AISHK Lion Rock Magazine | Term 4 Issue Vol.41

AUSTRALIAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL HONG KONG

Term 4 2023 | Volume 41

INSIDE: Secondary and Primary Art Exhibitions Dragon's Den Interviews with Bella Wong, Harvey Abayasiri ...and so much more!

MESSAGE FROM THE

HEAD OF SCHOOL As we approach the end of a busy term at AISHK, it's with immense pride that we reflect on the wide range of achievements and experiences that have enriched our school community. We hope you enjoy the snapshots of a remarkable Term 4 gone by.

The term has seen a vibrant array of international and local sports events, which has brought about much connection, camaraderie and healthy competition among our students. On our very own campus, there has been energy and excitement with inter-house swimming and athletics carnivals, where the talents and sportsmanship of our students have shone brightly.

In this issue, we proudly present a theme that shines a light on the diverse and innovative curricular opportunities available to our students, allowing them to flourish in their learning journeys and express themselves in ways that are truly transformative.

From the boundless opportunities offered through the Creative Industries Department in secondary education to the nurturing environment for artistic expression in the primary Visual Arts program, our school is dedicated to fostering creativity, collaboration and cross-divisional initiatives. We also share the after-school activities offered for the budding young innovators to reach new heights.

I would like to thank the AISHK community for the warm welcome during my first year as Head of School.

Your collaboration, partnership and participation in school life have been invaluable. I appreciate the feedback received through surveys, workshops, and conversations, which has shaped the future vision and purpose of our school. I look forward to sharing more about our strategic roadmap in 2024 and am excited to take this journey with you.

I am privileged to lead AISHK and be part of your child’s school life.

Wishing you a happy, safe, and relaxing break with your family. Looking forward to seeing you again in 2024.

With respect,

Mina Dunstan HEAD OF SCHOOL

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BOARD CHAIRMAN’S

MESSAGE On behalf of your Board of Governors, welcome to the final issue of The Lion Rock magazine for 2023.

events. Their dedication and voluntary hard work enriches the AISHK experience for everyone.

As we come to the end of another eventful year at AISHK, it is with great pleasure that we reflect on the many memorable occasions of recent months, such as the House Charity Mufti Day hosted by Jacaranda and Eucalypt, Primary and Secondary visual arts exhibitions and the return of overseas sporting tournaments.

The final weeks of Term 4 will see important events take place including the Year 6 Graduation celebration and the Secondary Speech Day ceremony, both to acknowledge student excellence academically and in community service.

AISHK offers a unique educational and learning environment in Hong Kong, and Term 4 saw significant, annual academic milestones including the completion of the NSW HSC and IB Diploma examinations by students in year 12. To the graduating Year 12 Class of 2023, congratulations on your accomplishments!

They are a result of your hard work and resilience.

Your contributions to our school community are so appreciated and we are proud to have played a part in shaping the bright futures that lie ahead for you.

We look forward to sharing with the community the onward pathways of our newest alumni in 2024.

The school has enjoyed a busy and fulfilling community and social events calendar and I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the 2023 Parent Association Committee for planning and coordinating the various

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I extend my appreciation to every member of the AISHK staff, and to all students and parents for your continued enthusiasm and support for the school throughout the year.

Warmest wishes for the upcoming holiday season and I look forward to connecting with you again in 2024.

Sincerely,

Professor Richard Petty AISFL BOARD CHAIR

TERM 4 2023 VOLUME 41

TABLE OF CONTENTS Message from Head of School Board Chairman’s Message

About the cover All about Creativity and the arts, our Term 4 Lion Rock cover is a collage of the different media that our student artists have to offer

SPOTLIGHT ON AISHK VISUAL ARTS & CREATIVE INDUSTRIES Senior IB Art Exhibition 3D Printing Club Secondary IT Innovations Zooming In with Harvey: Interview with Harvey Abayasiri Culinary Creativity: Celebrating Our New Food Tech Room!

