Posted by
Chwaer
18 yrs ago
I have read on some old posts that the Australian school in Kowloon Tong has lots of local children trying to improve their english to get into higher education in Australia. Is that still the case?
We will be living in Clearwater Bay. Is this too far a trip for a small child? How long does it take to drive? Are there any other families in CLW that have children attending primary at the Australian International School?
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We have a place for the reception class. Thanks for the info. Where do the Expat kids go when they get to High School age if they leave the Austrailian school?
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ZinZan, did you consider the HK International School for reception level, they are very close to you in Repulse Bay, but follow an American syllabus. Great teachers and facilities though!
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Hi Zinzan, although we have been offered a place we are still unsure if we should take it. Just out of interest why did you choose a school so far away from your home? This is one of my concerns with playdates in mind etc.
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ZinZan I think you need to consider that there are many different words of mouth and the one you have heard is very different to the one I have heard. I am looking at schools at the moment and live in your area and the first thing that comes to mind is location, location, location especially in regards to playdates this is something you may want to keep in mind especially as your little one gets a little older, however if they have plenty of friends to play with in your area it may not be such a problem. Cheerio, why is boarding school very cruel? I went to boarding school and it was fantastic, it is a great opportunity for any child to attend boarding school. Whould I send mine? doubt it as I want them to stay home with us, however if they wanted to go I would not prevent them from taking up such a wonderful opportunity - far from Cruel.
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Thanks Zinzan, I am not from Australian my husband is a New Zealander and I am a Brit. In the Uk a 30-40 minute journey to school for a 4 yr old is very rare and considered very long but I hear what you are saying. My husband is considered crazy for doing the CWB to Central journey ever day but compared to the London commute it is a breeze. So yes it is all relative as you said. I also liked the facilities and focus on outdoor activities that the school offers but the high turn over of staff does worry me. I know when you take on the expat life (I have lived in 4 countries in the last 10 yrs) it is a very transient life but my background in Early Years education makes me a little concerned with a school who can't hold on to it's teachers.
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Cool. Thanks Saikunga and everyone else who contributed. I have a lot of thinking to do and fast seeing as term starts in a week or so. Best of luck Zinzan.
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Zinzan, I am not a realtor, let me assure you of that. Quality of education is paramont when I am choosing a school, however knowing how transient HK is, my childs social life is very important too. Good luck with your choice. Saikunga - a high turnover in staff would be a major concern, that is something I had not thought about so I will look into that before making my final choice - Thank you for that.
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I have had experiences with kids at the Aussie school in both the Primary and Secondary divisions. Both have done exceptionally well in all areas. Look at the big picture. They get a huge cross-section of experiences which will benefit them in the long run. They actually prefer this school to their previous schools in NSW. Don't worry about travel as that is a consideration in any school in any location. Full marks to this school!! No, I'm not a teacher either....
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Totty
18 yrs ago
And don't assume you will get aplace in an ESF Secondary School.
I believe that ESF Secondary School places are only going to be given to children that have benefited from the ESF Primary system.
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I understand that ESF Secondary Schools will and do offer native english speakers a place if they have not been in the ESF Primary system, however I understand that these places are limited and that an exam has to be taken rather like the 11 plus in the UK and then they only take those who pass and if spaces are really limited only those with the best results.
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I understand that ESF Secondary Schools will and do offer native english speakers a place if they have not been in the ESF Primary system, however I understand that these places are limited and that an exam has to be taken rather like the 11 plus in the UK and then they only take those who pass and if spaces are really limited only those with the best results.
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Belle
18 yrs ago
I have a child in the school (just finished Reception and now going into Prep). I think the Aussie school has been fantastic - his teacher last year was very good - caring, imaginative, adored - and my child was extremely happy (as was I) with the school. The other parents in his class were all very child-focused (in a good way) and we have built up a good network of playdates and support for the class.
My son catches the bus and he's been fine with it as the bus mum is great - and sits next to him. It's a dedicated near new bus, they wear seatbelts and they are very well supervised. I heard that 5 buses go from Sai-Kung/CWB to AIS.
My recommendation would be to take the place - you will be very happy with it.
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Hi Zinzan, your username gave that away. Ha, ha, ha. Roll on the World Cup.....don't worry I am not French.
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Actually, the exam for esf entrants is more of an english test to check their fluency, nothing more. For non-esf junior school children, priority is given first to siblings, followed by alumni parents...doesn't leave a lot of places after that!
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Marieantoinette, it used to be you are correct, however, due to the dire shortage of places it is no longer just to test fluency, they can now afford to take the cream of the crop. That's why I have to consider do I go with ESF Primary to ensure a place at secondary or will the situation change in future, or do I hope that my child will be at a high enough standard educationally to pass the equivilant of the 11 plus. Still thinking about it.
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Jenny, having 3 at esf secondary schools and 1 just starting in September, this is the 1st year a written test has been used for entrants. None of my other 3 took any exam at all, and all were at non-esf junior schools.
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cd
18 yrs ago
To jenny, I have never heard of an entrance exam at an ESF school, (and I have 5 kids in the system). they do have interviews to test your fluency and understanding of English.Priority is given to siblings, and ESF primary students, but if you are a native English speaker coming to HK you will go to the top of the list.
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I had friends this year who had children at an alternative primary school to an ESF primary and wanted to get their children into a year 7 for next year. As there were more native english speakers applying than spaces they had to take a test. Not all got a place for next year so they are now looking at boarding schools or leaving HK. Understand they took those that did the best. Apparently this is the first year that they have had to take a test for entry next year. However, if you are in the system or have a sibling or are alumni then no test is taken.
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Actually Jenny, not quite true...our kids have siblings in the system and my husband is alumni, but my son sat the test. It was over quickly, he found it basic and over fairly quickly. These tests are still ongoing and are being called in stages. The 1st tests were for priority students, but spaces not filled due to insufficient language skills are to be filled by the next set of non-esf students to be invited to sit the tests and so on and so on until all are filled. Every non-esf student HAS to take this test now as there has been an abuse of the system previously whereby non-proficient English speaking students are admitted.
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