Posted by
Trent
20 yrs ago
Hi, we are contemplating a move to HK and would like to know people's opinions on the standard of education and facilities at the Australian School.
We have children in both primary and secondary levels.
Many thanks!
Please support our advertisers:
vw
20 yrs ago
Excellent facilities but not utilized very efficiently due to the sheer number of children in the school. The pool is only open during the summer months and not indoor (many International schools in HK have heated indoor pools), combined junior and senior library which is not appropriate. Different school holidays to the rest of HK, which may or may not be of use to your family. My personal opinion after several tours is that the school is not catering for Australian children rather local Hong Hong families with australian passports givimg the school a high % who have english as a second language which in turn effects the English standard of the school (I am sure to be slaughtered for this comment, but I have spent a lot of time just listening and the playgrounds are full of children speaking cantonese and the secondary school at break time is worse - I have no problem with that except it is not quite the International standard one would expect for the fees charged). As Australians we have decided that it is not an option for us as we believe our children will gain a better educational experience boarding back home (and that is a very hard choice to have made). There are many excellent International schools in Hong Kong they have good facilities and excellent curriculum. The public relations of the school leave a lot to be desired, they do not like to be questioned. I am sure you will have some people perfectly happy with the school, it gets down to personal choice. I have noted the school has a high staff turn over which is an indication of an unhappy school. I wish I had a positive comment to make as I am a proud Ozzie and would have liked to have continued my childrens secondary education in Hong Kong.
Good luck
Please support our advertisers:
I would agree that the school caters mostly to ESL students. The staff turnover is normal for true international schools where teachers normally leave after a two year posting. ESF and HKIS are both systems with high standards - they have low turnover because they pay their teachers so much, it is hard to leave. You have to deal with the "I am better than everyone else" attitude from both teachers and students there, but they offer an excellent education and fantastic facilities. ESF is by far the cheapest option as they receive government funding and all other International schools do not. German Swiss is also an excellent school (English section).
Please support our advertisers:
I have a 7 year old very emotional girl that I had to walk to school every day back in Melbourne and here in Hong Kong she has just grown up so much. She attends ESF school and loves it. She catches the bus every day to and from school and is now doing a project on a two minute talk to do infront of her class. Her confidence has increased 100 %.
The standard of schooling, so far is extremely high in my opinion. I am very impressed with what my daughter has done in two months being here. Its more than what she would have done in 6 months in Aust. I cant comment on the secondry schools though.
Please support our advertisers:
If you're coming to teach in HK, hope you're not working for Victoria Education Organisation. Cannot think of ONE positive thing to say about them as employers. The words lie, deceive, falsify spring to mind. Wouldn't send kids there either.
Please support our advertisers:
Saint
20 yrs ago
If you really want to get down to it, what teacher will be teaching your child. The school might be the best in the world, but there is still a chance your child might get a dud teacher. Maternity leave, sick leave, long service leave, stress leave. Schools here can get desparate when replacing teachers. I have not heard of a school yet that does not have at least one staff member that is not up to scratch
Please support our advertisers:
Andrea-Come from Rowville, Melbourne and she was at a public school.
Please support our advertisers:
Saint
20 yrs ago
Can't you figure that one out Andrea?
Please support our advertisers:
Read carefully what Gumtree (first post) and vw have written. I can't say more without getting deleted.
Please support our advertisers:
Gumtree- Interesting bit about the principal showing you around. I visited a school here and was shown around by a volunteer and felt like we were fobbed off maybe because I was not wearing the correct clothing (joke) but I didnt feel like it was the right school for us.
Please support our advertisers:
Saint
20 yrs ago
Andrea,
You wonder why people don't bother responding to your know all know nothing comments! Sweetie! Either you and TC are good friends or your just a pain in the a#@. Every post doesn't have to be about you!
Please support our advertisers:
No further questions from Trent? No request for posters to expand on their comments? No "thank you for your comments" from Trent? This looks like a fishing expedition from someone connected with the Australian International School.
Please support our advertisers:
Trent
20 yrs ago
Sorry Mark, I have just returned home this evening after a long weekend at the inlaws with no internet access since posting this thread. Many thanks to all that responded, it has really made my wife and I think very seriously about sending our eldest son to boarding school in Sydney as he is in year 11 next year and keeping the younger two in Hong Kong. Obviously it is not just an education decision but also an emotional one. Once again, thank you all for your feedback. Best regards, Trent.
Please support our advertisers:
Couple of comments... First, you cannot assume your children will get in at the school you want to attend as places are tight. Second, boarding school can be hell on earth and (as a former attendee) I would say shouldn't be used unless the alternatives are dire. When you're miserable in a boarding school there is no escape home, you're stuck there and it is your whole world. Third, while I don't have children, I don't think schools here are too dire. I did some talks at King George Five (KGV) ESF school, and was impressed by the kids. Happy and active without being out of control, genuine mixing of races in the playground... and a nice atmosphere. At least come and check out the schools before deciding. Friends of mine with kids in govt schools in Aus have definitely found the education better here... and don't forget that every school even in Aus, even in the top private schools, all have some dud teachers.