Primary Art Exhibition Dragon's Den 2023 FEATURE Rising Star: Interview with Bella Wong REPRESENTATIVE SPORT Early Childhood Athletics Carnival Soccer Showdown: AISHK Hosts Thrilling SDRC Tournament Year 5-6 Swimming Carnival CURRICULAR CONNECTIONS AISHK Students & the Shaw Prize for Astronomy

ALUMNI AISHK Alumni Paris Herbert-Taylor Meets Year 9 PARENT ASSOCIATION CORNER

03 04 06 08 09 09 10 15 16 18

20

24 27 33

34

36 38

FEATURES

AISHK Visual Arts SPOTLIGHT ON

& Creative

Industries

J

oin us as we take a journey, sharing snapshots of a day in the life of AISHK’s Creative Industries Department in Secondary and Visual Arts Department in Primary. This year has been bursting at the

seams with outstanding curricular success and with horizons broadened through after school activities.

The Department of Creative

Project briefs mirror real life

Industries at AISHK is the

and industry; however, we are

home of secondary Visual

preparing students for careers

Art, Information Technology,

and technology that don’t yet

Food Technology, and Design

exist. So, by encouraging students

& Technology and increasingly

to be open-minded, curious, and

primary school initiatives.

lifelong learners, we help prepare

These four faculties work

them for what they will encounter

collaboratively to deliver a high-

when they leave AISHK.

quality education harnessing

Creative Industries is a safe space

21st-century skills outlined by

for students to express themselves,

the Organisation for Economic

develop their creative process, and

Co-operation and Development

develop new abilities and skills.

OECD such as critical thinking and

Our supportive and collaborative

problem-solving, communication

staff has a wide range of expertise

and collaboration, creativity and

and extensive backgrounds

innovation, social responsibility,

in the creative industries.

leadership and application

We are progressive and forward-

of Information Technology.

thinking and aim to future-

At AISHK, we are privileged

proof our educational offerings

to have excellent facilities and

through the consistent review

resources to which students have

and updating of our offerings.

extensive access and autonomy.

Chrissy Carini Head of Creative Industries, Secondary

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At AISHK, we firmly believe in the transformative power of art education and recognising its profound impact on students' holistic development.

Our dedicated primary art program encompasses a diverse range of materials and techniques.

By engaging with various mediums, students cultivate invaluable transferable skills that extend far beyond the art studio, seamlessly integrating into other subject areas.

With access to a dedicated art space, our students are immersed in an environment that sparks inspiration and allows innovative thinking to flourish. Encouraged to think outside the box, our students love to tackle artistic challenges head-on, developing the confidence to explore unique solutions of their own creation.

Through the exploration of visual art, AISHK nurtures a generation of adaptable, resourceful thinkers who embrace problemsolving as an opportunity for growth. As our recent art exhibition showed, we encourage celebration and empowerment of our students, laying the foundation for a lifetime of creativity and innovation.

Julie Emery Head of Visual Arts, Primary

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AISHK Creative Industries staff and inspiring senior students held a mesmerising, three-day

Senior IB Art Exhibition in September.

The largest show of its kind ever hosted at our school, it was a culmination of talented students pouring their hearts and souls into their craft and pushing creative boundaries for two years.

Thank you to all community attendees of the dazzling Opening Night, which showcased over 100 works of painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, architecture, photography and digital media; all incredible achievements and testament to the unique AISHK education we offer.

View the recap by clicking here or scanning the QR code

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3D PRINTING CLUB Year 6 and 7 students have the opportunity to unleash their creativity in an exciting 3D modelling class after school, tailored for our enthusiastic innovators.

With access to the cutting-edge technology of our Creative Industries department, students are journeying from concept to creation in design and digital artistry. It is a joy to watch their imagination come to life it through these activities!

SECONDARY IT INNOVATIONS

Unity AISHK Year 10 students work with programming language C# and Unity, a professional-level games development platform, to design and program interactive 3D games.

Year 10 students have been creating extremely impressive work in IT!

Max8 Students also work with a unique visual programming language in Max8 to create interactive, generative music systems. They learn to code for Arduino in order to design and build unusual hardware controllers for their Max8 music.

