By: Melissa Stevens
We all want our children to have the best education possible. When it comes to choosing an international school in Hong Kong, the facilities on offer at a campus play a big part in helping a parent decide where to send their child. Shrewsbury International School Hong Kong is opening its doors in August 2018, offering primary education to children aged three to 11 years. So, if you think you may have a budding Usain Bolt or Beethoven on your hands, find out more about the state-of-the-art facilities on offer, in the areas of physical education, music and the performing arts, and outdoor learning.
Principal Ben Keeling says the Tseung Kwan O campus will provide a unique range of opportunities as part of its commitment to the development of the youngest students in the region. “The incredible range of facilities hosted within this purpose-built campus will support learning for over 1,000 students, arranged into classes of approximately 20,” Ben says. “Drawing upon almost 500 years of expertise, developed at its sister school in Shropshire, the function specific spaces available have been inspired by a rich heritage and proud reputation for offering a breadth of opportunity.”
Ben says the Shrewsbury team have designed the campus to allow for a “thematic” delivery of a British curriculum, with an attention to detail which has even seen them select furniture to encourage collaboration in the classroom. “Our school campus is unique,” Ben says. “It supports an incredible range of opportunity that aims to inspire, driving a passion for learning and the development of crucial life skills.”
Physical education
“Ensuring that students at the school develop a healthy lifestyle, sporting facilities at the school also encourage teamwork, personal endeavour and resilience,” Ben says.
If you have active kids who love to burn off some energy through playing sport, Shrewsbury offers plenty of choices. The impressive Sports Hall, which has a 90m indoor running track, which will act as the core facility for competitive sport at the school and give budding athletes the chance to hone their skills. Being indoors, it also protects your kids from extremes in the weather. The school has also built a bespoke Gymnastics Centre for Excellence, which is equipped to a professional standard to allow children to develop balance and core strength.
The school has two swimming pools, which will enable children to learn that all-important life skill of swimming. The smaller splash pool will allow the youngest students to develop confidence in water, while the six-lane, 25-metre pool supports swim stroke refinement.
Music and the Performing Arts
“Developing self-confidence and poise, music and performance have been at the heart of Shrewsbury School for generations,” Ben explains.
As a result, the school has been designed to ensure there are a range of larger and smaller teaching spaces to allow for flexible tuition in groups or with individuals. Meanwhile, the auditorium, which seats almost 500, will allow young performers the chance to put their poise to the test in a professional-level environment. The acoustically-wrapped Recital Hall allows for performance on a more intimate scale.
Outdoor Learning
Hiking is a great way to be outdoors and keep fit, and Shrewsbury intends to make the most of its Tseung Kwan O location, near a mountain forest and hiking trails, with access to the New Territories, and Hong Kong Island, for off campus learning. Ben says excursions to the surrounding countryside will feature prominently in the curriculum.
“Every child will hike,” Ben says. “Development of the local area has ensured a wide range of outdoor opportunities, including a pedestrianised waterfront walkway and professional football facilities under the direction of the Hong Kong Football Association. We will maximise these opportunities in addition to the use of our own beautiful outdoor spaces on campus.”
About Shrewsbury
Founded by Royal Charter in 1552, Shrewsbury School is among the original nine “Great Schools” of Britain. Shrewsbury’s tradition of academic excellence reaches all the way back to the time of Queen Elizabeth I, who in the 16th century supported its development and expansion to become one of the top schools in the country. Ben says Shrewsbury International School Hong Kong will balance traditional values and an innovative approach to teaching and learning.
Shrewsbury International School Hong Kong will be located at Shek Kok Road, Tseung Kwan O, and is currently open for applications. Contact the admissions team at 2480 1500 or visit shrewsbury.hk.
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