Boarding school can feel like boot camp – or the best thing since sliced bread. Would your child benefit from the experience? Ray Au takes a look Finding the right school for your child is as big a job now as it has ever been, with options aplenty and the standard of education at an all-time high. Hong Kong’s international schools are regarded among the world’s best, but many families are excited by the benefits a boarding school education can bring, whether that means basing their children overseas or right here in the territory. Certainly, what the boarding school system can offer looks good on paper. It provides children with a structured approach to both academic studies and extracurricular activities, with 24/7 access to sports and recreation facilities. There’s also social interaction with friends and peers of all ages, the opportunity to learn personal and social responsibility, zero travel time to school… safety and supervision. But what’s the reality? What are the pros and cons? HOME OR AWAY? For many parents, the idea of children boarding in Hong Kong appeals, as it guarantees everyone the best of both worlds – work-orientated weekdays, in which children are cared for 24/7 within the school campus, and family-focused weekends. Indeed, one of the biggest criticisms that can be made of the boarding school system is that the influence family has on a young person’s life is compromised. Arguably, the best education happens when a student is benefiting from both a close-knit, supportive home environment and also an excellent school environment – and this is where weekly boarders benefit. They have teachers and “house parents” to look to – to help them succeed and to help them thrive – but they also have the constant hands-on support and influence of their own families. There’s no doubt many families struggle to get quality time during the week. Parents work long hours and are often late home, meaning children are left either to fend for themselves, or in the hands of helpers. Equally, weekly boarding removes the daily commute to and from school many children have to make, meaning they have more time to relax – and do their homework – in the evenings. Living apart during the week, boarders – and their parents – can plan and look forward to dedicated family time at the weekends. Full-time overseas boarders, meanwhile, get round-the-clock education and a built-in social life, and for expat kids being schooled in their “home country” can be a tremendously grounding experience. For parents who want their children to be totally immersed in an educational environment, and/ or have busy careers themselves, it’s clear that a full-time boarding school has much to offer. Parents who feel that Hong Kong is a “small pond” in which to grow up are interested in the options that open up to overseas boarders – it’s not just about classroom learning, it’s about resilience skills, leadership skills, and all that comes through the wider experience of sports, outdoor activities and a lot of dynamic social contact with many other schools. Whole person education is not the preserve of the boarding school system but it is a specialty. ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE Living and studying within the school community, whether weekly or full-time, boarders have access to top-notch sports, music and arts facilities, as well as academic societies. Everything on campus is geared to their betterment and/ or enjoyment, and their needs are prioritised. They get to socialise, and learn to cope independently alongside their peers, without leaving the school premises – and all of this is happening under the watchful eye of teachers who are mentors, not helpers or baby-sitters. Boarding schools tend to have not just great teachers but specialist facilities, meaning they are able to cater to children with abilities that are either above or below average. With small classes, study hall hours, and access to teachers that live on campus, most boarders feel the benefit and find they can excel inside the classroom and out. Parents who are drawn to the boarding school system value the sheer volume of academics, athletics and extracurricular activities on offer, but there is a potential downside – overworked, overstretched kids. For some children, having such a packed timetable can be too much; the pressure to excel in all aspects of school life can be overwhelming. SOCIAL ADVANTAGES Many boarding schools used to be like barracks – complete with lumpy mattresses, cold showers and early-morning-runs – but nowadays, they’re much more luxurious. Boarders get all the fun of living with their friends, sharing a dorm, or a room as they get older. Every night feels like a slumber party, plus they get a built-in social life. Boarders, particularly those without siblings, benefit from the constant companionship; they never have to look far if they need a friend to hang out with or vent to about their stress. With dozens of mates on tap from the moment they wake up till the second they fall asleep, the bonds of friendship that boarders develop are incredibly strong and often these relationships endure long into adult life. Boarders come to rely heavily on their friends, and they feel secure within such a tight-knit community. But there’s an obvious disadvantage to all this – boarders have a hard time getting any privacy and, during term time, they seldom get a break from their friends. Living at such close quarters may be tremendous fun when everyone is getting along, but when they’re not, disputes, even serious issues can arise. Equally, many boarders find themselves friendless when they come home for the holidays. They may not know the children in their neighbourhood and they likely won’t have formed any strong ties with them. Boarders mature more quickly than their day-schooled peers, which also sets them apart and can increase their feelings of isolation when they’re away from school. A TASTE OF FREEDOM But there’s an obvious disadvantage to all this – boarders have a hard time getting any privacy and, during term time, they seldom get a break from their friends. Living at such close quarters may be tremendous fun when everyone is getting along, but when they’re not, disputes, even serious issues can arise. Equally, many boarders find themselves friendless when they come home for the holidays. They may not know the children in their neighbourhood and they likely won’t have formed any strong ties with them. Boarders mature more quickly than their day-schooled peers, which also sets them apart and can increase their feelings of isolation when they’re away from school. There’s no doubt that boarders are carefully supervised but at the same time, they are encouraged to be independent and selfsupporting. They are treated like young adults, and most respond well, learning to cope on their own and to enjoy doing so. Living within a community, they find they have to learn to get along with other students and take responsibility for their own actions. On the other hand, the blessing of being free of parents can also be a kind of curse. It’s unusual for boarders not to suffer from homesickness at least initially, and separation anxiety can resurface at stressful times. Being trusted to make their own decisions is one thing, but boarders may miss having mum and dad around to hold their hands at crucial stages in their school career, for instance when they are choosing which subjects to study at 16 or making college applications. One thing’s for sure, some children find it easier to leave the nest than others; some are ready to make the transition age 13, while others struggle to do so even at 18. Now that you’ve weighed up the pros and cons, only you can make the decision. Would your child benefit from a boarding school education?

