Mount Kelly School Hong Kong

Mount Kelly School Hong Kong (MKSHK) is a traditional British International School in Hong Kong, catering for children from the ages of 6 months to 13 years old but will expand to Year 13 as the school develops. Mount Kelly School Hong Kong is the only sister school to Mount Kelly School in Devon, England.

In July 2016, Mount Kelly School announced that it would open a new sister school in September 2017 in Hong Kong., subject to receiving all necessary Hong Kong Government permissions. The school is a member of both COBIS (The Council of British International Schools) and the ISA (Independent Schools Association).

MKSHK is also the only school in Hong Kong to have the ISA (Independent Schools Association) overseas affiliate schools’ accreditation and is only the second school in Hong Kong to receive membership of COBIS (the Council of British International Schools).

Location

The school has developed three new campuses in Kowloon, with two Preparatory Schools at Austin Tower and Hung Hom Bay respectively, as well as an International Preschool and Playgroup in Tsim Tsa Tsui. Additionally, there will be a large new purpose-built campus planned for the New Territories planned to open in September 2018.

The Hung Hom Bay Preparatory School will be on the Victoria Harbour waterfront in a brand new standalone facility in East Villa, Cheung Kei Centre, Hung Luen Road, Hung Hom Bay for Years 1 to 6. The Austin Tower Preparatory School is situated on Austin Avenue, with plans to further develop the campus, moving onto another floor of the premises, to provide additional classrooms and outdoor space. The International Preschool located in Austine Place 38 Kwun Chung Street, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon which follows the Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).

Founding Senior Management Team

Madam Irene Thong is the Co-Founder & Governor of MKSHK. Dr Wong Pak Yin is Co-Founder & Governor of MKSHK. The Director and Governor of Mount Kelly is Martin Wong. The Executive Director of Mount Kelly is Doctor Leung Kam Fong, former Chief Executive of Tung Wah Group of Hospitals in Hong Kong. The Founding Head Master of Mount Kelly Hong Kong is Mr Gary Wright. The Head of the Preparatory School is Mr Nick Rothwell and the Head of the International Preschool Ms Abigail Carr.

Curriculum

The school currently operates classes for children from 6 months old to 13 years old (Year 8), with a maximum class size of 18 pupils and a staff to pupil ratio of 1:10. It is envisaged that the school will eventually offer education up to Sixth Form and A Level. The school delivers the English National Curriculum and will offer the Common Entrance exam at the end of Year 8.

The school offers a broad British curriculum, based on the English national curriculum that leads to the common entrance exam, used for entry to secondary schools. It is only the second British independent school in Hong Kong, after Harrow.

In all year groups, pupils have a daily Chinese language lesson with dedicated native speaking Mandarin teachers.

Mount Kelly School Hong Kong provides EAL teaching from Nursery through Year 8 for those pupils whose mother tongue is not English, both by supporting pupils in class and offering additional EAL classes.

Pupils are offered a range of opportunities throughout the Mount Kelly games programme where they receive a PE, Games and Swimming session each week. For the Austin Tower and Hung Hom Bay Preparatory Schools and International Preschool, the school utilises the Kings Park, YMCA King's Park Centenary Centre and Kowloon Bowling Green Club sporting facilities, which are conveniently situated close to both school sites: https://www.kingspark.com.hk/ , http://www.kpcc.ymcahk.org.hk/index.asp and http://www.kbgc.com.hk/.

Main Subjects Taught:

• English • Mathematics • Science • Chinese Language • Geography • History • Religious Studies • Computing/ICT • Design Technology • Art • Drama • Music • PSHE • Physical Education

Additionally, MKSHK plans to run an annual exchange programme each year with Mount Kelly School, England each summer.

Mount Kelly Babies and Toddlers, traditional British Playgroup and Pre-Nursery Classes

Mount Kelly Babies and Toddlers Classes commenced on 6 March 2017 for children aged 6 months to 36 months. The centre runs English programmes and Bilingual (English and Mandarin) programmes. The Babies and Toddlers Centre, together with the Mount Kelly International Preschool is located in The Austine Place, Tsim Sha Tsui.

Mount Kelly International Preschool (MKIP)

Mount Kelly International Preschool commenced Nursery (K1) and Reception (K2) classes in September 2017, for children aged 3 to 5 years old. The Preschool uses the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum with a play-based approach. The Preschool is located in The Austine Place, Tsim Sha Tsui.

Houses

Each pupil is allocated to one of four houses – Brunel, Chichester, Hepworth and Scott – which are the basis for competition within the school. Sporting trophies, music events and house points gained throughout the year all go towards deciding on the top-performing house each term.

Co-Curricular Activities

Mount Kelly School Hong Kong will offer a wide variety of co-curricular activities. Children are able to choose from a diverse range of activities such as:

Sport: Football, Netball, Basketball, Cricket, Hockey, Rugby, Tennis, Athletics, Gymnastics, Swimming, Gym Club, Yoga, Fencing, Ballet

Music: Individual and ensemble teaching for voice and for various different instruments. School Choir and School Orchestra.

Arts: Art, Drama and Dance clubs. Film Making. School Newspaper.

Outdoor Pursuits: Eco Club, the unique Shackleton Programme

Technology: Design-Technology, Computing and Coding clubs

Enterprise: Young Enterprise. Share Trading.

Communication: Debating, Language Clubs, Spoken English

Shackleton Programme

A key feature of Mount Kelly School Hong Kong’s co-curricular offering is the Shackleton Programme. This is a hugely successful programme developed at Mount Kelly UK, focussed on nurturing leadership, practical skills and teamwork. These skills and character traits are honed through carefully designed outdoor activities, inspired by Ernest Shackleton, the renowned Arctic Explorer. The programme is delivered for all pupils every month as part of their curriculum. The programme utilises the facilities at the Outward Bound Centre http://www.outwardbound.org.hk/ and the Victoria Club http://victoriarecreationclub.com.hk/facilities/emeraldbay/ for orienteering,kayaking, hiking, rock climbing and high ropes course activities. We also work directly with Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club. http://www.rhkyc.org.hk/ allowing children the opportunity to achieve their sailing qualifications and represent the School in both local and international races. This gives the pupils a unique opportunity to go out and explore the natural environment around Hong Kong and learn life skills as well as challenging themselves. Mount Kelly are also keen to educate our children about looking after the environment and have started some beach cleaning projects at these sites.

Foundation

The Mount Kelly Foundation (HK) has been officially established, with a fundamental purpose to offer subsidies and scholarships to underprivileged children throughout Hong Kong.