Playing a part: new campus geared to early childhood education
Hong Kong International School has just opened its new Lower Primary campus, where “play” is at the centre of learning
Since it first opened in Chung Hom Kok over 50 years ago, Hong Kong International School (HKIS) has had premises dotted across the map of the city. This August, as part of the latest phase of development, it welcomed young pupils at its new lower primary campus in Repulse Bay.
When HKIS was debating what to do first as it set out to upgrade and modernise facilities, it didn’t take long to reach a general consensus.
“Deciding to work on the early childhood building first made a clear statement to the Hong Kong community that we believe very strongly in the importance of educating young children,” says lower primary principal Maya Nelson, who has headed the section for children from Reception 1 to Grade 2 over the past decade.
Six years ago, discussions began in earnest about the investment and aesthetics needed to create a campus tailor-made for young children. That meant looking beyond the architectural framework and thinking in detail about how youngsters would move around and arranging spaces so they could engage and interact in ways that nurture curiosity and creativity.
One example is the Rainbow Stairs, which run from the ground floor up seven flights. Throughout the day, sunlight hits the stairs at different angles, giving different effects and colours.
“We want children to turn the corner and see something interesting that will make them wonder,” Nelson says. “There’s a reason behind everything we try to do.”