[Sponsored Article] Academic excellence is a Malvern tradition. Malvern College Hong Kong (MCHK) draws upon the rich heritage and ethos of Malvern College UK, a co-educational day and boarding school founded in 1865. Thanks to its academic rigour, scientific heritage and the pursuit of holistic education, Malvern College UK has acquired an enviable reputation for being one of the most highly regarded independent schools in the United Kingdom, comfortably surpassing the world average International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma results in all subject areas. MCHK, an IB candidate school, is following in its ‘mother’ school’s footsteps by implementing a globally accepted and well-established curriculum for its culturally diverse pupil body. Following its successful launch in August 2018, the school continues to execute its ambitious growth strategy. With the primary and secondary classes now operating from Prep 1 (Y1) to Remove (Y10), adding Hundred (Y11) this coming August, the school will see its first cohort of Lower Sixth (Y12) pupils commence the two-year Diploma Programme in 2021/22 and sit for their final exams in Upper Sixth (Y13) in 2022/23 - culminating in the highly regarded IB Diploma. The school has long advocated its small class sizes, strong pastoral care and an extensive co-curricular activity programme as key differentiators in achieving its internationally acclaimed standard of excellence. For the new school year, beginning in August 2020, the academic selection team under the direction of MCHK’s Founding Headmaster, Dr Robin A. Lister, has decided to bolster the ranks of Malvern’s homegrown talents by offering a number of full academic scholarships to external applicants for the two currently most senior years Remove (Y10) and Hundred (Y11). The scholarship would be awarded to see the pupils through to the end of Sixth Form. The successful applicants are expected to contribute actively to furthering the academic standard of the school as well as endorse and represent its cultural and social values. In exchange, they may expect a swath of benefits, both material and curricular. Successful applicants will receive full tuition and a waiver of the annual capital levy; two items adding up to roughly HKD 250,000 at this prestigious private international school with British heritage. Beyond the sheer economics however, the pupils will be immersed into arguably one of Hong Kong’s most modern and internationally diverse learning environments; one renowned for both the standard of its curriculum and its ability to nurture pupils’ social skills. An alumni roster comprising four Nobel Prize winners as well as C.S. Lewis (author of “The Chronicles of Narnia”), Baron Weatherill (former Speaker of the British House of Commons), Lord McLaurin (former chairman of Tesco and Vodafone), Jeremy Paxman and Monty Don (both UK TV personalities) is testimony to the fact that the school knows a thing or two when it comes to fostering not only academic excellence but also effective networking and leadership skills. Providing the basis for a well-rounded, holistic education that is global in both content and outlook lies at the heart of a Malvern education. “I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to balance the pursuit of academic excellence with the more personalised attributes of perseverance, motivation, self-discipline – and resilience”, says Dr Lister. Having been part of the Harvard selection programme for many years, Dr Lister knows from first-hand experience what elite universities around the world are looking for. “Academic achievement alone will not suffice to be successful in school, university and beyond. Only an education of mind and heart enables young people to confront and succeed in our rapidly changing world.” What does it take to qualify for an academic scholarship at MCHK? A high level of proficiency in English, critical and creative thinking, and self-motivation to develop personally as well as academically are deemed essential. “We very much expect all of that from our successful applicants, preferably with demonstrable examples of their engagement both academically and socially”, Dr Lister points out. “A Malvern scholar is academically suited to the IB programme and will enrich the Malvern community in Hong Kong and beyond. We will pay particular attention to applicants with an international outlook and an understanding of service.” In return, Malvern scholars will benefit from the breadth of learning, co-curricular and academic enrichment opportunities the school has to offer. With an education philosophy deeply rooted in identifying and enabling individual talent, MCHK provides a caring, supportive and ambitious environment. A non-prescriptive approach to learning, a tutor to support pastoral, emotional and social needs as well as small class sizes ensure that Malvernians get exposed to a high degree of personal attention by the teaching staff - to maximise their academic potential, develop their talents and personal interest and flourish as individuals. For further information, please visit https://www.malverncollege.org.hk/scholarship-and-bursaries/ Application deadline: 24 April 2020