AISHK 2019 Admissions Guide

AUSTRALIAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL HONG KONG

2019

Admissions Guide

Student Admissions Thank you for your interest in Australian International School Hong Kong.

No matter from which country our students originate, our goal is to create a positive environment for students to form a solid foundation and enable them to succeed and flourish throughout their lives.

AISHK conducts Primary school tours every Wednesday during term time, please refer to our booking link on our website. Secondary school tours are done on a demand basis. To make a reservation, please contact admissions for further details about Secondary school tours.

Our website is also a great resource for more information and news. Visit www.aishk.edu.hk to find out more about our School.

We look forward to welcoming you to the AISHK community.

AISHK Admissions Team

Applying to AISHK Step 1 Complete the application form (See Admissions tab on our website for more details).

Step 3

Step 2 Application Review by Admissions.

Notification to parents regarding waitlist / assessment interview.

Step 4

Step 5

Written offer to successful applicants.

Payment to confirm place.

Step 6 Starting School.

For the latest application information, please refer to the Admissions section of our website.

School Year The academic year commences in mid to late January and concludes in mid December.

2019 Term Dates Term 1 – Monday 21 January to Thursday 4 April Term 2 – Wednesday 24 April to Friday 21 June Term 3 – Tuesday 23 July to Friday 20 September Term 4 – Tuesday 8 October to Wednesday 11 December

Reception

Morning Class 8:00am to 11:00am Afternoon Class 11:45am to 2:45pm

School Hours Primary

Preparatory - Year 2 8:20am to 2:45pm Year 3 to Year 6 8:20am to 2:50 pm

Secondary

Monday 8:15am to 2:35pm Tuesday to Friday 8:15am to 3:30pm

School Starting Age Guide For entry into Reception in January, students must be four years of age by April 30 of their year of entrance. For entry into Preparatory, students must be five years of age by April 30 of their year of entrance.

Enrolment in other class levels will depend on a number of factors as well as age. Both maturity and previous schooling records will be taken into consideration. Please note that offers for entry to a particular year level will be determined by the school.

Age ranges for classes for students enrolling in 2019

Age ranges for classes for students enrolling in 2020

Age ranges for classes for students enrolling in 2021

Reception

Born between 1/5/14 and 30/4/15

Born between 1/5/15 and 30/4/16

Born between 1/5/16 and 30/4/17

Preparatory

Born between 1/5/13 and 30/4/14

Born between 1/5/14 and 30/4/15

Born between 1/5/15 and 30/4/16

Year 1

Born between 1/5/12 and 30/4/13

Born between 1/5/13 and 30/4/14

Born between 1/5/14 and 30/4/15

Year 2

Born between 1/5/11 and 30/4/12

Born between 1/5/12 and 30/4/13

Born between 1/5/13 and 30/4/14

Year 3

Born between 1/5/10 and 30/4/11

Born between 1/5/11 and 30/4/12

Born between 1/5/12 and 30/4/13

Year 4

Born between 1/5/09 and 30/4/10

Born between 1/5/10 and 30/4/11

Born between 1/5/11 and 30/4/12

Year 5

Born between 1/5/08 and 30/4/09

Born between 1/5/09 and 30/4/10

Born between 1/5/10 and 30/4/11

Year 6

Born between 1/5/07 and 30/4/08

Born between 1/5/08 and 30/4/09

Born between 1/5/09 and 30/4/10

Year 7

Born between 1/5/06 and 30/4/07

Born between 1/5/07 and 30/4/08

Born between 1/5/08 and 30/4/09

Year 8

Born between 1/5/05 and 30/4/06

Born between 1/5/06 and 30/4/07

Born between 1/5/07 and 30/4/08

Year 9

Born between 1/5/04 and 30/4/05

Born between 1/5/05 and 30/4/06

Born between 1/5/06 and 30/4/07

Year 10

Born between 1/5/03 and 30/4/04

Born between 1/5/04 and 30/4/05

Born between 1/5/05 and 30/4/06

Year 11

Born between 1/5/02 and 30/4/03

Born between 1/5/03 and 30/4/04

Born between 1/5/04 and 30/4/05

Year 12

Born between 1/5/01 and 30/4/02

Born between 1/5/02 and 30/4/03

Born between 1/5/03 and 30/4/04

Financial Information 1. Application Fee A non-refundable application fee of HK$1,500 is payable on submission of the completed application form. An application is valid for one year, that is the January-December academic year for which the applicant is applying.

2. Application Renewal Fee A non-refundable application renewal fee of HK$500 will be charged to ensure the applicant remains on the wait list for a further year.