Please support our advertisers:
Trent
20 yrs ago
Thanks Frizzy for your comments. We will definitely be exploring all options first hand in May/June before making a decision. Naturally, we would like all three boys with us, however our eldest son is not so interested in moving overseas again (previously lived in Singapore), we will respect his final decision once he has been shown all the options. I also need to enquire if he attends a non Australian School in HK, how this may impact his qualification into an Australian University. Rgds Trent
Please support our advertisers:
hmm
20 yrs ago
For more information do a search on this website of prior posts. This is a long raging debate. Some of the most controversial stuff was erased. A couple of years ago there were a few interesting posts by staff of some of the named schools and this was quickly deleted - presumably after someone at the schools complained? Either way, I think there is some great advice here already: Firstly, go to the schools to visit; it may not always be the Head/Principal who shows you around, but rather the "Admissions" person who is often much better equipped to answer your questions. Secondly, inquire early as interviews for many Int. schools are done far in advance of the new school year. There are always last minute interviews but these are usually to fill spots of leavers. Thirdly, most schools now have not only websites but brochures/pamphlets which will give you some impressions of the school. You could get a listing of all schools you are interested in from this site and email them ahead of time. Finally, if you can get an email address for the person in charge of admissions and you could ask your questions in advance. That way you will be able to get further clarification if they seem to be deflecting you... Some good questions I have heard: What is the general standard of language? Is there a debenture? Where do your teachers come from? Is there guaranteed entrance from one level of the school to the next (Kinder. to Primary to Secondary)? How many students in each class? Are there additional subjects the children are required to take (Mandarin,etc.) Is there provision for Special Needs, including Gifted and Talented?
I am sure there are many more...
Please support our advertisers:
Trent
20 yrs ago
Hi Gumtree & Hmm, thanks for your comments. Gumtree, my wife will love your comments as she is more stressed than I about the move for him.
Please support our advertisers:
The Australian school does the NSW syllabus so uni entry shouldn't be a problem. Many of the international schools and ESF schools do the International Baccalaureate which is also widely accepted in Aus and used by many top schools there. You may have more issues with uni entry in a school that uses British A levels, a situation a friend with a yr 10 son is currently working on... and also considering boarding. Re boarding school. If your son is positive about it, sociable, reasonable looking and good at sport, he will probably survive despite existing cliques which will be well-established at that year level. Cliques I suspect would be more open here because a lot of the other expat kids are coming and going/new too. If you have some lead time for the move to Hk and think boarding could be the answer, perhaps you put him in there now while you're still in Aus and, if he hates it, take him out when you move to Hong Kong... and if he likes it, leave him there.
Please support our advertisers:
Colleen, let your child be happy and safe - that is enough at the end of the day. What a good saying. That almost made me cry. May be I am a bit soppy today. But I agreed that we parents are worrying too much about our children, including myself. Colleen, you are darn right that who cares which unit were you in. Hope one day that our children will understand how much we care for them and wld appreciate it.
Please support our advertisers:
Trent
20 yrs ago
Thanks again everybody for sharing your experience.
Best regards
Trent
Please support our advertisers:
Hi b4now, had dropped u a personal message.
Please support our advertisers:
b4now....Whats that got to do with the original question about the Australian School. So I have 2 children there in the primary section. My oldest son has recently had some issues with his teacher as he has a learning disability and I have been quite impressed how the principal has handled our situation and all is happy again. He mixes with children from different cultures at the school and I have been quite pleased this week coming up to Anzac Day, they have been studying Australian History and I have been asked all sorts of questions about the topic.
Please support our advertisers:
bdi
20 yrs ago
To all you Aussies out here....
Was wondering about education in HK Vs. Aust.
I have heard a lot about how good the education in Oz is as well as its Universities. I've 2 treasures who will be in ESF sec.school in 2 years. I've lived in HK for 15 years and absolutely love it, but seriously thinking of migrating to OZ only because of the space(house) and education. Still very undecided about this. Also considering the high costs of education here vs. Oz. Does anybody know the difference in Oz University costs for local and overseas students?
Appreciate any ideas. Thanks.
Please support our advertisers:
high schools: depends where you are, but one third of Australians opt for non-Government schools, which says something! i would seriously hesitate to send my kids to most government high schools, although primary are probably fine. i did attend two govt high schools, before a private school and the standard of education at both sucked, one more substantially than the other. most of the kids who get into the prestigious universities are from private schools... google this issue and you will find a mind-numbing number of articles on the merits of private vs public education in australia.
universities: fees are substantial (but cheaper than usa) if you are attenting as an overseas student. if you are a resident or citizen (check details to qualify for residency, probably have to be there a few years before you qualify) then the up-front cost to parents is nothing, although the students have to pay money back to the government through the Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS, google for details) once they start earning in australia. that said, it's not nearly as much as a college education in the usa. ie not crippling, but when i did it, the repayments were about 5% of salary for 8 years. when you're paying that on top of a high tax rate, it adds up. HECS would be more now, as i did a cheap course when HECS was first introduced. if the kids work overseas after graduation, no problem and no payments. payments are indexed to inflation but no more, so it is a 'cheap' loan. if parents pay up front, then they can get a discount of about 25%. also do consider that university entrance in australia is very competitive so, finances available or not, your kids might not get to study law or medicine unless they get perfect or near-perfect grades...
all that said, australia is an absolutely great place to live, and to grow up, and to eat... and i can't wait to get back there.
Please support our advertisers:
I have been an expat for a number of years now and my children are very happy at the school they are in:
www.hlyis.edu.hk
Give it a try, esp. if your children are keen on sports (a well used field and swimming pool)
Please support our advertisers:
bdi
20 yrs ago
Thanks, kfi and the rest for your thoughts...I better get started on some research over the internet.
Please support our advertisers:
Saint
20 yrs ago
Com'on mighty, care bear shares, what did you tell b4now?
Please support our advertisers:
You must be logged in to be able to reply.
Login now
Copy Link
Facebook
Gmail
Mail