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ZOOMING HARVEY IN WITH

J

Year 4 Snapshot of Creativity

oin us as we sit down with Harvey, a very creative and passionate

Year 4 student with a love for photography and the arts. Harvey

has a remarkable talent for capturing the world around him through his lens, and we journeyed with him to discover his perspectives

on photography and his exciting aspirations for the future!

When did you first become

How do you approach finding

interested in photography,

interesting and unique photo

and what inspired you to

opportunities in your daily

start taking photos?

life and surroundings?

One of my inspirations has been

For normal everyday objects,

my friends. One of my friends likes

sometimes it seems like they are

cars and he would always go “car

nothing very special. But I usually

spotting”, bringing his big camera

go up, really close-up, from a

with him. So then, I got inspired,

different perspective that nobody

and took my own small camera and

would think of. This what makes

started also taking photos. Also, my

my photo opportunities unique.

mum bought me a bigger camera as a gift, and this is the one I use now.

In Hong Kong there's lots of things to capture. It's like a city

What kind of camera do you

that has lots of things close

use for your photography, and

together, like the country areas

what are your favourite subjects

as well as the busy city.

to capture in your photos?

Can you share with us a favourite I use a Nikon DSLR and I like to

photo you've taken recently and

capture nature and the city often.

tell us the story behind it, or

And sometimes cars, panning

why it's meaningful to you to?

shots of sports cars mostly!

Yes. Once, I was in a market and Do you have a favourite

there wasn't anything much to

sports car?

photograph that I had not captured before. But then I looked up and

Yes – the Bugatti Chiron.

I saw the inspiration for this photo. I saw the top of some very

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tall buildings, reaching upwards

express yourself or see the

towards the sky, and there was a

world in a different way?

beautiful colour in the clouds. I like

you always the one taking the most photos, or do you take that time out to relax? What are some

how represents Hong Kong with

I really like that in photography you

trips you remember most that

all its buildings, and how in some

can have lots different perspectives,

were great for taking photos?

areas of this city, there isn't much

and I like how photographers can

space and we live on top of each

have their own different styles.

I always bring my camera and

Are there any particular

when I was in France, I took tons of

other. I think this makes it unique.

take the most photos! I remember

I wanted to bring out this colour,

photographers or artists

photos. There were so many things

so in my editing process, I got

who inspire or influence

to capture, like looking over the

crazy with the colour sliders!

your work, and if so, what

fields, Paris and the Eiffel Tower.

is it about their style that Wow - what do you

means something to you?

mean by crazy??

Well, in the editing program I

Have you ever faced any challenges or obstacles while

For artists, it would be Vincent

pursuing your photography hobby,

van Gogh. I like his paintings

and how did you overcome them?

use, you can pick out the colour

that show lots of texture in his

in the photo you want to change,

art. So, in photography, I also

I always had some problems of

like this bench I’m sitting on, for

try to capture the textures in

centring the main part of the photo

instance. You can select it with

images and show it clearly.

in the middle of the frame. That’s

the colour of your selection. I

What emotions do you feel

straightening, without a tripod. It

enjoyed playing with that with

when you're taking photos?

a tool, and then you can adjust

really hard sometimes, as well as

the sky colour in this photo.

It makes me feel happy and What do you love most

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straight, and just try my best.

it's like very relaxing as well.

about photography, and how do you think it helps you

is a challenge. I have to practice a lot trying to get the camera

Looking ahead, what are you When you go on holidays, are

hoping for next? Do you have

"I really like that in photography you can have lots different perspectives"

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goals as a young photographer,

messages? Do you have some

and skills you wish to learn?

examples of your own to share?

One of my goals is that I want

Photos can be used to tell a story

to do macro photography,

or send a message like the boats

where you go up really close to

in one photo I took. Each boat

things to photograph. It looks

could tell a story - like one boat

really cool and one day I’d like

might have got the most fish, while

a camera that can do that.

another might be the fastest.