Childbirth is like running a marathon, you have to train for it. Beverly Au finds out how Pregnancy can be the most wonderful time in a woman’s life, but it can also be fraught with stressful challenges, as your body makes the biggest change of all, adapting itself for the birth of another human life. With the physical strain, the food cravings and the general effort required simply to get out and about, it becomes easy to let your body go. But it doesn’t have to be this way. From the plethora of fitness techniques and mindand-body exercises available, pregnant women need only take their pick when putting together a well-rounded exercise programme. The best advice is to keep moving: it’s simple, the more you keep active before you give birth, the easier your life will be post-pregnancy. Time to talk prenatal Pilates, yoga, sophrology and more. PREPARE WITH PRENATAL PILATES The focus on breathwork, balance, control and alignment in Pilates make it a great candidate for prenatal workouts. To be clear, however, not all Pilates exercises are appropriate for pregnancy. The most important first step is finding an instructor who is prenatal-certified to help you navigate the necessary modifications. The good news is, there is so much you can do! Prenatal Pilates exercises are modified throughout a pregnancy to suit the needs of your ever-changing body; special props and apparatus are used to ensure safety and comfort. Not only this but prenatal Pilates is a great way to exercise without putting undue stress on the joints, helping to keep you mobile and ready to recover shape and tone after birth. Prenatal Pilates focuses on the deep core muscles and helps you maintain a strong connection to your pelvic floor. This will help prevent diastasis recti, pelvic floor dysfunction and back pain – common issues that arise from pregnancy. Prenatal Pilates helps with joint instability, muscular imbalances and ligament pain, all of which are common as baby grows. It also boosts breath connection, control and mechanics, which can make breathing more comfortable during pregnancy, and also during labour and delivery, enabling you to feel not just the contraction of the muscles but also the release. ROLL OUT THE YOGA MAT Improving strength, stamina, posture and breathing, yoga is another popular way to stay fit during pregnancy. In fact, a surprising number of women come to yoga for the first time when they are expecting because it’s such a soothing way to stay active. A range of techniques are covered, from physical exercises such as stretching to breathwork and meditation. Amazingly, yoga can help rotate a breech or posterior baby, reducing the possibility of a caesarean section. Select poses can also shorten the birth canal up to 30% when practiced during labour and delivery, and squatting poses shorten the distance baby has to travel. Breathing is, of course, the very essence of giving birth, that and body awareness. Prenatal yoga teaches forms of breath that can help alleviate heartburn and morning sickness, and help you push or control the urge to push during labour and delivery. Breathing techniques learnt in yoga class can also help to relieve the stress experienced by expectant mums as they wait for baby’s arrival. Some prenatal yoga classes also focus on Savasana, which involves the complete and total relaxation of every part of your body. During 15-minute Savasana sessions, women are encouraged to centre themselves and meditate. It’s important to have a positive awareness of your child throughout your pregnancy, and post-meditation, expectant mums are encouraged to put their hands on their stomachs and have a conversation with their unborn child. EXPERIMENT WITH HIP ALTERNATIVES In France, where the method originated, Sophrology is one of the top four methods pregnant women use to get in shape, and it’s one of the top two in Korea. Sophrology, originating from yoga, provides quick, effective mind/ body exercises to boost relaxion, focus and wellbeing. Sophrology helps improve sleep, concentration, selfconfidence, and above all, it helps pregnant women become aware of their bodies. Classes focus on four attitudes: no judgement, living each moment as though it were your first, putting any preconceived ideas into a box, and repeating all three again, asking how the body is reacting to each one. Growing in popularity internationally, the selfhypnosis techniques of hypnobirthing use the power of suggestion to alleviate expectant mums’ fears in order to make pregnancy and labour less stressful and in some cases, less painful. The technique taps into a part of the brain that helps you cope with fear and anxiety. Hypnosis during pregnancy won’t make you lose control or think you’re someone else. It’s a way of altering your awareness, so that your subconscious (feelings, memories, emotions) comes to the forefront, while your conscious (rational) mind takes a back seat. Hypnobirthing classes teach you to use deep breathing, relaxation, visualisation, affirmations and hypnosis scripts. Once the analytical part of your mind relaxes, you become more receptive to positive suggestions and affirmations. When it comes to using these self-hypnosis techniques during labour, the theory is this: if you’re scared, your body responds by producing adrenaline, a hormone that makes tense muscles more tense. This means your uterus has to work harder to contract and relax. With effective hypnosis, your breathing is more even, which means more oxygen reaches you and your baby. Stress can hinder the production of oxytocin (the hormone that controls contractions) and endorphins (the feel-good natural chemicals) and prolong labour. Staying relaxed helps with the ultimate goal – keeping the oxytocin flowing, so contractions are more effective and potentially less painful. Other practitioners will tell you that acupuncture can be hugely beneficial for pregnant women, reducing morning sickness and alleviating back and pelvic pain. Acupuncture helps relax the nervous system and promote the release of endorphins, leading you to feel relaxed and at ease after each treatment. Some pregnant women find that acupuncture also helps improve their sleep quality. Acupuncture can help postpartum too. During your fourth trimester, after baby is born, acupuncture supports hormone rebalancing, and can help with breast milk production, fatigue and anxiety. Being birth fit – physically, mentally and emotionally – involves releasing fear and focusing on the task ahead in a positive light. It’s about setting yourself an achievable exercise routine, and preparing mentally with hypnosis, visualisation, breathwork, touch relaxation and birth rehearsals. Whichever prenatal class you choose, or combination of classes, you will feel the benefit of meeting up with other mums-to-be to share birth plans, fears and feelings. Talking about your emotions and staying focused and fit mentally is hugely important during pregnancy – a good prenatal fitness class often doubles as a therapy session and support group. Whatever your method, be sure to get clearance from your healthcare provider before undertaking a prenatal exercise programme. Get this sorted, and you are well on your way to a healthy, happy pregnancy.

Help your kids live in the moment – it’s easy for them to do and they’ll reap the benefits As mental health gains the recognition it deserves, we as parents are becoming more proactive in addressing our children’s emotional wellbeing. We are looking to mindfulness practices to help children navigate their emotions, focus better on tasks, build resilience and reduce stress. Mindfulness programmes are now commonly found in schools, and it’s something we can teach our kids at home, in a fun and engaging way. Mindfulness has become a household term, and it has its roots in Buddhist meditation. The aim is to train yourself to focus on the present moment. You become aware of what’s going on inside and around you – your thoughts, feelings, sensations and environment. You observe these moments without judgment. By practicing mindfulness, we can develop a better understanding of our emotions and reactions, leading to a calmer, more balanced approach to life. Mindfulness can involve a sitting meditation that’s practiced in a quiet space. In this practice, you focus on your breathing, or sensations in your body. If your mind wanders, you accept the thoughts that pop in then gently bring your mind back to the present moment. But mindfulness doesn’t have to be done sitting still or in silence. You can integrate the practice into things you do every day, like walking or eating. You can also be mindful when interacting with others. Kids can start engaging in simple mindfulness practices at a very young age, even as young as preschool. The key is to keep the practices ageappropriate and enjoyable. For younger children, mindfulness can be as simple as focusing on the breath, or paying attention to the sensations of the body. As they grow older, they can explore more structured practices, such as meditation. INTRODUCING THE CONCEPT It can be difficult for adults to focus on the now: we often spend more time thinking about what’s coming up in the future, or dwelling on things in the past. But children, little kids in particular, naturally live in the moment, which means that mindfulness comes easily to them; all you need to do is explain the concept in a way that they can understand. Start by asking your child to pay full attention to what they’re doing or feeling at a given moment. Ask them to notice how the sun feels on their skin, or how their body feels when they run. Ask them questions to get them thinking about their experiences. For instance, “How did it feel when you bit into that apple?” or “What did you notice when you were playing outside?” By engaging in mindfulness practices together, you can make sure it’s a shared, enjoyable experience. Use simple language and resources, like mindfulness apps or books, to make the learning process engaging and relatable. Have a “mindful moment” together, where you both sit and notice things around you, then have a light-hearted chat about what you saw and felt. Aim to create a supportive environment for mindfulness practice, where children feel safe and encouraged to explore at their own pace. Set time aside each day for mindfulness practice and encourage your child to discuss their experiences. Mindfulness is a skill that develops over time, so be patient; celebrate your child’s efforts along the way. When children are old enough, let them know that practicing mindfulness can help them understand their feelings better and make school or home life feel easier. Encourage them to enjoy the calm and clarity that comes with regular practice. 6 EXERCISES TO DO AT HOME When introducing mindfulness, the key is to keep it simple, fun and engaging. The practices listed below can help you make mindfulness a natural and enjoyable part of your child’s daily life. 1. Introduce your child to the practice of mindful breathing: teach them “teddy bear breathing”, where they hold a stuffed animal on their belly while taking deep breaths. Encourage them to notice the rise and fall of their belly as they breathe in and out, and to watch as the teddy bear moves up and down with the breath. Another way to make mindful breathing fun is to practice “cool the pizza breathing”: ask your child to pretend to cool down a hot pizza with gentle, slow breaths. 