Hong Kong schools coming up with ways to give back to their communities

Although businesses have known for many years how important engaging with their communities is, it's a fairly new concept for schools. Savvy school staffers are now looking beyond the schoolyard to find enhanced learning opportunities for students - and even generating a bit of revenue while "finding their niche".

Discovery Bay International School has just launched DBIS Night School, offering classes such as adult and children's art workshops, an adult drama workshop, a teen yoga course and a filmmaking workshop.

A personal development series includes sessions with titles such as "Dismantling your inner critic" and "Ideals, dreams and your future". Courses are run by independent providers as well as school staff, with plans to expand the night school offerings in the new school year.

"The Night School was set up to enable DBIS to work in partnership with the community by offering evening classes for all," DBIS communications and events coordinator Alison Wyatt says. "The rationale behind it was for DBIS to be able to offer a service, not only for parents but also for other members of the community.

"Our classes are mainly aimed at adults; however, we do offer some student classes such as teen yoga and art."