There’s a lot of opportunity to

In another photo, I think it’s near

do photography in Creative

Mongkok, every single person in

Industries in secondary

this picture would have their own

school. Do you think that's

life story about where they are

something you'd love to do?

going and what they are doing.

Yes, I would, and I also like art.

Everything we see in photos can tell us so many stories.

What do you think are the similarities between an artist who might do painting and a photographer?

They both have ways to express meanings and different perspectives.

Every artist or photographer has their own style and techniques too.

In what ways do you think photography can be used to tell stories in life, or share important

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To view more of Harvey’s wonderful work please click here or scan the QR code below:

CULINARY CREATIVITY:

Celebrating Our New Food Tech Room!

N

ovember saw the official ceremony and opening of the Food Technology Room, which has been

revitalised and re-modelled for an enhanced learning

and teaching experience, for the benefit of our students.

The improvements have already positively impacted AISHK with the increased opportunities for primary students to have lessons in this space. We also now have an additional, dedicated staff member employed to develop food technology experiences for students.

We are most grateful to Professor Cliff Sun, Kinox Enterprises Ltd, for a substantial monetary gift towards this project, along with the generous financial support of Dr Edward Chan of German Pool Hong Kong. Professor Sun is a long-term supporter of the school and we express much gratitude to him for his arrangement of his substantial material support of the school as well as his deep and enduring friendship with the school community. Our sponsors, students and Food Technology staff gathered for afternoon tea and a ribbon-cutting to open the space. Words of gratitude were shared between students Amber and Ava, the donors and Head of School, Ms Mina Dunstan.

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and Community Evening on 30 November certainly drew a crowd!

With waves of parents and friends coming to celebrate the imaginative talents of our young artists, students were extremely proud to show off their work. The diverse array of artworks from primary year levels offered an immersive journey through creativity and expression. There were stunning displays from paintings and sculptures to and mixed media pieces. Attendees were in for an extra special treat with student performances adding an entertaining layer to the night. Thank you for all who came together to make this exhibition a successful night in appreciation and support for the arts.

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Dragon’s Den 2023 O

Empowering Young Product Designers & Entrepreneurs

n Friday, 17 November, AISHK hosted its 9th annual Dragon’s Den event. Modelled after the

popular UK show Dragon's Den and Australia's

Shark Tank, this event showcased the remarkable creativity and entrepreneurial spirit of our Year 12 Design & Technology IB & HSC students.

Dragon's Den provided an invaluable platform for our students to present their senior project concepts to a distinguished panel of industry professionals.

These students will dedicate 10 months to their Major Design Projects, and Dragon's Den allows them to receive crucial feedback and insights from experienced mentors before embarking on their project journey.

Our panel of experts, affectionately known as "Dragons," comprised professionals from various domains within the Creative Industries. Designers, engineers, chefs, entrepreneurs, architects, marketing professionals, and more generously shared their expertise, making the event a resounding success.

The Dragons engaged with the students, providing constructive feedback, and inspiring them to think critically about their projects' viability, feasibility, and potential impacts. The passion and dedication displayed by our Year 12 students were truly commendable, as they confidently pitched their innovative product concepts to the panel.

Dragon's Den not only provided a platform for students to receive expert guidance but also facilitated the opportunity to present a pitch “start-up” style, which gives students insight into real-world Creative Industries processes.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the Dragons who generously shared their time, knowledge, and expertise. Their involvement

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Special thanks to our Dragons: Fiona Nott CEO, The Women’s Foundation Shane Osborn Chef / Co-founder, The Arcane Collective made a significant impact on the students' project journeys and will undoubtedly shape their future endeavours.

We also express our sincere appreciation to the students who fearlessly showcased their innovative ideas and embraced the opportunity to learn from experienced professionals. Their dedication and commitment to their Major Design Projects were truly inspiring.

Lastly, we would like to thank all the attendees and supporters who contributed to the success of Dragon's Den. Your presence and encouragement provided an invaluable boost to our young entrepreneurs and designers, reinforcing their belief in their abilities and fostering a culture of innovation within our school community.