3. Assessment Fee Students attending assessments are required to pay a non-refundable assessment fee of HK$500 per student. The need for an assessment will be determined after the application has been reviewed by the School.

There may be a requirement for Secondary students, whose native language is not English, to attend a standardised English assessment. Please contact the Admissions Office for further information.

4. Reservation Deposit A reservation deposit of HK$10,000 is required at the time of acceptance of an enrolment. This deposit is credited to the annual tuition fee when the student commences at the School. Enrolment becomes final only after the School has received the reservation deposit.

Reservation deposits for new students are only refunded if the School receives written notification (email is acceptable) of a student’s cancellation, or change of requested start date, within seven (7) days after the payment is received. This deadline is strictly adhered to.

Cheques should be made payable to “Australian International School Foundation Limited”. (Payment may be made by cash, HKD cheque, direct deposit or internet/telegraphic transfer to the School’s bank account. Credit card payments are not available) Bank account details are: Account Name: Australian International School Foundation Limited Bank Code: 015 Branch: 514 Account Number: 40-56455-9 Bank Name: The Bank of East Asia Limited Bank Address: 10 Des Voeux Road, Central, Hong Kong Swift Code: BEASHK HH NB: If paying by telegraphic/internet transfer to our bank account, please make sure that our bank account will be credited with the full fee including Hong Kong bank charges (usually HK$240). Please provide a scanned copy of the bank deposit confirmation once you have made the payment.

5. Debentures There are two types of debentures: 5.1 Depreciating Debentures (depreciable annually) The current value for enrolments in 2019 is $100,000 per student. The value for enrolments in 2020 is $120,000 per student. A Depreciating Debenture must be purchased for all students who accept an offer of a place at AISHK. Under certain circumstances an arrangement may be made to purchase this debenture by instalments. Please contact our Business Administrator should you wish to discuss this option.

Debentures depreciate on an annual basis. They may depreciate to zero or be partially refunded when the student leaves the School before the debenture is fully depreciated.

Debentures are depreciated by 12.5% of the Initial Principal Sum at the beginning of each school year (1 January) for eight years. (Note: This represents the equivalent of paying an annual capital levy of $15,000 in 2020, which is considerably less than the ever increasing capital levies that many other schools in Hong Kong charge. It also ensures that the annual contribution remains fixed throughout the life of the debenture). If a student starts during a school year, depreciation on a pro-rata basis will be charged for the first year only.

The full depreciating rate per annum will apply thereafter.

An example to illustrate how the Depreciating Debenture works based on the 2020 debenture value of $120,000: • A student withdraws after attending school for 4 years • A total of HK$60,000 (HK$15,000 x 4), being the remaining sum after 4 years’ of depreciation, will be refunded to the parents on the student’s last day of school. The remaining balance of the Depreciating Debenture will be refunded on the student’s last day of school, subject to the payment of tuition fees and any other outstanding amount.

5.2 Gold Debentures (non-refundable) A limited number of Gold Debentures (current value HK$3,000,000) are available. The Gold Debenture is non-refundable and non-transferable. If desired, there will be an acknowledgment of the gift on a professionally designed, permanent and fixed display in the lobby of the School and in the Foundations’ publications. The nominated child must meet the usual entry requirements described in the Rules of Admission as laid down by AISHK. For more information on this debenture, please contact the Admissions Office.

6. Capital Levy The payment of the Capital Levy is only offered to those families who have multiple children accepting enrolment into AISHK at the same time. The capital levy must be paid on acceptance of being offered a place. The levy amount is reviewed each year and is currently HK$21,000 per student per annum. The capital levy is payable annually at the beginning of each school year.

7. Tuition Fees 2019 Years

Inclusive Fee Per Annum (HK$)

Term (HK$) (Four (4) payments, Autopay only)

Monthly (HK$) (Ten (10) monthly payments, Excluding January & December Autopay only)

Reception

102,600*

25,650

10,260

Primary Division Preparatory - Year 6

147,500*

36,875

14,750

Secondary Division Year 7 - 10

170,200*

42,550

17,020

Secondary Division Year 11 & 12 (HSC)

178,700*

44,675

17,870

Secondary Division Year 11 & 12 (IB)

214,500*

53,625

21,450

Tuition fees include all text books, work books, local excursions, special art materials, literary magazines and a Yearbook.

• Tuition fees are based on a per annum charge and, unless other arrangements have been made, the preferred means of payment is by ten (10) equal monthly payments via Autopay (February to November inclusive).

• A 10% discount will be applied to the third and subsequent child/ren in a family enrolled at AISHK. (The discount will be applied to the youngest child in the family).

