Posted by
XImoto
14 yrs ago
I am very scared that I made the wrong choice in accepting a position in Hong Kong as my children will suffer due to not being able to find a school for them.
Yes, I am late in the application process, can't be helped, this is when I was transferred and no my company doesn't have any corporate sureties or debentures.
I need some advice as to other options, outside of International Schools and ESF (no availability there). I have just leased an apartment in DB. My kids are 5 and 6 (P1 and P2, or in US Kindergarten and 1st).
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
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They might just be young enough to go to a local Chinese school and catch up (ie in Chinese characters). Otherwise, you may have a problem.
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I have heard of some parents doing home schooling whilst they wait for a place in a school. With the additional help from a tutor/teacher.
Not a great option, but a option nonetheless.
http://www.edb.gov.hk/index.aspx?nodeID=480&langno=1
Above is the Education Bureau's information on schools by district etc and will hopefully provide you with some other alternatives. I know there are a number of other small "international" schools on Lantau that I have heard good reports about. Sorry I don't know their names.
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Oh I forgot to say that some of the Catholic schools teach core subjects in english so this may be another option if only in the short term. Otherwise look at schools on the island (I had friends whose kids went to Kennedy town, Harbour school I think,) or Tung Chung, Tsing Yi and the kids will commute. The bus services for the kids is awesome here in HK. My 2 yo hops on the school bus (10mins away) and they have a bus auntie to look after them on the journey.
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try this one
http://www.lis.edu.hk/
Lantau International school
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Check with dmk if they do k3 for your 5 yr old, they may still have spaces it will only be for 3 hrs a day but better than nothing, for your 6 yr old there is a Delia school in tsing yi and They may have places I am not sure. The waiting lists are long at all the schools I have tried I have just added my sons to over 5 schools, this after being on the waiting list for over 2 1/2 years.
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You could put them into private tutoring e.g. Sylvan Learning Center (I hear they are good!) for two-hours a day while you wait for a place in ESF. I know parents who have done this before. Not ideal...but it's an option. Hope everything works out.
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Local schools - and they get to learn the local language.
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Thank you for all the advice and other options to try. I have them both temp in the Sunshine House, which is fine for the 5 yr old, but a step back for the 6yr old. I still have a couple of long shots I am waiting to hear back on, and will be keeping my fingers crossed until then. Thanks again.
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I hear you XImoto!!! Sadly I don't think that the fact you were late in the application process will have hindered you much I am a British citizen and HKPR and applied for my child (who was born here and has lived in HK since birth!!) in the correct and timely application windows and we still could not get into an ESF school!!!!! That said our kindergarten, which in my humble opinion is streets ahead of either ESF or the 'prestigious' international schools in terms of a nurturing and caring environment in which to learn is thankfully becoming a primary school from 2012 and will be running a P1 year starting this september. check out the link at www.generations.edu.hk. Good luck and you are not alone, the stress caused by the frankly woeful lack of school places for native english speaking children is truly shocking and a sad reflection on this supposedly 'world class' city!!!!!!
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I honestly don't envy anybody who's arriving with older kids these days. Luckily we came when our oldest was 4, applied straight for Y1 admission at ESF, and now her brother and sister follow in her footsteps. We don't have debentures either plus we're paying out of our own pocket. So we've been lucky and I know others who haven't been so lucky. I think DB makes it even harder since DB offers very little school places and long waiting lists, and once you need to look further you're looking at major travel times, not ideal for a 5 and 6 yo. It was a main reason for us not to live in DB. I've read the other day in the SCMP that still many spaces in Primary and Secondary are available but that 90% of the expats look (or limit?) at HK Island. There are school in the NT, English medium local schools, etc. But a lot of people look at the same schools. I am pretty sure your 5 yo will be OK, most preschools now starting P1 programs, but next year, all these kids still need a P2 spot ... I know from our school that from August last year to now, no more than 10 children have dropped out of P1 ... that's not a lot. I would try to look at through schools, even though it may not be your preferred school but start there, and look further. Also some spaces won't become available until August. It doesn't make it easier for you that you're already in DB, because that makes certain possible options in the NT a defenite no go.
In addition to the suggestions already made, what about American International? Also check Harbour School in Kennedy Town (I know somebody who got accepted recently).
Good luck, I agree, the government has some work to do.
http://www.edb.gov.hk/FileManager/EN/Content_4405/information%20notes_ncs%20%28sep%202010%20version%20for%20uploading%29.pdf
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Again, thank you> I am on the waiting list at The Harbour School, AIS and LIS.