2. Sit together in a quiet space and count your breaths: breathe in through your nose to a count of four, hold for 1 second and then exhale through the mouth to a count of five. Repeat often. 3. Spend time outdoors and encourage your child to engage their senses mindfully . As you walk, ask your child to pay attention to all the sights and sounds around them. You can also practice mindful eating: ask your child to focus on the taste, textures and flavours of an ice-cream as they eat it. 4. Encourage journaling: invite your child to write a story or draw a picture about their day, emphasising the emotions they felt or the things they’re grateful for. 5. Practice Savasana: guide your child through a relaxation exercise by asking them to focus on relaxing each body part, one at a time. 6. Introduce meditation through short, simple sessions. Use calming background sounds or guided meditations specifically designed for children to enhance the experience. BENEFITS TO REAP Mindfulness is so much more than a quiet moment of reflection. It's a practice that can cultivate emotional wellbeing: take a look. Mindfulness gives children a sense of ownership over their thoughts and emotions because it encourages them to notice their feelings without immediate reaction. This awareness creates a space between feeling an emotion and responding to it, which can be particularly helpful in managing anger or frustration. In a world full of distractions, having the skills to focus has never been more important. Mindfulness practices can help children to quiet their minds, pay attention to a single task at hand, and enhance their concentration. Children can experience stress, whether from schoolwork, peer interactions, or family dynamics. Mindfulness practices, such as mindful breathing, can help reduce stress by promoting a relaxed state of mind. By practising mindfulness, children can become more aware of their own thoughts and feelings, meaning they develop a greater understanding and empathy toward the feelings of others. This can lead to improved relationships with peers, siblings and parents. Mindfulness practice can help children unwind, clear their minds of worry and relax. With a calm and clear mind, falling asleep can become a much easier task. Life is full of ups and downs: mindfulness helps kids build a buffer against adversities by cultivating a resilient mindset. When practiced regularly, it can help children bounce back from challenges with a more positive outlook. By promoting a sense of calm, enhancing emotional regulation and boosting focus and resilience, mindfulness lays a strong foundation for a balanced and positive life. When introducing mindfulness to your kids, do them a favour – make it fun!

To raise great children, you first need to become a great parent. Check out five trending methodologies that will set you up for 2025 As we approach 2025, several key trends are emerging that reflect parents’ everevolving priorities and challenges. These trends encompass mental health awareness, technology-driven innovations, personalised education options and a deepened focus on sustainability and inclusivity. Parents are also learning from the past: jettisoning the overly permissive parenting styles of recent years in favour of – dare we say it – more of an old-school, authoritative approach that’s tried-and tested, and proven to make family life easier. Let’s dive into some of the trends that parents are embracing in order to set the stage for a generation that is resilient, empathetic and well-prepared for the future. LIGHTHOUSE PARENTING Lighthouse parenting, currently trending, is something we can definitely expect to see a lot of in 2025. The term was popularised by Dr Kenneth Ginsburg, a paediatrician and author, who coined the phrase to describe a grounded and everpresent parenting style that combines a desire to nurture and protect with an understanding that children need the freedom to find their own way. As Dr Ginsburg puts it, “Our job as parents is to stand steady, like a lighthouse, to guide our children, not to steer every move they make.” Lighthouse parenting strikes a balance between two extremes – on the one hand, there’s helicopter parenting with parents ever-ready to swoop in at the first sign of distress. On the other hand, there’s hands-off parenting, which prioritises children’s independence above all else. Lighthouse parenting takes the middle ground, emphasising guidance over control, and resilience over dependence. Lighthouse parenting means being emotionally available and creating a home environment where kids feel safe to express their feelings, ask questions and make mistakes. It’s also about guiding children through challenges rather than solving problems for them. There’s an understanding that children who are allowed to take risks and work through problems on their own tend to be more resilient and better equipped to handle stress. By promoting self-efficacy, lighthouse parenting builds a strong foundation for emotional intelligence and problem-solving. It encourages kids to see challenges as opportunities to grow rather than crises to be avoided. Having reflected on the mistakes that created the “snowflake” generation – a term that denotes weakness, self-entitlement and an inability to cope with life’s realities – today’s parents are refusing to mollycoddle. The aim is to protect children, without