• No reduction in tuition fees will be made for any absences.

• If fee payments are overdue, a student may be excluded from school. Once excluded, students will not be re-admitted until all arrears are cleared.

Key Learning Areas 2019

Reception

Reception Year provides a foundation program, designed to meet the needs of the 3.5 to 4.5 year old child. Adopting a child-centred approach, the program covers areas of intellectual, emotional, social, physical and aesthetic development.

Language development is also emphasised. The foundation for learning is the Early Years Learning Framework, which is used by most schools in Australia.

Primary and Secondary

The following subjects are offered from Preparatory to Year 12:

Subject Area

Preparatory Year 6 (Primary Division)

Years 7-10 (Secondary Division)

Years 11 & 12 (Secondary Division) NSW Higher School Certificate

ENGLISH

English

English

English Advanced & Standard English Extension English Fundamentals

MATHEMATICS

Mathematics

Mathematics

Standard Mathematics Mathematics Mathematics Extension

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

SOCIAL SCIENCES

Science & Technology

Geography History From Year 3: Civics and Citizenship From Year 5: Economics and Business

LANGUAGES OTHER THAN ENGLISH

Chinese (Mandarin)

CREATIVE ARTS

Visual Arts Music Drama

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Science Design & Technology

Biology Physics Chemistry Year 9 & 10: Design and Technology Information & Information Processes & Software Technology Technology

Geography History Year 9 & 10: Commerce

Chinese (Mandarin) French

Visual Arts Year 9 onwards: Music Drama

PDHPE Personal Year 9 & 10: Development, Health Physical Activity and & Physical Education Sports Studies

Business Studies Legal Studies Modern History Economics Geography

Chinese Continuers Chinese & Literature Chinese Beginners French Continuers French Beginners Visual Arts Visual Design Music Drama Personal Development, Health & Physical Education Sport, Life Style & Recreation

Years 11 & 12 (Secondary Division) IB Courses English - Literature and Language A (HL & SL)

Mathematics (HL & SL) Biology (HL & SL) Chemistry (HL & SL) Physics (HL & SL) Design Technology (HL & SL) ITGS (HL & SL) Economics (HL & SL) Business & Management (HL & SL) History (HL & SL) Psychology (HL & SL)

Chinese A (HL& SL) Chinese B (HL & SL) Chinese ab initio (SL) French B (HL & SL) French ab initio (SL)

Visual Arts (HL & SL) Music (HL & SL)

Uniforms All students who attend the Australian International School Hong Kong are required to wear the School Uniform as outlined in our Parent Handbook, located on the school website in the Parent Pack.

The Uniform Shop is located on the 1/F of the school, adjacent to the cafeteria. Opening hours are Monday and Thursday from 8:00 to 3:30pm during term time only. The shop does operate special hours for new students, which are communicated via email.

Lunches Students from Preparatory Year upwards have their lunch at school. The school cafeteria accommodates students during the three lunch breaks established for each of early childhood, upper primary and secondary. Reheating facilities are not available.

Students may: • Bring a packed lunch from home We recommend a thermal lunch box or frozen drink be used for cooling purposes in summer.

• Order from the school caterer Chartwells Hot lunches for Primary students can be ordered and paid for in advance at a discount. Secondary students can buy lunch daily over the counter.

• Use the school tuckshop Sandwiches, hot food items such as mini pizzas and snack items such as fruit, fruit juices, health bars, crackers, yoghurt and milk drinks are available from the tuckshop. Carbonated soft drinks, sweets, icecreams etc. are not available.

Bus Services Kwoon Chung Motors Co Ltd. is contracted to provide the school bus services for most areas of Hong Kong. The buses pick up students at various times between 6:40am and 7:45am. The Bus Company aims to have buses arriving at school between 7:55 - 8:00am. All buses depart from school at 3:00pm sharp. There is a late bus service, which is a limited stops service, departing the school at 4:30pm for those attending an after school activity. Please contact the bus company for more details.

Reception class (AM) children finish school at 11:00am and Reception class (PM) children start at 11:45am. It is imperative that Reception class parents understand that a Reception class bus will only be provided if there are sufficient Reception children in a similar area, to justify running a bus at these earlier times.

All buses are minibus (24 seater) with air-conditioning and bus supervisor. Bus fares are to be paid by the Semester in advance directly to Kwoon Chung Motors Co Ltd. Bus fares vary between HK$7,640 and HK$11,680 per child per half year. A detailed copy of the latest bus schedule can be obtained from the School website.