Julie Murphy VP Head of Regional Travel, Deutsche Bank Susan Ping Co-founder TH&TH Bridesmaids (To Have and To Hold) Leigh Wilkie Service Manager, Rolls-Royce Simone Nabbs Executive Chef / Kitchen Manager: The Hong Kong Polytechnic School of Hospitality and Tourism

Dragon's Den 2023 will forever be remembered as an event that celebrates the spirit of creativity, entrepreneurship, and mentorship. We look forward to witnessing the continued growth and success of our talented students as they forge their paths in the Creative Industries.

The Design & Technology classes of 2024 will complete their projects in August of 2024 and their work will be exhibited in September.

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AISHK Q&A with young dance champion, Bella Wong

W

e had the pleasure of chatting with Bella, a remarkable Year 5 student who has made waves in the world of competitive

dance! Bella's talent and dedication has taken her to the international stage, so we were keen to explore her passion for dance, and uncover her aspirations as she continues to excel in the dance world.

What was it that first sparked

tried solos when I was around

your interest in dancing?

six, which is when I also started competing in local competitions.

When I was around two years old, I walked past a dance studio that

Can you share a particularly memorable/funny moment

had all their

from one of your dance

beautiful costumes

competitions or experiences,

displayed and

and what it meant to you?

I really wanted to try them on!

My first time I went overseas for a

So my parents

dance competition was when I was

booked me in

seven. We went to Thailand for a

for a trial class

competition called the Asia Pacific

to see if I really

Dance Competition. I competed in

wanted to do it.

group dances and a solo. I was so shocked when I heard that I got

How long

first place in my solo competition.

have you been

It gave me a lot of confidence and

dancing and

encouragement to keep going.

how did you begin your journey

You have traveled to many cities

as a competitive dancer

in the world to compete. Do you

at such a young age?

have a favourite destination?

I was around three when

My favourite destination was

I first started dancing.

Braga, Portugal. It was my first

At that time, I only did

time competing in DWC world

group dances then

finals. Me and my team got first

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place and we were so grateful

you dancing by yourself. You could

and happy for the great news.

also imagine that everyone in the

next time and you might succeed.

audience is one of your favourite

Looking to the future, do

Balancing schoolwork and dance

things in the world, and that there

you have hopes to continue

competitions must be challenging

are hundreds of them sitting in

in the world of dance?

sometimes! Do you have any

the audience cheering you on.

suggestions or advice on how to balance interests and school?

I want to continue in my dancing, What do you love most

and I want to challenge myself

about dancing? How has it

in getting a higher mark in the

I do all my homework in the

changed your life as a student

Get The Beat competition and

weekdays so I can free my weekend

and as an individual?

for dance. In the weekdays, I

a higher mark in the Dance World Cup world finals as well.

stretch only and on the weekends

I love the great sense of

I practice my dance routines. My

achievement when you finish

Lastly, can you reflect on the

advice is that you should finish all

dancing on stage and everyone is

support and encouragement

your homework/schoolwork during

cheering and encouraging you on. I

from the school and family

weekdays so you can get it out

also learnt how to manage my time

or friends, and how this has

of the way as soon as possible.

between schoolwork and dancing.

helped you succeed as an

As a young competitor on the

What advice would you give to

dancer at such a young age?

international competitive international stage, did you

other young students who might

ever experience nerves and

be dreaming of competing in

My family supported me by going

performance pressure? Do you

international dance competitions?

overseas with me to watch my

have any tips or strategies you use to help to stay focused?

competitions. I am grateful for My advice is don’t be afraid of

my parents’ financial support

what other people think of you. If

towards going overseas and

I experienced nerves sometimes

you believe in yourself, you can do

my daily dance lessons. AISHK

because I was afraid I would make

it! If you care what other people

supported and encouraged me

mistakes or create a bad impression

think about you, it will not let you

when they congratulated me on

of myself. But now, I know mistakes

follow your dreams. If you go into

my achievements and awards.

are okay and that I don’t need to

dance competitions, don’t just think

My friends supported me when

care about what other people think

about the awards, just think about

they came and watched me

about my dancing skills. My tips

trying your best and improving

perform or compete.

and strategies are to pretend no

each time. If you don’t get an

one is in the audience and it’s just

award this time, then try harder

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Early Childhood s c i t e l h t A Carnival O

n Monday 13 November the school was excited to host the

Early Childhood Athletics and Sports carnival on campus.