engendering dependency; to make children feel special, without enabling egotism or complacency; to inform children about the world, without encouraging irrational anxieties, victimism and nihilism. (No easy task!) At the end of the day, overprotective parenting is a habit that’s begging to be broken. “Benign neglect” is a buzzword for 2025 that’s not as contentious as it sounds. Does it mean ignoring children completely? Of course not. But it does mean taking a step back from intensive parenting styles and letting kids, well, be kids. Parents are deciding to take a backseat – letting children be bored on the bus instead of handing them a tablet, letting them fail a class instead of doing their homework for them, letting them fight their own battles and come out stronger as a result. GENTLE-ISH PARENTING The gentle parenting philosophy has been saturating parents’ social media feeds for some years; the goal being to raise confident, independent and happy children through empathy, respect, understanding and discussion. But moving into 2025, gentle parenting continues to morph into a new form, with parental authority getting more of a look in. Instead of focusing on punishment and reward, gentle parenting focuses on improving a child’s selfawareness and understanding of their own behaviour. But all too often it is confused with permissiveness… which is where gentle-ish parenting comes in. Children need limits and a certain amount of structure to best function – and increasingly, parents want to be more consistent with discipline. Rather than feeling they have to accommodate children’s negative behaviour, they want to know they can set limits and follow through with consequences. Importantly, today’s form of discipline is not about punishment: rather than spanking and timeouts, parents are instead putting strong boundaries and limits in place, giving children a roadmap for the behaviour that’s expected of them. Gentleish parenting leaves room for discussion – there’s an acceptance that modern children need to understand the “why” behind parental rules in order to comply with them – but there’s also an acceptance that there are times when parents have to stand firm and rule the roost. ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS As concerns about climate change and sustainability become even more pressing, eco-conscious parenting continues to grow in importance. Parents are becoming increasingly aware of their environmental impact and are striving to raise their children with values that prioritise sustainability. This trend encompasses everything from using ecofriendly nappies and baby products to choosing sustainable clothing, toys and even educational resources. Additionally, eco-conscious parenting involves making greener choices in day-to-day life, such as minimising plastic usage, opting for secondhand items, and supporting brands that prioritise ethical production and environmental stewardship. Eco-conscious parenting involves not just teaching kids to care about environmental issues but also implementing the eco-forward ideas they bring home, courtesy of their peers and teachers. The aim is to empower children in their efforts to “be the change” whether that’s by putting them in charge of the recycling, helping them eat sustainably or allowing them to host a clothes swap for friends. TECH-SAVVY PARENTING With the rapid advancement of technology, techsavvy parenting is expected to continue evolving through 2025. Parents are increasingly relying on apps and devices to monitor their children’s wellbeing, whether it’s through smart baby monitors, AI-powered educational tools, or healthtracking wearables. Technology is playing an essential role in making parenting more efficient and informed, offering parents data on their child’s sleep patterns, nutrition, or even emotional health. However, along with the benefits, tech-savvy parenting also requires parents to navigate the challenges of screen-time management and digital safety. Many parents are becoming more deliberate in teaching their children about responsible technology use, emphasising digital literacy and helping kids balance their onand off-line lives. With this in mind, sharenting – posting the highs and lows of raising children online – is finally, definitely over. Growing concerns about AI-generated imagery, as well as facial recognition and the commercial use of personal data, mean that parents are becoming much more cautious about sharing content related to their children on social media. There’s also children’s digital footprint to consider: something sharenting creates, often long before the child can even understand what that means. PERSONALISED EDUCATION The education landscape is undergoing a transformation and, in 2025, personalised education options are expected to be more mainstream. Flexible schooling models, such as hybrid homeschooling, online learning platforms and micro-schools, are becoming increasingly popular among parents who want a more tailored approach to their children’s education. Parents are seeking out educational environments that cater to their child’s unique learning style, offering more individualised attention than traditional schools. This shift is partly driven by dissatisfaction with the one-size-fits-all approach of traditional schooling, as well as the increasing demand for digital skills in the modern economy. In this new model, parents are taking a more active role in their children’s education: as with all the trends we’ve looked at for 2025, the main aim is to ensure kids grow up resilient and well-prepared for the future.

