringing their students to the top tertiary institutions such as University of New South Wales, University of Sydney and also universities such as Australian National University, of course, lots of students have also gained places at other universities in Australia.

On the other hand, in international wise, students have gained entry to Universities such as Oxford University, Imperial College London, London School of Economics, Harvard College, Berkeley, Purdue University, University of Southern California and some other Ivy league universities.

Society

Students of the Australian International School enjoy being surrounded by a diverse group of schoolmates and teachers; it is a feature that resembles the diverse population in Australia. The Student body has representation from over27 different nationalities. The school promotes Australian principlesand values but also celebrates the cultural diversity of its commmunity and embraces the rich cultural opportunities of its home in Hong Kong.

Notable alumni

• Stephanie Cheng- famous singer in Hong Kong
• Rachel Poon- actress for TVB

External links

• Official website