IS A PRIVATE PRIMARY SCHOOL FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS, OVERLOOKING SILVERMINE BAY. IT BOASTS A SPRAWLING, TWO-LEVEL 10,000-SQUARE-FOOT CAMPUS ON MUI WO FERRY PIER ROAD, COMPLETE WITH AN INDEPENDENT, EXTRA- CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES CENTRE
“Silvermine Bay School follows a modified English National Curriculum, ensuring that our curriculum is relevant for children growing up in Hong Kong, while also emphasising the multicultural diversity of the world we live in,” opens school Principal and owner Will Tong. “Similarly, our Reception Class follows the Early Years Foundation Stage, combined with supplementary resources to bring relevancy to our students of the place in which they live, and prepare them for the rigours of our full primary curriculum.”
Since founding the school in 2019, Will has made placing students at first-choice secondary schools a priority. “Over the past three years, we have a record of at least 50% of our graduates getting accepted to YMCA of Hong Kong Christian College (YHKCC),” he says. “YHKCC has become very competitive, but we have built up a good connection with the principal and we now have a joint sports day. For many families who live in South Lantau, YHKCC is their first choice of secondary school because they have a stream for the British Curriculum. I know the school’s expectations and the level students need to meet.”
A clear emphasis on writing (supported by a big writing programme) and maths (supported by an evidence-based maths programme) helps prepare Silvermine Bay School students for English-medium secondary school. Will is also quick to highlight his school’s strong coding programme, which students start in Year 2. “Children need to start coding young; these are skills they need for secondary school and beyond. Our coding programme helps kids become creators rather than just consumers, and we have done over 100 coding projects over the past couple of years.”
Silvermine Bay School is also first and foremost a community school, something that’s important to Will who grew up in Mui Wo. “We have a good relationship with the local library, and the recycling centre is just downstairs. We encourage recycling and students make compost for a local farm, so they can see how their food waste helps things grow. We take new students on tours around Mui Wo to explore and connect; we recently visited the fire station. All this helps students learn about the environment.”
In this way, students’ personal, social and emotional education is prioritised, as is their wellbeing. “We try to help the kids to be happy. They need support to build their character, and they’ve needed additional support to stay positive during the pandemic.
“We celebrate students’ accomplishments and achievements in a very specific way,” Will adds. “We don’t, for instance, use the word ‘smart’ – the word ‘smart’ can encourage students to become lazy and not open to moving forward. We encourage achievement through fun and meaningful learning.”
Finding each student’s character strengths is another important goal at Silvermine Bay School. “We asked a designer to create a unique animal representation of each of the 24 character strengths, which is widely used in school,” says Will. “We use the animals to get students involved and asking questions; they learn to identify different character strengths within themselves and others. It’s so important for students to see what they are good at, and not just academically.”
For more on Silvermine Bay School, call 2984 0006, email office@silverminebayschool.edu.hk or visit www.silverminebayschool.edu.hk.