Established in 1976 and one of Hong Kong’s leading international schools, Kellett School is a co-ed, through-train school with campuses on Hong Kong Island (four to 11 years) and in Kowloon Bay (four to 18 years). For over 45 years, Kellett has earned a reputation for offering an exceptional, British-style education. Outstanding public examination results (over 55% of A-level results at A*, and over 68% of GCSE results at A*) ensure that students go on to attend top universities worldwide. Kellett has evolved its educational approach to ensure that students are equipped with the right mindset and skill set to enable them to thrive and cope with the stresses of modern-day life. “While our examination results showcase the exceptional academic standard of our students, behind these results is a strong focus on wellbeing, known as Positively Kellett. We believe that wellbeing plays a central role in enabling students to reach their full potential, academically, outside their classrooms and far beyond their school years,” says the school’s Principal and CEO Mark Steed. In acknowledgement of its approach to wellbeing, Kellett was recently awarded the highest honour of Patron’s Accredited Membership by the Council of British International Schools (COBIS). While in 2020, Kellett was named ‘British International School of the Year’ at the Independent Schools of the Year Awards, with Positively Kellett highlighted as being key to that accolade. “Launched in August 2018, Positively Kellett saw the development of a bespoke Positive Education curriculum, which is now taught in weekly lessons to all year groups,” says Mark. “Carving time out of the curriculum to focus on wellbeing has been central to our approach.” Beyond the confines of the curriculum, Kellett students also study public speaking, innovation and global citizenship. “Global Citizenship and Critical Perspective lessons help students become informed, responsible and active global citizens,” says Mark. “We have a strong focus on how each of us can contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals, through advocacy, fundraising and community service. “The Senior School has a week off-timetable dedicated to global citizenship, known as GOW (Global Outlook Week). Year groups travel overseas to learn about different cultures and make a contribution through community service. In recent years, we have focused more on local issues, most notably on the asylum, refugee and ethnic minority communities in Hong Kong.” Kellett’s Mini-MBA programme, meanwhile, provides sixth-form students with a practical introduction to the world of business in an engaging, workshop environment. Year 12 students gain a deeper understanding of how businesses function, developing real world skills to help them in their future careers. Likewise, in Years 7 and 8, Innovation lessons allow students to focus on working collaboratively to understand and solve real-world problems in creative ways. These projects emulate the world of real work, with students harnessing individual strengths to contribute to one shared goal. Teams are also encouraged to experiment and learn from failure. “Kellett’s goal has always been to engender a ‘love of learning and confidence for life,’” Mark concludes. “Academics are of course very important, and we take great pride in our excellent results record, but we place far greater value in preparing our students for life’s opportunities and challenges, and seeing them flourish, now and in the future.” Kellett School will be adding a new bus route from Central Ferry Pier to its Kowloon Bay Campus in August. For more information about the school, email admissions@kellettschool.com or visit www.kellettschool.com.

It is almost five years since Malvern College Hong Kong (MCHK) opened its doors in the New Territories. As the school prepares to pass the founding stage and enter the “early history” stage, Headmaster Dr Robin A. Lister outlines ongoing achievements, upcoming milestones and the outlook for the years to come. “We are very proud of what MCHK has accomplished since launching in August 2018. We have built a thriving, vibrant school community that is growing into the space of our seven-storey, state-of-the-art campus. The summer of 2023 will not only see our first cohort graduate, but also our fifth birthday celebrations,” Dr Lister opens. Classes are now operating from Prep 1 (Year 1) to Lower Sixth (Year 12). By adding Upper Sixth (Year 13) in 2022/23, MCHK’s year groups will be complete. The school’s pupil body is still growing, and at full capacity, enrolment numbers will have reached approximately 1,200 pupils across all year groups. Only two years after opening, MCHK became an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, authorised to offer all three IB Programmes, the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP). The school has set out to build a caring, supportive and ambitious learning environment, and has high expectations of its first cohort, who will be graduating with the IB Diploma in May 2023. “We have every confidence that they will be successful, setting a great example for every other cohort to follow,” Dr Lister says. “Students are supported through our Sixth Form Tutor Programme, Leadership Programme and our newly appointed University and Careers Guidance Counsellor.” In May 2021, Malvern’s commitment to top-end yet holistic education manifested itself for the first time in actual graduation results: The entire Year 11 cohort (or “Hundred” in Malvern language) took the MYP eAssessments, a formal, internationally recognised Middle Years Qualification provided by the IB – and the outcome was excellent. “With a 100% pass rate, 60% of our pupils achieved 45 points or more, and 27% of our pupils achieved 50 points or more,” explains Dr Lister. “The highest possible score is 56 points, so our pupil’s average score of 44 points sits well above the world average of 38 points. 