Every student had the opportunity to display some of their recent learning in PDHPE performing a range or running, jumping and throwing events as well as a few physically active novelty events.

We were thankful for the the sunny skies, as the event brought together parents, students and staff with boundless energy! A lovely part of the day was to be able to welcome so many parents and visitors onto the campus which helped to create such a supportive atmosphere.

At AISHK, we celebrate a balanced education complete with the joy of embracing sport, physical wellbeing and the approach of trying our very best.

Thanks as always to all who made sure they day was a great success for students!

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Various fun events took place such as Sprints, Chicken Hammer Throw, Class Long Jump, Relays, Hoop Discus, and Carnival Pres

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SOCCER SHOWDOWN AISHK Hosts Thrilling SDRC Tournament!

O

ctober saw the first Southern Delta Region Conference

(SDRC) event in four years with AISHK hosting the Soccer tournament in Hong Kong. SDRC is a group of schools that come together to compete in Soccer,

Touch, Volleyball and Basketball through a school year. There are two schools from Guangzhou, two schools from Shenzhen and AISHK. We recruited Discovery College of Hong Kong to join as the second Hong Kong based school The tournament ran over three days, with the first two being held at The Jockey Club HKFA Training Centre in TKO. The third day was back on our campus for the finals.

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Day #1 Both our boys and girls teams were looking strong during the first day of competition. Our boys started with a win over UISG 3-2, a loss to SIS 2-5 and a draw against QSIS 5-5. The girls beat UISG 4-3, narrowly lost to SIS 4-5, and beat QSIS 1-0.

Day #2 Day 2 didn’t go so well as both the boys and girls had to play the strongest schools. Our boys lost 0-8 to DC, and 1-2 in a tight game against AISG. The girls lost to DC 0-4 and 0-2 to AISG. The boys finished in 5th place and the girls in 4th. The girls played their semi-final against the strongest team DC and lost 0-6.

Day #3 Day 3 was back at the AISHK campus for finals. It was an opportunity to really show our AISHK hospitality and create a nice atmosphere for our guests. The day kicked off with our boys playing UISG in the 5th/6th playoff.

It was a tight game all the way but unfortunately UISG won 3-1. Our girls were playing for 3rd place against SIS who beat us in pool play. However, with fantastic support from the local crowd and our vocal boys team, our girls played some of their best footy, winning 3-1 to take the 3rd place trophy.

Our boys showed that the tournament was not only about winning, but also about giving it your all, never giving up, and ensuring other teams get the support they deserve.

The boys were voted by the other schools to win the Sportsmanship award, which they can be very proud of.

Overall, our community comes together and put on a fantastic event. With many staff turning up to cook the BBQ on Saturday, our students handing our lamingtons and the overall friendliness that we know so well from all members of our school community, our guests absolutely loved the event and will remember AISHK for their top notch hospitality.

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View all the tournament action with our video recap, by clicking here or scanning the code.

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Wofoo Social Enterprises, founded by Dr. Joseph Lee, GBS, OStJ, JP in 1997, is a collabora�on pla�orm that offers diversified and innova�ve services to different sectors in the community.

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Year 5-6 Swimming Carnival

Throughout this year students have been involved in curricular development of aquatics skills and their water confidence and proficiency. Lessons have focused on both building safety and survival skills and refining the competitive strokes.