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Hugie
14 yrs ago
there is an English medium of instruction school in Tsing Yi. I can get the address if you want. It's chinese style, and not ESF or International. Smoog is not quite right saying local schools don't cater/care for non cantonese speakers. My son is in a local school, the teachers are wonderful, and the school is fantastic, organic garden, small playing field etc. I have been told my son speaks like a local kid! Wish you all the best.
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You are correct it sucks, one of the worst aspects of HK life for an expat. The ESF schools are over priced and over rated, the private schools are just over priced. Cantonese is a uselese and dying language outside Hong Kong so why use it as a teaching medium?
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Cowleyp. You could say the same thing about any European language apart from English. They teach in Cantonese because it's what people speak both here and in a large part of southern China. It makes sense, I suppose, because there is a lot of money here.
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http://www.deliamk.edu.hk/
This primary school is in Tsing Yi.
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Crystal- Can't find anything in your post that makes sense. It's ignorant, ill-judged and frankly uninformed. I've got two kids that bound off to school each morning excited about their well paid 'British' teacher's lessons for the day and to mix it up with some of the 'locals' who surprising to say don't seem to have problem making friends due to any cultural differences. They are good like that kids, they 'mix' with anyone. This Saturday is the sports day on the nice field outside the school. Much better than the one I had in school back home in the U.K.
Would have been better not to put your oar in in hindsight. You made a fool of yourself.
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the problem isnt that the government isnt providing enough schools.. there are schools.. just people should be willing.. every year you hear about some or another local school closing down.
You say why doesnt the government have more schools like ESF.. and more spots of expats.. shouldnt one care for it's own first.. the govt subsidizes the ESF schools tremendously then why should it be only expats??? who wont even stick around.. after their schooling is done...
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Relax XImoto ,
I suggest you can contact YMCA Tung chung, school , its a good school for expratriate kids. Wish you best of luck.
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Crystal, I also completely disagree with you. Facilities are not always hi-tech, like CDNIS, but there are definitely no less than what I had. The kids are happy nonetheless. If you would look at the ESF Annual Report (page 74), you can see that 73% of the ESF school teachers are British. And even if there were "that" many Australians, Kiwi's, why would that be "bad" or "worse". ESF Primary follows the PYP which which is widely taught, especially in this area of the world, so there is a lot of experience over here. We're Caucasian, and yes, my blond children are the minority over all, but there are plenty of them. Besides that my children's friends are from all over, but mostly Asian descent. Why wouldn't they be friends? Do they need to be friends with other Caucasians just because they look the same? They have plenty of friends of different nationalities, different races, different backgrounds, that's the part I absolutely love about our ESF school.
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Each to their own. But if you intend to stay in HK, what employment opportunities will the kids have if they can't speak and read Chinese?
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Robyn
13 yrs ago
discovery mind prep school in DB perhaps? We have a primary 1 daughter starting at Harrow this year they have just opened a 4 th P 1 class. what about Home schooling? Employ your own teacher your kids are close in age. I understand there is amazing resources and support for home schooling students. try calling Kowloon juniors admin department there admin staff are great at pointing you in some direction. Good luck I don't envy you!
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Its really a long way from DB but Zebedee International School in Tai Po is Fantastic. Very happy Children and staff who really love the kids and take time to talk with the parents. Like i said its a long way from DB but they do have room for next year .... I think!?! An d you would know your children are safe and in loving hands.
http://www.zebedee.edu.hk/
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Hello
Please come and visit us at The Mui Owls School in Mui Wo.. We are conveniently located opposite the ferry pier, just a short boat ride from DB.
We are a small but unique bilingual kindergarten and lower primary school offering an excellent
caring environment with a British and local curriculum--all at a reasonable cost.
For more information please contact us at 29840006 or email owls@netvigator.com
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Hi, does anyone have any kids in delia man kiu primary school in tsing yi. I would appreciate some feedback on this school. Tks
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you could always send em away to boarding school, 5 & 6 yeah, didn't hurt me and my brother, mind you those were different times, times when you were allowed to smack your kid if we got out of line... like i say didn't do us any harm...
Chinese School best bet, good time to start, just in time, I'd say... Good luck, welcome to the kong!
(besides do you really want your kids mixing with all those "Hong Kong Kids" ) Youtube it...
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Hi
My son got into tsing yi delia primary school . Request a feedback on this school . He is moving from KCIS in North Point to Tsing Yi Delia as we havbe relocated to Tsing Yi.
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