47% of the pupils were awarded the Bilingual Certificate, studying both English and Chinese (Mandarin) Language and Literature.” The current MYP eAssessments are ongoing with results notification expected at the end of the academic year. As Malvern’s student body continues to expand, so does its award-winning campus. “Our 26,000 square- metre campus houses the primary and secondary school including academic, sporting and recreational spaces,” says Dr Lister. “Recent additions include our Black Box theatre and a new outdoor play area. This year, we were also delighted to open the sixth floor, which houses design workshops, more classrooms and offices, and will eventually include a new Sixth Form Centre and examination hall.” MCHK operates in partnership with its parent school Malvern College UK, a co-educational day and boarding school founded in 1865 – and as such it’s part of the Malvern Family of Schools’ global network. With schools in the UK, Hong Kong, Qingdao, Chengdu, Egypt and Switzerland, the network continues to expand, and more sister schools will be added in September 2023: Malvern College Barbados and – closer to home – Malvern College Tokyo. “Malvern College Tokyo aims to be the first British- branded all-through IB school in Tokyo,” says Dr Lister. “Exciting times lie ahead, and we look forward to the boundless opportunities this will bring in terms of exchange programmes, inter-school collaboration and shared learning and teaching experiences.” Applications and Admissions: Tel: 3898 4688 Email: admissions@malverncollege.org.hk Web: www.malverncollege.org.hk

The Headmaster and a former pupil, Ethan – a DB resident – discuss the benefits of boarding at Forres Sandle Manor. Located in Fordingbridge, Hampshire, in the heart of the New Forest, Forres Sandle Manor (FSM) and its surrounding 35 acres provide girls and boys aged two to 13 (16, starting 2024) with a quintessential British education in a multicultural setting. “Despite all the global changes in the past few years, the demand from families living overseas to send their children to live and study in UK independent schools has remained as strong as ever,” Headmaster Mark Howe opens. “Year on year at FSM, we are seeing an increase in the number of such applications.” One such student is Ethan, a DB resident, who boarded at FSM from September 2021 to July 2022. “I chose FSM and schooling in England because I got to learn many languages, like French and Spanish,” Ethan says. “I loved the lessons on offer, including subjects I didn’t have in Hong Kong such as History, Latin, Geography and Design Technology.” Academic excellence is paramount at FSM, with families attracted by the outstanding teachers, broad curriculum and small classes – the current average is 12. “Small classes ensure every teacher is able to have one-to-one conversations with every pupil in each lesson, thereby maximising their progress,” Mark explains. “For those for whom English is not their first language, we create a personalised curriculum, which can include one-toone or small group English tuition where needed.” FSM also prides itself on providing a tremendous range of extra-curricular opportunities for pupils including music, drama, art and sport. Ethan’s favourite ‘after-school’ classes were archery, table tennis, swimming and cookery. Ethan is eager to reassure prospective boarders that they will quickly feel at home at FSM. “I didn’t feel homesick as I was kept busy with lessons, homework, sports matches and the activities. I didn’t feel any cultural differences because I was included from day one. I was also assigned a buddy to take me around and make sure I didn’t get lost.” In welcoming children from overseas, Mark makes it a priority that they feel safe, happy and well looked after. “We have seven staff who live in our boarding house to make sure that all our boarders (some of whom are as young as eight years old) are well cared for at all times. “While being a secure site, deep in the New Forest, our campus is well connected to all areas of Southern England and several major airports,” Mark adds. “FSM is under two hours from Heathrow where we can organise the collection and drop off of pupils using our security checked drivers.” “There may be 6,000 miles between Hong Kong and FSM but as a parent, you will feel so close. If you are looking for a place where happy, confident children succeed, we may be the school for you,” concludes Kate Chantry, FSM’s DB-based APAC Admissions Manager, adding that most FSM pupils transition to leading UK schools like Canford, Bryanston and Millfield. Ethan now attends prestigious Warminster School in Wiltshire, which was founded in 1707. For more on Forres Sandle Manor, visit www.fsmschool.com or email the school’s APAC Admissions Manager Kate Chantry at fsmapacenquiries@aol.com .

These iconic Chinese soups are packed with ingredients – and flavour – and they’re surprisingly easy to make HOT AND SPICY SOUP Serves 6 2 fresh red chillies, chopped 2 garlic cloves, chopped 1 thumb-sized piece of ginger 250g shiitake mushrooms, sliced fine 225g bamboo shoots, sliced fine 3tbsp soya sauce 4tbsp rice wine vinegar 1tsp runny honey 1.5l hot vegetable stock 1 egg white, lightly beaten 150g firm tofu, cubed 2 spring onions, sliced fine ½ bunch of chives, chopped Blitz the chillies, garlic and ginger with a pinch of salt to a rough paste. Heat a lug of oil in a large wok, fry the mushrooms for 4 minutes. Stir in the chilli paste and bamboo shoots and fry for a further minute. Meanwhile, mix together the soya sauce, vinegar, honey and a good pinch of white pepper. Stir the mixture into the pan and cook for a minute, then pour in the hot stock and bring gently to the boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes. Once reduced, remove the soup from the heat. Using a chopstick, stir the soup in a clockwise direction until you get a little whirlpool, then slowly add the beaten egg white, stirring continuously to form thin ribbons. Stir in the tofu and return to the heat for 1 minute to warm through. Season to taste with soya sauce and vinegar, then serve immediately with the spring onions and chives scattered on top. CRAB AND SWEETCORN SOUP Serves 4 1.2l chicken stock 2 corncobs 225g fresh white crabmeat 5tsp cornflour ¼tsp root ginger, finely chopped 2 spring onions, shredded 1tbsp light soya sauce 1tbsp rice wine 1 egg white, lightly beaten Bring the stock to the boil. Meanwhile, stand the corncobs up on a board and slice away the kernels. Add the corn to the stock and simmer for 5 minutes. Check over the crabmeat for small pieces of shell, keeping the meat in the largest pieces possible. Mix the cornflour to a smooth paste with a little cold water, stir it into the soup and simmer for 2 minutes. Stir in the crabmeat, ginger, spring onions, soya sauce and rice wine. Season to taste and simmer for 1 minute. Using a chopstick, stir the soup in a clockwise direction until you get a little whirlpool, then slowly add the beaten egg white, stirring continuously to form thin ribbons. Simmer for 30 seconds and serve immediately.