On 14 November, Year 5 and 6 made a splash at their Swimming Gala! Showcasing the growing repertoires of our athletes, this event provided opportunity for students to share their learning with parents right here at our very own Aquatic Centre. Students demonstrated a wide variety of impressive movement skills in the water. Congratulations to all students and thanks to all parents who came along to cheer from the sidelines - it is this community spirit which makes these events so memorable.

swim gala champions

Wattle 755 Jacaranda 729 Eucalypt 696 Waratah 691

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CURRICULAR

CONNECTIONS

AISHK Students & the Shaw Prize for Astronomy

T

his term, on Monday November

of the Shaw Prize in Astronomy for their

13, AISHK students interested in

discovery of fast radio bursts and pulsars.

astrophysics or a future career in astronomy had the wonderful opportunity to attend

On the day, Professor Bailes ran a 10:30 am

a workshop and lectures hosted by the

workshop about fast radio bursts, attended

Shaw Prize and Hong Kong University

by junior secondary AISHK students,

of Science and Technology (HKUST).

whilst Professors Lorimer and McLaughlin

Our students, ranging from years 7-11

gave AISHK senior secondary students

were fortunate enough to meet three of

and university students a concurrent

the seven recipients of the 2023 Shaw

lecture about careers in science. Some

Prizes, who were recognised for their truly

students were also fortunate to participate

commendable achievements. It was an

in direct-to-camera short interviews

exciting experience and everybody learned

incorporating an interactive discussion

a lot about fast radio bursts and the fields

with Professor Bailes about science.

of astrophysics, astronomy and cosmology.

Several AISHK students also attended the

We were accompanied by Mr Peter

2023 – The Discovery and Significance of

3:00 pm Shaw Prize Lecture in Astronomy Phillips (Head of Secondary), Ms Brigitte

Fast Radio Bursts. Fast Radio Bursts are

McNamara (Director of Development and

extremely energetic, radio pulses lasting

Community Relations), Dr Andrew Hill

only thousandths of a second that originate

(Head of Science), Mr Benjamin Foreman

far beyond the Milky Way. The professors

(Physics teacher) and Ms Judy Chang

discussed the technological breakthroughs

(Primary Division Classroom Assistant).

that advanced our understanding of the

The Australian Consulate-General and

culminating in the discovery of this new class

time-varying radio sky over the past 50 years, HKUST worked together to provide AISHK

of astrophysical sources in 2007. We were

students this unique opportunity to hear

also inspired to consider the next decade

from leading scientists in the field of

of this field as new and more powerful

astrophysics. Australian astrophysicist

telescopes come online. We were deeply

Professor Mathew Bailes and American

inspired by the knowledge, passion and

astrophysicists Professors Duncan Lorimer

resilience of these scientists while working

and Maura McLaughlin were joint recipients

tirelessly on their discovery over many years.

34 | LION ROCK | VOLUME 41

Feedback from Professor Bailes

also extend our special thanks

to Ms Mina Dunstan, Head of

to the Australian Consulate-

School, showed that he also

General in Hong Kong and HKUST

valued the opportunity to meet

Development and Alumni Office

AISHK students. It was an

for their invaluable assistance in

excellent opportunity for us to

arranging AISHK participation.

know more about science. Also, a valuable chance to meet with an accomplished leader in science, who is also able to communicate warmly and effectively with university researchers, university students and secondary students alike. It was indeed an unforgettable experience for anyone passionate about science!

We really want to thank Dr. Andrew Hill for taking us to the laureates’ lecture and workshop, it increased our interest in astronomy and

View a video interview by the Australian Consulate-General HK and Macau by clicking here or scanning the code.

we hope we can attend more events like this in the future. We

aishk.edu.hk/LIONROCK

| 35

AISHK Alumni Paris Herbert-Taylor Meets Year 9 T

he Year 9 cohort had the privilege to meet with a writer, producer, and development executive living in LA, Ms Paris Herbert-Taylor last Monday, November 27th. One evening by chance, Miss Craig, head of the English department crossed paths with Ms Herbert-Taylor. Surprisingly, she happened to be the first AISHK school captain in 2006. Seizing this fantastic opportunity, she was invited to speak at our school and share her experiences and knowledge from the entertainment industry with our year level. Needless to say, the students present at her talk were struck with awe and inspired to pursue their dreams with confidence, diligence, and enthusiasm, regardless of adversities.

