Options other than ESF/International School?

Hi all,


I am a cadet pilot with Cathay and currently training in Adelaide with a finish date of January 2011. Therefore, with all things being well, I expect to be living in Hong Kong by Feb 2011. I have 2 kids, a 2 year old and a 5 year old who are currently in the UK with their mum. Naturally, upon completion of my course, I will be living in Hong Kong with the aim of bringing my family to HK ASAP (I would not have seen them for 14 months by that time !!).


Now my small research so far has told me that it would be completely impossible to get my kids into an ESF within months of them getting to HK in Feb 2011. I hear it could take years on the waiting list!! Also an International School is out of my price range initially.


Therefore, I am wondering if there are any other options available to me and my family in terms of an English Speaking school whilst we wait for a place at an ESF. Naturally I can not bear to be away from my kids any longer whilst they study in England waiting for a place at an ESF so my plan is to get them to Hong Kong the moment I have started at CX and at least have some accomodation - regardless if they have a place or not at any school. (would this be foolhardy?)


I would be very grateful for any advice or contacts you could give me. I am in a difficult position as I do not even have an address in HK! But I do need to at least start my research this early. I am sure there are some of you out there that did not get schooling on Day 1 of your kids arriving in HK - what did you do? etc etc


I thank you all in advance for reading this.


Regards


FF

There are a LOT of people moving here now & not many leaving, so yes, it will be very tough for your 5 year old- don't worry about the little one yet! The ESF won't look at you without an address, but here are other less well known international schools such as American International or Delia School of Canada that would be a stop gap. Also some of the pre-schools take kids up to age 6 or 7, so check with places like Woodlands and the Montessori Schools or the Sunshine House group. There 55 international schools in HK & they're not all astronomical. Though most of them are...

Sistim,


thank you for your reply. Yes for now, an ESF is not even an option however I think it is safe to say that upon moving to HK, my location of residence will be determined by the ESF catchment area that has the shortest waiting list. Could be DB, could be Sha Tin. However I need to ensure that whilst we are waiting for a place at an ESF, the location I am residing in is near"ish" to a school that is English Speaking.


Hence why I am here - learn and research other options available to me. I will certainly check out those options you have given to me.


Thank you sistim and everyone else that has responded thus far. I look forward to more information!


Cheers

how about ESF's corporate surety scheme, is cathay pacific a participant? if you do a search on the website you should find it, the company gets a guaranteed spot for your child at ESF if possible.. helps a lot.

Many pilots also live on South Lantau since there is easy access to the airport and the life-style is more relaxed and outdoorsy. Lantau International School (LIS) is located on South Lantau, and tons of international kids attend this school. Some kids complete primary and then transfer to West Island School on HK Island, while others just wait for a primary spot at Kennedy School on HK Island (both are ESF).


If you don't like the countryside living, many pilots also live in Tung Chung, and the kids just take a bus to LIS. Families living in Tung Chung can be assigned to ESF at Kennedy School or to Beacon Hill School (kowloon). Many Tung Chung families also attend school in Discovery Bay at Discovery College (an affiliate ESF).


Hong Kong Island cost of living (ie housing) is the most expensive in HK, and many junior pilots find the cost a bit prohibitive.