Surprise your mum with one of her favourite fruity desserts on Mother’s Day PAVLOVA Serves 6 3 large egg whites 175g caster sugar 275g whipped cream 350g raspberries, strawberries and redcurrants Preheat the oven to 150˚C. Whisk the egg whites in a large bowl until soft peaks form. Then whisk in the sugar 25g at a time. Take a metal tablespoon and spoon the meringue mix onto a lightly oiled baking sheet, forming a circle about 20cm in diameter. Spoon round blobs next to each other so they join up and form a circle all around the edge. Place in the oven, turn down t he h eat t o 140˚C a nd c ook f or o ne h our. Turn the heat off but leave the meringue in the oven until completely cold. Place the meringue on a serving dish, spread the whipped cream on top and put the fruit on the cream. CHERRY SORBET Serves 6 750g cherries 140g caster sugar 1 lemon, juice only ½tsp almond extract ½tsp salt Destalk, pit and dice the cherries. Place the cherries and all the other ingredients in a bowl; pour over 300 millilitres of boiling water. Leave to macerate until cool, then blitz until smooth. Push the purée through a sieve. Clear a shelf in the freezer and place a sided metal tray into chill. Pour the mix into the tray and cover with cling film. Freeze the liquid until it’s icy around the edges and slushy in the middle. Use a fork to break up the ice into smaller crystals. Return the tray to the freezer. Repeat the process every half hour (at least three times) until you have a completely frozen sorbet that’s the texture of snow. Scoop into individual dishes and serve with a sprig of mint.

LEMONADE POPSICLES Serves 10 2 lemons 100g granulated sugar 480ml water Cut one lemon in half lengthwise, then squeeze out the juice (120ml) by hand or with a juicer. Place the sugar and half the water in a small saucepan. Bring to the boil and stir until the sugar has dissolved. Remove the pan from the heat. Add the lemon juice and remaining water to the saucepan and stir. Pour the liquid into a jug and set aside to cool completely. Pour the lemonade into ice-lolly moulds. Cut the remaining lemon thinly and place one piece in each mould. Add the sticks and freeze for a minimum of eight hours.

COCONUT & CHOCOLATE ENERGY BALLS Serves 4 140g raw almonds 15 dates, pitted 30g unsweetened shredded coconut 50g unsweetened cocoa powder 1tsp vanilla extract 40g mini chocolate chips Blitz the almonds to create a fine almond meal. (Don’t blend the almond meal too long or it will turn into nut butter.) Add the remaining ingredients and blitz to combine. Then, scoop a heaped tablespoon of dough into your hands and roll it into a ball. Roll the ball in additional shredded coconut (optional) and place it on a baking sheet. Repeat until you’ve used up all the dough. Place the baking sheet in the freezer for 15 minutes and then transfer the energy balls to a freezer-safe bag. You can store these healthy bites in the freezer for up to 3 months.

PAD THAI Serves 4 250g pack medium rice noodles 2tsp tamarind paste 3tbsp fish sauce 2tsp sugar 2tbsp vegetable oil 1 garlic clove, chopped 3 spring onions, sliced fine 1 egg 200g prawns, cooked 75g beansprouts Tip the noodles into a large bowl and cover with boiling water. Leave to stand for 5-10 minutes until soft, then drain well. Combine the tamarind paste, fish sauce and sugar in a small bowl. Heat a wok over a high heat: pour in the vegetable oil, add the garlic and spring onions, and stir-fry for 30 seconds. Push the vegetables to the sides of the wok, then crack the egg into the centre. Stir the egg for 30 seconds until it begins to set. Add the prawns and beansprouts, followed by the noodles, then pour over the fish sauce mixture. Toss everything together and heat through. Serve the Pad Thai with chopped peanuts sprinkled over and wedges of lime.