Ms Paris Herbert-Taylor has lived a captivating life since she graduated from AISHK, deciding to move back to Australia where she received her Bachelor of Arts, Film, and English, as well as her Masters of Creative Writing. Feeling limited by the small film industry in Australia, she returned to Hong Kong, briefly before applying for a summer camp job in Canada. It was during this time that she felt that she had found her drive in life, but was unsure of how to go about doing so. Eventually, Ms Herbert-Taylor became determined to move to Los Angeles in 2017 and worked as an assistant, supporting producers, gaining valuable insight and experience about the industry in the process.

Similar to many, Ms Herbert-Taylor found the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 respiteful, allowing her to rediscover her lost love of writing after a shocking decade-long hiatus. She re-taught herself by watching and analysing comedies and reading numerous scripts. She involved herself in many high-profile events, including

36 | LION ROCK | VOLUME 41

the Nickelodeon Writers Program in 2020 where she became a top 12 finalist, fuelling her determination in breaking into this industry.

In 2022, Paris Herbert-Taylor became a Film and TV executive, reading and assessing scripts, further expanding her insights into creative writing. In an epochal moment, she met a woman who read her half-hour scripts and presented her with an opportunity. This brought about her upcoming film, ‘The 12 Dares of Christmas’, set to be released soon this year. This riveting movie tells the romantic story of a school teacher who accepts 12 mischievous dares involving the new French exchange teacher.

As Ms Herbert-Taylor discussed, there were numerous instances throughout her journey when she felt lost and uncertain. Nevertheless, through her formidable perseverance and diligence, she was able to navigate through this industry, bringing her to her current-day success.

This unexpected visit proved to be a truly fascinating experience that allowed students to further appreciate the importance of hard work, confidence, and determination. The entertainment industry can pose as an intimidating and brutal world. However, we have learnt that through resilience, we can overcome challenges and truly pursue our ambitions.

Call for Contributions!

Do you like to write stories?

Do you take photos? Draw? Or maybe you just want to say SOMETHING.

Here’s your chance.

The Lion Rock magazine is looking to publish your work.

If you are interested in being part of the magazine through essays and articles that you’ve written or a venue to showcase your art (photography, scuplture, graphic art, painting, etc) send us an email.

Do you want to learn how to publish a magazine?

Do you want to be part of a media team?

Or have strong feelings suggestions and/or objections, or other interesting things that you think can be part of the magazine?

Write them down and send them our way as well.

We look forward to hearing from you. development@aishk.edu.hk.

See you in the next issue!

aishk.edu.hk/LIONROCK

| 37

Parent Association Corner MOTHER’S DAY LUNCH

FATHER’S DAY EVENING GATHERING

12 MAY 2023 SHERATON HOTEL, TST

16 SEPT 2023 THE GLOBE

WELCOME FESTIVAL

Next

10 FEBRUARY 2023 AISHK CAMPUS

MOTHER’S DAY DINNER

DAD’S NIGHT OUT

5 MAY 2023 HK CRICKET CLUB

Every AISHK parent is automatically considered a member of the PA and we encourage parents to take up the many opportunities to support our school and make new connections. A reminder of the following PA platforms available:

38 | LION ROCK | VOLUME 41

A NIGHT UNDER THE STARS AISHK 2023 BALL

16 JUNE 2023

DOCKYARD KERRY HOTEL, HUNG HOM

26 AUGUST 2023 HYATT REGENCY, TST

JINGLE MINGLE PICNIC 13 DECEMBER 2023 AISHK CAMPUS

• AISHK PA webpage which • You may also wish includes the PA Shop and to join the AISHK Parent Association AISHKPA Handbook Facebook Group • Please reach out at any time to aishkpa@aishk.edu. hk should you have any PA queries

Stay In Touch

This back cover is a close up shot of painted clay tiles, done by Year 4 students Copyright © 2023.

Australian International School Hong Kong.

All rights reserved.

www.aishk.edu.hk