To ensure the most up-to-date information is received by parents, including pick-up and drop-off points, times and fare payable, please visit the bus company’s website www.school.kcm.com.hk/ais or contact the company directly.

Frequently Asked Questions How early can I submit an application for my child?

We accept applications two (2) years in advance prior to the expected year of entrance. For example, if your child is age appropriate for our Reception class in 2021, you may submit an application as early as January 2019.

Is there a deadline for application?

For Reception to Year 10, applications are accepted yearround.

Year 11 applications are not accepted after Term 1 and Year 12 applications are not accepted under normal circumstances.

Are priorities given to students on the waitlist?

Yes. Priorities are as follows:• Siblings of current students • Australian or New Zealand passport holders • Other nationalities Our waitlists are accorded by date. The earlier the application the higher the place on our waitlist.

For Reception and Preparatory students (both intake years) we also take into account gender equity and student diversity as it is important to have a balance in each class.

Can I make changes to the term or year of admission I would like my child to be considered for enrolment at AISHK? What costs/conditions are involved?

• An application has a currency of one (1) year, the academic year for which the applicant is applying. You may defer your child’s application once within the same academic year with no monetary or priority penalty.

• However, if the requested change falls outside the initial academic year (January-December) then an application deferral fee of HK$500 applies.

• Please note that when an application is deferred to a new academic year the date of application (for priority purposes) changes from the original date the application was received to the date we receive payment for the deferment.

Is the school only open to Australians?

No. Children of all nationalities are welcome.

Are the teachers mainly Australians?

The majority of teaching staff are Australian but we do have teachers from a diverse range of backgrounds.

Where is the school located?

Please see the map on the back of this document.

Do you have to live on Kowloon side to attend AISHK? No. Many students who attend AISHK live all over Hong Kong. AISHK is situated next to a transport interchange with taxis, buses and MTR. We have a school bus service – please see our website for more details regarding the school bus.

What is the student to teacher ratio?

Reception Max 20 students

1 Teacher, 2 Assistants per class Prep – Year 2 Max 25 students

1 Teacher, 1 Assistant per class Year 3-6 Max 25 students

1 Teacher per class, 1 Assistant per year level Year 7-12 Max 25 students

1 Teacher per class How many students are enrolled at the school?

As of January 2019 we have about 1100 students. 65% of students are in Primary and 35% are in Secondary.

Is there a Special Needs Program at AISHK? No Is there Learning Enrichment at AISHK? Yes. AISHK has a small team of dedicated staff members who help support or extend students within the classroom.

For more details, please contact our Admissions staff.

Will my child have to undertake an entry or assessment interview?

Not all children have to attend an assessment interview.

Once your child’s application has been reviewed, our Admissions staff with contact you if an assessment is necessary.

Does AISHK provide English language support?

No. Students must be proficient in English to gain entry to AISHK. Do you have a Chinese language program at your school?

Yes. The study of Chinese is mandatory from Reception to Year 6. Prep – Year 6 students will have one 45 minute lesson of Mandarin per day. The Chinese program emphasizes communication through talking and listening, reading, responding and writing.

My child does not know any Chinese – how will he/she learn?

Our Chinese language program offers streamed classes from Year 1.

Are extra curricular activities offered?

Our school provides a wide variety of Extra Curricular Activities (ECA’s). ECA’s are sport and non-sporting pursuits available to AISHK students over and above the regular school curriculum. These activities are organized and led by teachers and support staff with assistance from parents and external coordinators and take place outside the normal school timetable.

Do I have to buy a debenture or pay a capital levy for my child to study at AISHK? Yes. All students are required to have a debenture purchased or a capital levy paid for them before they start school at AISHK. For more details about debentures and capital

levies please refer to the “Financial Information” section under the Application Information tab on our website.

Can I pay the Application Fee by credit card?

No. Credit cards are not accepted at AISHK at present time.

Does my child need to have a Hong Kong visa before I submit the application?

No. You can submit the application, with all the other required documentation, and send a copy of the visa once it has been stamped in your child’s passport. Note: A valid student or dependant visa must be in place prior to the child’s first day of school. This is a Hong Kong government mandatory requirement.

www.aishk.edu.hk

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KOWLOON TONG STATION 九龍塘地鐵站

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SUFFOLK ROAD 沙福道

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Australian International School Hong Kong 香港澳洲國際學校 3A Norfolk Road, Kowloon Tong, Kowloon, Hong Kong

NORFOLK ROAD

AISHK Online www.aishk.edu.hk

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General Enquiries Tel. Fax Email

+852 2304 6078 +852 2304 6077 admissions@aishk.edu.hk