International School Festival 2016: A celebration of education
The annual event hosted by Education Post brought together parents, educators and experts.
Eager to discover all they could about education options for their children, around 3,500 families attended the second Hong Kong International Schools Festival on September 24.
Co-organised by Education Post and Top Schools Hong Kong, the event included over 70 exhibitors, along with presentations and panel discussions featuring respected experts in the field. Parents had the opportunity to talk to teachers, principals and senior representatives; and to learn more about the different kindergarten, primary and secondary schools in Hong Kong
“As Hong Kong's premier event of its kind, the high number of parents was no surprise,” said a representative from Think Kindergarten, one of the many exhibitors taking part. “They all have a genuine interest in ensuring their children receive a quality education.”
Ruth Benny, a former teacher and founder of Top Schools Hong Kong, said the event was a unique opportunity to hear experts discuss current educational issues, as well as answer important questions specific to Hong Kong. ''Parents get a good sense of whether they are aligned philosophically with a school by hearing the principals speak,” she said. “This was an exceptional opportunity to get up close and personal with principals and admissions staff.”
Angela Reilly, assistant director for institutional advancement at Hong Kong Academy, described the event as “a great opportunity to meet a huge number of prospective parents at once.” She added that most questions tended to focus on the admissions process, the International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma, pathways to graduation, and options regarding funding and fees. ''We were able to provide a wealth of information to reassure parents and students and answer their various questions,'' said Jane Archibald, director of admissions and marketing at Nord Anglia International School Hong Kong. ''Typically, parents wanted to know about the philosophy of our school, what sets it apart from other institutions, and what the school is going to do to ensure their child’s future success.''
For Nick Strong and Elizabeth Williams, university guidance counsellors at Yew Chung International School, the priority was to offer valuable advice on the steps needed to progress to universities in different countries, and how to prepare effectively for the admissions process. They noted that schools should provide students with assistance in creating a personal profile which covers interests, strengths, accomplishments, and career aspirations.