We chat with MS JESSICA WHEELER, a year 6 classroom teacher in Hong Kong at Shrewsbury International School. She discusses her role prepping primary students for their transition to secondary school and provides insights into what it’s like in one of her classes.
How would you describe your approach to teaching primary students?
I look to balance structure and creativity so that the academic interests of my students are secure and they have the opportunity to explore their interests and express their individuality.
Give us an insight into a typical day as a Year 6 classroom teacher in Hong Kong.
Mornings usually begin with a lively whole-class discussion. Core subject lessons (English, Mathematics, Science, Computing) often follow, with interdisciplinary study positioned in the afternoon. My class are bright, capable, disciplined and highly motivated – this is demonstrated in all areas of their learning and any visitor to my classroom would be able to see these qualities immediately.
What are some classes and activities the students enjoy the most?
My students particularly enjoy the opportunity to apply their knowledge across the curriculum in STEAM-based activities and open-ended mathematical investigations, that allow them to utilise their critical thinking skills.
Beyond the classroom, our Year 6 students also enjoy participation in a range of high-quality Co-Curricular options and a bespoke Service Programme, which has involved collaboration with Impact HK and the exploration of homelessness. As part of this work, students take part in the preparation and distribution of valuable resources and a series of fundraising activities alongside their peers in Year 2. These hands on, community-focused experiences tie directly into the Global Citizenship and Intercultural Learning strand of our curriculum and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
Is there anything you do differently as a teacher in Hong Kong helping year 6 students transition to secondary school?
As part of our preparation for transition, we place a little more emphasis on the development of organisational skills, research skills and time management – students are expected to work with increasing independence, rehearse and refine note-taking skills and maintain tidy workspaces. We also run workshops for students that are specifically designed to support with the move to a new school to make sure that they feel confident and well prepared for the journey ahead. Most critical to their ongoing success, however, is the academic and social platform they are able to secure here thanks to our undivided commitment to the education of younger students.
What other support is in place for Year 6 students who may have concerns about their next stage of schooling?
We work in partnership with a designated School Partnership Coordinator, who also acts to guide and support students – and we are keen to acknowledge the pressures faced by parents too. As a signal of our lifelong commitment to families, we remain in close contact with students long after they have graduated. Congrats to the founding cohort!
The Shrewsbury team and ear 6 classroom teachers in Hong Kong say that its founding Year 6 cohort has continuously demonstrated exceptional academic growth and engagement, culminating in an impressive average CAT4 score of 120. Students from the cohort have secured placements at highly regarded secondary schools in Hong Kong (such as Chinese International School, Singapore International School and Kellett) and the UK (such as Wycombe Abbey, Cheltenham Ladies’ College and Tonbridge School).
Shrewsbury International School Hong Kong is at 10 Shek Kok Road, Tseung Kwan O.
2480 1500 | shrewsbury.edu.hk
This article about what it’s like as a Year 6 classroom teacher in Hong Kong and supporting primary students at Shrewsbury first appeared in the Summer 2024 issue of Expat Living magazine. Subscribe now so you never miss an issue.
